The holidays this year at home

The holidays are close, our oldest is soon coming to visit, we have begun to decorate the house as proof to ourselves, that we keep up the spirits even now, especially in honor of our beloved dog, who always enjoyed family gatherings and the living room, which had been "his" domain....

He presided over all, on top of the large ottoman. We now  have re-arranged the room a little, to give us all a chance to come to terms with his absence.

Traditionally we always have the tree at the spot, where usually his crate stands and this year the tree will replace it and then we will find something new in that space. 
For now, we have a small memorial on top of his crate. 
We will set up the tree on the third Advent weekend with our children.

There is nothing we can do about it and I feel it's better to change things rather quickly.
Thank goodness for the sunshine outside, it helps me in particular to keep my mood up and trying to enjoy the days ahead. 

Pine cones, a cicada shell and a seed pod share a display at the window in the dining room. 
The Buddha sits on top of the piano and watches calmly over all proceedings.

We have picked greenery and branches and have put them in large and small vases, I love simple arrangements, without to much fuss and easy to change, once needles start falling.

We have our small collection of smoking men and the Pyramid, things we've had for as long as I can think at Christmas time.

There are wreaths hanging on the bay windows, greeting neighbors, friends and us, when coming here. Small candles sit in every window, glowing warmly at night. The wreath at the door lites up at night as well, I love the festive glow, which I can see, when I drive up at night!

I decorated the small evergreen on our front porch with dried seed pods, hydrangeas, ivy and grasses.

I am sure, you all out there have your own wonderful traditions and I would love to hear from you, which are dearest to your hearts!
Enjoy these days, slow down, if you can, and just remember it is not all about shopping. Gather your memories, your loved ones, hold them close and share lots of laughter!

xoxo

All images by V.Zlotkowski

Lights

I love candle light. May it be just a single light at my bedside, simple wooden holder with tapers at our dinner table or festive ones at the holidays, I just love the glow and gentle light.
Bringing out the Pyramide, the rotating wooden carousel-like structure from my home state Saxony in Germany, is a highlight for all of us. It is a temperamental thing, sensitive to position, sometimes not turning at all. But once it's running, we love to watch it.

They are made in small workshops in Saxony, candles creating the heat to turn the wooden paddles above. There are figures telling the Christmas story or reindeer and Santa Claus on small tiers, moving round and round.

Nutcracker, smoking man and chocolate filled Advent calendars are a must in German holiday traditions. 

The old ironing machine cloth is perfect for a backdrop!

When I sit in the darkened room, just listening to the sounds of the family at home, the dog sleeping next to me, then I feel completely content, the lights filling me with memories and times past. Back, when I was little and looked at my grandma's Christmas decorations, usually foil wrapped candies, chocolates, apples and a few saved Christmas ornaments, which had survived the bombing of Dresden. 
Each piece connected to her own memories.
Or the slowly moving Pyramide at my parent's house and 
visits to a humble holiday market at the main square in my hometown. And singing of carols at Christmas Eve.

What are your memories of holidays past?





Pictures by V.Zlotkowski

Our home at Christmas

There is the outside, which usually gets treated with wreaths and greens and ribbons.



Even the powder room gets something...


I must confess when it comes to our decorations we are hopeless sentimentalists...We love the old ornaments, which get re-used every year with glee. To proof my point see here last year's decorations!
And this year:


The same bows and ribbons we have had for years and every year we add some ornaments, actually as a collection for our children to take along, once they will leave the nest to have Christmas trees of their own...But we love our tree, fresh and full of forest aromas.


I set up my German Erzgebirge Pyramide, smoking man and nutcrackers, candles and evergreens, my mother's wonderfully embroidered table runner and many small pieces which carry memories from Christmas past!




There is nothing we like better than to gather on cold evenings around the fireplace, dream up travel destinations, plans for winter fun, read the novels, we have put on hold during the shopping trips of late. Our dog sleeps and barks in his dreams on the cowhide and we nibble and taste the holiday treats.



It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a man in possession of a good fortune will put on some pounds at Christmas time....an his lovely better half as well!
Between our Polish - German culinary heritage is simply too much good food to be ignored! There are many must haves during these next weeks and come January we will be good and reluctantly return to a way more responsible habit of feeding ourselves.


I am off now to have tea and cookies!

xx
Victoria



All pictures by V.Zlotkowski

Mantel decorations for the holidays

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Traditionally the mantel is a wonderful place to decorate for the holidays. I found a couple of lovely examples.
All the trimmings of the well loved combinations of green and reds, natural and glamorous.





I love the restraint of green and white...


Or modern and elegant.



But not everyone has a mantel to begin with. That is not a problem and I think instead of a mantel you can use a shelf, picture frame, side board or window ledge to find space to bring some holiday glamour into your room.



If there is simply no space you think you could use, frame the doorway....

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Use your imagination. Small frames, books, sheet music, toys, bears and dolls, candles, lanterns: All this can be used to decorate for the holidays. Let your inner child be your guide....Enjoy it!
And since the holidays are not just for the Christmas set, I'll show you a few wonderful Hannukah decorations:
It does not have yo be green, use white twigs, blue mercury glass, elements of nature, shells, leaves and candles. A menorah can be the centerpiece on a mantel as well.


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And do not forget: It is the spirit of the heart, the sense of wonder and the grateful attitude which makes these days significant!
Happy Holidays to you all!

xx
Victoria



Images from here and here.