Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Transition into the New Year

Hello my friends!  Thanks for stopping by.  I am really enjoying this week between Christmas and New Years.  One of my readers called it "cocooning" and that is exactly how it feels!  Staying in our cozy home and forgetting the outside world for a week, writing thank you notes, crocheting pink baby booties, playing Scrabble on my iPad.. watching mindless TV.. bliss.  Kristi and I have changed out the dining room decor.. packing away the Christmas colors and putting out a pure white tablecloth with embroidered silver snowflakes that Kristi picked up and making it look like New Years!  I had to laugh.. there is a coffee cup on the china cabinet and a vacuum cleaner in the background.. but to be honest.. I do a fairly straightforward blog where real life can always be seen.. no glossy magazine photos.. lol!


Each holiday I like to (not always) pick up one new decoration.  This German Christmas Pyramid Nativity carousel actually arrived from Amazon after Christmas.  I had a little brass one eons ago and noticed a few years ago the ones made in wood and have wanted one.. I got to put it together and I just love it.  When you light the candles (beeswax ones) the top twirls and so does the first and second tier.



After a month of rainy days.. today we awoke to not a cloud in the sky and brilliant sunshine.  Love it!  When I downloaded this photo I noticed that an oven rack is leaned against the window.. lol.. real life again.



Some close ups of the carousel.. here is Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus.  They are surrounded by the 3 Kings carrying their golden jugs of frankincense and myrrh.  I didn't know that Joseph was bald with a grey beard and fringed hair. :-)



Below that are several shepherds and sheep and lambs.


On the top are 3 cute little angels blowing their horns.. all have pigtails.. :-)


Kristi was shopping after Christmas and this pretty wreath was on a good sale so she got it.. I was so pleased as I had the idea of changing out the red and green in the dining room to silver and gold and this fit right in with my plan!  I like to welcome in the new year with light white colors - and the sentiment of PEACE certainly is something I am wishing for in the new year for the whole world.  Wouldn't that be wonderful?


I finished my second bootie.. this pair is ready to go to a new baby girl born to the family!  My daughter and sister Denise both said.. who is the 2nd baby girl?  My brother Robert and his wife D'Ann's oldest daughter Johanna and her husband Andrew welcomed a new baby girl that was born right before Christmas.  She joins a brother.  I'm so happy for them!  Then, my cousin in Oklahoma, Nancy (who was born in the same month as me) - her youngest child Shevin, gave birth to her and her husband Curtis' first child, a daughter, on Christmas day!!  So, I have another pair to get busy on.  :-)



I just love making these booties for my family and friend's new babies.



My wintered-over Streptocarpus is flowering for me!  Love love.  I think it's grateful that we did not leave it outside to fend for itself.


We are having a dinner party on New Years Day - our older son Shawn and his family drove to Los Angeles to have Christmas with her big family in Agoura Hills and so we're having Christmas with them on NY's.  That should be fun!

Are you making any New Year's Resolutions?  My only one ever is to eat healthier and exercise more and drop 1,000 lbs.  :-)  Right.  What's yours?  ((hugs)), Teresa :-) 

(Edited to Add) Click HERE to join in on Amanda's Giveaway!


22 comments:

  1. Your home always looks real and inviting. A goal is to take a family trip to your neck of the woods! I'll need you to help me plan!
    I would like to needle felt this year......

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  2. Congratulations to the babies families on their new arrivals! It is nice to change things after Christmas and look forward to new beginnings isn't it, we will do ours this weekend. I have one of the candle pyramids, they are pretty aren't they, especially when they turn round. Yours looks great on your table. Enjoy the new year! xx

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  3. How original! I have never seen a Christmas decoration like that before. I like to buy a new Christmas decoration each year as well usually for the tree but I think I'll have a look on Amazon for next year. I'd like the look of the candle pyramid. Congratulations on your new addition to your family...gorgeous booties!

    Wishing you and your family a very Happy New Year

    Amanda xx
    PS: I have just posted my New Year Giveaway on my blog if you would like to participate :-)

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  4. What a fantastic decoration. I have a couple of little ones that spin round when the candles are lit, everyone really likes them. Your table is looking lovely all in white and silver. As you say, nice and clean for New Year. I'm wishing you and yours a very happy 2016. A couple of the same resolutions here as well. I'm getting in all the unhealthy things in advance. Also some writing resolutions. Have a lovely day tomorrow Teresa. CJ xx

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  5. I'm so glad to see you have some sunshine Teresa...the rain has been relentless for so many people. Your home is looking ready for the New year..enjoy your cacooning, it does feel good :0)x

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  6. Love your candle carousel...I have a small brass one that belonged to my folks. The original box says "made in Sweden". I would love to have a German one like yours since that is my heritage. Your house looks lovely all decked out for the New Year! We have white lights outside and I want to keep them up for at least another month to keep the winter nights on the bright side.

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  7. Congratulations on the new babies. The booties are lovely. Th wreath and pyramid are both lovely additions to your home. I think they're both beautiful. We still have all of our Christmas decorations up...I think I'll leave them until after the New Year. They were out up so late this year that I want to enjoy e sparkle awhile longer. Today is the first day with no snow in 10 days! There is no sunshine but that's okay. :-). I like your "real" pictures. Life is not perfect and I don't trust pictures that are. :-). Have a safe and happy new year celebration my friend. Love and miss you.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  8. I love your home Teresa and all the visits are great. Wonderful ornaments.....me today just back from the dentist with temp crown......oh fun xoxoxo

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  9. Your home always looks delightful Teresa - I'm glad it's a home as well and not staged lol - mine is never like that - always something where it shouldn't be. Lovely decorations. have to admit I keep my Christmas decorations up until 6th January - I don't put them out too early and like to then enjoy for as long as possible - but it's good we are all different. Have a lovely dinner party and a Happy New Year to you and your family. Hugs Anne x

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  10. It's always a joy when you share the decor of your lovely home. I love the new tablecloth, wreath and centerpiece. And, I had to laugh about the vacuum as mine is always nearby since I vacuum a lot with Lilly here in the home. I wish for you and your family a very happy New Year and all the best for 2016. Hugs, Pat

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  11. Hi Teresa! I love your blog and the decorations and photos that you share with us! I especially love the PEACE wreath that Kristi found and the sweet center piece on your table on a white tablecloth. It is all so calming and peaceful. Not to worry about the vacuum cleaner and oven rack--mine always appears at the wrong place and time!! Happy New Year!! Hugs from Barbara S. in Parrish, Fl

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  12. I love that German Christmas Pyramid. I want one!

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  13. Years ago my mom gave me a nativity carousel. It is outlined in red and life has been hard on it. It has moved back and forth east to west and north to south in the USA and our dear border collie, Lady Dog, munched on various parts of it so that it no longer spins properly... Your New Year decorations and the glorious sunshine today give hope for a fresh new year filled with peace.
    Thanks for posting :) xx

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  14. Hi Teresa! Just love your blog, decorating and photos that you share with us. I especially like the PEACE wreath that Kristi found. The white theme you have going is so calm and peaceful. Not to worry about the vacuum and oven rack--mine are always showing up unexpectedly!! Happy New Year Teresa!! Hugs from Barbara S. in Parrish,Fl

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  15. I would have never noticed the coffe mug or the vacuum. I was too busy Ooo and Aahhing over how pretty everything was looking. I laughed at the oven rack because mine is in our screened porch. Have to remember to get that back in the oven. Looks like you are ready for 2016. Have a great time with your family. Happy New Years!! Lisa

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  16. Your Nativity Carousel is very unusual - its amazing how you find all these wonderful things. Also like the wreath and the white 'theme' for your New Years setting. Very pretty indeed. I'm just waiting to see our midnight fireworks to welcome in 2016. Only 2 hours to go. The 9pm family fireworks were pretty good but they're promising a spectacular show at midnight. Happy New Year to you and yours and thanks for being such a great bloggy mate. xox

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  17. 1,000 pounds, WOW! Me too!!! :0 I love that sense of cocooning as well. Enjoying our home and family and the season.Perfect. And I love that you keep it real. Because we all have things like oven racks leaning against our walls. Otherwise we can't fit the good stuff in the oven! HAppy New Year My Friend!!xo

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  18. Dear Teresa, what a nice article. I wish you to succeed in your resolutions for the best. My resolution is to be truely RELAX (stop to be so anxious) and enjoy the life as you do (like your Mum)! You are an example for me. Thank you for being you.
    Friendly
    Julie

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  19. I love the real life on your blog, my house always has things stashed here and there, it is not perfect that is for sure. My word for the year just might be calm, I am still thinking about it. I need to be much, much calmer. Hugs to you and Happy New Year,
    Meredith

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  20. OK, if you're game I'll join in on the loosing of 1,000lbs. Heaven knows I sure could drop 100.
    Your booties are so precious. The new baby girls will be right in style.
    Kristi must be a mind reader to have selected the perfect New Years wreath.
    And I agree with you, our world sure could use a peaceful year without trouble or strife.
    Take care, be healthy & safe.
    (((Hugs))) to you and yours and a special pat for Buddy!

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  21. Teresa - Happy New Year to you and yours!

    Judy

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  22. Beautiful pyramid, I have one very similar that was bought when we lived in Germany whilst serving in the military. Each year we bring it out and remember friends from that era. I am praying for PEACE in this world. I could certainly benefit from losing a few pounds.

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