The Great Decorating of 2011

If you've read my blog for a while, you know Christmas is my favorite holiday and I go all out. In fact, probably 80% of the tubs in my attic...are Christmas tubs.

But this year, with the house being on the market and me being so busy, I decided to dial down the decor. Yes. THIS is dialed down. Don't ask.

I actually went to buy a new tree for my bedroom. I usually put up a full size one, but this year I wanted a smaller one that would take up less room. So for fifteen bucks, I found this darling white tree. My first white tree! (It was prelit and now I remember why I hate those trees. Didn't work when I pulled it out of the box. Never fear. I fixed it!)
The lovely Rachel Ashley gave me this cute little tree for my office last year (because it sorely lacked Christmas spirit) - and this year I decided to put it in my bathroom. I need to go find some little silvery ornaments to put on it, although I think it's pretty festive on its own.

More on this tomorrow...but when Angela came to see me for what ended up being the last time, she brought with her a box of Christmas decorations, because she knew I'd love them. I cried when I opened the attic door and saw that box sitting there; I decided to make a special tribute area to her. I started to take down the picture frame, because it's "year round decor" but then I took a second look. It's a poem my friend Sarah wrote several years ago, called A Woman of God. I thought it so fit Angela, that I just left it up.

The dining room tree. This is the one that used to be in my bedroom. I put the s'more ornaments on it - and it works out really well because this tree is actually big enough to hold their weight. Added some red and green balls - just need a topper!

This usually looks better. :( I put out the family Bible and the new little nativity scene I bought out in Greensburg when I was there for Thanksgiving.

I've been looking for a nativity scene for a while, and when I saw this one, I loved it. It reminds me of the book The Best Christmas Pageant Ever - which was one of my favorite books when I was growing up.

The living room tree - love it.

The fireplace. Feel like it needs a little something more but I"m not sure what. Maybe candles. Braeya and I are all ready!

I was sad when I opened one of the tubs and found Kaegan's little stocking on top. Hadn't planned to do this but just couldn't bring myself to pack it away, so I put it in his favorite spot - under the tree - and added his picture and magnet.

In the guest room - a little smattering of gift boxes.

The guest room tree - which used to be in the downstairs bathroom. It's already been knocked over once and an ornament broken. One guess as to why....

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! :)