Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Old-Fashioned Christmas

I was dreaming of a pink and silver Christmas...but that was going to require the purchasing of a ton of new stuff. Instead the more rustic, old-fashioned Christmas was FREE so that is what I went with - a theme I'm quite fond of.

Then we got blasted with freezing rain on Saturday but that just meant I had a really good reason to stay home and get some Christmas decorating done - finally!

We had fog in the evenings...




And fog in the mornings...



The perfect weather to make a breakfast of eggnog cake



and sweet, fragrant tea (by Republic of Tea - unfortunately it was limited edition. I will just cry when it's all gone!)



I decorated the hutch with excess greenery cut from the Christmas tree (I topped the hutch with cedar I cut from a tree in my yard but that was obviously after the photo.)

I also made my "Merry Christmas" banner as inspired by the December issue of Country Living. (Details to come tomorow)


There are two of these hooks on either side of the entry into the living room. I wrapped a faux berry sprig around the base and filled the bucket with more greenery from the tree.


Atop the piano I made a vignette of an old silver tea/coffee pot that is filled with "cheer," more greenery from the yard and a jar filled with rescued bottle brush trees (details to come tomorrow).


Have a cup of cheer!


Christmas cheer and tea isn't complete without a little Dickens.


The kitchen is being a bit neglected but I did manage to gather these Goodwill candy jars and fill them up - oh I see I'm almost out of mints! My grandmother would be apalled at the lack of Starlight mints! ;)


I house-sat this summer for some people with a pine tree and I cleaned up their yard and brought it home with me! :) I made this door decor which was inspired by something I saw in the November issue of Country Living. (details to come tomorrow)


I house-sat for some other people just last month and survived quite the wind storm which blew half their neighbor's fir trees into their yard. So I cleaned up their yard and brought it home with me too. The snowman was made from scrap lumber. And that silly dog insisted on being in the photo. I kept making her move and then she'd go back and stand just like that - the dog who never holds still was posing!
Those branches at the bottom of the steps are hiding the vent that is full of stuffing/insulation for the winter. Love greenery!
I've still got a few decorating projects to finish and still some gifts to make - yikes! I'd better get to work...and no sleeping until after Christmas! ;)

13 comments:

Summer said...

I love the Christmas banner! Very cute! I like that it is simple yet festive!
Summer :0)

Sue said...

What a warm and inviting home, thank you for sharing.
Sue

Cheryl said...

How lovely! Glad for the rain so you could do this wonderful, warm decorating. :-)
(Especially love the hutch!)

Maggi said...

Sometimes free is better, your place looks amazing and so relaxing, can I come hang out for a while? lol

Heather said...

I love all the greenery, love even more that it was FREE!

Bonita said...

Love it all, every bit, but where is the recipe for the eggnog cake? Sounds yummy!

Kathleen @ Measuring My Life said...

Love all of the natural elements you added around the house. Makes it warm and welcoming. Great decorations.

shari said...

a lovely christmas-y post!! i love your banner on your hutch and the pinecone bundle hanging on the door. great ideas! and recycled stuff, too! woohoo! that eggnog cake looks yummy. thanks for sharing...

Brittany said...

Super cute decorations!!!
That eggnog cake looks delish! :)

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I love the pinecones! I may try to make something like this. We have plenty of really big pine cones here! The cake looks yummy, too! Hope the sun comes out to brighten your day tomorrow!

Shelby said...

Very pretty decorations! Good taste you have! And yes, that cake made me do a double take!

Katie said...

I just love your decorations!

Abra Clampitt said...

Beautiful! I love your style, I am very much in to old/vintage things. A) it's usually less expensive B) they tell a story c)it's unique...Must I go on? So many grand reasons to decorate like this, right? :) I think after Christmas you should hit up sales and do your wanted pink and silver Christmas for next year! :)

Abra @whenbabysleeps.blogspot.com