A Christmas Tour

Our halls and walls are decked with festive touches.

Grace helped me our tree, this year. 

It turned out to be the tallest tree we've ever had. 

The star, perched atop the tree, is scraping the ceiling.

Though the tree is the star of our holiday decorations, we have lots of lovely Christmas decorations throughout our house.

Most of our decorations are simple and understated.

For the first time ever, I changed up our built in shelves to showcase more Christmas decorations.

My two loves...a set of vintage deers, purchased by my parents on their honeymoon, and beautiful bottle brush trees, are the main attraction on the shelves.

Most of my pictures have been changed out to show Christmases of the past.

These pictures remind me of how many memories we create and cherish every year.

And how lucky we are to continue to make those memories this year.

My favorite picture, a picture of my dad, as a little boy, meeting Santa.

My favorite decorations, our front porch.

Bundles of birch, tied with twine decorate my stairs...

And, fill my flower boxes.

Evergreen branches also accent our porch.

And, fill our hanging baskets.

 

Sadly, since our house is over 100 years old, we have no outlets outside to string Christmas lights.  So, when I came across this battery operated Christmas tree, at Goodwill for $8, I quickly grabbed it and added it to our front porch.  Some lights is better than no lights.

Hanging by my front door, another Goodwill find.  A pair of ice skates.

And...each time I walk across our front porch, my heart is filled with JOY.

Now that we are all decorated...the only thing left to do is celebrate.

Goodwill Hunting Roundup

It's that time of month where I show off my Goodwill finds.  Ready to see what I have found?

First up, I came across this Kids Kraft kitchen for $3.99.  The only flaw, it was missing a knob on the back splash.

There was also the matching refrigerator for $2.99.  Which was in perfect shape.

The only problem, Grace has nearly this exact fridge and stove, which we paid full retail for her 3rd birthday.

Since I didn't want to feel the guilt I experienced last month, buying a dollhouse

When we already have a dollhouse...

I called a friend, who came over and bought the kitchen set herself...for $7!

So, instead of buying the kitchen, and justifying having 2 kitchens, I bought this little bunny for .99 cents.  If you haven't already guessed after Grace's bunny themed birthday party, we have a thing for bunnies.

This bunny sits atop a basket which opens.  Inside, another bunny.

And that little bunny, goes perfectly with the newest addition to Grace's dollhouse.

With temps tipping up to 100 degrees (!), it seems the perfect time to shop for ice skates.  I picked up this pair, on half off anything with a pink ticket day, paying only $2! 

And, thanks to Bliss Ranch, I am already thinking about Christmas (in July!).  I might break my never having made a wreath streak and make Bliss Ranch's Ice Skating Wreath.  I just need to find some red laces now.

I also bought a glass jar, with a cork stopper, for $1.99 and a complete Scrabble game $1.99.  I added the Scrabble tiles to the jar for instant home decor.

And lastly, not a Goodwill find, but rather a Home Goods purchase, I found the perfect sheets for Grace's new big girl bedroom.

Princess - Ballerina Toile.  A twin bed set for $19.99.

Until next month, happy thrifting!