Monday, December 17, 2007

Come on in, the decorating is done and the Rescue Heroes are ready

Well, here it is. The much anticipated and long awaited Christmas Tour of Homes, hosted by the Southern hostess with the mostess, Boomama.

I am excited to be actually participating this year, instead of just stalking you all and your beautiful homes like I did last year.
The halls are decked, so let's get started.
This is our front door. Which we never use. But I love the sparkly fruit wreath and the urns artfully filled with greenery by moi. Oh the joy the festive urns bring me. You have no idea. Martha would be proud. All those years of subscribing to her magazine have really taught me some useful skills.

(Please excuse the leaning greens. It's been a bit windy around here, and they are too frozen in to straighten. Just know, that I know, that they are crooked.)

(And don't judge me by my leaning greenery. I didn't have the staff at Martha Stewart Living to help me start over.)

Let's go on in.


You're in. Welcome to the place where chaos reigns, it is never quiet and the laundry is never done. Drop your stuff anywhere, everyone else does, and I'll come by and pick it up.

When you walk in my front door, the living room is to your right. We use this room a lot for reading and talking. And time outs. But mostly reading and talking. Which is good. Because I grew up in a house where you couldn't walk on the fresh vacuum marks in the living room, and this room is nothing like that.

This is a good representation of the ornaments on my tree. The gold ball was my grandmother's and when you pull it it plays Silent Night. I can remember listening to this ornament every year and I'm so glad to have it now. The house is just one of about 30 that my mom started giving me when I was a kid. I have a few scattered red birds on my tree, also as a memory of being at my grandparents house. Everyone who knows me thinks it is very strange that I, of all people, would have a tree full of birds. Because everyone that knows me, knows I am not a bird lover. Rather, I am a bird loather. It is a hate that runs deep, firmly rooted in a childhood bird traumatization. But I think of these red feather cardinals not as birds, but as reminders of Grandma and Grandpa's house, looking for cardinals out their kitchen window.

And besides, this is Christmas, so I don't want to think of the bird unpleasantness, the terror of it all, now.



This is the coffee table in my living room. It holds a nativity set my mom gave me along with a picture of me as a child with my grandfather during a blizzard in the 70's. I'm so excited to see this picture every year. And not just because I was vision in bright red snow pants.

Yes, those are Rescue Heroes helping to stand guard over the baby Jesus. We believe that we are one people under God, regardless of race or plasticity.



As soon as you walk in the front door, there is a long hallway in front of you leading from the foyer to the family room. At the end of this hallway is the family room where we have our second tree. It is a real Frasier fir, decorated by the kids with all of their own ornaments, their handmade ornaments, as well as K and my ornaments from our childhoods. It really is a pretty tree. If you can appreciate the beauty of overly glittered, clumped together, made with love, ornaments. Which I can, and I do.

Just not near my pretty tree in the living room.



This is the nativity under the kids tree. Or as Gracie calls it, Jesus and the peoples. It is played with and rearranged daily. For some reason though, the Rescue Heroes prefer to do their worshipping at the other nativity scene closer to the pretty tree. Apparently, they are not fans of overly glittered ornaments.


The entertainment center in the family room is decorated with my Santa collection. I started collecting these when K and I first got married and I love them. They are old-fashioned and rustic and homey, which is not really the way I decorate, but I love to bring them out in December. We buy a new one every year, and date them all. (Notice that animal print accent, Martha?)



Here they are. My jolly fellas. Happily residing among the fresh greens and berry garland.


And, I had to throw this picture in for K. When I was going around the house on Sunday afternoon taking pictures, I made him pause the game so I could shut the doors and snap a picture of my Santa collection that didn't include the Ravens or the Dolphins. He said I should photograph the house the way it really looks and leave the doors alone. So the stockings are hung by the TV with care. And how was I supposed to know the second I shut those doors to take the picture the Dolphins would win their first game of the year? Sorry, K.


Last stop on the tour is the dining room. It is across from the living room and is to your left when you come in the front door. I think the dining room is my favorite room in the house, Christmastime or not.



This is the dining room table centerpiece. It looks very pretty at night with the lights reflecting off the glass vases. I'm sure it would look even prettier if the candles were lit. But those are my prized Pottery Barn glitter candles. And they were to expensive to you know, actually burn, so they come out every year as a reminder of a time when I could actually afford to spend that kind of money on candles, instead of a Wii. Ho Ho Ho.


This is the nativity on the sideboard in my dining room. I love this piece. It is big and heavy and, along with my Grandma's gold ornament, is my favorite Christmas decoration. It is, after all, the reason for the season.
Thanks for coming over.
Merry Christmas to you all.

100 comments:

Anonymous said...

Beautiful, I love the table! This is just so much fun. :-)
Thanks for shring.
http://www.xanga.com/homeschoolingthem

Attie said...

OOHH how pretty! I think Our house could fit in yours!!!

Southern Heart said...

You have a very lovely home (I love your decorating)...everything looks so warm and festive!

Merry Christmas,

Andrea

Family Adventure said...

Beautiful, Lisa. LOL at the Power Rangers doing their bit to ensure a merry Christmas.

And I, too, love your dining room table. Especially the glitter candles! :)

Heidi

Jessica said...

Your home is beautiful! I am jealous of all the snow!

And I am sure that Baby Jesus feels so safe with the toys watching over Him!

Martha said...

Oh Lisa!

Your house is BEAUTIFUL!!! I love the 4 chairs instead of the sofa in the living room! And your diningroom table! And your built-ins in the family room!!! And your SASSY, but UNDERSTATED animal print pillow :)

Not to be critical, though? No shutter-porn. I left your tour....a little unsatisfied. Hahaha!!!

xoxoxo,
martha

Cheryl said...

I almost spit out my coffee at the rescue heroes. Thanks for the giggle and the beautiful tour. Merry Christmas!

Rhonda Nelson said...

Love the table! Very pretty!

Becky @ BoysRuleMyLife said...

Ok, I wish I had your number, I'd call you right now, not because your house is as beautiful as your laundry room, but because those Rescue Heroes have me crackin' up! I'm also glad to know I'm not the only one that's a bit "ticky" about Christmas ornaments. I just had to stop rearranging... I was going nuts... and now our tree is just discombobulated. poor poor tree. not so pretty this year. probably not next year either! oh well.

Hey, btw, loved the picture of you in your front door reflection! :)

Beautiful house and decorations... I expected nothing less!

Merry Christmas!

Julie said...

So glad you're not stalking this year. LOL

Your home is just gorgeous. I absolutely LOVE your front door, and your dining room, and, well all of everything.

Really!

Merry Christmas!

Hootin Anni said...

Yep, I agree...if the football game is on, it should be included.

Lovely home.

Mine's posted. I have two versions.

A thumbnail short version
and
a
slide show long version.

Kim said...

You have a beautiful home.

Cindy-Still His Girl said...

Your home is gorgeous! I love the dining room walls. :)

Queen Mother said...

Your home and decorations are beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

Becky @ BoysRuleMyLife said...

Oh, also... what kind of camera do you use and photo editor? Some of your pics are outstanding! (front of your house and the assortment of ornaments - great lighting/color). I think I might be starting a new hobby in photography. Jeff has ordered me some books for Christmas and I'm just getting started on my research for what type of camera and editor I want. Thanks!

Beautiful, daling... just beautiful!

Mrs. Troop said...

So very pretty there - thanks for inviting us in!

Megan Cobb said...

I had that same issue with the TV being on when I was taking my pictures, but Zaboomafoo was on mine. Nothing says Merry Christmas like a monkey puppet and two Kratt brothers, hmmm? You have a lovely home, which must be relatively near my own, as I'm a 90 West gal myself, transplanted from the South. Enjoyed the tour - You have a lovely, lovely home.

Jul said...

Beautiful as always!

Mycrazylife said...

Lovely! You have a decorator's eye for sure! The living room is just stunning!

Merry Christmas!
Mycrazylife

Christie said...

Your home is beautiful - I love it. And the rescue heroes are most fitting in the nativity display. Jesus loves everyone - even rescue heroes, I am sure.

Unknown said...

Lisa, your home is gorgeous! I especially love your dining room, very pretty. You really have a flair for decorating. Merry Christmas!

Darcy said...

Your home is beautiful! I especially love those big leather chairs in the living room. So cozy looking!

I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!

snaphappy said...

Gorgeous! Love that peek into your house!

Kelly @ Love Well said...

Lisa, your house is GORGEOUS! The front door shot alone is worth of a December "Living" photo shoot. My stars.

I also think the dining room is my favorite. (Can I say that without ever having, you know, actually been to your house?) The centerpiece is perfect. Just divine.

Mandy said...

Your dining room is gorgeous!! I love it all! Merry Christmas!

Jenni said...

LOVE the front door, the dining room (those colors! swoooon!), the memories from your childhood, the rescue heroes...pretty much all of it, in other words! TFS!

Pedaling said...

Lisa, very nice - i love the colors on your walls - really i loved it all and you know what, we really have so much in common - for example - i hate birds, love buying santas to add to collections and decorating, we are HUGE Raven fans, i have multiple Nativity sets, usually 2 trees one pretty and the other meaningful - anyway, it was fun touring your home - can i tell you too, i adore the exterior of your home, as well. beautiful!

Queen B said...

Everything looks lovely! Your home is so warm and inviting. I would love to sit and visit and have a cup of cocoa in your beautiful home. I especially love the Rescue Heroes!!

Kristy said...

That table is just fabulous! I love beautifully shaped glass vases and hurricanes, and such, and I think I might just need to steal that idea for next year!

tammi said...

Oh, Lisa, your house looks beautiful!! And so clutter-free! Man, I'd have to severely crop all the pictures of my few, pathetic Christmas decorations before I'd be willing to post them!! My house is a disaster.

windycorner said...

So pretty and very merry. All the snow in your front yard is a nice touch! Merr Christmas!
Holley

Crooked Eyebrow said...

I love the rescue heros. It makes it! Just so you know, I am now officially in love with your house. It's true.

Merry Christmas!

Anonymous said...

You basically live in the home of my dreams. Lovely!

wanderlustandpixiedust said...

Lovely photos! Lovely home!

Jennifer said...

Your home is so lovely. You would definitely make Martha proud! Your color schemes are great and extremely festive. Have a wonderful holiday!
Jen

Nicole said...

Looks beautiful! Maybe next year I'll get my act together and join in the fun...

My husband and I are originally from Wheaton...now enjoying life in Colorado. We do miss Chicago, though...luckily we have lots of family to keep us coming back for more.

And no worries, I'm sure there were Rescue Heroes of sorts at the very first Christmas.

ellen b. said...

your house is fabulous. I want to plop down in one of those leather chairs and sit a spell....

Unknown said...

Your home is beautiful, thank you for sharing.

Melissa Stover said...

oh it's all so lovely. i wish my dining table were beautifully decorated but mine is in constant use by wrapping gifts or painting or drawing, or just sitting on top of it. my kids have all kinds of uses for it.

Susanne said...

So beautiful! I love your dining room colors. Very stunning. Your sense of humor made your tour very fun!

Unknown said...

Loving your home and your humour. So glad I stopped by.

Merry Christmas to you and yours, from Northern Ireland.

It's a Mom Thing said...

Your home is beautiful and your comments witty. I laughed to whole way through. I love your decorations...great house! I have to say my fave is the nativity full of rescue heroes. That's awesome!

Big Mama said...

It's all just beautiful. I'm with you, I think the dining room is my favorite. I love all the different ornaments in those glass urns.

And, of course, the Rescue Heroes.

Shelley said...

"Jesus and the peoples", that's funny! Your home is beautiful! I love it all, especially the dining room. Merry Christmas!

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful, beautiful home.

I'm with you on not lighting the candles (and the table is gorgeous, lit or not).

And the Rescue Heroes just make it all more real. Martha should take lessons. ;)

Merry Christmas!

Kathy b said...

Lovely and classic looking home and decorating.

Melody said...

Your house looks lovely. I do also love those glitter candles. I have a cheap Target version for myself so it is okay to light them. The Rescue Heroes are delightful and your trees are beautiful.

Pedaling said...

holy cow - 47 comments - why do i only have 13?

anyway that's not why i'm here - just wanted to say too bad your gal denise didn't win last night - my daughter felt so bad for her and was rooting for her by the end - but we were happy that the producer gifted her with a nice 50 grand! that helped us all feel better. thanks for being my survivor bud - i look forward to comparing notes with you again in Feb - hey, when are you going to send in your audition disk?

elaine@bloginmyeye said...

Martha should be proud.

Anonymous said...

Your home exudes (spelling ?) a warmth that Martha doesn't have.

Kellan said...

What a beatiful home you have and such lovely decorations - Happy Holidays to you and your family. Kellan

Unknown said...

Your home is beautiful--inside and out. The Rescue Heros are awesome--cracked me up--also loved "Jesus and the Peoples." Priceless!
Merry Christmas!

Kelly said...

I LOVE the outside of your house and I love the inside just as much. It's beautiful - especially the dining room!
And I have football on during my tour pictures also - that is a normal Sunday afternoon at our house as well!

Creative Life Studio said...

Love, love, love:

the wreath on the front door

how you incorporate your family into your decorating

the picture of you as a child with your grandfather - what a great idea!

Thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas!

Jen said...

I just loved your super heroes in the Nativity Set....and I loved your dining room table decor. Your home is very inviting. Merry Christmas!

Dene said...

So Beautiful! Your living room is my favorite. It looks so serene.
Thanks & Merry Christmas!

His Doorkeeper said...

Not only did I enjoy looking at your house (love the dining room decorations) but I love your witty take on things! Thanks for opening your doors to us!

Unknown said...

LOLOL oh i love those rescue heroes!!!! im loving your dining room! your entire house is beautiful!

Anonymous said...

WOW! That is quite a tree, quite a beautiful home you have there! May the Lord continue to bless you and yours this year and the years to come. So very very beautiful. Thanks for sharing!!

Julie

Ruth said...

Love your dining room and the beautiful centerpiece!

Unknown said...

Beautiful table and centerpiece - I think Martha would definitely approve! I collect Santas as well - enjoyed seeing your collection. Merry Christmas!

Joyful Days said...

It's so lovely, but the Rescue Heros are my favorite--after Baby Jesus, of course.

Lana G! said...

Fabulous! L-u-v the rescue heroes guarding baby Jesus!!

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Anonymous said...

Some of those photos look like they could be in a magazine!! What a beautiful home!!

The super heroes at the manger are cute. :)

Thanks for stopping by my own tour earlier!

Merry Christmas!!
amanda in taiwan

Amy said...

I would love to sit at your dining room table and have a wonderful meal. It is a gorgeous room set off by your awesome decorations. As for the rescue heroes, well in our house, Mary and Baby Jesus sometimes ride around with Santa in his Christmas train. I've been reading via The Queen B and I'm loving it.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.

Brittani's Holding Little Hands said...

Your decorations are beautiful and I think the dinig room is my favorite, too. Baby Jesus can never have too many people admiring him:)

Laura said...

WOW! What a beautiful home, I absolutely love your dining room wall colors and the festive decorations on your table. The rescue heros totally cracked me up!

Thanks for the tour!

mama2drama said...

The colors in the dining room are beautiful. Your living room looks so inviting and the santa collection is so precious! Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Funny how you said your house is "where chaos reigns"... and yet my first impression of your living room was how peaceful and wonderful it looks! Beautiful home - thanks for sharing. :)

Anonymous said...

Wow - I love your house and your decorations. It is a "good thing" Martha.

Funny about your bird phobia, my sister-in-law feels the same way. And hers is also a childhood trauma.

Thanks for inviting me in.

Robin

Darlene (Dee or Gram-D) said...

I love your Christmas decorations...I have the same nativity in my dining room...I really MUST get my pictures up!!

You are so right...He is the reason for the season!

Phillips Family said...

Your house is beautiful and inviting....of course the Rescue heros would have been present at Baby Jesus' birth had they been around then!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful house, and so pretty for Christmas. Your dining room is amazing! Thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas.

Mercy's Maid said...

Rescue Heroes at the nativity! Now I've seen it all!

You have a lovely home. I especially liked the dining room table.

http://mercysnumber1fan.blogspot.com/2007/12/christmas-tour-of-homes.html

Christy said...

Beyond beautiful. You have a lovely home!

Jennifer said...

Gorgeous decorations! You have some beautiful nativities! I love the fact that the Rescue Heroes are standing guard over Baby Jesus! So sweet! Thanks for sharing! Merry Christmas to you & yours!

Jennifer :-)

Anonymous said...

Love the dining room centerpiece!

Anonymous said...

Your home is lovely. It would seem we have similar taste in colors! All the decorations are beautiful, I particularly like the dining room table!

Anonymous said...

Not only is your home beautiful, but you are so funny! Thanks for the great post. I really enjoyed the Rescue Heroes, and how nice that you could include snow in your picture! That makes your home look perfect for Christmas!

Amy Plumb said...

Your home looks wonderful, thanks for sharing.

Jennifer (Jen on the Edge) said...

Your house is so gorgeous, I could weep with shame at how not gorgeous my house is.

Just lovely...

Thanks for sharing!

Parkison Family said...

I love your dining room as well!

Melissa Markham said...

Your home is beautiful:) I love, love, love your dining room table. It is gorgeous.

Anonymous said...

i do think you've got Martha going on there! how beautiful!!!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful decorations, great pics!
Merry Christmas!

forcryeye said...

Your house looks fantastic. We have the same house and yours looks so much nicer than mine. I just can't get it together...at least I have a tree up!

boomama said...

Love your dining room table - such a great centerpiece. And the Rescue Heroes cracked me up. Your house is beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Your Decorations are so classic! I love them- I also love your 4 chair layout!! I'm so getting some when we move. You've got some great curb appeal- thanks for the tour!
Merry Christmas to you and yours!!

Cherdecor said...

I am taking the BooMama Christmas Tour. Thank you for sharing your home. Everything is so festive!
I love your diningroom! Gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

I love the crooked greenery and the plastic heroes protecting the holy family and I could go on and on. Merry Christmas!

The Garners said...

Wow--I loved your tour--love your house, love your blog title, etc.! Your dining room is so very neat--the colors, the table, the chairs--love it all! And the plastic heroes visiting the nativity are great--looks like something that would happen at my house (with an almost 4 year old boy!) Merry Christmas!

Mary@notbefore7 said...

OK, so one of 8 billion comments here now :)

LOVING the rescue heroes...so needed that laugh. I loved it.

Beautiful home - the dining room table rocks. Loving the never burned pottery barn candles!

Kelli said...

You have a beautiful home and I love all of your Christmas decorating!
Merry Christmas!
Kelli

Lynette3boys said...

The Rescue Heroes are the best addition to your nativity scene. They blend in very well. Who knew they were religious? Your home is decorated so beautifully. Thanks for inviting us in.

Bev Brandon @ The Fray said...

you really know how to make a home beautiful...and your rescue rangers were hilarious...childlike wonder of it all

carlton170 said...

I love the centre piece on your dining room table, it's really lovely!

Mom22Boyz said...

Just two days ago, my boys and I packed up all their Rescue Heroes to give away! Enjoy them! All too soon your kids will think they are "way too old" for toys like that!!
Your glass urns of ornaments and Pottery Barn candles are an idea I may steal next year! Your whole house is beautiful!
Thank you for sharing! Merry Christmas!

Jen said...

Your home is so pretty! Martha would be proud!

I was at a tour of homes once where the owners had tealights placed on top of the candles so the real candles were "lit" but wouldn't burn down. Maybe you could light your prized Pottery Barn candles after all! I love the centerpiece. I am just putting mine together for our Christmas Eve feast and got some great ideas from you. Hope you don't mind if I borrow them.

Jenn V

momof2 said...

Your house is beautifully decorated! I love the accent pieces from your childhood...those are always my favorite decorations to drag out of the attic each year.
Merry Christmas!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing! I love the rescue rangers in the nativity. :)