Christmas has always been a time of special celebrations for Robert and I, our girls, and their children. We love to share this special time of the year with our friends . . . parties, quiet dinners, coffee and tea and lots of reminiscing. So once again, come on in and share some Christmas memories with us.
In one corner of the sunroom, an old carved wood cherub from Germany presides over a round table loaded with glittery cedar, some fat red birds, a favorite basket I painted years ago, and a few books from our Christmas collection. Reds and greens abound in this room . . . perfect for the season.
Several snow globes, a painted Santa clock, and a large plate painted with red roses and holly sit among the cedar on the entertainment center.
One of my small painted Santa sleds sits on the drop leaf hospitality table done for a furniture seminar. Over it, hangs two of my watercolors. The glittery cedar is used throughout the sunroom to tie everything together.
Heading in to the keeping room, Christmas greenery and two Santa paintings have been added to another drop leaf table. The Santas join an antique writing desk and a lady Ben Franklin lamp.
Two lovely Charles Johnson boxes are placed on one side of the keeping room fireplace. I love collecting paintings done by other artists . . . particularly those who paint in a different style than I do.
Bookshelves in the keeping room contain a collection of tin painted by Werner Wrede, Peter Ompir and Nancy Bateman. Small bits of greenery are tucked among the tin, and some soft Santas made by a close friend are added. A painted sleigh and some antique pewter pieces complete the area.
Over the years, Bev has given us other pieces done by the same artist that did the many ornaments on the tree. This beautiful little Victorian sleigh and candy basket are two of our favorites. Some antique Christmas cards and another of my Santa paintings have been added to this small table behind Robert’s chair.
The breakfast room shelves contain more of my Santa paintings, along with a Christmas tree Santa done by Terrie Cordray, and a twig and bark Santa done by Billie Jo Johnston. House of Hatten Santas and a Santa Jack-In-The Box add to the Santa theme.
An old tin basket painted by Nancy Bateman sits on the breakfast room table all year. At Christmas it is loaded with greens, beaded fruit, and antique cookie molds. Something different is put in this basket for every season.
Kitchen Tea, a painting I did for the Decorative Painter years ago, is the center of interest in a little vignette on one of the kitchen counters. Just around the corner, a collection of transfer ware pitchers and tea pots join an old blue crock mixing bowl. More antique cookie molds, beaded fruit and greenery fill the bowl.
Yes, I do add a touch of Christmas to the utility room too. In fact, every room . . . even the baths get a little dressing up for the season.
A long tour today since we missed getting one posted yesterday. We will head up stairs next. The first stair landing features cherubs and angels. Several of my angel paintings and The Spirit of Christmas Chest are displayed on this landing all year long. Gold cherubs, another carved wooden German cherub, and an angel garden statue are added to the painted pieces at Christmas.
The next stair landing is home to one of my most treasured pieces . . . a lovely rose screen painted by Mary Jo Leisure. Two carved cherubs stand guard at the base of the screen and are dressed with sheer gold bows for Christmas.
In the rose bedroom, a little lingerie chest sits on one wall. On top of this are a little chest I painted for an early book, a rocking chair painted by Terrie Cordray, and a small collection of teddy bears. The watercolor of the little bear in the rocking chair and the baby shoes hangs above the lingerie chest. At Christmas a few simple touches are added . . . little bear skaters and snowflakes. The bedside table has a small porcelain tray I painted several years ago, and glass ornaments added to a little glass basket.
This room also contains a doll tree that we have had for many years. It is decorated with Bessie Pease Gutman ornaments, tiny porcelain doll shoes, and is topped with a small doll. Teddy bears and rabbits rest under the tree.
This little glass tray is in one of the guest bathrooms.
On the bedside table in the violet guest room, there is a small painted porcelain letter holder, and a china tray with glass ornaments. A snow lady and snowman, given to us by our youngest daughter, greet visitors from the bed, and a treasured moire stocking made by my friend, Lynn Brandy hangs from a bed post.
In the library, a Santa Shelf topped with other painted pieces is left on the wall all year . .. we love to leave touches of Christmas out in the house throughout the year . . . to remind us of this wonderful season.
Following are photos of some of the library shelves . . . most are dressed up with a little touch of Christmas, but I will only share a few. Many painted pieces . . . from my newest Santa to some really old paintings join the books and photos of family and friends. There is also a painted Tompte plate by Gayle Oram and some porcelain Santas. One of my favorite photos of Robert as a child has a place of honor on one shelf. Wasn’t he a cutie?
That concludes our Christmas tour. Santa’s workshop areas (office, merchandise room, and studio) are not open for visitors right now due to Santa being very busy with final Christmas preparations. I hope you all have a joyous Christmas with family and friends and a Happy and Healthy New Year!
