Holiday Favorites

Monday, January 2, 2012 |





I think I may be on to something ...


less stress
and
more enjoyment
and
relaxation

that's what my holiday decor was all about this year.

Guess what ...

it worked!

By this time {every other year} I'm climbing the walls with anxiety to get it all down and put away so I can have a fresh squeaky clean slate. I don't like going back to school with my house messy and in disarray.

Yes, I realize I should seek therapy for this "issue" but I don't want to waste the money when there are great end of the year sales to be had! :)

Well, this year the scenario is different.

Very different.

I am actually still {very much} enjoying my simple decorations and plan to leave them up the rest of this week.

I rather enjoy all the gold, silver and candle light.

So much so, that I plan to leave my mercury glass and extra candles out for the entire month of January.





Christmas 2011 (5)



This is what we've been snuggled up to every evening for the past few weeks. Comfy and cozy ~ I love this time of year!

 

Picnik collage



When I spied these angels I knew I had to have them! They are moss covered and will probably lose their soft green color but no worries, I can re-cover the wire frame them next year with ease.


Not only to they add height to my table but a special beauty. Oh, and my husband just L O V E S them. In fact, he wishes I had been able to bring a few more home. Well, that's how I remember his response when they arrived. :)

 The paper whites are just now blooming ~ so pretty.


Christmas 2011 001


A small sampling of my nutcrackers. To along with my theme of the season, I didn't bring them all out this year. Only a few of our favorites. The baker is my all time favorite ~ a  gift from my husband.


Picnik collage



Just a few more little goodies that brighten my home.

I grew up ice skating ~ lessons at MSU, skating on our lake in Michigan, and the ice rink my father made for me and brother each winter in our backyard. We have a new outdoor rink near us but it's been so warm that the ice is a bit gummy. If it ever gets cold enough, I'm grabbing my skates and heading over.

I made a few ivy topiaries which I plan to share with you as well.



Recipes 104


On my last trip to Trader Joe's, a very sweet sales person struck up a conversation as I was getting ready to check out. I don't really remember how it began or all that we talked about but it was fun and a gentle reminder that there are some really nice people left in the world. Anyway, as I was about to leave the store, she came up to me and gave me this sweet little evergreen and wished me a very Merry Christmas. It's been sitting proudly on my island all season. Each time I pass my special gift I'm reminded of my encounter with kindness and the need to pass it on daily.

That's one of my goals for 2012
~ Pass on a bit of kindness each day ~


Leave A Comment

13 comments:

Dee Stephens said...

Everything looks amazing! I love the topiaries. I'm OCD too and tore all my stuff down before we left for Va so I could home and relax. Happy New Year!

Susan R said...

I love your mercury glass, it's beautiful and you can't go wrong with nutcrackers. I'd like to collect nutcrackers too.
I'm a bit neurotic about the decor. The minute Christmas is over, I'm all about getting everything taken down and put away. The only problem is, I'm not sure what to put up for decoration now.

Suburban Princess said...

I love your mantle! I think a lot of people kept it simple this year and took the stress out of the holidays. I have a plan to purge my decorations this week...so my living room is full of bins right now. Ooops!

Sue said...

Jo, your views are lovely- I leave mercury glass out year 'round! I am still waiting for my paper whites to bloom- they are just tall and bloom-less! I ♥ those moss covered angels, too! Fresh moss will make them good as new. Enjoy a wonderful and happy new year, my friend! ~Sue

Lori said...

What a sweet gift and how kind to pass on the reminder to others throughout the year.
Your decor is just lovely and I can see why you weren't ready to take it down. And that fire ~ looks SO cozy and I wish I was there right now! (I'm freezing!)
So glad you had such a less-stressed and more enjoyable holiday season!!!xo

Dubravka Gadžurić said...

great photos! very inspiring!
http://lovestylemagic.blogspot.com/

Allyson McGuire said...

Your decorations are all so beautiful! I think if it keeps you peaceful and happy you should leave them up as long as you want. Thank you for sharing all of your wonderful ideas.

Thanks
Allyson
http://cupcakescandycanes.blogspot.com

Kathy said...

As I am trying to take down all of our holiday decorations your plan to simplify is sounding brilliant! Your home really looks so lovely ~ I would want to keep it decorated as well. I think it translates beautifully from "holiday" to "winter" decorations, you can definitely get away with keeping them up until March. :)

Shell in your Pocket said...

I love Trader Joes!!! Great pictures!

sandy toe

Heidi said...

Oh my goodness! LOOKS Heavenly, I'm passing this on to my mom! THANK YOU!

annechovie said...

That looks phenomenal, Jo!
Happy New Year! xo

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Jo,

Everything looks so lovely at your place, the cozy fire, topiaries, Nutcrackers and everything I enjoyed coming for a visit, thank you.
Happy New Year, to you and your family. Best wishes for a wonderful 2012

Hugs
Carolyn

Belle (from Life of a...) said...

Beautiful! I approached this year's decorating with a similar philosophy and went back to school rested and relaxed for a change. I do believe I'll adopt this approach next year too.

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