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A Christmas Open House

BooMamaChristmasTour


Welcome! It's an open house! BooMama is hosting a lovely Christmas Tour of Homes today, so please join me in the festivities. Come right on in, won't you?

Let's start at the front door... Here's the entryway hall tree~I love how the Christmas tree is reflecting in the mirror.
And here is the tree.

My vintage Santa keeping watch by the tree~he's looking good for being around 40+ years old!

A little tray table in the living room~I love this little carolers music box.




Here's a detail shot of the garland over the windows.

My large nativity set is here.

The dining table is also in this room.

I love the way the chandelier turned out.

This is a close up of the centerpiece wreath and runner.

My sister made this runner for me last Christmas~I love the toile!!

Here is a little *MERRY CHRISTMAS* banner that The Princess helped me make.

Now let's move into the family room. My little elf (a gift when I was 3 years old) is keeping watch.

The stockings are hung by the chimney and all of the kiddos Christmas toys and books are gathered here. Some of those toys are from when I was a kid. They love them!

We love our collection of Christmas books.

Here is our advent calendar~also from my childhood.

Last year I found this great Christmas card *wreath*. It holds a ton of cards and it's fun to be able to see them.

I love this grouping on the side table here.

These are my vintage Christmas postcards.

Here's a detail shot of my mini tree. This one has all of my mini ornaments and the vintage foil garland that my grandparents used to put on their tree. I remember it well! I've never seen any more, but I'd love to know more about it~if you can tell me anything about this type of vintage garland, leave me a comment!

The coffee table has a grouping of nutcrackers and a little music box with characters from The Nutcracker ballet (I picked up the music box for .50 at a yard sale!).

Our family room bookcases and entertainment cabinet has my Dicken's Village across the tops.

A wall candle holder all decked out for the holidays.

My new (and only) pair of Byers' Choice carolers~thanks, Mom!

Now on to the kitchen! Here is my kitchen sink window. I made these JOY letters last year.

This mini tree has all vegetable and fruit ornaments on it. I was so sad~this year I broke the asparagus. This picture also shows the Susan Branch Christmas cookbook, it is so wonderful!

And here is my snowman cookie jar~isn't he handsome?!

Now for a quick peek down the hall into the bedrooms....

First, Mr. B's Christmas tree and little village.

And next is The Princess' room.

On to the hall bath...I love this little framed print hanging the bathroom wall.

Here's the master bedroom. This *peace* garland is one of my favorite decorations.

This is what I call my *vintage village*. I love it!! The snowmen are just random ones I've picked up here and there.

The vintage-style feather tree has all antique mini ornaments on it~just little finds while "junking".

Well, there you have the tour! Now let's swing back into the kitchen for a little snack before you go.

Amish Sugar Cookies
(from my friend Sandy)

2 cups sugar
2 cups powdered sugar
2 cups margarine, softened
2 cups cooking oil
4 eggs
9 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cream of tartar
2 tsp. vanilla
~~~~~
Combine sugars, margarine and oil in a mixing bowl. Mix well; add eggs. Mix again. Combine flour, soda, cream of tartar; blend into the sugar mixture. Add vanilla and mix well. Roll dough into small balls and place on cookie sheets. Flatten balls with a cookie stamp or a glass bottom that has been dipped in sugar. Bake at 375F for 10-12 minutes. Makes approximately 10 dozen cookies. I always make these to give away at Christmas because it make such a huge batch and they are absolutely delicious!! Enjoy!

Thanks for dropping by for a visit~don't forget to head over to BooMama's to see more lovely homes decorated for the holidays.

Comments

Meredith said…
Wow! What a gorgeous home. I love how you decorate every room. Your banners are beautiful! Thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas
Rachelle said…
Your decor looks great! I see you have a few Santa Mugs! I collect them, I must have 40!
linda t said…
How fun!!
Love your festive home!
I have the same vintage Santa. I found you through Sandy... and saw that you were doing the Home Tour!
So am I!
Betsy Brock said…
Oh my Goodness! Your home is just bursting with Christmas spirit! :)
I love the chandalier! And the vintage Santa...he's adorable!
The veggie tree in the kitchen ...what a great idea! I may have to do that...although I only have a peapod. What a great excuse to collect a few more veggies! ;)
Jenni said…
Oh my, your home is absolutely beautiful in its Christmas finery! Thank you for sharing...I loved every single thing, especially the letters and the garlands and the framed print and the...

Okay, so I loved everything especially. Thank you for sharing!

Jenni
http://onething.beautifulheritage.com
Anonymous said…
It was such a joy to tour your home. Everything is so beautiful. I copied the cookie recipe to try later. Thanks for sharing, and have a wonderful Christmas.
Kari said…
Oh, it looks great! We've almost finished with all of our decor, so I'll be getting it up soon, too. =)
Becky said…
Would've me a busy little elf getting all decorated! Your home looks beautiful. I love the elf you've had since your were three. How special!
Becky said…
Would've me a busy little elf getting all decorated! Your home looks beautiful. I love the elf you've had since your were three. How special!
Anonymous said…
Love your decorations. I love how you used vintage and new stuff together.
Heather said…
Your house looks great!! I love your decorations!! Thanks for sharing!! Merry CHristmas!!
WoW... SUPER festive home... I love the decor!
Melinda said…
Absolutely beautiful! I love the "vintage Santa", as I have a Santa ornament hanging on my mom's tree with that same face! Mine is also 40+ years old. :o)

Thanks for opening your home and for visiting mine!

Merry Christmas,
Melinda
Leigh Ann said…
Love your decor, especially the banners, joy sign, feather tree and vintage-y Santa's.
Merry Christmas,
Leigh Ann
I loved it all ! So pretty. Thanks for stopping by.
Dena said…
LOVE all your decorations. You have done a wonderful job!
Janet said…
Oh my your home is gorgeous! What wonderful pictures. Thanks!
Lone Butterfly said…
Your home is so beautiful! You are such a crafty person, with a great eye for detail.

I think you're post is one of my favorites from the entire tour! It's just so pretty.

I can't imagine how much time it must take you to set up everything! Hopefully you have help. :)
steviewren said…
Lora, I've been in Texas visiting and just now realized you gave me an award. Thanks so much. I'm touched and honored.

Your home is decorated so nice. I love it that you have so many things from your own childhood. Enjoy the season!
Angela said…
your home is beautiful.
Heather said…
I love your vintage decorations!
Lora said…
Your chandelier is beautiful and I like your collection of vintage postcards.
Merry Christmas!
RosyRose said…
Thanks for dropping by to see my house. I love your garland over the windows very cute indeed!
Merry Christmas..

You have a lovely family!
I love the chandelier! Also the table centerpiece is great. From one AL woman to another your house is beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
Michelle M. said…
Your home looks beautiful! I can't believe how much work you must have put into it!
Oh my, everything is just gorgeous!

I love how you decorate your children's rooms also. What special memories they'll have.

Your kitchen is my favorite, especially the J-O-Y letters you made and your little tree. I am so getting a little tree for my kitchen next year.
Where to begin? Everything is so beautiful, you have done such a great job decorating. :)
Anonymous said…
What a beautiful home you have! I love your decorations. And I love your banner. Very cute!!
Jamie said…
It all looks so wonderful! You've done an excellent job!!!
Oh my how fun!!! I love those red plates..I have those too..they are great! Those bulbs on your fixture are great!
-sandy toes
Anonymous said…
Hi Lora,

Thanks for visiting my show and tell. I love all your Christmas accents - so homey, cozy, and simply gorgeous!
Anonymous said…
Thanks for sharing!

Best wishes to you and your family during this Christmas season.
Lora - Your house is absolutely gorgeous! I love how you decorate the whole house for Christmas. Thanks for sharing.

Heather
Keetha Broyles said…
Everything looks wonderful!!!

A couple things I want to note: Your hall tree!!! Oh wow. Love it. My grandmother had one very similar. I always wished it could be mine, but since my dad is #9 of 13, it was snatched up by some cousin whose parental numbers are far smaller!!! As long as they love it too- - - -

I like your little nutcracker collection. I think I have the same little Pinocchio.

Merry Christmas!!!
JudyBug said…
Beautiful, gorgeous pictures! My favorites are the carolers and the JOY in the window.
becky said…
I love your Christmas tree and all the vintage-y touches.

Happy holidays!
Jessica said…
Everything looks beautiful! I especially love all the things you have kept from your childhood!

Merry Christmas!
Beautiful...love the Christmas village...gorgeous! Thank you for sharing your lovely home. Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year to You...
Anne said…
Your Dickens village is so beautiful and vestive:). Thanks for the tour... Merry Christmas!
Anonymous said…
What a lovely home and decorations you have. You have done a great job putting it all together. Couldn't help noticing a couple of my favortie authors on your bookshelf, C.S. Lewis and Tolkien.
Have a very Merry Christmas!!
Lora, your tour was beautiful! I love your village and all your pretty decorations. Your place looks great. Thanks for sharing. I will try and get my decorating started this weekend. I guess it's about time. :) Your place is so pretty.
It's all beautiful, but I especially love your nativity!
Carrie said…
Thanks for stopping by my Christmas Home Tour!

WOW! You sure do have your home decked out for Christmas! I feel merrier just looking at it! In fact, the fa-la-la-la-la's are making their way out of my mouth right now! " )

I love so many things you have pictured, but I'd have to say my fav is the feather tree! How cool is that??
Kelli said…
Thank you for having us over to your beautiful home, Lora! I love your dining room and your toile tablecloth is so pretty! I have the same pattern on paper, but the fabric is so nice, too! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
~Kelli
Every corner of your house must be decked out! I loved your tour, especially the "word garlands" and the feather trees. You're right, the tree does look good reflecting in the mirror!

Have a wonderful Christmas holiday!
Anonymous said…
I enjoyed your tour so much. Everything is beautifully done. I am envious that you have so many things from your childhood....what treasures! Loved your grandmother's tree garland the most.

Merry Christmas. Debbi
Kayren said…
Lora, it's all just fantastic! Words don't even do it justice.

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