What’s Red, White & Green and Makes Me Happy?

by Patty O on December 14, 2015

My living room at Christmastime!

It’s been a busy week, but I can officially say that I’ve used ALL of our Christmas decorations this year! And that’s quite a feat, considering just how much we have!

Last year my health got in the way of doing much decorating, so a sense of triumph fills my heart!

Today I’ll share pictures of my living room. This is the one place in our house where we all gather and relax in the evenings.

I love our living room.

I especially love it during Christmastime.

The tree is always my favorite as I always decorate it with

red and white ornaments. Some new, many old. Some made in factories, many made by hand. There’s the little mittens, and the postal box, the ice skates – those were made by my Mom. The angels made by Tim’s Aunt for our wedding. And the tree is real…sigh…the smell, the feel, the experience of going to pick it out with the family.

Well, this year our two oldest daughters are off on their own, and our youngest was busy, so we took our dog. Tim, Phin and I still enjoyed it!

I’ve always added the faux pine garland on the windows. Add the lights and a little ribbon and it’s beautiful!

Our little village started when we got married 16 years ago. Our friend Beth (or Bethany as Tim called her when she was his math student in high school), gave us the beautiful Wedding Dress Boutique and the carriage and bride and groom. Last year I picked up a the barn and the farm animals at Goodwill along with a few other pieces from an online Swap and Sell group. Tim added the Cheese Shop and the Gazebo last Christmas. I had to have the Menards – it’s Tim’s favorite store! I think it all turned out rather cute this year!

On the wall over the village you see the Christmas Clock. Yes, it chimes a Christmas song every hour between 7 a.m. to 10 pm. This was a gift from my sister when Tim and I got married. We love it. The kids, not so much! (Let’s see if they read this blog…Santa might need to get them their own Christmas Clocks! Mwah-ha-ha!)

The Snowbabies are pieces that I picked up at a garage sale and Goodwill! For many years I collected Snowbaby Miniatures which you’ll see when I show you the upstairs (in a few more posts).

The little soldiers and Santa with the bells are one
of our treasures from Tim’s Grandma and Grandpa. They swing to each side to strike the bells and play different Christmas tunes! I put it on the second shelf on our bookcase so that the little girls that I babysit can se it – they look forward to it every year! Of course, Frosty the Snowman who dances and swings his snowflakes around is a hit with them too. Phin wasn’t too sure about Frosty though. She growled and tried to bite his hat!

One of my other favorite things in this room is the Merry Christmas banner with Santa. My Mom made this many years ago and it’s one of my most prized possessions. I remember watching her sew each sequin and bead on – what a wonderful memory of her.

As you can see below, there are other fun little additions here, there and everywhere. Oh the stories they bring!