Menu Plan Monday is here.
Welcome!
So glad you dropped by, come on in and make yourself at home while I tour you around my living room. The living room is the only room in the house we decorate because I’m lazy like that I like to keep things simple. This year we have some special guests coming for Christmas (my parents) and so my husband decided that only a real tree would do. He really doesn’t like the artificial one we put up when the snow is too deep to go looking for a real one. This year we beat the snow and got us a mighty fine tree. Take a look:
One of my favorite ornaments on my tree is this one I made a couple of years ago out of safety pins and beads. This bell ornament was super easy to make and I am so happy with the way it turned out.
And last year I was inspired by Barb to make this little star ornament guy. Barb made it look so easy and she made a gazillion of them. I was really thinking I would too. Ummm, yeah no, this little guy took me about two weeks to do and I was too pooped after that to make him any little friends. Poor guy.
Next up is one of my favorite Christmas decorations. This snowman I purchased at a craft’s fair many years ago. He greets everyone as they come in the door and is very friendly!
A closer look at my banister all decorated in pine cones and holly.
Sitting next to my Christmas tree is an angel my mother in law made for me. Isn’t she sweet. I love homemade gifts! The snowflake headband is my own dorky touch. I couldn’t resist.
This year we are continuing with the Jesse Tree tradition. I use willow branches in a vase filled with glass beads for our tree.
Last year I attempted to make cookies for all of you who so kindly visited and I ended up burning them. This year I practiced and excitingly enough made some VERY delicious Minty Holiday Candy Cookies to share with you.
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!
Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks to Boomama for hosting.
Tiany says
Lovely pictures of your home!!! Everything is so cute! Your cookies look delicious too, thanks for the recipe!!:-)
Southern Heart says
I think that your home looks lovely! I love all of the personal touches, and your ornament is beautiful! That cookie recipe is a definite one to try, too!
Merry Christmas,
Andrea
Joyful Days says
How festive. Those cookies look great.
Lisa@Take90West says
You have a beautiful tree and home!
Senkyoshi says
The few out of your window is extraordinary!
jessica says
I just love the Jesse Tree! I can’t wait to start that with my girls next year!
Dawn-Enigma Artist says
Your Living room is lovely! Love the big snowman. Thanks for the recipes!
JanMary, N Ireland says
Love the idea of a cookie recipe in a jar – what a great gift.
You angel by the tree is adorable, and the headband is the perfect touch.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Lysa TerKeurst says
Lovely home! I have been discussing oragnization, the good, the bad and the sometimes ugly on my site’s weekend post. Wonderful site! I’ll be back.
Blessings,
Lysa TerKeurst
PEA says
Thank you so much for opening your home to us, you truly do have it beautifully decorated. Like you, I love homemade gifts:-)Those cookies look delish, thank you so much for sharing the recipe with us! Merry Christmas to you and yours! xo
karen says
What beautiful decorations! I love the angel and the santa and snowman candles. I’ll add the cookie recipe to the ones I’m making this week.
julie says
Lovely home! Thanks for sharing! The cookies look so yummy, the tree so pretty and is that REAL snow out the window???
julie from Pensacola, FL
Sharon says
How nice! I love homemade holiday decorations, too. I so look forward to the day when our home is flooded with things made by our kids. What could be sweeter?!
I didn’t know about this tag going, but I shared some of my favorite ornaments on my blog, too, yesterday.
Your home looks so comfy and cozy. Nice decorating! And those cookies make me really want to eat some…well, cookies! 😉
Hootin' Anni says
I like the willow tree tradition.
Mine’s posted. I have two versions.
A thumbnail short version
and
a
slide show long version.
Shannon says
What a beautiful tree 🙂 I just love decorating the house, but like you I keep things consolidated to one room (the livingroom). Now I DO put lights and garland outside – white lights only – which gives me an extended holiday feeling, LOL.
Julie says
Your living room is so festive. LOVE your Jesse tree.
And your cookies look yummy.
Merry Christmas!
mycrazylife says
You have a beautiful home! And I love the Jesse Tree! I always wanted to make one, but well…I’m lazy too. Maybe next year I will gather some ambition, although not likely.
Blessings!
dcrmom says
Everything is beautiful!! Those cookies look divine.
Melene says
Everything is just lovely. Thanks for the recipe, too!
Jamie says
Beautiful 🙂
missbecky75 says
love the snowflake halo! cute! wonderful job on the handmade ornament – I’d be proud, too!
Merry Christmas!
Karen says
Merry Christmas, and thank you for that wonderful cookie recipe. Everything in your home is beautiful. Blessings, Karen
Antique Mommy says
Wow! A real tree! With even more real trees in the background! With real snow! All so very lovely.
chupieandjsmama says
Your tree is beautiful and I love the snowman. Your MIL made that angel? Very talented! Thanks for the tour and the cookies. They were yummy!!
Multi-tasking Mommy says
Home-made ornaments are my fav!
I love mint–I’ll have to try out your recipe for sure.
Come check out my post:
Multi-tasking Mommy says
Oops….
http://circleoflifeblog.blogspot.com/2007/12/christmas-home-tour-07.html
Veronica Mitchell says
I love your angel.
Nicole says
Your tree is so pretty and the view is spectacular! 🙂
I also especially like your Jesse tree. We did that a few years ago; I think we’ll need to do that one again maybe next year.
Thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas!
Amyswandering says
Those cookies look delicious! I love your cheery snowman.
Holley says
Fun, fun, fun! Your recipe looks great…everything I love in one cookie.
Merry Christmas!
KC says
Thank you for the cookies they were tasty.. Your house looks great.. You’ll have to stop by my place for some pie soon.
Mommy Cracked says
I just love your Jesse tree! It all looks so beautiful and warm! Merry Christmas!
jenni says
Thank you for the recipe, and for sharing your beautiful home!
Susanne says
The cookies are looking yummy, Laura! Your decorations and tree are so nice and how exciting that your mom and dad are coming!
kari and kijsa says
Everything looks wonderful…so fabulous and festive!
Merry Christmas blessings,
kari and kijsa
Candace says
I’m so glad that I’m not the only one that only decorated the living room :). Your home is beautiful!
Jen says
I love a real tree, we just never have one thanks to asthma and allergies in the house. Your’s looks lovely. Enjoy the visit from your parents, and thanks for opening up your home to us today!
Jen
Dianne says
Merry Christmas! Love your Jesse tree, our church has one, but I never thought of doing one myself. Thanks for inviting us in your home. : )
Love Sows Seeds says
Your decorations are great. Thanks for sharing. Blessings.
crookedeyebrow says
Yummy cookies. Thanks for the wonderful tour!
Merry Christmas!
momrn2 says
I so enjoyed all of your handmade gifts!! Are you willing to share how you made the safety pin/bead ornament?? 😉
And the cookies look and sound absolutely scrumptious!! Thanks for the recipe!
Nolanites says
Lovin all the homemade decorations. Merry Christmas
Stephenie F. says
Thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas!
Jennifer says
Love the decorations. Thanks for sharing! Merry Christmas to you & yours!
Jennifer 🙂
jen says
Everything looks so great. Thanks for sharing and I’m so glad your parents are coming this year….verrrrry exciting!
Amanda says
beautiful!
Laura/DaPFG says
what’s a Jesse Tree?? i guess i could try and look it up online, but i’m sure it’d be nothing compared to your telling of it.
i think it’s so cute how everyone who is playing along makes cookies for their “guests”, too 😉
Lauren@Baseballs&Bow says
I love your snowman! He is friendly! Thanks for the recipe as well. It looks great!
Nicki says
I love your banister decorations and your tree is so cute.
Laura says
I’ve updated my post to include the Jesse Tree link. Each day there is a specific devotion and ornament for the tree leading up to Christmas day. A great way to keep focused on the reason for the season.
sophie n sam's momma says
So, cute!
Lady Why says
Love the pine cones and holly!! The snowman is super cute too. Some of my favorite decorations came from craft fairs. They always seem to have special things!
Ruth says
I do love the bead and safety pin ornament!
Holly Smith says
What lovely ornaments! May God Bless you and your family!!
Holly
Jana (sidetrack'd) says
Your decorations and tree look great, and the cookies look very yummy. Merry Christmas!
kelly says
Thanks for the cookies! Love the beads and safety pin!
Mrs. Bick says
I love it! And, I never heard of the Jesse Tree tradition. Thanks for sharing. I might just add that to my collection of trees!
Dene says
Your tree is wonderful! Merry Christmas!
Melissa says
Everything is very lovely! And the cookies are magnificent! Thanks!
PowersTwinB says
what yummy looking cookies!!! Thanks for the reciepe! Your decorations are beautiful!
boysmum2 says
Thanks for inviting us in.
Merry Christmas
shaz says
cool!
jenn says
I love how you decorated your banister! thats awesome!
It Coulda Been Worse says
I’m inexplicably hungry for cookies. 🙂
Merry Christmas to you, sweet girl!
So Blessed... says
Thanks for opening up your home. I must find my way back here and get some organizing tips. I have an amazing husband and my siliest fear is that an organized woman will someday steal him from me..hee hee. I need HELP in that area!!
Merry Christmas, Joanne
jodi says
Your home is lovely for the holidays. I am still in awe over the snow in your yard behind your Christmas tree. That is the one thing I miss since I moved to Georgia…snow at Christmas! 🙁
Jamie says
Thank you for the wonderful tour! Your beaded ornament is so cute! Merry Christmas.
Gretchen says
Your Jesse tree is just darling. Love the snow as the background for your Christmas tree. 🙂
Robin says
I love your Jesse Tree. Great idea!!
Thanks for sharing with us.
Robin
Mariah says
Very cozy! I like handmade stuff too. Merry Christmas!
BJ says
The snowman is so cute. Merry Christmas!
Annie says
I like the looks of artificial trees for the holidays. But somehow you managed to make that tree work just fine!
New Diva on the Blog says
Great little touches all over. Lovely. Homemade ornaments are the best.
The cookies look yummy, look forward to trying the recipe.
Jolanthe says
Love the bell ornament! Can you share how you made it?
Jolanthe
Nise' says
The best ornaments are the homemade ones even if some of them turn out “quirky”. Thanks for the tour and for the delicious cookies.
Erica says
Thank you for sharing! I love your little snowman and the homemade angel!
:- )
Merry Christmas!
Erica
Heather says
That angel is so cute! Merry Christmas!
shari says
i think that little star turned out awesome!
amydeanne says
I may have to try those cookies!!!
Merry Christmas!
Queen B says
Thanks for the recipe–those cookies look great! Your decorations are so pretty. I love homemade ornaments!!
Merry Christmas!
Mayogi says
Your home looks great. I love the decoration! And those cookies, they make me hungry. 😉
Have a wonderful and blessed Christmas!
BTW, I’m FINALLY done with my living room (from the 30 day Organization Challenge): http://mayogiathome.blogspot.com/2007/12/update-living-room.html In case you want to have a look at it.
Take care!
boomama says
LOVE the way you’ve done your Jesse Tree. I’ll be filing away that idea – so great!
Thanks for doing this!
Barb says
Your Santa star is adorable. I can’t believe you made ONE Santa star. You did a great job though…cute as can be.
Thank you for sharing your home with us. I’m so jealous of your real tree.
Marla Taviano says
Cute decorations. Cute site. Merry Christmas!
sharijoy says
Laura…all is lovely, I may drive over and have a cookie!! or two or three!! Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and nice New year…found a nanny but thanks for your help! Blessings
Sandra says
Laura it’s beautiful, I LOVE your tree and the ornaments are so cute 🙂
I’ll have to give those cookies a try, they sound soooo good 🙂
Hugs,
Sandra?
Leslie (snaphappyink says
Thanks so much for the peek into your home! Looks so pretty! Enjoy the holidays!
Mrs. Wilson says
Ann told me of your Jesse tree – what a great idea! I love it!
I don’t know if anyone else is still having this problem, but your site takes forever for me to load it. Just me? I’m not sure. It’s worth the wait though.
I’m gonna try that gift in a jar recipe – I love those things!
GiBee says
I love the idea of using willow branches for the Jesse Tree! And I LOVE the little angel … headband and all!
Way to go on those cookies!
shaz says
hey laura, nice post! can you pls let me know if you get this comment in an email. thanks! 🙂
Bev Brandon says
Loved your Jesse tree…makes me want to do one next year. Thank you!
#339 on boomama’s tour
Robyn says
Thanks for sharing! Loved the willow tree idea!
Merry Christmas
Tamara says
Love your Jesse tree! So pretty! Your home looks very inviting. Thanks for sharing!
http://ponderedinmyheart.blogspot.com/2007/12/oh-theres-no-place-like-home-for.html
Forgetfulone says
The snowman on your stairs is adorable! And the cookies look delicious.
aubirdwoman says
lovely. Seasons Greetings
Twisted Cinderella says
Thanks for the wonderful Cookie recipe!
Michie says
Thank you for sharing! I like the angel with the headband.
Alyson says
The cookies sound great and easy too! Thanks.
Merry Christmas!
Alyson
LID 01/27/06
PAM says
i like what you’ve done
Decors says
.: Interesting Christmas decorating idea~~ Handmade craft sure brings more Christmas spirit in the house~~ Blessings to all of you~~ (^v^) ;.