Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Simply Christmas 2015~

Hello all!  Yes, long time, no post.  I have spent the past month enjoying time with family and friends, and preparing for the holiday season.

We enjoyed having both of our girls home for Thanksgiving, and are so looking forward to spending more time with them in the coming weeks.

I wanted to also say thank you for praying for sweet Brooke.  The doctors were able to remove the entire node during her surgery, and Praise God...it was benign.  The cancer had NOT returned.  She returned home after her hospital stay.  Unfortunately, she did have to be admitted this week as they found a blood clot on her right lung (not the lung they had to deflate during her first surgery). After several days there, and medication adjustments, she is now back home resting.  Please continue to keep she and her sweet mom, Jennifer, in prayer.

Our house was decorated early this year, as I hosted 19 members of the Children's team I work with on Wednesday mornings for a sit down brunch this past Monday.  We enjoyed a sweet time of fellowship and reflection on the upcoming season, as we dined on build your own baked potatoes, delicious salads, and chili.  I served the yummiest spiced cupcakes with cream cheese icing, topped with mini gingerbread men on top.  You might have caught a glimpse of them on Instagram.

Today, I thought I would share our indoor decorations with you.  Warning, grab a cup of coffee...lots of pictures ahead!

Our Family Room:

The tree is about 11 1/2 feet tall, and absolutely gorgeous.  It had the perfect shape, very little pruning necessary.  It also smells divine.



 Packages awaiting Christmas morning.


I love being able to use our daughters figure skates throughout our home during the season.  Both spent many hours as competitive figure skaters on the ice before and after school.  Each scuff represents a lot of hard work.  Brings back sweet memories.



I just love our Willow Tree Nativity that my sweet hubby gifted me a few Christmases ago.  The true meaning of the Christmas season.


A sweet little lantern one of my fellow Children's teachers gifted me with last year.


Love this vintage looking pillow I picked up at Home Goods along with the softest throw from West Elm.  And, who doesn't love a monogram?!!


A festive wreath along with jingle bell hanger adorns the garage entry door.




The Kitchen:

Kitchen chandelier looking festive.


Matching wreaths on the french doors leading out to the porch.

The Twelve Days of Christmas, by Lindsay Letters (etsy) hang above the french doors leading out to the porch.


Festive blooms from Pottery Barn fill my favorite blue and white planter.


Some berry garland and wreath adorn the window above the kitchen sink.


Chalkboard with part of the Christmas story.


A special part of our evenings this month is our Advent wreath.


AMEN!!!


Beautiful holiday blooms purchased at Trader Joes for the brunch.


More greenery and berries from Trader Joes, along with our Santa salt and pepper shakers from Publix, our countdown to Christmas and my favorite cocktail napkins.



The Dining Room:

Centerpiece, and old herb crate filled with greenery, snowy pinecones and mason jars with the best smelling tea lights from Anthropologie.  Poinsettias from Trader Joes in mercury glass pots, old from Pottery Barn.


Mr. and Mrs. Snowman salt and pepper shakers from Publix.


Mercury glass tree from Pottery Barn, adorned with a wreath.


I love filling my giant clamshell with festive greens and pretty ornaments.


Dried magnolia wreath adorned with a plaid bow.  LOVE LOVE LOVE plaid this time of year!



Merry Christmas Y'all sign hung on mirror above server, from a dear friend's shop All Inspired Boutique in Duluth.

Chandelier and more gorgeous plaid!


The Library:

Our vintage white tree.  All of the ornaments, Shiny Bright, were handed down to me from my sweet 97 year old Mother in Law.


Our Christmas village, and vintage Christmas books handed down to me from my sweet Granny.





My favorite Christmas book handed down to me from my sweet Granny.  Written in 1952.  I love to use this book as a devotion this time of year.  It really does help to keep things in perspective.

My favorite line from a prayer that goes along with the book:

May we not spend Christmas but keep it, that we may be kept in its hope, through him who emptied himself in coming to us that we might be filled with peace and joy in returning to God.


Mr. Rabbit looking all dapper with his plaid bow.


More plaid goodness, a comfy throw from Home Goods. Number 1 pillow, old from Pottery Barn.


The entry:
Wreaths on the french doors leading to home office.




New lighted wreaths from Balsam Hill adorn the front staircase this year. And, EVEN MORE plaid goodness.


Another pair of skates hang from the newel post.


Mirror and entry table.  Little red house and snow globes, old from Target.


Downstairs Powder Room:

Christmas towels, Home Goods, and a little tree from Michaels is all it needed to look festive.


And, my favorite guest hand towels to use this time of year..."Ain't that the truth?"


I hope you enjoyed the tour.  I pray you each have a Very Merry Christmas, enjoy your time with family and friends, and remember the REASON FOR THE SEASON.

God Bless!!

*Linking up with the 2015 Christmas Home Tours and the 12 Days of Christmas Home Tours. Thank you ladies for hosting.

21 comments:

Stacey said...

Lauren, everything is beautiful at your house! That tree is unbelievably stunning. How lucky that you found one like that! I love the ribbons you've added to things too. You know how to tie a beautiful bow!

Allison said...

Your home looks beautiful Lauren. So festive and welcoming! That tree is gorgeous and perfect for your nice tall ceilings. I can't believe that Christmas is just around the corner!

Lauren and Eddie said...

Everything looks GORGEOUS!

Karena said...

Lauren your holiday decor is so beautiful, I love that you use the girl's skates and lots of plaids on the wreaths! Happy Holidays to you and yours! !

Xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena

Beaufort Belle said...

Absolutely stunning!! I love it all but especially the Merry Christmas Y'all sign and the whit based plaid ribbon! I love the monogram wreaths with the initials and of course I love the monogram blanket/throw. I could go on and on!!!

To my dearest friend, thank you for updating all on Brooke and the continued prayers for us! They are much appreciated and definitely felt!

Love you Lauren!!!

Nancy said...

Such great news for Brooke and her family! God is good. Your house is gorgeous Lauren!!!! I wish you could come decorate my house for the season...I have the tree up and that's about it. well...the yard is done. we're like the grizwolds outside...inflatable here, lit trees there...even one with a section of blown lights from where my husband nearly electrocuted himself last year putting them out. hope y'all have the best Christmas ever this year!

Lisa @ Shine Your Light said...

Lauren your home looks so beautiful and festive! How warm and lovely for your girls to return to on their breaks!! I love your plaid bows and touches, and all your greenery - that tree is amazing!

Laura said...

Lauren your home is as beautiful as it always is.
Plus you used my two favorite things: monograms and plaid!!

I hope this Christmas season is a time of blessing , family, and rest.

Laura
White Spray Paint

Eilis said...

Your home looks beautiful. I especially love the french door wreaths.

Becky {This Is Happiness} said...

Everything looks so pretty Lauren. That tree is amazing!! Glad to hear your girls were home for the holidays. Love all the little Christmas touches and your daughter's skates make a perfect memorable decoration!

Linda said...

I loved the tour and could feel the joyful spirit in your room just by looking at the photos! Merry Christmas!!

Megan // Honey We're Home said...

So many memories in your lovely Christmas decor. Thanks for sharing!!!

Megan // Honey We're Home said...

So many memories in your lovely Christmas decor. Thanks for sharing!!!

Isaiah 55:8-9 said...

Lauren, your home is beautiful - so welcoming! Thank you for sharing! :)

Ron said...

Your home looks so good and welcoming for the holly-days, Lauren! xo

Sixty-Fifth Avenue said...

Oh my goodness Lauren, your tree is gorgeous!! And your home as usual looks so pretty all decked out for the holidays!

Brandi said...

Love your tour, Lauren! Your home is decorated so beautifully for the holidays and filled with so many keepsakes. Thank you for sharing with us.

Calypso In The Country said...

What a gorgeous tour! I love the window area above your sink. Now I want to put a wreath above my sink! Wow, what a huge tree! Your decorations are so pretty. So glad to also hear Brooke is doing well!
Cheers!
Shelley

Michele @ The Joyful Home said...

Love, love, love! I especially like your favorite blue and white planter and that gorgeous plaid ribbon. Where did you find those?

Cassie Bustamante said...

your home looks lovely! i love all of the skates and the galvanized buckets!

Vel Criste said...

Your home is just filled with a lot of fun ideas! I adore how you added ribbons to your chandy and the skates! Thank you for joining the 12 days of Christmas Blogger tour Link Party!Merry Christmas!

P.S. Praying for Brooke and Jennifer