Christmas Cheer

First things first...We are truly blessed to have the means to set a pretty table and invite our friends to join us for good food and fellowship. As the holiday season progresses I am mindful that many are not so fortunate. My daughter has a passion for the work of the Food Bank. As a singer-songwriter, she has written and recorded a song that is the anthem for the world wide Crop Hunger Walk project. Her song, "Raise Your Voice" is featured in their video. I've included a link in the side margin of my blog. I hope that it will encourage you to support projects in your community that contribute to the effort to overcome hunger.


Every year I am thrilled to open boxes and closets and bring out the precious Christmas decorations that have graced our home all these years.  Some of them are wonderful...some of them are dated...some of them are just a bit tired.  All of them are special in my eyes.  They hold so many memories, sweet, sad, and bittersweet, of the journeys that are the lives of my family.  I am just as excited to hang the macaroni and glitter ornament that my son made in pre-school at age 3 as I am to create the vignettes for our marvelous Simpich dolls and to design a tablescape with our beautiful Christmas china.  I've never had a cohesive design theme for our Christmas house.  It's always been kind of an 'anything goes' moment.  And somehow that always seems to work for us.  I wanted to share our Christmas home with you tonight.  I hope that it brings  you a measure of joy.  I pray that something in my tour will help you to turn your heart to the 'reason for the season.'

On any given day, this sits on the corner of the kitchen counter, next to the back/garage door...

But come the Christmas holidays, the metamorphosis usually begins right here.  The Santa pitcher and mugs see lots of hot chocolate and spiced cider throughout the season.  They anchor....

...the rest of the counter, which stands at the ready for guests when they drop by for a visit.

You learned about the breakfast room HERE.

...and the 'Reason for the Season' HERE.  But wait!  There's more...

The tree is readied, and 'the stockings are hung by the chimney with care.'  I love to needlepoint, although I no longer stitch with the passion that I used to have when I made many of the items in the living room.  Take a look, please...

The lovely background pattern, the wise men and the angels were designed by Alexa.  I designed the shepherds and the holy family.  I'll stitch another angel for my daughter-in-love and another shepherd for my son-in-love.  My grandchildren will have stockings with the same pattern plus lambs.  I need to bring out the needle and thread and get busy again.

 

My daughter-in-love created the framed 'noel' for us.  It's so pretty!  The Santa Doll was stitched on a Melissa Shirley canvas. 

And then there are the rest of the Simpich Dolls, my favorites...

Hansel & Gretel appear at Halloween and remain as a part of the landscape throughout the Christmas holiday...

"The Gift Bringer," "Melinda and Chris"...

"Santa Takes a Break"...

...and "The Carolers," my original Simpich collection.  Oh my goodness, I just realized that I've forgotten to take out the "Elves" collection.  They may or may not make an appearance this year.  We'll see.

"But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."  Joshua 24:15.  For our house, Jesus is the reason for the season.  I love that my children were taught that the reason that we give gifts at Christmas is to symbolize the greatest gift of all...the gift that God gave us when he sent His Son.  I would love to think that some day you might walk through our door at Christmas time, and I would have the blessing of sharing our treasured Nativity with you.  As we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we pause to give thanks to God for all we received, all He provided for us to give, and for the moments we were in His will and felt closest to Him.  Merry Christmas!

That's enough for now. There's more to see, but I know that you are eager to check out all the other wonderful bloggers who are participating in Susan at Between Naps on the Porch's wonderful meme, Metamorphosis Monday.  Many thanks to Susan for continuing to provide such a wonderful vehicle for us to share our passions and our creative outlets.  Also, congratulations on your 100th Metamorphosis Monday...quite an accomplishment!

Click Here for Metamorphosis Monday

I'm joining Sherry at her 'Share the Decor' Party.  Click HERE to join the fun!




You can check out KC's music at www.kcclifford.com, on iTunes, and on YouTube.  I hope that you'll take a few minutes and give her a listen.  You'll also enjoy reading back through her blog on this site.  The girl can really write!  Her latest CD is called "Orchid."  It is available on iTunes or through her website.  KC is currently the featured artist of the week at http://jivepk.jivewired.com/kcclifford.  I hope that you'll give her music a chance.  I know that I have zero objectivity where she is concerned, but I think that you'll fall in love with her music and her!