Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Christmas Then & Now ~ Merry Christmas To You!

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I was going through photos of Christmas decorations that we had last year and comparing them to this year. Looking through these brought back a flood of memories...funny how a photo will do just that! Just thought I’d share some of last year's photos and then some from now. The dining room sure has made some transformation, too. These are from last year......


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P1010065a Precious Jordan, age 5.

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soft woodland entry table


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new chalis with holly P1010030This is the “sitting room before the dining room transformation.


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This is how the sitting (now dining room) looked last year. The old green hutch got painted white. The photos after this one are our decorations for this year. I have to admit, I love the room as it is now.


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This BEAUTIFUL quilt was sent to me, as a surprise, from a dear and sweet blogging friend, Sinta. She made this quilt and kindly shared it with us to “keep us warm and cozy” this Christmas. What a blessing….


Thank you, Sinta!


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Simple tree with burlap, dried hydrangeas, ornaments from friends, and pinecones that are from my mother’s yard. Kathy, there is the butterfly that you sent to me to put on the tree in memory of Jordan. I hung it with love from YOU.


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The Christmas morning table is set with the hand crocheted tablecloth that my dear Grandmother Katie made. For the center of the table, I flipped over a vintage green pottery bowl and put a plate on top to hold Santa and some red balls. The dishes are old pink and white restaurant dishes. For the chargers I used a 15” wreath from the Dollar Tree. (I love that store!). Each person gets an old creamer to hold their pancake syrup in.


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P1010140l Hold on to all of your memories…..


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and may you have a sweet and cozy little Christmas.

Best wishes from our cottage to yours....

Happy Birthday, Jesus!!


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48 comments:

Donna said...

Becky, Your dining room is beautiful! I love the coziness and vintage look of it all.
I received my Faith ornament and beautiful Angel card in the mail today :) What a sweet surprise! I will always have my faith. Since Amber's passing I have oftened wondered how people go on that do not believe in God. I know we will see each other again one day! Our children are spending the best Christmas in Heaven with Him.
Sending you big hugs!!
Blessings,
Donna

Janet said...

Becky,
Your home looks amazing ( as always), you have such a talent for putting iy all together.

I hope you and your family find peace this Christmas season and are able to find some happiness in the memories.

Janet

Martine said...

Beautiful then and now!!!


:) martine

Anonymous said...

Oh Becky, I agree with you, I love the room as a dining room and all of your vignettes. You know I have crowned you the Queen of Vignettes don't you?? Wear your crown proudly. I know this will be a most difficult Christmas for you. I am thinking of you, praying for you and your family that God will bless this Christmas and help you through. Keep holding onto all of the beautiful memories with Jordan.

Hugs,
LeAnn:)

Ann at the Handley Bungalow said...

What a beautiful post. Merry Christmas, Becky! Your home is so pretty. Your elf collection is so happy looking. Remember Christ came to show us the way we'll always be together...someday. Bless you!

marie said...

Hold onto your memories indeed! I'll be praying that your memories bring peace to your heart this Christmas.

I mentioned on my blog today just how much this "land of blog" has meant to me...I mentioned you too. You're one of the "brightest of stars" that I wrote of. Thank you so much for the joy that I sense each time I visit you.

Your trust in the Lord is a powerful witness to the faithfulness of God! Thank you so much for sharing your story...for sharing your heart.

Sue said...

Becky, Everything in this room looks so comfortable and cozy. It truly exudes the love that you have put into it. I like the re-painted china cabinet and all of your white and red/white transferware. The huge basket on the wall is definitely a wow factor, as are the tole trays. What do I NOT like?! *grin*
I hope you and your family have a blessed holiday. hugs, Sue

Dawn said...

Merry Christmas sweet Becky!
Hugs,
Dawn

Claudia said...

I so love your home, Becky. You have such a wonderful talent for collecting and display. And most importantly, it is cozy and warm and welcoming. I like the 'new' dining room. Just wonderful.

Have a Merry Christmas, Becky. I'm thinking of you and your family this holiday season and sending you hugs.

xo
Claudia

addie373 said...

Everything is beautiful!!!
Lovely pictures. They belong in a magazine, like Country Living or Better Homes and Gardens.
What a wonderful gift, thank you for sharing!
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
and God Bless you all!!!
Sheila

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Oh my goodness, I don't know where to start. Everything you are showing us here today is absolutely declicous. Your Christmas morning table setting is so lovely. How special you have made it for your family.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.

hugs~~Sissie

Jocelyn said...

Becky, I love your dining room. It is beautiful. All of your pictures are precious. Thanks so much for sharing them. Wishing you a very blessed Christmas. And may the Lord shower His Love and Peace on you this year.

Jocelyn

Carol said...

Becky, I'm sending you hugs & wishes for a blessed Christmas. Your pictures are beautiful.

Tanza said...

Hi Becky,
It is all soo beautiful !! LoVe all the vintage .. Your room looks soo dreamy in the lighter colors .. Soo PERFECT for decorating for Christmas !! I pray you and your family have a blessed, peaceful christmas .. You are in my heart and prayers ~ May you recieve HIS heavenly peace .. You are such a joy ~
Christmas hugs ~tea~xo

quiltingnana said...

everything looks so lovely. have a blessed Christmas

Millie said...

Your home is so inviting and warm..beautiful!
Have a wonderful Christmas, and may God bless your family.

Barb said...

Everything looks beautiful,I hope you and your family have a blessed christmas and I know your sweet angel Jordan is looking down on you....Barb

Brenda Pruitt said...

That quilt was such a wonderful and loving gift! I've made many, so I know a lot of time went into it. Your home is just lovely. I know this is a hard holiday for your family. I'm sending warm hugs from Texas!
Brenda

Sandy said...

Dear Becky,
Thank you so much for sharing photos of your Christmasy home! I love all the Santas and RED and just all the decorations. Everything is so pretty and set out just beautifully. Merry Christmas from our home to yours!

Teacup Lane (Sandy)

the wild raspberry said...

Merry Christmas Sweet Becky...
Your house is beautiful and so cozy.

Hope you have a wonderful holiday with friends and family.

Love you!

Chas

Vee said...

Simply wonderful and I loved it last year, but you've done something very special with that room. I am so glad that you are sharing your simple message to cherish your memories. I know that you are holding yours close this Christmas. Blessings to you and yours.

Old Centennial Farmhouse said...

Your pictures and your home and all your decorating are breathtaking, absolutely wonderful. I am thinking of you this year and sending you lots of love and prayers for a precious CHRISTmas with your family. Everything looks so wonderful at the table, I know you're probably as good a cook as you are a decorator!
XOXO
Joni

Elsie said...

Becky~ Your dining room was just as
beautiful last year as it is this
year. I love all your vintage stuff. All I can say is WOW!!!
Love it,Love it,Love it.
I will be thinking of you on
Christmas Day. God be with you
and your family this Christmas.
(((HUGS)))

Mimi Sue said...

Everything looks so beautiful. Warm and cozy and so you! Have a joyous Christmas with your family. Mimi

Rose Garden Romantic said...

Oh my goodness!!! I love it all~ especially all those wonderful vintage Santas!!
Michelle

Molly the Airedale said...

Your home is just beautiful all decorated for Christmas - so many beauties!
Merry Christmas, Becky!

Reflections from the Stone Nest said...

Oh so beautiful. Everything is just so lovely. Thanks for sharing your decorating pictures. Have a very blessed Christmas and a healthy and happy new year!

Blessings,
Kitty

ChaChaneen said...

Lurve the transformation! And that very last photo with the picture of the cabin and stream and the real cabin and bear in front of it... something about it is just lovely! Hope your enjoying your day before the eve of Christmas!

Julie said...

I so enjoyed looking at all the beautiful pictures. I love the scottie pictures you have. I have two old ones that I just love.

Merry Christmas!

Tracey Johnson said...

I've been reading your blog for quite some time. I sure enjoy looking at your cozy home. The colors and the vintage layers...love looking! Have a blessed Christmas.

Kathleen Grace said...

Becky I have always loved your style,but you have outdone yourself with the dining room redo! I love the dining room and it's beautiful natural look. It will look beautiful in any season. God bless you and your family this CHristmas and always:>)

JG said...

What a beautiful post! Your home is filled with love.

Libby Buttons said...

Beautiful. I really like the black n white cottage crewel work. O so cozy!
Wishing you a season of CoMfOrt & jOy!
LiBBy BuTTons

Susie Q said...

Your home is so glorious...I lobg to walk through each room and just peek and look and wow. What a treat that would be.


I will be thinking about you and your precious family and am sending you lots of wishes for a sweet, sweet day...

Merry Christmas dear friend...
Love,
Sue

Connie said...

Becky,
Your love shines throughout your home. Every thing just sparkles. I love vintage anything and your vingettes are absolutely stunning. The wreaths at the table are so unique and quaint. I love them. You are truly an angel of God and inspired us all on our daily walk with Him.
Merry Christmas Becky! May God easy your heart and fill you with loving peace as we celebrate His birthday.
Hugs,
Connie

cathleen said...

Becky, wanted you to know I am thinking of you. Your decorating is so elegant but with such a cozy touch of love. Merry Christmas to you and your family, sweet lady!

white o'morn cottage said...

What a beautiful post. I too have hung a momento on to the tree for my son. I have not lost him but have loaned him to Amsterdam this Christmas. I have lost other loved ones this past year though. I am thinking of you at this bittersweet time for us all. Love from Ireland...Pam

Into Vintage said...

*Sigh* Lovely as always. Thinking of you this Christmas Eve - wishing we were neighbors so we could have a cup of coffee and a chat. Merry Christmas Sweet Miss B. -amy

Jean said...

Becky you know there is nothing I love anymore than looking at your lovely home past and present. It all is beautiful, cheerful and welcoming. I hope you and your family have a blessed and happy Christmas. Remember there ARE Angels among us.
Love and Joy and peace, Jean in Virginia

Julie said...

Merry Christmas Becky! I am a true follower of your blog. I love your home. It is so cozy and warm. God bless you and your family.

Betty said...

Becky your home is as sweet and warm as you are. Sending you a big Christmas hug!

Unknown said...

Hi Becky. I was just over at Marie's blog Spun By Me and saw that you won the Target gift card. When I saw your adorable blog button, I just knew I had to come find out for myself just who this lucky girl was. So Congratulations on the win. I'm so glad I came to peek. I just love your blog. I adore the banner. And your collect of Scotties, both real & art are beautiful. I can see I'm going to be coming back alot just to read all your past posts. Love your vintage collections and style.

I hope you had a lovely Christmas and that the New Year will bring you blessings and joy.

Hugs...Your new follower ~ Tracy :)

Simply Debbie said...

DEAR BECKY,
IT WAS SO HEART WARMING AND EXCITING, AND HOMEY,AND BEAUTIFUL TO TOUR YOUR HOME WITH YOU. I AGREE, YOU ARE CROWNED QUEEN OF GORGEOUS VIGNETTES. THE ONE THAT TOOK MY BREATH AWAY IS THE BUTTERFLY GIVEN BY YOUR FRIEND CATHY IN HONOR OF JORDAN.
THE LOVE OF FAMILY AND HOME SHINE BRIGHTLY. I KNOW JORDAN WAS THERE CHEERING YOU ON AND BRINGING A LITTLE LAUGHTER.
THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR BEAUTIFUL HOME. YOU INSPIRE ME, ENCOURAGE ME, AND OUR FAITH AND LOVE FOR OUR CHILDREN UNITES US.
YOU ARE VERY PRECIOUS.
LOVE
ANGEL HUGS
DEBBIE

Denise said...

Just made me cry...... Sending tender loving wishes to your precious heart.........

DeDe said...

Your home is so comfy cozy! Love the table set to beautifully. I'm also enjoying the pics of your vintage Santas! So cute

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and a joyous New Year!

Amy said...

Becky...We just got back from from our Christmas travels last night. What a lovely surprise to find your card in the mail. I love the 'faith' book mark and I will cherish it forever. I also want to thank you for your kindness on helping me with my blog. I was feeling a little hopeless there for a while and you got me rolling! Thank you very much Becky. I think of you often and I hope you feel the love so many of us have for you. Your words always have a way of comforting us when all we want to do is comfort you. You're a very special friend. Peace to you and your family this upcoming year. Your house is decorated just lovely and I wish Christmas could go on for another month or so. You've inspired me to add some new decorations. I guess that's part of the fun of hunting down those vintage treasures during the year so we can put them up the following Christmas!! I hope that nasty grinch gets his for leaving that virus in your computer! ~amy

Jennifer Hayslip said...

Becky,
Oh my goodness! Your Christmas home is BEAUTIFUL!!!! I love your Christmas tree and ALL your ADORABLE vintage santas!!! Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful holiday home with us!!! Happy New Year!! XO,Jenn

homes in philippines said...

Looking at the photo, a great idea I've got another slew of great ideas foe decorating my next Christmas Tree. Thanks for the post.

Deirdre G