A Haven for Vee

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Finished


Doesn't everything look better when decorated for Christmas? I always think so. And even though my tree is wearing only lights, icicles, garland, and pinecones, I think it is done. That's the joy of decorating slowly. I might better learn when a thing is finished. 

Early last Saturday morning, John and I were making the trek to Portland, an hour's drive south. Our mission was a string of lights to match the others on our tree for, as you recall, the mid-section went out. Target had them and they also had the tea lights that John was using for the birch log candle holders. 

We noticed immediately that the greater Portland area had received snow when we had not. The sun shone at that 9 am angle on the perfectly decorated little evergreens lining I-95. So very pretty. It would have taken us hours to decorate that way. All of our decorations are very poor imitations of what The Lord does every day. I was reminded of this again this morning when the eastern sky glowed vivid pinks and golds for all of thirty seconds before fading to gray.


The Nativity nestled between oil lamps and sharing a shelf with the radio. Odd juxtaposition. I probably shouldn't be finished. One day, I may have an updated Nativity set that more accurately represents the story. Blond Mary? How embarrassing! ☺☺☺ 


The final incarnation of the China Cupboard top. This is my home's mantel. The first place one's eyes rest upon entering. I think I'm done.

Yup, that's half the battle—knowing when the decorating is a done deal. 

It has been so much fun visiting in Blogdom and seeing the beautiful decorations. And how about you? Are you finished?

52 comments:

  1. Very pretty!! I have been waiting to hear about your lights (how sad is that, lol.). We did not get any of that weather, unfort..we are expecting upwards of 16 inches off of Lake Erie in the next few days..ANYWAYS..just lovely pictures of your home!!! Blessings

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    1. Linda, you've given me my first chuckle of the morning. Thanks. (Yes, quite sad! LOL)

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  2. Vee, Everything looks lovely. I wrote some more cards this morning. I have a little tree in my studio that I will finish up and a small one for the doll house. I have to wrap 6 presents (I am challenged) and then I am really done. We are watching old Christmas movies in the afternoons. Life is good.

    Carol

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  3. I think I am done, of course I might find a surface that needs another candle but other than that the house is full up of decorations. You are so right about how pretty Christmas decorations make the house. Really, I think it's the little lights more than anything, so I can understand being done with the tree without a lot of baubles. Now that the house is pretty I'm planning on doing some holiday entertaining and sharing the joy:>)

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  4. Vee, I love your tree for it's simplicity (and child proof-ness) and the natural elements you used. Your 'mantel' looks so pretty and makes me want to put up a shelf again on the living room wall. I used to have one over the sofa in my country days but I miss that additional surface to decorate. (I have a photo collage there now) God's natural canvas is so much more beautiful than man can ever create. We had about 2 inches of fresh snow last night and it is beautifully lining the trees and branches for now (until the wind removes it). I thought I was finished my decorating but I keep getting ideas (blog inspiration!) and add or move things around. Sometimes I just don't know when to stop! A blessed day to you.

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  5. Vee, I have only done two Christmas decorations done so far.
    Your Christmas displays sure are pretty. I bet it is a good
    feeling to be done!

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  6. Love your decorating Vee! and I like how you hung the ornaments in the old window frame! Great idea....we have snow here in Southern Alberta and I love it! Still snowing this morning and everything is white and fluffy out there!

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  7. I'm not sure I'll have time to do any more decorating this year. The tree is up and I'm pretty satisfied. Maybe a few more touches in the days ahead, but not much.

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  8. It all looks beautiful Vee! When my husband was alive and we were in our own home we (Jim) decorated everything in his path. It is so nice remembering.

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  9. Beautiful simplicity! I love it. Last year a whole section right in the front of my tree went out 2 days before Christmas...I was not happy! :(

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  10. I'm stealing your ideas! :D Ooooohhhh. Lovely!

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  11. I am totally loving your decorations and feel....simple, yet beautiful and somehow elegant, perfect. I have been done with decorating for a while. And I agree with you. Easier and better for me to do it slowly. Enjoy your day!

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  12. I like how you've decorated your "mantel." You are so right that God's decoration is far superior to man's. I see a lot of God in nature.

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  13. Very pretty! I am taking things slowly this year and enjoying it more!

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  14. You're done, but not overdone - that's what I like about you Vee. I like the natural look of the burlap you and Pam used on your trees and the mantel is perfect with silver and bits that Mother Nature provided.
    I painted blond hair on Mary in my nativity set so I guess this was my perception of her. It never dawned on me at the time that this would be incorrect. I can still paint her a brunette, will you attempt yours? ;-)
    Judith

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  15. It is so beautiful!

    A few years ago I put a tree out on the porch with just dried sliced oranges and other natural "ornaments". I remember how lovely it was in its' simplicity.

    Alas, I have too many favorite Christmas ornaments to go for simplicity on the tree inside. ;)

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  16. Hi Vee, I actually am getting some decor out more than I thought! Happy to be able to happily hobble around. It is snowing here today, we have a couple of inches already. Your home looks so warm and inviting. xo

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  17. Hello sweet Vee! Your home looks incredibly beautiful and very inviting for the Christmas season. I love the delightful simplicity of your tree :)

    Blessings to you!

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  18. Vee, your tree is lovely. I had another whole box of ornaments waiting to be hung on the trees and I decided to stop. I'm not sure if I felt the trees were done -- or I was done! I love this time of year -- everything twinkles .... the earth is wearing winter "bling". Happy Happy!

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  19. Your tree is beautiful. It is perfect in it's simplicity. Love your ornaments hanging on the branch...

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  20. I think it's all so pretty and definitely inviting and warm. Think that is goal we all want to reach! I thought I was finished, but then my kids volunteered our home for the youth group Christmas party ...... Naturally I decided we needed a bit more.

    Sigh.

    Hope you are having a perfectly lovely week!!

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  21. I always think our homes look so much prettier with all of the colors and sparkles of Christmas.
    I'm still shopping at the thrift store so I'll probably add more until I make myself stop.
    I can't see the end of this comment form because of a big ad so that's why I'm spacing my
    words! hugs!

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    1. A big ad? I do NOT have ads on my blog. Wonder what that is all about....

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    2. I'm back over to try to test this again but nothing now. Maybe it went away by itself! lol Hugs!

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  22. I love the simple beauty of the twig with the ornaments ~ wonderful !
    Can't help it you DID make me goggle with the "blonde Mary" comment . lol ~
    The nativity is quite pretty .

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    1. oops ...spell check that should say "giggle" !

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  23. Your decorations are lovely. I think I am finished inside, but I am trying to put up lights outside and having the hardest time finding lights that match. Have a wonderful week!

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  24. I love to visit all the blogs and see what they are doing for Christmas! Who needs magazines when we have such talented friends?!

    Have fun with being done or just taking it all in:)

    xo
    Leann

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  25. I loved seeing your finished decorations. We are finished here too and it is lightly freezing rain here today which means our beautiful white winterscape will soon wash away as the temperatures warm up.
    I'm mixing fruit cake and have the ingredients out to make some peppermint cookies. It feels like Christmas is coming!

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  26. The tree is all that is left and when I got home last night Dear had the lights on it so I'm almost done!
    We are a funny people with our blond Mary's and smiling sweet looking angels.
    I love what you've done with your place! :)
    So true, so true, that God creates amazing wonders for our eyes to behold which are very hard to duplicate...

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  27. You've done a lovely job Vee!!! I'm "almost" there and the decoration boxes have been carried downstairs so that's a good sign. You are right - no one can decorate like the Lord can - the snow always makes everything look so extra beautiful. Now you can put your feet up and enjoy the view!

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  28. Your "mantel" is lovely, all shiny and bright. Simple, too. I'm finding simple a great word this season. I'm almost done decorating. The tree went up over the weekend.
    Our decorations are mere copies of God's handiwork. Didn't Martin Luther bring a tree in from the woods because he admired it so much outside, with the stars shining above? No one can outdo God.

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  29. I love your holiday header! Great log candle holders and I love your snowman (upside down) very cute! We have a brand new strand of lights on our tree about 2 foot down from the top that half of the lights randomly go on and off. It will stay that way! Thanks for visiting me Vee, it means alot!

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  30. Your decorations are perfectly lovely! The "fantel" is so charming and festive...a great view when you step inside the door. I like what you say about God's decorating. All of our efforts (not only in decorating) are merely a reflection of His perfect works.

    Finished? I think so...although I may tweak at any time!

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    1. Just saw Lorrie's comment above mine...great minds thinking alike? ;)

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  31. Looks good Vee. It seems like it takes me longer each year to do the decorations, as much as I try to simplify. I love your "mantle" and how you make use of your old window. Just lovely and what a nice sight when you first enter your house (other than you two lovely occupants. :-) ) We are creative and love art and beauty because we are made in the Creator's image. Can't even imagine how beautiful heaven will be.

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  32. Everything looks so pretty. We've have the same Nativity set and I noticed that Kim as the same one too!
    Glad you got those lights. I still just have the lights on the tree. It looks so pretty, I was thinking of not putting on the ornaments after all and just adding the tinsel.

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  33. I hope to do a little decorating next week once all my work is completely done. I also have to wrap presents and bake cookie boxes. Your tree looks stunning and I always think, less is more:-D XOXO

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  34. Nope not finished yet. My house helper will be here next Tuesday to do some heavy cleaning for me then the decorations go up. Staying pretty close to home due to snow and ice on our roads. We get pretty antsy after just a little sprinkle. LOL Not like you well weathered folks. Enjoy those grands this season.

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  35. I really like the burlap tree garland. After struggling to get the house decorated for Christmas your idea of a simply decorated tree sounds wonderful. Note to self, make it simple next year.

    Smiles,
    Carol

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  36. Beautiful..and yes, knowing when it is done is half the battle. This year watching my grandson's eyes light up made it all worth it. You did a wonderful job.

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  37. Hello Vee, I loved the burlap garland idea. Yes it is pleasant to feel the peace knowing your home is ready for the holidays. It's everything else still on my list. Enjoying Christmas music playing all day to keep a melody in my heart and on my lips(.Louise Armstrong singing May all your Christmas be white.)
    Blessings Always, Roxy

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  38. Hi Vee
    Oh soo pretty ! I haven't even started . We have gone to a smaller tree for Christmas now a days and I decorated a lot less as in the past everything was decorated lol ! I will start this weekend coming up ! I have all my Christmas cards done and out now so that's a start lol Cold and windy here today 19 °F feels like 3 °F . Thanks for sharing . Have a wonderful week .

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  39. I am NEARLY finished...I bought a tiny TURQUOISE tree today for my dining area...it's sooo cute...I haven't shown it to Mr. Sweet yet...I'll get it out when he leaves in the morning and put a few tiny decorations on it...
    he's gonna freak out, for sure. Who ever heard of a turquoise Christmas tree, he will say. Daughter in Law bought a purple one and it's so k-ute........

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  40. Everything looks so pretty, Vee! The icicles around my area have just been gorgeous and the tress have been shimmering. I did have a tree split from all the ice and had to be cut down. So sad, but it could be worse. I'm finished decorating and didn't put up my big tree, only two small ones this year and it just may be that way from now on.

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  41. Ah, what a wonderful feeling it is to be done with the decorating and YES I agree everything does look better when decorated for Christmas. Your haven is looking so pretty. I like the simple beauty of your tree.
    We are done decorating here. Although it seems I am tweaking right up until the last minute.
    I know you will relate to this. Brett changed out three strands of lights on the pre-lit tree this year. (two last year). When it finally seemed safe to add the ornaments, I did so. Tonight we were sitting in the family room having an appetizer when I noticed a dark ring around the tree. Ugh!!! This tree just may do us in this year. At this point it will have a dark ring for the remainder of the season. Perhaps it could be a new trend?!?

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  42. Did you know I'm commenter #47 over here It seems there is never any danger of me being #1! I've done a bit of this and a bit of that...and if I never get any more decorating done that's OK too! Well, I should replace the strand of burnt out lights. It's looking pretty at your place!

    We still have our skiff of snow, but it is warming up now.

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  43. I love being done with the decorating. I'm sure I've said it before, but I'll say it again...I LOVE that last photo and what's in it.

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  44. Everything looks so pretty at your house! I'm done inside, but I keep seeing things I want to buy when I go shopping and have to remind myself that I'm done and I don't have room for anything else! Now, the outside is still to be finished. I wanted hubby to get greenery after he got home from work, but he got called back to work, so that didn't work out. Gee, I didn't mean to use that word (work) 3 times in one sentence. It's definitely not one of my favorite words.

    I'll try to get the directions for the trunk to you tomorrow. Hopefully, the page will scan and I can send it in a picture that will enlarge for you. Otherwise, if you want to email me your snail mail addy, I will be happy to send it that way. Your handy carpenter could probably make one in no time at all.

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  45. Your home looks lovely, Vee....I'm not quite finished, and I better get a move on. I have one more large box to get downstairs and it has the manger scene for the mantlepiece! I'll put up a blog post about this soon. I had my snowman collections under the tree, which is only a tabletop one nowadays and had to remove half of them. It looked like a scary overpopulation of snow men! Less is definitely better.

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  46. I like your tree, Vee! Sometimes simple is best. xo

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