Home For the Holidays

Green Christmas









Keeping Room


Watercolor by Anne Hathaway




Front Porch


Homemade Papier Mache Santa for Illustration Friday


Papier Mache and Breaddough Santas


More Treasured Santas



Daybed on Screen Porch


O, Christmas Tree


Foyer and Dining Room

Deck the Halls

Every year I say I'm going to cut back on my Christmas decorating, to just get out a few things. It always seems overwhelming before I get started because, over the years, I've accumulated so many Christmas decorations. What was I thinking when I started a music box collection for my oldest son and a Nutcracker collection for my youngest? Why in the world do I have three cabinets full of Santas? Does anyone really need this much sugared fruit?

But then I get started and I think, "Well, it won't be so much trouble to put a garland here and a swag there, and before you know it, every mantle is swathed in pine boughs and cedar, and every cupboard is decked in magnolia and ivy. And then I remember why I collected all of this to begin with: because I love it when the house is twinkly and bright. So, I never cut back, and I never simplify, and I never regret the time and effort it takes. I decorate for Christmas because it makes me happy to be surrounded by things that remind me of the spirit of Christmas, of love and warmth and family and home. I hope you have a Merry Christmas and that you too are surrounded by love and warmth of family and home.


















for Created By Hand, Inspiration Avenue, and the Three Muses

All Through the House

The Three Muses have a Home Sweet Home challenge this week, so come in all you muses, and have a cup of Christmas cheer with me!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

(One Powerful Hour)




















Welcome to my home! I haven't blogged in over a week because everyone's coming to our house for the holidays this year, and I've been busy decorating. So, I thought I'd take you on a Christmas tour of my house.






















Every year my best friends and I exchange ornaments, and these beautiful Santas are the latest additions.




















The tray table in the living room holds some my favorite things: a Santa, sugared fruit, crystal, and flowers.











































The Welsh dresser in the breakfast room holds green majolica year round, and at Christmas, I add white Santas and pine boughs.





















In the red damask dining room, another dresser is filled with tranferware and fruit.

















On the staircase, Staffordshire and fresh boxwood and variegated holly decorate a black chinoiserie shelf.


















And the hunter green upstairs den is home to Nutcrackers and a tiny tree.
























I started collecting Santa Claus figures in 1985, and there are a few that I made myself in this secretary. On the top shelf, there's a bread dough Santaand a Santa in a black robe that I made, and, on the middle shelf, there's a reclining Santa with striped stockings that I made out of papier mache. (Inspire Me Thursday).


I've always loved everything about this time of year: the cooking, the carols, the lights and sparkle, but, most of all, the time celebrating the intangible gifts of friends and family. I hope that, in the coming week, wherever you are, dear blog friends, you are warm and blessed with the spirit of Christmas.

Love and joy come to you!
Alberta




for Crazy Amigos

On The Wings of Love

for Mixed Media Monday