Welcome....

"...at its core....art is simply the language of the soul" -Robert Redford

Thanks for stopping by. Please enjoy your stay here. Have some Sweet Tea, grab a chair and sit a spell. Rekindle your SOUL, Embrace the ART and Believe your DREAMS. Stay as long as you like and come back soon. Friends are always welcome here.

Monday, December 6

It's beginning to look (and FEEL) a lot like Christmas here in Florida.....

Well, decorating now that I live in the South after 45 years in Illinois is still weird. The last 2 years in Georgia I really didn't do much......this year in FL with the new house I decided I really should give it a whirl. So, I planned to keep it simple....just the tree and my nutcrackers. Ha! I say again Ha! It's like rabbits......you just can't stop 'em. Geesh! I have now OFFICIALLY quit.............'prolly.

So, here is the mantle with the glitter cones and the rest of the sparklies. I decided the 2 short ones were getting lost so I put them up on candlesticks. That decision led to more candle sticks and the matching glass balls. I am thrilled! I LOVE how it looks....of course way more sparkly in person but you get the idea. It's killing Hubs that I wouldn't let him "hang" the mirror. I really like it just propped up there. Whatcha think? Propped or hung?  The stockings are heirlooms. My Aunt had them made for her family and ours by a little old lady who hand knit them. Aren't they amazing? And now, for the first time....they can hang on a mantle....who knew??  :)




So, after putting the 9 foot tree up in the formal living room (funny how it looks so small now with 12' ceilings) I felt that the fireplace looked lonely. So, up went the 6 foot tree (I simply LOVE that I, yes short little me, can put the topper on while standing on the ground). Hey, it's the little things people!! :) Since the pressies will be going under the big tree I decided to put some of my snowman collection under this tree. Can you say first year the kitties have access to the tree? Yeah, that is what this tree is decorated with only silver balls and my hand-cut snowflakes. I am so happy to see these are holding up so well. They are cut from regular copy paper and then ironed on both sides with wax paper to keep them clean and flat. I made them at least 6 years ago...pretty nifty, right?




After that, well I knew I had to have my fave silver tinsel tree with the hand blown ornies....so to the shrine it went. Yes, we have this weird lit shrine like alcove outside one of the master bedrooms. Never really knew what to put there.....but my little tree looks perfect! Good idea award goes out to Hubs. I LOVE the vintage felt tree skirt I found at a tag sale!



My nutcrackers are my fave collection.....not crazy about their location this year, but it will have to do. They are hard to enjoy way up there on top of the cupboards.....but I like the few that are down on Gpa Frank's cabinet. This little gem is one of my treasured possessions. It was hand made by my Great Great Grandfather. Isn't is gorgeous?





The rest of the pics are just little vignettes that are here and there around the main living areas. :) Enjoy!
Some of my fave snow guys
More of my fave snow guys and my big Georgia pine cones
My Raikes Santa Bear
Elf on the shelf and my beeswax Santas
Front entry table
Fave stitching ever that I rescued from the thrift store
Hubs says this is a SCARY Santa....guess he'd better be good!!  LOL
Bird cage and Bad Santa
Piano with the Nativity made by my Mom
Nativity close-up
The 9' tree
The 9' tree details
On the coffee table are no melt mosaic snowballs and the skinny "CHRISTMAS" Santa book I made.



I am again participating in a 12 days of Christmas swap and this is where I am keeping my goodies until the 12th!

So, that's what's happening at my house.......Merry Christmas!!

4 comments:

Tammy D said...

Looks great. All you are missing is a foot of snow outside in the yard. Want me to send you some?

bcriminger said...

I find it funny that this is simple! lol. I think our apartment qualifies as more simple. A few angles around the TV, a 6 ft tree and stockings hung from Blake's sias, which are mounted on the wall~he told me I had to include where they were mounted :D

Alicia B said...

Shelly It looks beautiful! I have that snowflake swinging snowman as well :) *Hugs* and thanks for sharing your pictures with us!

Diann said...

Shelly, I so enjoyed looking at your beautifully decorated Florida home - I think everything is just the perfect touch! I have all my snowmen out and love the ornament I received from you! Merry Christmas indeed! Diann