It seems I am always running a bit behind these days. So, it is appropriate that I would finally manage to post some of our Christmas photos on this, the 12th and last day of Christmas or in the Christian church calendar, the Feast of the Epiphany,
I’ve never done a “Christmas Tour” but thought it would be fun to do one this year.
I will begin with Frankie the Frog, who always hangs out on my straw hats on top of my Grandmother’s sewing basket in our bedroom. Frankie decided to help me with decorating and wrapping and got a bit tangled up in ribbon; tossed some red berries on his friend, Samantha the Snail; did a few push-ups; and then passed out on the bed, fittingly under the “Silent Night Pillow” (from Dear Lillie.) Yes, Christmas often brings out the kid in even the most mature of us!
Not too much Christmas in the master bedroom. Just a bright red pick stitch quilt and shams and the Dear Lillie Silent Night pillow and the Frankie the Frog and Samantha the Snail adornments.
My little snowman painting that was later moved to the hearth.
Our 9ft. real tree. We wanted a bigger one but were afraid we wouldn’t be able to get it in the house. We barely made it with this one. It was quite heavy and we have steps. Ugh! Our angel refused to stand up straight and leaned the entire season. We finally did get get her straight but the next morning found her on the floor beside the tree. She is obviously an angel who prefers to be a little bit off balance! She spent the rest of Christmas on the table by the tree which you may notice in some of the later photos. This is the first picture I took of the tree. Notice the lovely cords under the tree and the lighting was terrible. Oh well.
My stocking, knitted for me circa 1965 by my Grandmother Effie. My paternal grandmother was very talented and her fine knitting skills are evidenced by the good condition of this now 60 year old stocking. Only one small hole where a moth must have had a meal at some point.
My grandmother’s corner cabinet with silver chalices adorned with berries and fresh Douglas Fir branches. The china is Noritake circa 1945 from my other grandmother and we do use it often.
Ellie reluctantly posing for her Christmas photo! She did not want to be still!
My somewhat messy gingerbread house. Royal icing and my piping bags did not cooperate fully on the day I made this. It was messy but fun and tasty too!
Love this ribbon that I found at Hobby Lobby. I was going to use it on the big tree but changed my mind since we went with a real tree this year.
Instead, I used it on a little tree for the dining room.
You might remember the rustic box I made from this post. For Christmas it was filled with pine cones, cinnamon sticks, fresh fir snippets, candles, faux red berries and candy canes. I used the four tapers as our Advent candles and the pillar candle for Christmas Eve. You can see the Bible beside the box. A portion of the Christmas story, from Luke, was read with the lighting of each of the Advent candles and on Christmas Eve.
This beautiful arrangement from Laura Jane’s Flowers and Gifts, was changed up a bit for Christmas. You can see it here as it was originally, with lovely little persimmons for Autumn. I gingerly removed the persimmons and replaced them with red rose hips for Christmas and winter use.
I had been looking for a new nativity set for a while and found this one a couple of years ago at Hobby Lobby. I was drawn to it because of the scripture included on the larger pieces.
This would have been a much cozier photo with a fire roaring in the fireplace but since it was around 75 degrees outside when this was taken and the AC was on, there was no fire.
I attached the JOY glitter letters I used on our tree last year, to a canvas to make a piece for the mantel.
A few photos in red frames tucked into the book shelves. This is a favorite of my mom and John.
Here’s one of my oldest grandsons. The ornament beside the angel is a “talking” ornament. I purchased four of these about five years before my mother died and sat with her while she recorded a message on each one for me and each of my three sisters for Christmas. These became our most treasured possessions when we lost her in 2006. My ornament says, “Merry Christmas, Vicki. I love you. This is your Mom, I will always love you.” Those words each year make my Christmas complete.
A little tree for the kitchen.
There are many more photos but this post is already too long. I am tired and the 12th day of Christmas is almost at an end. So I will leave it here. May you and yours have a wonderful New Year!
2 thoughts on “Finally! A Look Back at our Christmas 2015”
Oh Vicki-this post was wonderful. I made me teary-eyed. Especially the talking ornament. You've decorated so beautifully. I especially love the chalkboard print…but all of it is lovely. Happy New Year dear friend! I tried commenting here before, and something was wrong with my computer. So glad I got to write to you this time!
VElish Art Studio 
Oh Vicki-this post was wonderful. I made me teary-eyed. Especially the talking ornament. You've decorated so beautifully. I especially love the chalkboard print…but all of it is lovely. Happy New Year dear friend! I tried commenting here before, and something was wrong with my computer. So glad I got to write to you this time!
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Thank you, dear friend! I am also glad that you were able to write! I will be by to visit you soon!
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