Sunday, December 11, 2011

Wrapping It Up On The Inside

Good Sunday morning to you.  Let's see what's going on in the family room today.  In the winter, we like to have a fire nearly every night.  So I move the big leather chair and a half to the hearth.  It is the favorite place on a cold night with a roaring fire!  Last night I sat there through an entire movie I thought was pretty rotten.  Crazy Stupid Love, it was called.  Mostly it was just Stupid.  Greg seemed to like it.  I was just hooking away.
The Merry Christmas pillow was made using over sized tea towels I found one year at The Alley.  I made several, and kept two different styles.  I have the other one out front in a chair.  The quilt that is laying against the chair was made for me by my best friend Jae.  The little barn red desk on the hearth with a lamp is one I bought at the Good Will store and refinished for the kids.  The seat folds down, and you open the desk top.  I painted a chalkboard surface inside on the top and put magnetic adhesive on the one side for magnetic letters.  All folded up though, I love it right here on the hearth to hold a lamp to read by, and a place to set down my hot tea.
This barn red piece we bought several years ago for a steal.  We both love it.  It has drawers up and down the entire length of it with a larger cupboard in the top center where Mr. G keeps his humidor.  Those drawers hold all sorts of things out of sight for us.  And of course, it is my favorite color!
My lighted garlands are one of my favorite holiday decorations.  I keep them up well after Christmas is over.
This table holds an aqua blue bench that I bought last weekend while out shopping with my blogging friends in Glendora.  This shop had almost everything for 1/2 off.  I paid a ridiculous 12 dollars for this gem.  I love to use benches around the house for decorating.  And I loved the color of this one, and with hints of red peeking through in places.  I keep trying to move that snow globe, but my assistant likes it there, so it stays.
This I love.  I saw it over at my friend Jann's blog  have a daily cup from Mrs. Olson  
She had a large glass jar filled with vintage house light bulbs.  I knew I had a couple of strands of those too.  So I unscrewed them all and put them in this jar.  Very cute, thanks Jann!  I wish I could find an old antique toy pickup truck to put them into.  Still looking.
The above tray sits on the coffee table.  The yule log was carved by my favorite neighbor Carl, and given to us as a gift one year.  The tin of apples is an antique lunch box.
This Christmas photo taken many years ago, was one of my all time favorites.  We borrowed my Dad's old truck to take them.  We also pulled it into the grove and took some out there too.  It was a fun prop!
That was nearly 20 years ago!
I love this Snowman centerpiece.  Mom always had this out at the cabin during the holidays.  I love to see it every Christmas.
This red boot I painted when our youngest was a baby.  I am glad I put the year on it.  I hope nothing ever happens to it.  I can still remember sitting in the kitchen painting this late at night.  I remember when I found it and thought it was so perfect because it had three mice on it.  Mice, because I collect them.  And three for our three kids.  I always put candy canes in it.  One day when I was in the shower, Noah came and knocked on the door and yelled to me, "Gamma, I brought you a candy cane!"   I threw a robe on and went running out to check the boot.  I was so afraid it had fallen off the ledge into a million pieces.  He had scooted an ottoman over to the fireplace and stood up on it to reach a candy cane.  Phew...close call!!
My little bathroom off the kitchen and laundry room.
When we moved to this house, I had found a guy who painted trompe le oile and had him do them in several rooms of the house.  My favorite one was our oldest daughter Gennifer's room.  I had him paint a headboard on the wall, with a straw hat on the post, and ribbons flowing from the hat.  It looked so real, you had to touch it to see that it was painted.  He also painted her name on an opposite wall, in purple, her favorite color.  I hated to paint that room when she moved out.  But it had to go when I moved my sewing room in there.  I also had him paint a window in this bathroom.  I wanted it to look like you were looking out into the grove beyond.  I asked him to paint a shelf with geraniums on it, and my cat.  I have painted this bathroom a few times since having this done, but I paint around the mural using q tips so as not to disturb the painting.  I have never grown tired of it.
Lastly for today, looking out my kitchen window where I have some of my Ball  jar collection.  On the sill outside sits two of my Dr. Seuss trees.
That little pick in the larger Ball jar my Mom used to have sitting in a milk jar that sat in the widow sill of our old cabin up in Big Bear.  I love to think of those great times we spent at that cabin when I see some of the things I now have that were in it.
Thanks for coming along with me to share my Country Christmas.  As you can see, we aren't fancy here.  Our house is filled with things that are sentimental to me in some way.  I have strong attachments to these things and the memories that they evoke.  No matter how you decorate, or what you set out to enjoy during the holiday season, I hope your home brings you as much comfort and peace as mine does to me.
XO  Kris

27 comments:

Sunny Simple Life said...

Well I love so many things. I adore that little red desk and I think I heard it saying it wanted to move to Covina. Your large red chest is wonderful too. I can see why you like it. I am sentimental too and love to put out my mom's old things too.

deb said...

that big barn red piece.....I ADORE IT!!!!! I WANT IT!!!!!

ok, I really liked that movie...lololol!!!!!

Bethany said...

Aw I love it!! I especially love the red piece with all the drawers in it!

Pam said...

Kris- what a beautiful and festive house you have! I love all your decorations especially your handmade ones. Love the tree skirt and your painted boot. Thank you for sharing your house. It has really put me in the Holiday mood!

Tammy said...

Oh my gosh. I can't believe you didn't like Crazy Stupid Love! I loved it.... But Ryan Gosling is half naked in it, so that might be why. =P Love the pictures. And I love your house!

NanaNor's said...

As always I love all of your wonderful pieces but especially love the red chest with all the drawers-I want it! Your home is so welcoming and festive; makes me want to do some more decorating.
Have a wonderful Sunday afternoon; hubby and I will be watching football soon.
Hugs, Noreen

Kerri said...

I love your house Kris! That mural in your bathroom is really neat...I can't imagine how it felt to have to paint over Genn's room when she moved. LOVE LOVE LOVE the red big cupboard! That is gorgeous! We don't have lots of fancy Christmas decorations either...but I love all the memories behind the special ornaments and things we do have. Such treasures for sure.

Teresa Kasner said...

Hi Kris.. I enjoyed your tour of your house and telling us about the things that mean so much to you. I am enjoying the holiday season so much by learning more about my blog friends through the things they surround themselves with.
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*M*E*R*R*Y* *C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S*!*
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((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Your home is so lovely, Kris...so cozy and welcoming! I love all your special touches and mix of furnishings...the barn red is so great! Thanks for stopping by...I've been a little out of the loop lately!

Petunia Pill said...

Sooooo in love with that red cabinet! And the garland with the white lights...awesome! We are a garland family. My opinion is that we can never have too many mini white lights! Love to have ONLY the white mini lights on in the house during the holidays. It's all just magical! My home is eclectic...sometimes I feel it's just a mish mosh. But, like you, I feel everything has a memory attached and a reason for being here...and it's home. Thoroughly enjoyed the tour...your home is adorable. Love that snowman set seen on the table in your header and on the kitchen counter in this post. ALSO, love that snowman over your kitchen sink. I'm a snowman lover! They're so darned cute! Never met one I couldn't love!

Dawn said...

Girl you need to go rest, you have done so much decorating. Every room is beautiful. I love the barn red piece. I have been looking for something similar and never run across one.

corners of my life said...

My, my, my . . .
Christmas in every corner.

Patty Marker said...

Wow, Kris. It looks like the best kind of country Christmas. I love the memories you have tied to everything and the stories that go with them. While you're on your way to Elaines with the red desk, can you drop the big red chest off here...lol It is all so wonderful. Patty

Unknown said...

Amazing. It's Christmas, Christmas, Christmas just everywhere we got to see. So much fun to be able to get it all out. I love all the vintage goodies too, they always bring back memories.

Cathyjo said...

Hi,Lura said to drop by your place.and I'm glad that I did.Such a lovely Country Christmas post.I hope you and yours have a verry Merry Christmas.and a Happy New Year.

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Christmas Christmas everywhere!!! Love all your rooms of festiveness! It all looks so pretty and invitiing. Hope your week is wonderful, xoRobin❤

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Hi Kris, Your home looks so warm and cozy. Love the quilt your sweet friend gave you. You know that I love, love that cabinet. #1 because it's red, and #2 because I love anything with lots of drawers or cubbies. Your quilt hanging on the wall looks beautiful too. Now for the turquoise bench, you know I love it with red. Looks so cute! Your light bulbs look great in your jar. Thanks so much for the shout out. You're a real sweetie! Cute that Noah brought grandma a candy cane, and so glad he didn't break the boot. I use to do lots of ceramics. I hardly saved any of them. Darn, sometimes dejunking is not a good thing. Thought I was tired of them back then. Now I wish I had them. Have a wonderful week.

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Kris, I had to pop back and tell you. I think we were on each others blog at the same time. lol! Also, wanted to say how much I loved the Christmas card picture in the old truck.

{cindy} said...

Hi Kris,
Your home is so warm and inviting Love it all...but that red cabinet...is my absolute fave!!
have a happy night Kris

Grammy Staffy said...

You have such a warm inviting home. It is beautiful in every detail.... but at the same time it is homey. No wonder you feel happy when you are there. I too love my home. It is not as elegant as those of many of my friends but it is home. Tonight I am sitting by the fire in our family room, listening to Christmas carols, with my scented candles burning as I am blogging. I am sure that I am happier here than I would be any palace. Life is good. We both are blessed. Have a good week. Enjoy your beautifully decorated home. Hugs, Lura

Anne Fannie said...

Hi Kris, I love how you have your house all decorated for Christmas! Because we have been gone I haven't put up one Christmas item! I have to get busy this week getting into the holiday spirits and decorating! I'm still unpacking my suitcases from my cruise!
This Tuesday my husband and I are having a Christmas luncheon in the Diner and Car Museum for some of our friends. We would love it if you and your husband could stop by! Starts at 11:00 am. My email is along350@aol.com I can email you our address.
Hugs, Ann

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

Looking so cozy over there Kris! I wouldn't want to leave the house! Cute, cute! Stay warm with the rain coming our way! WooHoo! xo

glor said...

Your house is truly a holiday house. What wonderful decorations and cozy and homey. Just beautiful. Love the red barn piece too.

Nicolle said...

Your home is amazing, and so festive. I love those Dr. Seuss trees, and your piece of furniture in the first 2 pictures with all the drawers...that is gorgeous. We had to replace a bunch of bulbs this year on our strands, and we have those large colored lights...now I hate that we threw the blown out ones away. Yours are so cute in that clear jar. I will have to remember that for years to come. Have a great week!

Betsy said...

Hi Kris,

I loved seeing all your decorations. Your home looks so warm and festive. I especially love the story about Noah and Santa's boot! I'm glad it's still in one piece--but what a cute thing for him to do!

Betsy

Unknown said...

I loved seeing all your decorations. Your home looks so warm and festive. I especially love the story about Noah and Santa's boot! I'm glad it's still in one piece--but what a cute thing for him to do!

Gregory Office Chairs

Whosyergurl said...

Your home is lovely, warm and welcoming. I LOVE that red chest! Do you know that BALL jars are from Indiana and I graduated from BALL State? People make fun of it and call it "fruit jar college." I have some of those old blue jars, too and I love them. I use mine, too.
Can you tell I'm playing catch-up? xo, Cheryl