Wednesday, December 12, 2007

A Holiday Party!




Please come and join the fun at Little Red House today. Karla, at Karla's Cottage, is hosting a party -- and it's all about holiday decorations. So come on in, don't worry about taking off your shoes (because this house is definitely NOT a showplace!) and see "What I Love About My Holiday Home."







Because everything in this house is old, and a little beat up, I tend to like my decorations best when the rooms are dark. Candlelight or, even better, firelight, makes this old house glow.





We have our main tree in the library, next to the fireplace. It's lit, but not decorated yet. We'll do that when my son comes home from college later this week. Holiday decorating is very much a family tradition in our house.








We have a smaller tree in the dining room. This is a first for us this year. There's a story behind that, and I'll tell you about it sometime soon.


The dishes in the corner hutch get changed out several times a year. This Christmas, a green, cream and gold theme holds court.









I love using things that remind me of friends and family. The green tole tray was a gift from Cindy, at My Romantic Home, and the cranberry glass wedding compote was one of my mother's cherished treasures.







I love decorating with red transferware for the holidays. Actually, I love transferware all year long, but the red is expecially cheerful at Christmas.





I love that this house is tailor-made for Christmas -- reds and golds are at home here all year round, but they really shine at Christmas.




Decorating with red berries is a constant for me. The pressed glass wine goblets which hold candles here belonged to my parents, and the clock was my grandfather's.







The mantle in the library is home to red transferware plates, votive candles in vintage pressed glass, and rusted iron urns filled with glittering red fruit and flowers.






I love that this is my family house. I grew up here, and my kids have lived here all their lives, too. It is a house that brims with memories in the holiday season. It is filled with things that remind me of my parents, and of my childhood. It is home.

































53 comments:

  1. The perfect holiday home......very cosy. Will you be spending Christmas there?
    I do have a holiday home but I have not put the dec's up yet !
    Your home with its big fire is so inviting.
    carol x

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  2. Your home is beautiful, Mary. I love that it is filled with things that have a "story". Have a Wonderful Holiday Season with your family......Rosie

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  3. How nice to share your childhood home with your children. I'm sure you have many stories about the house and your childhood and you can actually show them where it all happened! Looks great!

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  4. Mary I love your home in any light in which you choose to display it. It's gorgeous and very inviting. I would love to sit by that fire admiring the transferware I snatched while you weren't looking!

    Love,
    Julie

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  5. So cozy and warm. Love your style. Thanks so much for sharing. Happy holidays to you and your family. Janie

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  6. That is so wonderful that you grew up in the same home as your children! Not many people can say that these days. Your home is LOVELY!

    Annie

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  7. It all looks just perfect, Mary. I love that YOU love your house so much and that it has such memories for your entire family.
    Thanks for the mini tour of your lovely and warm home...and I am still laughing over your "WELL, HELL" posting!! You are so cute!
    Hugs, bj

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  8. Mary,

    I love that you took the pictures by firelight; makes it all the more holidayish. Your knack with vignettes is shining even brighter with your Christmas decor.

    There is another tour next Wednesday which I will post about. Come join some more fun!
    Janet

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  9. I loved all your photos...your house is just beautiful! How special that you are living in your family home...that really is neat!
    Blessings,
    Robin

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  10. Hi Mary,
    Thank you so much for inviting me to your holiday party. Your home is so warm and cozy! I love all the red transferware and love that you wait for your son to come home to decorate the tree.
    Penny

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  11. Hi, Mary, I beg to differ...your home is a showplace, all decorated in it's Christmas finery. I just love your slightly old & cherished things, esp. that red/white transferware. Oh, if I only had more room to display!

    I had to chuckle over the AARP thing with your hubby. He's 3 yrs. younger than me & when I turned 50 & started getting those in the mail, he HAD to rub it in. And everytime since then when I get yet another envelope from them, he loves to cackle & laugh!

    Merry Christmas!
    xo,
    Rhoda

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  12. Very lovely…

    Christmas is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace…

    Enjoy the Season

    Cielo

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  13. What splendor eche marvel at home, we have to make compliments your house is very warm and your decorations warm the heart hello mary

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  14. Mary your house is AMAZING! I wish I was there right now with a cup of hot coco sitting by your roaring fire. It is the perfect Holiday Home. Wishing you and your family a wonderful Holiday Season!

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  15. just beautiful! so warm and cozy. it's like a bed and breakfast, thanks for sharing.
    jessi

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  16. You have the warmest feeling home I have ever been in. It is running over with love and comfort.you have such a gift and the great thing is it isn't a learned gift.it came from God.I know your bring this same warmth into the lives you touch.

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  17. Hi Mary,

    Your home is so warm and cozy and I love everything! The colors are my kind of colors and the best part about Little Red House is that there is so much comfort and love shining through.

    Hugs,
    Dena

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  18. I love your holiday home!! In fact I love your blog! I will definately be back to visit!
    :)Brittany

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  19. Your holiday home is so warm and cozy
    I love your red transferware.
    Have a wonderful time Regina

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  20. Absolutely perfect! That photo with the fire could is a Christmas card photo. I love transferware, too...and the red does lend itself well to Christmas!

    xo, Andrea

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  21. What a divine holiday home! So cozy & inviting! Love that fireplace mantle & clock! Beautiful dining room. Thanks so much for sharing your home with us. Please visit my holiday home, too!

    Merry Christmas!
    Stephanie
    Angelic Accents

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  22. I haven't stopped by in a while. The house is just lovely. You have such a serene touch when decorating. Susan

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  23. Gorgeous! You have a way of taking photos in the dark where things glow, I have got to figure out how to do that. My home too is old and a bit less than perfect! :-) That happens with age! If I could get my photos to glow I'd be happy! It much better captures the ambience of older, cozy homes to be bathed in the glow of dim lights and fires flickering from candles and fireplaces!

    Lovely!

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  24. yes, you are after my heart for a cozy and lovely holiday home.. thank you for sharing..i'll be back as adding you to my blog list!

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  25. Mary, your home looks so warm & cosy! I love how decorating the tree is a family affair ... and I think it's wonderful that you are raising your family in the home you grew up in!! Thanks for the peek into your beautiful home. ~ hugs, Lynda xo
    p.s. ~ thank you for the lovely comment you left on my blog! Please feel free to visit anytime! :)

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  26. What a lovely job you've done decorating for Christmas. Your home is, indeed, tailor made for the holidays. The warmth comes through even in the photos. I also like how you didn't tuck the tree into a corner...bold move!

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  27. your home glows with Christmas cheer I enjoyed my tour thank you for sharing it Merry Christmas

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  28. absolutely in lust with your little red house. Thank you for sharing this! Love your blog, btw, have visited from time to time and always enjoy my stay. Thanks for visiting my blog, as well!
    Blondie
    PS - hubs sent his AARP back saying wrong address. LOL.

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  29. Your home is so warm and cozy looking. I can't wait to see your tree decorated. The transferware is gorgeous. I'd love to hear the 2nd tree story.
    Nan

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  30. How cosy and welcoming your home looks. What fun you will have when your son comes home and you can all decorate the tree. It is lovely that so many of the things you have have a special meaning and memory to them.
    Alison

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  31. Everything looks so pretty! I love decorating for christmas!I posted mine too!

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  32. Indeed -- the perfect holiday home! Lovely colors and wonderful warm atmosphere! I do love things by the light of the fire or candle too -- seems a bit more magical somehow!

    Jan at Rosemary Cottage where the fireplace is lit, crackling and the candles are spicy

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  33. It all looks so beautiful. It's like your home is just made for Christmas! I love how that toile tray looks in your home. I had that in my closet for years...I guess I was saving it for you before I even knew you. Isn't it funny how things like that happen! Your red transferware is perfect for your home.

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  34. Your home is so gorgeous. I love the stories that go with your beautiful decor. Blessings, Karen

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  35. Wonderful, I especially love your transferware. It is so special that you are able to live in the house you gre up in. Thanks for visiting me too! Merry Christmas!

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  36. What a beautiful home you have!
    I love all the stories and meaning behind your treasures. HAve a fun time decorating with your son!
    Happy holidays and thanks for sharing!

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  37. Mary,
    I had a lovely time at the party ..... everything is just so pretty... you really know how to make a person feel at home....
    Thank you
    Linda

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  38. You have a beautiful house Mary, so cozy and warm! Everything looks great! Thanks for the Christmas tour!
    Hugs,
    Donna

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  39. Oh- we just knew your home would be beautiful! Just love the transferware-all of your house just seems to glow with Christmas joy! So many personal treasures, so many memories!

    blessings,
    kari & kijsa

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  40. Oh Mary...it is all just so prefect. I just do not know what to say...I get tongue tied, or, in this case, finger tied...trying to think of a word that would do honor to your home...well...it is simply grand. Warm and beautiful. So, so special and just makes me want to come by and have a cup of tea with you by the fire.

    A lovely home for a lovely lady.

    Hugs,
    Sue

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  41. Wow- that's incredible that you live in the house you grew up in. I love your candlelight pictures- your house looks so warm and cozy- I'd love to curl with cocoa and a good book at your house!

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  42. Very inviting! Can I come over for a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and warm my toes by the fire?

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  43. Your home is so warm looking, how lovely that you grew up there! Merry Christmas and Blessings - Rachael

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  44. Mary, I love everything about your home and I love the fact that you still live in & raised your family in your childhood home. That's amazing! Beautiful!
    Amanda (aka Cottage Contessa)

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  45. Dear Mary,
    What a darling, cozy home you have! Everything is so charming.
    Love, Kim

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  46. Mary, your home looks so beautiful dressed for Christmas.

    I love the firelight and candlelit scenes...it makes everything look magical and warm:)

    Rhonda

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  47. Mary, I love your red house. I always feel welcome when I visit your blog and I'm sure your home feels the same way when friends and family visit. Lovely!

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  48. Well, Mary, I LOVE everything!! You and I have a love for red transferware, isn't it at its best at holiday time!?

    Your home looks so very warm and inviting. Wish I was a "real" friend visiting, instead of a "virtual" one, but it's a delight to visit your blog.:)
    Lidy

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  49. Hi Mary, thank you for stopping by my blog...I'm so glad I followed you over! I love your home!! It is beautifully decorated for the season, but I'm sure I would love it any day of the year.

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  50. Dear Mary
    your pictures speaks for itself, and shows a marvelous, lovely home...
    All your decorations please me, and I saw also the clock of your grandfather: -)
    Chrismas greeting from Germany Barbara

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  51. Mary,
    So pretty! I am so enjoying Karla's party as a spectator. Your fire in your fireplace makes me want to pull up a chair and sit a spell and visit with you. Thanks for sharing.
    Hugs,
    Sue

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  52. Love your Red house! So cute! Love all your inside Holiday Decor too.

    So warm and inviting is your home. Thanks for sharing all your christmas cheer with all us bloglanders.

    Merry Christmas!
    PS-Had to chuckle about your neighbors home/getting the quick fix christmas decor outside. Can only wish to pay someone else to transform the outside that fast. Hee! Love brick georgian homes! Thanks for sharing that too. I enjoy looking thru your blog.

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  53. What lovely pictures! I enjoy going through people's blogs - to see how they decorate, and the things they talk about. I learn different things - for instance reading today's, I learned what a wedding compote was! I'd never heard of one before. Thanks for the education - I might've had a day of ignorance if not for you! Leslie

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Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment. I love to hear what you have to say!