Everyday Living

Tablescape Tuesday: Merry & Bright

~ Christmas, Food & Entertaining, Holidays, Tablescape Tuesday

“For nothing will be impossible with God”
Luke 1:37

I think we can all agree that Christmas is the time everyone steps it up a notch with decorating. What other time of the year do we take an entire weekend, some even longer, to decorate for a holiday?  I love to see photos of trees, mantels, porches, and everything in between all decked out in the traditional red and green. It’s also the time of year that we open our homes to family and friends to enjoy good food and fellowship, making it my favorite time of the year to tablescape!  I love using fresh cut greenery, fruit, and of course, lots of bling and color! Over the years, I have collected so much Christmas decor that I have an endless supply of things to choose from…and I like to mix things up a bit!  This Christmas season, I added salad plates from Pottery Barn that I can use during the winter months, not just for the holidays!  They make for a good transition while bringing holiday cheer!

 
The salad plates provided the inspiration for the table!

 
The long centerpiece is made with fresh-cut cedar, apples, and candles!


 There are four different birds represented on the plates!

 
I paired a solid red napkin with an apple green chevron print napkin and cinched the two with a napkin ring!

 
A pair of square vases filled with cranberries hold a floating candle…so simple, but elegant!

 
The rattan chargers add texture and give the setting a rustic feel!

 
Candlelight provides the perfect ambiance anytime, but especially at Christmas!

 
The foundation for the centerpiece is a festive table runner!

 
The colorful stemware is always used during the Christmas season!


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This was one of those tablescapes that came together in fifteen minutes…love it when that happens!

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The five flocked slim trees are a new addition to the dining room!  They were so easy to assemble and put in place – perfect with just the lights and no ornaments!


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

The Details:
White Dinner Plates – Home Goods
Bird Salad Plates – Pottery Barn
Stemware – Pier 1 (several years ago)
Gold Flatware – Cambridge
Rattan Chargers – Hobby Lobby (several years ago)
Table Runner/Napkins – TJ Maxx
Napkin Rings – Fairhope, AL (this past summer)

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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

Home Tour: A Christmas To Remember

~ Christmas, Decorating, Holidays

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!  Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your king is coming to you;  righteous and having salvation is he,
humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey”
Zechariah 9:9

It’s December 14 and most of our homes are decorated for Christmas by this time.  Our tree is fully decorated with my collection of Radko ornaments, Byers’ Choice carolers have made their appearance on our table, and ceramics that my Mother painted with her loving hands sit in various places in our home…and they all come together to make our home a place full of Christmas memories and love!  And it is the same in homes all across the world!

And today, we will see a perfect example as I share a precious family’s beautiful home all decked out for Christmas!  As I was photographing their lovely home, I was in awe, not only of the beauty that meets the eye, but also by the “spirit” of the home!  Immediately I felt the love that the couple share for each other, for their children, and for Christ!  You can’t manufacture that, it only comes from a personal relationship with Jesus!  The style, loving  atmosphere, and collections around their home come together to orchestrate a Christmas they will remember!  As you approach the front entry, you are welcomed with Christmas cheer!      The husband’s study/office has been transformed to the magic of Christmas for their two young daughters!
  MacKenzie-Childs truck and a Santa decorate the top of a beautiful chest in the study!   The cute mailbox is perfect for letters to Santa!
       The dining room is elegantly dressed for the season!    The large angels herald the reason for the season…the birth of our Savior!  The story of the Grinch comes to life in this beautiful room with a view!
  Is the Grinch tree not the cutest and can you imagine the joy and memories that it brings two little girls…
   …and he is life size!     Aren’t they beautiful in their matching monogrammed dresses?Be sure to come back for part two of this home tour on Thursday!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

Simple + Southern Sunday No. 60

~ Simple + Southern Sunday

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭1:18‬ ‭  “Glory to God in the highest, Glory to God evermore
Good news, great joy for all, melody breaks through the silence
Christ, the Savior is born!  Jesus, the love song of God!”
Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, Jonas Myrin
 Butch “spotted” a church!Macy’s in New York City took on the Peanuts theme this year!  Be looking for Katy’s guest post from the Big Apple!  Dowd is carefully considering her answer to “Have you been good this year?” Dawn breaking over our garden lights!  Andrew isn’t a fan of Santa or Mrs. Claus! Our cherished collection of Wedgwood ornaments! Blaze and Rush tailgating with Santa – simple and southern! Fried farm eggs with crabmeat, focaccia croutons, and chervil!!  Festive NYC at Christmas! Oreo says “Joy to the World!” Carter says, “High five, Santa!”    The magic of Mickey Mouse and Santa come together in New York City!IMG_2932 “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD!'”
Psalm 122:1  final-closer-both-1 Linking with Pieced Pastimes, Silver Pennies, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice, Coastal Charm, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, The Dedicated House, 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, Alabama Women Bloggers, 21 Rosemary Lane, Northern Nesting, Cozy Little House, Rattlebridge Farm, Karens Up On The Hill