My Christmas trees

Many of you have asked for a tour of my home that I've decorated for Christmas, so here it is.  I am still having a terrible time with my internet.  The service people were unable to get me online last night because they couldn't get my router to hook up with their service.  It's all a bit mumbo-jumbo to me, but I'm sure they'll figure it out.  They DID finally get me on around midnight.

This is a VERY long post, so let's get started right away in the dining/living area.  First, the dining area:

I like to pretend this is my pseudo mantle,

which I have a tendency to overdress each year.  Note I added the tree on the knob after I took the previous photo.

I used to set my stockings on the front of the sideboard, but I actually USE the contents, since it holds my Christmas silver, napkin rings, and a few plates I use most holidays.  That meant I had to move the stockings anytime I needed in the drawers or doors.

I've pointed out in the past that there are more than two stockings in case either Bleubeard or I have visitors at this time of year.  It's nice to stuff the "guest stockings" with fresh fruit, candy, and a Christmas pencil.  Bleubeard contributes a can of his favorite cat food and some cat grass seeds for his guests.  His stocking is the one on the right.  That's the only place you'll see balls associated with him (TMI?).  BTW, can you see my purse hanging over my kitchen chair?  Funny how we notice those things when the photos come off our cameras.

My friend Sally gave me this tree years ago.  It's designed by some famous designer (I think Thomas Kinkade or ???) and she got it from QVC.

I am a candle freak.  You see them everywhere in my house.  So it's a no-brainer that I would have candle holders made to look like trees.  I'm partial to those M&Ms, too (grin).

I almost forgot to photograph this beautiful tree my friend Kathy made me last year.  She bought the pattern and made it from her huge supply of cardstock.  However, I stored it flat, and I'm having trouble getting it to flare again.

Occasionally the tree shapes are more subtle, as with this muffin tin.  I used to have two of the glass trees, but I broke one a couple of years ago.

One final overall shot before we move on.

I've had this tree everywhere possible, except my dining room table, because it has always had lights on it, since I made it a few years ago.  Last year the lights quit working, and I removed them from the tree.  Yes, I have been known to make flower arrangements, mostly the artificial ones.  I started with an undecorated tree, a basket of heavy filler, and some burlap, and decorated from there.

I took these above two photos on two different days, hoping I might get a better shot of my buffet.  Nothing helped.

Directly across from the buffet is another "kitchen" cabinet.  Some people call these "Hoosier cabinets," but that's a brand name and has a distinct plaque affixed to the top of each cabinet.

This one has a built in pie safe where the other one houses the more traditional flour bin.

I had planned to break this into two posts, since there are so many photos.  But when I couldn't get on the internet, I had to consolidate them.  We're now headed to the living room area of this room.

I love my mission style writing desk.

And it's where I leave Santa his treats on Christmas eve.  There are lots of rocking horses in this area, too.

At least I haven't killed my three herbs I brought inside.

Those who dropped by Friday saw the gift I gave myself and placed it "under" this tree.  Note the tiny rocking horses I've used along with more traditional embellishments on this handmade tree.

I'm not sure I like this setup, and may not put these out next year.  I've never displayed these three in the same place before, so that may have something to do with it.

I guess I thought since the three had a common theme of opening to reveal something inside, that might qualify for their being in the same vignette.

Although this is supposed to be a napkin holder, I use it to hold my cards I receive each year.

It sits on an old map chest that a friend gave me when he was going to throw it in the trash.  I still haven't repaired it because there are just not enough hours in a day.

I use votives and tea lights in these luminaries.

While taking an overall photo of the dining/living area from my kitchen doorway, I laughed at Bleubeard, who was obviously playing matchmaker to two stuffed mice.

As I was laughing, I caught a photo of Bleubeard as he was moving at the speed of light.  Not a good photo, but about par when trying to get a photo of "Mr. Camera Shy."

It's obvious I don't like magnets on my refrigerator/freezer doors, but I make an exception for the tree I cut out (after my friend Dana drew it) and decorated with molding paste and green, red, and brown paint.  I stood on a chair to get this shot.  Yes, I'm that short.

I bring out two tree cookie cutters each Christmas, too.  I move them from location to location every year.  This year they landed on my built in bookcase.

This little tree uses a nine-volt battery to light it at night.

I have a decorated evergreen tree I normally sit on this desk, but decided to use a cardinal instead this year.  Of course, the obligatory pine cone filled tree plate found its way onto the desk.

This wreath I decorated years ago is looking straggly, but I don't have a good replacement, so I'll use it at least one more year.

Sorry this was so long.  It took forever to get it loaded.  I even had to reboot several times before I was finished.  I appreciate your comments and thank you for sticking with me this long.