Maybe Christmas can’t be found in a store…

My vision this year was to recreate Christmas past…

Pin It

Fresh greens from the property, homemade bows made from fabric cut with pinking shears…

Currier and Ives dinnerware from the 1950s, my grandmother’s yule log and vintage Shiny Brites…

Stockings for each child I made from upholstery fabric remnants…

…hang on a door from the old house. 

A humble hemlock tree branch in my grandfather’s old vinegar jar sits on the antique buffet where snowflakes made by my husband and children hang on a window from my dad’s childhood home. The antlers are from the first deer he killed as a teenager. My great grandmother’s clock hangs silently.

The little house is the replica of the one he grew up in here that I made last Christmas.

…the old homeplace where he would hurry down the stairs on Christmas morning to see what Santa had brought.

Slipcovers I made from remnants of old lace with simply tied bows dress the Duncan Phyfe chairs around the table I made from wormy chestnut off the little guest house here.

A little cedar branch for each end…

…and the scraggliest tree from the woods…

…all come together for a country Christmas that can’t be found in a store. And that’s the kind of Christmas I want:-)

I’m so glad you stopped by today, and I hope that you are taking time to enjoy the things about this season that make wonderful memories for you and your family.

I am really excited to be teaming up with Melanie from ~Sweet Melanie~ to bring you a pink and blue Christmas, so please go by and see what she has done with pink and blue! 

~Sweet Melanie~

I am also excited that “O Holy Night” is available for download in itunes by clicking the link HERE! You can watch the live version on the sidebar above.

I’ll be joining:

Inspire Me Tuesday

Wow Us Wednesdays

Treasure Hunt Thursday

The Scoop

Vintage Inspiration Party

Tablescape Thursday

Christmas Extravaganza

34 Comments

  1. Sara
    December 9, 2013 / 2:33 pm

    Every time I see pictures of your home, regardless of the season, my heart smiles. Your love of family history and cherished keepsakes gives your home the "come-in-and-be-welcome" feeling. Especially poignant for me is the replica of your grandfather's house–what a labor of love. Praying for special blessings at Christmas for you, Luis, and your entire family!

  2. FABBY'S LIVING
    December 9, 2013 / 3:00 pm

    Your house looks gorgeous, warm and so inviting, wish I could and visit you Anita! I love the house you made to resemble your grandfather's home; you are so talented! May you have a lovely and blessed second week of advent.
    FABBY

  3. Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR
    December 9, 2013 / 3:46 pm

    Anita, this is beautiful! I always think of you, as we find things here at my childhood home, and think of ways to incorporate them into the decor, while keeping things fresh for the girls. Your holiday decor is so sweet and sentimental. I love it!

  4. At The Picket Fence
    December 9, 2013 / 4:21 pm

    Oh Anita! This room looks so, so beautiful!! I was going to try and pick a favorite detail but I just can't…I love them all!
    Vanessa

  5. Pamela Gordon
    December 9, 2013 / 6:21 pm

    Anita, you have done a very beautiful job of re-creating a vintage Christmas in your home. It is so pretty. I think your tree is perfect and reminds me of the one we had growing up. I love everything you've done right down to the old barn board on the dining table. Just lovely!! Pamela

  6. Denise
    December 9, 2013 / 7:03 pm

    I love your post Anita and the way you've displayed so many family memories. Everything looks simple and beautiful.

    Denise at Forest Manor

  7. NanaDiana
    December 9, 2013 / 9:13 pm

    Anita-As always, your home is beautiful-even more so dressed for the Christmas Season. I need to play Oh Holy Night again to hear you sing. Last year your rendition brought me to tears-xo Diana

  8. Bonnie
    December 9, 2013 / 10:56 pm

    I enjoyed "O Holy Night" very much. You sing beautifully
    . I love your country Christmas. What a special tree and the childhood replica of your home is indeed special. Everything is delightful.

  9. Patty @ That's So Pretty
    December 9, 2013 / 11:07 pm

    Love the focus of a heartfelt Christmas. Nicely done.

  10. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting
    December 9, 2013 / 11:09 pm

    GORGEOUS!!!

  11. Vintage Clutter
    December 9, 2013 / 11:33 pm

    Beautiful decorations with heartfelt love and beautiful sentiments. Merry Christmas and God bless!

  12. Unknown
    December 10, 2013 / 12:24 am

    How beautiful Anita. Makes me long for times gone by…. would luv to pop on by and see it all person.

  13. pens and needles
    December 10, 2013 / 1:06 am

    I love your vintage Christmas, complete with family items that remind you of loved ones and simpler times. This is what a family's Christmas should be — created, not bought. We live on a farm and cut a cedar every year. Cedars aren't the shapliest, showiest trees but they smell wonderful and are what my husband and I both remember from our childhood Christmases. So we'll never have an artificial tree. Cuttings of pine, red berries from wild holly and some mistletoe if we can shoot some down from a tall tree on the south farm — these are placed around the house, adding to the festive feel. I feel blessed to able to decorate in this way. Thanks for sharing your ideas. Your room has a lovely, warm and inviting feel about it.

  14. Janet
    December 10, 2013 / 1:56 am

    I don't know which is more beautiful and impressive; your home-made home or your singing. If I were the jealous type, i'd be as green as that hemlock. 🙂 Love all you do.
    Janet

  15. Sweet Melanie
    December 10, 2013 / 2:00 am

    Anita, everything looks so beautiful! I felt like I had been transported back in time to the simpler days, the days that have such sweet memories of family and love. You've done a perfect job at making it al possible for any of us to recapture what the stores cannot give any of us….the past into the present.

  16. Pinky at Designs by Pinky
    December 10, 2013 / 3:21 am

    Oh Anita!!!! Your Christmas home is SO wonderful. You are so blessed to have so many things from your family. I love the replica house you made!!!! And the stockings are beautiful. Merry Christmas!!! (I refuse to say "happy holidays"……

  17. Anonymous
    December 10, 2013 / 3:53 am

    Love your Country Christmas. Every detail is wonderful…just beautiful!

  18. Audrey
    December 10, 2013 / 4:20 am

    Love your scraggliest tree … it is so beatifically decorated. You have me inspired to get my Christmas decoration up.
    Lovely home too.
    Blessings,
    Audrey Z. @ Timeelss Treasures

  19. Marty@A Stroll Thru Life
    December 10, 2013 / 12:11 pm

    Love your dining room, it is so pretty and the replica of the house is amazing. As always, stunning. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

  20. Leslie Anne Tarabella
    December 10, 2013 / 10:35 pm

    I want to find a tree like yours, but alas – no forests here grow that type and no one around here sells them. I'm stuck with an over-pruned triangle that is ornament un-friendly! Such beautiful photos! Thanks.

  21. Highpoint Circle
    December 11, 2013 / 3:11 am

    The title of your post drew me in from a linky party and I was not dissappointed. It is so serenely beautiful, something only natural elements can do. Great job and a real standout from all the rest!

  22. Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse
    December 11, 2013 / 12:09 pm

    I adore your homemade Christmas decor, very fresh and happy.

  23. Connie in Hartwood
    December 11, 2013 / 1:24 pm

    I've looked at a LOT of Christmas décor over the past couple of weeks, and yours is my favorite BY FAR! I love the stories and the well-thought-out accessories … Christmas is about family, and it is wonderful that YOUR family is so well represented in your decorations. (I'm off to push the Follower button now, so I can come back here to visit on a regular basis.)

  24. Shirley@Housepitality Designs
    December 12, 2013 / 2:17 pm

    Your holiday decor is always spectacular…love, love the tree!!

  25. Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz
    December 12, 2013 / 2:27 pm

    What a wonderful Christmas atmosphere you've created. Love your scraggly tree and the replica of your father's home place that you made. Your table looks wonderful- love the centerpiece and how the chairs are dressed out. You have put a lot of love into your Christmas decorating and it looks wonderful.

  26. Christine @ Rustic-Refined
    December 12, 2013 / 2:33 pm

    Love it….your table, the stunning tree and let's not forget the precious stockings….

    XO,
    Christine

  27. Cindy (Applestone Cottage)
    December 12, 2013 / 2:35 pm

    You nailed it Anita!
    It's all so beautiful and so nostalgic and yet simple to achieve when your a talented decorator…and you are that!
    Merry Christmas,
    Cindy

  28. Unknown
    December 12, 2013 / 2:43 pm

    Lovely – all of it! You're speaking my language with those bows made from hand-cut fabric strips! I so agree with you that you can't buy Christmas in a store. The things we treasure from memories and family are for more meaningful and beautiful! Your attention to every little detail is amazing. 🙂
    Christmas blessings,
    Kim @ Curtain Queen Creates

  29. hidden art of homemaking
    December 12, 2013 / 2:48 pm

    Anita,
    This is just amazingly beautiful. I will be adding some of your pictures to my Pinterest board. I cannot tell you how much I am in love with the look of your Christmas home….so simple and so perfect…Beautiful job…I really love it!
    Love, Mona

  30. Tea in Texas
    December 12, 2013 / 4:02 pm

    Your country Christmas is charming with all the special touches. The lovely bows with the pinked edging adds softness. I am glad you can use all the pretty treasures from your family and the ones you have made to create this sweet Christmas setting. A wonderful way to spend Christmas in the country traditions!

    Pam

  31. SharonFromMichigan
    December 12, 2013 / 6:12 pm

    Oh my I do LOVE your tree. It's absolutely beautiful. The way each and every item in your home holds family memories really warms my heart. I just love your interpretation of Christmas! Merry Christmas to you!

  32. Candy S
    December 13, 2013 / 1:03 am

    Anita, Your beautiful cherished home reminds me of my grandmothers farm house when I was a kid. All natural wood and simple beauty. Your Christmas treasures are charming as is the tree all decorated with love. Merry Christmas! I will be viewing the recording of O holy Night on the sidebar. This has always been my favorite Christmas song to sing and to listen to. I was singing this song tonight on my (long) ride home from work. I love it dearly.

  33. Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net)
    December 13, 2013 / 2:34 am

    Anita, your table and all your decorations are beautiful! I love the sweet house you made…that must have taken a while to make. What a special piece. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

  34. Art and Sand
    December 17, 2013 / 5:11 am

    your table . . . your decorations . . . your attention to detail . . . all wonderful.