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Friday, December 23, 2011

The Tree is Up!


The tree is finally up, and a true Charlie Brown tree it is! We love it anyway, and the price was certainly right (free). I prefer the wild trees with their open shape because the ornaments are so much easier to hang and more visible. We decided to put the tree on the big table in the log room this year. That way no furniture had to be moved!


On the small red shelf in the log room is crystal, red, silver, brass and lace. The dreary rainy day outside makes it look even cozier. All of these items are flea market or thrift shop finds--even the shelf itself. The silver creamer and sugar I found this week, for less than $2.00. A little cleaning was all they needed. I'll add some greenery to them tomorrow.

On the fireplace mantel, I only changed out a few things to give a little Christmas-y feel. I bought the zinc bucket arrangements at a consignment shop, to use during our carols program; the brush tree cost a quarter at a thrift shop. The other items were already on the mantel. So easy! The washboard is the one I used when we first moved up here, before we had electricity. The kerosene lamps, cow bell and butter churn are from that time also, reminders of those early days at this place. Back then, of course, these weren't display items--they were tools!


A quiet corner by the couch. The hanging behind the couch has been there since we built this room 8 years ago. I love its soft red color. Someone put a lot of time into crocheting squares of red wool into this throw. The table by the couch is actually an old treadle sewing machine that used to work. I'd like to get move it and put something else in its place. I've had it for years, but maybe it's time to find it a new home. Behind the table is a screen that is old indeed. It is handpainted on canvas, probably from the late 1700's-early 1800's, and folds out into 3 panels. It has some bad places but it's just beautiful with its soft golds and reds. One day I'll need to look into restoring it. We use it to screen the doorway if we have visitors staying in the log room.

I've kept decorating simple this year; most of the things I usually put out were put back in their totes and not used. I'm not sure why, but I am happy with less this year. Next year, who knows? All of it might be out! One of the fun parts of decorating for this season is that each year it's a little different, and I don't know until I get started just what I'm going to do. I wonder if it's like that for everyone. Do you plan in advance what your decorating will be?

Time to get back to cleaning. A lot left to do and not much time to do it!

21 comments:

  1. Your tree is beautiful!!! I so miss a real tree, my youngest is horribly allergic to pines and dogs, so we have no dogs and a fake tree. But, boy do I miss the smell of a fresh tree!!

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  2. All Christmas trees look lovely Charlie Brown or not:) I really like the little red shelf in your log room, it looks so pretty and warm and inviting with the lamplight shining on the silver, crystal and brass.

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  3. Your home looks so peaceful. I am finding less is more with my decorations this year too. Merry Christmas.

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  4. Is this the room from the dismantled cabin? It is beautiful! Ceiling to floor.--Jane

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  5. Liz, I used to be allergic to the pine scent too, but since I started taking Singulair many of my alleriges are under control. Thank goodness! I hope hers gets to that point someday--it took about 3 years for me.

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  6. Rowan, the little shelf used to be on the wall, but we moved it to put in bigger shelves--needed more space for books :) I like it under the window; all windows should have a lamp in them, shouldn't they? Not always possible, though.

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  7. I think that's the core of it, Joy. I've been thinking about how to streamline this house; we have so much stuff! So keeping Christmas simple helped with my feeling of being over-cluttered.

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  8. Jane, this is the first log room we built, with the first cabin, in 2003. The second project is currently at a standstill as we try to save enough money to proceed. The foundation is done, but nothing else yet.

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  9. I love your tree. I love sitting in the dark & enjoying the Christmas lights.

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  10. The picture of your tree and log room is awesome! I too love decorating with antiques. We've gotten alot of them at yard sales, thrift shops, and auctions. You're very good at decorating :) I'm not one for blown up inflatables, but more for primitive style. Simple is more beautiful to me.

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  11. Boy I am so with you on the inflates! I really dislike those things. I like a few lights and greenery outside, maybe some other simple decorations. It goes with this house.

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  12. I did much less this year and am relieved because of it. I love your little tree and I have to say that I also love the rocking chairs beside of it. Have a very Merry Christmas!

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  13. I love your little tree and your room looks so cozy and comfy.

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  14. Farmchick, you know I do too. It's simpler, and still just as enjoyable. Less stress is always good. Tomorrow will be cooking day. I'm looking forward to that. Youngest son arrives this evening sometime :)

    I bet your tree is lovely, Jessica.Did you post a photo of it yet?

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  15. Your house looks so cozy and comfortable Granny Sue! I love your little tree! This year I decided to put up the artificial for the first time in years. We haven't had much time to do the things we usually do so I didn't get everything out that I wanted to get out. Maybe next year!

    Merry Christmas!
    Angela

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  16. Angela, I think many of us ended up in that boat-with such a warm fall we kept doing outside things and taking our time about getting ready--and then suddenly the holidays were upon us! That's okay, though; there's always next year, Lord willing :)

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  17. I just love your decorations ,so country Christmassy and justdown right beautiful ! Thank you for sharing all of your wonderful life with us . Merry Christmas to you and your family .

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  18. your home beautiful and inviting for the holidays! Enjoy!

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  19. Sue, is your ceiling beadboard? It just makes the room so cozy and inviting. Love the tree, the log walls, the furniture and the floor. It all spells "inviting".

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  20. Thank you, Carolyn!

    Nance, the ceiling is wainscoting paneling. We didn't want drywall--it's hard to put up and finish. So we used this, which is very like beadboard. It was easy to put up, trim, and stain, and I think it looks right with the log walls. My goal for this room, and all the house actually, is to be warm and welcoming, a place people can put up their feet and not worry about messing things up.

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