Thursday, December 17, 2015

Still Decorating.....the Final Touches

I like to have the month of December to add the final touches on the decorating, put the cookie tins together to give away and maybe find a few last minute special gifts.

I really thought I was done with the gifts and wrapping but found three more yesterday and forgot about two I still have to get!

I am in a very generous, almost to the point of spoiling, mood this Christmas, so that is good for my family and friends!

I am still decorating too! While I am out and about I tell myself I don't need anymore Christmas decorations but that seems to be when I find them! Like this fabulous 18" ceramic tree glazed in a white luster finish with blue lights.

 
I was NOT going to buy anymore of these vintage classics to sell because of breakage in shipping but I did not say I couldn't have another one for myself! I could not pass it up at Goodwill for $10! The only place I have to put it is on top of my fridge. Perfect! My kitchen is blue and white.

Even the grocery store is not a safe place to avoid temptation with Christmas goodies. Especially if that grocery store is Wegmans. Have you heard of this huge family chain? They have EVERYTHING your heart desires including these gorgeous Christmas dish towels. Couldn't resist adding a little more red to my kitchen.

 
 
 
While cleaning out the back room I came upon this sweet, vintage lamp post, given to me by my friend Kim. It was her mother-in-laws. I was going to list it on Etsy but it looks so cute next to my vintage Snowman that it will stay there for awhile. Love the retro green bulb!
 


 
After a few weeks of adding and changing and adding some more, the front porch is done. On a girls day out with my friend Bonnie I fell in love with this grapevine snowman, handmade by the owner of Thistlewood Farms in a nearby town. Jen is a true artist when it comes to forming grapevines from her large farm into lovely decorative items. I had to have him for my front porch!
 
 
He lights up at night and welcomes you first thing when you approach my porch.
 
 
My enamel bucket of sticks and twigs that is out year round got a simple Christmas makeover with some red twigs and pine branches from my tree in the yard.



 
 
 The vintage sled that I used to bundle my girls on 30 years ago (it had a seat attachment) and tie to my waist while I cross country skied is a staple on my front porch in the winter. The plaid bag holds my childhood ice skates.
 


The vintage jingle bell wreath with the snowman head is a find I couldn't part with, originally bought to sell on Etsy.

 
 
The metal bells and snowman have a wonderful worn patina on them.

 
 
The front door is always a challenge to decorate with the wind and opening and closing all day, being our main entry door. I used the Command hooks this year to hang the garland and so far so good.
 




This is my last post until after Christmas so I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas with love, joy and hope for the New Year!

AnnMarie xoxo

I am linking up with these great blog parties:

Vintage Charm
Home and Garden Thursday
Share Your Cup Thursday
Pink Saturday
Home Sweet Home
Best of the Weekend
Let's Talk Vintage

30 comments :

  1. So festive and fun! Merry Christmas! Cynthia

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  2. Everything looks amazing...I am wrapping gifts today, too...lunch break, tho. :)

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  3. AnnMarie, I love your home and all of those beautiful, vintage decorations! I'm still fluffing around also and probably will until it is time to take it all down. And I'm nowhere near finished with shopping...where did the time go?

    I hope you and your family have a most wonderfully blessed Merry Christmas! You are such a treasure and I'm so thankful that we met in this large world of the internet! Love and hugs to you my sweet friend!!

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  4. Hi AnnMarie,
    Your front porch and door look wonderful. I like your grapevine snowman, cute! And fun finds for yourself inside too.
    Have a Merry Christmas!
    Gina

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  5. Love your festive details AnnMarie ~ your grapevine snowman is the best! Thank you for sharing @Vintage Charm!

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  6. AnnMarie, your home is beautiful and festive for Christmas. Love the ceramic tree with the blue bulbs. I have the one my mother made from the 70's and love it. Your grapevine snowman is a treasure. I would have had to get him too. He looks fabulous greeting everyone coming to your front door.
    Wishing you a very Merry Christmas. Blessings, xo

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  7. Merry Christmas to you and yours - I hope it is all you dream of.

    Diana

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  8. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours!

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  9. Merry Christmas to you and yours!

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  10. I really like the towels and the blue and white tree.

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  11. Love your front porch! It looks so festive and welcoming. Happy Holidays! Milena

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  12. Love it all, AnnMarie. The grapevine snowman is enchanting. So whimsical. I bet your grandchildren love him. The sled with your pretty red plaid skates bag makes a wonderful vignette. Love your vintage kitchen range (I think I may have told you that before) and the Christmas towels are perfect for it. Everything is so festive. Have a wonderful Christmas with your family! xo ~ Nancy

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  13. Wow AnnMarie! Everything looks amazing! I love all your decor, especially the grapevine snowman! Your porch is beautiful and so welcoming! I hope you and your family have a blessed and beautiful Christmas! Hugs, Vicky

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  14. Everything looks just beautiful, AnnMarie. I find myself falling in love with your white and blue vintage tree--so glad you had just the right spot for it :) Merry Christmas, friend!!

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  15. It all looks so fabulously festive AnnMarie. Love that blue and white tree and not sure I could have passed it up either. I wish you and yours a wonderful and very Merry Christmas.

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  16. Love all the things you have decorated. I am especially loving the white tree!

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  17. What a great grapevine snowman! Everything is lovely! Thanks for following!

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  18. Merry Christmas, AnnMarie! Love the white tree!

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  19. Everything looks so festive and inviting, AnnMarie! I love the little white tree and the snowman with the lamp post is just too cute! They look like they always belonged together. Your beautiful front porch with all your wonderful finds and treasured keepsakes is just perfect. Wishing you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and many blessings in the New Year! xo Karen

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  20. You home looks lovely, AnnMarie, so warm and welcoming. Happy holidays.
    Amalia
    xo

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  21. Your home is looking SO festive! I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!

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  22. Sweet friend, your home is oh-so-delightful! I just love every touch of Christmas charm and you have made everything look so warm and welcoming. Your snowman on the porch is just too cute.

    Have a very Merry Christmas, dear one. Much love to you!

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  23. Merry Christmas! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!

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  24. I am featuring this on Wednesday for a Merry Christmas feature post.

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  25. It is hard to know when to stop decorating :-) Your front porch and entry way looks so cheery and festive. Love the sled, bucket of greens, and the cute stool it sits on.
    Merry Christmas to you and your family,
    Mary Alice

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  26. Love that snowman - so unusual!
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

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  27. What a darling and original idea. She is a master vine designer! Your home looks darling!

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  28. The snowman is so cute! I would snap that up in a second if I had a chance to buy one. Everything looks perfect, Ann Marie!

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  29. Ann Marie, you sound exactly like me. :) I try my best to not buy anything Christmas, but sometimes you just can't pass things up. Love the snowman made from grapevines and both the sleigh and plaid ice skate bag are fabulous!! Happy New Year and thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  30. Hello AnnMarie! I am coming over from my dear friend, Jemma's blog. You have lots of great ideas on here, and I was looking at your kitchen. I love the splashes of red that you have in there. I also love red in the kitchen. Wow, you still have your childhood ice skates, that's so special. I went ice skating one time in my life, and it was such an experience. Me and my daughters also have a blog, and we would love it if you would visit us and follow. It's nice to meet new friends, and I hope the new year brings you much joy. I hope to hear from you, and have a sweet day.

    ~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

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