Wednesday, December 12, 2007

What Do You Love About Your Holiday Home?

Today is the day! Karla is hosting a Home Tour party showcasing what we love about our home and our favorite decorations. Welcome to my home! There's coffee and eggnog over here. A little Sangria over there. Pour yourself a cup of your favorite libation. Stay for a while. Have a piece of pie! And of course you must have some cookies!

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As you enter my home, enjoy the lights. Watch out for the cats. They like to lay on the steps.

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A few things in my kitchen...

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This is my dining room. The Santa was one of the first decorations I bought when I moved out. On my buffet is my collection of angels. The tall angel was my Christmas tree topper until this year. It was bought at the same time I got the Santa. Very into gilded decorations back then. The ceramic candle and book was made by my Aunt Teresa.

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Come into my living room...

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I have to say, I love my living room this year. It's very cozy and inviting, I think. Of course you can have another piece of pie! The majority of the decorations around our home came from my collection. However the bells were Kenny's. They play a variety of songs and we look forward to hearing them every year.

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The Santa I made years ago in ceramics, the Lenox Santa my cousins bought us for our wedding present.

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The Santa my mom made years ago in ceramics, Believe!

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The animated Santa was also Kenny's. It reminds me of childhood, even though it wasn't mine. This is the crystal-looking Santa and sleigh that was giving me such problems on my mantle. It was Jesse's brilliant idea to move it. Please ignore the magazines under the table...

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And finally, my tree. I made the fabric balls using styrofoam balls, ribbon and hot glue. The garland I made using jute, wooden beads, fabric, and applesauce/cinnamon cutouts. The white stars were taken from my little tree I have out during the rest of the year.

Well I hope you enjoyed this little tour of my home. As I look around I notice there are a few things that I didn't photograph. Like my entryway and my Santa tapestries. Or my signs hanging above my archways. And a few other things that I love. I guess that's another post for another day! I can't wait to visit everyone. Please leave the light on for me; I have one last cookie to bake today.

#182 ~ Compliment at least 3 people every day in December. This is a gift that's always appreciated.

66 comments:

Alison Gibbs said...

Julie it all looks fabulous. So many decorations. I love the Family Snowmen.
Alison

Karen H. said...

Good Morning Julie,
Oh my goodness, you have such a beautiful home. I love all your decorations. I love the Snowmen family. I also love the glass Santa and Sleigh. Everything is very festive in your home. "THANK YOU" for sharing your home with us. I love looking at everyone's decorations. Well, take care my friend and have a great Wednesday. May God Bless You and Yours.

Hugs,
Karen H.

Tammy said...

Your holiday home is just enchanting Miz Julie!
=)

Anita said...

Your home is so gorgeous! Your decorations are beautiful... Of course, I expected nothing less from you!! :)
Thanks so much for the tour!

Have a GREAT Wednesday...!

Rebecca E. Parsons/Cre8Tiva said...

everything looks comfy and cosy in your world...thank you for the peek inside...blessings, rebecca

Mary said...

Dear Julie,
I'll have some eggnog, please, and definitely a cookie or two!

What a great collection of Santas, and I love your angels! Do the cats really sleep on the stairs? How gorgeous is that woodwork -- is it oak? It's beautiful!

Thanks for sharing! I can just picture you and your wonderful family enjoying Christmas around the tree! :)
xoxo,
Mary

Supermom said...

Your house is SO charming!!!

I'll bet it takes days to pack away all those Christmas decorations...

I should take some pictures of my decorations. There aren't as many as yours... I'll try to get around to doing that this week.

bj said...

Oh, Julie...I did so enjoy your home tour. You have a lovely, warm home and it looks just beautiful for the season. thanks much for sharing.
Hugs, bj

BittersweetPunkin said...

Your photos are all so pretty! I especially love your cute lil burner covers on the stove...I think I need some of those!! I had rooster ones way back when but a certain someone forgot to take one off before turning the burner on.......LOL
Love,
Robin

NEEREANDEAR said...

julie

Thank you for inviting us into your home... and it IS most definitely cozy... you have such wonderful displays and you always seem to manage to get me into the Holiday spirit

HUGS

From the Doghouse said...

How in the world did you have time to do all of this great work?

Southern Heart said...

What a beautiful home! and so festive...I'm sure that your guests feel right at home!

xo, Andrea

Melissa @ The Inspired Room said...

Your home is one I can just FEEL love the love and holiday spirit oozing from it! I love all your little touches that show how much you care about creating your home! And your homemade fabric ball ornaments. You say you are not crafty but PAHELEEZE that is crafty in my book! :-)

Thanks so much for sharing your home, Julie! I feel like I just had a lovely morning in your home, sipping the eggnog and getting to know more about you. Thank you! It is a beautiful place to be.

xo

Kristen said...

It all looks great! I love the doily on your mantle! The snowmen with your names on them are absolutely precious as well! What a wonderful idea! Thanks for sharing the pics of your home with us! I am glad that your camera is working again!!!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful Julie~Thank You so much for the loveley pictures.

Hugs:)
Carol

Michelle said...

Thanks for the egg nog and cookies..your home is beautiful. I especially love the handmade ornaments. Have fun visiting today. Michelle

~katie~ said...

Lovely home!! Are the walls sponge painted - they are gorgeous! :-) Your home is so cozy!!

Blessings,
Katie

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

Good morning! Wow, you had all of those viruses on your computer? Scared of that!

Julie, you home is so sweet and looking so Christmas-C. I am taking note of all of the handmade things everyone is making. Loving the fabric covered balls. Great idea!

Have a lovely day and thanks for always having an open heart!

xo
Becky

Terri Steffes said...

The Snowman family is adorable!

No one is coming by to see my tour! Hmmm.

I also love the bannister!

Dena said...

Jules,

Your home is beautiful! I love the way your living room looks and your tree came out awesome! Those fabric balls are perfect :) Another piece of pie? Why that sounds like a perfect plan to me!

Hugs,
Dena

Farmgirl Cyn said...

Julie dear! You have a beautiful home, all the lovelier decked out for Christmas! Cookie baking is on my "to-do" list for this week, along with a bit of Christmas shopping. Have to strike while there is a break in the weather!

Debbie Doughty said...

No surprises here - your home is as warm and inviting as you! Thanks for the cookies and tea!

Alice said...

You are a most gracious hostess, Julie. Thank you for sharing your home. Everything is so pretty and festive. You might laugh when I tell you what really caught my eye but it is the way you've been able to use the top of your radiator. You know, it takes a really creative mind to be able to come up with a way to do that--and I'm stealing it for my home! :)

Anonymous said...

Julie, thanks for the tour.Really could use that Sangria to help me rest hehe. Loved your balls they turned out great.

Nancy said...

Oh Julie, I am so happy you got your camera working throughout your home. It all looks so nice. The white angel is so beautiful and I love your staircase. I bet everyone who visits your blog is happy to see the pictures.

Sweet Remembrance said...

Julie...
It all looks fantastic!
Happy Holidays...
Priscilla

Brittany said...

You just have a beautiful home!! It looks so cozy and inviting!! Merry Christmas!
Brittany

Rosemary said...

Hi Julie,
It looks so festive and cozy.
Thanks for sharing your home with us today.
Rsoemary

Rosie's Whimsy said...

A Holiday home filled with warmth and love....I can just feel the hugs. I especially love the family of snowmen :-)

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Just a lovely and festive home. Thank you for the tour. Susan

Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents said...

Hi Julie, what a wonderful collection of adorable Christmas decorations you have! Your home is so pretty! Very vintage chic! I love it! Please visit my holiday home, too!

Merry Christmas,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents

Anonymous said...

julie,

I read your post today of your house
very nice.

aunt patti

kari and kijsa said...

Everything just looks lovely! All aglow with Christmas cheer and a beautiful giving heart! Loved it!

blessings,
kari & kijsa

Bethany said...

I will be over soon!! ;) Your house looks beautiful and very inviting! I love all your Santas and those bells are really cool. Thanks for sharing photos with us today!xoxo~ Bethany

Nan said...

What a great tour. I am partial to the Santas. Thanks for sharing.
Nan

blessings said...

It's nice that even though we can't all get together for coffee in real life, we can all hang out at Julie's house today. Thanks for sharing. Blessings... Polly

Andylynne said...

What beautiful decorations. I love your cozy home! I also love your music I have it on here at work and it has been great!

Whimsy Pink said...

Everything looks so pretty! I love decorating for christmas!I posted mine too!

Elle Jay Bee said...

Well Julie, you definitely achieved the cozy, homespun feel you were going for...lovely!!
I bet yours is always a home people feel comfortable in!!

I love those fabric balls...I've always wanted to try those!!

Linda
xox

Sandy said...

Such delightful things to look at. Your tree looks great! I love all you hand made decor. Christmas Blessings, Miss Sandy

Anonymous said...

Hi Julie,

Everything looks lovely - what a great home you have!

Thanks for your visit :)

Joy

Unknown said...

Julie,

You have such a lovely home and you have it decorated so nice for Christmas. I didn't know today was the day for the holiday homes. I'll have to check out everyone's.

ancient one said...

Hi Julie,

My first visit here. I just popped over from Karen's blog. (Don't ask me how!) I clicked to comment on her blog and somehow my computer brought me right on over here. Your Christmas decorations are so pretty. I'll come back...LOL

Susie Q said...

It all looks so festive and fabulous! You have done so much work and I know your family loves it all! I love the snowman family!

Now, may I have some of the egg nog and 2 or 5 cookies??

Thank you for inviting us into your pretty, warm and welcoming home!

Hugs,
Sue

Meggie said...

Oh Julie: Your home looks absolutely lovely! I especially love your banister and the burner covers on the stove...so cute! You've been one busy bee. Did I miss something....? I know you have two sons, do you also have a daughter? Who is Brittany?

Donna said...

Julie,
Your home looks so pretty and cozy! I love all of your decorations! Fantastic! Thanks for the tour.
Hugs,
Donna

Esther Sunday said...

Julie - your home is lovely! I know you work hard to provide a wonderful home for your husband and children - mission accomplished! Love, Esther

kari and kijsa said...

Your home is truly beautiful....you can tell is it really loved! (that's one of our compliments for the day)!

Have a very blessed day!

smiles, kari and kijsa

BittersweetPunkin said...

..........just stopping in again to see if you have any cookies left.....LOL

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Julie, your home is so warm and cozy! I love all your decorations. Thanks for the pie!!
Penny

rosemary said...

julie your home is lovely...just like you. I'd like a cookie....i could also use a stiff drink.

rosemary said...

julie your home is lovely...just like you. I'd like a cookie....i could also use a stiff drink.

FrenchGardenHouse said...

Thank you so much for sharing your warm cozy home with us Julie! Everything looks wonderful.
xo Lidy

roseroomnz.com said...

Wonderful decorations - Merry Christmas and Blessings - Rachael

Cris said...

Julie, your home is so cozy and beautiful!!! It makes us feel welcome there and it reminded me a lot of my home there when I was an exchange student... you made me feel so homesick with this post, but it's a good thing, I have wonderful memories of my time there!!!

Cottage Contessa said...

Wow Julie! What a lovely home filled so lovingly with beautiful things. I love it all and felt very welcome & relaxed visiting with you!
Amanda (aka Cottage Contessa)

Barbara Jacksier said...

Thanks for the ivitation to tour. The egg nog was delicious!

Kim @ Home Is Where The Heart Is said...

Hello Julie,
I really enjoyed the tour of your home...looks like you had a lot of fun decorating your cozy home!

I really love your tree...very country!

Love, Kim

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

Julie, love the fabric balls! My daughter and I made some years ago and they're still my favorite ornament. Your house is so festive and warm! The snowpeople cutouts are so cute!

Manuela

a pink-bee said...

What a sweet home, thanks for sharing :) Merry Christmas :)
crystal :)

JANET said...

Haha! I haven't finished decorating my holiday home yet! But my favorite thing is a set of ceramic choir angels that belonged to my mother. They just look as if they are singing their hearts out!

Emily said...

Thanks for posting so many wonderful pictures. Is it weird that I like to look at people's houses?
Wow, you really went all out. Everything is decorated nicely. I like the tree.

Those cinnamon decorations look tasty...

BellaColle said...

Your home is soo cozy and beautiful!
Very Festive.
Thank you for having me over! =)

Rose of Sharon said...

What a beautiful home you have! I love all of your Christmas decor, so cute! Every room is just darling! Good job! I love the flowers on the stairs and the cute snowmen family!

:) Sharon

Paul-ene said...

Your holiday home is so warm and inviting........thanks for sharing!

I'm still making the holiday home tour rounds. A week later! I'm slow but enjoying time spent at everyone's blogs.

Merry Christmas!

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