Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Dining Room Decorated for Christmas - Watcha Workin' on Wednesday

To be able to share my dining room pictures, it required a little work on my part. Therefore, that's what I've been working on for Whatcha Workin' on Wednesday. I don't know if you have a spot like this in your home, but our dining room seems to be the room that becomes the quick "catch all". In other words, we come in from shopping and those bags go in the corner until I can unload it, homeschooling books in baskets, or books scattered on the table until we finish them. Jason comes home from work, and puts his computer and paperwork there. We just add little things here and there, and before we know it....uggh! So, that's what I've been working on.....getting my dining room decluttered and picked up, and taking pictures! Not that it was a huge undertaking, but then I had to make decisions, like where to put this or that (where I would remember, lol!), or whether to keep or throw something away! But now it's behind me, for now, and I'm so glad and vowing to do better through the Christmas season!

Joy came through there last night, and said, "Wow, this sure is clean!" I guess that tells it all! It is just a rare thing that there's not SOMETHING sitting on the table or something on the floor! And that's just the reality of LIVING in your home! Then when you add a family that LIVES there ALL DAY long and the clutter of lots of books for homeschooling and more, it just doesn't take long. It just makes me wonder if all the homes you see in magazines actually always look like that, or if they have the same problems and issues from time to time.

Anyway, on to the Christmas decor pictures. I promised more Christmas pictures and decided it would be the dining room. This used to be one of my favorite rooms (and it still is ONE of them, but now my new kitchen I believe has moved up to favorite, I think).

This is the view I get sitting on the couch in the living room....a nice thing about having it open....the rooms flow together, so I can enjoy the decor in there too when I'm sitting in there at night with the lights out and Christmas lights on.



Last year at Christmas, I didn't have this sideboard/buffet. Jason made it for me in February, so this spot has a little bit different look from years before, but I love having it! I added the table top slim alpine tree this year instead of the larger one (that one is the one you saw on my sunporch).



This tree has pinecones, tiny snowflakes (both from Dollar Tree), and for garland...strips of homespun knotted every 6" or so, and then a twig star on top that I found at Garden Ridge.



This is a little snowman I think I got for a couple of dollars at the "thrift store" part of our church's Harvest Festival last year.



To the crock that's always there, I just added some greenery with pinecones and berries. I love touches of greenery everywhere...and red berries!



I bought this sign after Christmas year. I can't ever get too many snowmen!



And here's that little bay window area all aglow...my favorite way!



Here's the view from standing in the kitchen doorway.



I got the wreath idea on back of the chairs from Krystal on the Country Sampler Forum. She had these on her chairs, so last year I went and bought the wreaths and accents and did my own version of them.



And the dining room table centerpiece....a grapevine wreath, bowl of apples, greenery and berries....



The chandelier above the table also has greenery and berries:



And lights out...all aglow...



In some years past, I have put my Christmas dishes on display in the hutch, but for the past couple of years, I didn't think the bright red on the dishes looked that great. I would love to have more primitive style dishes...the muted colors would look much better, I think. So it was kept very simple.



And Joy always get the bottom shelf of the hutch to set up the village in any way she likes. It's always set up a little different each year. She loves villages and nativity scenes. She can hardly pass up one in a store, without "rearranging" it...to look the way it should look to her!



She loves villages and nativity scenes. She can hardly pass up one in a store, without "rearranging" it...to look the way it should look to her!



I just love this little bucket. Again, I just added greenery and berries.



In another corner, is my grandmother's old ironing board, chair with homespuns and a simple berry wreath.



This is the old sled leaning in one corner (that I rescued from a friend's shed)..just with pine greenery added.



To the longjohn basket, I just added some pine greenery to the pip berries already there.



This is a photo that shows the pass through from the kitchen to dining room. I really don't have anything Christmasy there, except a little greenery and a star in the basket, but depending on where you're standing, you can see the little Christmas tree in the kitchen through there. That way anywhere I'm standing...in the kitchen, dining room, or living room....I have twinkling cozy Christmas lights!



And of course, we always have a view into the living room, so we have our big tree in sight.



Thanks for stopping by! I know alot of you will be decorating for Christmas this weekend, so I'm excited about seeing all the Christmas decor! We're on our way to Alabama for Thanksgiving and I'll be one of those black Friday shoppers! Then I'll look forward to "catching up" on what you all have been doing when I get back on Saturday and I'll share another room with you too!



I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving and many blessings! :)

44 comments:

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Oh Tammy---Just what I've been waiting to see, another decorated room. You do so much and are so creative. I would never think to put little wreaths on the back of the chairs. How Neat!!!! AND--that old sled brought back memories!!!! You need to have Open House during Dec. and charge admission!!!! It is truly gorgeous!!!! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Hugs,
Betsy

basketsnprims said...

Very, very pretty, Tammy. The wreaths on the back of the chairs are so cute, and your corner with the ironing board, chair & wreath is simple but perfect. Happy Thanksgiving.

Pam

Wendy/TheCozyYellowHouse said...

Lovely and very homey and very inviting!!! I pray you and your family have a very Blessed Thanksgiving!!~Wendy

Colleen/And Baby Makes Five said...

All of your hard work paid off, Tammy! Everything looks wonderful and oh-so-ready to be enjoyed by one and all.

Michaela loves nativity scenes too. In fact, baby Jesus often gets rearranged and admired often. Last year, she mentioned that she really liked the shepherd's "purse." I tried to explain that it was a satchel and then asked her what she thought he carried in there. In typical 3 year old fashion -- with a very serious face -- she said: "Ummm... lipstick and a debit card." Oh my!

It's so uplifting to know that you and your family LIVE in your house too :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Kim @ Home Is Where The Heart Is said...

I love how you've decorated your dining room, Tammy! It's lovely. Since we're not having our family dinner until Saturday I am going to start decorating tomorrow.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Dawn said...

Tammy, everything looks so homey and Christmasy. I love the wreaths on the backs of the chairs. Great job! Dawn

~Beth~ said...

Your dining room is gorgeous! And yes my kitchen table is the "drop off point" in our house! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! ~Beth~

Leslie said...

Tammy, it all looks so wonderful. My fav is the grapevine wreath in the center of the table with the bowl! How cool is that?!

Have a happy Thanksgiving with your family!

Leslie

{lauren} said...

I love all of your decorations..it all looks so pretty! I really like the wreaths on the chair backs...that's a great idea! I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! <3Lauren

Janene said...

Tammy~
Your home is so cozy and comfortable looking.
I really like your dining room. My favorite way is when it is dark out and the lights are all aglow!
Wishing you and your family a very Happy Thanksiving!

angie said...

it all looks wonderful! i hope you and your family have a safe trip. Happy Thanksgiving!

Julie said...

Your home gives me that Christmas feeling. I love it all. I am going to use homespun this year on our tree instead of ribbon. I need to get to that and get it done. We are planning on doing the decorating on Thurs and Fr. Happy Thanksgiving. Loved your post. Julie

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

It is all aglow and so welcoming! I love all the little touches here and there.

How sweet that Joy has her own space. It makes it even more special.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Anonymous said...

It's absolutely beautiful! I love it all and especially the wreaths on the chairs. I remember that idea from last year. Everything is so inviting!

Tammy I hope you and your family have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving. How did you manage to get it all done? :)

Donna

ghomeschool said...

Very nice. Will you come decorate my house!!!! We did get some outside lights up today. Yeah. You are an inspiration.

Anonymous said...

Your diningroom looks sooo pretty being all decorated for Christmas Tammy! I really like your wreaths on the back of your chairs! Love all your beautifully decorated Christmas trees too!

Joy has her display looking sooo pretty too! She does such a beautiful job just like her Mom does! :)

You and your family have a very Blessed Thanksgiving Tammy! We send our love to you all!

Love & Blessings,
~Lynn

Something Nice and Pretty said...

So wonderful Tammy, thanks for sharing. I too love the grapevine and bowl of apples in the center also the wreaths on the back of the chairs:0
Have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving.
Rondell

Angie said...

Wow...you already have the house decorated! It looks beautiful..very homey and cozy! We will be getting out our stuff this weekend...I am looking forward to it. Nothing like turning off all the lights except for the Christmas lights! Have a wonderul Turkey Day...praying for your safe travels to and from Alabama...

Hugs, Angie

The Gathering Room said...

Looks fantastic!! happy Thanksgiving! Cindy

Black Sheep Lisa said...

everything looks so nice Tammy.
I know what u mean about a catch all! My dining room is right by the back door, we come in and drop whatever on the table! Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Karen said...

I love it, Tammy. Everything looks great!
~Karen

Farmchick said...

Looks so pretty Tammy. Have a Blessed Thanksgiving....dinner here with family...we have a lot to be thankful for.

Sandy said...

Hi Tammy,

Thank You for yet again another wonderful tour. Your house is just so welcoming and warm.

Have a safe trip and can't wait for more pictures on Saturday. I just love them!

Happy Thanks giving to you and your family!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful Tammy...WOW!...Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family...May the Lord send you all many blessing..smiles and hugs..Katherinellen

Yankee Ridge Primitives said...

Tammy, I just LOVE your house! Can I come stay?

Zaroga said...

Everything looks beautiful!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Mel said...

Creative, love the wreaths on your chairs! I like turning the lights down low and enjoying the glows of all the christmas lights, yours looks so warm and inviting. I'm in the mood to drag out the Christmas decor (we are getting tons of snow)I also rescued an old sled like yours. When we purchased the farm it was in a heap in the barn, I managed to find all the pieces and put it back together. I love those old sleds (we used them when I was growing up)now I have a wreath with lights on it adn also use it for decoration.
Hope you & your family have a safe trip to AL. Happy Thanksgiving!
Mel

Linda ★ Parker's General said...

I think everything is beautiful. I loved the sunporch and I really love the dining area. I love the open floor plan. I used to do all this kind of decorating, too. As years go by and the kids are all in other states and never home for Christmas, it has all ended for us. I just do some very simple things. We have a 3' tree with clear lights and candy canes in one room, a 4' tree with homespun bows in another, and a 5' with icicles and snowflakes in another and after the season is over, they all go back into our guest room that is decorated in an outdoorsy, Yellowstone theme. It gets to be too much work....

sweetmemorymakingmom said...

Tammy, I just love looking at photos of your home and what you write about them. I love your grandmothers wooden ironing board corner vingette. Happy Thanksgiving! Many Blessings, Ellen

•♦•©The Olde Weeping Cedar •♦• said...

BEAUTIFUL! :)
I love your grapevine wreaths as a center piece and chair accents! Very nice....great idea :)
I think your home is just perfect! Joy did a wonderful job placing her village/Nativity!

Can't wait to see more!

Have a wonderful day,
hugs-Kath

Jo-Anne said...

Lovely pictures! It looks so warm and cozy!

carolyn@simple~primitive~devotion said...

Tammy, everything looks great! I love your home anyway, but crowned with the beauty of Christmas, it's even better! And you know exactly how to bring out the best with your decorating.
I enjoyed this so much!
I hope you enjoyed your trip to Alabama. :)

carolyn@simple~primitive~devotion said...

Tammy, everything looks great! I love your home anyway, but crowned with the beauty of Christmas, it's even better! And you know exactly how to bring out the best with your decorating.
I enjoyed this so much!
I hope you enjoyed your trip to Alabama. :)

Shelley said...

I am in awe and I get so many great ideas from you! Love all your christmas decor items! You just gave me the idea that I should decorate my antler chandelier at the log cabin. Thank you! Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving w/ your family!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Tammy
what's beautiful and lovely things have seen on your page!
You are very, very good.
Brava!!! from Italy
Margherita
http://quattrocrocette.blogspot.com

Deb said...

Hi Tammy! I see you're just about done with everything. I'm so slow about it, but I want to have it up long enough to enjoy it. I'm done with everything but the living room. Then I have to get all those boxes put away. Yours is so beautiful I love the tree in the dining room. Deb

TxFarmhouse said...

Thanks for the invitation into your home. It looks so warm and cozy. As I'm in the planning stages of building our home, yours is very inspiring. Blessings to you and your family this holiday season.
RiverBend Farm
Texas

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Tammy, We'll be out-of-town for a few days. We're coming to see you. NOT!!!! ha... Read my today's blog. Have a wonderful week.

ohiofarmgirl said...

It is looking so festive in your home. Hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful. Dianntha

Julie said...

Oh, Tammy!

Everything is just beautiful! How exciting to come home from your trip to Alabama to a home already decorated for Christmas!!!

Hope that you had a safe, blessed, Happy Thanksgiving!
Also hope you were safe with your "Black Friday" shopping!

Blessings,
Julie

Cottage Rose said...

I really love how you are decorating you home for Christmas. It is so pretty and not too gaudy looking. Can't wait to see more.

Hugs;
Alaura

Blessed Beyond said...

Your dinning room is beautiful! I just love it! I love all the decorations and the coziness too! The little wreaths on the chairs are precious!

Farmhouse Blessings said...

Everything looks sooo pretty, Tammy! I love the wreaths on the back of each chair. Such a nice touch.

How funny that Joy likes to arrange the village! Our Luke has already set up our village even though we haven't begun decorating yet ... and each night he lights it up in the evening. Its precious!

Wishing you joy,
Lea

Anonymous said...

What's the name of paint color did you use in your dining room? Love that color. Thanks.