Christmas Vignettes

My Christmas "Things To Do" List is dwindling away, thank goodness, and I took the time early this morning to walk around the house and enjoy the peace and quiet, basking in the warm glow of the lamps and Christmas tree lights. As I admired my decorating handiwork, I decided to take a few pictures of some of my favorite things.

Here is our tree, which is a real Fraser Fir. Although it takes up half the breakfast area, I love being able to enjoy it from the kitchen as we do our Christmas cooking and baking.

This is the chain my granddaughter Avery and I made this year. We made the first chain when she was two and have added to it each year. I hope to continue the tradition for many years to come.

This is Bluebell, Avery's new ornament this year.

I'll be telling you more about Bluebell after the holidays.

Under the tree, a pair of little snow birds, dressed for the cold, are resting on the steps of the church house ...

These old ornaments are from the Depression years and belonged to my grandparents. If you look closely at the ornament on the right, you can see the remnants of a string that was used to tie it on their tree. The tree topper was also theirs and is one of my most treasured ornaments.

A friend made this corn shuck angel for me years ago — isn't she sweet!

This set of little gilt angels is very old, and a couple of them have broken wings, but I love them.

The sofa table in the living room ...

The gilt vase, brass tray, scales, cherub statue, and bookends were all flea market finds.

We've had this Nativity Candle for many years, and I can't remember where I got it. I haven't seen another one quite like it ...

I hope your "Things to Do" List is dwindling away, too, and you are enjoying the fun and meaningful part of the holidays.