It's beginning...

...to look a lot like Christmas all around blogland. It's been so much fun to see the different ways that everyone incorporates their family and vintage pieces to make their homes cozy and inviting for the holidays. You've all been so generous in sharing photos of your beautiful homes that I thought I'd join in. Slowly but surely I have been decorating. I am going for a much simpler, natural look this year. Of course some of the old favorites must make an appearance.

This jointed Santa was a very special gift from a dear friend. It is one of a set. These were hand carved and painted by her father. I love unwrapping them each year because they remind me of my friend who was called away to ministry. This time of year California seems especially far away. I'm sure some of you know what I mean...

This is a photo of the buttery...just a few holiday additions with the smaller of our two trees in the background. This tree will be decorated with beeswax hearts and old children's dishes and kitchen ware. I warned you...I'm decorating slowly.

~A wool star, orange pomanders, and a favorite Christmas portrait of our boys decorate the buttery shelves~

~Bottle brush trees, old lead deer and a handmade village dot the buttery landscape~

A dry sink in the kitchen entry, decorated with pottery, bowls, granite ware and a small potted fir.

~Simplicity~

And because I know you were hoping I'd show him...here's the other Santa.

Well, I'd better get busy. Those trees won't decorate themselves you know!

Until next time...