Those fleeting moments at twilight, lit with the sparkling white lights of the holiday season, are breathtaking and magical. And I try to soak them up in the generally hectic minutes between homework and suppertime for our family.
Christmas music plays in the den… (I’d love to light the fire but somebody has jammed the key hole full of mini lego pieces?!?!?)
Honey and John ran out to throw the football mid-chess game…
The little manger was one of my first holiday decorations ever purchased, probably fifteen years ago now.
I love this room. The littles tear through it on a daily basis in pursuit of something or each other but I’m the only one that ever sits and enjoys.
A roaring fire awaits us on the porch…
…and the hot chocolate station is at the ready…
What you can’t hear are the joyful squeals of my boys in the yard, the crackling of the fire outside and the Christmas tunes playing on the porch. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year.
xoxo
PS. Approximately two hours after these pictures were taken a pipe burst in the basement and we spent another two hours cleaning up the mess. Ahhh…I got jolted back to real life so quickly I’m pretty sure I got whiplash :-)
You must be singing Honey's praises for insisting on the dropped ceiling!!!! The pictures are gorgeous!!! I just want to jump through the screen and our myself a cup of hot chocolate!
You are so right Jackie :-) Not to mention, he called a plumber, took instructions over the phone and fixed it himself for under $10. (The cap on one of the old cast iron pipes blew off.) I must admit, I cringe a little when I turn the water on!
He is awesome! Great job on the repair!!
Are we on the same wavelength today? Did you see my post? Great minds think alike. More to come. Miss you. And did you know that last year you were in NOLA with us for the first weekend in December? xo
So sorry about the burst pipe! Your post was lovely! The words and pictures took me right to that place in my mind when MY home is all decorated and calm….I really understand what you meant! I want your porch, btw!! :) Thank you! Elaine
Sorry to hear about the broken pipe and fireplace. How is it that little boys get lego pieces jammed in things just so?
Everything looks so pretty!! I'm the only one who sits and relaxes in our living room too.
Everything looks just gorgeous, Amanda! Hey, could you tell me where you got the feathers that you have stuck in the top of the family room tree (and on your staircase)? Thanks!
Soo lovely! I was just saying to my husband last night how much I love this season because even though it gets dark soo early (about 5 here), that just means we get to enjoy all of the beautiful twinkle lights longer.
Your home always looks beautiful but especially during the holidays! Thanks for sharing the pictures with us! And I hope you are free from any more plumbing issues…Not fun to deal with!
Brilliant! Loving that hot chocolate station too.
Your home is simply beautiful! I love the Christmas decor! I was wondering what you use to hang your wreaths on the windows outside?
Absolutely beautiful! And about the pipe, isn't that always the way it goes:)
Did you make your C'est Noel wreath? I'm a former French teacher and my husband is French so I love it! Please share how if so!
Your house is beautiful!! How do you hang your wreaths outside on your front windows?
Your house is festive and beautiful! How do you hang your wreaths outside on your windows?
Amanda, your home is just beautiful! What a magical way to spend these holiday evenings!
I did make the wreath – I bought the glittered letters at Michael's and taped them to a length of twine. I just tied it to the wreath. It took all of about 5 minutes :-) I did have to cut the ' myself as it wasn't included in the pack.
I use action hooks to hang the wreaths on the windows. They are the best I've found.
xo
Oh, and the feathers were all from Hobby Lobby – I've had them for 3 years, I think, but I'm sure they still carry them! xo
while i love your entire home that porch is my absolute favorite! that fireplace is swoon-worthy. makes me wish we had added a fireplace in our sunroom when we built it years ago.
i can't wait to get my decorations out and set up my hot chocolate station..i've had to hide the marshmallows from my husband until i get it all ready or he'll eat every single one!
Everything looks so festive. That really is a magical time of day isn't it? Sorry your calm, cozy evening was interrupted by the pipe! By the way, I think I am the only one who sits in my living room too!
-Shelley
Amanda, your home is just beautiful, straight out of the pages of House Beautiful I tell you!! That porch is simply to divine, the Christmas lights, the fire, your monogrammed burlap canvas, oh my, I could go on and on! Thank you so much for sharing with us :) Have a lovely evening!
Absolutely beautiful! Looks so peaceful and relaxing. I know the pipe incident was scary but at least it's fixed.
Thanks for sharing!
Pat
P.S. It's a full moon ~
It's all so pretty, Amanda. Love these twilight shots.
Stopped over from Savvy Southern Style! Your home is gorgeous! Now a follower!
Blessings,
Doreen
Amanda: Your "blue hour" pics are beautiful…could make wonderful Christmas cards….love visiting you and enjoy all of your real life stuff! –Marti
Seriously? Seriously! You are too much! I am in awe of how you pull off making your home look so flawless and effortless. You are too cute! I want to be you when I grow up. Thank you for showing me "how it's done" and keeping me from being too envious by humanizing yourself by throwing in the bits of chaos that happen to you as well (pipes bursting). Love it!
Absolutely beautiful! Everything is gorgeous. So pretty, comfortable and inviting. So about the fireplace! Oh, kids. :) I have the same as you with the bench and round end leaves. Yours looks great with the upholstered chairs. Happy to be a new follower. Found you on "Wow us Wednesday: Savvy Southern Style!
Karen
that porch is ab.so.lute.ly breath-taking! i am in love! simply gorgeous!!!!!!