Finally Some Christmas Pics of My Own!!

14 years ago

Late . . . very late, but because tomorrow is Twelfth Night, the last day of Christmas in my book, I'm not too late, am I?

I spent the first couple of weeks in December getting caught up, after so much time initially on DD's huge madrigal dinner production and all, but it was a good, good Christmas for us. DS was home from the Army on leave and I actually had time to spend with friends and family. I decorated pretty much the entire house again. And, thanks to all your talented help this past year, I set some very decent tables, too. But, I was so busy cooking and visiting with everyone, I kept forgetting to take pictures of them! I seriously need major help in photographing my tables and decs, as so many of them came out blurred, but this is what I do have.

Lynn

Christmas Morning Breakfast table:

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I ordered the dish set from one of the major museum catalogs several years ago to give as a wedding gift, but ended up keeping them for myself, I liked them so much! We had my special coffee cake that I make every year at this time, turkey bacon, OJ, coffee and eggnog and scrambled eggs with salsa . . . this is the Southwest, you know ;^D

This is our living room fireplace mantel. Although the room itself is Eclectic in it's decor, the large painting over the mantel is very Southwestern and the usual holiday decs there look weird. So, I go natural instead. This year, I've incorporated the three little cardinal statues I bought earlier in the Fall, thanks to the heads-up from somebody here. Sorry, I can't recall who, but thank you!!

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To the right of the fireplace is a small sitting area. I haven't added any Christmas decs to it, but I think the Indian madonna and the Winter pueblo scene in the batik painting (from NM artist Alice Valdez) look especially lovely ~ and appropriate~ during the Christmas Season.

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Our main Christmas tree is to the left of the fireplace in here. Although I know that a SW themed tree would look great there, I refuse to go that route. Our tree is always 'The Story of Us'. It's covered with every ornament my kids ever made us, every ornament we've collected on our vacations, small photos of us from Christmases past, ornaments we've inherited, the baby elf slippers I made DD. I used the same Fischer Price mobile (ten years apart) for both my kids and couldn't bear to throw those memories away, so I took the plastic animals from it, threaded ribbon through the holes and have used them ever since as tree ornaments. I am a sentimental fool, but we all love and cherish this special tree of ours every year.

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BTW, speaking of "natural", this is the framed photo from our friend and well-known NM photographer, Phil Sonier (pronounced sone-YEAH). It was the Christmas gift from my parents, although I picked it out myself. We collect Phil's work. You've probably seen the two I have in our guest room. Anyhoo, this is his most famous piece, "Watcher in Woods", and I love it. We've since hung it in our family room. Isn't it wonderful?

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Over the picture window to the left of our living room tree I've hung an old ornament dec that I've added a bow and things to, and another bird painting. BTW, the walls in our house, inside and out, are all real adobe bricks. As you can see in this pic, the inside walls are exposed adobe brick painted a warm cream color.

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Give me a mintue to add the last of my pics in another post here, as I'm worried about losing these.

Lynn

Our kitchen is a bit more whimsical, as our 15 y/o DD still needs these kind of decs. Here's her Advent Tree in the area behind our sink. I took this after Christmas when all the ornaments had been added.

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To the right are decs my good friend made us one year. It's painted on an old screen:

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To the left is my nutcracker collection:

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Even the glass-fronted cabs in our kitchen were decorated for the season:

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Below these cabs I have the cutest little Christmas Bear dec that my mom sent me a few years ago. I deliberately overexposed this pic so that you crafters could see all the details. There are tiny watch battery-operated rice lights on the tree, but they've died and I haven't been able to locate replacements yet:

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Comments (15)

lynninnewmexico
Original Author
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
OK, thank goodness I didn't lose that first post. I always worry about that on the long ones!

In our family room, we always have a mix of Spanish and Southwestern . . . which is very common out here in New Mexico! This rustic Nativity candelabra was a gift from my SIL last Christmas. I think it works really well on our family room's kiva fireplace:
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On the credenza in here, I've just added our reindeer, sitting on a handwoven runner from Chimayo, NM.
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On our soapstone and wrought iron coffee table I made this pitiful arrangement. I kept meaning to ask you all for some suggestions to make it work better, but never got around to it. I found the reindeer candleholder at HL this year. The petrified wood (gorgeous!) was a gift to DH this year from a geologist patient of his. We LOVE this gift! It actually looks ten times more beautiful IRL . . . and is ten times as heavy as it looks, too!
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Our tree in here is more Spanish. It sits on the counter between the family room and kitchen and is sunk into an old pot I antiqued a few years ago.
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Our foyer has a new wreath this year. I'm allergic to real greenery, and was glad to find this very realistic one at HL . . . on sale for half off!
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The rustic hutch there is always decorated with the Christmas Village I made many years ago. I also made the crewel work above it. DD ended up pulling down some of the smaller snow people from my laundry room to use in here. She's my own little Martha Stewart, that girl!
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The Shaman got a wreath as well. It looks more realistic IRL and has pinecones you don't see, too:
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Above a doorway in the foyer, this was painted by a friend for us. I should have spent more time hiding the wire hanger, I see!
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A quick peek into the laundry room. Snowman collection to the left; Santa collection to the right:
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And finally, my dining room. Our creche on the buffet:
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Our chandelier is pewter and this year I dressed it in greens with ice crystal branches and berries. BTW, the hanging lights you see under the greenery are actually our icicle lights hanging out on our front portal:
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For our big Christmas Day dinner, I used the silver trees I bought last year, some of my growing collection of mercury glass, various ornaments, greenery, and my favorite silver ice bucket. (Sigh) with the table being 9 1/2 feet long, the tablescape down the middle did NOT look crowded, although it does in these pics. I'm so disappointed that they didn't turn out better! But, our Christmas dinner was wonderful: Pecan Crusted Beef Tenderloins, Potatoes Dauphine with Wild Mushrooms, Jumbo Shrimp Cocktails, etc., etc. For dessert I made my English Trifle with fresh blackberries and homemade custard. Yumm! No pics of the actual dinner, though, as I had a housefull of hungry company and family waiting to sit down and eat ;^D
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Our built-in dining room hutch was set up as a dessert bar for snacking during the rest of the evening, with various chocolates, my homemade biscochito cookies (a New Mexican tradition) and mulled cider and wines. I took this pic before our company arrived and before the drinks were added. Thank goodness, as I never got a chance for any more pics that evening!
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I hope that I didn't overwhelm you with pics, but as I said earlier, it's almost Twelfth Night and time to move on to Winter and Valentine decs next!
Lynn
lynninnewmexico
Original Author
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I forgot some.
DD has a 7' slim tree in her room, but she doesn't weant me to show you pics of it. It just has her own collection of ornaments she's collected over the years from our various trips. DS had one,too, but at 25 y/o and in the Army now, is not too keen on having it up lately.
This is the New Mexico tree in our Western guest room. I saw these trees at HL this season and then saw them again used a lot at all the homes we saw on our Christmas home tour. I found them on sale for half off at HL and bought this one. Most of the ornaments were made by local New Mexican artists.
BTW, that's another Phil Sonier photo above the longhorn chair.
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I even decorate our powder room some:
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Tks for the kind words about my Houdi. Also, Tks for the all the props--what a good way to start the new year--it can be a challenge keeping up with all of you and what's posted on a daily bases. Oldalgebra - the 3 Wise Men are from HSN. From what I gather, they have them every now and then in limited supply and the set was around $100., They were available late last summer/early fall. It seems of late I've been adding a "quality" Santa yrly - this yr, my friend sent me the big Napoleon "Bee' Santa above the little lamp I put together. Oh, I got the cherubs last yr, and I did leave them out because I enjoyed them. Karen - Yes I did the small tree w/gold leaves myself, believe me, it looked better, but the cats kept trying to take it down...they love the bling! Those gold ivy leaves were another after Xmas purchase bought cheaply en masse yrs back. Finally I said enough was enough--it is what it is! Yes. Tigger is big, he's bigger than his daddy, even the "runt" Gizmo turned into a big kitty. Selena the dog has a cat gene--she likes them, and even makes friends with strays if they're receptive. She's also friends with the birds, squirrels and a possum. They are big! I would have preferred to use them on the flr, and by the tree, but not this yr, the cats are still too young. Luvs - I'm surprised the crystal drop tree was left alone. My late mom would pick up those chandelier crystal whenever she found them cheaply. Like my Santa collection--which my mom started, you add one or two yrly and after a few yrs you have something. pdg777 - I found if you get enough of like things such as decorative picks, sprays,etc--it becomes easier to create a look...or at least punt! lynnencfan - the kids/snowman and vignettes in the display cases are from QVC/Valerie Parr Hill. Their quality is superb and they weren't too $$ either. Another gift/acquisition this yr. nana2010 - Anytown USA,LOL Tks forhgtv - yes the cats will keep me busy and will "help" when I take things down...in their special very own cat way, meaning, check boxes/totes before sealing! oakleyok - RE; Pointer pic, maybe in the will ;-)I agree, Mercury glass does go so well with Christmas decorating. Mine are from Wisteria. I didn't do it this yr, I put a string of battery operated lights inside and they glow. It creates another nighttime look. slinkey - There's a Where's Waldo in pic 14 down, Ms K is down near the flr behind the cabinet leg next to the blu & wht jar. jeannespines - LOL,I'm glad you see elegant--I see chairs w/cat patina, and pieces mended/glued, scratches...aka gentle decay! I work with what I have and try to it make it work - Tks for the compliments. phonegirl - Thk you. Kind words do help ease the pain. excessfroufrou - Normally the deerhead/wreath is where the mirror/crystal tree is, as the mirror hides the heavy screws needed to hold the deerhead on the wall. I found I could do the same above the sofa, the big pic that's normally there will hide the screws and nails used. I had those display cases for 3 yrs before I could figure out what to do w/them--they're big! Adding the marble beneath actually helped the look. I can't wait to do something w/the epergne next yr - the cats think it's their new feeding bowls--they keep checking it out to see if I've put anything in there for them. The friend who gave to me suggested Fancy Feast! My look isn't for everyone, but it sure makes it fun to share with people who get it.
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excessfroufrou
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Of course your not too late, we've been looking foward to your pix. It's nice that you had such and busy and special Chrristmas with your family. I'm glad you kept those dishes for yourself, their perfect for your house. All of your natural decorations are beautiful and fitting for your beautiful home. I'm about to get started on the redbirds, I still have one on my screensaver at work. It's nice to see you use your special memories for decorating your tree, they really mean the most. That snowman screen in your kitchen is adorable, what a talented friend you have. And your food looks and sounds delish. I want to thank you for helping me appreciate southwestern decor, I way under appreciated it before, it is so serene and earthy. Good job posting all the pix, I know how frustrating it is some times.
Syble
jaybird
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
You still beat me...last year I didn't get my Christmas pictures on until mid year :^).
Your home is beautiful and the decorations just enhance that!!
Thanks for sharing with us!
J
luckygal
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Couldn't be too late, ever, for such wonderful pics! I've always loved your SW style and it's really nice to see you use Christmas decor that enhances it.

Love your dishes, all your artwork, of course - that wolf pic is amazing photography and the red check ribbon really adds that extra touch, the Madonna and entire vignette in that corner is so simple and sweet, new foyer wreath is lovely, of course I love your rustic hutch and how you've done it up, your DR chandy and tablescape are wonderful - nice and glittery but tasteful.

Is there a story behind the old window on your powder room wall? Very unique piece. I love old windows done well.

Link to various battery lights that might work altho not seed lights.

Here is a link that might be useful: battery lights
milosmom_gw
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Not to late at all.
So many beautiful decorations, I can't pic a favorite.
dreamgoddess
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Lynne, it's always a pleasure to see photos of your home. It looks so warm and inviting. My favorite is always your village with the beautiful crewel above it.
phonegirl
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Lynne, I love your dishes you kept so unique. I enjoyed all of your decorations. I really like the ice crystals and berries with the greenery. It's neat how your outside lights show up. Your village is so nicely set up on your hutch and agree with Dream about your picture. It's all lovely. Punk
Purplemoon
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Its impossible to be 'too late'. Heck, I'd be thrilled to see Christmas decor photos in JULY. What a treat seeing all your decorating! I keep going back to see what I missed. Its a given I love your Nutcracker collection and your reindeer statues!! Your little bear decorating his tree is absolutely adorable. The way you did your Village I really love. (I still miss not having my Village out this year. Next year it will NOT stay packed, even if it means just getting out a few pieces to enjoy!) The plates at your breakfast setting are wonderful. Glad you kept them! Your main Christmas tree is the best kind...a Memory Tree! (Luvs was the one who found the cardinals at Dollar Tree and sent a bunch of us on a hunt for them. LOL.) The wolf art is fabulous! I love them but don't collect them (well, I do have TWO, but two is a pair, not a collection. LOL)
Gosh, such a treat coming on here tonight and seeing all the pictures. Thank you.

hugs, Karen
kathleen_li
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Beautiful, Lynn..no detail overlooked..
Glad you shared them with us!
jeannespines
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
lynninnm...Thank you for the wonderful Christmas tour of your home! I appreciate the art in your home...love the new photo print from your parents! Your home is very beautiful and your decor reflects the love put into it.

The tablescape is amazing! Love the chandy! I spent a week with friends vacationing in NM some yrs. ago & appreciate SW art & decor. TFS your home! Jeanne S.
luvstocraft
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Lynne, I'm actually glad you didn't have time to share your pics until now--such a nice treat just when I was afraid all the gorgeous Christmas decor was gone for another year! Those dishes are very unique--I'm glad you kept them for yourself too. Everything looks so nice and very tastefully done. Your village is great on that rustic cabinet, as is the creche under the picture of the Madonna and child. I'm so glad your son got to be home for Christmas, and so glad you had such a nice holiday with family and friends. TFS. Luvs
plainjane425
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Lynn...this truly was worth the wait.
Every area of your home is decorated just beautifully.
I always enjoy taking a 'tour' of everything you do.
I love your 'Family Tree' and what a nice thought and keepsake, to take the little mobile apart and create ornaments with it.
Your tablesettings for both your breakfast and dinner are just lovely.
You've managed to cover every area of your home with such lovely warm touches..and it's so nice reading the little stories behind many of your things.
I'm so glad you posted your pictures for us to see. Like they say... 'Better Late Than Never'...and this did not disappoint!

jane
oldalgebra
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Lynne,
I love this post. Honestly, I feel like I've been a guest in your house over the holidays. Glad you took the time to show us all your decorated spaces. I like the skinny trees. What does HL stand for?

The breakfast Christmas dishes are very unique. I can see whey they ended up on your table and not the bride's! And I like how you paired them with the plaid placemats.

Great job on the chandelier. When I read about the icicle lights outside, it reminded me of when I had our outdoor chandelier rewired so that it had a single outlet near the inside of it's base. During holidays and parties I can add a small string of lights to the fixture. Of course, it voided the UL safety rating.

Your Christmas dinner sounds wonderful. I like crusted anything, but beef tenderloin would be my red meat favorite. English Trifle for dessert!!! Is that hard to make?

Thanks again for taking the time to give us a tour.
lynninnewmexico
Original Author
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Thank you for all your kind words. It means a lot to me. I do have to chuckle at myself, though. I got my dates off with everyone home for so many days over the holidays. *Yestereday* was Twelfth Night, not today! I do know that it's the 6th, but thought that today was the 6th! Oh well.

Syble: Yes, my good friend is a great crafter. She's made me many decs over the years, including the two Christmas Bear candy jars that you can see next to the kitchen sink.

Jaybird: too funny! I'd forgotten how late you were posting last year's Christmas pics. We can be The Late Team here ;^D

Luckygal: thanks for your comps and for the link, too. As for the painting on the antique window in my powder room, it's a piece I bought from an artist here many years ago. It's a reverse painting of three santos (saints). I LOVE paintings on old windows, and paintings and photos of interesting windows, as well. I wonder what some psychiatrist would say about us because of that(LOL)?

Milosmom: thank you, that's such a sweet thing to say!

DG: Now you can see why your wonderful tablescape using your own Christmas village pieces excited and inspired me so much. I'm already planning on using some of my pieces next year on a holiday table. What a great idea, DG!

Phonegirl: thanks, I'm loving those dishes, too. They look so cozy and honey to me.

Karen, I'm glad my pics aren't too late, thanks! I do love our family tree. I should have included a pic of the F-P "ornaments". They really are cute. I'm glad you remembered that it was Luvs who alerted us about the cardinals. I'll thank her in a minute, as I love how great they work on my mantel. As for your Christmas Village, maybe we can both try using some of our pieces in a tablescape, a la DreamGoddess', next year. Gosh, that was a great table idea!

Kathleen: thanks! Will you give us a little seminar someday soon on photographing tablescapes? Either here or on your blog? I do remember you telling me to use a tripod. I need to do that, as many of my pics were blurry again this year. Any more helpful hints would be MUCH appreciated!

Jeanne: I'm glad you and others here can appreciate our Southwestern decorating. I can imagine how different it could look to people not from here. As for my newest Phil Sonier photo, we're really enjoying it. This is the one Coldwater Creek used on it's catalogs for years. Phil told me that he actually saw it on a billboard advertising CWC when he was in Kenya once! That's a loooong way from Albuquerque! When it first came out on CWC, there was this big debate as to whether it was a wolf or a bear. I knew right away, but Phil confirmed it to me himself . . . it's a wolf.

Luvs: and thank you for the great heads up on those cardinals! What a great buy for so little money. Yes, it was the best gift to have our DS home with us over Christmas. I miss him already.

Jane: your compliments mean a lot to me, as I'm a huge fan of your own decorating and tablescaping talents. Thank you.

OA: You can come anytime and be be a real guest here! "HL" is short for the store chain, Hobby Lobby.
The Pecan Crusted Beef Tenderloins were fabulous. We found the recipe in Food & Wine. As for my trifle, no it's not hard, but it does take a while to get it all together. I first slice pound cake into long, thin, 1/4" slices and let them dry out a bit. Then I spread half of them with seedless raspberry jam, cover them with the other half and cut into 1" cubes. I sprinkle them with Marsala wine and then layer them in a large, footed, clear glass trifle bowl. The layers are the pound cake cubes, my homemade custard, fresh berries and tiny mint leaves, and broken (real, Italian) Amaretti cookies. I top it with mounds of fresh whipped cream, toasted slivered almonds, berries and mint leaves. Back in Victorian time, it was called a Tipsy Trifle because liquor was used in it. Anyhoo, it's wonderful and we all love it every Christmas Day dinner. Let me know if you ever want the recipe itself.
Lynn

Finally Some Christmas Pics of My Own!!

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lynninnewmexico
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Finally Some Christmas Pics of My Own!!

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