Hey gals!
Hop on in here.
If you are hopping over from Shaunacey’s house at Confessions of a Frumpy Mommy (which is so inaccurate as nothing about Shaunacey is frumpy), welcome! Today The Blended Bloggers are sharing a little bit of holiday decor in our Christmas Home Tours Blog Hop. Grab a cup of hot chocolate and warm yourself by my fire a minute before we start our tour of my humble abode.
You might remember that I played hookie one day in October in order to attend a holiday decorating seminar at Annie Mo’s seasonal boutique, read about it here. That is where I bought the swag on my mantel. I took a picture of Annie holding it after she had artfully arranged and spread the “pine” boughs. I brought it home and tried very hard to keep the swag exactly as she had fixed it but the minute I put it on my mantel, Purrsnickitty and Purrsimmony had to check it out. Maybe they thought it was a natural extension of our backyard or their litter box, because they jumped from the end table in the picture above, onto the mantel and began digging in my artificial greenery. They have continued to knock it onto the floor daily and Snicky has licked the fake pine cones regularly as if she is grooming them.
Needless to say, my swag doesn’t look nearly as perfect as it did after Annie’s gentle touch. But you can bet my pine cones are clean!
I bought the trees and reindeer at Hobby Lobby this year. Thought they would complement the painting of my beloved Smoky Mountains. The crystal garland is from Annie Mo’s. So are the larger balls in this old wooden bowl from Panama.
The tiny balls were a dollar at Pier One.
On my sofa table, which isn’t anywhere in the vicinity of either of my sofas but is kinda close to my love seat, I have another new reindeer from Hobbiest of Lobbies. And a snow globe given to me by PC’s brother JC (not to be confused with THE JC of season but also a very good man) and my sister-in-law GC.
Isn’t that reindeer just the prissiest thing?
Love her confidence.
Just realized it might have been a good idea to dust before taking these pictures. Yikes! But we are friends, right?
Let’s go into the kitchen where you can sample some of the Christmas cookies I have only pinned to Pinterest but haven’t baked. While you are pretending there’s no dust on my furniture, pretend there’s a big plate of cookies here on the counter.
Picked up those pine cones at the Lexington National Cemetery. Thought about bleaching them but decided they were perfect just as they are = I am lazy.
Here’s a peek at the decor around the kitchen. Would like to get some boughs for atop the cabinets but my flying Wallendas (aka Snick and Sim) would probably find a way to clean them, too.
While you are pretending, please pretend that mum beside Santa is a poinsettia. I never noticed til now that I still have autumn up in the kitchen. Texting with my BFF Sharon as write this post. She knows where to find the best bargains and has suggested a couple of places for me to get a poinsettia or two. I promise to get on that tomorrow.
I have set the dining room table as if we are going to have company for Christmas dinner. Maybe PC and I will let the kitties sit up at the table with us that day. These chargers were a dollar. And have birds on them, which is never good…unless you are only paying a dollar.
I don’t have fancy anything. But I still like my el cheap-o plates, chargers and place mats. Birds and all.
Might need booster seats for the kittens.
I do have Cady’s high chair if they will sit together on their best behavior in it. And I bet Sim and Snick will like the birds on my chargers.
I have my Lizzie High nativity scene on the dining room buffet. I have had it for years. The angel wrapped in Christmas lights is my nephew Andrew. Forever a mischievous three year old.
Does it seem somehow sacrilegious that we have the manger over our wine rack? And that a bottle of bubbly Muscato wine is in our marble bottle chiller? Pretend it is just white grape juice. And it is, right?
The menorah was a gift from my daughter Lauren.
A throw-back to my previous life as a Jewish girl.
On the end table next to the couch in the living room (where one might put a sofa table), I have my Lizzie High Santa and my very own Santa’s elf, Cadence.
Next Christmas, we will have two little elves in our family.
Can’t wait!
Near the window in the living room stands our tree. By judging from the number of presents under it, one might deduct that PC and I have not been very good this year. But let’s pretend there are lots of gifts wrapped and waiting beneath its branches because in reality, whether I have been very good or not, I am richly blessed. I have more than I could ever want for.
Our beautiful angel was given to me by a former student, Jeannette C., years ago.
One of my former mommies made this Santa.
You can be certain that Snickitty has seen to it that Santa’s beard has been adequately preened.
The beautiful wreath on my door was a gift from my friend Davette. Can you believe she made it?
And she incorporated some of my favorite things – lots of green and leopard!!
I used picks to decorate my lanterns and added some seasonal pillows.
And from the yard, looking back at the house, I give you my Christmas lights. I think I have mentioned that my PC doesn’t particularly care for all of the hubbub of holidays. But knowing that my Cady Coo will be here this week, my Prince bought and hung lights around our picture window.
That and listening to him sing Christmas carols last night after we attended a living Christmas tree concert are just two of the many reasons I love him.
Another person I love a lot is my BFF Sharon. The same BFF Sharon that I mentioned a couple of paragraphs ago, lest you think I have two BFFs named Sharon. My one and only BFF Sharon has a natural sense of style and a great knack for decorating. She has very discerning taste and will shop until she finds exactly what she is looking for. And it always pays off because her wardrobe, her home, her Christmas decor reflect that eye for perfection.
Tonight we were texting as I was typing this post. Sharon shared some pics of her Christmas decorations and I begged her to let me share them with you. She very reluctantly agreed.
Sharon has a little bit of Christmas in every room. Check out that darling cardinal pillow with the pine branch. And on her little table is a holly dish. Which reminds me, I still have my maple leaf candy dish out. Note to self: put that up tomorrow along with the mums.
Love her bowl of bulbs and pine cones and antlers. Originally, that was the only pic Sharon agreed to let me share…til I pouted a little. Love the antlers. And that star!
How ’bout this? That darling throw…looks like something Ms. Claus would curl up with. That adorable pillow. Gorgeous wreath. So tastefully done. Just perfect.
Oh, and the antler candle holder.
OH MY GOSH.
But one of my favorite things of all is Sharon’s reindeer in the yard.
Isn’t that the cutest thing EVER? The only thing that could make it just the tiniest bit better would be a dusting of snow, which they are sure to get in Oklahoma before winter is over.
CUTE.
Thank you, Sharonia, for allowing me to share a little bit of you with my other buds! I love you, BFF.
So, that’s a quick tour of my Christmas sparkle (mixed with a little left-over autumn).
Hope you will run by the Christmas Home Tours Blog Hop blogs of my other Blended Blogger buddies, to include a stop at Nicole’s house over at Nick and Nik. Click here to be instantly transported there!
I leave you with one parting image. My angels under the tree. Under the tree, at least for now. Who knows where they will be by midnight!
Merry Christmas!
Hugs and kisses,
Shaunacey
beautiful home Leslie!! It looks so warm and cozy!
I’m LOVING that pillow with the gold writing!! so pretty!
Confessions of a Frumpy Mommy
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Shaunacey. Isn’t Sharon pillow perfect? So classy.
lisa
What a beautiful tree – and I love your comment about being blessed. Those angels under the tree are precious.
Lisa
Daily Style Finds
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Lisa. I am so fortunate, have such a wonderful life that even if Santa leaves me coal, I think I will still be happy!
Sharon
Love all your Christmas decor Les! Looks so pretty! Thanks for all the compliments today. You are too kind! Love you friend. Watch those kitties or they will end up being toppers to your tree!😳XO
Leslie Roberts Clingan
It has been like Talladega race track around our tree tonight. I wrapped a couple of gifts for Cady but feel sure Snickitty will have them unwrapped by morning. Thank you for allowing me to share your beautiful home here. XOXOX
Sarah @ Foxy's Domestic Side
OH my gosh, I just love reading your posts, they are so funny and so well put together. Probably from all that reading you do 🙂 Everything you’ve done makes it look so festive and inviting. I just want to sit down with a warm cup of hot chocolate and chat with you. OH and I’ve been wanting a reindeer and when I mentioned to Mr. that I did, he said…you do realize what I am imagining is a larger reindeer head with hug antlers looking down on me. That’s creepy, no reindeer please, haha. Apparently I did a bad job at describing exactly what I wanted, hehe. You’re so super cute!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
LOL! Yay, a trophy deer head isn’t quite the same as a grape vine reindeer with twinkling lights, huh? I would love to have reindeer in my yard and really want a wheel barrow next year. Sharon has just done such cute, cute things with hers. Had such a great laugh at your videos on your blog hop post. Thank you for making me giggle!!
Deena
Beautiful home- I love your voice throughout. I especially like those cute little kitties by the tree!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I so appreciate your comments on my writing. You always say the nicest things when i am doubting myself the most. Have been so close to just letting the blogging go. I think you mentioned having similar feelings not long ago…then I get a sweet word from you, and my heart is full again. Thank you.
Sheila @ Making the Most of Every Day
Please don’t Leslie! I’ve struggled with blogging too but you just make me smile! Don’t let it go!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you! I do struggle everyday wondering whether there is any point to this but for today, I have decided there is!!! Love you!
Nicole
I love love your outdoor reindeer set up. So fun! Beautiful home!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
That reindeer is the brain child of my BFF. I wish it was in my yard! Next year, next year. Thank you for coming by!
Carrie
What a festive home! I have to admit the last pic with your “little ones” just warmed my heart. Next year your Christmas will be quite different with other “little ones”. Merry Christmas, Leslie!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you! My kitties are my family now that the girls are grown and gone. Next Christmas will be great fun with Lauren’s baby girl joining the mix. Merry Christmas, sweets!
Lana
Oh Leslie, you always make me smile! Your home is truly lovely, and I’m so excited for your Christmas Elves on the way! My sofa table isn’t anywhere near my sofa either…
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Hey, love…have been thinking of you so often. I know these holidays will be difficult. Hope your mama is able to be with your or other family. Yay, for us using our sofa tables in more creative ways!
Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom
You have such a beautiful home and I was cracking up over the dusting comment, I thought the same thing when I was taking photos for my Christmas Home tour… I was like, eek.. I really need to dust this before I photograph it up close! LOL! Thanks for the good laugh. Your tree is so gorgeous and I love how you set the table!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Probably should un-set the table before the dishes are full of dust and kitty fur! PC and I will be the only ones here for Christmas and we will probably pull out the paper “china” and plastic “silverware”. Last year, I think I ran around dusting everything before I snapped a pic, this year I was a lot less concerned…a lot lazier!!! Big hugs for coming by, sweet friend.
Katie
Beautiful home Leslie!! I love all your throw pillows!! I am on a bit of a pillow kick these days…now that I have two extra chairs in the living space I want to spruce up! Also love your centerpiece. So many beautiful Christmas touches!! I’ll be right over… 😉
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Aren’t pillows easy ways to add some pizzazz? Thank you, for coming by. Would love for you to be able to drop in for some wine and hot tub time in real life. XO
Sheila @ Making the Most of Every Day
So many things to love! The trees and reindeer on the mantel, the old wooden bowl, your tablescape, the menorrah (I have one too!). Loved taking a tour through your beautiful home!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I should have known that you, too, of all my friends, would have a menorrah. I love that!!!!! Thank you for stopping by and for being such a relatable person. You are a dear, Sheila. I hope to get to know you better in the coming year.
Mary
I’m sitting here with a big smile on my face because of reading your post! Thank you for your dry humor and posting pics of your lovely home. We’d be besties if you lived in Pennsylvania. Happy holidays.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Ha! I would never have guessed I had a dry sense of humor. In fact, I always worried whether I had a sense of humor at all. You are so sweet. I think you give me too much credit, because I think if I am the least bit funny, it is by accident! And because I am a dingbat of royal order. Thank you for your comment and for your sweet compliments. Would love to know you IFL!!!
Jill
You have a beautiful home! Your tree is gorgeous and your bench in your entryway is so cute! Everything looks so pretty and festive!
Jill
Doused In Pink
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, sugar foot! Wish I had another holiday to look forward to decorating for. MLK Jr.? Valentine’s Day?
Elements of Ellis
I love all the Christmas decorations!
http://elementsofellis.com/
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Oh yay, thank you, sweets. So sad that I don’t have another holiday to decorate for in the near future. Thank you for coming by!!