{Merry Christmas}

This post was supposed to happen a few days ago...  We celebrated Christmas with our kiddos on Monday in Spokane before making the three hour trek to Missoula to celebrate with family.  I had planned to do this decorations post early this week, and time has gotten away from me, so here I am, posting on Christmas Day.  Merry Christmas to you and yours...  I hope you enjoy this glimpse of a few of my favorite (Christmas) things.

 This peacock was given to me by my grandma.  It is one of my favorite vintage pieces of Christmas decor.  It clips to the tree instead of hanging.  The peacock is the family bird of the Pfau family, which was my grandma's maiden name, so this piece is a little piece of heritage.

 These beautiful shoes are from Gabe's first Christmas.  They are so heavy that we have to make sure they go on a sturdy branch!  It always makes me smile to see them come out of Gabe's Christmas box.

 These little mice have been my Christmas friends for as long as I can remember.  I just adore them.  Aren't they so cute?  They have been missing from our tree for two years...First, I lost them, then I found them and didn't put them back with the Christmas stuff, so of course I couldn't find them when Christmas rolled around again.  I'm so happy they've rejoined us this year!!

 This is one of Micci's ornaments, and it is versatile because M can stand for Micci, or for Meek!  It is so pretty and winterish.  

 Another one from my childhood, this angel was given to me when I was three.  I always look forward to pulling her out and hanging her on the tree.

 Our tree!

 Gabe's manger scene, another gift from my grandma.  I used to play with this scene as a child and I would reenact the Nativity story with the different pieces and characters.  When Gabe was old enough, he did the same thing (although he may have added in a few Lego characters, too).  When Grandma got a new set, she gifted this one to Gabe, so it is always set up at Christmas now.

 A new addition this year, I spent some time making garland from old sheet music.  It was a fun, quick project that added a nice touch to our decor.

 Our very small Christmas village consists of a school and a firehouse.  They make a nice addition atop the piano since we no longer have a mantle.

 And speaking of no mantle, I had a hard time deciding where to put our stockings this year, but this spot in the dining room works perfectly!  I added a few Christmas-y touches to our stocking holders...My last three Santa mugs, and a couple of candles, the Joy, Peace and Hope ornaments, and of course the stockings themselves.  I made these ones three years ago from some burlap and vintage lace and satin I had around.  I just love them.

My centerpiece for the coffee table in the living room includes some pine cones, a snow globe and my big jar.  Normally the jar is filled with sand dollars, but for Christmas, I emptied it and added some beaded garland, a string of battery powered lights, and my set of Lighted Ice vintage Christmas bulbs.  These are from a set that my other grandma had, and only two of them still work, but I love them so much that I had to display them.  So I popped them into the jar and they are beautiful!  I also scattered pine cones throughout my living room and dining room to add some wintery touches.  

Well, there you have it.  A quick view of some special Christmas decor that always makes our season bright.  Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and the happiest of New Years!  Watch for our New Year's letter coming soon!

Merry Christmas!!!