All Aglow

Christmas wreath hanging on a red door

Our home has been decorated for the holidays, and it is nice to have a bit of “normal” right now, with my father so sick.  We won’t be holding our annual family gatherings this year due to his health.  So, Eric and I will just have a small, quiet Christmas with just the two of us.

Anyway, Eric decided last year that he really wanted lights on the wreath on the front door.  He found some great battery operated lights this year, and now our wreath has its own little bit of brightness.

Eric found a beautiful tree again this year.  I just love the smell of a real tree in the house.  I scaled back a lot on my ornaments this year though.  I wanted a more simple look on the tree.

Christmas tree with an angel on top and white lights

Some of my favorite ornaments are our Swarovski annual ornaments.  I’ve been giving one to Eric each year since 2005.  They catch the light so beautifully.

Swarovski crystal snowflake ornament hanging on a Christmas tree

And I decided to put out the Nutcrackers again this year on the mantel.  Eric saved the branches he had to cut off the tree at the bottom for me, and I used them on the mantel.  I love the way that looks.

fireplace with Christmas stockings hanging from the mantel, and nutcrackers on the mantel along with greenery

The odd man out in the Nutcracker theme is this guy.  He was a gift to me from my parents when I was about nine or ten.  My parents used to take my sister and I to see the Nutcracker ballet every year at the holidays.  One year, before we went, they presented me with my very own Nutcracker.  You wouldn’t believe how much I cried with joy.  He’s looking a little worse for wear, and his hair and beard are looking a bit thin (they are rabbit fur).  But, I get such pleasure from having him out at Christmas.

nutcracker in a blue coat

We’ve received so many lovely cards from friends and family.  Unfortunately, this year I had to make the decision not to send out cards.  There has just been too much going on to get them done.  I hope everyone understands.

basket of Christmas cards and the top one has a painting of Santa on it, on top of the cards sits a cross-stitched pillow that says Peace

And our tree in the entry.  This is my “handmade” tree.  I hang handmade ornaments on this tree, along with some pretty red glass balls.  There’s a train around the base of this tree as well.

Christmas tree with handmade ornaments and white lights

And my Dickens’ Village.  Eric made me a fabulous platform for my houses this year.  The table I set them up on has rather high sides, so it was getting difficult to make them all fit.  Eric made a platform to go over the top of the table and it worked out perfectly!  All the houses fit.  And several of these were gifts from my parents over the last few years, so I love seeing them out.

Dickens Christmas Village houses lit up on a table
Dickens Christmas Village houses lit up on a table closeup of a horse pulling a sleigh that says Barton's Holiday Greens
Dickens Christmas Village houses lit up on a table - closeup of the stained glass maker

And yesterday, I managed to do all of my gift wrapping.  These were headed off to the Post Office to be mailed.

silver friendship ornament sitting on top of gift wrapped Christmas packages

I hope you all have a lovely holiday and that it brings you much joy and happiness.  Thanks for stopping in to see me and I so appreciate all your sweet comments!

blown glass heart-shaped ornament hanging on a Christmas tree

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