Monday, December 15, 2008

Christmas Tour of Homes 2008


Well, I was totally going to be a party poop this year and miss out on the annual Boomama Christmas Tour of Homes. See, I've been feeling just a smidge behind this year and in my efforts to make this year as stress free as possible, I thought I'd just quietly skip it. But, who am I kidding?! I can't pass a great party by!

So welcome, welcome!

Watch your step on the entrance stairs. It just dumped snow for 2 days and we worked really hard to clear the step for you! That's the great deal of a wreath I was telling you about and if you want to see the planters without 6 inches of snow on them you can just take a peek here. Just ignore the weird colored square on the house. I tried to match the house color but, well, after 6 tries this is what I got and remember my mantra. Stress free, stress free! :v)

But let's get indoors. It's a little brisk on this -29*C (-20*F) with that wind it's like -40*C &F, so come, warm up. To the right is the living room and these little guys are visible and here to greet you as you come in the front door.




Let's go to the kitchen which to the right, first. We need a nice coffee to carry around to warm you up. Help yourself to eggnog to put in it if you like or maybe a nice flavored coffee syrup? There's several to choose from. Of if you'd rather, there's chai tea or hot chocolate. And that wonderful smell? There's double chocolate pecan biscotti cooling off to dip into your hot drink.



As you're dolling up your coffee you can see that my Santa Christmas countdown is wrong. Yeah, did I mention I was a bit behind? I'm even behind on moving the snowflake to the right date. LOL. Oh well. Stress free, right?

If you look up, you can see one of my favorite Christmas knick knacks. It's a nesting doll nativity. It's found places to sit over the years but I like it in the kitchen because now I have a nativity in there too.This is just a small part of my snowman collection. It just keeps a growing.
My table are is really simple. Mostly because of the dayhome kids. No runners or tablecloths because they usually pull on it. Table stuff is all within reach. But take a look at this cool little guy. He's actually a candle. Just lift off his hat and there it is. And those are teeny tiny little "presents" scattered around him. On the last day of dayhome before Christmas I'll swap him out for beautiful ruby red candle holders with tall slim candles and a ruby red floating candle holder. Something a little more grown up. :v)


Bring your coffee, we'll move to the living room. On the cupboard beside my little greeters hang hubby's and my stockings on the side and this humungous stocking on the front. That is the stocking that they brought my best Christmas present ever to me on Christmas afternoon 14 years ago. My beautiful girl, Tia, came to me inside this stocking with a little knitted Santa hat on her head, after they checked her all out, gave her a bath and put a little nightgown on her. The cutest present ever. Now she gets a birthday present wrapped in her special sock.

Here's the nativity on my mantle. Love, love, love it.

My whole mantel. I'm thrilled I finally found stocking clips that have nothing on the tops to interfere with my nativity. It took me years to find these and what's better? I got them at 60% off! Yipee!
Here's more of my snowman collection on the end table. The house holds a tealight and when lit the windows glow with warmth.




My coffee table. I love greenery with berries, pinecones and birds. And finally last, but not least my tree. Not a "theme" or designer tree, but a precious "memory" tree. If you see big empty spaces it's because we left spots so that my oldest, whose away at school, can hang her ornaments when she gets home for Christmas. We offered to do it for her, but she insisted she wanted to. I love that the traditions that I started for my kids are important to them.


And this is a special new ornament for this year. A friend gave it to me. It's actually made out of a duck egg and is very fragile. So it's way out of reach of little hands to say the least.

The sentiment upon it I give to you: Merry Christmas. And may you be blessed with love, joy, health and peace this Christmas season and may you know the love that gave Jesus, the greatest gift of all.

Now I'll let you get on your way. I know you have HUNDREDS more houses to visit. Thanks so much for coming by. Have fun with your tour visiting!

49 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your house is lovely! Thank you for having me! The nativity is my favorite; it's beautiful :) Merry Christmas!!

Anonymous said...

Merry CHRISTmas! I loved touring your house. I think it is neat that you can run a day care and still have an ornament made out of a real duck egg!

Stop by my house! I'm giving free tours only today :)
Caroline

ellen b. said...

Hi Susanne, I'm so glad you posted. I love your porch and your nesting nativity is very cool and I really love your nativity on your mantle. Your house is really looking like Christmas. Enjoy your week...

Barbie @ Mamaology said...

Your home has such a cozy and clean feel to it. I love the colors of your walls. And that little penguin candle on your table....soo cute!

Oh and your entrance is so welcoming:).

Man -40 degrees BRRRRRRR!

Brenda Susan said...

Your home & decorations a beautiful! I too had a hard time finding stocking hagers that were plain on top, finaly gave up! I love your big nativity, it is wonderful!

Jamie said...

It's all beautiful! I especially love the nativity!!!

Anonymous said...

Wow what a warm and cozy house....so nice with all your cold weather. I really like you tree, and the nativity is lovely. What a great reminder.

Barb said...

The story behind the giant red stocking is adorable, Susanne. What a sweet idea.

Your home is so nice. I love all your Christmas things.

But my favorite thing of all is that paint square on the front of your house. That's not even CLOSE, Susanne. LOL

Merry Christmas and thank you for inviting us inside on such a cold night!

Too funny - the word verification letters are "dortlers." Sounds like something you'd find on top of a geeky reindeer's head, doesn't it?

Faith said...

I LOVE that you give your daughter a gift inside the stocking....that is just so precious!
Loved the tour...I especially like your mantel...gorgeous.
Happy Christmas

Kelli said...

Merry Christmas sweet friend! It's beautiful, and I'm so glad you posted!

Anonymous said...

I love the story of the big stocking, adorable! and love love love the clock!

Willow said...

I'm enjoying my visits around the tour of homes. I'm not showing mine--nothing is out at my house except the advent candles.

Much Ado said...

Aw, so inviting....can I come to your house for Christmas??? ;) I teared up at the stocking story about Tia - how special is that!

Also if it's any consolation....my calendar is always on the wrong day, the students come in a change it for me though! I am glad you found time to do the Tour this year, I enjoyed my visit! I had to skip it this year but funny how I still had time to look at a few!!! :)

Anonymous said...

Your home is lovely . I have a Christmas baby, too. My Ben was born Christmas Eve 16 years ago. I wish he was packaged up as cute as your Tia. What a nice story.

Susan said...

I love the nesting doll nativity!

PastormacsAnn said...

Oh, I'm so glad that you decided to party. Your home looks so lovely all decked out for Christmas. I would love to have stopped by for an actual visit. This will have to do I suppose.

Brenda said...

Your house is SO pretty and welcoming, but I have to know. . .how do you keep the kids from stealing the "presents" from around the snow man?

Goldilocks said...

Thank you, your house is beautiful! Are the nesting Dolls from Russia?

Anonymous said...

Y'got those halls all decked! Love it. Nicely done. Merry Christmas!

Kelley said...

Your home is just lovely. I really like that glass snowman on the table.

Islandsparrow said...

You're doing very well for saying that you are behind! You have more decorated than I do - I have the lights on the tree and that's it. I hope to finish it today.

We've been reading about the deep freeze out west - keep warm!

xo
k

Twinmommy2boys said...

I have two, two year olds and I can't put anything on tables around here or they think it's fair game. I love the little snowman candle on the table.

Cyndee@Riezzee's Place said...

Thank you for the tour and "beautiful" weather you sent our way. We missed out on the snow, but the cold is here to stay!

I love you decorations! We went simple this year. If I find time I will try to post some photos myself.

Robin said...

Good for you - joining the tour this year! It didn't happen for me.

I love your entryway - it's so beautiful and inviting.

And your nativity is gorgeous. The plam trees are a perfect touch and really add to it. I never thought of adding palm trees before!

Searching for God in the everyday said...

I love your nesting nativity. That is really cool! Thanks for opening your home to us. Merry Christmas!

Sonya said...

I love the nesting Nativity scene. I've never seen one like that before. Merry Christmas!

Melanie @ This Ain't New York said...

Thanks for having us over!

I love the nativity nesting dolls. Those are just precious.

Laura said...

So pretty Susanne. I remember you showing us a picture of your cute little girl in her stocking, how perfect is that!

Loved how you saved spots on your tree for your daughter. Even when they grow up and go away they still love the traditions. So awesome!

Musings of a Housewife said...

Love it! So homey. And I love the nesting dolls. Very cool.

Anonymous said...

I love your snowman greeters! And I love the way you use Tia's first stocking.

Anonymous said...

I love that your daughter wants to hang her own ornaments- that's great. Your nesting figures are great!

gracie said...

What a great area to have your Christmas tree...such a unique shape. Thank you for sharing your lovely home.

BECKY said...

Your home is cozy and charming!! I love your snowmen, too!! And the nesting nativity!! Thanks for letting us stop by!!
Blessings, Becky

Kelli said...

Your house is so lovely and my jaw DROPPED as I reread the temperature there. It is a definite need for hot chocolate at your house!

I love the nesting doll nativity! I have never seen one of those before!

Kim H. said...

Very cute! I love your house... Merry Christmas!

Erin said...

Thank you for the tour! I love all the snowmen. Merry Christmas!

What's next said...

Thanks for visiting me! I love your decorations and I really am jealous of your snow as we are to have a dust storm tomorrow in West Texas! I love the story of your daughter in the stocking, that is about the best gift ever!!! Merry Christmas!

Cathy said...

Your home is lovely and so are your beautiful decorations. Thanks for much for sharing and also for visiting my home. Merry Christmas to your and yours!

Kristen, pajama mama said...

WOW! Your tree is BEAUTIFUL!
Merry Christmas,
kristen

35 and holding said...

Thanks for visting me! I LOVE the nesting doll nativity. My kids would adore that. I also run a daycare and have a playyard around my tree which stands in the living room where I keep them most of the day.

Andrea said...

That melting Santa is PRECIOUS! I envy the fact that you had actual snow----here in Houston....well...you know...
Love,
Snow WHite

SAHSHA said...

The nativity on the mantle is precious!!!
I love it!!
Merry Christmas!!!
-Sahsha's Mummy

SAHSHA said...

Oh!! Where in the world did you get stocking holders with no attachments??
Please do tell!!
-Sahsha's Mummy

Amy said...

I love your home..... especially love all the snowmen. I love them too!

the voice of melody said...

The snowmen greeting us look so cuddly! And the candle in your kitchen is very cute. I never would have known that the snowman was a candle.

Your home is beautiful, thanks so much for having me over and for the coffee! :)

Sandra said...

I loved the house tour Susanne, I am just smiling big from all the snowmen I saw. I would be ONE happy camper in your home :)

Susan said...

Oh, your home is so pretty.

Enjoyed your tour!!

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

Beautiful Susanne, I remembered your nesting ornaments. And I have a greeter that stands by my tree very similar to yours, I think! Could be the same.

Shawna said...

Hi, Susanne! Needless to say, I haven't been online much the latter part of this week, but hopefully I can get a couple of pics of my place up today.

I have to say your home looks absolutely beautiful - spotless, clean, homey, and lovely! So inviting. How I wish I could visit!

You almost made me cry when you talked about your oldest wanting to hang her own ornaments. What a good mother you are.

I hope you have a beautiful Christmas, Susanne.