"Our hearts grow tender...

...with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year, for having, in spirit, become like a child again at Christmas-time."
 Laura Ingalls Wilder

With only a few days to go until the Big Day, I just wanted to share with you a little bit more of my Christmas-y home!



Before we head into the kitchen, I have to show you my built-in hutch with just a few simple touches.

Come in for a closer look!

 A couple of changes gave this vignette some Christmas spirit.

My one and only little cloche holds a wintery scene.

Would you believe that this year was the first time I have ever purchased faux snow? If I knew the little fingers would leave it alone I would  have sprinkled it all over the place!

My crystal jar looks so sparkly with these ball ornaments courtesy of Wal-Mart.

Moving on into the kitchen, we'll stop in the breakfast nook where I have added some sprigs of greenery and berries tied with a simple ribbon to my 3-tiered stand for just that little touch of Christmas cheer.

I have been so delighted to realize that a common thread among bloggers at Christmas time is that we all seem to go a little more fun and festive in our kitchen decorating.
I am no exception!
Hanging on the door of our utility closet is this sweet way to count down the days until Christmas.
Every day the kids take turns adding to the Nativity scene until the 24th when baby Jesus makes His way to the manger. And no, we aren't off on our days. I just took the picture a couple of weeks ago! We are also working on not arguing over who gets to put the baby Jesus in the manger. You know they are missing the point of it all when mommy has to say "if you both don't stop fighting over baby  Jesus, I'm just going to have to put Him up myself!"

Over on the kitchen desk is this simple topiary tied with a bright red ribbon and surrounded by these sweet little houses. They used to be mine as a little gir and I had no idea until I had my own home that my mom had been saving them all those years.

Each little door has a number and they get opened every day of the month and fill in the sentence "Christmas Is...." with a simple word like "Generosity or Caring or Togetherness", etc. It has really helped having 2 different things to open or add to every day so the kiddos each have something to do.

In the shelves above the desk is this apothecary jar filled with colorful ball ornaments. I never would have chosen these last year, but you fellow bloggers have really helped me to branch out!

O.K. Are you getting sticky yet from all of the sappy stuff I share? Too bad because here comes a little more! Every year when we were little my dad would pick out an ornament to give to me and my sister. He always felt so left out when we opened our presents because he never really knew what we were getting since my mom did all of the shopping. So, he started the tradition of giving us one special gift just from him that we would open on Christmas Eve.

This little angel was one of them. She used to be a bell but now is just a sweet figurine. She comes out every year and I tuck her into this little corner so I can see her in the room where I spend the most amount of time. She always makes me think of how privileged we were to have a Daddy like that!

In the corner behind the sink I used my existing topiary but tucked in a few sprigs of bright red berries.

Have you heard of a "Groaning Board"? It references a sideboard overflowing to the point of "groaning" with treats and goodies galore. Well, this is our "Groaning Corner". It keeps growing and growing....as do we, every time we take a nibble while passing by!

Thanks for letting me show you a little bit more of my home.
Here is a sneak peek of what I hope to show you tomorrow!

 Are you feeling ready for the big Day?

I hope you get some time this week to pause in the midst of all of the frantic activity and just enjoy the moments!
From this Southern Girl at Heart,

Vanessa

Linking to
Tabletop Tuesday
Tuesday Treasures