Friday, December 11, 2009

Sights of Christmas... Part 1

I had this post ready to go for today before I had the call about my brother-in-law. If anyone would want me to show you Christmas decorations, it would be Bonnie. She is even more passionate than I am about decorating the house this time of year (and does so in a lovely Victorian style). :)

So... join me for a tour of my home this Christmas. I didn't put out as many decorations as usual but even then... there are plenty. I'll be posting more later.

This is an evening view of the dining area. I love the soft glow of the chandelier and tree this time of year. :)

My mother-in-law and I had the same taste in furniture so her antiques blend in well with my purchases I've made over the years.

ADDED NOTE: Want to play a Where's Waldo type of game? If you click on the above photo... where is Brenda's computer? Hehehe...


Remember this basket I have hanging over my kitchen sink? I discovered how pretty it was when I took apart a floral basket to put the plant material in the compost pile a couple months ago. Beautiful!



My husband told me I was absolutely out of my mind when I went out on the porch in a -7 degree wind chill to hang the dried orange slices and cinnamon stars on the old artificial tree.

It had taken days... first of creating and then drying in the oven to make them. I could not wait to see how they looked on the porch. However, after a few minutes I came to agree with him that one is crazy to work outside in those temperatures.


These are a few of my favorite snowmen. I didn't get out most of this type of snowmen this year but I have to display these. The snowmen trio were hand painted by my sister-friend, Belinda (aka: Busy Bee, BB, or Beebs). It is impossible not to smile as I pass by them during the day.

The snow couple stay out all year long. They were a gift from Stephanie. Sometimes (like now) they sit on the book shelves in the living room. At other times during the year, they like to hop up on the yellow pantry cabinet and smile down on me from above.


I love this Christmas tea cup (from Goodwill this past year for 99 cents). I also think the picture of my oldest granddaughter reading is beautiful.




I really like the look on the buffet, especially at night when the lights of the tree and the chandelier are reflected off the glass and silver.

It was a good day when hubby called me when moving his sister out of her apartment, asking if I was interested in this piece of furniture!







Favorite ornaments which remind me of special people. I'll add a few more pictures soon.

All photos can be enlarged by clicking on them.

14 comments:

Barb said...

So pretty and festive - blessings to your family, Barb

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

How lovely! Your home shows how you love it so...

My Mom collects snowmen too, so that was fun to see yours, but I think my favorite thing of all was that darling tree on your porch!

Tracy said...

Brenda, your home is so lovely! Thank you for sharing photos. I love to see how others decorate. :)

Heather L. said...

Your house is so beautiful! You've done a lovely job with all the decorations.

Lisa Z said...

You have a lovely home. Thanks for the tour!

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

Brenda, your home looks lovely! I love the tree outside! I put one in my screened in porch but I don't decorate it (it's a pre lit artificial one). I like the natural decorations you have on yours and if I had any time I'd do the same(but I don't) LOL so I won't.

I spy a laptop on the chair under the table? The tree looks lovely in there and so does the sideboard.

Manuela

Martina said...

I love your beautiful decoration! Your house looks so cozy, and the pictures bring a lot of holiday feeling to me. I especially liked the tree on the porch as it is so simple. I have a big question regarding those cinnamon stars: almost 20 years ago, I studied for one year in the United States. A dear family gave me for christmas some wonderful smelling cinnamon ornaments which I kept for years until they fell apart. They were homemade, and obviously every American child knows how to do them. But I don't! Do you by any chance know how to make them?
Thank you for your great blog! I especially like to visit you when my own life is too busy - your home is so peaceful and calm and I get peaceful too! Have a wonderful holiday! Martina

Anita said...

I loved seeing your sights of Christmas. I may copy your idea of posting pictures of your decorating.

Anonymous said...

Just beautiful ~ so festive and cheery!

Anonymous said...

So beautiful! I especially love the way the tree on the porch looks. Thanks for sharing!

Susan Humeston said...

Beautiful!! I think there must be some tacky trashy part of the because I LOVE LOVE LOVE colored lights - hence, they are everywhere at Christmas, and there are always some in my house all year. It looks beautiful, Brenda! I love the porch tree - very early American looking.

Rachel and Family said...

Found it! On the seat of the head dining room chair.

Lovely decorations. Thanks for sharing.

Emily said...

So pretty, Brenda. The little girl with the holly and stars on her dress is so charming. We love talking about each special ornament as we hang them on the tree. The oranges and stars on your outdoor tree look just perfect! Well worth the sacrifice, hm?

Anonymous said...

Oh, how I have enjoyed your site today. The music made it so worth while. I sent it to my friend back home in PA and told her to cozy up with the page and music. I am not a blogger but have many I go to. I am a Tea person but enjoy coffee in the morning on Saturday and Sunday morning going to church, with my husband. We get a Sr's at McDonald's. I love the flavored ones but he doesn't. Thank you,I love to reminisce too.