Christmas home tour

It's time for Christmas home tours, and I'm so glad to welcome you!

Here's how our house looks these days:

This is how we wish it looked. . . but since we're in North Carolina, a white Christmas is usually just the stuff of dreams.

Still, things are pretty Christmasy around here.  Take a look!

At the front door you'll be greeted by my DIY Joy sign and my kids' old sled.  I hope being here fills your heart with Christmas joy!

On the front door is my wreath.  I've always admired wreaths made of noble fir, but find them too pricey.  This year I bought 4 feet of noble fir garland and wired it onto an artificial wreath.  I added berries, pine cones, and a bit of ribbon.  Presto!  A noble fir wreath for a fraction of the cost!



When it's not too chilly, we can pause here on the front porch for a bit.

But it's been pretty cold lately, even if it's not snowy--so come on in!



Here in the foyer you'll find simple decorations--a lighted garland and our Christmas village.

My kids started this Department 56 village for me back in 1995.  I love it displayed here under the DIY watercolor of our house.  I mass poinsettias under the table to hide all the unsightly cords!

This year I added a new banner to the foyer.  It was made by widows in Bangladesh through the good work of a ministry called The Widow's Friend.



Isn't it lovely?

To the left of the front door is my husband's study, where the decor is simple to go with the rustic stone fireplace.



To the right of the foyer is the dining room, which was fun to decorate this year.  2014 marks the 15th anniversary of my mom's death, so this room is full of things she loved.





My favorite things this year are the 12 Days of Christmas ornaments hanging in the dining room windows.



Straight ahead of the front door is our living room.  Along with our nativity scene and Christmas wall art, our sentimental, non-fancy tree is at one end:



And at the other is our fireplace.  The mantelscape is very simple--just mercury glass candlesticks, some greenery, and our stockings--



along with a basketful of cherished Christmas books.  I love looking through these every year!



As you can see, the fireplace scene often involves our two dogs, Snickers and Cocoa.

As you peek into the kitchen, you'll see that our newly remodeled island is looking good for Christmas.  The green color and the beverage fridge are perfect for this season!



I usually do a lot of decorating in the kitchen.  Life has been a little busy this fall since our 21-year-old son had a stroke (he's doing well, thank God!), so this year things are pretty simple. On the island are my antique wrapping paper dispenser and scale. The window is sporting some garland, which smells divine, and my DIY "Noel."

On the kitchen table is a simple centerpiece on a tray that can easily be whisked away.  No muss, no fuss.



Well, there is one fussy piece of decor.  My sons built a LEGO Christmas village.



Look--there's even someone taking pictures with Santa!



The kitchen leads out to the screened porch, which is fun to decorate for Christmas:



The table runner is just a piece of plaid flannel which I folded and stapled into place.  On it stands a tool caddy filled with greenery, some holly berries, and a few pine cones.



Before I stapled that fabric into place on the table, I tore off a few strips to use as bows on the lanterns. Those bows and a few other touches and the porch is ready to go.

Thank you so much for visiting!

A blessed Christmas to you and yours!

I'm joining Kelly at Kelly's Korner for her annual Christmas home tour and 

Myquillin at Nesting Place for her tour.