It's hard to believe that Christmas has already come and gone.
This month has certainly been a busy one around the Wingerden household. We hosted Christmas this year for the first time in our new home. Events like this are usually just the pressure I need to get things whipped into shape.
So, for those of you who have found your way here to get a taste of our Christmas in 2010, I hope you are in for the long haul since there is much to share...
We'll start with picking out the Christmas tree...
It was a misty afternoon and not too cold....perfect for finding our tree...
We found a family run Christmas tree market just a little ways from our house.
After some debate {I am very picky when it comes to trees}, we chose one from the group above. I had big plans for this tree...and was very excited to get it home.
Only to realized it was about 2 1/2 feet too tall! After Josh sawed a good portion off of the bottom, it was the perfect size.
Then the next project was to flock it. Neither of us had ever done that before, but I have always loved the look of flocked trees. I found a kit online and Josh rigged up a way for us to use it {turned out we didn't have the right equipment which I didn't realize when I purchased it}.
And away we flocked...must have looked like a site to our neighbors with all of the white powder flying in the air as we sprayed the tree in our backyard.
We didn't have enough flocking to heavily coat it, just enough though to add a soft, lighter coloring to it.
Then it was on to decorating!
Only silver, white, and cream ornaments this year...with burlap garland.
White lights of course...as well as several religious inspired and handmade ornaments...
I purchased the beautiful ex-voto "Mary Did You Know" tags from Ozma of Odds on Etsyand adore them. They were a perfect addition to our tree.
A favorite 'Merry Christmas' tag from sweet Sandi, and I purchased a set of two sheet music rosette ornaments from the lovely Susan of Paper Hill.
Some old favorites....
Some new additions...
As you might notice if you are a regular here, we have made some changes in the living room...like painting the walls {finally! The color is now "puff" gray. I was so sick of that 'macaroni and cheese' yellow - still have the office to do as you can see in the background}.
And we hung our chandelier...{haven't found the crystals yet...still lots of unpacking to do!}.
Another new addition this year was the mantel next to our tree. As I mentioned in my previous birthday post, Josh had planned on purchasing one as my gift.
When the one we really wanted ended up being sold before we got there, we decided to get creative with what was available.
I never thought we would go with a brown mantel, but the TV fits in it perfectly {which was one of my main goals}. We plan on mounting the TV on the wall inside the mantel and then I want to make up some linen curtains to go inside, so I can "tuck" it away whenever I don't want to look at it.
This year we had to improvise, however, so I was happy when I found the 'yule log' on cable, so we can enjoy a nice 'crackling fire' in the new mantel.
A fresh Boxwood wreath adorned our front door this year, and an old chalkware Jesus, found on the side of the road, rested by the mantel - to remind us of the true meaning for our celebration.
After the tree and mantel were situated, we had a lot of work to do in the dinning room to get it ready for serving 11 people.
First thing I wanted put up was the chandelier I purchased last spring on Craigslist. It has been stored away since we purchased it, and I have been dying to see it up with all the crystals on it...
Josh painstakingly cleaned each strand and put it up for me. I sure do love that man.
I also worked hard decorating and cleaning up our hutch {but that really was the fun part}...
I filled it with greenery, antique white pottery and other special touches...
Our new vintage dining set, that we also purchased last spring and had in storage until we moved in, thankfully came with three leaves. We felt like royalty with how long it was, as I set the table and got it prepared for our guests.
I got to put out my new butter dish given to me for my birthday from my Aunt Maureen, and Josh picked up the bouquet of flocked branches at Wegmans. I split it in two for one bouquet on each end of the table.
Thankfully my mother helped me with the cooking and many of our guests brought hors d'oeuvres and desserts.
For dinner we served cranberry stuffed turkey breasts, ham and lasagna rolls, along with a cranberry vinaigrette salad and several side dishes. It was quite a production, but overall came together wonderfully and all seemed to have a good time.
Earlier that day we exchanged gifts between the three of us {Josh, myself and Renoir of course}. Renoir went first and was quite the spoiled guy that day.
Even got a new gray bed for the floor in the living room {although he is still preferring his "romantic" bed}...
Josh got me an old clothes wringer that I spotted at the antique shop down the road from us awhile back...not sure what I will do with it yet but it sure looks cute!
And I got Josh an old printing press box to store his jewelry and supplies in...
We were also blessed to receive several other wonderful gifts from our family and cards sent in from some of you lovely Ladies...thank you so much! We cherished them dearly and have them displayed in our dining room.
I even received a special gift in the mail from Maren of Maren's Hus a few days before Christmas. A beautiful handmade Christmas ornament...
It's beautiful and even has images on both sides. Thank you so much Maren for your thoughtfulness! :)
We have been truly blessed this year in so many ways and are so grateful for all of our family and friends.
I wish all of you a very Happy New Year ahead and can't wait to share more exciting news from our home and life in 2011!
Till next time...
