Welcome! Come On In!

Welcome! Step right on in - on our new steps.

We'll start in the kitchen. I bought the snowman after Christmas one year. He was supposed to be a gift for the next year. Um, over the year, the snowman and I grew close. :) I couldn't bear to give him away, so he is still here.

This was my favorite addition last year. This was the centerpiece at the family shower that my aunt hosted last year. I added the little string of lights and a few handmade ornaments. Then I searched and searched for little kitchen utensils to decorate it with. My friend Robyn came to the rescue and gave me the little old-looking kitchen utensils.

The Santa mug collection looks like it was built over years, but it was purchased as a pre-made collection after Christmas at an antique store one year. My favorite one is the second from the left with the striped handle. The Mr. and Mrs. Claus salt and pepper shakers were David's mom's. The box behind them is most of a set of Christmas cookie cutters.

On into the dining room. We were given this nativity last year as a wedding gift. Isn't it pretty? It's made of olive wood and comes from Israel.

The tree has been in the dining room the last couple of years. By some stroke of luck, the cats and the dog leave it alone.

Dining room is not quite accurate I guess, as it's really just one big room. Here we are from the living room part looking back at the dining room.

Here's the fireplace. My Grandad and Granny gave us the big crock for our wedding. I keep meaning to get some kindling to put in it, but as you can see I haven't done it yet. All of the wooden spools on the mantle belonged to David's mom. I noticed them the first time I was ever at his house. I thought he had such good taste! And he does. :)

Here's the other end of the living room. The Santa on the little table was a wedding gift, as was the advent calendar next to him. The light colored pillow is from my mom this year - it's embroidered with a cute and funny picture of a cat in a Santa hat. Based on it's girth, I think it must be Henny.

This Santa is one of my favorite decorations. I spotted him at a store several years ago. I went back for their after Christmas sale and decided that if he was still there, and on sale, he was meant to be mine. Silly, yes, but he was still there and I was pretty excited! It doesn't take much.

My office is decorated, and the top of the stairs, but those pictures didn't turn out so well and this post has gone on long enough. So, we'll look out the back door at Tuley's house. He chose bells instead of a wreath this year and asked David to put lights on his house. David obliged and here is the result. I think the neighbors think we are crazy!

BooMama suggested adding recipes for our Open House refreshments, so head over to the Fremont Kitchen for a few holiday treats.