CHRISTMAS: SIMPLY DONE, PART ONE...

 

While writing my last post,

I was thinking about the Garland's Christmases

and imagining them to be a little on the simpler side.

Maybe I'm wrong

as the Victorians were known for their excesses,

but in this little Cottage

I don't think that was the case.

WELCOME ONE AND ALL 
to our Christmas Cottage.

We are humbled that you are here

and hope you enjoy and experience

the same happiness

that we always feel whenever

we step over the threshold.

Listen carefully,

and you might hear long ago voices

from Christmases that

have come and gone.

THE ENTRY

Mr. T. Bear is the official greeter

this Christmas.  He is at the ready

with his Christmas book of facts

in case you might have

any questions.

  

Our guardian angels are in place

to assure that you have a

pleasant experience during

your time here.

THE PARLOR

After I got the tree up and decorated

with the red ornaments, strands of

popcorn and gold beads,

red velvet and satin ribbons

and the white anniversary roses,

the parlor walls practically screamed 

at me to stop.  That was when I

started to see the forest for the trees.

Of course, as you might expect,

that only stopped me for awhile.

After Christmas last year, 

I bought some copper ornaments

for the sitting room as I

wasn't too fond of red with

the new sofa.  I didn't know

exactly how I would use them

but thought I would give them a try.

I actually put one on the tree 

with all the red and was

pleasantly surprised at how

well it all went together.

It just gives a little more

warmth and depth to the over

all appearance. 

I just love the size and shape

of this little tree that

we got last year.  What

started out as an ugly

duckling turned into the

proverbial swan.

Perfection for this small

Cottage parlor.

A simple faux garland is hung 

by the chimney with care.

I added sprigs of real cedar

so it looks more realistic.

A small wreath with a red

velvet bow hangs in the center...

...boughs of cedar and holly

are placed on the mantel shelf

surrounding the quilt square

painting and three vintage carolers.

I added stenciled snowflakes

to the painting...

...that seem to reflect in the milkglass

 plates that belonged to my

 grandmother.  The white tapers 

are from Amazon and are the

most realistic battery operated 

candles that I have seen.

I pulled this little house out of the

cupboard and surrounded by tiny 

trees, it looks warm and welcoming

tucked back in the corner.

A small tea table is set before the

hearth.  This is a whimsical set

that I found in a catalog years ago

and never have taken it out to

show it off.  I did, and do,

think it is the cutest thing and finally

found a place for it.  It is

made of cardboard and perfect

for a simple Christmas setting...

...up close you can see how realistic

it is in every detail.

...in Victorian days the fireside

was so important as a symbol

of family life that magazine editors

were almost poetic in writing

about it.  The romance of the

hearth was a perfect place

for a cozy chat and exchange

of confidences or even a setting for

"eloquent silences" among those

gathered there, where castles

were built and half formed

plans were perfected.  To the

private home life of a family,

the hearth was almost a shrine.

Cherished fireside moments

were more than material comfort

for the Victorian family.

As one editor wrote, 

"charm for the spirit" that in

time became sacred memories.

Excerpts from Victorian Magazine, December 2001

  We were sitting in the parlor one

evening and dreaming outloud (me)

that maybe it would be nice to

get another heater stove like the

little red one in the kitchen

for the parlor.  Then we (me)

thought about the one in the

guest room that didn't heat up

any more but the flames still

worked.  The Captain very

graciously (??) said he would move

the stove and now it feels

so cozy in here...

 

...and even though the stove produces

no heat, the ambiance it adds

is warm indeed.

 

Next time will be the rest of the decorated

rooms.  Because of my computer 

problems I lost a lot of time so will

fit everything in when I can.  Check

your inboxes, if interested, because

I probably will post more than

once until then.  

In the meantime try to figure out

how reindeer can fly through

a field of orchids and butterflies.

It is possible if you believe

in the magic.

Hope everyone is enjoying

the holiday season.

...xxoJudy...

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