The year is quickly winding to a close, and I'm still reeling from all the Christmas chaos. It was so much fun having all the family together, and I actually wish I could rewind everything and enjoy it all again. But no, I must pack away all the little things that have decorated the house for the season, back to their tissue paper and boxes, down to the basement.
Here's the Colonial-styled centerpiece I put on my dinette table... it smelled delicious, and I loved it! That is, until Sabrina came home and stopped dead in her tracks, horrified that the oranges had attracted that many houseflies. I suppose cloves do look like flies from a distance.
Mike and Sophie set up their Lego Winter Village, and I'm looking forward to them adding more pieces to their collection. I'm not, however, looking forward to them arguing with me when I tell them it's time to move it off the dining room table and put it away...
I love that the little bakery lights up...
This is one of the many candles I accumulated over the month of December... it's by Keepers of the Light, which is one of my favorite candle companies! This particular one is called Butter Maple Toddy... I also got Caramel Apple with Nuts, and Carmelized Creme Brulee from Mom for Christmas. We don't need to discuss all the Yankee candles I purchased this season.
This Santa figure is a reproduction antique candy dish. The top half of the Santa comes off of his hollowed-out legs, where candy would have been stored... I think he's beautiful, with all of his details...
I stitched Bringing Home the Tree by Pineberry Lane last January, then sent it to Jill for framing, and as soon as it returned to me, I wrapped it and put it away until it was time for Christmas decorating. It twas so much fun to do, I'm planning on doing the same thing this year, but with Stacy Nash's Christmas at Hollyberry Farm.
This little battery-operated candle is on a timer, so it comes on for a few hours in the evening and then turns off until the next evening. I love that!
This is a top view of my coffee table... you can see what's in Candy-dish Santa's bag from this angle. :)
I have a hundred and thirteen Starbucks ornaments so many more things that need to be put back in their places, but the last thing I'd love to share with you is a precious gift sent to me by an old friend. She stitched this ornament for me, with PSS for Plum Street Samplers, and the year I started designing. I was so touched by her sweet gesture, I'm going to be leaving it out year-round.
It's been a lovely Christmas season, and I'm very much looking forward to the new year! We'll be spending it in Colorado, which I'm really excited about. And that means this is most likely my last blog post of the year. Thank you all so very, very much for all of your comments and emails that you took the time to send to me. It's been so fun getting to know you, and to even meet some of you in person.
I leave you with a family picture, taken on Christmas night, using the camera's timer.We've done this the last few years, and for some reason it always makes me want to laugh... probably bc I'm always the only one that has to scramble as fast as I can back to my place before the shutter clicks.
First, however, I have to show you the outtake, which I absolutely love bc it reminds me of all the commotion our small group can make. It's amazing how loud we can get, but I love it every year.
I hope the joy of Christmas still lingers in your home, and that you have a blessed New Year.
Your home was decorated so beautifully for the holidays! I love the antique Santa and I've never seen a Lego village like Mike and Sophie's. Too funny about Sabrina and the orange cloves!
We decorate our home a little closer to Christmas and then everything remains up until Epiphany, the twelfth day of Christmas, although sometimes I take the big tree down earlier.
My hubby does the family pic with the timer too. We all sit at our places around the dining table and then he madly runs into his place before the shutter goes. The kids always roll their eyes but I know they enjoy the pics too!
I hope you and your family enjoy your vacation in Colorado. Happy New Year!
Posted by: Lynn Jones | December 29, 2012 at 07:02 AM
So fun to see all your decorations for Christmas and to see the family pics too. What is Sophie pointing at? Have fun in Colorado!
Posted by: Margaret | December 29, 2012 at 07:06 AM
Great pictures! Your decorations are all so pretty, though I don't think I could ever look at the studded orange without thinking of Sabrina's comment! LOL Great family photos! Have a wonderful time in Colorado.
Posted by: Siobhan | December 29, 2012 at 07:09 AM
I love reading your posts. Your family sounds so fun. I love the legos, that was amazing. Glad you had a great Christmas, hope you have a wonderful time in Colorado and can't wait to see more pictures. Happy New Year to you and your family
Posted by: Sheryl | December 29, 2012 at 07:26 AM
Enjoyed all your decorations. Great family pic. Wishing you and yours a wonderful New Year. Looking forward to your next creative designs, thank you for sharing your gift.
Posted by: PJ | December 29, 2012 at 08:01 AM
You have a beautiful 'camera eye' for all the decorations. They are lovely! Your family Christmas picture is great. Such memories you have created for everyone. Thanks so much for generously sharing them here. Loved reading and looking. God Bless you all in the new year. :) Cathryn
Posted by: Cathryn | December 29, 2012 at 08:10 AM
Loved seeing all your decorations and the family photos. Happy New Year!
Posted by: Laurie in Iowa | December 29, 2012 at 08:55 AM
OMG, your decorations are wonderful and I love your Christmas sampler tradition, I might have to copy you. You need to quit enabling me ;-). What a sweet little gift too, I may need to know who designed it?
Fun family pics, and have a great vacation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Katrina | December 29, 2012 at 09:51 AM
Thanks for a wonderful blog and beautiful pictures all year long! The needlework and your Christmas decor is just wonderful!!! What I like most of all is the love that shows in your family photos! It seems you are living the life you love~~ NICE!!!
Happy New Year~
Kim
Posted by: Kim | December 29, 2012 at 03:20 PM
You and. Your. Family always have. A fun time! Have enjoyed you sharing them with us. Thank you!
Happy new year and have a fun. Trip to. CO!
Posted by: Joann09 | December 29, 2012 at 05:12 PM
Thank you for sharing those beautiful photos. Happy New Year to you all.
Posted by: Claulem | December 30, 2012 at 08:12 AM
Your family is such a delight to read and hear about!
You have an eye for decorating, and I love seeing all your beautiful cross-stitch. Have a wonderful new year!
Posted by: Becca | December 30, 2012 at 05:12 PM
I really enjoy your blog! All of your decorations are very beautiful. Your pictures came out great as well. If there is a secret to your lovely pictures (a program) please share. Happy New Year!
Posted by: Candi Conner | December 30, 2012 at 07:03 PM
But where are the Hoolies?
Thanks for sharing your family life, such fun!
Posted by: Barbara ryan | December 31, 2012 at 02:35 AM
TRES BONNE ANNEE 2013 !
BISOUS FROM FRANCE ! Marylin
Posted by: marylin | December 31, 2012 at 02:37 AM