Sunday, December 21, 2008

A Very Busy Time!



It's that time of year - so much to do and never enough hours! I wanted to let my regular readers know that all is well - I just have been preoccupied with family matters and holiday preparations so I haven't been able to post any designs for a bit. I do have a few that I have been working on by request and lots of exciting plans for the New Year.

But now, for something completely different, I thought I'd share some photos of some of our Christmas trees. Not a bit of Cricut or a Design Studio file involved at all on the ones I post tonight, but I do have a few "specials" up my sleeve that I can post after the big day.

The first tree to go up most years is in the front hall and it is full of Santa ornaments that I have collected over the years - still adding a few more each year but I am nearly out of room!



Here is a closer view showing the Star Santa tree topper



The mantle in the Family room is also full of Santas - mostly larger ones that couldn't go on a tree.



In the Dining Room nearly all the decorations are blue, white or silver. This is the mantle



and here is the Nativity scene close up - it is modern Dedham pottery which is a Massachusetts speciality.



Of course, there are a few more Santas too!



The tree in the Dining Room has crystal and sparkly ornaments and a few special silver balls.



Here is a closer view - it is hard to capture the sparkle in a photo but in real life it just glitters!



My favorite thing is the view in the mirror as you enter the room from the back hall - the tree is reflected and it makes the room glow.



In the Family Room we have an upside down tree (!) This one is perfect for all the delicate glass ornaments that look best when they are displayed dangling - the unusual shape means that there are many places to hang these and they are high off the ground and generally safe from little hands! We also place a table in front of the tree to help prevent a crashing disaster!



Here is a closer view looking up



and from the side (before the icicles and garlands were added).



We have had a big snowstorm over the past few days and this (somewhat blurry - call it artistic effect!) is how our large outdoor tree and the lights on the fence look tonight,



Here is how the tree on the deck looked last week



and here it is tonight - it seems to be shrinking!



One more snow picture - not a good day to eat outside!



So -I am still decorating - and will be for another day or so. I love putting up the trees and once they are up they will stay up for a while (well into January).

Our only real tree is a "Charlie Brown tree" which we put in our sunroom. The lights are on it but the decorating will wait for both of our sons to be home (the college student is home and the older one arrives tomorrow night). I will try to post a few more photos of the rest of the trees - but I think you probably get the idea - I do have a bit of a CDO (a Christmas Decorating Obsession)!

I may be able to fit in a design post or two before Thursday, but, just in case I don't, I want to say Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

11 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness, all of your trees are absolutely beautiful!! Have a very Merry Christmas!!! Tuki from the Cricut MB!!!

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  2. I love all of your trees, my favorite is the one outside with all of the snow on it...it is just beautiful. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Mary in Hong Kong

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  3. Diane, your trees are beautiful. I think my favorite may be the dining room and I also love the reflection in the mirror. I have not seen a tree like that and it is so elegant looking. Have a very Merry Christmas with your family and best wishes for a happy and healthy New year. Thanks again for all that you share with us.

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  4. Diane,
    You home looks just lovely!!! So elegant and so festive!!! And I love your Dedham pottery!!! I hope you have a joyful Christmas and a very Happy New Year!!

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  5. Diane, You have a beautiful home. And your trees are gorgeous. I think my favorite is the Santa tree.
    Don't you just love how adding Christmas decorations can make a quiet corner come to life? Some years it takes me a while to get everything put up but I love the glow of the lights and the color of the ornaments and everything. It usually makes me sad to take it all down again... my house looks so empty.
    WIshing you and your family a wonderful Christmas and a blessed new year.

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  6. It is all so beautiful Cap!! I love it all! Merry Christmas!

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  7. Love all the decorations and the trees that ornaments can actually hang from instead of the tree being so bushy that an ornament can barely be squished into place.
    Everything is beautiful!

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  8. Oh so very lovely! I too have CDO -- and I think if you are going to have an obsession (other the Cricut) this is a GREAT one to have. Your home is lovely -- warm and inviting. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas! I am adding an "upside down" tree to my list!

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  9. Diane, thanks so much for sharing your beautiful trees...and I would also like to take a moment to thank you for your dedication to us...thank you for a wonderful year of inspiration. A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.

    Vicki

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  10. Your trees are beautiful! When my boys were little we set up trees in every room. One year, I wanted a skinny white pencil tree, and I wanted to decorate it with pink balls, beads lights and pink angel on top. I couldn't find any pink lights on a white strand, so I bought pink lights on green wires and multi lights on white wire. I sat in the floor for about three days changing out all of those tiny lightbulbs with those delicate prongs. But it was worth it!

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  11. Love all of your trees - Thank you for sharing them with us - Christmas and decorating for it is my favorite time of the year!!

    Laurel

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