Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Christmas Lite at Casa Kittling

I promised you some photos of the Christmas decorations I put up this year, and here they are. There aren't as many as in previous years, which you can see in posts like Christmas After Dark at Casa Kittling, but at least I did have many years where I could-- and did-- indulge my passion for holiday decorations.

Of course, there are a few decorations in the craft room. Things I've made, a Santa pitcher that's held many gallons of egg nog (and is part of a beloved set), and a flashing snowman that's a gift from a beloved friend.

A lot of the decorating this Christmas involved using old things in new ways-- like the needlepoint valances I made for two windows now being used as a runner atop the bookcases.

Since most foot traffic comes into the house through the carport, the welcome sign is here. Since I didn't put up any trees, I decided to make that tiered wire basket look festive. Those tote bags atop the bookcases hold afghans waiting to be given to people.

Looking into what used to be the dining room and on into the living room. Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without the big set of carolers Mom made back in the 1960s. They traveled a lot of miles to be here.

I don't like Christmas pillows or quilts. Nah. Not me.

The biggest quilts are store-bought. The small one was made by a friend. I made the Santa mug "bouquet" on the table as well as the punch needle embroidery napkin it's sitting on. A nice place to sit, read, drink tea, and keep an eye on the neighbors.

Part of my snowman collection. Several of them are still in the drawer.

Yes, I have shelves that don't have books on them.

I made the needlepoint mat, and I got everything to make the Christmas bouquet on the cheap. Total cost of everything-- mug included-- $5. (Love those 90% off sales after Christmas!)

Denis and I have to have a festive office, too.

The living room from the front door. There's my second "tree" between the lamps.

I began collecting those birds a couple of years ago, but it wasn't until this year that I got the idea to tell a story with them. The red fringe was purchased at a going-out-of-business fabric store about twenty years ago.

You might remember this table from Dia de los Muertos. Now it's gussied up for Christmas.

The way I placed many of the ornaments tell stories, too. The Santa and the two stockings are what remain of my "First Christmas" ornaments. The rest did not survive the Hong Kong Flu Fiasco of 1970.

Push the button on the sombreroed snowman and he sings my favorite Christmas song. And I love the two tatted ornaments given to me by a friend.

The big Santa cookie jar in the center is part of the set I mentioned earlier. Pure serendipity that I found it. I had the teapot, pitcher, sugar bowl, and creamer, and thought that was all there was. Denis and I stopped at a place outside of Lexington, Kentucky, years ago, and-- lo and behold!-- there was the cookie jar! (Good thing no one tried to get between me and it!)

Three holiday teapots for my niece Karen who's always ready for a brew.

I've always loved Hallmark's "Spencer Sparrow."

Of course this tablescape wouldn't be complete without some knitting. I love the tiny sweaters a friend knitted for me. One of these days I might be as talented as she.

Unintentional, but I like how it looks as though the elves are trying to hijack the Harrods van.

Another caroler set my mother made.

I could show you more, but I've probably outstayed my welcome as it is. As strange and distasteful as the 2020 holiday season may be to many of you, I wish you all-- however you celebrate (or even if you don't)-- Comfort... and Joy in the upcoming New Year.

18 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing, Cathy. It all looks very festive! It's definitely a different sort of holiday season this year, isn't it? Still, I'm glad you're keeping some of your home traditions; I think that's helpful in the chaotic times we live in right now. Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a peaceful, healthy new year.

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  2. Wow, Cathy, your "Christmas Lite" is way more than we've ever done even in "normal" seasons. Looks great.

    Merry Christmas to you and yours!

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  3. Your home looks so festive, Cathy! I enjoyed visiting. You like to keep an eye on your neighbors too? Heehee!

    That sparrow from Hallmark brought back some wonderful memories for me. I didn't realize he had a name. I remember collecting the sticker sets featuring him. He was so cute!

    Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

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    1. Merry Christmas to you and yours, Gretchen!

      I don't actually keep an eye on my neighbors anymore-- we're all so boring. In the past, my neighbors were not, and keeping tabs on them was a matter of self-preservation. Yikes!

      I'm glad to hear that you're another Spencer Sparrow fan.

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    2. We have a family joke in our house about me keeping an eye on our neighbors. One winter day I was looking out the window and noticed a man that had been walking down the sidewalk suddenly "sneak" up the back deck steps of our neighbor's home. When he didn't come back down I called the police. Turns out it was the man who lived there. It was winter and he was bundled up and I had never seen him do that before. It was quite embarrassing. I'm not quick to keep an eye on my neighbors anymore.

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    3. I would imagine not! At least I don't have winter coats and scarves to contend with here.

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  4. What a beautiful holiday display. I like the cookie jar, teapots and ornaments and more. You are surrounded by the Christmas spirit.

    Here's to a new year which, hopefully, will bring an end to the pandemic, as well as jobs and financial help to those who need them. I send my holiday thoughts to the frontline and essential workers.

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    1. Mine are with them as well, Kathy. They are heroes.

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  5. I did it last year. Not this year, I didn't feel up to it. Your page here looks delish. I will spend more time looking around today and tomorrow. Merry Christmas!

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    1. Merry Christmas! I didn't do anything last year because of health issues, and with the world in the state it's in now, I thought making some kind of effort was a good thing.

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  6. A bit of a wonderland throughout your house! My favorite item? Those two little "Merry Christmas" socks!

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    1. They taught me the importance of having a few unbreakable ornaments! LOL

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  7. Very festive! I especially like the Christmas teapots. I have several 'regular' teapots, but somehow do not have any for the holidays. I'll have to keep an eye out ...

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    1. I also have four human-sized holiday teapots, but those small Mary Engelbreit teapots are particular favorites of mine. All the ones I've collected used to be hung on my "kitchen tree."

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  8. Yes. The essential and frontline workers are heroes. Agree.
    And there are still 12 million people jobless due to the pandemic. So many are hungry and many face evictions.
    I really hope the government gives more assistance and quickly.

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    1. So many of those elected to our government have truly forgotten their true mission there... if they ever really knew it in the first place. Instead of working for us, as they are supposed to, they behave like hogs at a trough.

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