Christmas Open House!

I love me some Kimba. She and I started our blogs about the same time and I've read hers almost since day one. She is such a sweetheart. I can't wait to meet her for realz one of these days. Anyway, the reason I'm gushing all about one of my favorite bloggers in the whole wide world is because she's hosting a Holiday Open House and is inviting ALL of us to join in! So today's post will be a little of how we've done our decorating this year, but you have to head over to her blog to see all of the fantabulous Open Houses!

Well, we have been so busy we haven't had much time to do any decorating but on one side of the house, so I'm going to concentrate on one little area, along with the tree a little later. I know that there will be so many much more beautiful homes than mine signed up. But I love Christmas, and I love my simple stuff. That's not to say that I wouldn't LOVE to have my home decked out like Kimba's, however!

This year, for some reason, I acquired a fixation on snowmen. I think it got started because my Step-mom, Margie, gave me just a few little snowman pieces that she didn't need anymore. And you know how it is. Well, you may not, but once I have a few things, I can't stop myself from collecting more and more. Remember those birds? Oh, and Kimba, I haven't done anything with them, yet. But I have my hopes set high that I WILL finish them and my entire mantel before Christmas!

So, here's my snowmen. Now, I've been making snowman ornaments for years now, but for some reason they just never appealed to me as a decorating object. No more. Sales at Hobby Lobby took care of that. First, let me show you my little homemade wreath I made a few years ago. It's kinda hokey, but I think it's cute with my little homemade snowmen. There's one for each of us; Kiddo, Sound Man, and Heathahlee. I ADORE making these little guys. Each one has their own personality and I truly put so much into each one that I do. The people I give them to don't get as big a kick out of them as I do! I made the bow, too, but it's several years old and about needs to be replaced. It's looking a little sad.

Below the wreath, here's the left side of the piano, with some of my loot from Margie's. I love that little plate sitting atop a Calvin Miller book called Snow. Quite appropriate! The white bucket was supposed to be filled with snowballs but I haven't had the chance to get to the craft section of Walmart to get some white pompoms yet. Won't that be cute?

In the middle of the piano is my little family. The three of us all nestled beside each other. I love this little trio. I got it at Old Time Pottery. Ooooh, that place is dangerous.
And on the far side is the rest of my little collection along with some other cute things. The plate came from Margie, too. Birds and snowmen. How much cuter can you get?

Okay, now that we've seen all the snowmen, I want to head to my tree. There are a few special ornaments I wanted to share with you, just because they mean so much to me.

First, here's one of two icicles that were my Mimmie's. She had one of those great aluminum trees with the color wheel that are so retro this year. I wish I still had her tree. She had the BEST ornaments. These icicles are all I have of her ornaments, and that makes me sad, but I'm glad to have at least these. I think about her every year when I put them on the tree.

Okay, I had to put this one on here because Kiddo gets a new ornament every year. You might have known he'd pick a buck. I'm glad he did, though. That was the most exciting thing to happen to him, getting his first deer ever. Not that I'm proud of him or anything.

This little basket has been on my tree every year since college. It's not all that special, except that for the past few years it's held much more meaning than in years past. One year we were going through some tough financial times, but were making it through the Christmas season with a smile on our faces and friends in our home. We had a party one night and after everyone had gone home I noticed something in the basket. When I looked closer I realized someone had put a $20 bill inside it! I asked Sound Man where it came from and he looked at me like I was crazy. He had no idea it was there! We still don't know to this day which one of our friends did that, but it sure blessed us, and this basket reminds us to follow that same example!

Just one more ornament to show you. The picture is kind of dark, but it's a wooden cutout of the nativity made from an olive tree. It was carved in Bethlehem. I just love that. It seems each year that passes I'm made more and more aware of the sacrifice that both our Father and His Son made when he gave up His glory to come to earth as a baby. To save us. Knowing He would have to die to accomplish it. I get teary just thinking about it now, and Lord help if I start thinking about it when I'm singing Christmas carols. I hope you are reminded through the hustle and bustle of this season to slow down and think about why we celebrate Christmas in the first place.

Well, thanks for stopping by! I wish we had some presents under the tree to show you, but none were wrapped when I took the pictures. Oh, wait, look! There IS one!

Merry Christmas, Y'all!