Decking the Halls 2020

The halls are finally decked! Welcome to my happy Christmas house!

I thought (for about 30 seconds) about phasing back this year for many reasons, mostly medical. Then I said, aloud, to myself: "What are you thinking? If this was to be your last Christmas on Earth, would you have wanted to spend it in a house where you didn't do the thing you loved?" 

Coming into the hall we meet the greeting angel and the arrangement I made through the virtual Southern Exposure. I've never had a tree in the hall before. It was time to reimagine my decorating!

This tree usually has all silver, white and glass decorations. That box didn't come up. I toyed with the idea of leaving it with just the lights.

Then I realized that I had a bunch of decorations that didn't fit on the big tree so I pulled the red ones and voila!

 

This is the living room. My house is very small -- right now it looks more like a Christmas store than a living room!

And here's another view. That poor red chair cover has been a favorite of Lizzie's! Hence enough throws on it to prevent more scratching! 

The pillow was made by my friend Suzanne years ago. It's one of my favorites.

 

The small white tree with red balls next to the chair was a Southern Exposure project and one of my all-time favorites.

 The photo above was before I moved it. Here it sits now.

Santa gets his due in a flocked white wreath (bought at a ridiculously low price on sale a few years ago and enhanced with some red and white). 

Above, on the bookcase, is yet another swag with one of my favorite Santas.

The Woodland Tree stays up long after Christmas to give light during the winter. Its ornaments are wintry -- snowflakes, birds, snow people. 

 

It's one of my favorites.

And here is the happy tree, now decorated!  

Some of these are my felties and some gifts, others purchased. Pretty much everything on this tree is cloth or felt, either stitched or needle felted. It's a "safe" tree for little ones of enthusiastic pets. 

This is my "Happy Tree." I just get happy looking at it. (The mouse above was purchased; the French-style bear below is one of my felties.)

Heading toward the dining part of the room, some garland, lights and a favorite wreath. (The little white tree used to be there before I moved it!)

I love the cottage feel of grapevine wreaths and rustic things.

I hadn't brought up the snowman tree for a few years because I didn't have outlets in the right places! This year I decided to take some art off the wall and bring it back. This one will stay up a little longer, too!

Atop the china cabinet a few cheery things. I showed these in more detail here.

And in the hutch, behind the doors, a few of the Santas from my collection. 

For a very long time I would try to get a Santa when I traveled, along with a tree ornament. This fellow was purchased in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, in 1994.

This one, in Arizona.

And this was a craft show find. I adore him!

All together now!

And one quick look up! Because I didn't put up the small wall tree with the Radko ornaments, I decided they needed to have a new spot! 

The chandelier was a perfect spot!

The creche my friend Jacqie gave me last year moved from the bedroom to the living room. I like it here -- a perfect spot.

The faces on these china figures are so very sweet.

And finally, the big tree. It looks pretty much as it does every year, crammed with ornaments that tell my life story.

There are ornaments made in grade school, memories of our travels together, photos of family and dear friends. 

I'm lucky to have some that were on my parents' and grandparents trees.

Many gifts are on the tree, like this sweet ornament made by Laura from Decor to Adore with vintage hangers.

I've had the winter wonderland ball as long as I can remember. It is first on the tree...

...along with some glass ornaments and a Victoria from England (and yes, Rick has Albert. And yes, that was a turkey on the top of the tree. 

I'll share the family room and kitchen in another post. But today I will leave you in the bedroom with dad's tree -- a tree with things he would have loved...

...like ornaments related to fishing.

And we'll say farewell with the unofficial queen of the household. 

Meowy Christmas.

Happy Christmas!