We are finally getting into the Christmas spirit and I want to share just a few of our decorations with you. I was thinking yesterday how everything we put on our tree or around the house has a special meaning for us. And especially when we decorate the tree, we are always smiling and exchanging memories and retelling the stories our ornaments remind us of. Some of our ornaments are new, but a few are old and treasured ornaments from Daniel's family, like this beautiful Silent Night glass ball....
...and this beautifully striped ornament!
...and this beautifully striped ornament!
The beaded quezal bird we just bought on our recent stop in Guatemala. We like to bring back little things that remind us of the trips we have taken....
...like this angel from a vacation in Hawaii in 1996...
...and this chimney sweep (for good luck!) from our many trips to Germany.
Many of our ornaments remind us of our family and friends. For example, this beautifully batiked egg was made by one of my friends and former coworkers. Her work is exquisite!
And this little cocktail glass arrived in the mail a couple of years ago from my good friend Beth after she had visited me in Savannah and we enjoyed a few Cosmos together!
Many of our ornaments remind us of my sweet aunt in Germany, who has supplied us with some of the most wonderful Christmas decorations over the years. One year, she sent a small box filled with angels and straw stars - we use them every year! I'll be sharing more of my German decorations in another post - they are really pretty and I think you'd enjoy seeing them!
Winslow tried to stay out of the way while we were decorating and was eyeing us suspiciously from his safe spot on the couch!
I've been trying to get back to my studio, but so far no luck. There's just too much other stuff to do these days. But when all the packages are mailed, the cookies are baked and the decorations are finished, I will paint again. In the meantime, though, I am thoroughly enjoying this holiday season and I hope you are, too! It's such a magical time...P.S. Thank you so much for your heartfelt comments on my posts - they make me feel so good every time!!!
I love your Christmas ornaments, and it is so fun to see that little Martini glass on your tree! The chimney sweep is also really cute!
ReplyDeleteI loved the tour of your tree. thank you for liking my photographs. I don't really have any tricks about taking the pictures I just point and shoot-I guess I am lucky. But I'm glad you enjoy them, and never get tired of compliments. Have a great day. Lorrie
ReplyDeleteI love your silent night ornament, so much. To me, the song sums up Christmas. Sigh. That is what it is really all about.
ReplyDeleteYou have inspired me to shoot my favourite ornament, I'm going to post it tomorrow! lol
Thank you, and lovely blog you have here. xoxo
Beautiful!! I especially love that chimney sweep!
ReplyDeleteChristmas and memories go hand in hand...love all your treasure on the tree and especially love the picture of Winslow on the Sofa...great!
ReplyDeleteHUGS
Char
Such beautiful decorating Silke...and your ornaments are delightful. I'm with Gillian...I think I might need to take some shots of my favourite ornaments too! :)
ReplyDeleteI love your tree! it's absolutely beautiful!! thank you for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tree! I love the batiked egg, gorgeous. Can't wait to get ours decorated.
ReplyDeleteWow Silke, what a beautiful tree. What really makes it beautiful are the ornaments that all have meaning. Isn't it wonderful how each little glass ball can highlight wonderful memories. I love your tree. Tonight I will look at our tree and check each little decoration I have on there and remember who it was from, when it was bought and just think of the memories. Inspiring. Thanks for this beautiful post. Have a great Tuesday.
ReplyDeletepretty stuffs!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletewishing you a nice day, Silke!
Beautiful tree, Silke and wonderful ornaments! always great to see how others decorate their tree!
ReplyDeleteHi Silke!!! so very festive!!! wonderful decorations!!!! Wishing you a wonderful Holiday Season!!!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Diana
Hi Silke,
ReplyDeleteYour home and decorations are stunning. Really wonderful and festive.:)
I did not know you are originally from Germany! There is a shop in Bath that sells German food and Christmas decorations, called 'Hansel and Gretal'. It's such a pretty little shop, just like a fairy tale when you walk inside, with small baby faced angels and straw stars.
My friends from Germany open their presents on Christmas Eve!
They bought me some Stollen cake the other day, (my very favourite) for Christmas!
Really good to catch up with you again. I'm glad you and Daniel had a lovely holiday.
Have a very special Christmas and New Year!
Jo.x:)
They are so beautiful. Warm and inviting full of story. Blessings friend.
ReplyDeletePretty pretty tree and love the old ornaments, but OH BEAUTIFUL ONE!!! Your new profile picture is STUNNING!!! The scarf arrived safely. I love it and may not be able to give it away....you know what THAT means!
ReplyDelete**blows merry kisses** Deb
Hi lovely Silke! How nice to see your decorating. It´s beautiful. I love the little chimney sweep. We always decorate the three (and the house) on the 23, but this year I want to start already. It is the cosy days before christmas where I get my christmas feeling. I also don´t have the time to sit down in the studio. I have been to North of Norway visiting my parents so everything is not in order at my house yet. Clothes, dust and a lot of mess everywhere. I wish someone could just come to my house and do the cleaning...Well, when I get everything in order and my decorating up I will post it on my blog. I have a christmasball that I got from the family I lived with in USA. It´s so strange that it is from 1989!! Doesn´t seem that long time ago. Have a great evening in your cosy, beautiful house of love. Hugs, Annika ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you, everyone, for your wonderful comments! It's made me think of the different customs we all follow! Joanne mentions her German friends opening presents on Christmas Eve, which is what we do. And Annika says that they put up the tree on the 23rd in Norway. In Germany, we didn't put it up until the 24th! I think I'll have to do a post on how my Christmas now is so different from my Christmas growing up in Germany! In the meantime, than you all so much for visiting me and leaving your comments!! Love, SIlke
ReplyDeleteHi Silke! Your decorations are lovely - thanks so much for sharing them. I loved learning the story behind some of your favorites. :) Have a great day...Theresa
ReplyDeleteOh how beautiful your tree and all the prezzies, wow! The batik egg is fabulous! Loved the chimney sweep!
ReplyDeleteOooh I am getting more excited as we get closeto Christmas!
Have a great time!
Hugz!
Julie
SILKE, YIOUR TREE IS VERY BEAUTIFULL, AND I SO LOVE ALL YOUR TREASURES FROM TRAVELS AROUND THE WORLD.
ReplyDeleteHERE,-AS YOU KNOW- WE ARE NOT DECORATING THE TREE BEFORE CHRISTMAS EVE`S DAY, SO i HAVE TO WAIT.bESIDES MY DAUGHTER AND HER LIL FAMILY, ARRIVES HERE FOR CHRISTMAS, AND SINCE SHE WAS A TEEN-AGER WE HAVE ALWAYES MADE THE TREE TOGETHER, WHEN BEING TOGETHER FOR CHRISTMAS, SO I HAPPILY WAITS.
HUGS, DORTHE
Thanks for sharing your magical ornaments - It is incredible the memories that are ignited with some ornaments and the joy they bring year after year.
ReplyDelete:-)