We had a nice weekend... we attended a Christmas party at our son's house in Vancouver, Washington.. lots of yummy things to eat and our teenage grandson had friends over and our son and DIL had lots of friends attend. That was fun. I spent all weekend addressing Christmas card envelopes.. all by hand.. all in red and green fountain pen ink. I have cards going to Australia, the UK and all over the USA. I know many people have given up on this age-old practice, but not me! :-) We did a bit more decorating yesterday and got the mantle set up with a wreath, two lit trees and my beloved Santa in his sleigh and 3 reindeer. It's a Jim Shore piece and I adore how he decorates his figurines and the reindeer all have a quilt on their back.
My Nativity scene, it's another Jim Shore piece but I added 3 camels last year. I have this on top of the curved glass china cabinet that Dayle inherited from his mother and father.
Do you put your decorations up in the same traditional places each year? Or do you mix it up and move things around? I'm a traditionalist.. everything has a place.
I put this Putz house out and love how it's lit and the colors rotate from red, green, purple and yellow. We still have lots of work to do, but it's coming along. I don't believe in stressing out all at once. :-)
And remember when I said that my Christmas cactus wasn't blooming? Well, I didn't look on the backside! I turned it around and now have a bloom -- incidentally it's the one I found in my Mother's room before she passed away. It makes me feel like my Mom is visiting and saying hello from wherever her spirit is now. :-) This flower truly represents my Mother's personality.. she was flamboyant. :-)
I snapped the image above from underneath the flower and Kristi snapped the one below for me as I wasn't satisfied with the clarity of a side view I took earlier. I love how you can see through the juicy flower petals.
Hi Teresa, your house looks so pretty all decorated for Christmas. I love your zygo cactus too. I would love to be able to keep one alive all year. I'll just have to keep trying. I'll be sending my Christmas cards soon, planning to write them this week. I'm sorry I've missed some of your posts lately, I've had so much going on. I hope you're okay with all the rain lately. Take care and enjoy the week.
ReplyDeleteTeresa, your home looks wonderful. The mantel is a real delight, stunning! You have some amazing pieces. Whilst I love to keep the same decorations I don't necessarily place them in the same positions each year I like to make the décor look different. Hope the rain isn't causing too much damage, we are having awful floods over here it is heart breaking to see peoples homes flooded. Stay safe.
ReplyDeleteIt's looking very festive at your's Teresa.Keep dry, there has been aweful flooding here in the North of England,hundreds of homes flooded out , so sad. Enjoy finishing your cards. It's been work for me today but I'm off to my last silversmithing class of the year tomorrow ;0) x
ReplyDeleteHow lovely it's looking at yours, you have some very pretty decorations. I tend to put everything in the same place each year as well. Sorry to hear you've had flooding. As Jane says, there have been nasty floods in this country too, a long way north from here. Strangely it's been dry here in the south west for a couple of days, while in Cumbria they've had a record-breaking amount of rainfall. I hope all is well in you area. Have a good week Teresa. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteI'm playing with Piper today Teresa and loving every moment! Your decorating is beautiful and I, too, am a traditionalist. Everything in it's place. Dennis flew out of Spokane yesterday in terrible rains. We're having blue sky and temps in the 50's here. Brad is pretty sick with a horrible cold and we're just hoping the rest of us don't catch it as we have some trips into Annapolis and the mall in D.C. Planned this week.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Betsy
At the moment I am drying out from my photo jaunt outside :) Your Christmas decorations are so pretty and it is nice that you have found traditional spots for them to be placed every year. I have had some of my decorations for a very long time, but I tend to display them differently every year. I have had the nativity display you made for me and the wooden one my mom purchased for us out all year long this year. I am making hot dog soup in my crockpot and I need to go reset some of my lights that went out when the power flickered last. Have a happy cozy day! Oh, and thanks for sharing the photos of the plant you inherited from your mom. Beautiful!xx
ReplyDeleteI just read Gracie's blog and sent prayers her way and to anyone affected by the flooding......sending much love to you all xoxo
ReplyDeleteSpent the day at work and the entire 2nd grade went and watched, "The Good Dinosaur". It was cute. I just finished addressing my first batch of cards. They go in the mail tomorrow. It isn't Christmas without cards!
ReplyDeleteThe best part of the holidays is being with loved ones; that seem more true as I get older. This is our first real Christmas in this home. Last year at this time we had just moved in and under remodeling so no tree or decorations. I got rid of a lot of things and just kept the stuff that meant the most--like my mother's and MIL's lighted ceramic Christmas trees, and the one my mom gave to me. Don't know if you remember those, they were popular in the '70's. I put the three of them together in one display this year and think that will become a new tradition.
ReplyDeleteYour decorations look fabulous! Love the blooming Christmas cactus, too. Enjoy the season--and stay dry!
Hello, I just discovered your lovely blog via Gracie's blog. And, I signed up to follow along. I love reading about my beloved Pacific Northwest as I'm originally from Washington. Your Christmas decorations are lovely. I wish you could send some of your rain down here to southern California! I hope you stay safe and dry from all the flooding. My best to you, Pat
ReplyDeleteI love Jim Shore too! I dont own any. I'll enjoy yours!
ReplyDeleteI am taking a friend to pick up her new table and chairs in my truck. Then taking zach to the ortho for a second opinion. HOpe he says zach can drive again. Otherwise I'll be driving him to the L later so he can get downtown for a holiday show
Your decorations are beautiful, Teresa! I love the Putz house. :) I, too, love Christmas cards. I am probably not sending many out this year, for financial reasons, but I'm not sure yet. I love all kinds of greeting cards. :) Your mother sure knows how to make an appearance! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLove the Jim Shore Santa and sleigh on your mantel! I used to put each decoration in the same spot each year, but for the last 3 years, have lived a different place each Christmas! so they go where I can make room. I do have a ceramic nativity scene that I started painting back in the early 1980's, and finished a piece a year way up until about 2003 or so. It always gets the most special place, either on my wood hutch or on a mantel (if I have one!). I have quite a few Jim Shore pieces, some for Christmas, and others for other holidays. Being a quilter, I adore each of his pieces with the quilt designs. Your home looks so lovely. I have a long way to go on decorating and cards!
ReplyDeleteTeresa, your home is absolutely magical. You've outdone yourself with the Christmas decorations. Wish I could see it in person !! The children must love it. I've been thinking about you and your friends - another post cropped up on my facebook feed today about what looked like a landslide with trees and rubble all over the road. I think it said it was a major roadway. I do hope everyone is ok. xox
ReplyDeleteHi Teresa, I love your Nativity, it is beautiful :) I move things around and change them up, but our tree is always decorated with all the little ornaments that we have picked up through the years. Each year when I put them out (many were gifts and some we bought on trips) I think of the wonderful family and friends that have a part in our decorations and of the little trips and vacations that each ornament represents.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your day!
Connie :)
Your decorations are so pretty!! Glad that you had a great time visiting your son. xx
ReplyDeleteHope the rain has stopped and the floods subsided. Staying home cozy surrounded by your lovely Christmas lights and decorations sounds like a perfect way to spend the day to me. Best wishes, Tammy
ReplyDeleteThe news has shown all of your horrible flooding and rain, oh my what a mess. Stay safe my friend.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Meredith