Christmas Time at New Hope Road

Saturday, July 23, 2016

Christmas 2015...Almost a year late.

Last year I let the blog slip, but we all know that doesn't mean I went without decking the halls of the "Sloan Homestead", as Todd likes to call it. It was the third Christmas in our house on New Hope Road and I did a few things differently. I'm sticking with the theme of neutral and sparkly in the living room because I still think it's just so pretty! I was planning to change the mantel up to use the collection of Todd's nutcrackers that Todd's mom gave me last year, but I just couldn't make myself put my sparky angels and glittery ornaments somewhere else. Instead, they went in the Dining Room, and I loved them in there with the blue walls. They are perfect! The kitchen is where I keep things traditional...red and white! I'm in this room a lot during the holidays and it just makes me happy to turn up the Christmas tunes and bake up all the special Christmas goodies.

Well, enough rambling...(Sorry for the lack of Christmas decorations photos last year. I guess things got busy and if it hadn't changed since 2014 I didn't take a picture. I'll have to do better this year.)

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Merry Christmas 2014!

Another year has passed, and I've loved decorating and redecorating the house for Christmas! It seems to always be a work in progress from the time I place the first ornament, up until the day before Christmas. I'll walk through a room and think "Oh wait! That would look better over here." or "That ornament's just not quite in the right place.", but I love every minute of it. I absolutely LOVE this house at Christmas time! It is so sweet and cozy and warm (not literally with these old windows) but you know what I mean. Todd walked through the house the other night and said "I wish we could have the decorations up all year.". I tend to agree, but then again, if they were it wouldn't be as special, so I'll be happy with my two months of beauty.
Today is the 13th of December, which means we started our 12 Days of Christmas today. I love this yearly tradition, and the thrill is still there for my now 9 and 11 year old. Today they decorated gingerbread houses. They get better and better each year. I wonder what will show up in that "magic box" for us to do tomorrow?
Well, here's this year's tour. Merry Christmas!

And it begins...

Putting on the lights is the worst part!

All finished!

Family Room

Loved how my nativity fit perfectly in my vintage suitcase.

Into the Parlor...

The coffee filter wreath I made last year stayed up all year and has held up really well.

Moving into the Dining Room

The Village doubled this year after receiving a generous gift from Karen Barsch.

Ryann picked a miniature schnauzer ornament at the Christmas Show.

Judson chose a big orange cat.

My 2014 "Ugly Ornament" - I'm into red and white polka dot this year!

The Ugly Ornament Tree is really getting full!

Newly acquired red sweater reindeer head, dressed up with a festive scarf.

Into the Kitchen

HighlightingH Grandma Risch's milk glass

Hot Cocoa Bar

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Merry "Thanksmas"!

Friday was Halloween night. The kids were very excited to FINALLY have a Halloween fall on a non-school night. Judson had a friend over and they had BIG plans to stay out all night filling, not just one, but two pillow cases full of candy. They got all dressed up and headed out just as it was getting dark. After only 30 minutes the lightening began. By 45 minutes they were back home and the sky opened up. What disappointment! Fortunately Ethan was here so they still managed to have fun.
Of course the next day, Saturday, November 1st made it officially acceptable (in my book) to start listening to Christmas music as much as I wanted! I'm calling it "Thanksmas" so as not to offend my Thanksgiving loving friends. I also LOVE Thanksgiving, but I don't think that should stop me from having 2 months of the music that brings my heart joy. Now, the planning and music can happen early, but I still have a few more weeks before I will let myself start decorating. A couple of years ago I started doing all of the decorating the weekend before Thanksgiving. Everything but the trees. Now that we have started bringing home our trees from the mountains it is so nice to come home from the awesome Thanksgiving holiday to a house full of Christmas and just get to concentrate on making the trees beautiful. I love it and can't wait! There are 12 days until the Christmas Show, 25 days until Thanksgiving and only 52 days until Christmas!!

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Six Months Later. Our First Christmas in the New Hope House.

It's been 6 months since our move into our home, and we are very happy here. All settled in. New school, new church, new job and new friends. Since the day we first walked through the house I knew exactly where our Christmas tree would go. The nook in the living room was made for a Christmas tree, and the one we picked out at a tree farm in the NC mountains fits just right in it.
I've been spending the last few nights scrolling through blogs of designers, looking at how they decorate for Christmas. So many different styles. Some I loved, some were a bit bizarre and some I wish I were brave enough to try. Then I remembered that when we first moved in I created this blog. It was meant to be a record of all the updates we did, but I never did get around to actually blogging. So here we are, 6 months later and I decided I wanted to be one of those bloggers who posts pictures of her Christmas decorations. I wish I were a better photographer so the pictures could do the house justice, but it is what it is.
You can also see from the pictures all of the changes that have been made. Thanks to all the hard work and motivation my mom offered. She kicks some serious...well, you know! She gave up a few precious Saturdays to come over here and help me out, and I can't thank her enough. Love you mom!! Ok, I'll stop rambling now and post the pics. Merry Christmas from me to you!