My Holiday Home Tour

Hello, dear friends.  This is my last post of 2017.  As I attempted to articulate in my little poem above,  I am so grateful to all of you who take the time to read this silly little blog.  You have offered encouragement as well as support, and for that, I am eternally thankful.  

As I have mentioned many times, blogging has been a gratifying experience for me.  I have met so many delightful people, visited a lot of beautiful places, and in the process have made many lifelong friends. 

So when it comes to counting my blessings in 2017, my blog friends are on the top of my list.

This year, I took the minimalist approach to my holiday decorating.  I call it minimalist chic while others may refer to it casually lazy.

I have more filled red Rubbermaid containers in the basement than I have empty ones.  Please don't tell the Mister.  Before I know it, he'll be down there purging all my stored decorations that may make the scene next year.

Chili was still in hair and makeup when I took this photo.

We filled the window boxes with a combination of real and fake greens and bright plastic ornaments that Chowdah thinks are balls.  Every chance he gets, he steals one and hides it in the bushes.
The struggle is real, people.

I took this pic on the day of the first snowfall. 
It's exactly the kind of snow I appreciate - it looks pretty while it's falling and it doesn't stick to the ground. 

I bought a 6' preserved boxwood garland this year.  It was not quite long enough to go the full length of the mantle so I just looped it and called it a day.

My mantra for this season's holiday decorating:

when in doubt, use a pinecone.

This rooster survived six moves and over 20 Christmas seasons.

I decorated the kitchen in less than 2 minutes.

A world record.
I put those wreaths up two years ago at Christmas and never took them down.

Please excuse the photobomber.

A little holly and...

a pretty red ribbon.

I guess Chili forgot that she's not allowed on the couch.

This is Chow's "don't you see what she's doing?" look.

We only had a real tree one year in our marriage.  The Mister practically broke out in hives from seeing all the falling pine needles on the floor.  Have I told you that he is a bit persnickety?

This is a shout-out to my buddy, Kate the Great who sent me this ornament many years ago.  She is celebrating this Christmas in Ireland.  
Nollaig Shona
dear friend!

The sunroom is where we spend most of our time.  I put those little boxwood wreaths up a couple of years ago and never took them down.  

I'm not a huge poinsettia or cyclamen fan so I use a lot of red kalanchoes.  They are so easy to take care of and last forever.  Again my pinecones came in handy. 

My toughest critics except around mealtime.

Thanks for stopping by!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
Please excuse the photo bomber. 

Until next time year...