Saturday, January 5, 2019

Fair Warning--A Deluge of Christmas 2018 Photos

We decorated, we baked, we tried my new idea of buying Christmas gifts for our large family, we cooked, we had a party and welcomed family AND a blog friend, and we had a fashion show.


We decorated.






We baked.




We tried my new idea of buying Christmas gifts by going to the ultimate recycling place--local antique malls--and picking out containers in which we would serve the food for our family Christmas party...and then give the containers away as gifts to the ladies! RH took care of gifts for the men.



[a mid-century ice bucket; a Christmasy set of cream & pitcher, napkin holder, S & P; an Italian plate with a tie-died blue linen mat; a small iron skillet, tin brownie pan, tea towel and stack of Spode plates from my collection...



[Pottery Barn Paris dessert plates and a fleur-de-lis Christmas ornament and Nashvillian Reese Witherspoon's Whiskey in a Teacup (from Amazon)...



[a Fiesta covered casserole and a David Douglas pine cone coffee carafe...



[2 Banana Republic Italian soup bowls with two soupspoons and two red and white cotton napkins]

We cooked and had a party.


We welcomed sweet blog friend Doreen who brought us some of her delicious home-baked cookies...



We welcomed our dear family including three of our four children and their spouses (one set home due to sickness), four grandsons and their sweethearts, two granddaughters, and two great-grandchildren and my sister and brother-in-law!





























We had a fashion show! I cleaned the antique malls out of vintage aprons, and grandsons Alex and Luke modeled along with their little cousin...



And then the ladies decided which apron should belong to which lady...











Our party was over with lots of good memories left.


"Christmas wouldn't be Christmas
without at least one all-generation party."
Mary Moon in "Notes for the Hostess"
House and Garden 
December 1968

Christmas Eve was quiet with just us and our daughter and son-in-law who had never seen "It's A Wonderful Life." He loved it and we loved seeing him enjoying it for the first time.



On Christmas Day we went to another family party. Remember our old Valley View? That is now Zack and Courtney's The Farmhouse? 



At Christmas it truly is like living on Candy Lane.






Again, family gathered...

















And friends...



And then we went home to BreeBree and James Mason. She's not really growling, but she sure does look like it here. It's so difficult to get decent pictures of two dachshunds at the same time. January 3rd marked our one year anniversary with them! And tomorrow is our two year anniversary of moving here to Home Hill!




A big thank you to Defee who took most of the good photos here, but obviously not this last one!

I hope your Christmas was wonderful too! Did you take a ton of photos? Did I hear someone say that at least you didn't bore everyone with a deluge of them? Nah, surely not!

One more photo, please. I almost forgot to show a picture of Zack and Courtney's new fur boy, he's a Big Lug. Really, that's his name, Big Lug! Big Lug is just a baby and went in his crate until they were sure he would calm down around the children. He's such a sweetheart!





26 comments:

  1. Dewena, there are so many things I love about this post. All the pictures being the first! The teeny, tiny baby held with such tenderness, those fabulous aprons!, the big red pom pom garland, your beautiful, happy family, and that Big Lug at the end. He's just beautiful. Happiest of new years to you, my friend!

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  2. Dewena, I looked at your photos and thought, wow, now that is what the holidays are all about...family, friends, food, fun and a very full house! I love it. And how fabulous to see Doreen in your home. She is a dear, dear person with a great sense of humor. I bet you laughed a lot!! How lucky you both were to get together! Happy New Year, my friend!

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  3. Dewena, I have thoroughly enjoyed this post. I can hear the laughter. Happy New Year to you and your lovely family.

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  4. What great photos of a wonderful Christmas for you, family and friends.

    Hard to believe you've been there on Home Hill two years already. Time is zipping right along.

    Have a wonderful 2019 ~ FlowerLady

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  5. Fabulous gift ideas with the containers and aprons! what fun, and what a blessing to have such a beautiful, big family. Happy New Year to you!

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  6. Oh Dewena there is so much to make me smile in your post. I love seeing all your family and sweet blogger Doreen too. I bet you had a great time laughing with her great sense of humor. What a great Christmas. Love the sweet little grand kids too especially that sweet new baby. How adorable. I cannot believe it has already been a year since you brought in the fur babes to your sweet family.
    Their picture is so cute. Happy New Year. On to great new things in the new year.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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  7. Oh, how fun, to peek inside your home! It's full of interest and lovely people. That's what a Christmas celebration should be.
    Happy New Year!

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  8. I love it! What a lovely Christmas!! What fun to have a blog friend join in with you all.
    Home Sweet Home at Home Hill for sure!! Congratulations!
    xx oo
    Carla

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  9. It looks like you had a wonderful Christmas, Dewena, with family all around.....and Doreen! How fun it must have been to see her as well. That granddaughter of yours has me smiling every time I see her. I think she could be on a Hallmark card haha. I love those blue ornaments hanging from the chandelier, especially the blue color. The aprons with all the ladies was a fun idea. Lots of Yummy foods, and I love your daughter's plaid leggings, they're so cute. If you ever get a chance, please frame the picture of your granddaughter sitting on the red chair laying her head down....it is priceless. : )

    I hope the new year is being good to you so far, Dewena.

    love, ~Sheri

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  10. Your Christmas looked like an absolute blast! You are so blessed to have a big family and everyone all together like that. Big Lug certainly is a big dog! What breed is he? xoxo

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  11. Sheri is right Dewena, that pic of Cora is adorable and definitely frame worthy, but then again SO many of these shots are!

    Seeing you and meeting your family was the highlight of our Nashville trip. :)

    xxx

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  12. What great pictures of your family. That’s what the holiday is all about and I know how much you love getting your family together. Happy new year.

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  13. Dewena,I'm so glad you had a blessed Christmas with your family. It all looks so fabulous and fun! Love that you were able to meet Doreen...she is such a hoot! Love all of these photos and thank you for sharing them all with us. All those lovely dishware gifts...heavenly! Love and hugs to you sweet friend! Happy New Year!

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  14. Oh what lovely photographs you've shared here.
    A marvellous, magical family Christmas-time.

    Happy New Year Wishes to you and yours.

    All the best Jan

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  15. What wonderful photos you shared, full of laughter and love. The itsy new baby is so precious - my arms just wanted to reach out for a cuddle. Those little girls twirling and sleeping and modeling are darling.
    Your idea for gifts is fun and sure to be appreciated. There are so many lovely things in antique/thrift shops.

    Happy New Year to you and yours.
    Lorrie

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  16. What a wonderful Christmas celebration you had, Dewena!! How nice that Doreen was there - she came to visit me a few years ago too, we had a wonderful visit in spring!

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  17. Great pictures of wonderful family Christmas celebrations!

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  18. I like your gift giving idea. Your tree on the table I like a lot and the manger picture I saw hanging on the wall. Looks like you had a very busy and happy Christmas. The sweet brand new baby, so tiny, I would hold her and never want to put her down, she is just a little doll!
    Looks like a feast for sure, so many good things to eat.
    Happy New Year to You and Yours
    Betsy

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  19. Delightful!! Your apron-and-container shopping sounds like so much fun for "the girls." It wasn't too many pictures at all!

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  20. wow wow, i enjoyed seeing all the photos and hearing about your Christmas - love the idea - containers from antique thrift stores, etc... and fashion show and...it just all looks so wonderful and happy. Glad u share this.

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  21. oh ..yes...the apron idea - wonderful -

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  22. Oh Dewena.....y'all HAD A BIG SHIN-DIG!! That's what we called them from where I'm from, ha ha LOL!! Love all the great pictures!! Love that tall skinny Christmas tree, and how you hung the teal ornaments off the chandelier, I love to do that! Alot of fun going on there....I love the picture of the little miss with the cute pigtails, in the lacey skirt, twirling for joy!! and the one of YOU HOLDING THAT BRAND NEW BABY! Okay, whose little baby is that??---I've lost track it seems. How sweet to hold a brand new babe during the Christmas season. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the apron fashion show.....now that looks FUN!! And how you shopped for and used the things from the antique place too, now THOSE ARE JUST DARN GREAT IDEAS!!! Wish I'd think up things like that! Enjoyed seeing the pictures back from the old house too, I love that old house, definetly my style. and BIG LUG...OH MY GOODNESS, JUST want to hug that big cute doggie! That's neat that Doreen got to come! And I love the picture of all the pretty ladies lined up in the aprons.....I LOVE APRONS! Happy new year, my friend! Here's to another year of blogging friendship!

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  23. Dewena, this looks like the most fabulous Christmas party! I love the idea of shopping at the antique malls and the apron idea is genius. I cannot wait until next year to try to find gifts from my local antique markets! Your pups are adorable. I concur about taking photos of two dachshunds at the same time, I can never get a good photo of my two either.

    Have a wonderful day!

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  24. What a happy and beautiful Christmas of family and friends! xo Su

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  25. Never too many photos, Dewena! I enjoyed every single one! What could be better than being surrounded by loved ones? AND - you and Doreen met -- how fabulous! I had the pleasure of meeting her several times. Hope the new year is getting off to a wonderful start for you and RH.

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  26. You can never post too many pics of family and friends, especially during such a festive time as the Christmas holidays! I love looking at everyone's faces, so happy to be seeing family and friends, gathering for such reunions.

    You and your helpers, (especially the little ones!), did a marvelous job of setting out a scrumptious buffet, decorating and making sure Home Hill looked and felt cozy and comfortable and welcoming.

    I love the second you and Doreen first met in person, as she arrived for the big 'do', as well as all the action pics which show how much you two had to talk about!

    Wonderful, photos, all around. Thanks for sharing them with us, who were anticipating your holiday bash for weeks!

    Poppy

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