Wednesday, December 16, 2009

This Small House

Yesterday, Miss T and Amy did a tour of their ornaments and holiday decor. I found I was a little envious of Miss T's village yarn shop, but she was nice enough to let me know where she bought this piece. Thank you Miss T. When I commented to Amy (you have to check out her cool ornaments) that I'd found a couple of different things to do with candles and ornaments this year, she expressed a desire to see. My home is so cramped that I can't use them all the way I typically do, so I had to think outside the box.

The fireplace tiles are from Pewabic pottery. They're beautiful and deserving of a little primping.

This gas fireplace doesn't work, so I came up with a creative way to light a fire. One quick trip to Home Goods and I was the owner of a lot of white candles. Even when not lit, the candles fill the room with the scent of vanilla. It makes me want to bake, but like the non working fireplace, the stove doesn't work well either, and I fear there will be no baking this year.

One of the poinsettia plants were a gift from the doctors I work with. They gave all of us one of these beauties and I went out and bought one to match. To me, a plant is better than a lot of tasteless commercial sugar cookies which were the typical fare from doctors when I worked in a hospital. They're gorgeous and huge. I placed them on the hearth because, well, there is no space elsewhere.

Feeling imperfect? Fear not! I won't judge you, and I won't throw you out like yesterday's trash. Things like this one eyed deer are endearing to me. I can't explain, but year after year, this little fellow has a place on the tree so of course, there he is. It wouldn't be Christmas without him. Did I mention he's ancient? He is.

I love this snowman Rachel made in school. It was a gift for Christmas one year, and it's a favorite. Now I know Rachel was mostly the helper and the staff did all the making, but it reminds me that there are those who toil many long hours to help my daughter make something that most kids would find simple. It's humbling. I'm grateful. This snowman will be dear to my heart, always.

No room on the tree for ornaments? Stick them in a clear vase and call it decor. And yes, I was sipping coffee from Debra's mug in the lower right corner there while walking around channeling Martha Stewart.

Danny Thomas used to say, 'He who denies his heritage has no heritage," so I'm showing half of mine off here. I received a set of camel ornaments from my sister and gave the small one to my daughter. Even though this one is too large for my CB tree, it still had to go up. The big ass camel is around here somewhere. I brought him inside from the front porch, where my son had worried for his safety all summer; he was certain someone would come up on the porch and steal him.

No knitter's home is complete without sheep. Baaah. Maybe next year I'll have the yarn shop village piece and a place to put it on display.


When space is limited, you can decorate your feet. Another frivolous Target purchase, but one that amuses me.

While I'm lamenting the lack of space this year, and missing my spiffy gas stove, I'm setting aside a little time to be thankful for what I do have and looking ahead to the beginning of the year. At a time when banks are being stingier than Scrooge on collection day, we were pre-approved for a mortgage today and the hunt for new digs and a fluffy new dog will begin in earnest.

Yes Rudee, there is a Santa Claus.


14 comments:

Jane said...

What fantastic news, look forward to the house hunting. Love the fire place. I have vanilla candles in my bedroom, I love them

Jeannette StG said...

You are right, the little deer is cute. So happy for your pre-approval!

Kathleen said...

Brilliant ideas! Feel free to use your decorations at my abode, where nothing as been decorated as of yet. The shame!

I have something all ready for you! w00t! But I have 3 horrible terrible very bad days and haven't made it to the post office.

Soon...

Anonymous said...

Oh, I love it all. Especially the reindeer, and Rachel's snowman.

Anonymous said...

Oh Rudee fantastic news. I am so glad for you. Happy house hunting. You did a great job on your decor. The most beautiful tree in the world means nothing without the ones you love. I was just thinking how beautiful the poinsettias are. Good for the docs. I love the camel.
QMM

Miss T said...

Good news! I absolutely love your fireplace tile, and that wicked cool blue lamp. (You mentioned the color green? Right back atcha.) And the ornaments are wonderful--the deer looks like he's winking, and the camel is especially charming.

SkippyMom said...

Nicely done Rudee - I am loving the fireplace and your [hee] feet! I just keep adding decor everyday...I can't get enough of it.

Very exciting about the mortgage, can't wait to see you house hunting. :)

Could you come visit me? I am having another give away and I think you have room :)

Rositta said...

Very nice Rudee. I've done no decorating at all this year, sigh. My neighbour put a wreath on my front door because she thought it looked "naked". I hope you enjoy your house hunting and find some real cool digs...ciao

Stephanie V said...

Love those tiles! The decorating is slow here, too. Next weekend - for sure!

Brenda said...

I see why you would be envious of Miss T's knitting store. I love minatures and even though I don't have anything like that, I would be very tempted to have that one and a quilting store one. I have some spare eyes for your reindeer if you want them...but maybe the missing one has its own story. Rachel's snowman would be one of my favorites also. I think you did great on decorating, and what wonderful news about your search for a home!!!!!

Celia said...

OMG! I died laughing when I saw the one-eyed raindeer. I have a one-eyed snow man. As crafty as I am, I haven't given it a new set of eyes, and I've had it for three years.

Rose said...

Wow, the glass vase looks gorgeous! Congrats on the mortgage approval. Good luck on the hunt. Cute slippers too; Target has everything, doesn't it? I need to stay away.......

Darci said...

Thanks for the tour!

sandy said...

Fun post seeing your decor. Have fun house hunting.