Friday, December 14, 2007

Holiday Home Tour - 2007

Christmas Tour of HomesIt's here! It's time! I have waiting anxiously for Boo Mama's tour of homes to see everyone's Christmas decorating skills. I love Christmas decorating! All my photos can be enlarged by clicking on them. (That is if you want to see where the dust bunnies live and where I missed cleaning!)

So, welcome to my home! Here you are coming up to the front door. Please come on in and share some hot cocoa with me on this chilly, but snowless December evening. Sigh. I miss the snow. I grew up in North Dakota and it knows how to have snow for Christmas there. I like snow from Thanksgiving until New Year's Day. Then I want 85 degrees. But I digress. Back to the Christmas tour. I'll share the cocoa recipe at the end of our visit.

This is my living room - where we like to read or sit down and just visit with each other. It's small and cozy. We are all about family and togetherness in our home.My tree is probably 90% homemade ornaments. I love all things homemade. I think my favorite Christmas decoration in this room is the stockings that I cross stitched years ago for our family. You can read more about them and get a closer look here.

My daughter Jess helped me put together the snow village this year. I think she did a great job! I finished by hanging snowflakes above the little town.

I love books - and I LOVE Christmas books. I always try to buy one or two every year. This year I displayed them on a little sled. The little blue one in front was one my daughter Michelle got on her very first Christmas from her grandma. Now she is going to have a baby and I am going to be the grandma. Sigh. Life is just good sometimes.



This Willow Tree Nativity is what I got for my birthday this year. I just love the simplicity of it. I can look at it for the longest time and I keep getting new impressions and thoughts about it. I look forward to adding pieces to it throughout the years.

This is my plant shelf. I love decorating it but I don't do too well in high places. However, no one else is willing to do the work this involves. So every year I "suck it up" and climb the ladder and balance greenery, lights, wooden beads, and bears all on the edge of the shelf. I've never fallen yet. And I do enjoy the way it looks. Otherwise I would never do it.

And this is a favorite pictuer I cross-stitched years ago. It is a family of bears that "bear" our names! It
just makes me happy whenever I look at it - so sometimes I leave it hanging all year long.

Let's go into the dining room and kitchen - the place where I spend most of my time! Notice the garland hanging in the archway - I came up with that idea because I had too many ornaments for my tree and I wanted to display them.

This is my dining room. This year the girls in my office cleaned out the office Christmas ornaments and decided to discard some stuff. They were going to throw away those beautiful vintage Christmas balls - I rescued them and hung them from my chandelier. Some of the original boxes they came in were marked 29 cents. Can you imagine?

I did a snow scene in the kitchen window over the sink this year.

For years I collected the Christmas Oreo tins that came out every year. It made me sad when they stopped. Please ignore the spiderwebs I just noticed. They must be left from my Halloween decorations ;)

I also collect lots of other tins. They are so much fun to dust.

I love putting my Christmas Tree quilt on the bed every year. I leave it on all winter. With the flannel sheets of course.

I love the little tree I put in my bedroom this year. It is decorated with little red hearts. Appropriate, I think.

Would you like the recipe for the Hot Cocoa we just enjoyed? Here it is:


Homemade Hot Cocoa
1 quart of heavy whipping cream
4 Hershey bars

Place in a pan over medium heat until chocolate bars melt and it is hot enough to drink. Garnish with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles. (With all the fat and calories in this drink - it's best if you only serve it at Christmas!)


Thanks for stopping by my little home on this fun tour!

63 comments:

Unknown said...

You're early. And boy am I glad. I have so many to visit tomorrow that I am thrilled to get a head start. And so glad to start with you.

So much to see and comment on.

My favorites - your beautiful tree full of handmade ornaments. I am like you and prefer handmade.

Your vintage balls over the table. I love the way you hung them. I am gonna steal that idea.

Your nativity is just like mine. I adore mine. I leave it out year long in my china cabinet. It just gives me the right perspective when I look at it.

I love the quilt on your bed. I do not think it looks Christmasy. I think it is looks woody and earthy and I would leave it up all winter too. Beautiful.

Oh, I love your tree on the front porch too.

Such a lovely home.

Thanks for the REAL cocoa. Father Tim would like it too. I just read about that in Shepherds Abiding, my favorite Christmas book.

Have a great week, Robin. Enjoy all your festivities.

Kelli said...

Thank you for having us over! Your home is just beautiful and so cozy and welcoming. I love your plant shelf, the greenery and garland are the perfect touch and I couldn't help but notice the sweet dollhouse too. :0) I also love the little sled where you have your books!
Hugs,
Kelli

Joyful Days said...

Everything is so lovely! But those stockings are fabulous. I cross-stitch but have never done something that wonderful.

Many blessings.

Southern Heart said...

Everything looks so warm and welcoming! Your nativity and village are especially pretty, and I love the cross-stitch picture you made!

Merry Christmas,

Andrea

Jessica said...

We have the Willow Tree Nativity, as well, and it is my favorite decoration! Merry Christmas!

Kim said...

I enjoyed my visit!

Cheryl said...

I loved the garlanded arch. So beautiful. I think I want to try that with my arches. Merry Christmas!

Hootin Anni said...

...and I bet the plant shelf is the best prettiest part too, right? How lovely.

Mine's posted. I have two versions.

A thumbnail short version
and
a
slide show long version.

Mycrazylife said...

I just love the nativity! And your home is gorgeous. It looks so festive!

Blessings,
Mycrazylife

Jenni said...

OH! So many beautiful things! Your stockings are amazing and such a testimony to love. The snow village is adorable!

I want to get a little sled and put books in it too! You've got so many great ideas here...thank you so much for sharing!

Mandy said...

I love your Willow Tree nativity, too! Everything looks so warm and cozy! Merry Christmas!

windycorner said...

The way you have your kitchen window decorated must make cleaning up a joy. Love the snow village with hanging snowflakes, too. Merry Christmas!
Holley

Susanne said...

Your home is so lovely and warmly decorated. The plant shelf is oh, so worth it. It looks great!

Unknown said...

Robin, thank you so much for your sweet comment. Have a wonderful, blessed week.

Carole Burant said...

Thank you so much for opening your house to us and letting us have a glimpse of all your beautiful decorations! Your tree is also gorgeous!! Love the quilt on your bed! Now that's what I call the best cup of hot chocolate I've ever had:-) Merry Christmas to you and yours. xo

Jennifer said...

I can't wait to make your hot chocolate. Absolutely yummy! Your home is so cozy. I adore the quilt on your bed. It is so pretty. Thank you for sharing your home with us.
Merry Christmas!
Jen

Crooked Eyebrow said...

I love all of it. So wonderful. i hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!

Robin ~ PENSIEVE said...

Your home SCREAMS "Christmas" in the most wonderful of ways :). We, too, have a basket of books and the children rifle through them every years, choosing their favorites.

I'm wondering how long it takes for you to decorate--so many things to put out! The oreo tins are one of those simple but cool ideas (I didn't keep mine:/).

OOoo, and your Willow nativity? Simply.gorgeous!

(Happy Birthday ;) ).

Robin @ PENSIEVE

Unknown said...

What a lovely home. Love being able to view the big pics. My fav has to be the christmas tree bed quilt.

Merry Christmas to you and yours from Northern Ireland.

It's a Mom Thing said...

Thanks for the tour. I love your Christmas village collection, as well as the book collection. My daughter already has about 20 Christmas books and she's only 2!

Michelle said...

Thank you for the fun tour! Your home is so inviting! The cocoa sounds delicious--going to make some soon!
Merry Christmas!

Stef said...

The archway to the kitchen is my favorite part! Very pretty!

Merry Christmas!

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas! I love your decorations-especially the cross stitched pieces as that's my favorite hobby! Beautiful work! What is that pretty silvery piece over the fireplace? I love your garland over the archway and how you displayed the vintage ornaments...I could go on!

Unknown said...

I LOVE your Willow Tree Nativity. I've wanted one of those for years.
Merry Christmas!

Creative Life Studio said...

I love all the toys on the shelf up so high. :) I'm a sucker for dollhouses... *sigh* Maybe someday I'll have my own; your's is quite charming!

I also love the snow village with the snowflakes above!

Everything looks very warm and lovely... and oh, my goodness, that hot chocolate sounds just a wee bit rich!!

Have a Merry Christmas!

Jen said...

Love the Oreo Tin collection. Loved the Christmas Quilt too. Your home is very inviting....Happy Holidays!

Melanie said...

I love your decorations! I always hate when I have to take mine down after Christmas..everything looks so drab...Love Willow Tree! Thank you for sharing...Merry Christmas!

Willow said...

Oh! Willow tree nativity! Willow needs one of those!
Your home looks so welcoming for Christmas!
Thanks for sharing!

Lisa B. said...

You always have the best ideas with decorating. I love what you have done. Lisa

His Doorkeeper said...

Your home is so sweet and feels warm and comfortable! Love your nativity. Thanks for allowing us in and blessings to you and your family!

Susan said...

Beautiful home, and I love your Willow Tree Nativity. I want one for next year. I just discovered WT this year - can you believe it? - and my children gave me three figures for my birthday. Maybe I need to hint for the nativity for my next birthday! ;)

Big Mama said...

I love your nativity. Everything is so cozy and pretty!

Ruth said...

Wow, everything is just beautiful. I love the cross stitched stockings. I looked at the old post and the detail! Incredible! What a treasure!

Unknown said...

I LOVE that quilt!!! and i love the ornaments and tree!

Dawn said...

I would so love to visit your beautiful Christmas-y home in person and have some of that sinfully delicious sounding hot chocolate. But after gaining 10 pounds (it feels like anyway) in Hawaii (due to largesse of our hostess' breakfast offerings and the macadamia nuts we kept going to the factory and buying) - I'd better not!

Thanks for stopping by - I've had a really hard time re-entering real life today.

Have a wonderful week!

Queen of My Domain said...

I think your decorations are beautiful. I'm so glad you saved those balls. But I don't think I would brave a ladder like you.

The Garners said...

Thank you for a great tour! I love your Willow Tree nativity. I have several WT figurines (not nativity though)..I think they are so sweet and simple.

mama2drama said...

I love your Christmas village and the willow tree nativity. Priceless. Thanks so much for sharing. Merry Christmas

Anonymous said...

From one Robin to another, thanks for sharing your nest!! Everything is just wonderful. And that cocoa recipe sounds so yummy!!

Robin

Jennifer said...

Love your decorations! Thanks for sharing! Merry Christmas to you & yours!

Jennifer :-)

Anonymous said...

I'm starting to have quite a collection of tins as well, and I have cupboards like yours. Now I know what I can do with them all! Thanks for the inspiration. Merry Christmas!

Nise' said...

What a great idea of hanging ball ornaments from your light fixture. Thank you for the hot cocoa.

Mercy's Maid said...

I'm in love with the hanging snowflakes!

http://mercysnumber1fan.blogspot.com/2007/12/christmas-tour-of-homes.html

Parkison Family said...

I think the sled with the books is a really cool!

Melissa Markham said...

Your home is so warm and inviting. The nativity and snow villages are beautiful!

Anonymous said...

that christmas quilt is gorgeous!

orneryswife said...

So pretty, and such a fun tour. Thanks for hosting!
TM

boomama said...

Oh my word your house is so festive - love the Christmas quilt and all the fun touches...thanks so much for sharing your house with us!

gail@more than a song said...

Oh Robin, I love everything! You've done a great job....love your tree & those stockings, beautiful. The snowflakes over your village, so fun! And I love the way you hung your vintage balls all together; I'll have to try that...I put some up this year but just did some individually.
I did mine and now there are so many to visit, it's gonna take me a while!

Karen said...

This was so nice, Robin! It's been nice catching up with you. You have some great ideas. I love the ornaments decorating the garland and the way you've decorated on top of the cabinets. Definitely worth climbing up on that ladder! I don't know if I'll get to do a home tour of my own, but I've sure enjoyed visiting everyone. Thanks for your kind words, too. I think I'm getting back in the swing of things. Merry Christmas!

Miss G said...

Thanks for inviting me over! I think your idea of when it should snow is a great one! I really like your garland to showcase more ornaments. I also think that your high up decorating really looks good. From personal experience though may I just say make sure you're always wearing shoes, not just a pair of brand new, very soft and slippery socks! :) Merry Christmas! Kelly

p.s. the hot cocoa sounds amazing! whoa!

Cherdecor said...

I am taking the BooMama Christmas Tour. Thank you for sharing your home. Everything is so festive!

Myrna said...

that chocolate! OH.MY.Word! that must be wonderful. I don't know if I'm brave enough to try it--I can just see the pounds jumping on my hips just thinking aobut the deliciousness of it!

Your home is so warm and inviting. Ilove every bit of it. YOu did a wonderful job decorating for the season!

Kristy said...

I love the snowflakes hanging in the windows!

RetroB said...

the christmas books--what a great thing to collect!

Anonymous said...

I love everything! Thanks for sharing. I am so glad you saved those "old" ornaments.

Anonymous said...

I was enjoying your blog and couldn't believe it when I saw your teddy bear cross stitch..I did the same one...only with our name on it...sooooooo cute!!!

Bev Brandon @ The Fray said...

Now this may become my favorite recipe of 2007...I can get into this hot chocolate decadence!

Willow Tree NATIVITIES are the hottest trendy deco down south. Adorable!

I'm so into your recipe!
Can't stop thanking you!
Come to my post and find out
what kind of chocolate I am
going to put in that recipe!

Merry Christmas from # 339 on
BooMama's tour bus

Donnetta said...

Lovely!! I have seen that same nativity in a number of other places too. The only reason I know is that I collect nativities and this is one I have yet to obtain... but love it!

The Christmas quilt is very cozy and looks perfect for cold winter nights!

Thanks for such a yummy hot chocolate drink during my stay (and for the recipe too!) :-)

Just thought I would add... I grew up in the cold, snowy winters of Nebraska. We were practically neighbors! ;-)

Anonymous said...

Robin, I feel so bad, every time I try to visit your site I get kicked off...only with your site. My husband just showed me another way to find you and it's working. Please forgive me for never commenting back to you...believe me, I've tried.

Loved your tour. Enjoy your family and have a blessed holiday.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing. I love the garland over the archway - I also have too many ornaments and that's a cute way to highlight them. :)

Shawna said...

Your home is beautiful!v

Pam said...

Lovely home! I love all your decorations and your style. Congrats on becoming a grandma soon!