Welcome to Day 3!

I'm so excited that today is finally here! I get to show off my favorite room! This tree has been evolving for 8 years. Its almost perfect. It doesn't hurt the rest of the elements also fell into place. :) I love it when  plan comes together!

Every year, when we pull it out I wonder how on Earth am I going to fit all of these ornaments on here, but every  year every single ornament makes it on there. This year I even feel like I could fit a few more. :)

So let me show you our Family Room!

This room is situated in the back center of our house. It is the epicenter of the house. As you can see there are lots of toys, dogs and boys in this room at all times. Except right now, at 10:36 pm, I am the only one in this room, at 10:37 both dogs and the hubs invade....so does the noise. The minute of silence was nice. :)


First let me show you the table that you see from our foyer.

Usually this table holds my Christmas card holder, but this year I changed it up. The sleigh is usually the centerpiece on the dining room table. The pictures are from last year. We're going to be going to visit Santa this weekend. :) So excited for that! 

Now onto my Christmas card holder. I found this idea over at BHG.com (HERE). I found the cedar box at Lowe's last year for $5. Yep, $5. Pretty amazing. The bells I ordered off ebay and then I just wrapped a garland in the box and shoved the bells and poinsettias in there amongst the garland. 

Now lets move on to the main event! The tree!!! This tree is wedged in the corner of the room between the tv console and fireplace. 

 So remember yesterday when I said I had a thing for lights. This tree has 900 small lights and 140 large crystal iridescent C9s. It is my pride and glory. All the rest of my trees should aspire to this level of bright. :) This tree is also 7.5' tall  not including his little riser. The main floor of  our house has 10' ceilings so the proportion of this tree to its corner of the room is perfect. :) As you can tell....I have a bit of a pride issue with this tree. :)

Funny story about this tree skirt. I didn't make it. My mom did. She and I picked out the fabrics during my first year of marriage, before I was sewing again. This was 7 years ago. 7 years. This year, while I was smoothing out the skirt I stabbed myself. I stabbed myself with a pin. A pin, that I presume, that has been in this tree skirt for the last 7 years. Go figure. Oh well. The pin has been disposed and hopefully there are no more hiding.

The ornaments on this tree range from pieces we bought on our honeymoon to pieces I bought to showcase the boys' first Christmases. Even my first ornament, from 1981 {eek!}, is on this tree. There are birds and jewels, along with nostalgic ornaments from both Steve's and my childhoods. Its my favorite tree, because of all the memories it holds.

Here's the scene that I'm looking at right now. Its so very peaceful and lovely. Better yet is that this picture shows off the 2 most favorite vignettes of the house. Now let's move on to the mantle!

I'm sure you guys all recognize the nutty wreath from a few weeks ago. I just replaced the ribbon with some pale green tulle and red sequin ribbon. I also used these two ribbons on the front door arrangement. I collected the candle holders over time and all of them were gifts or from thrift stores. As I said previously, I love red and gold. So I have antique brass and crystal candle holders with red foil tapers. This is the first year that I've draped garland around the fireplace, but I think I like it.  The stockings on the mantle were all made by my mom at different times. Apparently my stocking does not want to be photographed, its the one in red. 

Don't forget that tomorrow is the last day of the open house, there is one more tree to show off and then its time to link up all of your Christmas trees! I'm so excited to see all the trees. I do so love this time of year, just because of all the magic that is inherently attached to the season.

See you all tomorrow! I hope you're ready to do some  sharing!




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