Sunday, December 14, 2008

Come on, ring those bells....light the Christmas tree...

The lovely BooMama is hosting the third annual Christmas Tour of Homes, and I'm so excited to get in on it...


BooMamaChristmasTour


So, come on in, everybody!

In the interest of full disclosure (otherwise known as keepin' it real), my house was not picked up when I snapped these pictures. But due to some masterful cropping, you should be none the wiser.

We like our house to have a lived in feel.

So, here is what you see as you come in the front door...




When it comes to Christmas villages, I think you either love them or you hate them. I happen to love them. My hubby, not so much. But he loves me, and so the village prevails. And what makes it even better is when I find a piece that is seriously on sale after Christmas - one of these pieces retailed for $60, and I snagged it for less than $7 a week or so after the holidays. Oh, how I love a good deal.



Here's our tree. We are working on collecting meaningful and sentimental pieces for my daughter, but so far we don't have a lot.



I had some help decorating this year. Who says a tree heavy-laden with ornaments only at the bottom is a bad thing? Not this girl! Where else are you supposed to put them when you're only 2 1/2 feet tall?



The entertainment center boasts some garland and some glittery gold trees, another fabulous after-Christmas find. I purchased them intending to give them away as gifts, and as you can see, my good intentions ended here. On top of my own cabinet.



Stockings over our fireplace, the kind which leaps to life at the flick of a switch. Doesn't have quite the same ambience as a real fireplace, but it's pretty handy nonetheless.



The centerpiece on my dining room table...



My sparkly Christmas tree candle...



And the nativity scene in my daughters room. She has been strictly directed not to touch, but we all know what a temptation that is when you are not quite three. And really, I don't care all that much...getting to touch is all part of the magic, I think.



A few years back, we got almost a foot of snow - extremely unusual for our area. I am including this picture, because it makes me feel so warm and cozy, and it's how Chrismtas is supposed to look. I am still dreaming of a White Christmas for this year, although chances are it will be sunny and 50 degrees.



And that's it! Thank you so much for stopping by. From our house to yours...have a very Merry Christmas!


Oh, and many, many thanks to our lovely hostess!

Photobucket

84 comments:

Julie said...

I love the picture of your daughter decorating the tree. It's simply beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Wow, it's all beautiful, I LOVE the snow pic, I'm too jealous! We don't get that here in S. Texas
Thanks for having us, this is so much fun.

Colored With Memories said...

what a great tour of your place. love the family pic.

cropping! you'd never know i cropped out a couple of laundry baskets!

50 degrees sounds chilly to me!

Ashley said...

Such a cute family! And you are totally rocking that Christmas village. :o) Come visit me at my house (blog)!

Tirz said...

Beautiful decorations and a beautiful family! Good job with the decorating, Jackie. Your home looks very warm and inviting. You should come here to Colorado ~ it's -15° ~ absolutely frigid!

Leslie Ruth Petree said...

I love your centerpiece! Simple yet stunning...

Cyndi said...

Everything is lovely!Thanks for letting me know that I am not the only one who employed the masterful cropping. :) Merry Christmas!

Dena said...

Love your tree and your daughter is so precious. My hubby feels the same way about my village pieces. LOL

Wendy said...

It's so beautiful! My kids like to play with the nativity, too. I got them the Fisher Price one that they're allowed to play with last year and they have fun with that one.

Love the village!

Lisa said...

Jackie, the house looks great! Its nice that you have decent space for your village.

And...your hair is very cute!! I know how it is to get inches taken off, but no worries for you!

KarenW said...

Even your blog is decorated for Christmas. How fun! Your home is beautiful.

Nise' said...

Your tree is so pretty! I miss those days of the ornaments on the tree being moved every day!

SmilingSally said...

Beautiful home, Jackie. Remember the FIRST Christmas did NOT have snow!

Mrs. H said...

Jackie your hair is too cute! I LOVE IT! And that Savannah is a doll! Just precious!

Thanks for the tour! Your house is beautiful and so warm and inviting! I love it too! This is something I think I am going to have to do too!

Merry Christmas Jackie!
Krystal in TX

Anonymous said...

Your home is beautiful and I understand about cropping the photos! Ha! Merry Christmas and thanks for sharing your home with all of us!
-Kim

Chel's Leaving a Legacy said...

Oh Jackie, your house looks beautiful! Your tree is gorgeous, and I love the pic of Savannah at the bottom of it...just precious!

I love me a good deal, too, sister. After Christmas sales are our friends!

Oh, and I LOVE what you've done with your blog for Christmas! TOO CUTE! :-)

(p.s.-I'll have my post up soon...)

Moriah @ Please Pass the Salt said...

Hey girl! Always fun to recognize a friend on a carnival list!!

So pretty!! Your tree is gorgeous!! Hey, did you get S's sweater from Target? I went back to find one for M and they were gone. Sniff.

Anne said...

Your house is beautiful, and I especially enjoy your village collection! Merry Christmas!

Elena said...

I love all your decorations. Such a cute picture of Savanah decorating the tree. Great family picture! Thanks sharing your lovely home.

Michelle@Life with Three said...

I am in LOVE with the wreath on your front door. It's stunning and so different! I also love your centerpiece. I've been admiring those gold Christmas trees at the store this year. I'm hoping to snap up a few after Christmas, as well! Thanks for sharing your home.

Sara@iSass said...

AH, Merry Christmas to you!
Your house is beautiful, love the picture of the outside with the lights and snow! pretty. I like your nativity, it is so cute! Your "helper" did a good job, she looked like she was being so careful.
Thanks for sharing with us!

rachel said...

I'm all for the Christmas villages! And I'm cracking up about the trees on the entertainment center. That's so something I would have done! :) Your tree is beautiful!

Carey-Life in the Carpool Lane said...

What a beautiful home! I really love your wreath and dining room centerpiece. And the pic with the snow...I'm in Southern California so our Christmases look a bit different. :)
Happy holidays!

Erika said...

Love your tree and crystal wreath! Thanks for the tour!!!

Heather said...

I love Christmas villages!

Aspiemom said...

It was so fun to tour your house and see your decorations. It was like looking through a magazine, too!

My son has always hung all of the ornaments on the few branches in front of his face, weighing them down and leaving everywhere else bear. I have to admit...I move them later and he's never noticed yet.

Your hair looks so cute! It's hard to vary from the usual, but you "done good."

Grace Acres said...

Everything looks beautiful and i love the fireplace. Your haircut is darling as well.

Erin said...

My tree is very ornament heavy on the bottom too! Very nice!

Queen to my 3 Boys said...

Oh, it's all so sparkly and gorgeous!

I'm still waiting to put up our decorations. Zane is 12 months old and into everything already. He would never be able to restrain himself with anything sparkly!

Jodie | Velour said...

Y'all are precious, and I love your village. Love it.

Lauren said...

It looks great! I love your snow village! Thanks for letting us in!

Irene said...

Oh I love Christmas villages and my kids even more so! It's great seeing yours and your warm home. Merry Christmas.

Melodie Norman Haas said...

Your house and family are beautiful! Thanks for sharing :)

MakeLifeDelicious.com said...

Your wreath on the front door is ADORABLE!! Where in the world did you get it?! I would love to get one of those! Love all the pictures...thanks for sharing!

Darla said...

you are truly blessed with a beautiful home and family

Penny said...

Your house and decorations are so pretty! I am so jealous of the snow, lol!!!

Anonymous said...

OK WHEN are you coming to decorate my house????

I love love LOVE your village... and the wreath... and the stockings... and the tree.... and your centerpiece... and your hair!!!!

Anonymous said...

OK WHEN are you coming to decorate my house????

I love love LOVE your village... and the wreath... and the stockings... and the tree.... and your centerpiece... and your hair!!!!

Anonymous said...

I'm one who loves Christmas villages - so I enjoyed seeing yours! Love he glittery wreath on your door. Thanks so much for the wonderful tour!

Manuela

Anonymous said...

Everything is beautiful! I love your tree, and the centerpiece is a great idea! Beautiful!

Tracy's Porch said...

Loved the tour so much. Everything looks so cozy and warm! Really love the family shot at the end.

Carrie said...

i'm in love with your wreath & village!

jennifer said...

I LOVE YOUR HAIR!

precious!

RosyRose said...

Beautiful! I love the christmas village...I'm with you on that one!

Unknown said...

Who are you, Martha Stewart? Had no idea you had such style. Your decorations are gorgeous. Love the family pic too.

Unknown said...

So pretty! Thanks for having us over!

Lizz @ Yes, and So is My Heart said...

It looks lovely! Thanks.

LindaSue said...

Thank you for opening your home (and masterful editing/cropping is the sign of a resourceful busy woman!)The picture of your little one decorating your tree is charming. Merry Christmas

Keetha Broyles said...

Jackie, that picture of your little girl kneeling by the tree hanging ornaments is the stuff Christmas is MADE of. Priceless.

Merry Christmas.

Jamie said...

It looks absolutely lovely!!!

His Doorkeeper said...

Your decorqations are all great...especially the one on your entertainment center!

Great job!

I love you ending with a family picture...what a sweet little family you three are!

Have a blessed Christmas!

Shellee said...

Everything looks lovely...have a wonderful Christmas!

Shell in your Pocket said...

Everything is so festive..just beautiful!
-sandy toes

Erin K. said...

Oh my word - your title brought back instant memories of riding in the car and listening to Evie sing "Come on ring those bells..." from the cassette player. How fun! And thanks for sharing your Christmas decor - it is so beautiful, and you would never know that your house wasn't picked up. :-)

Sincerely Anna said...

Hi Jackie,
Your decorations are so pretty and I love your style! LOVE the front door wreath and the gold trees that you kept (good call!) It was nice to meet you tonight and look around your blog. Your family is adorable! Merry Christmas!

ttm said...

Love the Christmas picture! You are such a beautiful family.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing your home! I love the nativity set in your daughter's room.

Best wishes to you and yours during this Holiday season.

Tanya said...

I love your decorations...thanks for sharing. What a beautiful family!

The Sullivan Sitcom said...

Love it Jackie! I so love peeking in at everyone's decor...thanks for sharing!

jill said...

What a lovely holiday home. Thanks for sharing ... Merry Christmas!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful tree! And I love your village.

Jackie @ where the boys are

Eli's Lids said...

Beautiful! I love the wreath on your door!
http://elislids.blogspot.com/

Becky said...

Look at your cute blog design!! You may have to do mine soon! I'm ready for a new look!
Beautiful Christmas house and I agree, great hair cut!
Blessings!

Rachel said...

Seriously I love your tree! I totally should have put some ribbon on mine. I think mine looks very blah. But the kids love it so that is what counts. :)

Gretchen said...

Lots to comment on: First, your hair is a.d.o.r.a.b.l.e.! Also, what a sweet picture of Savannah decorating your tree. Lurve your crystal wreath and those gold, sparkly Christmas trees. Please come to sEattle and do some after Christmas sale shopping with me. I don't have the chutzpah to do it on my own. ;)

Great family photo, and thanks for the tour. xxxooo

Anonymous said...

I love your sparkly wreath.

Growin' With It said...

hey! is that your new hairdo???? love it! and if i'm wrong, well hey...i just like your hair, k?

this event looked like so much fun. your front door wreath is so beautiful. i loved seeing that first. and the one with your sweet girl there by the tree definitely looks like something you'd see on a hallmark card.

Anonymous said...

You have a lovely home and a beautiful daughter.

Anonymous said...

Very pretty. I love the centerpiece!

Jules from "The Roost" said...

OH my word it is lovely! And warm too! I love, love the picture at the end! :)

canadacole said...

What a beautiful home! Thank you for sharing it with us! I loved all of your photos and stories. Your daughter's nativity is so sweet, and so is she! I also love the icy wreath on your front door.

Merry Christmas!

The Pennington Point said...

It looks so beautiful. I love the photo of your daughter behind the tree. Lisa~

SarahHub said...

WOW! Just beautiful!

Adventures of Laura said...

Your wreath is gorgeous and the photo of your daughter helping with the tree is so precious. Thanks for the tour!

A blessed Christmas to you and your family!

Rach@In His Hands said...

First off, you are stunning in your Christmas photo! Beautiful family!
I LOVE the gold ribbon on your tree...so pretty! Everything else is lovely...your home looks so warm and inviting.
I hope you're enjoying the holidays! Did you end up having the cookie exchange?!

Wendi@EveryDayMiracles said...

It's all absolutely gorgeous dear friend! SO lovely AND homey. That is not en easy combination to attain. :)
You are also stunning! :)

Unknown said...

Love your nativity - I love child-friendly nativities!

Thanks for sharing your house and decor (and great cropping).

Merry Christmas to you and yours from Northern Ireland.

Unknown said...

Everything is beautiful! I especially love the sparkly wreath.

And the picture with your family is gorgeous!

mer@lifeat7000feet said...

I agree with Kelly...everything is beautiful. I love your village...and I'm really lovin' that photo of your family!

phillips phamily said...

I'm a cropper, too! You have a sweet family, and I hope you have a wonderful Christmas.

P.S. We're dreaming of a white Christmas like that here in GA, but with 70 degree temperatures here today, not likely gonna happen!

the voice of melody said...

Your home is beautifully decorated! From your front door wreath to your tree, to your centerpiece, it's all absolutely lovely. Oh, and the village of course. I have one too, and I'm glad your husband lets you put it up even though he doesn't care for it.

A very merry Christmas to you and yours! :)

Michelle Simpson Photos said...

I love the nativity set! And you three are a beautiful family!

Michie said...

Thank you for the tour. I like the wreath on the front door. I also had a 3 year old girlie helping me decorate the bottom of the tree this year.

Karen said...

I love your village. I wasn't able to put mine up this year and I miss it:( Your home is lovely, and what a pretty Christmas header for your blog. Merry Christmas to you!