Christmas has come so fast this year. It seems that I am a month behind on everything. Usually, I am so excited and can't wait for this magical holiday season. This year, it has been a struggle for me to get it all done. However, yesterday, I finally put the finishing touches on our home. Complete with lights outside. Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Salyers for sharing extra lights with us and letting us bring them home at Thanksgiving. It finally feels like Christmas.
The family tree! Each year we string popcorn for our tree. This is a family project and no one is exempt from participating! Madilyn and I somehow find ourselves having to finish it this year. I was determined to do another row. It always drives me crazy when we live the bottom with a row. This year it is completely strung from top to bottom. Our ornaments are almost completely hand made. Each has a story and I love to retell those stories every year.
The Stockings were hung by the Chimney with Care! Our treasured family stockings! I always wanted a house with a fireplace and when we moved to Atlanta I finally got one. So, now our stockings finally hang by the fireplace. I love unpacking them each year and placing them on the fireplace. Vince and I received ours a as wedding present. Jackie Dunn was so kind to make one for each of children as they entered our home. I am grateful for such talented people who are part of our lives.
We have large picture windows in my kitchen. Last year the girls and I made cinnamon ornaments to go on greenery that goes around those windows. This year when we unpacked them, they smelled even better than last year. We made apple shapes, since my kitchen is decorated with an apple design and teddy bears.
The kitchen is truly the heart of the home. I love to cook! Cooking is not a chore for me. It's just what I do. I like planning meals and coming up with new ideas. I do have those days when I get tired of what I cook. Then it is time to go out and eat. That usually cures me and I am ready to cook the next day. Mama's kitchen always tastes better anyway!
The final treasure I will share with my family and friends is my Football Santa! Our family decorations would not be complete with out him. Football is a big part of our family. I found this when we went to a Football Clinic with Vince to Hampton,VA on year at a Lillian Vernon store. It is a key part of the family decorations. This year our Santa sits on the mantel.
I have many more treasures and things I love to place around my home. They are reminders of what a special season it is. They bring joy to our home. They bring joy to me. So, this year I choose to share just a few of the things that I love about decorating my home for Christmas. Of course, music fills my home as well. The music is the icing on the cake!
3 comments:
Your decorations are beautiful! I was not into decorating this year we have the tree up and the manger out but that is it. I used to spend a week getting everything ready but I just didn't do it this year. I also have stories for each of my ornaments. My girls have collected ornaments years also. they both received a tree topper Angel for their 1st Christmas and mom gives them angels ever year to hang, then we give them an ornament that usually has something to do with what they did that year. This year they both got one that said WISH because that is what they do all the time. a couple of years ago Elisabeth received one with Santa kneeling at the manger of Christ, that was the year she asked the Big Question. I have one just like it for Evelyn when she asks. I think it is important to tell them that Santa is just like us but he really does have the most Christ like spirit.
I love it all! My kids would eat the popcorn though if that garland was over here. hehehehe....
So glad you have friends that knit, crochet, or sew too! Friends like that ROCK. :) Hand made stockings? Wow.....
Amazing how Christmas decorations seem to bring in the spirit to our homes!!!! Merry Christmas, Jill.
I love the football Santa!! My dad had a Larry Bird Statue like that-don't know if you remember it by our fireplace. I think it is in the family room now. Our dog would eat all the popcorn. My parents sent out their first christmas letter this year and in bold letters is says BEWARE IF you visit Steph's house. Her maltese will steal you underwear and anything else not nailed down and hide it under her bed. I was so embarrassed!! I am sure your parents got one. I had to call my dad and chew him out:)
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