Saturday, December 19, 2020

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!

38 comments:

Joanne Huffman said...

It's a Christmas Wonderland! I'm glad you decided to put up your trees and other Christmas decorations. Stunning!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Hello Jeanie: Good for you for doing what pleases you most. Life is too short not to!

Linda Sue said...

Holy cow!! As Janus Joplin said , " too much is never enough". That is all so much work , taking down will be exhausting, so I suggest that you just leave it all up.

Valerie-Jael said...

You have more decorations than the Christmas market! That was a lot of work to arrange them all. Enjoy! Valerie

Pam said...

Lot of decorating has taken place at your home! I toned it down so much this yr. I was just fine with the tree and the shelve (no mantle on a fireplace)....I love the big tree but I also love your skinny one. I have been using a skinny for years now and I am really liking them. They don't take up so much room and I think that it has also discouraged the cats from wanting to climb up in it!! Beautiful job.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jeanie,

Wow, your Christmas trees are all amazing. You do have an awesome collection of decorations. I think you should always do what makes you happy, it is obvious you love all things Christmas. Your home looks so festive and cheerful. Cute photos of Lizzie! Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Mae Travels said...

Congratulations on getting so much done! Your living-dining room looks fabulous. I can't even count how many trees you have. It must feel really great. And please don't even mention a "last" Christmas on Earth. NO way.

be well... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Susie said...

Jeanie, I am amazed at all the beautiful decorations and the trees. Some very unusual ornaments too, which I love. It does look like a wonderful Christmas place. Blessings, xoxo, Susie
p.s. I am smiling after seeing this post. :)

Sandra Cox said...

Everything looks wondrous. Lots of work.
That Lizzie is just gorgeous.

Martha said...

It looks amazing! You have a complete Christmas wonderland in your home! Now I can see why you wanted to go ahead and do it, and I can't believe there's more! Just gorgeous!!

Sandra at Maison De Jardin said...

Jeanie, you are amazing. Do you sleep? Love your home, you have beautiful windows in your living room and I notice you love quilts. I do too and have too many. Your home truly looks as though you love it and love Christmas. It is looks so happy.

Wishing you a beautiful Christmas and everything good and wonderful in the New Year!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Your living room looks cozy, warm and so very festive! I love it!

Divers and Sundry said...

Filled with the joy and spirit of the season :) Beautiful!

Bonnieellen57 said...

I have never seen such a festive house! You did good!

Misadventures of Widowhood said...

Wow, you really went all out and it looks fabulous! Is that red rug something you use year around or just added for the holiday?

I'm also impressed with your felting skills. I tried it after reading one of your posts last year and couldn't master the basics.

Mereknits said...

Your house look stunning, simply gorgeous. Your hard work paid off, it should be featured in a magazine. Enjoy and stay safe.

Barb said...

Oh, I just love your winter/Christmas wonderland! All your ornaments and trees are so meaningful to you. I'm so glad you took the time to decorate (Look who's talking!!) I love that little fox ornament on the Woodland tree. I like all your Santas, too. I have quite a collection of Santas gifted (or bought by me) over our 54 years of marriage. This season, right after Thanksgiving, Bob brought the boxes from storage so I could go through them I gave about half of them to the Habitat for Humanity store. They were so happy to receive them. I hope someone else is enjoying them as I have over the years. Don't worry, I still have many of them to grace our own home this holiday season. Hugs from CO.

My name is Erika. said...

It is looking so festive Jeanie. I can tell you had some fun putting up all the decorations. I can't pick out favorite as it all looks so festive and grand. I do like what you did with your light. Hanging those ornaments off it looks great and it's like having a tree on your table. Enjoy. This season is going by so fast already. Hugs-Erika

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

My goodness, Jeanie, your home is so happy decorated for Christmas! I can just imagine curling up in a chair with a good book with Lizzie with all of your trees lit in the evenings. Good for you to bring it all out this year. You have a lot of very unique pieces that would be sad staying in a dark box.

Thelma said...

Wow!! It all looks so beautiful. I love all your trees and ornaments.
I have to go back and look it all over again.

Cindy said...

You have so many ornaments! I'd love to come spend a few hours just looking at everything. It's beautiful!

Sketchbook Wandering said...

It's a masterpiece, Jeanie!! So many little ornaments!

ashok said...

after seeing your post I was tempted to go shopping for some more Christmas decorations and décor for my home!

Pamela said...

It’s looking a lot like Christmas. This must make you feel so happy.

Pam Richardson said...

Jeanie, I am so glad that you were able to deck the halls this Christmas even with your health challenges. Your home is warm and cozy with the sights of Christmas everywhere. I lost count of the number of trees that you have decorated with so many memories. The woodland tree is a favorite and will bring cheer way into the new year. Enjoy this precious week of Christmas!

shoreacres said...

Lizzie with the reindeer pillow might be my favorite photo. Our approaches to Christmas decorating are so different, but I'm pleased beyond words that you made the effort to surround yourself with your favorite kind of beauty!

Lynne said...

No doubt about it!
You DO Christmas.
Happy tree gets a LOVE from me this year!
Now! Give your back a rest!
Merry Christmas 2020 Jeanie . . .

Rita C at Panoply said...

Oh, WOW! I love how you do Christmas, and loved seeing your home this way! Beautiful collections and arrangements. I love the idea of the winter tree after Christmas. So glad you're feeling better, Jeanie.

Anonymous said...

Hello from Australia.
Love your teddy bear feltie. It’s been a crazy year, I will tell you about mine sometime. You won’t believe it. I still love you very much, stay safe and Merry Christmas to you and Rick,

Love Cath xoxo

La Table De Nana said...

"I toyed with the idea of just leavin lights"
Nevah would you:)
It's looking festive and good for you.WE create our joys at home and afar..
You do it well..and we depend on you;)

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Okay, my friend!!
I think you have gone all out this Christmas!! You have plenty of Trees which of course, I love!! And they are filled with ornaments that evoke wonderful memories so what else could possibly be better than that....Your home is festive, warm and inviting and I so wish we lived closer so that when this is all over, I could visit and you could tell me all about those ornaments , Santa;s and all your memories....I love what you said in the beginning of this post and I hope you will let me use that on my Christmas Blog with credit to you of course....I have been asked if I would cut down on decorating now that I am retired. Quoting you would be the perfect answer to that question!! Looking forward to your next post, my friend!!
Hugs,
Debbie

gigi-hawaii said...

Wow! Your home is so beautiful.

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

I love it! I am glad you still decorate despite not feeling as well as you would like. It’s bringing you so much joy which we need in boat loads this year!!

Karen said...

WOW, you live in Christmas Village!

anno said...

Wow! There are so many memories here, and so much bright, shiny, glittery joy -- even my grumpy, lumpy grinch of a heart just grew a size or two larger and softer. I hope it provides the same solace to you. Thanks so much for sharing this, Jeanie. xox anno

Marilyn Miller said...

I love all your decorations, even the red chair that Lizzie loves and the chandelier with glass ornaments. It is all so beautiful!

Lowcarb team member said...

Oh Jeanie yours really does look such a happy Christmas house, wonderful photographs.

All the best Jan

Naush said...

Jeanie, your home is a delight ! So lovely and alive with color and sparkle.
Thank you for sharing with us at Meraki Linky Party. Wishing you a healthy and safe 2021.
Naush

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