A Cozy and Calm Christmas

Come on in!  I'm delighted to participate in the Cozy at Christmas Home Tour organized by Katie at Let's Add Sprinkles.

We'll start in the family room.

The mantel is very calm and quiet for Christmas this year,  just a combination of whites and creams with a little greenery thrown in.  Life tends to be hectic in December.  We like our home to be a peaceful place to retreat to.

The wreath is a Hobby Lobby find.  I kinda love it.

I'll show you the tree both ways:  lights off and then lights on.

So far, the accumulation of wrapped presents is a little underwhelming, but at least the tree is decorated.  It must be time for some online gift shopping....


On the Christmas tree, I used burlap ribbons in muted tones and added white berry picks instead of my usual red ones.  The effect is almost like snow falling among the Christmas ornaments.  This is good, because there is sure no snow to watch falling outside in North Texas this week.

I recently discovered a fun and easy craft, stringing felt balls.  If you can thread a needle, you can make a felt ball garland. (Even if you can't thread a needle, surely you can get someone who can read the tiny directions on a cake mix box to do it for you.) The hardest part of this little project is keeping the string from tangling.  

Well, if you have a dog, there may be another consideration.

Lexi, the dog we adopted six months ago, was fascinated while watching me string the garland.   She loves to bring us old tennis balls from the backyard on a daily basis.  These balls must be from the previous homeowner's dog. We've lived here for over four years.  We do buy her new ones, but she likes to show us what she can find.  She is also a little crazy about playing fetch.  

She seemed to think I was setting up the greatest ball chasing game of all time....

I was afraid she might try to retrieve the "balls" on the tree, but so far, so good.  Hopefully, we won't come home to a horizontal Christmas tree one of these days.

This year, I'm adding some cute but inexpensive Christmas tree ornaments when wrapping my daughter's gifts.  She is graduating from college and wanting to get her own collection started.  

These are from World Market. 

This sign feels just right hanging above our nativity. I purchased it from Glory Haus when I shopped at the Nutcracker Market in Houston.  I have no affiliation with this shop, but they sure have some delightful things.

Moving on to the front entry hall,

the stairs are decorated with the same faux greenery this year, but with white ribbon instead of gold.  This realistic looking garland from Paul Michael's seemed like a big splurge the year I bought it, but it has really been a good value a couple of years later. (Again, no affiliation)

When I brought this chest for the entry hall home from a consignment store,  I imagined a beautiful Holy Family on it for Christmas. After some searching, I treated myself to this one. Each time I look at it, I feel peaceful, happy, and content.   This is the family that Christmas is all about.

Thank you so much for visiting today.
 I hope you'll stop by all the other wonderful blogs on the tour.

Cozy At Christmas 

Day 1
County Road 407
The B Farm
Decor To Adore
 Let's Add Sprinkles

Day 2
Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
Ever Evolving Home
DIY Beautify
Opulent Cottage
Joy In Our Home

Day 3
My Heart Lives Here
Patina and Paint
Hyacinths for the Soul 
My Thrift Store Addiction
Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Day 4
Poofing the Pillows

Botanic Bleu
At Rivercrest Cottage 
White Spray Paint

Day 5

Art and Sand
At Home With Jemma
Monica Wants It 

The Dedicated House

Ash Tree Cottage

Merry Christmas!

Joining these parties:
Home for Christmas at Common Ground Rattlebridge Farm Between Naps on the Porch Share Your Style Make it Pretty Monday Grace at Home The Scoop Amaze Me Monday