Friday, December 13, 2013

MAKING CHRISTMAS HAPPEN


So here is the pretty tree for 2013!  Packed to the gills with so many of our memories of 28 years.  Whispering:  I can say that because tomorrow is our Anniversary!!  And that's the new tree skirt that Sonya made for me that I showed you a few weeks ago.  I love it.  Ignore that goofy quilt on the chair...that's "Milo's chair", and I have to fold it because he jumps on the arms to look out the window and they are getting a bit worn.  Dogs!  In a future post I will get some close ups of my favorite ornaments.









Another thing I discovered and used is the color red.  I'm not a red person at all although I love to see it in others homes.  And I mean that (especially you, Brenda!).  But not only do I not look good in it, (totally washes me out ghost-like),  but I really don't have a lot primary colors in my home. I guess I'm just not that sort of bold person.  Pastels are hesitant, introverted and non committal.  But I digress, as we all do, I made the leap and threw red into the mix.  Poinsettia's, tartan bows, bright red candles and candy in the  dishes.  I have more to show you...just not now...this is just enough.  But I feel sort of liberated!  And inspired,  (those Home Tours are quite inspiring if I say so myself! :)  Still don't know how to get on one! lol!



  

I feel that Christmas spirit as real as the candles I'm burning right now that smell of pine.  Emily came and decorated much of the tree and we drank red wine (sometimes it takes a village!).  Abby worked on her Christmas list.  I've done a little online shopping and I'm looking forward to some wrapping tomorrow.  I want to make the dough for my cookies and I'm hoping...just hoping that maybe The Husband will take me out for our anniversary.  To think...28 year ago we were getting married and on our way to Hawaii.  Christmas didn't seem to exist there (except for Elvis singing Blue Christmas in almost every bar, restaurant and store we went into). But all of that's okay...we still have each other and more...and like the new candles on the mantel and spreading Christmas cheer throughout the house...life changes and becomes more abundant...not with material things, but with the memories and the makings of new memories. :)

Feeling the love this holiday season,

XO,
Jane

Joining the party at Dwellings-The Heart of your Home for Amaze Me Monday!!



















55 comments:

Michele M./ Finch Rest said...

Jane your home is a Christmas delight - just the right touch, looks fabulous! Love your new tree skirt.

By the way - use 7UP/Slice/Sprite/lemon-lime soda pop - anything cheap in your water for the tree- it keeps it fresh soooo much longer. Trust me.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Terra said...

You have created a Christmas wonderland in your home this year and I can see you have the Christmas spirit. I like those wooly white trees you showed us earlier and also in this post. I hope you will plant some replacement birch trees, they are so beautiful.

Anonymous said...
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June said...

Oh boy Jane, I love your tree and all the decorating you have done in that beautiful home of yours! I know what you are saying about the birch trees. How sad you lost them. We took down one of the big limbs from ours this year because it was going to fall on something important (like me:) so I had Dale cut them into lengths to keep too.
Have a wonderful weekend.
hugs from here...

Melanie said...

Your Christmas tree is so beautiful! I also love all the pretty decorative touches you have around your house. I'm loving the birch logs in the basket, though it's sad the logs are from your trees that you lost. I've always wanted some birch logs for my fireplace (NOT to burn - for decor!) but don't know where to find them. Hmm, I just looked on eBay out of curiosity and they're pretty expensive! Perhaps the prices will drop after Christmas. Anyway, happy anniversary to you and your hubby! I hope he takes you out for dinner tomorrow night - maybe you can hint!

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Happy Anniversary to one of my favorite couples!
Jane...your home looks so festive and pretty!
Love the tree, the mantle, the wooly trees and of course the birch logs!
It already seems so long since we went to Cedarberg...where does time go.
Love this post! I have so much stuff to do for Christmas still it boggles my mind.
Love ya dear friend,
Cindy

Linda@Coastal Charm said...

Hello Jane,
First...Happy Anniversary! Second...all your Christmas décor looks great and it sounds like you had fun doing it. Hate to hear about the birch trees, but glad to hear that your sweet neighbor cut them up for ya. Hope you get that dinner date:)

Blessings,
Linda

Art and Sand said...

Everything is just beautiful.

I know it sounds crazy, but my favorite is the wooden candy cane.

Enjoy the rest of the lead up to Christmas.

Lynne said...

Happy, Happy, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Doug Fir Jr. looks fantastic!

Every special touch is a hug from you Jane. The woolie trees are wonderful on your beautiful mantle!

I love that you saved the pieces of birch. I would do that!

The carpet is in! We are headed out to the Puyallup Valley to down the tree tomorrow!
Blessings to the "B's"
w/L

Stacey said...

Sounds and looks just wonderful to me. I love your description of pastels and personalities. :)

Lynn said...

Everything looks so pretty and festive Jane! Merry Christmastime-enjoy:@)

awal.ny said...

Happy anniversary and your home looks so Christmasy I love it. I have just a little left to do, I can't wait to bring in the fresh greens, they smell so good. Have a wonderful weekend. Alaina

Theresa said...

Warm, cozy and welcoming! Yes, I enjoyed my visit with you this morning! Your tree is gorgeous and all of your decorations beautiful:) Have a blessed weekend dear friend, HUGS!

SImple and Serene Living said...

Getting the tree up is the most important part for me, too, Jane. Yours looks beautiful. We do become richer with Christmas memories each year. Enjoy yours. xo Laura

Rita C at Panoply said...

Jane, love your post and your home seems so inviting. I can relate about the birch logs - mine died from disease and had to be cut last year (just got them into the decor this year).
Happy Holidays,
Rita C. at Panoply

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Your tree is WONDERFUL, and I love the other decorations, too! How well I remember nut bowls, crackers, and picks!

Here is wishing you and your sweetie a Happy Anniversary!

xo

Sheila

Primitive Stars said...

Morning Jane, ahhhh, sounds a lot like my Christmas childhood memories, beautiful tree.....Love the prim Moose and your displays, very cozy and inviting, ....Enjoy your Anniversary!!!!!!!Blessings Francine.

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Happy Anniversary, Jane! I am married 28 years as well {29 in May}. Don't you wonder at where those years went sometimes? You've done a lovely job with your decorating. I kept things simple this year. Last year I felt like I had so much out even though I wanted to go simple then, too. Not sure what next year will bring since I never seem to do the same thing from year to year. I think the tree is the only thing that remains the same!

Sunflowers With Smiles said...

Happy Anniversary Jane, we just celebrated ours in October. Your tree looks so lovely and home so nicely decorated. Have a wonderful holiday!

Julie Marie said...

Everything looks just beautiful Jane!... your tree is perfect and I love the tree trunks you saved from your other house... you know I LOVE the color red in my home (and others) and it looks so pretty in yours... I also really like those little wool trees you got... Happy Anniversary to you!... now I'll be hearing Elvis singing Blue Christmas all day long!... xoxo Julie Marie

bj said...

ahhh, Blondie...your home is just beautiful. I love your pretty tree...
Your birch logs look amazing and your mantel is so pretty.
So glad your sweetheart is feeling so much better THIS Christmas...so much to be thankful for.
I am going to the Dollar Tree for some snowflakes today.:) I love yours.
xo bj

Anonymous said...

Oh how I wish someone would decorate for me this time of year. I used to do a real bang up job of it but for some reason I just don't have the energy to put into it anymore. I simply enjoy the decorations of others... Oh, and Hubby did string a few lights on the front porch. :)

Balisha said...

Loved the tour of your Christmas home. Everything is so pretty. I especially like the old window complete with snowflakes.
Have a wonderful anniversary.
Balisha

Junkchiccottage said...

Jane,
The tree is beautiful and Happy Anniversary. Enjoy the week end with your sweet hubby.
Kris

Lisa @ Texas Decor said...

Happy anniversary to y'all!! Your tree looks so full and lush. I bet your house smells so good! Our tree is artificial and I really do miss the smell of a real one. Your mantel looks perfect. I love those wooly trees and that star. You're reminding me that I need to start burning my Christmas candles. I totally forgot about them and haven't used any of them yet this season. :)

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

Happy Anniversary! :)

Your tree is lovely...the big old-fashioned REAL tree that I wish I still had the room for...with the entire house infused with the scent of pine. So, now I just buy a pine candle, lol!

We had the same thing as a kid...the bowl of candy and the nuts! :)

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

Happy Anniversary Jane!! Your tree looks beautiful...love the candy canes hanging from your chandy...so cute!!

Linda said...

I love seeing your Christmas! Just beautiful! I can almost see you and your girls in my mind's eye....as if I were watching a movie....all sipping your wine and chatting around the tree!! Merry MERRY Christmas!

Penny said...

Happy Anniversary to you two. How wonderful that you were married during the holiday season. Your house looks beautiful Jane. Merry Christmas.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Happy Anniversary! Your home looks beautiful decorated for Christmas! We used to always have that bowl of nuts, needing to be shelled too...

Ricki Treleaven said...

LOL What a way to spend your first Christmas together! I love your decor, Jane. Everything is so festive and *fun*

Doreen@foxdenrd said...

Happy Anniversary! The years do fly by, don't they?!

Yes, that is indeed a moose, and I might add, one of my favorites amongst your lovely decorations.

What is it about nuts? I remember those too at our house every Christmas and my father also loved them. Could we be sisters?! lol

Unknown said...

Jane, What a lovely post! I love what you've done!! Your mantel looks so pretty, so does everything else. Love all the greenery, and those birch logs....oh my! Beautiful! You've made it all lovely, and written a beautiful post! Merry Christmas!!

Unknown said...

PS. I forgot the tree! It looks gorgeous!!

Leslie Harris said...

Happy Anniversary to you!!! Your home looks positively charming and as always your posts are filled with wisdom. I'm so happy to hear all about the family and sad about the loss of your Dad around Christmas. But you are so right. It's the Season to count our blessings.

Ivy and Elephants said...

Your post made me feel warm inside, you brought out the real meaning of Christmas.You have just the right touch!
Hugs,
Patti

Lulu said...

Part of the fun of Christmas decorating is that there are so many memories, and I love knowing that is true for you. You always have a wonderful way of telling your story.

Babs said...

Love your post and hearing about your Christmas memories. I remember nuts in their shells, orange slice candy, gum drops, and lots of mistletoe.
Hugs, stay warm and have a great Christmas.

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

I love this story of your family decorating while you were napping (and grieving)... so sweet.

Your Christmas home looks beautiful.

Fondly,
Glenda

Susie said...

Happy anniversary to you and your husband....hope you have many more years of love and friendship. I laughed about your kids chasing the dogs with that moose. too funny. I like pops of red during Christmas season. Brenda does well with her reds, that she is a step ahead of us at this time.:) I love that you saved the birch logs...they look very good with red ribbons . Blessings, xoxo,Susie

Olive said...

Your tree is beautiful Jane and I am thankful you are getting to enjoy this Christmas so much. Love, Olive

RURAL said...

Everything looks lovely, so Christmasy, and pretty. You have Christmas in your heart!

Jen

Marigene said...

Wishing you another 28 years of happiness, Jane!
You have done a fabulous job decorating your home. I am so slow this year, still working on a second mini tree...actually I am trying to decide if I want to put lights on it or not!

Debbiedoos said...

Your tree looks so prett Jane as does your other Christmas decor. I wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas this year. XO

RURAL said...

Hi Jane, your house looks delightful, and very Christmasy.

I am in love with your wooden candy canes...they are truly adorable. And this should make you laugh, the birch logs that you have sell for over $5 at Wallymart here. And we live in the country.

Jen

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

Beautiful tree Jane! And I love your moose/deer...adorable! Hope you have a very HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, so exciting! Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY...
Blessings,
Cindy

Anonymous said...

Hi Janie! Oh, your tree is just so lovely and the little moose looks a little sad :(. I ant to wish you a belated Happy Anniversary! I'm sure you were treated royally!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Kathleen Grace said...

I agree, it's not Christmas until the tree is up, and I am sure that putting our tree up early this year spurred me on to do more decorating than I have in a long time! Your tree is beautiful, I clicked the photo so I could see every ornament:>) I love that your husband and daughters did the decorating for you while you slept after your father passed away. That is truly a loving thing to do.

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The Quintessential Magpie said...

It all looks so cute, Janie, and I love your tree.

You did a super job.

I think I posted on here already, but even so, it is worth another comment!

xoxoxo

Sheila

Wanda said...

What a happy place.. I loved seeing how you bring the Christmas joy into your home. Some of your simple decoration are my favorite...like your moose and the white pitcher and greens.

It's fun to roam through your home and feel the warmth and love.

SoListenJoseph said...

I love the window-decoration in your sleeping room !
Have a merry Christmas time :-)

Pondside said...

Your tree resembles ours, with all the treasured memories of Christmas past in every ornament. I like your touches of red - good for you!

Beth said...

Love the birch logs, your mantel, and your beautiful tree! Wishing you a great Christmas; hope your anniversary was great too.
Blessings, Beth

Traci said...

Everything looks so good! I never decorate the bedrooms. I never think about it. I LOVE red!!!