These are a few of my favorite things.

Our kitchen is the least decorated room of the house during the holidays because of the terracotta color of the walls.  I'm hoping to remedy that situation before next Christmas, but for now, I just add a few neutral items in the bay window.  I even made some glittery snowballs to pile in my ice cream maker.

 

My ice skates that haven't been worn in years got a makeover with some faux fur and leather laces.  I just love the stained glass colors of the vintage bubble lights.

I don't have an ounce of pink in my house, but I collected vintage pink ornaments throughout the year to create this ornament wreath for a friend who loves pink.

The only pet currently in our house is this stuffed bird bought at Target a few years ago.  The little soldier lamp was a vintage find.  Don't you love that his big hat is also the shade?

This armoire has gone from unfinished pine to panels painted with pink flowers to the design you see now.  I've been thinking this is the piece that could most use an Annie Sloan Chalk Paint makeover and some chicken wire in the upper doors, but it does add some festive red in an otherwise dark corner of the living room.

Sequined ornaments top my Iittala candlesticks

The tiny wood Santa and the composition gnome were estate sale finds from years ago. 

As you can see, I do love my red!  The tree is decorated with mostly vintage glass balls and a few ornaments made by our girls when they were younger.  I divided up all of the ornaments bought for them over the years and now they hang on their Christmas trees.  Every year we bought Julie a cat ornament and for Megan a dog, which is pretty funny because those are the pets they now own.

The mantel doesn't change much from year to year.  This year I added the little elves in the turquoise jeep and you know what a mistake that was.  Who knew?!  The Santa on the pedestal table on the right was the very first Santa I painted and the beginning of Vickie's Folk Art, my cottage business from which I have happily retired.  I'm hoping to find more time to do some painting just for family. 

There are still 2 more leaves to be added to the table, but since we won't be hosting our family Christmas until mid-January it can wait a few more weeks.

I've kept it simple with cinnamon scented pine cones and mercury glass votives on the table.  The toy barn was moved to a rustic bench at the top of the stairs for now.  The blue Santa above and tavern sign below were painted by me during my decorative painting years.  The three Santas below on the left were hand carved by my sister.  The two little girls held by the carved red Santa on the right represent our daughters.   

You've already seen my angel collection on our buffet and the sheet music wreath got a more

festive look with the addition of a pomegranate and pine cone corsage.  You will always find chocolate in my candy dishes no matter which holiday we're celebrating!

I made this stained glass window years ago at a local studio where I took beginner classes.  While I now gravitate towards more simple vintage designs, I got plenty of practice cutting and grinding over 300 pieces of glass for this project! 

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, 'ere he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Linked to:

The 36th Avenue

The Brambleberry Cottage Time Travel Thursday

Common Ground Vintage Inspiration Friday

The Charm of Home Home Sweet Home

French Country Cottage Feathered Nest Friday

Funky Junk Interiors Saturday Nite Special