Everyday Living

Home For Christmas

~ Christmas, Decorating, Holidays

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”
Isaiah 9:6

Our family room best represents Butch and my taste in combination!  He loves a rustic and cozy ambiance, I lean to a little more elegance!  If you notice our Everyday Living header you will see a chandelier and antlers. I guess you would say it is a compromise!  The room has the warmth of a cabin with cedar walls and ceiling, brick fireplace, and oak floors!  The French and English antiques along with the chandelier and accessories add a little glam!  I am always trying new ways to decorate this room at Christmas!

This year we went with a smaller tree which meant we didn’t have to move out large pieces of furniture.  I have chosen cherished Christmas pieces that my Mother made and many mementos that Butch and I have collected over our forty-two year marriage to complete the festive spirit in the room!

We have a lifetime of memories in our home that we built thirty-seven years ago in the Appalachian foothills, that was to be our starter house!  By today’s standards it would not be a large house.  But we have never found it in us to sell and build again.  It is our solace from all the noise…a respite from busy schedules…a refuge from the challenges of everyday living!  Hope you enjoy our mini tour of the family room! I love this very large and colorful nativity! One of my favorites…a ceramic church made by my Mother!The coffee table in years past always held collections.  This year I decided to use elements that could change every few days!
 Fresh greens and berries fill my creamware pitcher! This year our family room has a smaller tree! The tree is decorated with hand-blown glass ornaments – a large collection of Radkos!
 Love the color of fresh oranges mixed with reds and greens!
 Hot spiced apple cider for a cold afternoon!  Five gold angels and a pair of large angels sit on the rustic mantle overlooking the manger scene!

A favorite Santa that my Mother made!
I bought this little book at the Biltmore and I keep a journal of our Christmas memories each year! “Unless the Lord builds the house,
    those who build it labor in vain”
Psalm 127:1
side Linking with Pieced Pastimes, Silver Pennies, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice, Coastal Charm, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, Ivy and Elephants, French Country Cottage, From My Front Porch To Yours, Stone Gable, Confessions of a Plate Addict, Worthing Court, Between Naps on the Porch, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, The Charm of Home, Cornerstone Confessions, A Delightsome Life, Imparting Grace, Posed Perfection, Katherines Corner, Rooted In Thyme, Share Your Cup, The Enchanting Rose, 21 Rosemary Lane, Northern Nesting, Cozy Little House, Rattlebridge Farm, Rustic & Refined

Christmas Foyer: Here Comes Santa Claus

~ Christmas, Decorating, Holidays

“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver”
2 Corinthians 9:6-7

Santa Claus usually brings thoughts of a rotund man with a white beard, driving a sleigh led by the bright light of Rudolph’s nose, and finally sliding down the chimney into our living rooms where our stockings are hung by the chimney with care.  Why do those thoughts bring smiles to our faces, especially children?  It’s probably because of what he brings with him…that sack of toys that they have had on their wishlist for the past 11 months!  Santa shows us a beautiful quality that scripture speaks about…he is a giver of gifts and we all love gifts!  We can learn a lot from the man in red!

We started decorating last Friday and the jolly fellow showed up in the foyer!  One thing you will learn about me as this month goes on is that I have a love for Christmas traditions and collections…the sentiment, the joy, and the holiday cheer that they bring!  One of these is the five Fitz and Floyd Santa pitchers that were given to me by my Sunday School Class.  They are all hand-painted and most are dated the early 90’s!

Now let’s take a look into our foyer!
 Our foyer is small and the Santas make a big impact!  Glittered red tulips soften and add texture!  This large Santa is a cookie jar and he sits on a Southern Living publication, “Christmas All Through the South”!  The tall candlesticks are Fitz and Floyd, also! The glow from candlelight creates warmth and ambiance! I added the Santa calendar this year! I had planned not to purchase any new decorations, but I got this for a bargain!
The bisque votive candle holders are from a set of six that I ordered from Wisteria many years ago!
   Do you have any Christmas collections that you keep adding to each year?

side Linking with Pieced Pastimes, Silver Pennies, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice, Coastal Charm, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, Ivy and Elephants, French Country Cottage, From My Front Porch To Yours, Stone Gable, Confessions of a Plate Addict, Worthing Court, Between Naps on the Porch, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, The Charm of Home, Cornerstone Confessions, A Delightsome Life, Imparting Grace, Posed Perfection, Katherines Corner, Rooted In Thyme, Share Your Cup, The Enchanting Rose, 21 Rosemary Lane, Northern Nesting, Cozy Little House, Rattlebridge Farm, Rustic & Refined

Tablescape Tuesday: The Carolers

~ Christmas, Food & Entertaining, Holidays, Tablescape Tuesday

 “Oh come, let us sing to the Lord;
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭95:1‬ ‭

Is there anything more joyful than singing…especially at Christmas time?  The timeless Christmas carols that flood the radio this time of year have a way of taking me back to Christmases in years gone by.  If you’ve ever gone caroling this time of year, you know the joy and smiles on surprised faces as they open their doors to the sounds of the season!

Since the gift of music is so important to us, it was only natural that I would be drawn to Byers’ Choice Carolers!  My collection began when my Mother started with three carolers and has since become such a treasure to me!

I am excited to share a few of them with you all today, and what better way than on a tablescape?!  After all…as believers and followers of Jesus Christ, we do have a reason to sing!


  The table is set with my oldest Christmas china!

 
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I have always loved this pattern…Christmas tree with a teddy bear and presents underneath! 

   
The carolers are entirely made by hand…each one uniquely created
by talented artisans in the US!


The caroler has a sack of fruit and a basket of eggs! 
 
The little girl caroler has fur muffs!
They are dressed for cold and snowy weather!
  
The velvet table runner adds pattern and texture!


What joy to see the Salvation Army bell ringers everywhere I shop!  The pair of carolers with their sign and bucket is the perfect centerpiece!


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The ornament place card holders have graced
Christmas tablescapes for many years!


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The letter carrier and teacher carolers hold special meaning, both gifted by my friend, Kathy and her beautiful granddaughter, Nalin!  My Daddy is a retired letter carrier and Kathy is a retired teacher!

 
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 Their singing faces always make me smile!  


A pair of rustic lanterns complete the caroling centerpiece!  


“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold
in a setting of silver”
Proverbs‬ ‭25‬:‭11‬

The Details:
China – Nikko “Happy Holidays”
Cranberry stemware – Department store (years ago)
Gold flatware – Cambridge
Table runner/lanterns/napkins – TJ Maxx
Byers’ Choice Carolers

side Linking with Pieced Pastimes, Silver Pennies, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice, Coastal Charm, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, Ivy and Elephants, French Country Cottage, From My Front Porch To Yours, Stone Gable, Confessions of a Plate Addict, Worthing Court, Between Naps on the Porch, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, The Charm of Home, Cornerstone Confessions, A Delightsome Life, Imparting Grace, Posed Perfection, Katherines Corner, Rooted In Thyme, Share Your Cup, The Enchanting Rose, 21 Rosemary Lane, Northern Nesting, Cozy Little House, Rattlebridge Farm, Rustic & Refined