celebrating December . . . at home

Welcome, January!

I had every intention of sharing these December photos with you before the New Year, but our Winter vacation got the best of me . . . in a good way . . . and I spent every waking moment with my family enjoying Utah's cold weather and snow for nearly 12 days!

I think I opened my laptop for all of 15 minutes our entire trip, so that I could share a quick photo of festive cupcakes and wish you all a Happy New Year . . . and that's about it.

We spent our days playing and relaxing . . .  and relaxing more. 

Sledding was a highlight for our little ones . . . and shopping (while it was snowing!) in Midway was one of my favorite memories . . . along with falling asleep with my 3 little ones cuddled up to me for a long Winter's nap. That was a first . . . and an afternoon that I will treasure always!

We happened to be there when the temperatures dipped into the negative digits for about 3 days. That was a first for me.  One morning my phone read -22 outside. Yes, NEGATIVE 22. Wow! That was rough. We didn't go out much when it was that cold.  

The break from the 'every day' was wonderful . . . and I feel so blessed to have spent so much quality time with my husband and kids on our trip.

Before I change all the photos on the sidebar to reflect January and Valentine's Day, I thought I would wrap up last month (even though I'm WAY late) with December photos that I haven't shared yet.

Many of them are snapshots of our home throughout the month. 

As you'll see, I kept our decor simple and natural this year . . . 

cedar swags

boxwood and cedar wreaths

simple, lush ribbons

fresh pomegranates

pretty linens

Williams-Sonoma FATHER CHRISTMAS plates 

hot cocoa bar 

lots of white, twinkling lights

PAPERWHITES & lemon cedar trees everywhere!

~ Look at the beautiful details ~

I planted SEVERAL paperwhite bulbs in mid-December. 

Most of the photos in this post are of when the bulbs were new, and there are a few with 3-4 inches growth.

I know I planted them sort of late, but I thought it would be nice to enjoy them through January when all our Christmas decor has been put away for the season.

While we were on vacation, they grew upwards of 12-14 inches high. The first blooms opened this morning! I can't wait to share photos of them with you later in the week.

I placed the pewter bowl of paper-whites on the table behind our Nativity scene . . . it was quite pretty. 

Baking is a BIG part of the holiday season for me!

This year's showcase sugar cookie was the North Star. You can read more about it here. They were a beautiful (and yummy) way to share the Christmas story with my little ones.

Here are a few more of my December baking projects . . . .

orange cranberry muffins

old fashioned gingerbread cookies

reindeer marshmallows

crock pot hot cocoa

raspberry almond muffins

triple chewy chocolate cookies

our annual cookie decorating party

I hope you all had a joyous and peaceful holiday season . . .  and that you entered the New Year with renewed hope and have plans to make this year a GREAT one!

Wishing you peace and happiness in this New Year!

LET'S STAY in touch!

Simply Suzannes at Home

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creating Christmas memories with vignettes, our nativity

Sweet Diane, author of An Extraordinary Day, invited me to join in on her 'Creating Christmas Memories with Vignettes" series.  Christmas is such a wonderful time of year to create memories in your home with family and friends through new traditions, and through memorable and meaningful vignettes.

Fall and Christmas are my favorite times of year to decorate our home . . . and although my decor and vignettes change every year, there are a few vignettes that make an appearance every year.

our nativity . . .

These statues are just a few pieces of a very large and comprehensive nativity set/scene that was handed down to me after my grandma passed away.

I grew up admiring this Nativity scene for as long as I can remember. It always found a special place in my grandma's decor every Christmas season.

It's not only special to me because it reminds me of her . . . and the loving way she brought the spirit of Christmas to our family, but because my late uncle hand-painted it for her and gave it to her as a Christmas gift more than 25 years ago. 

I am so very blessed to have it now, as there are more than 30 living grandchildren and great-grandchildren who could have also received it, but it was trusted to me . . . and I care for it greatly.

I proudly display a few pieces every year, and add more to the scene as my little ones grow older. It's found a home nestled under our Christmas tree, on our mantle, and on a table in our entry.

It serves as a beautiful reminder to us of the reason we celebrate this joyous time of year.

I have something special planned for our Nativity scene this year, and can't wait to share it with you in a few weeks. 

Here's a hint . . . It makes for a fun, family activity . . . and a memorable vignette at a holiday party.

Thank you, Diane, for giving me this opportunity to share one of the most meaningful vignettes in my home this time of year. I hope you and your readers come by and visit me through the holiday season for more holiday fun, recipes, and decorating ideas.

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving and a joyous holiday season,

Suzanne

photos from 2013

 

LET'S STAY in touch!

Simply Suzannes at Home

on Facebook

Sharing with . . . .

Stephanie Lynn, It's Overflowing, Twelve O Eight, Carrie This Home, Baking in Pajamas, Huckleberry Love, Dwellings, Smart Party Planning,  The Dedicated House, Mod Vintage Life, Lori's Culinary Creations, Home Stories, StoneGable, An Extraordinary Day, I'm Not a Trophy Wife, Between Naps on the Front Porch, Rustic Refined,  Tumbleweed Contessa, A Stroll Thru Life,, Life With Garnish. Elizabeth & Co,  My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Savvy Southern Style, The Recipe Critic, Janine Huldie, Carolyn's Homework,  Fluster Buster   Designs by Miss Mandee,  Craftie Allie,  Wednesday morning The Blissful Bee,  The Newlywed Pilgrimage,  Chic California, Lamberts Lately, Live Laugh Rowe, Sweet Bella Roos, The Charm of Home, From My Front Porch to ours, Delightsome Life., Posed Perfection, Katherine's Corner, Nancherrow, The Freshman Cook,  Jann Olson, Home  Maid Simple, Anderson + Grant,  Rooted in Thyme, Everyday Enchanted Home, Pure Grace Farms A Dish of Daily Life, Bacon Time, Sunflower Supper Club, Tater Tots and Jello,  Cooking with Curls, Made from Pinterest, Simply Gloria

a Christmas home tour, Part 2 . . .

We have a more formal room in our home. It's colors are dark and rich. I love it's warm, cozy feel, especially during Christmas. 

Our Christmas tree finds a special place here. This room is where we enjoy sitting in front of our fireplace and reading to our little ones, relaxing, and having casual, light dinners cozied up on the sofa and love-seat.

A few of my favorites this season . . .

matte gold, black, mercury glass, and pops of red

Pheasant feathers topped our tree this year!

Black & linen damask 

boxwood & matte gold ribbons

monograms

mercury glass, one of my greatest loves!

cedar garland

~  a favorite Winter read ~

 

~ jingle bells ~

 ~ my newest mercury glass ornament, Saint Nicholas ~

I grew up admiring this Nativity scene. It is very special to me.

It's  my late grandma's. My uncle hand-painted it and gave it to her for a Christmas gift more than 20 years ago. I am so blessed to have it now.  

I proudly display a few pieces of it every year. It serves as a beautiful reminder to us of the reason we celebrate this joyous time of year.

"God grant you the light in Christmas, which is faith;

the warmth of Christmas, which is love;

the radiance of Christmas, which is purity;

the righteousness of Christmas, which is justice;

the belief in Christmas, which is truth;

the all of Christmas, which is Christ."

                                                  - Wilda English

Wishing you a Merry Christmas!

LET'S STAY in touch!

Simply Suzannes at Home

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