More Holiday Decorating!

I think the house is about as ready as it's going to be for the holidays. Time to move on to shopping, wrapping, mailing, baking and cards! Oh my!

So, here is the rest of the living room, family room and kitchen, starting with the living room. 

Here's a different view. The "Happy Tree" is at the right and the "Woodland" tree behind the sofa. Over the back of the sofa is the wonderful quilt I bought from Carole of From My Carolina Home. It's a treasure!

 

You saw the poinsettias in the last post. Here's what it looks like when you step back a little bit. 

My friend Lin gave me the garland I have on this grapevine wreath years ago. It's a favorite!

This is a super-fast centerpiece. Dollar Spot lights in a basket with two Santas, both from my friend Judy, that didn't fit on the tree this year. I had to find a good spot for them!

Love this guy's face!

And then there's the tree. I might return later with some of the ornament favorites but I've written about many of those before and since these posts get a little redundant, What I will say is that I can pretty much tell you where every ornament on that tree came from -- a trip, a gift, a family piece from years past or something I bought because I loved it. To the right are a tall Anna Lee Claus couple. I need to find the baby that goes in her arms. Alas, the turkey that usually tops the tree may or may not get on. (We should have put it on first -- now neither Rick nor I can get to the tree top without causing catastrophe.)

Beside the tree, a small table with one of my favorite Father Christmas folk.

This is new this year.

I picked up the German angels and organ (slightly damaged) for a song on the last day of an estate sale.

A quick look in the kitchen. On these shelves are a mid-century-style Christmas Village I found last year at World Market after Christmas, a "s'more" Christmas tree (top shelf) from friend Lin, a Dollar Tree mug with a bottlebrush tree within, and several of framed Christmas cards from Big Bird Carrol Spinney and his wife Debi, along with a little Big Bird. And of course, Lizzie's treats!

The shelf by the window has more "smalls." I collected the little wooden German ornaments from the time I was a kid (now you see much the same, made in China). The Susan Bridgewater mugs on the middle shelf are from friend Lin and a few Santas and trees finish it off.

In the family room I went with a simple mantel and moved the tree to the left. (Bad blog photographer, leaving the dust rag and my breathing vest in the photo! Real life.)

Here's a closer look. I've had this Santa for ages. Friend Kate gave me the wonderful reindeer at his feet,

On the opposite wall on the dry sink -- another favorite Santa with my favorite photo of Rick. The "wreath" piece above was one I did last year from an Este MacLeod workshop and next to it is a framed Christmas card my dad painted for me. He will have died 30 years ago on December 14, so it feels extra special this year.

The small bookcase backing up to the kitchen gets easy-to-move things so we can use it for buffet on Christmas. (I moved the dining table in here for a change of pace!)

On the right is my one and only lino-cut print! I love lino printing but have learned it might not be my strong suit!

And next to it, two more cards from the Spinneys. Getting to meet and spend time with this wonderful couple was one of the best parts from my work life and it's nice to have them as part of my holiday.

We won't go into the messy bedroom or impossible-to-photograph bathroom! Needless to say, I haven't forgotten those spaces either!

Now, it's time to get back to work.

Baking cookies waits for no one!

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