Monday, December 17, 2012

Decking the Halls

I am hosting a Christmas Luncheon for my 2 sisters and friend Shirley tomorrow.  Final tidying and decorating has been occurring over the weekend.  Today will be the finishing touches and a shopping trip to town for the ingredients for home made clam chowder and also for Christmas dinner next week.  I've added Santas and Snowmen to my window sills, and the table top.
Wrapping gifts for friends and family.  Making gifts for them, which I can't show you because they all read my blog.. bless them. :-) 
I found my 2 vintage tins with hand crocheted snowflakes and sparkly plastic ones in my office in this huge old wooden cabinet that I bought from my Mom.  Someday when I organize the office, I will show it to you.  :-D  Today I will add these to the tree, and boy will it look pretty!
I like to get photos of the tree with packages underneath.. it always looks SO naked after they're all opened.  
The coffee table in the living room, it's an old round oak dining table that someone cut down to lower it.  What a sturdy table it is.. the kids have driven cars over it and built Lincoln Log buildings, colored pages, eaten meals... I decided to keep the Family photo album there, as what is Christmas.. but about Family? 
The album has this engraved into the wooden cover.. how true it is.
This Santa is one of my most favorite decorations.  There is a story behind it, of course. When we were first married, one thing hubby brought in the way of decor was this Mayan Calendar that we'd gotten on a trip to Mexico.  It was cast out of turquoise rock chunks molded in plastic.  An acquaintance of mine had a business of making molds of plaster things and asked to borrow our calendar to make a mold.  We said okay.  She sheepishly called to say it had broken into many pieces during the mold making process and asked what I'd like in return.  I said a Santa.  And this is what she made and painted for us.  :-)  Isn't he cute?
Even the Grandfather clock gets a Santa, Snowman and Tree.  
Almost ready.  
I have something to admit.. this is the first year of my adult life that I have not sent Christmas cards.  I'm really bummed about that.  But the kitchen fire and subsequent 2 SOLID WEEKS of people in the house cleaning and painting just blew my usual holiday preparations out of the water.  I promise that next year I'll be back to normal.. I hope. :-)  
❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉
*M*E*R*R*Y* *C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S*!*
❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ 
((hugs)), Teresa :-) 

25 comments:

  1. I love photographs of your home so much. After Friday that Mayan Calendar would have been out of date! lol The spirit of sleepy Santa will last much longer. Enjoy your tomorrow. I have not sent cards either and have only wrapped a few presents tonight. I really do not like wrapping. I am hoping to make some Mince Pies before Christmas but quite honestly I am running out of steam! XXX

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  2. Mrs. Teresa, your home looks beautiful as always. I haven't mailed out any Christmas cards this year either. Time has gotten away from me. I do have all of our shopping finished and the gifts wrapped. Plus, I don't have to purchase all the food stuffs this year because my mom has decided to do dinner.

    Honestly, it doesn't feel like Christmas around here. It isn't cold enough, the spirit of the season seems lost.

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    1. Erin, you'll have to work hard to bring the season back to your home for your kids. I know it will be hard, as I'm having to work to get past our awful last week. Hugs, T

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  3. You look well prepared now Teresa. I have still not managed to put up the tree- n my list for tomorrow. Nothing wrapped and many things to do still and I fear not enough time. Have a lovely time with your guests. Anne x

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  4. It looks like you've made up for lost time with your decorations Teresa. What a cheerful house you have made. Have a wonderful time tomorrow with your sisters and friends and I'll be seeing you soon.

    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  5. Teresa, your tree is gorgeous!! I love the sleeping Santa, he's my favorite!! I spied a Cath Kidson candle stick holder!!! Love it and anything from CK.
    Have fun, xoRobin❤

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  6. Ooooh, it's Santatastic at your house! I just love seeing all your beautiful decorations. X

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  7. Everything is beautiful as always Teresa. I hope you have a fabulous time tomorrow with friends and family. Love the Santa sleeping!
    xoxox
    Shari!

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  8. SO VERY SORRY ABOUT THE FIRE..

    LOVELY tree

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  9. Thanks for posting, Teresa...I needed a cheery visit with you :) I am sitting here with two boxes of Christmas cards on the arm of my favorite chair. I especially purchased the cards last year because one of my friends from NY is a writer. She had a verse printed on a Christmas card for Leanin' Tree so I purchased a lot of the cards. I have moved so many times and have such a large family I could easily send 100 cards...but have not addressed one envelop...yet. Having confessed that, I am spurred into action to make great progress in addressing them this afternoon :) Hope you have a great lunch tomorrow! xx from Gracie

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  10. I hope you are feeling better, your house looks so amazing. I know that clam chowder will be very yummy. What about Valentine's cards....you may start a whole new trend!
    Hugs to you,
    Meredith

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  11. Love your collection of Santas! Looking at them brings back some good memories and (shhh) even the day I learned the truth about Santa Claus :)
    Slowly, but surely, I am decorating our house for the Christmas season too. I am also feeling guilt over Christmas cards too...but my family and friends are used to me.
    Wishing you a lovely time with your sisters and friend. Mmmmm-clam chowder sounds fabulous!
    Advent Blessings,
    Aimee

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  12. I always like sending Christmas cards, but I do not like wrapping gifts. Yuk! lol LOVE the look of your tree. Looks very sweet and old fashioned.

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  13. It all looks so warm and inviting! I love that little sleeping Santa! What a fun treasure with a great story! Cards...this is my second year not sending them. I have a special blog that I reserve for our close friends and family. I post many photos of our year and write the stories that made our year and then send a link to all. It seems to work out well because people love to see photos! For me, it's the best way to present "us". And it removes a whole lotta stress! Hugs to you, my friend.

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  14. Hi friend. Your luncheon sounds lovely. I wish I could come!! Love your decorations! Love the Santa you got from your friend. Your oak table is like one I have. It belonged to my Dad's mother. It was their dining table, and then years later, was cut down and my parents had it as a coffee table for years. I have it now, but the base broke, and even having it repaired once, it has broken again. So I have the table top in use over another table. I love it!!
    Teresa, this is the first time in my 33 years of marriage that I am not sending cards either. Shameful. Perhaps New Year's cards will be coming?
    Have a fun party!!!
    Love,
    Kris

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  15. every picture you take is like a Christmas card, Teresa!so pretty decorations. may your Christmas be Merry and Jolly! Anna

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  16. Your house looks wonderful and you don't really need a card as your blog is a huge testimony of how much ou care about everyone. I cannot wait to see the presents you are making.

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  17. Your house looks so festive Teresa...what a welcome your family will have. Don't ever guilt trip about anything...do what you do..it is only you who worries about it! Merry Christmas,
    Jane x

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  18. Oh Teresa, your home looks so gorgeous - very Chrismassy indeed. As usual your photos are fantastic. Enjoy lunch with your sisters and friend tomorrow. xoxox

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  19. It looks wonderful and welcoming. I agree with you about the tree looking naked after the presents are opened. I just love the look of all the pretty wrapped packages waiting under the tree.

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  20. I love how festive and warm everything looks.

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  21. Everything in your home is cheerful and bright. The tree is spectacular! I have dozens of people to send cards to and have sent just 4. I have not 1 decoration out and can not get into any Christmas spirit at all. My husband went back into the hospital yesterday after a weekend of being slowly more confused. It has taken a toll and frankly we are both drained. I am happy for anyone who can just have a normal life without turmoil. My Christmas present would be counting my blessings, and one is all of my lovely blogging friends.
    (((HUGS))) Susanne :)

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  22. Oh my everything looks stunning...such a warm and lovely home filled with love..you are such a blessing to so many! Sending you oodles of joy for a very blessed week.

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  23. Oh your house looks so Christmassy I absolutely love it! Don't worry about Christmas cards, I didn't do many this year - think of all the paper we saved :) I bet you can't wait to have everyone ripping the paper off of those presents in a week! x

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