A COTTAGE OF COMFORT AND JOY - PART ONE...

I had some trouble picking a theme

 for this year's Christmas, 

then I received my December issue 

of Victoria magazine

 and the cover sparked my imagination. 

 Although it didn't specifically state

 it was straight out of Little Women 

that is what I saw when I first looked at it. 

 Of course, I had been so busy 

that I wasn't aware that other bloggers

 were thinking along those same lines. 

 I thought I was being so original!

  As I started picturing the tree and mantel, 

and how romantic it would all be,

 a most wonderful thought hit me -

 that is how I decorate every Christmas.  

There might be a few little tweaks

 from year to year but, on the whole, 

it remains pretty much the same.  

Here I was thinking that I always had a theme 

when all along it was just Christmas 

and how it makes me feel

 and how I gravitate to the comfort and joy

 that it brings to me and those I love each year.

So, now that I have figured that out,

come on in...

...and celebrate this beautiful season with us

 in our Cottage of Comfort and Joy.

THE ENTRY

Small painting of a winter cottage

 I recently finished.

An evergreen print from Temu 

was added to the gallery wall.

A bowl of discarded vintage Shiny Brites.

 A charming little piece from Temu 

that I got last year.

I made the Santa many years ago 

along with another winter folk art cabin I painted.

A Christmas display on the top of the entry chest.

Tidings sign is from Antique Farmhouse.

This mirror hanging over the entry chest

 is draped with a garland, tiny brass bells 

and red velvet bow all from Temu.

The wreath is one that I had.

Moving into the parlor,

 the tree takes center stage as usual...

THE PARLOR

...this is our third year with this seven-foot Noblis Fir from Grandin Road. 

 I still love it and have used all 

the same ornaments since we got it. 

 I did add some little twinkly 

battery operated candles from Amazon 

which are a necessity on an old-fashioned tree. 

 I would have loved to add some tinsel too 

but I don't think Rugby's little tummy 

could go another round.

No matter how much I love Christmas,

 I have always hated to decorate the tree. 

 Please notice (because you didn't think I could)

 that I didn't add as many

 ornaments and ribbons this year

 and I think I love it even more.

This was my birthday present from the Captain.

 It had been on my wish list for a long time.

Christmas should be seen 

through the eyes of a child 

and this is the closest thing I have.

I really love the shape of these bells. 

They aren't really metal, 

they were red plastic from the Dollar Tree and I painted them.

The mantel is hung with an old garland 

that I have had for years 

and I added another from Temu.

  I also added some red and white berry picks

 along with a few little twinkly lights.

 The candelabra is similar to the one

 in the Victoria magazine article

and the prints are my nod to Little Women...

I always love this blue and white plate

 peeking through between the mantel and the tree.

I noticed on the pages of the magazine 

there were photos of beautiful alabaster busts.  

I would really love to have one large one

 but maybe three smalls are just as good.

This little piece is from Temu

 and it really caught my eye. 

It is very charming 

and even though it looks framed 

it is just painted to look that way.

I used this little house last year

 but didn't think you would mind seeing it again. 

Mary and her little lamb are strolling by.

THE SITTING ROOM

I am loving the new paint color in the sitting room

 and just wish it would show better in my photos. 

 I am still waiting to find a new rug

 and will be hard at it after the holidays.

I found this little jewel at the Dollar Tree

 and brought it home to paint as a gingerbread house, 

but when I turned it on 

I loved it just the way it was.

I added another Temu garland into one 

that I had with paper puffs on it 

and stuck a few pinecones among them. 

With the addition of an

 old cedar garland draped underneath

and a wreath with bronze velvet bow, both from Temu, it looks right at home over the couch.

 A pinecone did roll off 

and hit my head the other night while watching TV 

but no harm done. 

 Us old Christmas homesteaders have hard heads!

A little bit of brightness on top of the game table.

 Yup, you guessed it. 

Green picks from Temu.

Once I gave this pretty glass vase

 a mercury glass treatment

 and thought it would make a beautiful candle holder.

 It shines beautifully through the texture of the glass.

These old blocks are such a standby.  

I have used them many years in the same spot.

 Placing the little white houses in between

 makes it look a little different this year.

I greet this little rocking horse

 in this same spot every year. 

It is something I look forward to.

I hope you enjoyed Part One of your Christmas visit.

  I didn't warn you it would go on forever. 

 I am planning for a Part Two and Three

 so I may be posting more than once a week

 so be on the lookout for that. 

 We are having our family celebration early this year, this coming Sunday to be exact, 

so it is a busy time around here

 and we are loving it all.

Happy Decorating and until next time...

...find time to take in the wonder of it all.

A piece of needlepoint that I did long ago.

...xxoJudy...

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