Christmas in Our Living Room

Last night I had the best time visiting some of your blogs. It was a treat for me, as I haven't had a chance to do much of that lately. I hope to get to the rest of them this evening. I love "stepping into" your homes and seeing all the wonderful Christmas decor and seeing what you all are up to during the holidays. I can just imagine everyone sitting in there enjoying it all! Don't you agree that it's just so much fun creating that Christmas atmosphere in our homes for our families (and us)?

Well next up, I decided to show you our living room. When I look at the pictures, it really doesn't seem like that much Christmas decor really, but for me, (this year anyway), it's just enough.

We'll start with the fireplace. It really sets the stage in our living room, I guess. It goes from floor to ceiling, which is 17 feet, and is stone, which has the rustic feel that I love. I kept alot of my everyday decor there and added the lighted garland and a few berries to the mantle, with cranberry beads draped across too.



The quilted stockings were made by the sweetest lady at our local flea market. We had the three bigger ones for Jason, Colt & me for quite awhile. When Joy came along, we found the lady again and she had the smaller one (which Joy reminds me of the fact that it's smaller often..)! Since I love quilts so much, these stockings are really special.



Added just below the mantle, and above the fireplace opening, is a snow-capped greenery swag with our Merry Christmas sign.



This year I did something a little different to my hearth. I added the little wagon that I've had for quite awhile loaded with homespun gifts and berries.



To the left of the fireplace is where we put our tree. Although I want an all prim tree one day, this one will probably always be filled with our traditional ornaments, adding a little every year. There are way too many memories on that tree to think of doing anything else to it. My kids lives are there...and more...those ornaments tell a story of our lives through the years. We have the best time when we bring them out every year remembering who made which one in what year, and the pictures on them!



Here it is aglow:



To the right of the fireplace, is the entertainment center that Jason made me awhile back. It just simply holds a stack of quilts on top and a Christmas wreath of greenery, pinecones and berries on the doors. (And if you're wondering...my family does very well with removing that wreath and putting it back when they finish with the entertainment center...I'm so proud of them)!



And that's what makes up the focal wall when you walk in our front door into the foyer, as it is connected directly to the living room, with only a step down into the living room.



And of course, my favorite way is with all the twinkling lights on!



The shortest wall (which is the inside wall) is where my well loved piano lives. I received it on my 12th birthday, so it's very special. It's just decorated for Christmas with lighted greenery twined around some everyday prim decor of houses, jars, candles and my crock lamp.



Above the piano is what I call my snowman wall...Season of the Snowman....the picture was painted by Vena, a friend from church, who was actually here at our ladies party.



On one side of the piano is a stack of pantry boxes with my Americana Santa keeping guard.



On the other side of the piano is a double stack of picnic baskets (the ones that used to be the table between my recliners before Christmas). An angel is perched there.



Here's what I call my Santa wall now. That's the stitchery from my Christmas swap from Gail. I framed the "Is There a Santa Claus" because I've always loved that! Prancer is a favorite movie around here, so that's kind of special too! And the newest addition is the Ho, Ho, Ho sign from my ladies party the other night.



The only Christmas addition here is my first stitchery that I made.



Between the two recliners now is the World War II crates made into shelves. I just added a touch of greenery and berries to the crock, a Christmas candle on the bottom shelf, the snowman coasters (okay those were a necessity for my hot chocolate), and the wreath around the swan's neck.



And here's the swan resting on top ready for Christmas in her Christmas wreath around her neck.



There in one of the recliners, is the pillow I won from Sue's giveaway, which I love by the way!



Here's the wall opposite the piano that holds the couch. See the shelf above...Jason just made that for me about 3 weeks ago, about the time we were decorating for Christas. It's mixed with Christmas and regular prim decor. Added for Christmas are a few touches of greenery and berries and a couple of prim wooden Santa plates.



On the cedar chest coffee table is a mini Christmas tree decorated with rusty garland, homespun bows and berries. The little candle mat underneath it was what I won in a giveaway from Renae (Sorry Renae..I couldn't for the life of me find your blog or I would have linked you). And I have a few of my Christmas issues of Country Sampler waiting for me there too for inspiration!



Over near the front door and foyer is the advent calendar. That is one of the first things Joy does every morning....adds the figure for the day to the manger scene. Of course, the last day will end with baby Jesus in the manger. The Merry Christmas framed cross stich above is a new addition this year. My friend, Betty, just brought that to me last week when she came down for the ladies' party. She stitched it herself and had it framed. I just love it! I love the stitching and that rustic frame!



Oh and here's the table that holds my pump lamp. The only addition for Christmas here is the little Americana Christmas snowman and below are the Farm Country Christmas and Amish Christmas books. Books.....ahhh...yet another favorite thing around here! And that reminds me that it's time for me to start our annual read aloud, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.



And last of all, I'll just leave you with some overview shots of different views of the living room.







And of course, at any given evening, when I'm at home (my favorite place to be), and I'm not in the kitchen, this is where you'll find me, lights dim, in my living room, enjoying Christmas with my family!







Thanks for stopping by! And if you get a chance, stop by and visit my friend, Donna, at her new blog, Never So Simple. She's new to blogging and I know she would love the visit! We met on the Country Sampler forum and I'm so glad that she's decided to join blog land! Welcome Donna! :)