Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Christmas Magic

The lighted way, presents such a magical feeling, so I do include candles that are lit when company comes so that they know they are so very special to me.
Family is why I decorate, now that our girls are grown and married and have their families, I still think it is important to carry on the holiday spirit and decorate, perhaps a little different than when they were home, but none the less special. I love to come home and see the lights on the fence and walk way and then come into the house and just go ahhhhhhhh.
This snow man is so waiting for lots of snow to come his way. Today we got some, but nothing like we are used to getting, oh well we still have January and February and sometimes March. We will all have to wait and see.
I love the lighted garland on the fence, when it snows more it is so well worth the effort to put it out every year.
This grouping had a little dusting of snow, not much to count any inches from that was for sure.
A little Americana added to the porch is a perfect accent to the fir and cedar boughs along with the deer horns, even if they are upside down.
This was a new area for me to decorate, so I kept with a family theme here of both Roger and my self from our child hood era. I loved using the silver trees and garland with the sparkly snowflakes and lights, making everything twinkle.
This is just a closer look at what is on the shelf above, younger photos of Roger and I.
These red wool socks added to my country look.
You can see that I had fun using Roger's deer antlers to decorate with, it added to my country theme. He did have to help me set them up there correctly so that they antlers were in the right direction.
This was a fun grouping to put together, as I drew from things that I had and what I had just purchased, it bought it all together. The boy on Santa's lap is Roger and I am in the other photo holding a baby doll.
This alder bark basket is one that I treasure, my friend Erin made it, it will always have a special place in my home.
These winter friends were made by my dear friend Erin, I am gathering a great family from her gifting me these wonderful little non-melting snow people. My grandchildren were so curious as to what they were, they were perfect for them to explore and check out.
This is a metal wire tree that I got that I have been able to change up the seasons with to decorate according to what holiday it is. It has crystals and some new ornaments that I got a Monticello antique mall this season, with the lights it just made everything sparkle.
Crystals are always a part of my decor, this is especially a favorite of mine.
"Simplify" Um can Florence simply, not very easy. That is something that I very much need to do.
Shells, feathers glass and beads are all part of my collections enhanced by the Christmas balls.
This is a Santa collection that I have, most are made of chalk ware made by an artist in the Melino, Oregon area, as the years have gone by I have added different mediums of Santa's, from carved to some really special ones that add to the collection.
A closer view of the Santa collection.
These bears were ready for a good nights rest. The larger bears are ones that I made in the early 80's before the big bear boom emerge on the scene and took the market away from some of the speciality bears. They were called "Muma Bears by Florence" it has been fun to run into some of them at antique shops and garage sales and do I buy them back, well yes of course. I hope you enjoyed this little journey with me. I had fun doing it. Florence

13 comments:

  1. Hi, Florence!
    Cannot believe the year is almost gone ... whew!
    Loved your pictures .... and didn't know you made bears "way back when" !!
    Blessings to you and wishes for a prosperous and Happy New Year!
    Hugs --
    Betty :)

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  2. I absolutely loved the virtual tour of all the beautiful decorating you did for Christmas! Thanks for sharing... xo, Laurie

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  3. Any decorating sense I have I know I get it from you! I love it all! I love all your little treasures, it makes each decorative vignette more special. The old photos are a great touch,I would like to start doing that.

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  4. Hi Girlfriend,
    What a sweet post. Thank you for saying such kind things. So glad I have one of your bears. My nieces love playing with the bears and this year they are resting in an antique stroller. Everything looks SIMPLY Beautiful. Just like you.
    Love, Erin

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  5. Thanks for all the pictures, I love seeing how everyone decorates. I also didn't know about your bear making years. I made a thousand dolls one year, it was the late 80's...
    Someday I suppose I will say I use to make soldered necklaces.
    Hope you have a great New Year
    JOY!

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  6. Hi Florence.....

    It was fun to look through all of your pictures. How fun! I'll have to be on the lookout for the bears from now on. Should I be lucky enough to find one, I'll be sure to pass on to Jen.

    Blessings to You and Your Family!

    Christa

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  7. Hi Florence,
    Such an endearing post. I may steal the idea of pictures when we were kids at Christmas. I will have to look for your bears. It has been wonderful to know you this year and I look forward to seeing you in 2010...Happy New Year!
    Annette

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  8. It's all beautiful, Florence! I hope your Christmas was great, and that your New Year was perfect!

    Sheila

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  9. What fun photos! Hope you can make it down to Sumner and see us at the store.
    happy new year Florence!
    xoxo
    Amy
    Todays Country Store

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  10. Oh Florence, your home is so beautiful! I especially love the way you have used the photos from your childhood.... what special memories they must evoke!

    Thank you so much for your sweet comment on our blog, my dear. We appreciate our friends so much. ;0) Hope to see you soon!

    Hugs,
    Deb @ Retreat

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  11. Oh Florence!!! Your home is absolutely beautiful!! Each and every nook and cranny ~ you can tell you put much thought into your vignettes....I hope you have a very Happy New Year!!!! hugs and love, Dawn

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  12. Hi Florence!
    You have done such a lovely job decorating your home for the holidays! I love all your little displays and I love how you used your family photos amidst your treasures...I wish you a wonderful New Year and look forward to sharing more with you in 2010. May it be a healthy and happy year for both our families!
    Take care, Laura

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  13. Florence, your home is beau-ti-ful! Next year, you can come help me decorate mine! I wish you a blessed 2010 my friend...love, lisa :-)

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