Christmas has now come out in full splendor at our house— well, three feet and up, that is. We are not doing our big tree this year because, well, 11 month old. I don’t need that kind of stress in my life 😉 so the big tree and all those breakable little things…will snuggle in the attic for another season.

   We were still able to get out a lot of our favorite festive things— like a new Tasha Tudor Advent Calendar sent to us by our friend Patricia, and we created our own Advent table top wreath out of candles we already had on hand and greens from the backyard strung with some berries I got at Michaels last year.

   Our mantle is one of my most favorite parts of this old house, however the top is cold hard stone; to be able to hang our stockings, and to give the whole thing more homey warmth, I’ve put an old crochet table cloth that belonged to my husband’s grandmother on the mantle and hung the stockings with these fancy things called….paper clips 😉

  I also love getting out my Nicol Sayre Santas, the majority of which I’ve gotten from Bayberry Cove. My mama always collected santa when I was little, and I think I’ve caught that interest. The fabric “St. Nick” with the red cape is one I made myself and he was in Prims Magazine last winter (although he very modest about it with the other santas, hehe)

  With a week left til Christmas, all our gifts are now bought and I’m just ready to cuddle in and enjoy some simple festivities while avoiding the holiday craziness. As I get older and more opinionated and set in my ways, I’m beginning to feel like the frenzy part of this time of year is not truly Christmas. I’m beginning to resist the idea that we ‘must consume’ and stimulate the economy in order to show those we love that we love them.  And just between you and me, I’m sort of looking forward to the sudden quiet that comes with January…..I know for many the second half of winter feels like a cold and dreary let down, but I’m going to do my best to appreciate the quiet and much slower pace. I’m also going to take part in the Hibernate retreat over at Beauty that Moves. Heather is so good at creating an environment of intentional focus and gratitude, I can’t wait for it to start!

  Well, as usually happens, the baby has lost his patience with me sitting down and not giving him all of my attention. So I will sign off for now!

  Just know I appreciate you coming here to visit— and a HUGE Scandinavian “Thank You!!” TACK!! for those who participated in the St. Lucia Blog Procession! It was our best yet and I LOVED reading all your posts! Thanks so much! And a very merry Christmas— God Jul!~!

Merry Blessings,
H