It's a sad time for me each year.
The time when I have to tuck Christmas away, back into the attic until the most wonderful time of the year comes once more.
I have been surprised to realize how many people can't wait to do this, many even the day after Christmas. I like to let Christmas linger. It is such a special season to me, so warm and peaceful. Some years I have kept everything out into January, but this year I went ahead and started taking it down. And it's sad. But seasons come, and seasons go.
I did realize that I never had a chance to post pictures of my Christmas home this year, and decided to do so. That way when I want to take a walk down memory lane, I can remember what our home looked like in December of 2011, which was a truly wonderful month.
I simplified things this year - no big tree, no pulling out of the hundreds of special ornaments, lots of decorations left in their boxes - but I ended up loving the way our home looked, and most of all how it felt, this Christmas. So here are a few snapshots, so you can enjoy and I can remember.
One of my favorite spots was this table where I took a little of this and that, and suddenly things were white and calm and cozy...
The magic of chalkboard paint helped capture the wonder and adoration...
The white tree I got on after Christmas clearance last year became my Merry and Bright tree in the entryway! So simple but cheerful.
My Homemade Tree also sat in our entryway, covered in ornaments I had made from scraps and bits and pieces I had lying around.
Two strands of lights and some tinsel made my Don't Get Your Tinsel In A Tangle tree shine!
My small tabletop tree, which I deemed the Joy tree, brought me comfort in its simplicity as it sat next to my green chair.
Most of my trees are old hand-me-downs...this broken one was salvaged by nestling it in a French wire basket.
My new addition was a Happy Birthday Jesus Tree, which helped us keep the focus of the season.
And I absolutely love a cheerful Christmas kitchen!
Our stockings were hung in a new place this year...
And I was invited to stop, sit, and take it all in by the Christmas touches I've collected through the years.
We had countdowns going and the kids eagerly helped with these each morning! Christmas day finally arrived and it was merry indeed, with worship for our Savior and a visit from Santa! As usual, it came and went too quickly, though we tried to savor the memories made and time together.
"May the new year be blessed
With good tidings
'Til the next time I see you again
If we must say goodbye
Let the spirit go with you
'Til the season comes 'round again."
(as sung by Kenny Rogers/Amy Grant and Vince Gill)
very pretty! I love all of your small trees! We do small ones in our bedrooms, and the Charlie Brown tree in my kitchen... makes me smile every time I see it ;-). I think the idea of small trees throughout the house is wonderful! Plus, no back breaking lifting of large trees from the attic.
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