Wednesday, December 6, 2023

One Tree at a Time

Everywhere I visit on Blogland I see people's beautiful holiday decorations and lovely trees. Meanwhile, I'm still working on it!


But I thought I'd offer a bit of a progress report! I'm getting Christmas up, one tree at a time, one Santa at a time. 


The timing could have been better. Between Rick's mom's visit, kid sitting and my bug, I haven't exactly been spot on in November. But the calendar doesn't wait for us, does it?


This is one of my favorite trees -- the woodland tree. This year I decided to move it (it generally sits behind and atop the television). I rearranged the living room furniture into two "talking areas" and moved a small coffee table (it was part of my grandparents' wedding furniture). Now the tree is visible from both sides.


I love all the ornaments on this tree and I keep it up well into winter.


Underneath, a bit of a vignette with greens and two new little sheep I found this year. 


This jolly fellow belongs there, too, even though he's partially hidden behind some of the branches.


Because it's a bit more rustic than formal, I chose two rustic Father Christmas fellows to sit atop the china cabinet. (I've since moved that star, which is temporarily atop the big Christmas tree, but that's for another post.)


Sitting next to the tree, on my puzzle table, is Rex. This jolly elf belonged to my friend Lisa's dad and I purchased him at the estate sale after he died. 


Isn't the face fabulous? Lisa's dad was one of the best Christmas elves ever and it's nice to have his spirit in my holiday house!


Here's a look at some of the Father Christmas fellows hanging out in the cabinet! I'd keep the doors open all the time, except that they would block the doorway from the family room! These fellows came from trips to Stockbridge, MA and Flagstaff, AZ.

The other half of the room will have my big tree (still to come) and my Happy Tree. I found this flocked tree after the holiday a few years ago. Pretty much everything on it is felt, with a couple of exceptions, including some I've made myself. 


Even Lizzie has her place here! 

 

I bought these two from our blog friend Lidy of French Garden House. She had some wonderful mice in her current collection. 

 

 A trio of poinsettias, some greenery and pine cones rest on a basket.

 

 There is more to come -- the kitchen, family room and big tree. So, I'd better get busy!

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58 comments:

Tom said...

...WOW, you sure decorate. I get wreaths on the doors, a tree decorated and few poinsettias placed around and I'm done.

Sandi said...

The red bulbs are so beautiful! I love this time of year.

Anvilcloud said...

I am greatly impressed. We have one little tabletop tree that is pre-lit with no additional decorations.

My name is Erika. said...

You always have such lovely Christmas decorations, Jeanie. Good idea to move things around so the woodland tree can be seen better. I think your house is looking really lovely. And your inspiring me not to be so ha;l decorated this year-smile. Happy middle of the week, and I hope you show more of your Christmas home. hugs-Erika

acorn hollow said...

Wow you are looking wonderfully festive!! I love your Santas!
You have been busy
cathy

Divers and Sundry said...

I enjoyed seeing your decorations :) Ours are already up, and I think I'll share a few. Thanks for the inspiration!

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

You are so good at decorating. Thank you for sharing!

Boud said...

Multiple trees? I don't even run to one! Thanks for doing it though.

Pamela said...

Your holiday decorations are the absolute BEST!

coffeeontheporchwithme said...

Oh, I do love a woodland theme for Christmas. I do a little collection on a two-tiered display in the bathroom (that sounds a bit odd, doesn't it, but everyone sees it that way!) That elf is fabulous. We had an elf when we were kids with bendable wire in his arms and legs but I have no idea what happened to him. -Jenn

Julierose said...

Lovely decorations--your tree is simply beautiful...we only have two little tabletop trees this year--scaling back and gifting my ornaments to my children for their trees...
And,,,,Speaking of trees: our cedar trees in our backyard are just aflutter with all kinds of birds eating the berries--quite a sight...especially seeing those red cardinals flitting around and even a few bluebirds...
Hugs Julierose

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Beautiful! Your decor looks like Santa's second home.

ashok said...

Wonderful decorations !

DeniseinVA said...

I love all your decorations, the woodland tree particularly. Thanks for sharing Jeanie.

Steve Reed said...

Very Christmasy! I like Lizzie.

Jenn Jilks said...

It's been quite a time for you!
Glad you could decorate. It is beautiful. You have such taste.
We've just taken it a little at a time. It's been fun. Our only visitors are the kids, but it is fun.

gigi-hawaii said...

You sure do Christmas in a grand way. Come do our house. I'm so lazy.

Bill said...

Beautiful decorations, very nice to see.

DVArtist said...

Everything looks so pretty. Well done my friend. Have a very nice day.

Lorrie said...

Decorating is a gradual thing around here every year. I like the slow unfolding of the season. Since we always have a real tree, we don't like to put it up too early and have all the needles fall off on the 24th! Your woodland tree is lovely, as is the little silver tree in a mug!

eileeninmd said...

Hello,
Your woodland tree is a favorite. I like the Lizzie and mice felties and the Santas. It all look so festive and pretty! Take care, have a great day!

Pam Richardson said...

Jeanie, your home is beautifully decorated and so festive. Everything looks really pretty. The elf is amazing and I am glad it has found a new home! I will be anticipating more. I am working on finishing the Sunshine Cottage today, I am running behind. Merry Wednesday!

DUTA said...

I keep saying that I like trees and Santas in all their possible versions.

roentare said...

The Xmas decorations are just so lovely. Festive and positive.

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

Boy Jeanie, looks like you have done quite a bit decorating for Christmas! Love the elf, Rex! And your felty tree is my favorite. Hope you are feeling better.

Lowcarb team member said...

Jeanie, your home is looking so festive (with more to come).
Enjoy every moment :)

My good wishes.

All the best Jan

Red Rose Alley said...

Oh, I can't wait to see more! You have two trees up! I just love the tree with the felt ornaments. It's so colorful and sweet. Rex the elf is delightful. Yes, he has a jolly face. What a nice reminder he is of your friend's Dad. I can see why you like the woodland tree. It's so close to nature. Jeanie, everything looks wonderful and festive. And I really like y our wreath. It's simple and pretty with the red balls and plaid bow.

Merry Christmas season to you, Jeanie.

~Sheri

Rita said...

This will be fun to see! I don't even decorate at all the past several years. I do have colored lights around the patio door and studio window--but they are there all year round because I love little colored lights--lol! I can make them twinkle and I will...closer to Christmas...if I can remember how to switch them to twinkle--lol! :)

Joyful said...

Wow! You've really outdone yourself with the Christmas decorating and it sounds like you're only half way through. Everything looks beautiful.

Iris Flavia said...

Rex clearly steals the show!
I bet the kids absolutely love your home and are occupied finding each and every detail!
Merry Christmas!

kathyinozarks said...

Beautiful!

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

Your home looks lovely, warm, and cozy for the holidays. I have a few things on the living room side tables and that is it. It doesn't make sense to drag things out when I'm trying to pack. Merry Christmas!

carol@The Red Painted Cottage said...

Jeanie, Well you’ve got me beat! I finished decorating before Thanksgiving weekend ended, but I haven’t shared it yet on my blog. I’m going to try and get a few photos and get it written today. I love your felted Lizzie! It sure looks like her. I’m lucky enough to get our one tree up and decorated! I used to do 2, but not now. Your house is looking very festive!

La Table De Nana said...

I have Rex's buddy..:)Similar..a woman was closing shop..so I adopted him..I'm glad you always cheer everyone up at Christmas..and Easter..and President's day..( kidding) But you always do.Here's to you!

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

I love your woodland tree! Your decorations are really lovely.

shoreacres said...

Your felted Lizzie is especially fun. One tree does just fine for me; your ability to decorate so many is astounding. Inquiring minds want to know: where do you store all this stuff the rest of the year?

thepaintedapron.com said...

Things are looking very festive Jeanie! We got our tree up yesterday so I'm finally finished, I feel like December really snuck up on us this year!! Just do what you can and enjoy it!
Jenna

Lisa's Yarns said...

I love your Lizzie ornament! That turned out so great! Our decorating is fairly minimalistic so it was all done in a day. But I am LOVING it. We decorate on the early side but the glow of the tree is so nice especially when the days get shorter and it gets dark so much earlier. I love coming down each morning to the glow of the tree (we have the lights on a timer so they turn on at 6am and off at 9pm).

Jim and Barb's Adventures said...

Very festive! Rex certainly is an interesting looking character. We are not going to get to have a tree this year, as we will be hitting the road soon.

Rita C at Panoply said...

Oh, I love your woodland tree! I don't recall seeing Lidy's felties! they are so cute!!!
Carry on, merry merry!

Sandi Magle said...

Jeanie, you are way farther ahead then me. We had a December baby (the 13th) and we always waited to decorate until after his birthday...and then left it up forever...lol. I just can't seem to get much up before then! So enjoy it as it gets done...the Blog insane people...who are so early---are usually promoting something and selling etc. Here it is simply for OUR own enjoyment. Thank Goodness! Hugs, Sandi, love your little felties!!!!

Misadventures of Widowhood said...

You always have the best trees and so many of them! Are you able to store them fully decorated or do you have to assemble them every year? By he way, that felted cat is so cute!

This N That said...

I do less and less each year..No tree anymore.nobody sees it but me..It looks like you do a lot..Love your festive decore...I haven't even gotten mine out yet..may not..I did the outside...!!!

Sharon in Las Cruces NM said...

I so enjoy your many decorations; just so much fun to see so much in one place. glad you are able to get so many themes of decoration going. my mantel is all I can do; forgoing a tree this year. putting a couple of light strings on my outdoor bushes in front yard. thanks for sharing!!!

Joanne said...

I think your house looks lovely!

Lux G. said...

More than anything, I like the lamb! So adorable!

Lisbeth said...

You do decorate a lot Jeanie. Looks amazing. It is nice to decorate a little bit before Christmas. I am late this year, but hope to decorate this weekend. Enjoy.

R's Rue said...

So pretty.

Breathtaking said...

Hello Jeanie:=)
Your home looks lovely with all the decorations. I love your woodland tree, Santa's, and deer ornaments. You really go to town with decorating and I think it's worth every minute spent
doing it. Look forward to your more to come post.:=)

Carola Bartz said...

Well, not ALL the blogs show decorations because mine certainly doesn't. I don't do any particular decorations for any holiday. The only thing that happens at la casa Bartz is the lights on our house that we don't call Christmas light but winter lights because they stay up at least until Valentine's Day. People around here love them because our corner is rather dark (despite a street light) and with our home lit up it looks way more cheerful. But this is the Geek's job, not mine. We don't have a tree anymore - we stopped doing that a few years ago. You certainly do decorate a lot, but the main thing is that you enjoy it, and it shows. Jeanie, have a lovely weekend!

The French Hutch said...

Hi Jeanie, like you I am behind in my decorating. I'm usually finished by the first but as my dad always said "time waits for no-one !" I miss hearing those words. I love the woodland tree and I see why you leave it up during the winter. I love the decorations and how cheerful it is. Perfect for those long snowy days! I love the new sheep, I have two and I suspect my collection will grow. How nice you have Rex to set up and enjoy, the perfect decoration for the holidays. I'm sure you think of your friend and her dad every time you see him. Oh how I love a flocked tree.I have a small tabletop flocked tree. I decorate it with special ornaments I have and gifts. I hope you are feeling better after the bug. Take care and happy December!

PS, Wow, you have started a Quimper collection. I'm so excited..........

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

Jeanie,
I LOVE all your sweet decorations and everything looks so charming and festive!!! I love your woodland tree and the Father Christmas figures! Just delightful...Most of my decorations were gifts from special people and bring me back to great memories of those people...I always say that decorating for Christmas is like seeing old friends and family again...Have a great weekend and thanks for always stopping by!!
HUGS,
Deb

The Happy Whisk said...

Such a fun time of year.
Your place looks great!
Happy Chrstimas!

Danielle L Zecher said...

I'm impressed with all of your decorations! We don't do nearly that much, and I just got the wreaths put up yesterday.

I'm also impressed that you can have all of that with Lizzie! We can't have any plants in the house because of the cats, and Caroline has been all the way to the top of the tree a few times this year.

Jenny Woolf said...

I was specially attracted by your felt tree. I got a bag of felting yarn (or whatever it's called) in a charity shop but have not yet investigated how to use it!

Esme Slabbert said...

Incredibly awesome. I gifted all my Christmas decorations when we moved a year ago, and only kept one or two extremely special pieces, so now its time to start fresh and get what will fit in our basement suite. Its fun to look for new stuff and love to get ideas from all the awesome posts doing the circuit at the moment.
I visited you via Love Your Creativity Link Party #231
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Esme Slabbert said...

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Remember you can also link up with our #Wordless Wednesday every week and this will be open again on Wednesday, January 10, 2024

Olka said...

Your decorations are cute :) You put all your heart into it :) I enjoy watching your photos :)

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