Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Oh, there's no place like home for the holidays

I love Christmas decorations!

I don't necessarily love the process of decorating, at least not at first. Once all the boxes have been dug out of the attic and have been spewn all over my living room I begin to feel overwhelmed. However, one by one as things are unpacked and put on display in our home, my anxiety lifts and I remember how much I love the things I have collected over the years....some new, some old. Some given as gifts, some bought at garage sales. I've been photographing them like crazy this year, and thought I'd share some of my favorite things.


I adore this Willow Tree nativity, especially because it is a gift from my Vince

and so was this snowman cookie jar, which is also a chip and dip holder, which is also a salt and pepper shaker, which is also a car. Ok, maybe not that last part...but it is incredibly cute and versitile and is from one of my favorite restaurants, Cracker Barrel!

This cute little santa jar thingy is from Goodwill. Hello.

and this adorable handmade wooden angel was a garage sale find. Be jealous.

I can't remember where I got this chunky people nativity, but I absolutely love it! And if it was a gift from you, forgive me for not remembering. But I'm pretty sure I bought it somewhere.

And this beautiful thing is my absolute favorite handmade christmas ornament, and has been since the day I received it. It is one of many, many hand stitched ornaments that my stepmom Kathy made for me as a graduation gift. I can't even tell you how much I love it.
I will post more pictures in the days to come as we finish up the last of our decorating, not a moment too soon...I don't even have my village up yet! AAAK!
Lord, help me remember each and every day why we are doing this. Why we are decorating our home and buying gifts and listening to Christmas music and getting together with family. It's all because of You...because You loved us enough to come near to us, to live among us and be our Savior so that one day our home will be with You...forever. Oh, and please tell my grandmothers and my aunt that I miss them this year.

7 comments:

  1. I LOVE that willow tree nativity! One day, I'd love to have one. It is so simple and precious. :) I loved seeing your decorations! I get overwhelmed too... but having little kids has put a stop to putting too much out. Keeping it simple is better right now!

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  2. You have beautiful decorations. A joy to see. Merry Christmas to you!

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  3. Everything is lovely. I really like that snowman cookie-chip-dip-salt-pepper combo :) I love snowmen.

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  4. Keeping it simple! Yes! That's becoming my motto in alot of areas in my life, including Christmas decorating. I simply refuse to get stressed out about it anymore. Starting a little earlier with the shopping has helped a ton.

    I fell in love with the snowman cookie (etc.) jar and I also have a scarecrow one from Cracker Barrel which is even cuter. I think I may have posted a picture of it around thanksgiving time?

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  5. Franklin says "Hi" to the snowman. He's happier now that I recently filled his salt shaker.
    -Kari

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  6. Haha - yay, Franklin! I thought you were talking about Oliver at first :)

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  7. Beautiful ornaments like in a dream but so simpl and with much love in you house ! Here in Romania is very cold , is so good at home when autside is so cold . God blessed me with warm , love and bread !
    When i was a child in that orphanage always i had dreamed at one warm home and one good bread ,

    Yes my dear the GOD is great and soon we celebraite the birth of our LORD Jesus.
    This season make me cry almost daily becouse i`m gratefuly to my LORD for this things which i`m blessed one beautiful family and one home ,we one simple apartment with 3 rooms ( sometimes i feel that is too much for me ) becouse of that i share my home with poors always to show HIM my respect and my love for all the blessed things what HE givit to me !!!
    After my leaving from the orphanage i sleeped autside almost 2 weeks until i meet one good man. For me that man it was the Samaritan of my life !
    I pray to thanks for all and to give the power to help more and ,ore peoples in need !
    have anlessed day my sister in Christ ,
    Violeta =Romania-

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