Saturday, December 13, 2014

Christmas at Our House!




Welcome to my home!  We have been busy decorating for Christmas, both outside ...


....and inside! This is our eight foot Noble Fir Christmas tree. It was so heavy we decided to place it by our staircase this year, instead of in front of our living room windows. I like how it looks here, and it is easy to walk around and see all our ornaments. I'll also have room to place all our family's presents underneath, on Christmas Eve! The first rule I taught my 22-month-old granddaughter about the tree was: "Look, but do not touch!" Smile.  She has been very good, so far!


Another view of the tree during the daytime, and from a different angle.  We placed the cotton fluff on our staircase railing to protect it from being scratched by the lighted garland we hung there.  When my granddaughter first saw it she said:  "Look!  Clouds!" 


I love to decorate my tree every year, as almost every ornament on it holds a special meaning for me. Some have been handmade by my children when they were young, and some by my grandsons. I'm sure my granddaughter will add her own creativity to our tree one year in the future.


Many ornaments were purchased on our vacations.  I'm showing just a few.  They are a Santa starfish from the Outer Banks in North Carolina, a cable car from San Francisco, a Brown bear from Yellowstone National Park, another bear from Quebec, Canada, the opera house in Sydney, Australia, a Big Apple from New York, City, a Saint Nicholas from the German Christkindl Market in Denver, a beaded Texas flag from San Antonio, Texas, Santa crushing the grapes from Napa Valley, California, an America Eagle from Washington DC, a Belleek Saint Patrick from Dublin, Ireland, a wild sunflower that we saw all over Wyoming, and this year's 100th anniversary Columbine flower ornament of Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park!


I have a weakness for both Santa Claus and Snowmen, so my tree is also filled with both ornaments,
as well as ornaments that friends and family have given to me over the years.  There are really too many to show in one blog post, but each and every one of them is so special to me!


I have a small artificial tree on my kitchen island, as well as my two ornament baker "helpers" that stand underneath. The beautiful Waterford Santa Claus cookie jar was a gift from my husband many years ago.  The stuffies around my fireplace are there for my grandchildren to enjoy.


Our Nativity set was purchased the first year we were married, forty years ago! It also holds many memories for me.  The angels turn as "Silent Night" plays from the music box underneath.


Of course, in an Italian home food is also an important part of the Christmas holiday, and I adopted many of my husband's Calabrian food traditions, as well as my American holiday food traditions,  into my menu. Last year's feast is shown above. From appetizers to homemade Christmas cookies for dessert, we enjoy a holiday "abbondanza," which means an abundance in Italian.

We are so thankful for all our blessings and our ability to make Christmas a holy and happy holiday for our family! Thank you for sharing a glimpse into our holiday--I look forward to seeing your traditions!



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57 comments:

Pamela Gordon said...

Pat, your home and tree are so beautiful! It's special that your tree has so many cherished ornaments on it. Hugs, Pam

Beverly said...

It is all woderful, Pat. I, too, am a sentimentality when it comes to traditions

Susie Q said...

It's all so beautiful Pat!!
Merry Christmas to you and your lovely family!
Love, Sue

Anonymous said...

Things are looking fabulous, Pat! So pretty and festive...

Yvette said...

What a wonderful Christmas house, Pat. You really do know all about celebrating the holiday. As I like to say, 'there's no such thing as too much Christmas!' :)

Love your post.

Barb said...

Your grandchildren's eyes must light up when they walk into your house, Pat! Definitely "abbondanza!"

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

What a beautiful tree and I love your big Santa. I know you're enjoying having this wonderful home to decorate and enjoy with family. Everything looks beautiful my friend! Happy holidays!

The Gathering Place said...

Your house looks lovely and very festive. I love the sentimental ornaments. Makes me wish I'd picked up some on my travels. Time to start a new tradition! Have a great holiday!

Nellie said...

Everything is so beautiful and festive, Pat! The food traditions are superb! We have birthdays here on the 23rd - the twins - and our Christmas dessert always turns out to be their birthday cakes!:-) Merry Christmas to you and yours! xo

Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes said...

Hi Pat, everything is just beautiful! But I'm smitten by the little bear on your front porch!

Your tree is stunning!

Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year to you and your family.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Pat, your tree and ornaments are beautiful. I sometimes pick up ornaments during our vacations..they are a nice memory of the trip! The food and desserts look yummy.. What a spread! Have a happy Sunday and new week ahead!

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

Pat, your home should be on a Christmas tour. It's a definite holiday feast for the eyes or an abbondanza. You've really gone all out to make it a very special Christmas for your family.
Sam

Snap said...

I think I'll go to your house for Christmas! I love the first collage with the bear ... I do have a thing for bears! Happy Happy and Merry Merry!

Vee said...

It looks perfect there!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

A perfect spot for your beautiful tree! Wow! What a wonderful looking spread of Christmas food!

Sara - Villa Emilia said...

I have a weakness for Christmas trees and I simply adore this post.
Everything is so beautiful.
And the food! I must come back to analyse better the photos! :)

Arlene Delloro said...

You seem to have taken to Colorado and your new home is lovely. Buon Natale to you and your family.

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

LOL I think that I still remember your very impressive feast last year.

What an absolutely stunning tree and decorated stairway...just beautiful! :)

A Bit of the Blarney said...

How very beautiful!!! We are still moving in and hoping to have all the decoration up in time for the arrival of everyone!! Wishing you well! Cathy

miss-red-fox said...

This is such a nice decorated tree, my kids would love it! But they have to wait for ours, we traditionally decorate it on Christmas Eve...
Have a happy Christmas time,
Ioana

Bethany Carson said...

Mmmm! I agree on the importance of food--looks like you have a lot of it, and it looks so good too!

podso said...

I enjoyed seeing your tree, Pat, it looks so festive, warm and inviting! Love how the ornaments are reflected in your hardwoods. And I think sentimental ornaments are the best! Stories to tell the grandchildren!

Sandy said...

Your home is lovely and so very Christmasy Pat! I love Santas and Snowmen too. I hope I can "pass" your word verification. It's so hard to read those numbers and letters for my old eyes. Have a very Merry Christmas!

Anonymous said...

Hi Pat! Your home looks so gorgeous all decked out for Christmas. Looks like you didn't miss a spot. And the food...yummy! I wish you and your family a blessed Christmas.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Michelle said...

Pat, your home is GORGEOUS! I adore your tree. Your Christmas feast also looks so good. I can see that your family will really enjoy Christmas together.

JoAnne said...

Your tree is really beautiful and I love that your ornaments all have special meaning to you. Your nativity set looks like the one we had growing up - it brings back memories!

Rajesh said...

Beautiful decorations for Christmas. Very well done.

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

A magnificent tree Pat with lots of cherished ornaments.
I always said to our girls and grands "look with your eyes, not your hands'. :-)
Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday.
I see you have the captcha as well, I'll let you know if I figure out how we can be rid of it.
Judith

Beth said...

Your home looks beautiful, Pat! Have a wonderful Christmas!

Betty said...

Everything looks wonderful! I like to say I have a memory tree because mine is filled with things the kids made when they were little, special ornaments, photographs of the kids with Santa, etc. Just like you I like the sentimental things. Oh yes, I even have a few ornaments that I made in school that my mother had saved. My manger was bought in a department store in Catania. It has angels just like yours only mine no longer plays Silent Night because I let the kids play with it when they were little. I think you found the perfect place for your tree. I like the decorated staircase in the background. Merry Christmas!

Judy said...

Abbondanza. I like that word. Eat with abandon! It is all looking so pretty over there!

diane b said...

You really put a lot of effort into your beautifully decorated home. I like the idea of collecting decorations from around the world. Have you heard about our Sydney siege today? The opera house was evacuated even though the siege is in Martin Place.I hope the hostages get out safely.

Mary Howell Cromer said...

What a lovely home tree and those adornments are just very special. It is such fun to see how differently each of us, decorates for the holidays. Your food from last year looks yummy and I imagine this year shall be just as much so~

Ola said...

Your Christmas tree is really beatiful! It's good to have such family tranditions!

Linda said...

The tree looks like it certainly belongs in the hallway, it is spectacular.

SmilingSally said...

Hi Pat,

Your granddaughter is at the perfect age to begin the tree decorating with touching SOFTLY while Grandma holds her. (see my post)

Your tree is gorgeous; your home is so welcoming! Thanks for playing today.

Happy Blue Monday!

Ciao Chow Linda said...

Pat - what a beautiful tree and fantastic setting for it there by the sweeping staircase bannister. Your nativity set looks very similar to mine, which was also bought more than 40 years ago when I was first married. May it be another wonderful Christmas for you and your family.

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

Everything looks so festive! I love your wooden bear. We have a large wooden bear that we bought in Colorado on a ski trip years ago!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Abbodanza indeed! (I hope I spelled that right.) Beautiful Christmasy post and you have a lovely home to display your lovely treasures. So glad you are close enough now to your grandkids to enjoy the whole season with them.

Donna said...

That front door was stunning and then the bannister and tree as well...all beautiful. Of course I love all the Italian food...reminds me of my family's Christmas...Happy Holidays

annie said...

Just gorgeous!

New Jersey Memories said...

Your decorations are gorgeous and you have a really beautiful house! I love the way you decorate!

Annesphamily said...

Beautiful decorations and Christmas traditions Pat! I use to purchase the Campbell Kids ornaments when the older kids were small. I must pull those out. Oh what fun the kids had when their ornaments arrived! I cherish the handmade ones too. Many my kids made and special ones from Linda my sweet Kansas friend. She is such a gem! My sons girlfriend has a Bronco tree. We thought of putting up a second tree, maybe next year and doing it in blue and orange. I hope you have a beautiful week. Hugs

Anonymous said...

I see my comment didn't get through...here it is again - beautiful Christmas decorations! What I love about Colorado are the roomy houses, and the mountain views!

miss-red-fox said...

Hi Pat,

congratulations, you commented on my post and won one of the cuddly cloud-pillows!

Can you please write me an email at hallo@miss-red-fox.de and tell me the color/pattern of the pillow you would like to have and your address, so I can send it to you.

Thanks,
Ioana

Massimo said...

everything looks great, and warm, just ready for the Christmas Pat !
well done...
and Merry Christmas if I don't hear from you later on... saluti Buon Natale !

ann said...

I'd say that you have outdone yourself. Your home is gorgeous. And I love the fact that so many ornaments are memories of your travels. Each one has its story. In response to your comments on high altitude baking--I was born and raised in Golden, so you would think I would know all of the secrets to avoiding falling cakes and burnt candy. I have learned to assume, however, that most recipes are created at sea level so I must adjust them and sometimes I forget. Merry Christmas

Fun60 said...

That's a wonderful way to decorate your tree with reminders on every branch of a place explored or a loved one's creativity. Beautiful.

Powell River Books said...

You really go all out for Christmas. You table of goodies reminds me of when I was a kid and Mom would bake for weeks to get everything ready for us to celebrate in style. I sure miss that. - Margy

Linda W. said...

Wonderful decorations! Thanks for showing us around.

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Wow, you do go all out. You have a beautiful tree and a great place to put it. Thanks for sharing your decorations!!!

Lisa @ Grandmas Briefs said...

Absolutely beautiful, Pat. Your home is lovely and the Christmas decor fabulous. What a chore, though! But worth it when the little ones light up at seeing the Christmas magic at Grandma's.

Lorrie said...

Your home is filled with so much Christmas joy, Pat. Wonderful memories in the ornaments and Nativity set.
Wishing you a most blessed Christmas celebration!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hello There, I enjoyed your post today. Where you chose to put your Christmas Tree is PERFECT... Love it there with the stairs behind it... Gorgeous decorations--all of them.

Sorry I haven’t been around much lately. I do try to read blogs—but just haven’t commented very much lately like I usually try to do. Please don’t give up on me. Hopefully my life will be back to ‘normal’— whatever that is (ha), sometime in January.

I did get a cortisone shot in my knee —which has helped with the pain somewhat. In January, I will most likely have meniscus tear surgery…. BUT—in the meantime, I plan to have a fantastic Christmas —and hopefully get to see my kids/grands… God is Good.

Hugs,
Betsy

Daniela said...

What a cozy Christmas atmosphere, it's so lovely to see, among the original Victorian decorations, your Presepe, remebering your Italian origins.
Sending Blessings, my dear and preciuos friend, to you and your dear ones, have a Joy-filled Christmas time together with your wonderful family!
With much love
Dany

Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your Home said...

Beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY...
Blessings,
Cindy

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Lovely! Lovely! Lovely!

I am thinking that this means you sold your home in NYC? Either way, this is lovely, and your tree, spectacular.

Best of the best, my friend...

xo,

Sheila