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.