Friday, December 24, 2010

A Simple Christmas Tree~


Hello Everyone!
I wanted to share a few pictures of our Christmas tree with you....before Christmas is over...
I haven't had a lot of time to decorate for Christmas this year...
So be warned there isn't a lot to see.....
WE decorated our tree last weekend,  I was going to add a few more of our ornaments to the tree and then decided to leave it a little more simple this year....
I strung twine with little pompoms around the tree... I bought a couple spools of this twine at Anthropologie...
My kids loved adding the candy canes to the tree...
We put the left over candy canes in a sap bucket and left them in the window...


The house we live in has 9ft tall ceilings... which I LOVE...
However a normal size tree looks kind of funny in here....
This year we bought a shorter tree....
 To add a little height to the tree I put it in a metal basket on a farm table (that was cut down into a coffee table) behind the couch.  
I love this basket...
I was told that these antique french baskets were used in France to hold wine jugs...
They would stuff them with straw to protect the wine jugs....



Inside the basket is a bucket to hold the water for the tree....
I covered the bucket up with an antique sheet....
I actually had a grain sack around it at first...
I ended up liking the pretty sheet against the rustic metal basket better then the grain sack.


I put a couple of french canning jars on the table.
The jars helped bring the same blue color from the ornaments into the middle of the room..
At least I think they helped : ) 




The blue mirror is against the wall on the other side of the room...
I like how it reflects the image of the tree and the blue ornaments.


On another note....
My daughters made sugar cookies the other day.
I wanted to share a picture of the cookies they made with you.
I think they did a great job.
The elves are my favorite.
We have used Martha Stewart's Sugar Cookie recipe for years...
It is our favorite sugar cookie recipe...


On a final note....
I didn't want you to miss out.....





I hope you get a chance to visit Melanie's beautiful blog, Pretties and Posies....
These are just a few of the images you will see while visiting her blog.
 You can see Melanie's how to post for this pear arrangement by clicking here~


I love the arrangements she made with branches....


You will find lots of inspiration over at


I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas!!

Take Care,
Maria


56 comments:

Rozmeen said...

Hi Maria,

How are you?
This is th epillow I was talking about..
Wishing you and your family a merry and blessed christmas.

Love,
Rozmeen

Deb said...

Your Christmas tree is so beautiful Maria! I just love those aqua ornaments...my favorite color! Merry Christmas to you and your family! ~Deb~

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

Your tree. (we were living in a small house.) And loved it. This year we have high ceilings and are enjoying a tall tree.

Merry Christmas, Maria.
Fondly,
Glenda

Ness Lockyer said...

Your tree is gorgeous as I knew it would. I hope you have a wonderful day with your family maria and have had a ball with you this year.
See you soon.
Ness xx

debi said...

I love your blog, the name suits it perfectly!

Your Christmas decorations are absolutely dreamy...I want to put on a pair of fat, warm socks and curl up on your sofa with a book. Beautiful and cozy.

Paint Me White said...

Hi Maria the tree is divine and not overdone, I love the simplicity of it all. Well its Christmas Eve here in Australia and we have lit the candles and the are enjoying a quite glass of wine while its absoultely pouring rain outside. I want to wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas and I look forward to catching up with your blog in the New Year. You continue to inspire we with your wonderful decorating not to mention the gorgeous photography. I have just purchased my own SLR and are totally addicted. Have a good one and take care. Sandy xx

Home and Lifestyle said...

What a lovely tree...it will be so cozy during the next days!

♫•*¨*•.¸¸ Merry * Christmas ¸¸.•*¨*•♫

Warm regards, Ingrid

Fux said...

I love Your tree, it is simple and gorgeous!
Greetings from Poland!
Merry Christmas

Daphne Nicole & Lynda Cade said...

Your tree is so pretty, love the ornaments too... and those sugar cookies look so yummy!!!
Merry Christmas~~ Daphne

All That Jazz said...

Love the simplicity of your tree and that lovely blue....it's unexpected and perfect! I hope you have a very merry Christmas with your family- and enjoy those cookies! ;-)
~michelle~

Wilhelmiina said...

Merry Christmas

Iris (Irideeën) said...

I am so glad I just found you via Houzz; I am in love with your home! Hope you have warm and cosy holidays.
Best regards from The Netherlands,
Iris

Samantha2818 said...

Hi Maria,
your tree looks perfect. I absolutely love the simple decor.
Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas,
~Sam x

WEERspiegeling said...

What a beautiful Christmas house you have; I love the bleu mirror and your christmas tree.

Merry Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

x Anita

Melanie said...

You continue to amaze and inspire me, my friend! I l.o.v.e the fact that everything you touch is so simply...elegant. You have mastered the art of knowing when to say "when." Absolutely Gorgeous!!!

Speaking of gorgeous...ummm... your new profile picture...Hello Gorgeous!!:))))

Bless your heart for thinking of me and my little ole' blog. I Thank Heaven everyday for the gift of your friendship.

Have a very Merry Christmas and the Happiest 2011. I'll keep those prayers coming.

Love you!
Melanie

Christmas Gift Store said...

♫•*¨*•.¸¸ Merry * Christmas And Happy New Year¸¸.•*¨*•♫

Gorgeous make overs .They can jolly well compete with Christmas Tree
from Christmas Tree shops
.

Amy Chalmers said...

Pretty tree Maria, the only thing more perfect would be a snowfall behind it in the windows!

traci said...

your tree is beautiful. i like the simple look. may be visiting that next year. love the ornaments. i wish you and your family a very blessed christmas maria.

savvycityfarmer said...

you've struck a chord with me ... a.g.a.i.n.

merry merry christmas !

Loreta said...

Very Merry Christmas to you!

NanaDiana said...

Maria- The beautiful simplicity of your tree and decorating is inspiring and beautiful~ xxoo Diana

les fifoles said...

∗J∗O∗Y∗E∗U∗X∗ ∗N∗O∗E∗L∗

Anne♥

Between You and Me said...

Merry Christmas, Maria!
I hope you have a wonderful and blessed Christmas with your family....the cookies are gorgeous and your tree is absolutely beautiful!

Dawn said...

How do you do it? So beautiful and romantic...love your style and your blog...Merry Christmas...Dawn Suitcase Vignettes

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas to you and your family!
I am always in awe of all your posts! Thank you so much for sharing!
Your tree is stunning!

Happy Holidays!
Brenda

carolina @ patagonia gifts said...

thank you so much Maria for all your beautiful posts and inspiration. wish you a merry Christmas with your loved ones! xo Caroline

ChiPPy-SHaBBy said...

Maria... YOUR Tree Display is "Just Stunning"!*!*! LoVe the French Metal Basket... AND how you tied in the "shades of light aqua-blue with the white!!! Merry Christmas...
Jeanine, ChiPPy!-SHaBBy!

Shades of pale said...

ooh That Melanie's so sweet and thoughtful. Merry Christmas to you and your family and all your followers.
Take care
Jenny

Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia said...

Merry Christmas Maria!!
I wish you and your gorgeous family memories to cherish a lifetime!
Love
Kristin

Shannon said...

Beautiful pictures Maria and decorating!
I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!
<3
Shannon

Lynne said...

Beautiful! Soft Magic!
Wishing a Merry Christmas to beautiful, inspirational, Maria and her family!
~*L*~

Martha Carolyn said...

Your tree is absolutely beautiful, and so is the rest of the room! Merry Christmas!

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hello Maria,
I just love visiting your beautiful blog. Your tree and your livingroom looks so dreamy and peaceful.

Merry Christmas.

hugs
Sissie

martinealison said...

Joyeux noël à vous et aux vôtres... Bisous

Seawashed said...

Your tree would look perfect in my cottage! I love it. I did the same with ours...used a lace trimmed white sheet to tuck around it in a clay pot. Do you have your french stockings hanging anywhere(the ones your sister made for the giveaway?) Joyeux Noel.

Rachel Noelle Pallas said...

~*~*Absolutely beautiful!!~*~*Merry Christmas wishes to you and your family!!~*~*Hugs,Rachel*~

*French Farmhouse 425*

Sandy said...

I just had to stop by and say Happy Holidays to you and yours.. I so enjoy your blog..
hugggsss
Sandy

Gina said...

Hi Maria - Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family...I think your Christmas decor is so gorgeous and perfect! Usually Christmas is so stressful for me but I think if I was sitting in a lovely living room like yours I would definitely be stress free - eating those yummy cookies of course! And I love your new profile photo too - you look quite the artist in black! Enjoy the holiday and here's to a great 2011.

Warm wishes to all, Gina

vosgesparis said...

Less is more... it is a beautiful tree!
Wishing you a happy Christmas Eve...
desiree

Unknown said...

I wish you MERRY CHRISTMAS, filled with love, family, friends, contemplation, light, shine and Gloria!

Love hugs

Tine

It's me said...

Merry Christmas........


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Love Ria.......

Shannan Martin said...

Pretty, pretty, pretty, Girl! You always mean business. :)

And thank you for your sweet comment. It really touched me today.

xxoo

Tracie~MyPetiteMaison said...

Love the tree, Maria. I think simple is better, we've done the same here too.

Love the big French baskets, really pretty and the sugar cookies are very festive looking too. Merry Christmas!
~Tracie

Allison said...

Your tree is gorgeous, Maria. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Tales From My Empty Nest said...

Maria, I can't begin to tell you how THRILLED I was with my gorgeous gifts!!! I got my knitted cowl earlier this week and it is so pretty. I love to knit, so I was so excited with a handmade item. I will love wearing it on these cold days! And your package came on Christmas eve. What a treat!!! The smell of all that lavender is divine! The pillows are so beautiful. They will always remind me of you! I'm so excited that I won your giveaway. Thank you again, so very much. Merry Christmas to you and yours! Your tree is my favorite. I love blue and those turquoise ornaments are so pretty. You always have pictures that are worthy of being in a magazine, for sure. You made my Christmas extra-special with your kindness. Love & blessings from NC!

Bokcaféet i byn said...

Merry Christmas from Sweden!
I found your blogg through Me&Alice. What a beautiful blogg your have! I will definately look in here later!
Snowy wintergards from
Anna T in Sweden

Herman Grans ♥ said...

So beautiful, as always ;)
Hope you have a wonderful christmas :)
Best wishes Grete

Rose Garden Malevik said...

Hi Maria
Lovely Photos and a
MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS
It is cold here in Sweden now, and a lot of snow :)
Do not miss the

C
H
R
I
S
T
M
A
S

P
A
R
T
Y

Welcome to Join it :)
Håkan

amber said...

as always i'm so inspired visiting here! beautiful photos. beautiful spirit. love it.

wanted you to know i have a new blog also. stop by when you can.:)

merry mErRy christmas~

AT HOME BLOG said...

Merry Christmas Maria!
I love the Christmas tree with the candy cane!! :-)
Kisses
Etta

Citygirl.em said...

Your home, your style is so beautiful, simple and what I strive for some time in the future. I love the whites so much. It took my breath away to see the blue Ball jars-they are my favorite and I do have a few!
I wish I was blessed with the ability to 'style' my house but I don't. Maybe I can learn. I definitely have the desire to learn!
Thank you for sharing the beauty of your home with all of us.

Elyse said...

gosh, maria, i just adore your simple style. so beautiful. i'm sorry if i seem to leave the same comment each visit but it's all true and sincere! so glad you will be in fifi's book!

warmest wishes for a continued season of merry, healthy & yummy!

xo
elyse

MakeMyDay said...

Gorgeous pics, beautiful blog!
Lots of hugs and kisses from New Zealand :-))))
Christine

Unknown said...

Absolutely gorgeous! I'm addicted to aqua...I can't get away from it! I love your simple, BEAUTUIFUL tree!

Soulful Mama said...

Your tree looks gorgeous! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas. Happy New Year!

~ Clare x

Mikey Fuller said...

Beautiful! I'm glad I got a chance to stop by! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!