December 9, 2015

Christmas Dining and Living Room

I hope you're all enjoying the holiday season as much as my family and I are!  The news said we have broken a record here in Michigan for not having any snow yet and for warm temperatures this late in the year.  But it has been so cloudy!

I took some pictures this morning and they honestly looked like it was night outside.  I ran errands today and had just gotten home from the grocery store when the sun peaked out for a second.  Less than five minutes.

Fortunately, our dining and living room were neat and clean.  I can't say the same for the kitchen as I had covered the cabinets with groceries.

So I paused and ran around like a banshee taking a few pictures.  They're still not sunny by any means but there's no sunshine in the forecast so I have a feeling this is as good as it's going to get!

I added a boxwood wreath to our china cabinet in the family room and a small tree.  I love having the lights in the evening when we're eating.

I filled this small tree with lights and icicles like the other tree but I also added pillow batting mimicking snow.  I bent the branches of the tree down like they were weighted with the snow to add realism.
My husband made this 'trough' for me a couple of years ago.  I filled it with a faux pine garland for a base then added more cream poinsettias, faux fruit, glittering ornaments and candles.
I showed you our living room in the evening recently.  In the daytime, I love all the fresh white and flowers.

I didn't put anything on this wreath - just added some frosted evergreen bows at the bottom.
I added a faux garland to the mantel with lots of lights and lots of candles, all woven together with a gold sparkly ribbon.
I want to say again how much I've enjoyed everyone's Christmas home tours!  I especially have loved how differently everyone decorates and it's still all so beautiful!  

An article came through my Facebook news feed today from a popular decorating magazine.  In it, designers were sharing the mistakes they feel that people do when decorating for Christmas.  I had done most of them. So did you!  Ha!  So I promptly dealt with it by deleting the magazine from my news feed.

So I want to say - load your tables and shelves with all the knick-knacks that your grandmother gave you!  Fill your house with fake greenery and put a Nativity on every surface!  Buy a poinsettia for everyone you know!  They may be "the mum" of Christmas, but they sure are beautiful!  Decorate your house exactly like you like it and don't compare yourself to anyone else.  It's YOUR house and it's YOUR memories. Traditions and family are far more important than doing things 'right.'  Next year they'll tell you something else is 'in' or 'out' so do it your way.  
Whew!  I feel much better!  Sometimes I get so tired of being told what's 'right' and how to feel about things.

I have heard other bloggers express that they had wondered if their house and their decorating was good enough.  They had compared themselves to someone else and then been afraid they weren't as good.  I've also heard another beautiful blogger express that blogging had changed a lot over the years and sometimes she felt she couldn't keep up.

You don't have to be better.  You don't have to keep up.  It's wonderful to be unique and be yourself. My style and your style may not be liked by everyone.  That's ok.  I really like my house.  And I'm the one who lives in it.

My prayer for you this year is that you find your identity in Christ.  Once you find that, it can't be shaken. When you follow the things that God has for you, you have a confidence that you're doing the right thing... no matter what anyone else thinks.  A new year is coming.  I'm praying it's a new day for each of us!

love and blessings~


"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;     your works are wonderful,     I know that full well." Psalm 139:14

I'm joining these linky parties:
frommyfrontporchtoyours
northernnesting
Rattlebridge Farm
craftberrybush
/tatertotsandjello
.dwellings
.thededicatedhouse
.karensuponthehill
Metamorphosis Monday
coastalcharm
.astrollthrulife
.savvysouthernstyle
.adelightsomelife.



30 comments:

  1. Sweet post, Lynda. Your home is so pretty.

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    1. Thank you, Stacey! I'm glad it's sweet...I was afraid I ranted! lol

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  2. Here here!!! I am saddened when I read stuff like that. About people who feel compelled to compare themselves to others and never feel good enough. *shaking my head*
    I decorate for me!!! I blog for me!! To get my creative juices satisfied.... When I want, how I want.. as it should be. My decorating is the same. For me and who lives here in my home.
    I luv your posts!!! Look forward to them .... Such luvly rooms. Who cares what's 'in'? It will more than likely be 'out' in a week. Hahahaha
    Let's continue to be ourselves !!
    Hugs, Gee

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  3. What a beautiful post Lynda, to go along with your beautiful home! Merry Christmas!

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    1. Thank you so much, Debbie! Merry Christmas! Christ is born!

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  4. Lynda, yes I agree, a beautifully written post! Your home is beautiful and I so agree with you. Our homes are ours and we need to please ourselves and family. I get lots of inspiration from you and your beautiful blog.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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    1. Thank you, Shelia! You are always so kind. YOU are a sweetie!
      love and blessings~

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  5. Your home is so lovely and your holiday decorations are amazing. Perfection all around.

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  6. Your house looks so nice with all of the winter whites... Really like that boxwood wreath on the hutch!

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  7. Your home is so beautiful, Lynda; but what I found to be the highlight of this post, were your words on being ourselves and doing what feels right for us and our homes. I could not agree more!

    I also wanted to thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving a sweet comment.

    Warm hugs,
    Carol

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    1. Thank you, Carol! love and blessings for this Christmas season~

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  8. Everything is just Beautiful! Makes me smile and feel warm inside, especially on the post at night with the Christmas lights all glowing. I agree with you on the decorating and something we need to remember is that it is not about what is right/wrong with the decorating but the real reason for this season for celebrating is the birth of our Lord and Saviour!
    Merry Christmas to you and your family and Many Blessings in the New Year,
    Candy

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    1. Amen, Candy! He is the reason for EVERY day! Thanks for all your kind comments and encouragement that you always give.
      love and blessings to you and your family~

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  9. Your wisdom comes from a Godly heart that you share with others. Blessings!

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  10. I love your post, Lynda! After all, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

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  11. Lovely post Lynda. Your home is beautifully decorated. We do need to please ourselves and we are all different. Blessings to you.

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  12. Lynda,
    Oh, dear friend, if only you could have heard me cackling to this comment on your post. . .
    "So I promptly dealt with it by deleting the magazine from my news feed."
    Great use of the 'delete' button!!!
    I agree, it's our home, our Traditions, our memories!!!
    I also appreciate the gentle reminder to seek God's divine guidance in our lives!!!
    Your Dining and Living Room are exquisite, dear friend!!!
    I l o v e the subtle stillness of the white!!!
    Thank you for sharing. . .and for making me laugh. . .
    and reminding me that I belong to Jesus whose Birth we Celebrate at Christmas!!!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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    1. Well, it should be the ONE place that we can do it 'our way!' Right? :) And yes! We celebrate Jesus every day but especially at Christmas.

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  13. I really enjoyed your post!! and you are so right that too often we compare ourselves and think we are not good enough....God made us each unique and different and I'm thankful that He is the reason for the season. Stoppin by from Amaze me Monday and wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas. We have had some cloudy days here in Southern Alberta,,,,so I totally can see you running around trying to get a sunny photo! I have been doing the same!! :) Your home looks beautiful and I really like the shutters you have on your windows.

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    1. Thanks so much, Dawna! It looks like instead of white Christmas we will have a dark and rainy Christmas! Oh well! The snow will come soon enough. Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!
      love and blessings~

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  14. Beautiful home and I appreciate your sentiments...I so agree with you!
    Merry Christmas Lynda and thanks so very much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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