Christmas Tour of Homes 2010!

It's time again for the Christmas Tour of Homes which is (now) hosted by The Nester and Kelly's Korner. I like this community event because it gives myself and others a chance to hop around and "visit" other homes. It's fun to see how other people decorate for the holidays. Plus, I like inviting my regular readers here into my home for a brief look. (Plus, it's a community CHRISTMAS thing so exactly how am I supposed to resist?)

If you were stepping up to the front door of our house, you'd most likely see two little faces peering at you from the side windows. Hopefully they'd know you were coming and if they did, they would be excited to greet you. You would absolutely be greeted by this little bear cub which is a newly added addition to our front porch this year. (I think he's cute!)




Immediately upon walking in, you would see our Christmas tree which we planted right in front of our "Wall of Windows" this year. I love the way it looks both during the day and the night time! I also like walking into the house and seeing it first thing!



(It's an artificial tree, if you are wondering. Although we're surrounded by Christmas Tree farms in our area of the country, we find artificial to be more convenient.)

Right after you come inside if you look to your left hand side, you'll see this "Joy" Snowman which my JOY Swap partner made for me this year. (More on the swap partner thing later this week!) I loved this little guy and put it next to my old fashioned looking radio. If I've thought ahead, before you arrived I turned on our local Christian radio station which is playing Christmas music 24/7 this season. (Love that!)



If you look to your right hand side, you'll see my nativity set which I display on the bookcase under and over the staircase. My aunt gifted me with the starter set of this Nativity Set the year Jonathan and I were married and every year or so I've added another piece to it. This year I finished off my set by adding the wise men.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

If you step over into the dining area, you'll find our second tree, overlooking our neighbor's house and a tree-studded hill in the distance. I love our little eating nook.


This tree is my nod to my Texas heritage, as I've included stars, etc. for the Lone Star State. (But if you know me, you know I'm not all that big on Texas, much preferring Oregon - thankyouverymuch!) But sometimes a little Texas pops out and in the case of this tree, it showed up as little red speckled stars.


Lastly, one of my favorite little places to celebrate Christmas this year is opposite the dining area. This is the little nook in my bedroom and you'll notice on the side of the couch here that there is a basket of books - some of which are still wrapped and others have been unwrapped.

Naturally, this being a book blog and all, I cannot fail to mention our holiday reading practices! As I've mentioned, this year I wrapped and numbered all of our children's Christmas books and stories. Every morning the boys and I check in with our advent calendar (and gobble down any goodies we might have found) and then we open our books and read for a bit. They are loving it and so am I!


A lot of the books that you'd find hidden away in this basket I mentioned in my Christmas Books for Toddlers post (should you be looking for recommendations.) I'm still a few books shy to carry us through Christmas but that's ok. I've been watching other people's recommendations as well and will plan on adding some new titles to our collection next year!


(Again, thanks to Amy at Hope is in the Word for giving me the idea to wrap the books last year! This has been such a pleasant and fun activity and is an eagerly awaited part of each morning!)

Those things, my friends, are a few of my most favorite things that you would see if you came into our home this Christmas season. If you are new here, thanks for stopping by! And if you are an "old hat" around these parts, I hope you enjoyed the glimpse inside this place. I'll save pictures of my overflowing bookshelves for later. ;)

To tour additional homes, visit The Nester and/or Kelly's Korner. Have fun and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:8-14