My house looks beautiful. B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L.
I probably shouldn't say that. Humility and all that stuff. But ... it does look beautiful. I love it. I really don't feel bad saying that for a few reasons which I shall list for you right now.
1. It was a lot of work 3 days, no elves, 2 injuries.
2. One injury involved spray flocking, a sparkle and four eyelashes. People are always prouder of things that involved getting an injury.
3. After standing proudly decorated for a total of 2 hours, my Christmas tree fell over. Scratch that. It didn't fall over, it smashed spectacularly to the ground accompanied by the sound of artillery, resulting in my diving for cover under the nearest thing. A Triscuit cracker. As it turns out the "artillery" was actually dozens of my antique glass ornaments shattering into pieces.
I did not cry. I came close. But I did not. It wasn't until the THIRD time the tree fell I cried. Mostly because it fell on me. People are always prouder of things they accomplish by overcoming the odds. I overcame all odds.
So those are my reasons for unabashedly proclaiming my Christmas decorating to be beautiful.
I followed my usual rules this year.
1. If you put something out, you have to take something away. Reindeer on the buffet? Then take away the vase. Just put everything you take away in a box or two and stick it in the basement until Christmas is over.
2. Just because you own a Christmas decoration doesn't mean you HAVE to put it out. If you hated it last year and only put it out because you felt like you owned it and you had to, you're going to hate it again this year. Just leave it in the box and get past the guilt.
3. If you put it on a glass block or under a glass dome it'll look like it cost more than the $3 you paid for it. That rule works any time of year.
And this year I added a new rule. Use more fishing line to attach your Christmas tree to the wall than you think you would need. In fact, factor in the amount of fishing line you think it would take to capture Jaws and then double it. Then use more than that to tie up your tree.
This would be the tippy, topsy, toppling tree.
One final point for those who are wondering. If a tree crashes in the living room ... it does make a sound. And by it, I mean me. And by sound I mean swear words that would warm Gordon Ramsay's heart.
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Looks good! Love the crocks -- I was just at Medalta Potteries today, although I did not buy anything. I'll take the photo as a sign that I should, and soon.
Yup, a big ol' wack of fishing wire worked well in my family too...even twine in a pinch. :) Sorry to hear about your tree...and your pretty ornaments. :( But of course being the wonder woman that you are, EVERYTHING in your house looks spectacular! (and it looks like it smells pretty good in there too, huh?)
I'm being urber grinchy this year - not ONE holiday decoration graces my home, bah humbug. Maybe next year. Maybe.
GASP! Really? :( That makes me sad. Really it does. Would you please at least light a pine scented or vanilla candle and make some shortbread cookies? Or something festive? It'll make you feel better. And more importantly ... it'll make me feel better. ~ karen
Gawd. I wanted to cry for the loss of your antique ornaments. Never be humble about all the decorating. It absoultely looks beautiful and you have every right to stand there (or lie prostrate under the tree) and be hands-on-hips proud. Well done and thank you so much for the inspiration, not only during this season but all year 'round.
LOL! thanks for the funny post.
I was inspired of one of your posts earlier this year (or last year?) about how you like to buy vintage Christmas ornaments .... and I proudly bought a box of vintgage ornaments at a yard sale this summer.
The only problem is .... that I am still looking for them!! I cannot figure out where I put them.
Everything is so lovely (as always) and I have a soft spot for the Merry Christmas lamp, too.
Merry Christmas!
Everything looks lovely! I have my eye on that glass? reindeer!
Looks so lovely! Your tree is delicious! But get thee an Omega tree stand - seriously - tree falling down woes are so 20th century. Your welcome! Happy xmas.
I love the furs placed about and on the bench at the table! So pretty.
I love it all but then I knew I would. Where did you get the deer on the table between the two lamps. It is so cute!
Barb - I got the deer at a local discount store and added antlers made out of twigs myself. Which doesn't make much sense since it's a tiny little fawn with spots. But whatever, LOL. ~ karen
SO GORGEOUS! and cozy too :) where is that beautiful golden tree of wonder from? The one in your dining room?
Elizabeth - The one on the white buffet? It's my f a v o u r i t e tree. I bought it a few years ago at a small furniture store. LOVE it. No name on it. Sorry. ~ karen
OK..I'm sorry but I have to give you one warning:
CATS PLUS TINSEL EQUAL TRIP TO VET EQUALS A LOT LESS JINGLE IN YOUR POCKET!!
There..I said it..just be careful..Hugs to your kitties..
BEAUTIFUL..As always Karen..You never disappoint me..I prefer that adorable little brown deer standing on top a piece of wood and the crashing tree is still gorgeous..Is the Fella allowed to eat the oranges in the box or do they have to stay there to look pretty??
Nancy - We eat the oranges all day and night. I just replenish them. :) I've found keeping them in boxes or crates around the house, I'm more likely to eat them. ~ karen!
Wow, you are totally right - putting stuff under a glass dome does totally make it look way more expensive than the $3 you spent.
Karen, your home is beautiful. Well done! Thank you for the stories,tips, humor, giggles and LOL through out the year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
You rock, Karen! Your house does look beautiful, so you have the right to say so! I so feel your pain. My "fella" tried to "improve" the lights on my already decorated tree and knocked off one of my mercury glass balls. Luckily it was only one and not one of the many other highly cherished (often glass) ornaments I have lovingly collected over the years. Merry Christmas to you and your family!- Kim
For the first time ever, my tree fell over this year. Luckily it wasn't decorated yet; it fell as I was putting my 1950s era lights on it. My boyfriend asked what I'd do if we didn't get it upright and it fell and broke some of my 19th century ornaments. I told him I'd cry; so you're a stronger woman than me. (BTW, I too am glad someone else uses tinsel and uses it in the proper non-thrown way.)
Great job Karen. Warm,inviting and lovely all around.
Thanks for sharing all year round.
Merry Christmas from the armpit of Ontario: "The Schwaa"
What a beautiful Christmas atmosphere you've created! And for tree stability, try nailing or screwing your tree stand to a four foot x four foot or larger piece of particle board. If the tree is tightly fit into the stand, and the stand is heavy duty and securely screwed to the plywood, it shouldn't fall over. The thicker the particle board, the better. It would have to be a very top heavy tree to even come close to falling over. Your tree skirt would cover it well. My empathies on the loss of your ornaments. Mine were thrown out by a nitwit neighbor who wildly overstepped her boundaries while cleaning out our shared basement storage one day when I wasn't around.
Omg. Are you kidding??? I would have a very difficult time forgiving that. VERY difficult. ~ karen
Sorry to hear about your old balls.
Have a wonderful Christmas Karen. Your home looks truly beautiful. I have been following your blog for the last few months. I don't know how I found it. But, I really admire your many talents and look forward to reading it each day. Thank you for all the pictures and amazing ideas and your sense of humour. You are such an inspiration. And so are all the comments from your many fans.
Thanks Jeannie B! And yes ... I can say without question that I have what are probably the best commenters on the Internet! ~ karen
Please be my mentor! You are amazing!!