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Home for the Holidays ~ 2011 Our Tree

The ritual of the Christmas tree On Sutton Place
has changed with the different stages of my family.
When my kids were younger they always helped.
My son would carry the branches
up from the basement and build the tree.
My daughter would do the lights.
If they were both still hanging in there,
we would decorate it together.
My husband always disappeared about the time this was all happening.
Let’s just say it wasn’t his favorite thing to do…
Now since I’m on my own I have a lovely, little tree
that I can trim myself…
It stays assembled with the lights on and sits
in the basement for 11 months out of the year.
Our tree has moved around but for the past couple of years
I have put it in our family room.
I don’t have to move any furniture…
it just sits nicely in the corner.
I decorated the table with a grain sack, fresh greens,
berries and pine cones.
The stripes in the pitcher go nicely
with the stripes in the grain sack…
and I didn’t even plan it that way.
Don’t you love it when that happens?
I got the huge pine cones a few years ago at Hobby Lobby.
I bought all they had which was about 6.
I have looked every year since and have not ever seen them again.
My halls are pretty much decked.
My shopping is finished but not one thing is wrapped.
I’d really like to bake some cookies.

Looks like I’m not going to get that snow day I was praying for either.
How many more days are there?

Linking to:
Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style
What’s It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants
Christmas Tree Party at Thrifty Decor Chick

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Thoughts from my friends...

  1. 1

    Your tree is yummy, may the spirit of Christmas be all around you. Richard from My Old Historic House.

  2. 2

    I love it ! Very quaint!

  3. 3

    Beautiful tree! Love the grain sack, pitcher and pine cones.

  4. 4

    Lovely decor! And I do love your table…so homey and Christmasy :-)

  5. 5
    adventuresindinner says:

    What a gorgeous spot for your tree :-)

  6. 6
    Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says:

    Gorgeous tree and great shots. I hope you link her up.

  7. 7

    Your tree is beautiful, Ann! And the table with the grain sack with the centerpiece is charming! There is still time to link up to the Christmas Tree Party. The link is open until Saturday and there is a $100 Pottery Barn Gift Card giveaway!

  8. 8

    beautiful. (:

  9. 9

    There are not many days left, but I'm not worried. The cookies will be baked and the gifts will be wrapped. For some reason, I'm just not fretting this year.
    Your tree is lovely in the corner, and I think that your table arrangement is beautiful.

  10. 10
    ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says:

    Ann your tree looks beautiful, I love the star topper!! Love the pretty centerpiece on your table too! Martina

  11. 11

    Hello dear lady,
    Your tree is beautiful and looks so lovely in the corner of your pretty dining room. I love the grain sack with the blue stripes that echo the stripes in the pitcher. Perfection! It doesn't seem to happen very often, does it. Not for me at least.
    Do you miss the days when your children were still at home and they helped with so many little things like setting up the tree? I really do, I am missing them something terrible right now.
    Sorry to hear that your days are so busy, leaving little time for baking. Hopefully you will squeeze it in somewhere.
    Have a lovely day.
    Hugs, Cindy

  12. 12
    Shannon@Cozy Home Scenes says:

    Everything looks lovely, Ann! I like the ornaments and other things on the tree. The little bowl with berries is my favorite. One would never suspect how busy you are since your home looks all decked out and ready for Santa. Heehee. Hope you get time to enjoy doing whatever you would like to do– maybe like baking.———Shannon

  13. 13
    Formerly known as Frau says:

    Everything looks so festive!

  14. 14

    Absolutely lovely! I do love how the stripes on your pitcher go with the runner – serendipity! following now . . . :)

  15. 15

    Your table looks great. The tree is gorgeous. I love that you're able to keep it in the basement, pretty much assembled. Great idea! I'm pulling for that snow with you. :)

  16. 16
    Pat@Back Porch Musings says:

    This is absolutely beautiful Ann! My kind of tree.:-)

  17. 17
    Penny @ The Comforts of Home/Flea Market Makeovers says:

    Ann your tree is beautiful and I love the grain sack runner, pines cones…everything!

  18. 18

    your tree is beautiful and I just adore the home spun accents on the tabel, beautiful.

  19. 19
    Calypso In The Country says:

    Your tree is beautiful and I love your table vignette. I feel so behind because we haven't even gotten our tree yet!…and I don't have one present wrapped!
    -Shelley

  20. 20

    Your tree looks beautiful, Ann. You have some great ornaments. The one with the red berries is my favorite! Your table vignette is perfect too.

  21. 21
    Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads says:

    Ann,
    Your tree is gorgeous! I love the ornaments on it, and how wonderful you can keep it in your basement and just bring it up in Dec. The grain sack runner and the pitcher look amazing together. Leo just gave me some huge pinecones that were in some straw he raked up this morning from a neighbor's yard. Hang in there!

  22. 22

    Hi Ann, your Christmas decor is so pretty. How great is it that you don't have to assemble the tree every year, that would be like heaven for me. The Michaels in my area has those giant pine cones, if there's a Michaels near you they may have them too. They were in the candle section… why? Love the grain sack runner.

  23. 23
    Ann@A Sentimental Life says:

    so very pretty and I love your grain sack arrangement. Yes, time is going fast!

  24. 24
    M.L. @ The House of Whimsy says:

    Very lovely tree. And I loooove all the front porch photos, below.

    Merry Christmas,
    M.L.

  25. 25

    Your tree is so pretty! I love the old table and the way you decorated it. Simple and elegant. I wish you and yours a very happy Christmas! Blessings, Pamela

  26. 26

    Your tree is beautiful! Each ornament looks like it belongs and it has found its home!

  27. 27

    It looks absolutely beautiful…and if you hadn't told us I would have thought it real. Gorgeous- xo Diana

  28. 28
    Jo's This and That says:

    Beautiful tree! I think we have the same husband.lol Merry christmas!Joann

  29. 29
    Christine @ Stonehouse Living says:

    Hi Ann,
    Your Christmas tree is beautiful…all the ornaments are so sweet.
    It looks perfect there…
    All the Best,
    Christine

  30. 30

    Your tree and table decorations look so pretty! It's pretty warm here, so no snow for us either. Darn! I plan on doing some baking soon too. That always raises my spirits at Christmas.

  31. 31

    Ann,
    Your tree looks lovely.

    hugs
    Sissie

  32. 32
    Tammy @BeatriceBanks says:

    That is beautiful! And I love the pitcher full of berries with pine cones. Lucky girl to have all your shopping done! I have a few left and lots of wrapping to do too. Christmas will be here before we know it!

  33. 33

    Oh my, Ann, I love it all! The centerpiece is especially lovely. It's so simple, but absolutely gorgeous!!

  34. 34

    Lovely corner with the tree.

  35. 35

    Hi Ann, everything looks so beautiful and it seems that you are all set for Christmas. Thanks so much for sharing all this beauty. I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris
    http://chelencarter-retiredandlovingit.blogspot.com/

  36. 36

    Ann – your tree and table are just gorgeous. Love your holiday decorating style!!

  37. 37

    Wanted to thank you for stopping by my blog and becoming a follower. I LOVE your place! You do an amazing job!

  38. 38

    Beautiful – love the giant pine cones and just a hit of red in here. Goes so well with twinkly white lights (:

  39. 39
    Debbiedoo's blogging and blabbing says:

    Beautiful Ann! So very warm and festive. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

  40. 40

    I love how you have decorated. It's sweet and looks like love to me! Hobby Lobby did have those huge pinecones but they were bagged in 3's and were so much more expensive. Btw, I bought one of your pillows and absolutely love it. You do such lovely work. Your prices are very reasonable too. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and a blessed new year.

  41. 41

    Such a pretty tree – love the pinecones! Where do we submit requests for an extra week slipped in here…
    xo Cathy

  42. 42

    Ann, your table is just beautiful. I love the simplicity of it. Seems like you are all ready for the big day. Merry Christmas!
    Marianne :)

  43. 43

    Love your tree Ann! No snow here either but I'm thrilled about that since our kids have to travel so I can easily do without!
    Have a wonderful Christmas!

    Jeannette

  44. 44
    Lizabeth @ Infuse With Liz says:

    Love the tree and your table setting! Yes I miss having my helpers around! It's hard to get the spirit without them around! Thankfully my husband was helpful getting things brought up from the basement this year. Looks like you are all ready for the holiday! On to the baking!! Oh yes and wrapping! I'm in the same boat, nothing wrapped yet, but I tend to make that a marathon in one day!

  45. 45

    What a big beautiful tree! Love your grain sack and centerpiece, those huge pine cones are awesome.
    Merry Christmas!

  46. 46

    Your tree is just beautiful!

  47. 47

    It all looks so warm and inviting. Great job!

  48. 48

    Your tree is perfect in size and shape and you decorated it beautifully. Great centerpiece, too. Hope you have your cookies baked by now…LOL I have none baked. But I'm thinking about it. :)

  49. 49
    Ivy and Elephants says:

    What a gorgeous tree! Your ornaments are each so unique, especially that little bowl with the berries. I would LOVE to be able to leave my tree assembled,
    (that's the only part I don't like!).
    Thank you so much for sharing it with us at "What's It Wednesday".
    See you next week. It's not a party without you!
    Hugs,
    Patti

  50. 50

    What a beautiful tree and Christmas kitchen, Ann … love your centerpiece, too … the oversized pinecones are amazing!

  51. 51
    Grace @ Sense and Simplicity says:

    Your home looks beautiful all decked out for Christmas. Thanks so much for the nice note you sent my way – I've enjoyed getting to know you this past year and watching your blog take off. Have a wonderful Christmas.

  52. 52

    Your tree is so beautiful Ann…and so is your home! I'll be back to follow tomorrow as my crazy computer will not let me for some reason! ~Deb~

  53. 53

    PS…I love your etsy shop!

  54. 54
    Lynn@ The Vintage Nest says:

    It's PERFECT!!! xoxo

  55. 55

    Very simple and very pretty, Ann. Have missed seeing you drop by. I know what it is to be busy and getting ready for the holiday, as well as working, too. Here's wishing you a very Merry Christmas. ~ Sue

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