It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

After 6 grueling days of decorating, my house is now ready for the Christmas holidays:)  Yes, I began before Thanksgiving and I make no apologies.  My husband and son always go to Kansas for some pheasant hunting and male bonding right before Turkey Day so while they are gone I spend my time getting the house ready and the time flies...I hardly have time to miss them.  Plus everything looks really festive to welcome my guys home!

J (my husband) says if it stays still long enough I'll decorate it, which is probably true.  Since I have so many pictures to show you I think I'll do this in several posts.  Let's start with the kitchen...

I always begin with the kitchen because that's where my favorite tree will be.  I use a gingerbread man (and girl) theme and decorate my tree with gingerbread characters, apples, and cookie cutters.  I spend a lot of time in my kitchen and the cheery faces of all these little guys and gals just make me happy.  These photos don't really do it justice, but I love my kitchen during the holidays!

Many of my ornaments are handmade.  I like to buy at least one new one each year.

This little lady was bought a few years ago at the CALICO ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL...they have so many cute things there.  When I saw her I knew she had to come home with me.

These sweet ragdolls were from Hallmark awhile back.  Each year they sit in this little red rocker that belonged to my husband when he was a toddler.  It still has the original paint and I love it!

The table stays set since it's just the two of us and we eat our meals at the center island.  I think my Christmas china pattern 'TIS THE SEASON has been discontinued:(  The green glasses belonged to my husband's grandmother.  They have an etched "L" on each one.  For years I thought it stood for our last name...then I found they were actually giveaways in Lipton tea many years ago:)  Today I have seen them sell in antique malls for as much as $35-$40 per stem.  I am blessed with 8 of them.

Here are other areas of the kitchen, all decked out in gingerbread cuteness...

Remember my Santa Cans in my last post?

Grandson R likes to keep up with the days till Christmas....he's a few days behind...

The days will go by all too fast and then it will be time to put away all the lights, glitter, and decorations for another year.  Until then I hope to spend a little time here...

Maybe I'll finally get around to reading that book my husband gave me last Christmas!  Come back in a day or two and I'll show you trees #2 and #3...and that's not even all of them!  Happy Decorating, everybody!