How quickly time passes, Christmas Time Is Here Once More.
The trees are all trimmed, the stockings are hung, and the cakes and cookies are baked. Come in out of the cold and join me in our country kitchen for a cup of holiday cheer.
We can sit in front of the fire in the old hearth and reminisce about our favorite holiday experiences.
Do you want to know my favorite Christmas moment? My husband put a beautiful ring in a small wooden box and stuffed it into my Christmas stocking along with small cooking utensils. I thought it was going to be a Champagne stopper…boy did I guess wrong. I’d love to know what is your most memorable holiday experience?
I love the Christmas season and each year I put up several Christmas trees, actually six trees…one in each of our downstairs rooms. There is something about a tree decorated with twinkling lights, shiny balls and beautiful ribbons that is so very festive. I also like to gather holly, spruce, and pine branches and pine cones from our property to fill urns outside our front door and for small centerpieces that I place throughout our home to add to the joy of the season.
You might remember how I’ve decorated our home in the past. Each year, I try to make things a little different for the guests that attend our annual Christmas open house.
This year the tree in the kitchen is trimmed in burgundy, blue and gold. I know that the tree is perfectly decorated when I have a hard time finding room for another ornament.
How quickly this year has passed. It is time to say once again “Merry Christmas To You” and to thank you for stopping by during this hectic season. I also wish to thank Greg West for letting me share the photographs he took for Country Woman magazine.
From our home to yours, I wish you all the best during this joyous season. No matter what holiday you celebrate, may it be filled with joy and happiness not only now but into the New Year.
Back Road Journal 
Your home looks absolutely beautiful decked out for the holidays! You really have that magical touch. The trees are so festive and I love the natural elements of the evergreens and pine cones. Will you be featured in Country Woman? I have to look out for it! Beautiful picture of you, Karen!
Merry Christmas!
Jane x
Thank you Jane, for your compliment…I do love decorating our home for Christmas. Yes, I was asked to write an article about our kitchen for Country Woman magazine…it is in the December/January issue. You can see their online version of the story if you click on the link. 🙂
Happy Christmas Karen, and all good wishes for the New Year too!
Merry Christmas to you, Cathy and all the best for the New Year.
So happy I saw this before I left, Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. I adored seeing your home decked for Christmas., Does father Christmas send you lots of little helpers,?
Have a wonderful Christmas.and have fun.
Hi Barbara, I’m glad you enjoyed the post and appreciate your compliment, thank you. I do have a helper that gets my wreaths up on the windows for me each year. I know you will enjoy spending the holidays with your family. Have a safe trip and Merry Christmas.
Your house is stunning, it looks so cozy. I really like the outside, there is something that I love about yellow houses. The wreaths on the windows make it look like a Christmas card.
Happy Holidays,
L.
Hi Lori, I’m glad that you enjoyed seeing our home decorated for Christmas. I agree with you about yellow houses…their color makes me smile. Thank you for your wish, I hope you enjoy the holidays as well.
You have the most gorgeous smile and while your house is drop dead gorgeous, it’s YOU who keeps bringing me back with each post. Thank you for your friendship and sharing. I’ve learned a lot from you since we met. 🙂
Thank you so much Maureen, for your kind words…what a sweet thing to say. What I love most about blogging is all the wonderful friends that I’ve made over the years. 😀
Your home is so beautifully decorated!! Thank you so much for sharing the pictures.
I have to say my favorite Christmas Moment is the year my daddy came home from the hospital. He was a farmer and had too many back surgeries to count. He always scheduled them around Christmas when there wasn’t much going on the farm. One Christmas we did not think he would be out of the hospital for Christmas. The released him on Christmas Eve and he came home to be with family. It also snowed that day and it hardly ever snows in southern Virginia on Christmas. I made two wishes that Christmas and they both came true! Wish it was that simple now…
Merry Christmas to you and your family, Karen!!
I appreciate for your nice compliment, Debbie…I’m happy that you enjoyed the photos. I can certainly understand why your father’s homecoming on Christmas Eve was memorable. Thank you for your wish and Merry Christmas to you too.
i’ve read this post and immensely enjoyed the photos. Your home is magazine beautiful and your creativity is amazing. Everything looks gorgeous but welcoming. Genius. Happy Holidays to you and yours.
Hi Judy, I’m happy to know that you enjoyed seeing my home decorated for Christmas. I appreciate your lovely compliment, thank you! Wishing you and your family all the best too.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful Christmas pictures. Each one is more gorgeous than the next with the picture of the one whose creative mind is responsible as the grand finale. Merry Christmas.
I appreciate your lovely compliment and wish, Boleyn. I’m glad you enjoyed my Christmas photos…my favorite holiday of the year.
Hi Karen, I think we need to get your home in some UK magazines. It’s absolutely beautiful, as ever. I wish I was nearer so I could pop in for the open house.
Merry Christmas and happy New Year
Dave
Hi David, A house across the pond…I don’t know how popular that would be in your home magazines. 😀 I appreciate your nice compliment, thank you. I too wish we were closer as you would be most welcome at our open house.
Your house looks so beautiful in the snow! Merry Christmas Karen 🙂
Thank you Mad Dog, I think our house is at its prettiest when sounded in white snow…it really makes the color “pop”. Thank you for your wish, I hope you have a great Christmas as well.
Merry Christmas Karen! Your home looks lovely, six trees…it must be magical!
Thank you for your wish Cheri and your nice compliment. Each year I say I’m going to scale back but I love walking from room to room and seeing a Christmas tree wherever I go. 🙂
Your home is so utterly inviting–gracious, warm, tasteful and gorgeous. I always love being invited in for a peek! Especially at Christmas time. Wishing you and yours a lovely Christmas in every way.
Thank you for your lovely compliment and wish, Vicki. I’m happy you enjoyed the post. I hope you have a warm and sunny Christmas south of the border. 🙂
Karen once again your Holiday posts get me totally in the mood…your house is decorating to the nth degree….lots of homey touches everywhere…the snow outside…like the Currier & Ives cards my Mother used to send out every year when I was small! Thanks so much for sharing and Happy December to you and yours. T
Hi Teresa, I’m glad to know that you enjoy my holiday posts and appreciate your nice compliment. You are right about our home…when the wreaths are up and there is snow on the ground, it does remind me of a Currier & Ives scene that I’ve seen on Christmas cards.
Simply pristine and perfect!
Thank you Diane, I appreciate your nice compliment. 🙂
Lovely pjotos and you sure are ready for the holidays.
Hi Jovina, I really am all set for Christmas. I’m happy you enjoyed the photos, thank you.
What a treat it would be to join you in front of the fireplace, sip hot chocolate and sample some of your goodies. Wonderful photo! Merry, merry to you and Mickey.
Hi Linda, I did like the photograph that Greg took of me…thank you for your compliment. I feel the same way and wish we weren’t so many states apart. I hope you and Phil have a wonderful Christmas as well.
What a great job you did decorating your house , it looks absolutely gorgeous. I know you also baked some delicious cookies. Happy holidays and enjoy the beauty around you.
My favorite memories of Christmas are celebrating Christmas eve in Germany. We never saw the tree until the evening of the 24th, when it was lit with real candles. Our family would sing carols , we children opened our presents and my grandfather cracked nuts and peeled oranges for us to eat.
Thank you for your nice compliment, Gerlinde. I can just imagine how nice your Christmas eves were growing up. When we were in Austria, our hotel didn’t decorate their Christmas tree until Christmas eve as well.
What a lovely post Karen. Your house is the perfect backdrop for Christmas and you have decorated it so well. You are indeed talented. I have looked all over for a copy of Country Woman magazine, but can’t find it in my neck of the woods. Happy Holidays. I look forward to sharing posts in the New Year.
Thank you for your kind words, Penny…I’m happy to know that you enjoyed the post. The magazine told me I could find copies at Walmart and Barnes and Noble. I was able to buy two copies of the magazine at Walmart but that was all they had. 🙂
Such stunning Christmas decorations, Karen. Your house looks so welcoming from the outside too. Congratulations on the well-deserved article. Merry Christmas to you and your family. 🙂 xx
Thank you Sylvia, for your nice compliment and wish. I’m happy to know that you enjoyed the post. I do think the outside of our home looks very Christmasy with a wreath in every window. The article about our kitchen was a wonderful experience that I won’t forget. 😀
Your home looks beautiful, Karen, and so nice to see the lovely photo of you too! Wishing you and your family and very happy Christmas and all good wishes for the coming year.
Thank you for your wish and compliment, Kay…that is very kind of you. Wishing you all the best too!
Karen, I love getting a peek into holiday decorated homes and yours is so beautifully decorated and lovely just as you are!
Honestly, I can’t think of only one memorable holiday experience, each and every holiday has been so special in its own way 🙂
Karen, I wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season!
Hi Linda, I’m glad that you enjoyed a virtual visit to our home and appreciate your lovely compliment. Thank you1
Your home looks so beautifully decorated, Karen. I love all the festive details.
Have a wonderful holiday season!
Angie
Thank you for your wish and lovely compliment, Angie. I’m happy that you like how I’ve decorated our home for Christmas.
I can just imagine how festive your home looks.
Hi Larry, I wish you and Bev were neighbors so you could come by for a visit. 🙂
Merry Christmas to you and yours! I love the pictures, especially the one of you. I’m completely jealous of the kitchen tree – as I may have mentioned blue is my favorite color and I’ve always wanted to do a tree trimmed in blue. Yours looks gorgeous! My favorite Christmas memory used to be the year dad bought me my first horse on the ranch, but I have to say that seeing my grandson run around the house giggling with wrapping paper taped to his head and yelling, “I can fly!” is a better Christmas memory than even a horse!
Thank you for your wish Kelli and the nice compliment. I was inspired by a vintage plaid lap blanket I keep in our kitchen for the colors on the kitchen tree this year. I love both of your Christmas memories. Remembering my first horse, I know how exciting it must have been to get one for Christmas when you were young. Your grandson’s “I can fly” has to be a moment you won’t forget either. 😀
Absolutely beautiful, as always, Karen. I love seeing your home decked out every Christmas; everything looks so cozy and inviting! Exactly how home sweet home should feel 🙂
Thank you Ruth, I’m happy to know that you enjoy my annual Christmas post that features our home. I only wish that I could personally welcome all my readers into our home instead of just virtually. What I find so nice is that you and many of my readers find my house warm and cosy. I appreciate your nice compliment and loyal following. 🙂
Beautiful, Karen. Your home looks so cozy and warm. Wish I could join you for a cup of coffee by the fireplace. What goodies are you going to serve for Christmas dinner?
Hi Jill, I wish we were neighbors so that we could sit in front of the fire in the kitchen…you could give me some tips on watercolor painting. I’m thinking about doing something very simple but delicious…perhaps a small tenderloin steak with wine sauce and a side of roasted asparagus this year for Christmas eve. Christmas day we are going to friends that include us as part of their family gathering for an informal buffet.
Beautiful! Such a talent you have!
I appreciate the compliment, Plumdirt…thank you!
Merry Christmas. Enjoy your beautiful home at the holidays.
Thank you Darryl, I hope you have a great Christmas as well.
You really do Christmas right! And your house is so perfect for it — gorgeous pictures. I’m taking off the rest of the year, so I want to wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Years!
Thank you John, for your nice compliment. I’m glad you enjoyed the post. See you in the New Year and Merry Christmas.
Karen, your home just radiates warm. I love the way you decorate–it all looks so beautiful. And I love the exterior with a wreath on each window. You are amazing.
Have a wonderful Christmas, Karen!
Thank you so much Sue, for your lovely compliment…it is very much appreciated. I’m happy to know that you feel our home has a warm feeling about it…I always want my guests to feel welcomed and comfortable. Wreaths over all the windows as well as a lighted candle in each of them is a nice New England tradition that I love doing each year. I hope that you will have a lovely Christmas and that the New Year is a healthy one for you…take care my friend.
You’re so cute!
Happy Happy Holidays to you..everything looks picture perfect!
Thank you for your wish and sweet compliment, Monique…it is very much appreciated.
Time has really flown by and your home looks as festive and welcoming as ever, Karen! Merry merry Christmas to you and your family!
Hi Ksenia, I can’t believe how fast this year has gone by. It seems like only yesterday that we were all enjoying summer’s warmth and Christmas seemed so far away. I’m happy that you always enjoy my Christmas posts that feature our home decorated for Christmas, thank you for your lovely wish and compliment. 🙂
Hi Karen… and Christmas greetings from summer downunder. Your home is just so beautiful, like a chocolate box or magazine… and so very festive! Thank you for sharing your beautiful part of the world, and your beautiful smile, with us. Wishing you and yours a joyful and peaceful Christmas.
Hi Liz, Thank you for the warm and sunny greetings from downunder. I like our home being compared to a box of chocolates…you gave me a big smile. 😀 I appreciate your kind words and wishes.
Each year your decorations are gorgeous and this year is no exception! How festive your beautiful home looks! I’m taking “Let’s have some cake in the old parlor” as a personal invitation so don’t be surprised if I show up at your door with a thermos of hot spiced cider. 🙂
Thank you Peter, for your lovely compliment about our home. I was very happy to see that you decided to decorate your beautiful home this year. 😀 I would be thrilled to see you at my front door with a thermos of hot spiced cider. We could sit in front of the fire and discuss how challenging gardening can be in different zones of our country.
Post script, I’ve included this in my Favourites round up xox
Thank you so much Liz, that is very kind of your.
Your home is stunning and thank you so much for the tour. I love the wreaths on all your windows – your house looks like something from a magazine. I do love how you decorate your home for Christmas – it looks very warm, festive and inviting. Merry Christmas Karen to you and all your family xx
I appreciate your nice compliment Charlie. I’m happy that you always enjoy how I decorate our home for Christmas. Putting a wreath over every window is a wonderful old fashioned New England tradition that I have enjoyed doing each year along with a lit candle in the windows at night that is a symbol of welcome. I hope you and your family have a great Christmas as well in the warm and sunny land of Oz. 😀
Merry Christmas to you as well. Your home looks amazing.
Thank you Darlene, for your nice wish and compliment. I’m glad that you enjoyed the photos of our home. 🙂
What a beautiful house I don’t know how you have the time for all the little details.
Hi Maria, Christmas is my favorite time of the year and you always find time for the things you love. 🙂 Thank you for your nice compliment about our home.
What a beautiful home you have…nice photo of you too. I feel very lazy now, I haven’t put our tree up yet.
Merry Christmas and thank you for all your lovely blog posts.
Thank you for your nice compliment, Debra. I’m happy to know that you have enjoyed my posts through the years. You still have a week…I know that you will get your Christmas tree up and it will be lovely. 🙂
what a lovely home you have! you did great decorations! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year also to you Karen! And Happy 2015 always blogging this way! Cris
Hi Cris, Thank you for your visit and wish. I’m happy that you enjoyed seeing how I decorate our home for Christmas and appreciate your nice compliment. 🙂
Oh Karen, thank you so much for sharing your space with us…your home is so pretty and beautifully decorated…Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones 🙂
Hi Juliana, I’m happy to know that you enjoyed taking a peak into our home while it is decorated for Christmas and appreciate your nice compliment and wish. 🙂
Merry Christmas Karen! I love your holiday pictures each year. They are just so beautiful. It’s evident how much care you put into each and every room. I hope you have a wonderful holiday and a happy New Year!
Hi Kristy, Merry Christmas to you too. I’m happy to know that you enjoy my annual Christmas post that features our home…thank you for your lovely compliment. I hope you and your sweet family have a wonderful Christmas as well.
Karen, your home is absolutely magical! Thanks again for sharing it with us. Merry Christmas to you and your family too.
Hi Eva, I’m happy to know that you enjoy the posts that I do about our home. I appreciate your lovely compliment and wish, thank you.
Wow! You’ve certainly gone that extra mile with your Christmas decorations. Love the stockings😍.
Merry Christmas to you and best wishes for 2015.
I’m glad that you like the way I decorate for Christmas, Helen and appreciate your compliment…Christmas is my favorite holiday. Don’t you just love the stockings, they were made by an artist who uses antique fabrics and trims. Thank you for your wish, I hope you have a lovely Christmas and a great New Year. 🙂
Your lovely home is oh, so cozy and festive for the holidays, Karen! Many thanks for inviting us in for a little visit. Huge congratulations on your featured article in Country Woman magazine! I have fallen in love with your cozy country kitchen. Warm Christmas wishes! ♡
Hi Dawn, Thank you for stopping by for a visit and your lovely compliment. I’m happy to know that you enjoyed the post and the photos of our home decorated at Christmas. I was so excited to be asked to write an article about our kitchen for Country Woman…an experience I’ll never forget. I’m glad you like our kitchen, I think it is perfect. 🙂
Karen, You do go the whole nine yards to elegantly decorate your house inside and outside. What a gorgeous home and what a classy hostess. I also wish to thank Greg West for letting you share the photographs he took for Country Woman Magazine, so we can see them first hand!!! Congratulations! Happy Happy Holiday Season! ❤ Fae.
Thank you for your kind words, Fae. It really was nice that I was able to get the approval from both Country Woman and Greg to be able to share Greg’s original photos that he took in our home. I’m happy that you enjoyed the post and photos. I must also thank you for being such a loyal reader of my blog and for all the recognition you have given me over the years that I have been blogging…it is much appreciated. Wishing you all the best.
Six trees?! I’m absolutely loving it! I’ll be putting up my rather paltry fake tree on Christmas Eve, like I did last year (looked great). In fact, I was supposed to organise new decorations for it. That hasn’t happened as I’m too busy with other stuff. Oh well, I might still try and improvise something next week. Have a great Christmas you two in the kitchen. And a blessed ’15!
Hi Johnny, Yes I have six trees this year but I’ve been know to have more. It is my favorite season and the trees just make me smile. I can imagine how busy you are with your new enterprise…new decorations must be way down on your list of what needs to be accomplished. Thank you for your lovely wish, I hope you enjoy your Christmas as well. All the best for a happy and very successful New Year. 🙂
Your decorating skills far surpass mine! We’ve barely managed to get our tree up and lights on, no decorations yet. But it is rather hard in the middle of a remodel. Thank you for sharing all these lovely photographs of your home with us, Karen!
Hi Kathryn, You have certainly been busy and I can understand why you have not had a chance to decorate your Christmas tree…even if left a simple green tree they are an enjoyable addition to a home. I’m happy you enjoyed the photos and appreciate your lovely compliment, thank you.
Oh, your house is decked out magnificently for the holidays, Karen! Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!!!
I appreciate your lovely compliment and wish, Liz. Thank you!
You have a wonderful home and it looks great decorated for the holidays. I’m on my way up for some pecan cake!
Hi Greg, I appreciate your nice compliment…I’m glad you like the way I decorate for Christmas. Come on up but be sure to bring your coat, I’ll have some cake waiting for you. 😀
Your home is beautiful, Karen, and you really know how to make every corner festive! You’ve had a big year with the magazine article and the photos are lovely, too. My favorite Christmas was in 1973 when my daughter was born on the 24th. She was my first child and this was a very happy Christmas in the hospital. I remind her every year that she is my favorite all-time Christmas gift. 🙂 i hope you have a wonderful Christmas, Karen. And a wonderful new year!
Thank you for your nice compliment about our home, Debra. Having our kitchen featured in the magazine was a truly memorable experience, I’m glad I could share the photos. 🙂 A Christmas baby…that truly is memorable. We both have December children, my daughter was born on the 23rd. I appreciate your wish and hope you have a nice Christmas and New Year as well.
Your home is gorgeous Karen, but it really shines during the holidays. Every decoration looks perfect for the period of your Colonial home. Holidays seem more festive when there’s snow. I really enjoyed reading about your Christmas surprise present in your stocking. Your husband is very clever. Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you and your family.
Sam
I appreciate your lovely compliment Sam, thank you very much. I do try to keep in mind the history of our home when I decorate. I can’t tell you how surprised I was when I opened that wooden box thinking it was something for my kitchen. 😀 I hope you and Meakin have a wonderful Christmas as well.
Your home is so warm and welcoming, Karen. Your decorations are stunning. I would love to have several Christmas tree in my home. That way I would have a place for all my ornaments. Merry Christmas to you and your family and best wishes for a healthy and happy New Year.
Hi Cathy, I’m glad to know that you think our home has a warm and welcoming feeling and appreciate your nice compliment. I hope you and your family enjoy the holidays as well.
Thank you for the lovely wishes Karen and thank you too for your lovely comments on the blog over the past year.
Happy Christmas to you and yours,
Conor
I’m happy to know you enjoyed my holiday post for my blogging friends, Conor…thank you! It is always a pleasure when I stop by your blog to see what delicious creation you are sharing with us. 🙂
I love your home–it’s so cozy!–and your holiday decorating ideas! Lovely photos!
Thank you Nancy, I’m happy to know that you enjoyed the photos of our home decorated at Christmas. 🙂
Your home could be home to Santa Claus no doubt 😀
Beautiful decor and have a very Merry Christmas!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
You gave me a smile with you comment, Uru. With the snow and Christmas trees, perhaps Santa would enjoy living in our home. Thank you for your compliment and wish. 😀
mind-blowing. Your house is gorgeous!
I appreciate your kind words, Liz. I’m happy that you enjoyed a peak into our home when it is decorated for Christmas, thank you.
Your home looks so beautiful and festive! Six trees sounds like so much fun. I hope you enjoy your Christmas, Karen!
I’m glad you enjoyed my Christmas post, Amy. Six trees are fun, most are small but give us pleasure no matter which room downstairs we happen to be using. Thank you for your wish and compliment.
You have a beautiful home. It is so warm and welcoming. I love my 1960s mid-century home but I could see my family being at peace in a home like yours. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas.
Hi Jamie, Thank you for stopping by for a visit, your nice compliment and wish. I’m happy that you enjoyed a peak into our home at Christmas.
Merry Christmas, Karen! Your home looks so beautiful and my favorite colors 🙂
Hi Susan, I appreciate your nice wish and compliment. I’m happy that you enjoyed the post about our home decorated at Christmas…thank you.
I always feel “Welcome” when I visit your blog, Karen! What a lovely home you have, I wish I had your energy and style for decorating! Happy Holidays!
Thank you for your kind words, Jan…I’m happy to know that you feel “welcomed” when you visit. That gave me a nice big smile. 😀
I enjoy decorating our home for Christmas, packing it back up and taking it to the loft in our garage is another thing.
Your house and your trees look beautiful! Happy Holidays to you, Karen.
Nazneen
Thank you Nazneen, I appreciate your nice compliment. Wishing you and your family a healthy and happy New Year.
Christmas was just meant to be in the snow. it is so much more exciting. Even though I prefer the sun and swimmimhg at Christmas, everything looks and makes so much more sense with snow on the ground. Your house is stunningly beautiful and the excitment of a tree in every room is just wonderful. Merry Christmas and wishing you much fun and food this Christmas.
Hi Tania, I know what you mean…living in both Texas and south Florida for many years, I always hoped we could at least have cool enough weather to at least wear a sweater for Christmas. Thank you for your lovely compliment and wish.
Karen – you’re home is just incredible. If I’m ever in the area, I’m going to drop you an email for an invite over. Have a wonderful Christmas. I’m looking forward to chatting in the new year. 🙂
Hi Kristi, I’m happy you enjoyed taking a peak into our home while it is decorated for Christmas. Thank you for your compliment and wish.
What a beautiful home to come home to for Christmas. Your inviting photos brought smiles to my heart. My fondest Christmas memory would have to be my first Christmas celebration at 10 years old. I remember our first Christmas tree, all decorated….. so beautiful and my most perfect present: a bonsai tree growing kit. You have captured the the true Christmas spirit with your amazing talent, Karen. Your home extrudes the warmth and comfort that would make the Grinch wanting to celebrate Christmas. 🙂
Thank you Emily for your sweet compliment…it gave me a smile. It sounds like your first Christmas celebration was special. I’m hoping that your ankle mends and that the New Year will bring better times for you. Take care. 🙂
Thankyou for another beautiful year of food, travels and home. I wish you and all your loved ones a Happy and Healthy Christmas and New Year!
I appreciate your nice wish and compliment, Tanya. I hope you and Big Man have a wonderful Christmas and New Year as well. 🙂
Have a lovely holiday Karen, thanks for this precious inviting post. The vivid color of your home caused a big smile!
You gave me a smile too Pamela, I appreciate your nice compliment and wish…thank you!
What an absolutely beautifully decorated home Karen! Love the ring gift (packaging) idea of your sweetie! My favorite Christmas moment? Midnight, dark outside with twinning stars and singing “Silent Night”.
Merry Christmas
Roz
Hi Roz, I’m glad you like how I’ve decorated our home for Christmas. Silent night sung outside on a beautiful starry night is indeed memorable.
How gorgeous! Yellow house in the snow. I am curious. What is a Christmas open house? On Christmas day friends visiting or how does it work? Is it a general tradition in your parts?
Hi Flippen, A Christmas open house is a party that we hold at our house each year a couple of weeks before Christmas. The invitation is for a set number of hours, and during those hours, guests can come and go as they please. It is more informal than other types of parties. We set up a food, dessert and drinks buffet that everyone can help themselves to. I would say that a lot of people in the States like to have a party like this when you are inviting a lot of people because they don’t all show up at once. Do you have parties like that as well?
It’s no surprise that your home is absolutely gorgeous all decked out in its Christmas trimmings! I love that you have so many trees and wish to have as many myself, but we’ve nowhere to store the ornaments. I love how many you have on your tree, I think I was a bit light on my tree, so next year I shall follow in your footsteps:) Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed Christmas season!! xx
Thank you for your lovely compliment and wish, Barb. I’m lucky that I have a huge loft over my entire garage that is dedicated to all my Christmas ornaments, wreaths, trimmings etc. It looks like a Christmas store up there…that is what makes it possible for me to decorate the way I do. 😀
I would sooo love to have that! We have basements here, but we end up making family rooms, bedrooms etc so no storage:( I would go crazy with some sort of attic:D
You gave me a laugh…our basement is pretty full too as is our barn. 😀
Oh, what a fabulous house! Dreamlike…
Merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year!
Take care,
Rosa
Thank you Rosa, I’m happy that you enjoyed the post about our home at Christmas. Wishing you all the best during the holidays and into the New Year.
Your house looks so festive! Love what you’ve done to decorate.
Hi Joanne, Christmas is my favorite holiday. I’m glad to know that you like how I decorated our home…thank you.
Such a beautiful home, and I love, love, love, the kitchen Christmas tree! Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Thank you for the compliment and wish, Mary. I’m glad you like the kitchen tree. It is different from what I usually do…inspired by a vintage plaid blanket I keep there. 🙂
The highlight of my year is to see your home decorated for Christmas Karen…I am not sure what my best memory is so many from childhood.
Donna, you are so kind…I appreciate your lovely compliment. Isn’t it nice to enjoy each and every Christmas memory. 🙂
Beautiful decorations in your house Karen! A wonderful Christmas to you and your family too!
Hi Aletta, I’m happy to know that you like the way I decorate for Christmas. Thank you for your nice compliment and wish.
Six trees!
Your place looks so fab, you will definitely feel that Christmas in there. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Hi Raymund, Yes six trees but only one is big but they do create a nice atmosphere in our home. 🙂 Thank you for your wish and compliment.
Absolutely beautiful! Thank you for sharing your home with us.
Hi Traci, I’m happy to know that you enjoyed the peak into our home decorated for Christmas. I’m glad you stopped by for a visit and appreciate your nice compliment.
Oh Ms Karen, your home looks absolutely wonderful. I am such a fan of Christmas decor and everywhere I look, it just make me swoon. I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday this year
Hi Kay, I think we both enjoy home decor…I’m glad that you enjoy how I decorated our home for Christmas. Thank you for your nice compliment and wish.
Merry Christmas dear Karen, as always fascinated your photographs. Thank you, love, nia
Thank you for your sweet wish and compliment, Nia. I hope the New Year brings much happiness to you and your family.
Love the stockings
Hi Alison, Don’t you just love the stockings. They were made by an artist who specializes in antique fabrics and trims.
Beautiful
I love that huge bench/island thing in your kitchen… that’s pretty epic! Looks really solid. Happy Christmas to you too Karen – always a pleasure to see around your lovely home – especially in the festive season!
Hi Charles, I’m happy that you enjoyed a peak inside our home and appreciate your nice compliment and wish. I’m glad you like the bench or island as we refer to it. I designed it after a table I’d seen in an English magazine. It is 8 ft. long and 3 l/2 ft. wide and its legs legs are made from solid 6 in. beams. It is hand made with mortise and tenon joints and large wooden pegs to hold it together.
Your home looks so beautiful and inviting – and that is a lovely portrait of you, too! My favorite memory of Christmas was the one I spent traveling in Germany, France and Austria – after that, I have always had real candles on my tree, even to this day! (And it has been 30 years!) Merry Christmas, and all the best for 2015!
Thank you for the compliment, David. I know what you mean about spending Christmas in Europe…truly memorable. I know your tree has to be beautiful when you light it. All the best to you and Mark.
Karen your home is absolutely gorgeous. It’s exactly what I think of when I think of the words “home for Christmas”. It looks like a movie! So beautiful! So warm and so comforting. I thought I recognized your house in Country Woman Magazine. Actually, I could have sworn I had seen it in Country Living. Exciting! Gorgeous photo of you too! Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year! Karista
Thank you for your kind words, Karista. I appreciate you nice wish and lovely compliment. It was exciting to have our kitchen featured in Country Woman magazine. I hope your holidays are wonderful too!
What a beautiful home you have, so festive, warm and inviting! Thanks for sharing the holiday tour. Merry Christmas to you and yours ❤
Thank you Laila, I’m happy that you enjoyed a peak into our home decorated for Christmas. Thank you for your lovely compliment and wish. I hope you and your family are enjoying a lovely Christmas. 🙂
Your house is a dream! Wishing you a wonderful Christmas.
Thank you Ladyfi, for your compliment and wish. I hope you and your family are having a wonderful day.
Beautiful – thanks for “having us over”! Safe and happy holidays to all… and a peaceful start to the new year!
Happy Holidays to you as well, Rachel. I’m happy that you enjoyed “coming over for a visit”. 🙂
Your home looks like the quintessential New England home at Christmas! While we’ve moved South to avoid months of snow, Christmas will always be a vision like you have created! Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you, Jayne. Thank you for stopping by for a visit. I’m happy that you enjoyed my Christmas post and our New England home. I appreciate your comment…hope to see you again.
May I join you for cake in the parlor? Merry Christmas, Karen!!
Hi Angela, I’d love to have you join me in the parlor. I could tell you how the room was restored as we shared tea and cake. I hope you are having a wonderful Christmas day and thank you for your wish.
Your beautifully decorated house looks lovely. Thank you for your holiday wishes which I return to you and yours and I hope you have a happy and healthy 2015. 😉
Thank you for your lovely wish and compliment, B. I hope you are enjoying your Christmas and that 2015 will be wonderful.
Hi Karen,
Your smile is as inviting as your beckoning home. Thank you so much for sharing it with us Karen. Each and every room looks more festive than the next. I love that you decorate with so many Christmas Trees. I use to have a houseful of trees this time of year when I lived on Long Island.
May you and your family have a magical Christmas Karen filled with Joy and cherished memories…
Hi Louise, I appreciate your kind words and lovely compliment. I’m glad to know that we both enjoy Christmas and love your wish. Have a wonderful day.
Now I do not need to feel bad about our undecorated tree — I can just virtually adopt one of yours! Merry Christmas, Karen — thank you for sharing the photos of your lovely, inviting home. I suspect you have a hard time getting to people leave your open house, it would be tempting to just sit back and enjoy that home throughout the holidays. 🙂
You are more than welcomed to adopt one of our trees, Kat. They are not all decorated like our kitchen tree. I have a small tree that its only decoration is a few pine cones…it suits the area where it is placed well. People do enjoy our open house and you are right…they tend to stay quite a while. 🙂 I’m happy you enjoyed the post. Wishing you a happy Christmas day.
You are adorable! 🙂 I love that beaming smile. And your home is stunning, absolutely stunning. 🙂 This was my year to rest over Christmas, so my only contributions to decorating are a snow globe on my kitchen window sill, and our tiny live juniper tree hung with a few decorations. I love my sparse little house, but It does my heart good to see all the beauty you’ve created. 🙂
Thank you for your sweet compliment, Krista. A simple Christmas is lovely…have a happy Christmas day.
Karen it is so nice to finally see a photo of you and your warm and cheerful smile!!! Your house is all decked out and just absolutely cozy and adorable. I hope your article hit the cover page as it deserves some front page news. Wishing you and your family a very safe and happy holiday season.
Thank you Bobbie, I’m glad that you enjoyed the photos. We had a lovely Christmas, I hope you and your family did as well. The magazine article on our kitchen had a center spread and was mentioned on the cover…I was thrilled. 😀
wow! Your home looks AMAZING! You’re adorable! I love it!
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Thank you Marcela, I’m glad you enjoyed the photos and appreciate your nice compliment. We had a lovely Christmas, I hope you did as well.
It is amazing that Christmas is here again – (and almost gone again) Sending you and your loved ones the warmest wishes for the holidays!!
Hi Afra, You are right about time passing so quickly. Thank you for your wish, Have a happy New Year.
Hope you had a fantastic Christmas – your house looks beautiful 🙂
Hi Tandy, We did have a lovely Christmas. I hope your holidays were nice as well. I’m glad you enjoyed the photos of our home and appreciate your nice compliment.
Georgous pictures & your house is so festive decorated too, dear Karen! You look so lovely too!
And to have 6 different beautiful Christmas trees,…Now, that is something else!!!
I love, love your cool decorations too! xxx I hope you celebrated a lovely Christmas with tons of joy, great Christmas gifts & home-made cookies! 🙂 xxx
Thank you Sophie, I’m glad that you enjoyed the photos of our home decorated for Christmas…it is my favorite holiday. We had a lovely Christmas and I hope you did as well.
We did, thanks! xxx
Karen your house in an absolute marvel! I love your decorating style and color scheme. I am drawn to warm colors and your house has all the ones I love! Such a cozy and welcoming house! I hope you and your family have a wonderful New Year!
Hi Elizabeth, I’m glad you like how I’ve decorated our home. You are right, it is filled with warm colors…I’m not a beige or grey person. 😀 Thank you for your wish, I hope 2015 will be a great year for your and your family also.
Your house is wonderfully decorated.
I hope that you had an amazing Christmas – I can’t wait to see all of the food shots. 🙂
Thank you Jerry for your wish. My husband and I had a wonderful Christmas, I hope you did as well.
Merry Christmas Karen! And a happy new year! 🙂
Thank you for your wish, Giovanna. Happy New Year to you too. 🙂
What a beautiful, beautiful home!! I would love to live closer and come to your annual open house… ♥
Hi Didi, I wish you lived closer…you would be more than welcomed in our home. Thank you for your lovely compliment.
Merry Christmas Karen! Your house looks so beautiful with the wreaths in the windows. Your husband sounds like quite a romantic. Mine gave me a giant (frankly scary-looking) electric wood-carving tool this year – I’d expressed interest in trying log carving ‘one day’. How fantastic that you host an annual Christmas open house. Love your decor, especially the cheery snowman! Wishing you a very happy Happy Year.
Oh Saskia, You gave me a laugh as I’m trying to imagine you with a scary looking wood carving tool. Please be very careful although I’m sure your husband wouldn’t have given it to you if he didn’t think you were very capable. Thank you for your lovely compliment, I’m glad you enjoyed the photos. I have a collection of snowmen that I put out at Christmas, they always make me smile as I look at them. 😀 Wishing you all the best in the New Year.
I wish to you a very Happy New Year full of joy and love!
Thank you for your lovely wish, Katerina. I hope you have a wonderful New Year as well.
Yes Karen, time does fly & I’m wishing you a belated Merry Christmas. The house looks absolutely stunning – inside and out. I really love the wreaths on every window. What a welcome home to walk into.
Hi Diane, I think time escapes us all at this time of the year. I’m happy that you liked how I decorated for Christmas. I do enjoy putting a wreath on every window, I think it gives the house a Currier and Ives feeling. I appreciate you nice compliment, thank you.
We used to do that but now that my husband’s getting older it makes me nervous having him out there on the ladder but I do love the look.
How warm and beautiful.