The House is Decorated--For You, Liss!

Obviously a view from the bridge. 

I sat and breathed a sigh of relief yesterday when I finished the mantle because it meant the house was pretty much decorated for the season. Woo hoo!!  (Okay, okay, except for the dining room tree, but I'm still awaiting the arrival of a couple of ornaments.)

I don't know what it is, but there is something so crisp and clean looking even with all the stuff out and about.

Because we added the entertainment area/bookshelves this summer, we had to rearrange the way we typically organize the furniture in the living room.  Previously, the black chair stayed in its home and we moved the big cushy chair from the corner where the tree is, to the opposite side of the TV. 

This year, both chairs are where the couch was, and the couch is where the loveseat was.

Meanwhile, the loveseat is now in the kitchen.  As I wrote yesterday, it works. :o)

(I'm not sure why, but the majority of my photos from yesterday are off-kilter a bit.  Sorry 'bout that.)

The bookshelves are filled with all sorts of Christmas-y goodness.

I left Hannah's shelf and added the two little smokers and that little cross stitch to it. 

Below it are the snowmen.  I had to reorganize my snowpeople as well because of the change in furniture situation.  I still grin every time I see Hannah's fancy milk container snowlady. :o)

Three of the snowmen are tea light holders, but I can't light them on the shelf like that.  Instead, I'm using LED tea lights.  I found them for a song at Costco and snapped them up.  I'm so glad I did!

My gorgeous Willow Tree nativity.  That's my spray painted star there in the background.  I tucked two LED votives behind the star and it looks lovely lit up at night. :o)

I put all the sparkly snowfolk over on the sideboard.

Just another view of my tree.  I used to think I would never have a fake tree.  I loved live (or formerly live) trees too much.  I loved the smell and the 10,000+ lights I could string on them and everything about them.  I never minded the dropped needles (they made my vacuum smell SO good) or the watering.  Okay, maybe I did mind the watering a bit... But still, I loved "real" trees. 

Then, last year, we decided with Bean in the house this was the best choice.  It was prelit and steady on it's feet.  I could manage an artificial tree for a couple years, couldn't I?  Well, I'm thinking I'm a convert who won't be going back.  This bad boy went up in 3 minutes flat.  We brought the pieces in, B snapped 'em together and we plugged her in.  No fuss, no muss, and a pretty tree to boot. 

So, I mentioned Ellie didn't really use the hangers, right?

She draped and tucked in, but didn't hook anything on the tree.

Here's another shot of her ornament hanging collection.

Here's Lil's gingerbread girl. 

This is my new snowman for the year.  I know it's hard to see, but he's all sparkly and wonderful.  :o)

I added red ornaments to my hurricane up there and I'm going to put a red and white striped ribbon on the lantern when the ribbon actually arrives.

I always love going into craft stores this time of year because they smell so yummy from the cinnamon pine cones.  Since I have no evergreen smell in my house these days, I decided I should have some yummy pine cones--which I got on BIG sale from JoAnn along with the basket holding them.

I wasn't sure where I was going to put my snowman card holder.  He seems to be working out fine right there for the time being.  We'll see what happens as he becomes more filled.  He's rather Beanie height, you see...


The wall hanging was a birthday gift from my dear friend, Julie.  We had to hang him low because there is a button you can push that makes the snowflakes light up, and well, the girls like to be the ones to push that button.

B added to this little collection this year.  He found a cute little guy in the One Spot at the 'Jay and brought it home. :o) 

I swear to you, I had no idea I had this snowman thing until around 5 years ago.  How could I not have noticed I had a collection of them?!?  :shakes head:

Hannah's sparkly tree.  It was sparkling so beautifully this morning I couldn't resist snapping a couple quick photos. 

Thank you, once more, to all of you who sent in ornaments.  I smile every year when I get them out and hang them on Hannah's tree.  They are all perfect and wonderful an it means the world to me you all thought enough of us to send an ornament that reminded you of our girl.

I have to chuckle because the tree can be a bit, um, much when compared to the family tree.  This one sparkles and glitters and glimmers and shines with all the tackiness and joy that is a five year old girl.  The red angel on top flashes on and off. 

Now, why the chuckling?  This is the tree that can be seen through the sidelight, NOT the living room tree, lol.  :o) That angel sits up there and flashes on and off, on and off and that's what people see as they drive by. Ha!

How precious is this little guy?  Amy sent this for Hannah's tree this year.  The fluff.  The sparkles.  The overall cuteness of it.  They make me want to squee.  :o)

Its fluffy little rump.  See, I told you he made it, Amy. :o)

Dani brought this star from Germany.  It too is a lovely addition to the sparkly tree.

 

I found these ornaments for cheap when I was out trying to find ornaments for the mantle.  I liked the colors and sparkles on them, and they were only $2.  How could I resist?

The smell good pine cones are distributed throughout the house.  I love walking by and catching a whiff.  Mm.

Our Advent wreath and candles sit on the dining room table.

The Hokie tree.  Lil set it up and decorated it herself.

The mantle ornaments.  I found these guys four for a dollar at the 'Jay as well.  Have I mentioned I have a real problem with wanting to purchase everything sparkly anymore?  Before Han I wasn't much into the glitz and glint.  Now, I can't get enough of it.  I saw these guys and thought they would be perfect.  I was right.  They are. ;o)

Can you spot the photographer in the photo?  :oP

Our ever changing seasonal piece.  Lil decorated this all by herself as well.

Do you see Georgie-boy down there?  I love looking off the bridge at night and seeing the downstairs all lit up and gorgeous.  

And, finally, the girls' ornament for the year.  Isn't it ugly in a cute sort of way?  Since I won't be letting either of them take the Uncle Richard mushroom when they leave home, they needed mushrooms of their own so they could always remember the ugly mushroom from their childhood. :oP

So, we're all decked out and ready to be merry.  Now to work on the cards and candy...

*****************************
Today's Sparklies:

1.  I got a text from Jori asking if my girls would like to do a daily elf report with her girls where they would share photos of what their elves got into the night before.  I thought it was brilliant, snapped a quick pic of the Fibmeister and sent it on (he got into the makers last night--he has pretty neat handwriting for an elf).  Buddy (the Jeps elf) tried to go ice skating on a metal cake stand.  Oops!  Lil is going to LOVE this!
2.  Speaking of loving, she is loving Fisbee more than ever this year.  So far I've been pretty good about not forgetting him.  We'll see what happens as mid-December rolls around...
3.  All the Christmas decor up and the tubs and boxes put away.  I can sit and admire and enjoy without feeling stressed from the clutter.  Whew.
4.  Tacos for dinner.  I love easy dinner nights.
5.  It got cool again--finally!
6.  Sparkles galore! My entire house seems to be glitterific. ;o)

No milestones.