Everyday Living

Christmas Tablescape Blog Hop: The First Noel

~ Christmas, Food & Entertaining, Holidays, Tablescape Tuesday

“The First Noel the angel did say was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
In fields as they lay, keeping their sheep, on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel”
Unknown

Hello sweet friends…I am sure by now most of you are decking the halls and getting into the Christmas spirit! Everywhere you go, the magic of Christmas is in the air…it truly is the most wonderful time of the year!  I am excited that you have landed here at Everyday Living today as I join with 27 creative bloggers for a Christmas Tablescape Blog Hop hosted by the lovely Chloe at Celebrate & Decorate! The full line up is at the bottom…you will want to be sure and visit all of these ladies for plenty of ideas for your holiday entertaining!

I love all things about Christmas, but as a musician and a singer, I especially love music! The traditional songs are my very favorites, but I also enjoy some of the modern classics. I pretty much love all of the sounds of the season!  One of the songs that I am particularly drawn to and that has a strong memory attached is The First Noel.  I remember singing it as a child in our small country church and knowing that once we started singing those words, it meant one thing – Christmastime was upon us!  With all of that said, join me today at my table centered around the beautiful Christmas song that I love!
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 Look closely on the back of the chair and you will see music…can you guess what it might be?
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Christmas Tartan & Trees

~ Christmas, Food & Entertaining, Holidays, Tablescape Tuesday

 “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭4:4-5

Happy Thursday, dear friends and welcome to Tablescape Thursday!  Yes, you read that right…Tablescape Tuesday is coming two days later this week!  Between hosting Thanksgiving, loads of cooking, Christmas decorating, participating in a fun Blog Hop, and most importantly keeping my sweet Ella Mae I just ran out of time and energy! That happens more often that I’d like to admit these days!

Do you love tartan as much as I do?  It’s so classic and it is perfect this time of year!  We’ve all seen Scottish kilts made up of the criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands called tartan.  We visited Scotland a couple of years ago, and I must admit their wool tartan scarves, blankets and kilts were amazing!  You can see more of our trip to Edinburgh here.


I’ve combined two different tartans today to bring you this week’s Christmas tablescape!  The table covering (that is actually a throw) and the napkins are a recent find at TJ Maxx.  You will also notice a few different trees today…flocked slim trees with their twinkling lights in the bay window that are magical during dinner, my oldest Christmas china made by Nikko, and my favorite ceramic Christmas napkin rings made by my mother and dated 1979.  I guess you could say that today’s theme is obvious: Tartan & Trees! 

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As the sun began to rise, I decided to take a few photos of the table…I love the sunlight and shadows that dance around my dining room!
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Home For Christmas

~ Christmas, Decorating, Everyday Living, Faith

 “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭7:14‬ ‭

Welcome sweet friends and I hope this finds you getting into the Christmas spirit! I know we are here at Everyday Living!  If this is your first time to visit our little corner of the blog world, I am so glad you are here!  I am excited to team up with other bloggers today to bring you a blog hop hosted by the talented Chloe from Celebrate & Decorate.  You will find the full line-up at the bottom… and trust me, you will want to visit each home for loads of inspiration!

My home is my refuge from the hurried up pace of life.  It is where I find rest, peace, and contentment with my sweetheart of 44 years.  Home sparks many memories of holidays goneby, and now that we have a little one in our family, more are sure to come!  Although we have been afforded the opportunity to travel over five continents and I treasure each memory made, there is no place I would rather be than Home For Christmas!

The life-size nutcrackers have a new home…our small front porch offers better protection from the weather!

The wreath is a new purchase…I like that it says Merry Christmas!READ MORE