Friday, January 13, 2012

A Slightly Late Christmas Post


Hello!
I am finally going to share some images of what little Christmas decorating I was able to get done this year....


We usually only decorate the living rooms and the dining room....
This year I barely got one room decorated....


We got our tree from Aimee Peterson, who 
 owns a shop called the Antique Gardener.
Aimee invited us to her parents' Christmas tree farm this year, they have the prettiest tree farm!
The kids and I got to pick out our tree....It reminded me of when we were kids...
We would always cut our own tree down, and a lot of times would have a Charlie Brown tree that we covered with a lot of tinsel...
I shot the above image of Emma, Aimee's daughter, while we were there...
Thank you Aimee!
I have posted about Aimee's shop before on my blog.....


We picked out a beautiful White Fir Tree.....


We had intended to decorate it : )....
However we ended up leaving the tree bare....
We wrapped an antique french ticking duvet around the tree to cover the tree stand....



I thought the tree did look pretty just left natural.....




My sister Liz, made this stocking from a scrap piece of antique french linen and a grain sack scrap.....
I will have some of these available in my shop 


I hung my wreath from an antique french door.


I hung it using dutch butcher twine, and then tied the ribbon at the bottom of the wreath.....




I added a red striped European grain sack to the top of the table and then added the cheese board....


My son, Trent, sprinkled juniper berries on top of the cheese board....
I kind of got carried away this year with throwing juniper berries around the house....
They smell so good....




I added some pears, hazelnuts, and juniper berries to my mantle.....


I made the kids stockings the week before Christmas...
I really liked the one my sister made, so I made some more like it...
The grain sack cuffs remind me of candy canes ; )
The kids loved their new stockings....




The pears help add a pop of color to my mantle....


I had received a beautiful gift from KT Merry, I displayed her beautiful Christmas card on my mantle and her box of bath salts on my stool.....I also tied a red and white ribbon around a pair of pillow slips made from antique french linen and topped the box with a bundle of mistletoe made from wool felt....


I filled a vintage french strawberry crate with the ornaments we usually put on the tree.....


I hung a few of these wool felt wreaths around my house.....






We had lots of  paperwhites to place around the house.....


You can read my post about planting paperwhites here.....


That was really the extent of my Christmas decorating I did this year....


Hopefully next year I will actually post pictures  before Christmas....

On another note....
I started blogging two years ago this month....
I started a blog before I even knew what blogging really was....
I can remember feeling so lost when I first started blogging....
I was always searching blogs for tips on blogging and had a hard time finding any information.....

I subscribe to Miss Mustard Seed by email, and was so excited when I
read that she was apart of a Growing your Blog Series....
Kate from Centsational Girl came up with the idea.....
Five bloggers got together and did a series on Growing your blog....
They all share different perspectives on five different blog topics....
It is really a great series,  I loved reading each blogger's perspective, and found it to be very informative and helpful....


I am sure a lot of you have already read the series, but just in case some of you haven't I wanted 
to share the links to the five day series with you....


Thank you ladies for putting such a great series together for us!
I hope all of you that haven't read the series get a chance to read it...

On a final note....

I wanted to let you know about a very generous photographer that is giving away 
a Canon 5d Mark II......
She has a very inspiring story that she shares with her giveaway as well.....

Enjoy your weekend!
Take Care,

Maria


53 comments:

  1. Pretty, pretty, pretty!!!!

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  2. Your home looks so peaceful and elegant! I love the idea of leaving the tree bare if it fits in with the rest of your decor, which it does, beautifully!

    Have a wonderful weekend!

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  3. Maria... I love visiting your blog! Your home and your photos are so beautiful and inspiring. I love the simple beauty in your Christmas decor.

    Happy New Year!

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  4. Amazing photos ♥

    I invite you my blog: fotografka-photographer.blogspot.com

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  5. Your home looks stunning and I just love the wreath hanging on the door. With all your elegant touches, it made sense to leave the tree bare. What a nice, natural idea! I never get tired of looking at Christmas decor!
    -Shelley

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  6. Oh thank you thank you for sharing! Your house is so beautiful. And I agree with you the tree looked wonderful left natural. It all looked wonderful:)
    Blessings to you and your family this year!

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  7. HELLO
    I absolutely love all of this I love the simplicity of it and how pure it is, cant wait to see more !!
    Have a nice weekend !!
    Diana

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  8. Love the simplicity of your decorations....beautiful! Next year I'm doing it differently. Jan

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  9. Such beautiful photography and design. I can just imagine how wonderful those paperwhites smell!

    ♥Linsey

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  10. So gorgeous, Maria!
    LOVE that peppermint wreath!

    Hope you've been doing well, my friend.

    XO,
    Anne

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  11. Very pretty, Maria. Love the simplicity.
    Happy New Year sweet lady!
    xxxooo

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  12. Beautiful photos. I love the felt wreath.

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  13. It may be late, but it is stunningly elegant, thank you for posting..

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  14. I love the simplicity of your decorations. Very peaceful. I want Christmas back.....not the hassle but the time to enjoy.

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  15. Amazing photos. I love your simple Christmas. The colors seemed to stand out so much, Beautiful..


    Love, Jody

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  16. Oh so lovely Maria!! I love how you kept the tree natural, it looks so pretty!
    And I love the stockings you made for your kids, the large cuff on them is fabulous.
    I hope your doing well and have a beautiful weekend.
    Sincerely,
    Melinda

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  17. Such a beautiful Christmas at your home. Just lovely.

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  18. Gorgeous pictures, I just love your style and house :)

    Bee happy x
    Have a delicious day!

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  19. I love, love, love the mantel! It's so simple but it's the perfect touch of green and red for Christmas. Always so beautiful Maria :)

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  20. Gorgeous pictures! I love the simple look and went pretty simple myself this year. I would love to get those stockings for my kids for next year. Maybe I can get 1 a month since I need 7 for everyone! I'm also in love with your ticking around the tree - ticking is my extreme weakness!

    Jill Palumbo

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  21. Maria - So much to comment on. Your wreath looks fabulous on your white shutter. I ordered one after your giveaway post and it was gorgeous and full of wonderful scent. We are still enjoying it although it is now on the outside door rather than on my green shutter. (Looks better against white). Love your fir tree. We used to sell cut your own trees on the farm when I was younger. It makes the tree feel so more special. Everything in your home is just lovely. I'm thinking I saw the peppermint wreath on pinterest. Have a good weekend!

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  22. Hi Maria~~ Worth the wait:)
    Talk soon
    ~xo~Cheryl

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  23. love the pears and the green bistro chair. And I followed the grow your blog series at the beginning of the week but then got busy. thanks for the reminder to revisit for later posts.

    MC

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  24. It looks so pretty and dreamy, so fresh and bright! Don't tell people you didn't get to do more - tell them that was the plan. It really is lovely. There is an elegance to simplicity.

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  25. Hi,

    Beautiful Christmas photos, it looks like it was a wonderful time.

    I'm a regular follower of your blog and wanted to get in touch with you. I tried to reach you through the contact field of your website, but it was giving me errors. I love your photos and your products, thus it was easy to spot one of yours on this website:

    http://brockdesigns.com/2012/01/12/diy-creating-handsome-headboards/

    (Photo number 4)

    With no link back. :(

    I'm sending them a note now, as they have been featured on craftgawker with a post laden with ripped off links and no credit to any bloggers or designers.

    I hope it gets cleared up! I would hate for anyone to profit off of your beautiful work, even if it is just in regards to some additional traffic.

    Regards,
    Nicolette

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  26. What pretty stockings~and the peppermint wreaths are just great too. I read MMS's advice too~great series.

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  27. Your home is just Beautiful...I know Aimee and her shop and go into it when I go to Sutter Creek..I knew her grandma Audrey really well and spend many hours in her shop in Amador City and really miss her wonderful antique shop she had the best antiques I had ever seen and also spend many $$$ there..Thanks for sharing..Hugs and smiles Gloria

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  28. Love it all!
    So glad you posted this. Now I have time to sit and enjoy and savor each snippet here---- in December, just couldn't and wasn't happening!

    Love the unadorned tree.
    Simply lovely.

    Your photos take my breath away.
    Literally.

    xox
    Alison

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  29. Hi,

    I've been in contact with the writer at Lori Brock designs - and they will be crediting you in her blog post that used your photo. Whether you are ok with that, is obviously up to you, but she seemed very receptive to the information concerning your blog and adding your link.

    Best in the new year!
    -Nicolette

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  30. I just love it all...
    thank you for sharing with us!

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  31. Love it all, but especially the cafe au lait bowls on the french cheese board! When my kids were growing up we always went into the Montana woods to cut trees too :)

    Cindy

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  32. After months of looking at Christmas decorations and holiday clutter, your home is a breath of fresh air, Maria. Welcoming and festive.

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  33. Your home is beautiful! I love all your white!

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  34. is this your home for real??? it looks like something out of a vintage decorating magazine..it's so pretty!

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  35. Hi Maria,
    I absolutely love your home. You take such wonderful photographs. You are an inspiration of how I want my home to look.
    Lana

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  36. Did you find the wool wreath on Etsy, or was it a retail discovery?

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  37. Love this post! The wreath hung on the chippy white door is so stunning. Your sense of design is very inspiring. Always great fun to visit your space.

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  38. Hi Maria
    Just LOVE your home :)
    and do not miss.....

    S
    A
    T
    U
    R
    D
    A
    Y


    S
    H
    O
    W

    O
    F
    F

    It´s FUN :)
    WELCOME
    Håkan ( The Roseman)

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  39. How beautiful! I must remember your wonderful ideas and store them as inspiration for next Christmas. Such lovely photos too. Thank you!

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  40. Better late than never, Maria! :) I could cruise around your blog and swoon over your photos all day long, girl. Always so beautiful! Have you ever thought of publishing a book on your house, decorating style, how-to's, etc? I'd be the first one in line to buy it! :) Have a great weekend, my friend!

    xoxo laurie

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  41. Maria,

    Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. Your Christmas decor is a true reflection of the season - stark, crisp, pure.

    Wishing you and yours a happy, healthy 2012.

    Your Friend,
    Deborah

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  42. Just awesome! I totally love those photos :)
    Cheers,
    takethattrip.blogspot.com

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  43. Happy New Year, Maria!
    Lovely photos, as always...your style is truly unique~very peaceful.
    I'll be contacting you soon for quite a few pieces from your shop.
    Lots of wonderful NEW "news" to share... :)
    Have a wonderful week~
    Lisa

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  44. Love it all!!!!!! The felt wreaths are soooo sweet. I adore the look of paper whites, but not the smell. Your style is amazing.
    Gerri

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  45. This is a great post, I especially like your photo of the little one aboard the tractor.

    ...and that darn blue cupboard is always a show-stopper!

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  46. Hello,
    I discovered your blog recently and must say that I think you have beautiful ideas for your home decoration. I am sure I'll pop in often :-)

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  47. hi! a late post, but still inspiring! I love your blog! very dreamy indeed! Question. vad color do you have on yoour livingroom walls. do you know a number or code?
    I like alot!
    lots of hugs from sweden...

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  48. So simple and so Breathtaking. Your photos are heavenly, and i love all the touches of green and nature in your Christmas decor. Also, the stockings, oh my goodness are they delightful... and good for your son for helping decorate!

    Cindy

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  49. Hi Maria...i have stumbled upon your blog, what a delicious find...your photos are stunning and a real inspiration...thankyou for a glimpse into your way of life...Mel :)

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  50. Your blog is very beautiful, with some many pictures very inspiring !It looks like a sweet mix between french and scandinavian style.
    J'aime beaucoup !

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