Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Christmas Simplicity

I'm planning to turn over a new leaf. After staying in lovely places where less is more, and visions of simplified French country decor, rather than sugarplums, still swim in my head, I'm hoping to keep the holidays simple around the cottage.

Christmas decorating time is here. The boxes are down from the attic, tissue wrapped ornaments are dusted off, and once again stuff is everywhere!
BUT.....................I am restraining myself somewhat. I love Christmas with vintage glitter, angels on high, velvet robed Santas, white wood snowflakes hanging in the window, musical snow globes, white candles in mercury glass holders...................the smell of fresh pine garlands, red holly berries.........a Christmas tree.
So decorate I will............simply.


I started on the outside on Saturday......................strung new white lights along the fence and arbor........wound strings of lights and replaced the white star balls hanging from a little tree by the potting shed, pesky squirrels having chewed the original ones. Sunday it rained heavily all day. On the next fine one I'll be stringing lights on the front porch and decorating the tree in the gazebo.

Meanwhile, in the house the kitchen rooster was first to be 'decorated'.
Hung a candle wreath around his neck ~ looks adorable.
Can I keep it all simple like this? Wait and see.



15 comments:

  1. Love it so far! Looking forward to seeing it wll done.
    I'm with ya on the keep it simple!
    ~Tam :D

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  2. I'm sure you will. You have enough good taste to do so. I like simple things, they are the best.

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  3. You, a rooster, and I, a deer. I hang a simple white berry wreath on a deer's head that I have on my living room wall. No, not a real deer's head but one from metal. I have been filtering out things in my Christmas items as to what I really love. I will ask myself again as I unpack things if I really love an item enough. I put out my nutcracker collection last night. I was not even sure I would do it but now that I have, I am glad I did. I am giving a nutcracker each year to a grand niece and grand nephew. I want them to be able to build up a small collection to use when they are adults. I am already picking out which ones they will receive next year. :)

    I thought about changing to a smaller tree but Jos hates that idea. He loves our house to be full of Christmas cheer.

    Simplicity in decorating does not mean just throwing something on a table and saying it is done as many think. It is a thought out thing that ensures you SEE what you have put together. So I find I am constantly tweaking what I have done trying to get it just right. Do you do this too? Simplicity is not as simple as it sounds. :)

    I am looking forward to visiting your front porch very soon! I must admit that I am really missing it. I love to wander there and gaze at how inviting you make it for any time of the year.

    Hugs ~
    Heidi

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  4. No matter what you do it will be beautiful!!

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  5. Mine is always simple because I don't have much to use. I really like what you have. You are an inspiration.

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  6. Beautiful, Mary! I did the "less is more" thing, or at least tried to, a year or two ago and it worked!

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  7. Mary, I love the white! Beautiful pictures.

    In this old house, natural greenery and little candles in the windows are just the ticket.

    Happy December,
    Lynn

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  8. That white fruit is so pretty. I keep to my snowmen now. Everywhere.
    So far, they are all still yelling to be let out of the attic. Hummm.
    No elves here to help me so guess I have to do it.
    Your look will be great no matter what you do.
    Nancy

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  9. I love the simpleness of it! I can't wait to see what else you do. I have white ceamic pears and apples too. Yours look lovely on that stand.
    Hugs,
    Penny

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  10. Love the rooster Mary!! I've been wanting one of those for so long... love the idea of hanging that candle wreath around it's neck. Looks great!!! Let's plan a little chat sometime this week! Love, Vanessa

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  11. The rooster is great. I will love seeing how your simple decorating works out.

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  12. It is looking quite lovely so far. I can't wait to see more.

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  13. Oh! I love the rooster! Whatever you do will be tasteful and gorgeous!

    Just to let you know - took Larry to emergency room Saturday evening - doubled over with stomach pains. After every test imaginable and having his first food tonight since Saturday, I think he gets to come home tomorrow! All is well!

    Yep! I love that rooster!!

    Hugs,
    Deborah

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  14. Hi Mary. Busy all day today with therapy and dinner with the car club. Our Christmas get together. We arrived home about 30 minutes ago.

    Thank you for your sweet comment. We are talking about coming to Raleigh the weekend of the 13th. I don't know if you will be busy then.

    Your plan to simplify your decorating is appealing to me big time. The rooster looks great in gold and white. I'll be watching you. Smile.

    You are in the drawing for the give-a-way. Good luck.

    Hugs, Jeanne

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  15. I can jsut imagine what your shed and arbour look like with little faerie lights on them. Echanting. Simple is almost always better.

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