I always love looking back each year at the pictures of how we decorated the house. Due to both kids being sick and the usual holiday chaos I didn't get to photograph everything and I have to be okay with that...that's life, right? Anyways, here's some of what I was able to capture at random points over the holidays. Goal next year: To do a full house tour and a link up party...actually, that was the goal this year and it didn't happen. We'll see if I can get it together later this year. :)
Our master bedroom furniture is a mixture of pieces that we've slowly refinished over the years. Our headboard is an old fireplace mantle. (I thought I had blogged about it years ago and went back to find the post on it but can't seem to find one. Note to self: blog about refinishing the mantle.) I love the mantle because I can change out what's on it whenever I feel like it and decorating it at Christmas is my favorite. Every year I put fresh greens on it and lights. I love laying in bed reading with the lights glowing above my head. Anyways, here's a few pictures of the mantle.
Our tree is a Virginia Pine and we cut it down at the tree farm 5 minutes from out house. I have to say I think this was probably my favorite tree out of all the ones we have had to date. Like always, we wrap everything in brown paper. We started this tradition the first year we were married and have done it every year since. All of the gifts have the same ribbon...a red with white stitching. The children each have their own ribbon that they picked out in addition to Andy and I having our own ribbons. It works well for us and is wonderfully simple.
A few of the ornaments on the tree this year...Disney did a series of ornaments known as 'Sketchbook Ornaments' and there was a Peter Pan ornament in the collection which we had to buy for AG because he is obsessed with all things Pan. It is, by far, his most favorite movie, ever. We bought Avi-Kate a sweet Alice ornament for her collection since she hasn't really become to particular yet about her favorite movies/characters. AG's favorite Christmas movie is Charlie Brown and one of my childhood friends, Jonathan, sent AG a surprise Charlie Brown ornament for the tree. Jonathan--The ornament is safely packed away but AG made off with the box and I couldn't find it when packing up the decorations...a few days ago I discovered that he had been sleeping with the box and it was nestled amongst his pillows. Thanks again! He absolutely adores it...and the box.
Our friend and neighbor,
Cabell, designs ceramic pottery that you may have seen. We have several of her pieces including this sweet ornament that my sister gave me a few years ago and our Santa plate/cup are also designed by Cabell.
Williamsburg ornaments are everywhere on our tree. It continues to be one of my favorite places in all the world and I am so excited that we are going back later this year for Edwards Family Vacation. Last time we were there AG was not quite two and I was pregnant with Avi-Kate but didn't know it. Needless to say, it's been a few years and we are ready to be back in the historic triangle.
My grandmother loved all things Waterford and was quite the collector. She left each of the granddaughters a collection of ornaments. They are some of my most treasured possessions. My grandmother had an entire full size tree decorated in just Waterford ornaments. At the moment mine fit perfectly on this small faux tree. In addition to the collection of my grandmother's I've started collecting two new series of ornaments. I love how the crystal looks with white lights and I think about my grandmother every time I look at it.
Thanks to mom for giving us this Cabell's Too plate and mug several years ago...it is now firmly part of our Christmas traditions.
(Sigh) My goal was to get one of the photos we had taken this fall blown up and in to the frame above the fireplace before I decorated for the holidays...clearly that didn't happen and needs to be at the top of my to do list for the new year.
Kitchen chalk art leftover from the church Christmas party that I ended up just reusing for the rest of the month.
One of the things I love about our house is the huge window ledge in the den and the similar one in the master bathroom. I enjoy decorating them over the course of the year. This year we went with fresh greens, pine cones from Berry, fresh finds from the farm (peanuts, pecans, dried corn), and some faux fruit.
There is something so peaceful about a quiet house late at night with Christmas lights all aglow. One of my favorite things during the holidays. I love to sit and soak it all in around the house.
Almost done with Christmas posts! All I have left is Christmas Eve/Christmas Day/Edwards Family Christmas which will most likely all get rolled in to one long post. After that it'll be on to running the half, life right now, projects I'm working on, etc.
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