Welcome to our Christmas home! Better late than never I often think and this Christmas season’s decorating is no exception as you know I have been busy with work, meetings, deep cleaning and just getting our home ready for the holidays…
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| An early December mantel which never got to print. |
Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house, not a creature was stirring not even a mouse…
With a mix of evening and daytime photos…
And some taken while still cleaning and redecorating…
Much which could have been laid out earlier couldn’t get done as Mr. Ethereal wasn’t home in early December. This is the time of year for EOY inventories at work and I needed his strength to pull down the attic stairs.
And then there was the constant Siren song on weekends calling for leaves and over 1,000,000 acorns to be raked and blow off to pick up from the gutter each week since early November.
But finally mid month Hubby and I scurried about moving boxes down and others up, cleaning here and wiping down there. Chapman Manor was beginning to be whipped into shape!
With help from friend Torrance Baker who came to help decorate our tree and finishing last minute decorating and cleaning just two hours before a Christmas part, for friends met through the International Order of Odd Fellows these past three years, Christmas was finally in place…
🙂
Cue the hallelujahs and hurrahs!
The fruits of a clean home, enjoying a bit of Christmas cheer and reveling in the birth of my Lord are happily in mind! New and old Christmas needlepoint pillows were in place and when the party was over, a long winter’s rest is all that is needed…
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care…
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| An angelic gift from Connie and Torrance Baker ~ love this new Lenox crystal angel!!! A lovely addition to our family Christmas tree. |
A theme there wasn’t but one quickly emerged ~ “Santas…”
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| A couple of favorite family photos are arranged here, too! Mr. Yoda as just two weeks with us when this picture was taken one night at a Boy Scout troop meeting. |
In hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there…
That Chubby Old Elf in many forms made himself known! Here in the built-in bookcase, Santas grace several vintage candy tins along with a new Hobby Lobby Santa found last year. A vintage Santa, created in resin but originally were made by this artist using apple cores, sits on the upper left-hand shelf ready to wrap his wreath around the goose next door…
Making our way into the dining area more Santas abound! The newest dressed in his silver tinsel coat (found at Judith’s Christmas Event) stands next to one of the oldest of a pair of Santa candles found about 25 years ago.
As I am writing this I found this lovely little print of St. Nicholas and the story behind the real Saint Nicholas, a Greek who was bishop of Myra, Lycia (modern day Turkey). In this blogpost by Nick Rabiipour, I relearned that Saint Nicholas lived during the 4th century and helped many people during his time with the Catholic church. Today he is remembered as the Patron Saint of the poor, and others for his charity.
As wonderful as St. Nicholas was, he also didn’t want to call attention to his work. Perhaps he didn’t want to because as Christians we are called to give our honor and glory to Christ Jesus…
So from my family to yours, we bid you Welcome and Happy Christmas!
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| Our porch with its final finished decor… |
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Matthew 1:23, King James Bible
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Merry Christmas!
So beautiful!Merry Christmas!
A Merry and Blessed Christmas to you and your family Barbara!!
Very nice, Barb. It sounds as though your timing was perfect for the season. Our family always celebrated the Feast of St. Nicholas, waking up on Dec 6th to our stockings filled with fruit, nuts, and one or two small gifts. My brother is named after Nicholas. I hope you can now relish in a few evenings of quietude, enjoying the fruits of your labor.
Barb, Your home looks stunning all decked for Christmas!! Thanks for sharing!!Hugs,Debbie
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Your first Christmas in your new home and what a glorious one it is. I sank into each and every photo and savored all the beauty and joy of the season and your lovely style. I'm rather late with catching up with Christmas posts — I was off blog for a week. It's fun reliving Christmas with blog friends. I send you all good wishes for a happy new year!
Happy Christmas to you, too, Maristella!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Mary!Big hugs,Barb 🙂
Thank you so much for your family's stories, Rita! I love this!!! I am enjoying a bit of quiet and relaxation now. <3Hugs,Barb 🙂
Thank you, Debbie! I appreciate your sweet thoughts and am happy you enjoyed our Christmas home. <3Happy New Year hugs,Barb 🙂
Thank you so much, Jeanie! Wishing you all the best belated Christmas wishes and Happy New Year ones, too!!Hugs,Barb 🙂