Christmas Blog Hopping----

I have totally neglected this blog.   It's just been a busy year for me and I've been more dedicated to my scrapping blog (A Scrapmom's Musings) than to this one.  I've done very little decorating or flea market shopping as well so I felt I really didn't have anything to blog about.   But, now that I finally have my own home again after 5 years, I'll be more motivated to share my love of thrifty decor, eclectic decorating and whatever else I feel like blogging about.  

While browsing some blogs, I came across some wonderful Christmas-themed blog parties!  And, I LOVE blog hops.  It's such a great way to be inspired.  I just hope I can inspire others as well.  So, read along and well.....blog along as well!   Enjoy!
I just recently re-visited Etsy Cottage Style blog and discovered the "Holiday Edition of the Cottage Colors Party".  I thought I'd join in on the fun. 
   Click here: Etsy Cottage Style to link up or visit other blogs.  The Cottage Colors for December are RED and GREEN.  I hope you enjoy my Christmas decor and collection(s):

Here is our tree.  It's the smallest one we've had in a long, long time.  We down-sized into a ranch home and our living space is much smaller than before.  Our tree is 6 feet tall and about 4 feet wide.  My tree is an assortment of ornaments that I've collected over the years or have sentimental value to me.  It's not a fancy tree and isn't a 'showroom' type tree.  I do not have a 'themed' tree unless "eclectic" counts--LOL!   Still, we love our tree.  When I open the boxes of ornaments each year, and pull out each one, I remember moments of my past and it always brings a smile to my face. 

Here are some of my favorite ornaments:

I bought this bread dough ornie for my daughter when she was 3 years old.

And at the same time, I bought this one for my youngest daughter who was just a baby at the time.  They're now 26 and 23.

This is the first ornament my husband and I bought as an engaged couple.

This is the fireplace.  Pretty big, huh?

Here are some close ups of the hearth:

I've been collecting snowmen and Santas for many years.  Considering that I have a much smaller place to display my collection, I did manage to put out every one of them--some on the hearth, some on the mantel and others on the hutch:

And this is the display on my 'coffee table', which is actually an antique trunk:

Different angle, different setting on the camera:

Close ups of the Snowmen on my hutch:

 

And of course, we can't forget the Reason for the Season--the birth of Our Lord, Jesus Christ:   This nativity set is 26 years old.  It was given to us as a Christmas gift all those years ago.  The paint is wearing off here and there, but it's a treasured family heirloom:

I'm glad you stopped by to see my Christmas decor.  I'll post more tomorrow or Tuesday of my Gingerbread kitchen.

I'm also linking up to these parties:

Help Save My Christmas Spirit at A Fish Who Likes Flowers
Creative Bloggers Party Hop at Homemaker On A Dime