I know I said the kitchen, but it's a disaster. And the slipcovers aren't done. I'm thinking about taking those photos tomorrow, slipcovers or not. For now, how about the living room?
This is the view from the entryway. Yes, it's a fake tree. I have had to get over this with all the allergics in the house, me included. We deal.
Wait. The door wreath is real. That counts for something, right?
Last year I decided to move all of our red decorations to the basement and swap in some lime green, peacock blue, gold and white. Our main floor is very light and I like it that way ... bringing in too many traditional dark colors makes it feel heavier than it needed to be. The whites and blues were a welcome change.
The bannister is a combination of long-needle pine garland (that I got for a stupid good deal for $2 each and am kicking myself for not buying the case), cream burlap, and ornaments. I have found so many at thrift stores in bags for $1. Do yourself a favor and pop into a thrift store next November for decorations. One of my friends picked up a 6' slim pre-lit tree for $12. Stealio.
You can kind of peek into the kitchen in this photo. I made those boxwood wreaths from the overgrown shrubbery in our yard. And there is a slim tree to the left of the cabinets.
The pink bag behind the couch is where my afghan lives when I'm not working on it. The bag was a gift from Beki last year.
I found so many glass (and plastic) balls that put them everywhere. On top of candelsticks...
in bowls...
on the piano...
and even in a vase (with marshmallows) on my dresser.
I've never added anything in our bedroom before but I like it. We had a lot of vases left over after the memorial service in August. I like that I can use some of the again.
The plastic snowflake was a thrift store snag. So were the cut plastic covered dish and the gold ornaments in the vase... I love it when that happens.
Decorating the house is something we did for the girls. If it were just the mr and I, it would be difficult to get into things right now. Setting up was a nice distraction and it was fun to use the same stuff in a different way this time around.
The one thing I haven't been able to do is hang the stockings. Fidget is begging me to, and my heart is so heavy. We were supposed to add a new stocking this year. I go back and forth about what to do.
Enjoy your week, friends. I know it's hectic and stressful, but I hope you can carve for yourself and your loved ones some time for peace.
xo
It looks absolutely beautiful. I'm going to be better about thrift store decoration collecting this year.
I hear you on the stocking thing. We don't hang ours until Christmas eve night. Maybe you need a new tradition to break things up?
Posted by: Sarah :: greenclogs | December 21, 2011 at 03:54 PM
I love the blue and lime. Such a light combination. hugs on the stockings.
Posted by: Heather | December 21, 2011 at 04:31 PM
This is the most beautiful home. You have done a fantastic job. Your girls have a talented and special mom that's for sure. And if it were me, I'd hang all the stockings this year and a new one. This is a season of love. And while the pain will stay in your heart, i think rememberig in this spirit of love would beautiful. Honey, you'll do what's right for you. (I apologize if this is too forward, and while I know you didn't ask, as a mum, it's what I would do for me) xo
Posted by: Sarah | December 21, 2011 at 05:36 PM
big hugs, chris. love you.
Posted by: erin | December 21, 2011 at 06:15 PM
Beautiful as always. I also am sorry about the stocking but I hope it will get easier for you, hugs to you and hope you and your family have a wonderful Holiday!
Posted by: Wendy | December 21, 2011 at 08:58 PM
It looks so beautiful. It is such a hard time of year. We were supposed to add a stocking this year too.
Posted by: Tracy | December 21, 2011 at 10:53 PM
I am glad you managed to decorate. Putting one foot in front of the other is the only way forward. Truly, your house is beautiful. Hope you can find a way to make peace with the stockings. Maybe you need one with angel wings and you could write a letter to your baby girl to put in it.
Posted by: Ali | December 22, 2011 at 02:04 AM
Beautiful home and decorations! Prayers and blessings....
Posted by: julie | December 22, 2011 at 08:47 AM
Your home is always so gorgeous! Mine is constantly overrun by the chaos created by the children and the clutter created by their absentminded mother. :o)
I love Ali's idea of hanging up a stocking for her and putting letters in it.
Posted by: kriste | December 22, 2011 at 11:24 AM
gorgeous!
Posted by: beki | December 23, 2011 at 09:08 PM
Thanks for the tour. Your home is lovely! Merry Christmas! Enjoy! xoxox
Posted by: jane | December 24, 2011 at 09:14 AM
Your home is beautiful. Prayers for you.
Posted by: patty boyd | December 31, 2011 at 03:24 PM
You are such an inspiration. I hope you and your family had a blessed Christmas and I hope the memory of your precious daughter will grow less painful with time, although I know you will always miss her.
Posted by: Karen Seidler | January 04, 2012 at 09:47 AM