Monday, December 20, 2010

"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,

27 comments:

Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your Home said...

Beautiful home and I LOVE the angel...Aren't dad's the BEST!
Bless you!
Cindy

Sarah @ Modern Country Style said...

Oooh, do I get first comment??? Gotta be quick....!

I sprayed on Christmas snow to the children's bedroom widnows. The next day it had gone. And there were some very snowy little fingers!!!

It all looks gorgeous, Vanessa.

Have a fantastic Christmas.

Sarahxx

Val said...

I love your home. It's so warm and inviting.

Sarah @ Modern Country Style said...

Aaargh....I was too slow with my typing!! I got in second!!

Sxx

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Hey there Vanessa~ Your house is so warm and inviting with your touches of Christmas! I love that darling little cloche with the trees and faux snow and those houses are such a treasure! Thanks for sharing~Merry Christmas!

michelle said...

Gorgeous as always my friend! I love your little angel, what a dear and precious thing that your dad started, thank you so much for sharing your kitchen with us! Your treats looks really yummy too!!

Merry Christmas to you and yours!!

xo

Thoughts for the day said...

Beautiful home. I decorated this year but for some reason I am just not into it like other years.
Maybe because I am doing day care the kids toys don't mix well with Christmas decorations.
Thankyou for sharing your home with us.

Unknown said...

Your decorating joy is contagious! I love your glass cloche and all your festive trimmings but most of all I love your sense of wonder and fun! Happy Christmas, Belinda

DIYbyDesign said...

I love your jars filled with ornaments. Sweet story as well with your special gift from your dad. Everything is gorgeous.

Sherry@Back2Vintage said...

Your home is just lovely....Merry Christmas from a Southern girl.
Sherry@Back2Vintage

Becca Bertotti said...

Leave it to you to post a comment from Laura Ingalls reminding us of one of the true reasons for Christmas ... the children !! I love your Christmas touches throughout ... your cloche looks fab with the snow ... your gold glittery ornaments are so pretty in your crystal jar and I love the "Groaning Board!" Your sweet festive touches throughout are infectious !! Hugs, Becca

Lori said...

You look ready! I just hate that it will be over soon. Such anticipation.... then it is done. We have to learn to keep the spirit all year I guess.

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

I am ready....and I am so glad. Drove by a Target today and I am so glad I didn't have to go there!
Oooh, the yummies look good! Enjoy!

Tricia said...

What prettiness. I love your cloche full of little trees.

I wish I would have seen that Laura Ingalls quote sooner. I just did a post about seeing the world through a child's eyes and that would've been a nice addition. Hope you have a very merry Christmas :)

Sheri @ www.careergirlinterrupted.com said...

have i said before how much i adore your built in? I have? Darn. Was hoping for something original. BUT I ADORE IT. and i'm jealous. I wans one sooo bad. Holly Jolly! :)

Unknown said...

Vanessa,
Everythings looks beautiful and I love your little angel from your daddy. Aren't daddy's just precious? Mine used to get me a box of chocolate covered cherries and my sister thin mints at Christmas. All those toys and clothes and those chocolate cherries are what I remember the most. Since he passed away my sweet husband does that for me now.
Have a great week!

Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door said...

Just beautiful, Vanessa! I love the sweet liitle trees under the cloche. I've never used fake snow either. But I'm loving where everyone has been using it this year!
Merry Christmas!

Jemsmom said...

Everything is just perfect! I love all the jars filled with ornaments! I just about cried over the ornament from your dad. That is the sweetest thing! I am all ready for Christmas, but not... I have everything ready (except for all the darn wrapping!), but it all comes too fast. I love this season and wish it would last longer! We just got back from 4 days at Disney and had the best time! I have a week of baking, crafting, and wrapping planned for my now 5 year old! I can't wait!

NanaDiana said...

Everything is just beautiful...from the hutch to the kitchen loaded with goodies....but the most precious part of your home to me is the story you carry in your heart about your Dad and that sweet little angel ornament. Hugs-Diana

Katerina said...

Beautifully decorated home. You made it so festive and warm.

Sue said...

Vanessa, the hutch, with its silver tray vignette, is gorgeous! Love the glass all frou-frou-ed up with the sparklies and trees. And the blue/white plates are so pretty on the tiered holder. You're very lucky to have that angel ornament from your dad as a reminder that he cared enough to be a special part of Christmas for you two girls. :-) Enjoy the rest of the holidays, dear friend. I'm sure the kids are anticipating that little visit from Santa!
Lotsa hugs, Sue

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh I love all of your wonderful sentimental and precious treasures. To me that just makes Christmas, all the wonderful memories. Everything is so pretty and every corner is decorated to perfection. Love it all. Thanks so much for joining TTT and I hope you and all your family have a very Blessed Christmas. Hugs, Marty

GwendolynKay said...

I so enjoyed your holiday tour. I love the angel your dad gave you. What a sweet tradition he had with you. I am going to buy some faux snow and tuck it away for next year. I have never used it before, but have found so much inspiration in blogland . Thanks for sharing all your pretty Christmas decor.
Blessings~
Gwenny

Miz Helen said...

Hi Vanessa,
Just stopping by today to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia said...

Everything is so pretty! I looked for some snow today and they were out...:(
You my friend link your heart away!
Merry Christmas
Love
Kristin

Karie said...

You have a beautiful home. And the Christmas decorations are gorgeous. I especially like the story of your Daddy giving you a special ornament at Christmas. How tender. Thank you for sharing.

Traci said...

I'm so behind on my blogs! I guess that's what happens when you go on vacation the week of Christmas! I love your hutch! It's so nice to have such great memories of your childhood surrounding you.