10 Special Painted Santas

Santas are an important part of Christmas decorating  in my house.  Rather than buying them over the years, I've enjoyed creating my painted Santas.  I began with tall wooden  Santas that stood like sentinels on my stairs each Christmas.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj4URFyG1oYX6ZrKIQwx-DvrysBqOKx_jp_5VuumojA2D2zj5v96Jz2IzTAEqnNlOhBw-0oHhwOtTeovYpzGAFvk5IcRQNfMYAYfu0xNnWMdccIq7uRo3jQOV1wJ8CIB271FXFRFBhFOUD/s1600/DSCN9894_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="painted birdhouse santa " border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj4URFyG1oYX6ZrKIQwx-DvrysBqOKx_jp_5VuumojA2D2zj5v96Jz2IzTAEqnNlOhBw-0oHhwOtTeovYpzGAFvk5IcRQNfMYAYfu0xNnWMdccIq7uRo3jQOV1wJ8CIB271FXFRFBhFOUD/s640/DSCN9894_01.JPG" title="painted birdhouse Santa " width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birdhouse Santa </td></tr></tbody></table><br />For many years  this family of Santas  provided a great topic of conversation for guests who were eager to see what the new Santa would be.  As time passed, so did  my interest in just a little too many Christmas decorations.  These  Santas now  lie in my storage room lonely, covered in dust, and  reminiscing about better times.  Perhaps they will become the illustrations for  Christmas stories for my granddaughters.  <br /><br />The Santas that still hold a special place in my heart, and get displayed on my  tree each year, are the small ornamental ones. No material was sacred: slate, driftwood, balsa wood, cinnamon sticks, light bulbs etc. . Today they all sit proudly next to glittery balls, sparkly stars and other finery.  It is never the glitz that people admire on my tree; it is always my Santas. So much for sparkle. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFOgLRbK6vfXUuuNmy3Xi3eR_MzcX1z0AvRTFQPt3vigsQ2YwMTNiNEpx9RSvn2Fl7mPrNO45YRbqp7WdZehrTsq73aCqqsgUzbAdnmYvcl9PQ0q8VWZjFdk6jrVbWH93g1kOYm3WY24U4/s1600/DSCN9887_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="painted Swedish Santa " border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFOgLRbK6vfXUuuNmy3Xi3eR_MzcX1z0AvRTFQPt3vigsQ2YwMTNiNEpx9RSvn2Fl7mPrNO45YRbqp7WdZehrTsq73aCqqsgUzbAdnmYvcl9PQ0q8VWZjFdk6jrVbWH93g1kOYm3WY24U4/s640/DSCN9887_01.JPG" title="Painted Swedish Santa" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swedish Santa </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjPR2fEI9pZKmEx3DkGFRDwZ8qPPmnoMtke1gOe0bcjXdTt1WuHB3b9KY5jDVnVXomSqMi_O0CnozPNeP86j4vHeXUcpK-oKKRbzQjnVKvTz2Ed53CupYWywtA1LTd2vyxDQrYqGHmKkS/s1600/DSCN9886_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="90's Driftwood Santa Designing Home" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjPR2fEI9pZKmEx3DkGFRDwZ8qPPmnoMtke1gOe0bcjXdTt1WuHB3b9KY5jDVnVXomSqMi_O0CnozPNeP86j4vHeXUcpK-oKKRbzQjnVKvTz2Ed53CupYWywtA1LTd2vyxDQrYqGHmKkS/s640/DSCN9886_01.JPG" title="90's Driftwood Santa " width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driftwood Santa </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_BqyoeLgxoxNvr5NiqHaBgmNn_1gyPThH0FU4XSmcHbIjD4acJKIAA2D6KXIksVfcmxR7gCDV26a7rFF8RlysqHyaVqygOK5QO4CMDjXiyPVIV8dcUK3_vXaJSy1hyphenhyphenW1Sysf8J3AX3Uz/s1600/DSCN9884_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Holly painted Santa Designing Home" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_BqyoeLgxoxNvr5NiqHaBgmNn_1gyPThH0FU4XSmcHbIjD4acJKIAA2D6KXIksVfcmxR7gCDV26a7rFF8RlysqHyaVqygOK5QO4CMDjXiyPVIV8dcUK3_vXaJSy1hyphenhyphenW1Sysf8J3AX3Uz/s640/DSCN9884_01.JPG" title="Margaret Ryall holly Santa " width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holly Santa </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjExDajLszt5nm1JSDdTXtwtm4MtXzkIAVze_QN6Rn8IOODauWwwNA8FwUbQIVhxg94VSnDG6hcvyH06nVnAUycP0Bair09eFP7hmFfZ1tYrboofUilGKq1yZoqqzMqqTbyEjnMMdgux1x/s1600/DSCN9880_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="painted Santa striped Designing Home" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjExDajLszt5nm1JSDdTXtwtm4MtXzkIAVze_QN6Rn8IOODauWwwNA8FwUbQIVhxg94VSnDG6hcvyH06nVnAUycP0Bair09eFP7hmFfZ1tYrboofUilGKq1yZoqqzMqqTbyEjnMMdgux1x/s640/DSCN9880_01.JPG" title="Striped Santa Margaret Ryall" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Striped Santa </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Xuky-tdp4S0L5Bv_WXJmp859KRLzHj49G7BZv9oJYBAaXacuMNaDFa4IH4EvTdV0Arkwha-4F3QTsDFLKVrq3AnPP91Ujz_IyiGS-Op_6S-cr_3dc-fkl_B8_5L1O7eccf2vZK_yA8xF/s1600/DSCN9879_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="painted Santa Designing Home" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Xuky-tdp4S0L5Bv_WXJmp859KRLzHj49G7BZv9oJYBAaXacuMNaDFa4IH4EvTdV0Arkwha-4F3QTsDFLKVrq3AnPP91Ujz_IyiGS-Op_6S-cr_3dc-fkl_B8_5L1O7eccf2vZK_yA8xF/s640/DSCN9879_01.JPG" title="Green Eyed Santa Margaret Ryall" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green eyed Santa </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPYHcwK070ZjPYEXGvvkVvRVyoEFELLCdoL7P3fkv43-5b_m3xyyNTGxRilZ04w45WCp7Kglau7k3GnM-ndPjdlERiF-j3bSRScW2sniDnWJa3hr8u1hiXR2XstLwILUSpKndW1ef_4-7T/s1600/DSCN9863_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="painted Santa Margaret Ryall" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPYHcwK070ZjPYEXGvvkVvRVyoEFELLCdoL7P3fkv43-5b_m3xyyNTGxRilZ04w45WCp7Kglau7k3GnM-ndPjdlERiF-j3bSRScW2sniDnWJa3hr8u1hiXR2XstLwILUSpKndW1ef_4-7T/s640/DSCN9863_01.JPG" title="Light bulb Santa Margaret Ryall" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Light bulb Santa </td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczBpCd3dmZaCSFaldhq0B8ldegFI3chnrIT2jVjZoxjq-1SSOdYaqogYP-9UrdTt0RVm2bNEDOA93x2YlCChyphenhyphenE292pSladygpA5zVncza4gb0YMQu39NkIsi6AWc6YjEb4XUfN7fMnfDf/s1600/DSCN9888_01.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczBpCd3dmZaCSFaldhq0B8ldegFI3chnrIT2jVjZoxjq-1SSOdYaqogYP-9UrdTt0RVm2bNEDOA93x2YlCChyphenhyphenE292pSladygpA5zVncza4gb0YMQu39NkIsi6AWc6YjEb4XUfN7fMnfDf/s640/DSCN9888_01.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long Beard Santa</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPL_wBFmeM4B6SZfukYN11wRY9U9K82GJJDF-zYjQ7XHx8pXEF6d-JQBFdWNx1yA0bp9TeHnGxK8ZocECRC8QxNoNrfDYYMsPBnzFVnUuObipYyd3ZGQIkWUx7WARjXVn4e2YzxcbLo1U/s1600/DSCN9890_01.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="painted Santa Margaret Ryall" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPL_wBFmeM4B6SZfukYN11wRY9U9K82GJJDF-zYjQ7XHx8pXEF6d-JQBFdWNx1yA0bp9TeHnGxK8ZocECRC8QxNoNrfDYYMsPBnzFVnUuObipYyd3ZGQIkWUx7WARjXVn4e2YzxcbLo1U/s640/DSCN9890_01.JPG" title="Santa Blue Eyes " width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Slate Santa Blue Eyes</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgps-y9dYy3DqlD0F5MFKlXVzvQqSiF5-MBXrTv8DE__6YZguG9qZsXgdX6XcyGLxEZLK1xR-UHkhPYMRAtrwMhgwShSDD7Fa_ott6nBhLN_RCtv-9TQjIQoDjmbbAUbSyZIjEXiOPPqEit/s1600/DSCN9904_01.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="painted Santa " border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgps-y9dYy3DqlD0F5MFKlXVzvQqSiF5-MBXrTv8DE__6YZguG9qZsXgdX6XcyGLxEZLK1xR-UHkhPYMRAtrwMhgwShSDD7Fa_ott6nBhLN_RCtv-9TQjIQoDjmbbAUbSyZIjEXiOPPqEit/s640/DSCN9904_01.JPG" title="Santa Don" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Santa Don </td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZBEsGrFUwyHZakxplTs7daHAwAupXG6bNiM1upw5pXIFPZF_rXRJ5IwBTTzJ8kPiDb2GsakYkGbyukgTe-Vj6qFJ2_U40-8RvpMFNWsqz2kC1DS6Euf4mmxjmiZFRz6VWDTh5ISeKPIy/s1600/DSCN9899_01.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="painted Santa " border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZBEsGrFUwyHZakxplTs7daHAwAupXG6bNiM1upw5pXIFPZF_rXRJ5IwBTTzJ8kPiDb2GsakYkGbyukgTe-Vj6qFJ2_U40-8RvpMFNWsqz2kC1DS6Euf4mmxjmiZFRz6VWDTh5ISeKPIy/s640/DSCN9899_01.JPG" title="Cinnamon Santa " width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cinnamon Santa </td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>What special ornaments hold a place in your yearly  Christmas decor?

10 Special Painted Santas

Santas are an important part of Christmas decorating  in my house.  Rather than buying them over the years, I've enjoyed creating my pai...

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Hymns and Verses

<center><img src="http://cptnrin.smugmug.com/photos/i-sF9HvvX/0/O/i-sF9HvvX.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://cptnrin.smugmug.com/photos/i-BwTk5Vj/0/O/i-BwTk5Vj.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://cptnrin.smugmug.com/photos/i-GKVxqhv/0/O/i-GKVxqhv.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://cptnrin.smugmug.com/photos/i-g8Pjm97/0/O/i-g8Pjm97.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://cptnrin.smugmug.com/photos/i-8DLgvQn/0/O/i-8DLgvQn.jpg" /><br /><br /><img src="http://cptnrin.smugmug.com/photos/i-QC2KRsW/0/O/i-QC2KRsW.jpg" /></center><br />Of course I had to share this one too!! Doreen of <a href="http://www.hymnsandverses.com/2013/12/2013-christmas-home-tour.html" target="_blank">Hymns and Verses</a> was another blogger who graciously opened her door for a virtual Christmas home tour....and what a beautiful door it is! She used Benjamin Moore's <a href="http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/millspringsblue" target="_blank">Mill Springs Blue</a>, a color perfect for all seasons! I just adore her back porch. What a fun idea to put a tree out there! The vintage mason jars are a super cute touch too! Step inside and finish your tour of her lovely home <a href="http://www.hymnsandverses.com/2013/12/2013-christmas-home-tour.html" target="_blank">here</a>!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Love turquoise? Visit my shopping blog </span><a href="http://www.everythingturquoise.com/" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">Everything Turquoise</a><span style="font-style: italic;">...updated several times throughout the day! Check out </span><a href="http://www.decorbycolor.com/" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">Decor by Color</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> for even more color-themed shopping! </span></span>

Hymns and Verses

Of course I had to share this one too!! Doreen of Hymns and Verses was another blogger who graciously opened her door for a virtual Christm...

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A nature inspired Christmas

Wooh!  I am overwhelmed with all those over the top Christmas home tours popping up on Pinterest and blogs.  Is it me or have people gone totally overboard  with Christmas decorating? The practical in me rebels.  Where do they store all those new decorations each year?  How much money is invested yearly when one does a complete decor  change at Christmas?  Where is tradition in all of this?  <br /><br />It's was so refreshing to visit  my sister's home this week and see that nature and thrift inspired much of what she has done to invite Christmas cheer. We both love a good bargain and forage our gardens for materials to decorate.  Some of the objects get used year after year in different ways and a small portion are purchased new.   So come along and see what she has done.....<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUeQyk6RDZqJjhwd_cefYyuY_O56JzkV86Ju8IQEFnjFPyiv4u-cLZsuKnSZ-8JEBmvVESYnL5v84gbB6Sk-P3A1jnZIwsbl-kKH0agFZ3x6TgxmrPVrKwcye8aZx51ZX9GNcV6K5Mbtm/s1600/photo-3_01.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="nature inspired Christmas" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUeQyk6RDZqJjhwd_cefYyuY_O56JzkV86Ju8IQEFnjFPyiv4u-cLZsuKnSZ-8JEBmvVESYnL5v84gbB6Sk-P3A1jnZIwsbl-kKH0agFZ3x6TgxmrPVrKwcye8aZx51ZX9GNcV6K5Mbtm/s400/photo-3_01.JPG" title="" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas Welcome</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br />She  has the perfect roofed entry for welcoming  Christmas decor. A centre layout doesn't hurt either.  She couldn't pass up these  lovely birch pots even thought she went looking for something larger. I love the colour and texture of them. They  are so versatile and  could easily be used inside too on a table or buffet.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFdwYdKp5-z8GPM79xLmRx6EiqC6c73_JpFU13Emwzgn08Nn7CRpeD-fbsf6Mt8_-oYizLkwHiX4zZ1GBhS62s17iZE8rA8l0dnjrTT9XsO8S0tetATkLUa6_yQ6UM_PGsK18QmV-KkJ-A/s1600/photo-2_01.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="nature inspired Christmas " border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFdwYdKp5-z8GPM79xLmRx6EiqC6c73_JpFU13Emwzgn08Nn7CRpeD-fbsf6Mt8_-oYizLkwHiX4zZ1GBhS62s17iZE8rA8l0dnjrTT9XsO8S0tetATkLUa6_yQ6UM_PGsK18QmV-KkJ-A/s400/photo-2_01.JPG" title="Birch Pots " width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Birch Pots</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> A closer view.  The local dollar store had lots of inexpensive ornaments to add to the cedar and pine. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHy19PzThRy399SkDwVjNO6SIRKHa4oMJN3o0nMJrUkmUEOQHBe6ZhsM4SsYEbRgsmyT6DWzXum-tguFJAw-WAPqjLJn4FZzKq13AQMEd_RMGg3jUpKnK3DKS9sIfNoQxhLZICOTuesz1/s1600/photo-5_01.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="nature inspired Christmas " border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHy19PzThRy399SkDwVjNO6SIRKHa4oMJN3o0nMJrUkmUEOQHBe6ZhsM4SsYEbRgsmyT6DWzXum-tguFJAw-WAPqjLJn4FZzKq13AQMEd_RMGg3jUpKnK3DKS9sIfNoQxhLZICOTuesz1/s400/photo-5_01.JPG" title="Berries and Birds Vera Greene" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Berries and Birds </td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The red tub and a sprinkling of snow adds to this delightful combination of birds, berries, twigs and greenery.  Happy holidays to all who decide to enter by the back door.  That would be almost everybody in the town where she lives! While I was visiting there were high winds and we were afraid the contents  of this arrangement would  end up in the neighbour's yard.  Decorating outside in Newfoundland is a risky business. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbZm_R5mr5rR3TBOUWX2-52ba4QuqGzDRXkC5DQcHuwbHeh_EFjOey-DKJeeLILO0q84o2Gq0FgT3S94JZ4-8ZrnIyWdwOcWxS5QUuc57wBCR62VaEUTqOiKq9acsfYbDPZTAlRY2sDMS/s1600/560915_3900166815730_896045982_n.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="nature inspired Christmas " border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbZm_R5mr5rR3TBOUWX2-52ba4QuqGzDRXkC5DQcHuwbHeh_EFjOey-DKJeeLILO0q84o2Gq0FgT3S94JZ4-8ZrnIyWdwOcWxS5QUuc57wBCR62VaEUTqOiKq9acsfYbDPZTAlRY2sDMS/s400/560915_3900166815730_896045982_n.JPG" title="Dove with greenery, Vera Greene" width="370" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dove with greenery </td></tr></tbody></table><br /> And inside a stained glass dove, a gift from us several years ago, is incorporated into  this very simple arrangement of greenery in a basket that gets used every year.  This arrangement also serves a practical purpose - it creates privacy and allows the outside in.   Taken at night this shot shows the inside wreath on the opposite wall,  the bare tree outside and  the neighbour's lights.  I wished I had my camera and not my I Phone for better shots. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFdwYdKp5-z8GPM79xLmRx6EiqC6c73_JpFU13Emwzgn08Nn7CRpeD-fbsf6Mt8_-oYizLkwHiX4zZ1GBhS62s17iZE8rA8l0dnjrTT9XsO8S0tetATkLUa6_yQ6UM_PGsK18QmV-KkJ-A/s1600/photo-2_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div> This  versatile candle holder might appear anywhere during the year in her house, but this Christmas it is on the buffet in the dining area.  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM1Cff2KsO5ztE0NAdqx3LtrvaT2j8EGdHt1ljaVwh6SEKiHxiOTSxYYj4ZaBaLN7FpVZ146X4YDkvz_yjjhu6upkpy6byWXhia6hyphenhyphenDu_-IlEHbLT-yE42g7KVBEDqZDbX5NcVJQKcZO_H/s1600/photo+13_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM1Cff2KsO5ztE0NAdqx3LtrvaT2j8EGdHt1ljaVwh6SEKiHxiOTSxYYj4ZaBaLN7FpVZ146X4YDkvz_yjjhu6upkpy6byWXhia6hyphenhyphenDu_-IlEHbLT-yE42g7KVBEDqZDbX5NcVJQKcZO_H/s400/photo+13_01.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Add a red candle.... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXGKNQ8u7jBGByiMDUj3W4lcWEg4MZ0Lrq3lm53mQtUDwp9hjRy_x2oOvubKAugg5cToHNm89wMYmITl7VssGObIq8bMkEphCkcZzMI9i5TH-m8g58-wTv-ylg6SPmA-0QJAL9Bul52vz/s1600/photo-17_02.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXGKNQ8u7jBGByiMDUj3W4lcWEg4MZ0Lrq3lm53mQtUDwp9hjRy_x2oOvubKAugg5cToHNm89wMYmITl7VssGObIq8bMkEphCkcZzMI9i5TH-m8g58-wTv-ylg6SPmA-0QJAL9Bul52vz/s400/photo-17_02.JPG" width="353" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And a $2.00  mini wreath, you guessed it from the local dollar store,</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHy19PzThRy399SkDwVjNO6SIRKHa4oMJN3o0nMJrUkmUEOQHBe6ZhsM4SsYEbRgsmyT6DWzXum-tguFJAw-WAPqjLJn4FZzKq13AQMEd_RMGg3jUpKnK3DKS9sIfNoQxhLZICOTuesz1/s1600/photo-5_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhascZpFa-oPTQiRsXsicGe7HgX1Ifk7nfCCc6_3mE4WK1j8KxNracpJ0H8RBrvtUNLhCp7-fbAgSaEecsLmaaIJrWaT7_2GimH7VpIWX-IZ-WqNTuD3efvuDpw-pc6h2n2WyGh9Fc43ux3/s1600/photo-8_01.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhascZpFa-oPTQiRsXsicGe7HgX1Ifk7nfCCc6_3mE4WK1j8KxNracpJ0H8RBrvtUNLhCp7-fbAgSaEecsLmaaIJrWaT7_2GimH7VpIWX-IZ-WqNTuD3efvuDpw-pc6h2n2WyGh9Fc43ux3/s400/photo-8_01.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> and viola .... ready for Christmas.  </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2X2ESw4XghoILezsYg8AQO6cOJk9_m2P8QHgG7gYqk0kn9k0Yda4DIUOyA2Gwl-gw3fe1LNaXMibdvjbAtgfW4yqg_Zzcci0k_ZhljW1R5W_g8E1KUwgizVsOEKE0AVlBbWuyCIlk4zn/s1600/photo-18_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2X2ESw4XghoILezsYg8AQO6cOJk9_m2P8QHgG7gYqk0kn9k0Yda4DIUOyA2Gwl-gw3fe1LNaXMibdvjbAtgfW4yqg_Zzcci0k_ZhljW1R5W_g8E1KUwgizVsOEKE0AVlBbWuyCIlk4zn/s400/photo-18_01.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We were wishing there was a third one to balance out the wreath.  Spreading them out a little helped.  That shot never got taken. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUeQyk6RDZqJjhwd_cefYyuY_O56JzkV86Ju8IQEFnjFPyiv4u-cLZsuKnSZ-8JEBmvVESYnL5v84gbB6Sk-P3A1jnZIwsbl-kKH0agFZ3x6TgxmrPVrKwcye8aZx51ZX9GNcV6K5Mbtm/s1600/photo-3_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXGKNQ8u7jBGByiMDUj3W4lcWEg4MZ0Lrq3lm53mQtUDwp9hjRy_x2oOvubKAugg5cToHNm89wMYmITl7VssGObIq8bMkEphCkcZzMI9i5TH-m8g58-wTv-ylg6SPmA-0QJAL9Bul52vz/s1600/photo-17_02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB60oWF0zl0133UpinnMwuyTmCB0-r-TJIZYF6AFG1HV5AFQJzIdfkkdH9HG_PEmIUj1tPT03VdYcH8I6VgkwTI3EZrQISBRKEokl92HG0qFglCC28edzM80JnvX01jJqyoBJcUe8-Gbn_/s1600/photo-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB60oWF0zl0133UpinnMwuyTmCB0-r-TJIZYF6AFG1HV5AFQJzIdfkkdH9HG_PEmIUj1tPT03VdYcH8I6VgkwTI3EZrQISBRKEokl92HG0qFglCC28edzM80JnvX01jJqyoBJcUe8-Gbn_/s320/photo-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /> And a lovely 3 D snowflake on a spent orchid stalk.   So simple and so riveting .  Your eye will  follow  red anywhere.   We had great discussion about where  the snowflake should be placed.  We decided to put it on the edge of the vignette to move your eye on to the next thing. Two sisters who are both decorators can spend hours talking about very little (according to family)! <br /><br />An inviting home and a great sister.  Merry Christmas Vera, and thank you for allowing me to show some of your Christmas cheer. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />

A nature inspired Christmas

Wooh!  I am overwhelmed with all those over the top Christmas home tours popping up on Pinterest and blogs.  Is it me or have people gone to...

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