2016 Christmas in the Hearth Room

Hello World!  Welcome Friends!  I’m so glad you are here today!  Let me just say that I’m so thankful that we are just about done decorating for Christmas.  This year it has taken longer than it usually does.  Little Dedicated seems to be much busier this year than last year.  Or, maybe I started later.  Who knows!  But, thank goodness we are on the downside of it.  Today, welcome to our Hearth Room decked out for Christmas.  

Two things that completely slipped my mind before I started taking pictures:  I didn’t light the fire, and I didn’t light the candles.   So, we’ll pretend there is a warm glow coming from the hearth!

The Hearth Room is in the back of the house in our traditional, red-brick Colonial.  The red brick on the hearth is the same brick that is used on the exterior of the home and our brick wall outside in our breezeway.  

This is the last year we will use this tree.  With over 11 years under her belt, she has been a good tree, but looks a little worn.  It was a pre-lit tree when we bought it in California, but alas, those lights are no longer.  About 5 years ago, I sat on the floor for about 3 hours with a pair of wire cutters cutting all of the lights off since they were pretty much toast.  Also, it’s a 9′ 1/2″ which means it doesn’t fit in our house.  Mr. Dedicated doesn’t put the top on, so the top you see is basic fluff that I added to make it look “normal”.  This tree is our family tree, which means there really isn’t a theme.  Traditional colors and a hodge podge of ornaments which we cannot bear to part with.  Little Dedicated scolded me about the blue ornament saying it should go on the blue and white tree in the dining room.  But, I held my ground.  It’s her sweet hand print ornament from when she was a wee one and I want it in a predominant spot.  The majority of this tree was decorated by Little Dedicated with the exception of the top and the portion she can’t reach.    She has turned into such a great helper.  I think she did a lovely job!  

The old entertainment center got a little wreath to make her feel part of the season.  This is just one of the wreaths I picked up last year and spruced up with plastic ornaments, berry picks, and ribbon.  I’ve placed four of them outside on our first floor windows.  Look for that post next week!

On top of the entertainment center (which houses music books and board games) sits the old log cabin my Uncle made with the help of my Great Grandmother when he was a young boy.  I’m not sure how it came into my possession, but I will always cherish it.  The bird house, snow man, and tree came from Hobby Lobby years ago.   

The mantel hasn’t changed much in years except for the addition of the green pears that I picked up this past Fall at Home Goods.  

The big, fat stockings were make by my mother years ago.  

I love the giant pears.  

On the floor is a basket I filled with faux greenery and berries.

The green lanterns kept their spot on the hearth from Fall, but were joined by Mr. Rooster.  I still want to give him a paint makeover, but I cannot decide what color.  

On the table, I filled my Mary & Martha bowl with ornaments, beads and little pretties. 

I still love my chalkboard tray from Mary & Martha. 

The settee is from One Kings Lane and will be making her way upstairs once I can decide what furniture I want for the hearth room.  

Years ago I was in Kroger when I spied these pretties on the seasonal isle.  Now, I ask you, how could I leave them in the store?  This year they sit in front of one of my Mary & Martha lanterns…”Our Days are for His Praise”!

The breakfast table also got a giant pear.  Next week, I’ll show you the tablescape I have in mind for the breakfast table.  

In this shot you can see the entertainment center in the background.  My plan is to move her into the dining room, and fit her with a back (it currently has a cut-out back for the fat tv’s we used to have) as well as shelves and use her for more storage for my dishes.  

I have plans for this little hearth room and I’m ready to get started on them.  But, for now, we rest and relax and settle into the season!  I do hope you will come back next week to see the dining room, foyer, outside and a couple of tablescapes that are planned!  

Click the links below for any posts you may have missed:

Christmas Gold in the Family Room

Make it Pretty Monday

The Sunday Showcase from MIP Monday

Thank you all for a beautiful year!  You have given me so much encouragement and always welcome me with open arms.  I appreciate you so much and am thankful for YOU this Christmas season.

Have a gorgeous day/night depending on where you are in the world!  Go with God and remember to be kind to one another!

Toodles,

  

Sharing this at these lovely parties:

Between Naps on the Porch, Stone Gable, Home Stories A to Z, Cozy Little House, A Stroll Thru Life, Savvy Southern Style, Just a Girl and Her Blog, DIY by Design, No Minimalist Here, From my Front Porch to Yours, Christman’s Creations, The Charm of Home, French Country Cottage, DesignThusiasm, Bygone Vintage, Bluesky Kitchen, Poofing the Pillows, Celebrate & Decorate, LouLou Girls, My Thrift Store Addiction, Remodelaholic, Suburban Simplicity, The Chronicles of Home.