Wednesday, December 21, 2011

keeping it simple...

keeping it simple this year.

My time for decorating has gotten away from me this year,
I had a busy time with my etsy shop (yay!)  and some of the other events around here and so I'm thinking that keeping it simple will keep the season in perspective for me.
In years past, I have pulled out tubs and tubs of ornaments and tried to recreate
the 'perfect' Christmas, only to feel deflated afterwards.
I have decided that for me the perfect Christmas is the one where I can 
look around the room and see the smiling faces that I love so much.

(that is truly enough ornamentation for me!) 

I love decorating this mantle most of all.

This urn of white branches has come in pretty handy...
It was used in the show that I did as an ornament display,
and then it became the Thanksgiving tree...


 I hung a piece of scrapbook paper cut in a scallop shape with
everyone's name on it and then left a bowl of more circles for 
us to write what we are thankful for.


I have enjoyed it so much that I decided to hang ornaments from it for Christmas!


My Advent candles from last year, the ex voto lockets that hang from them
are from none other than Rosemary from Ozma of Odds
they are truly a work of art and I have kept them out all year long.


I added some greens that my friend Julie and I scavenged from around town,
we had a fun time clipping greens from her friends house and from an abandoned building in town,
 and it is now a favorite Christmas memory...
thanks Julie!


I painted this angel for my mom many years ago and when she
passed away it came home with me.
I can't help but think of her, and when I look at this I relive the Christmas that I gave it to her.



my attempt at bringing a little JDA into the house...

This huge tree top was something that Julie and I brought home that day.
She knew of another friend that just trimmed the tree for their house and we picked up some
of the clippings... I have not seen their tree, but if this was a clipping it must be huge!
I dragged it to the truck and it was the first thing to get carried into the house!
I shopped the barn and put it inside an old galvanized cooler,
my family hasn't commented and that usually 
means that they think I have finally lost it, but I love it :)


I wish that I could tell you that these next pictures are from our excursion to get
our tree this week, but unfortunately it is unseasonably warm here in Michigan
and we have not had the snow that I look forward to for Christmas.

These are actually from last year,
we missed the horses and the snowfall, but we did manage to get a really
pretty tree and I finally got it in the house and put the lights on it last night.

Today will include getting some ornaments on the tree,
although Hannah says that she is good with just the lights!
I do love those old fashioned C7 bulbs...
sooooo pretty :)


and last but not least...
we were able to visit Santa this week too!
whew!
These people are so sweet and have this little shed
turned Christmas wonderland set up in their yard for the local kids to visit with Santa!
(not sure what the caterpillar has to do with Christmas and you know that I soooo
wanted to do a little restyling in the shed, but as for Mr. and Mrs. Claus...
they are perfect!

Danielle brought John home from the airport last night...
I had all 5 kids sleeping under my roof  and it would have been just perfect if Duane would have been
home but he had to go out of town on business.
I felt terrible for him, I know his heart was here with us.
He will be home tonight, not sure that I will be able to keep the 4:00am
bedtime that I did last night, but the conversation was worth every minute of lost sleep!

I hope all is well with you and yours, and that you are
enjoying every minute of this precious season upon us!

I hope to be back one more time before Christmas!

fa la la,
Theresa xoxo

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15 comments:

  1. Hi Theresa,
    Oh,your home looks so beautiful!! And I love the tree clipping in the galvanized bucket, it looks amazing. I was thinking that the tree that this clipping came from must have touched the sky because that is one mighty tree clipping.
    And I love the photos of your family out cutting the tree last year, it reminds me of the scene from Christmas Vacation. :)
    Also, I am so happy that your whole family is back together for the holidays, there's just nothing like coming home!
    Merry Christmas sweet friend.
    Sincerely,
    Melinda

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  2. I Love your so called 'simple' and naturalist decorations ~ very elegant. The idea of using the branches is great...I am definately storing away that idea for next year. Merry Christmas!

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  3. It's just perfect, Theresa! "simply beautiful"! Have a wonderful Christmas! xoxo

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  4. You make simple absolutely gorgeous! Love what you did and I am so with you on it too. My kids are lucky I schlepped out the tree for them! I don't know where the time has gone, but I can't believe the holidays are just right around the corner! Enjoy the kids and have a wonderful holiday sweet lady!

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  5. Very beautiful mantle display! I love the little urn! Your pictures make me feel very Christmas-y :)
    Jennelise

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  6. Your home is so lovely, Theresa! I am in a similar frame of mind this year...enjoy your special time with your family! Merry Christmas!

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  7. Dear Theresa, it looks fantastic- I love your simple way of decorating,matches my Nordic way of living.And the snow photoes from last year- MY GOODNES that was gorgeous, (mind you -to look at-maybe not being in it)
    Dear Theresa a wonderful and merry christmas to you and yours, and all the best for 2012.
    Hugs,Dorthe

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  8. Your house is so charming with all the dcorations placed in just the right spot. Love the angel you painted for your mom, she's beautiful. Wishing you Happy Holidays!
    Love, Jody

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  9. Hey Theresa yay the kids are all home!! I know you're walking around with a smile! I have been resting on the couch from surgery since last Friday. I'm getting my mojo back slowly. I am looking forward to this weekend to be with family too. That necklas is so cool with the bottle brush. So glad your Etsy Shoppe was hopping! Yay! I did pretty good too. I'm looking forward to some creating time after the holidays!! Merry Christmas Theresa and it snowed here alittle while ago!! Maybe just maybe a little bit of a white Christmas. XO Love, Fran.

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  10. Hi Theresa,
    I loved all your photos here today. Sometimes simple is perfect and your Christmas touches are truly lovely. When I saw that Santa and Mrs Clause, I was wondering the same thing about that crazy colorful catepillar LOL. How funny! Merry Christmas to you and your family.

    xo,
    Danielle

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  11. Awwww...what a lovely post my sweet Theresa....so glad your family will all be together for the magic of the season. And your decor is simply beautiful - and beautifully simple. I adore that little tree top tree in the cooler. If I had my way, that would be the only tree we had.... ;o) Wishing you everything merry and bright....Smiles & Hugs ~ Robin

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  12. What a wonderful, full house you must have, Theresa. Wish I had grown up in it!!!
    Your home looks lovely. I was a minimalist this year as well, and it was perfect.
    Enjoy each and every moment looking into the faces you love.
    Merry Christmas!
    xo
    lynn

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  13. I love your simple decor! That's just the way I like it!

    Merry Christmas!

    tot

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  14. Beautiful Christmas Decor.... Wishing you & your family a Very Merry Christmas
    xox
    Cheryl

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  15. I am so loving your mantel and those branches are wonderful. I just finally finished mine on Christmas so I understand the stress of it all. I don't even have children and I can't get it together..lol
    I can just picture you and your friend getting your greens and that adorable tree. It looks very much like it came out of their pages.

    Mr and Mrs Clause are perfect but not getting the caterpillars, but it's sure cute!

    Merry Christmas,
    Carole

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Thank you so much for visiting me here at The Old White House, your comments make my day! ~ Theresa xoxo