Wednesday, December 10, 2008

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! :)

27 comments:

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

Oh, Tammy, your home is just beautiful! Everything looks so festive in your cozy and inviting home.

Thanks for visiting and leaving me a nice comment...I am so slow this year on decorating...hopefully I'll be done by Christmas!

Michele said...

Hi Tammy ~ your home is so beautiful. ..warm, cozy and inviting. You are a wonderful decorator!

Hugz,
Michele

Never So Simple said...

Tammy,

Thanks so much for mentioning me in your blog you are the best.

Well, I didn't think it was possible but everything is as beautiful as last year. I love it all lit up. Oh and I love the wagon with the prim gifts. Hmmm I may have to copy that idea. :)

I love the shelf hubby built you. He is so talented and always does a great job.

I can't wait to see that finished kitchen and see the hutch decorated that Jason built and the bowl shelf. Thanks for always inviting us into your home.

Donna

the said...

I LOVE your home! I know I say that in every post, but its beautiful. It makes me feel so warm and cozy just looking at the pics! WOW- you have done a great job :)
Happy Holidays to you !!
Stephanie

Janene said...

Tammy~I can see why you love to spend time in this room!
It is so cozy and welcoming...It just is begging me to come in and sit a spell.
Thank you for sharing!

Juri said...

Wow....your home is lovely!!!! Just loved your pictures...they are inspiring me to decorate!

Juri

Terry said...

It's just beautiful Tammy! Your fireplace is awesome, and I love the flag on there.
You have a knack for decorating!

Terry

Cat Nap Inn Primitives said...

your place is warm and inviting..I love your tree all lit up...very cozy..thanks for sharing..

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

The photo's are just beautiful Tammy!! What a wonderful place for your family to gather.

Out tree was filled with ornaments from every year of our kids lives too - and now they have them in their own homes. I love seeing their trees decked out with them now.

Mandy said...

Oh, I love everything! Your tree is beautiful and all the other little touches are just perfect. I enjoy your blog so much!

Mandy

Katy said...

Your living room looks fantastic! I just love seeing the tree lights glowing! Beautiful!!! I also LOVE the wagon with the homespun gifts in them!!! Toooo cute!!! I bet it is gorgeous sitting in there with the room lights off and the christmas lights aglow!!!!

Simply Shelley said...

Hi Tammy, I had a fun time seeing all your sweet Christmas decorations.It all looks wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing them.

Have a blessed weekend,Shelley

Tammy said...

Your home is so warm and cozy...I just want to sit down and drink hot cocoa with you there! :)

Please tell Joy that with the busy schedule the past couple weeks, it's been hard for my girl to write a letter...but she truly wants to and is planning for the beginning of next week- after the last of the concerts! :)

Anonymous said...

Your livingroom looks beautiful, just like all of your other rooms you've shared with us Tammy! You've done such a really great job at decorating your home for Christmas! It all looks soo warm and cozy! I, too, would love to sit a spell and drink some hot chocolate and chat with you in your livingroom!

Have a wonderful day and weekend coming too!

Love & Blessings,
~Lynn/OKC

Amy@theredheaddiaries.blogspot.com said...

What a beautiful home!!!!

Shelley said...

I am in love w/ your home! Your tree looks like it has 10 times the lights than mine does - I love how it lights up your room. So many great decorations - the fireplace, the snowman wall....it must be lovely just to sit on your couch and take it all in!

Wendy/TheCozyYellowHouse said...

Tammy I love your living room!!! The red on your walls is gorgeous and that fireplace is beautiful as is your Christmas tree!! Thank you for sharing it with us!!Have a great weekend!~Wendy

Linda ★ Parker's General said...

Everything is so lovely.....I love the tree full of memories....I can just imagine you sitting there, curled up with a book and a cup of cocoa with a fire going. It is a pleasant thought. I envy you having a real fireplace.

Another Mom on the Internet said...

Your house always looks so warm and cozy. Looks like something out of a Hallmark Christmas movie.

Thank you once again for opening your home to us out in blogland!

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

Hi Tammy-
Your home is just so beautiful, I love your fireplace. The picture with the tree glowing and the fireplace is my favorite!
It's so warm and cozy and Christmasy! I love looking at all your great pics!
Thanks for sharing your beautiful home with us!



Hugs-Kath

Kim said...

I love your home, very pretty. That makes me want to go and take pictures and put them on my blog.
Merry Christmas,
Kim in OK

Daffodil Hill said...

It really is all so festive! SO inviting! I'll bet everyone loves to come to your house around Christmas! Girl, you just have too much fun with that decorating. : )

Colleen/And Baby Makes Five said...

How did I miss this one? Must've been the ice storm and the power outage...

I love EVERYTHING you've pulled together for Christmastime and I hope you'll stop by to check out my photos too...

Farmchick said...

Tammy~~~ Of course everything looks so beautiful....I especially love the quilted stockings....hope you are having a great evening. I am trying to catch up on blogs...I have not had the time lately either!

Julie said...

Oh, Tammy!
Your home is just beautiful!
I just love how you included both the flash pictures (so that we can see all the details) and the beautiful, warm glow pictures (I love those kind, but it's just too hard to get a clear shot!)

All of your beautiful treasures and traditions....
Thank you for taking the time to take the pictures, upload, and tell us the stories. I know how much time that takes! But reading the stories just makes everything more special!

Merry Christmas,
Julie

Farmhouse Blessings said...

Just beautiful! I do believe that room was meant to be a Christmas room. I love those stockings too. I have an old quilt that I have actually been using but I know it is seeing its last days as a bed quilt. I think now it wants to be stockings! That just might be tomorrow's project.

Smiles,
Lea

carolyn@simple~primitive~devotion said...

Everything looks great Tammy!