Christmas Angels

It's the simple things that make Christmas time special for me.  Especially when it comes to decorating.  There is nothing better than simple and easy!  My favorite holiday display is also the simplest  and is found on my black cabinet just inside the backdoor to my kitchen.   Green, white and silver colors combine to create a subtle Christmas theme.  The angel is from my mother-in-law's house and the watering can I have used for many years.  The white urn, which usually holds my ivy topiary, is a perfect container for a rosemary 'Christmas' tree. 

Close-up of brass angel.

Just outside my kitchen backdoor is another angel, also from my mother-in-law's house.  This is a garden angel whose basket I have filled with greenery.  I can see her from the bay window in my kitchen.

Garden angel.

For the holiday season, I have come to think of these little guardians as my Christmas angels. 

Next time, decorating the Christmas Tree: Step Two, putting on the lights. 

Genevieve

2011 is here! Thank God!!!

The New Year has arrived!  Thank God!  But, I will get to that later.

First, it's time to hang those 2011 calendars.  In small spaces, finding a spot that is practical, where calendars with handwritten notes and reminders don't look 'messy', can be a challenge.  For me, the best solution is behind cabinet doors in the kitchen.  I use Command hangers to keep the calendars in place.  Reminder notes are written or clipped to calendar pages.  There is a fishing calendar for my husband who loves outdoor sports and a school calendar for my son. 

 

My husband's 'fishing' calendar.  The Command hanger is just visible at the top.

My son's school calendar.  Soon it will be filled with handwritten notes and activity schedules.

I also keep a calendar filled with landscape photos from Tuscany at work near my desk. It's silly, but every month I look forward to seeing the new photo.  I've never been to Tuscany or Italy, but it looks lovely.  The blue sky contrasted with green hills and the shining sun always make me smile.

So why am I thrilled to see 2011 arrive?  Nothing magic or fabulous has happened. My husband continues his job search and the loss of my dear friend Maureen in late April is still painful. But just turning the page on a new year feels as if I am putting distance between the difficult challenges and memories of 2010.  Many of you sent comforting words and encouragement.  Thank you, thank you, thank you! Especially Laney, Judy, Melissa, June, Rue and my sister Kelley, your thoughts and prayers are so appreciated! 

I could not imagine decorating for the holidays this year, so I didn't.  My only decorations were gifts from friends. Jill sent a huge red poinsettia which stood in for our Christmas tree...

 

Christy sent paperwhite flowers in a stunning silver container ....

And Doreen sent a wreath with a big red beautiful bow.

 

What wonderful friends!!! 

For the family Christmas Eve get together, I also made my smoked salmon plate with salmon my brother sent from Alaska. That's my son in the striped shirt.

And I shoveled a path for Buddy to take his usual walks around the house.

That was it for Christmas. Surprisingly, it was refreshing.  I certainly didn't miss the usual pressure to 'do-it-all'.

Which brings me to Jewel Box® Home and this blog.  Amber has been the heart and soul of this blog over the past year.  I could not do this without her.  We both look forward to bringing you Jewel Box® tips for your smaller homes and spaces in 2011. 

Happy New Year to everyone!

Genevieve

Christmas Cottages!

Four distinctly different small homes decorated for the holidays should get us in the mood for upcoming festivities!  Seven days and counting...

Photos Courtesy of Country Living

Christmas in a New England Cottage

Christmas in a Cozy Cottage

Photos Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

A Red, White and Blue Cottage Christmas

 

Beach Cottage Christmas

Winter Decorating on a Budget!

Is your Christmas tree up yet?  Are there Holiday lights on your house?  Have you begun your festive winter decorating?  After Thanksgiving, most people turn their attention to the upcoming holiday season and decorate their homes accordingly.  Some decorating can get out of hand and leave a dent in your household budget.  In my tiny home, we like to place glimpses of Christmas and winter around each corner of the room.  Not overwhelming, but festive and whimsical.  I am always on the look out for ways to re-use decorations or clever, cost-friendly ways to enhance the winter decor in our home. 

Photos Courtesy of Country Living

I always love hanging things from my light fixtures!  Garland and ornaments dress up an already fancy chandelier to give the Christmas spirit to any dining room.

Make a statement this year by decorating with splashes of vibrant color!  This living room reminds me of a wintery skating rink with its cool blue blocks of color.

Inexpensive and traditional...wreaths can be hung from just about any surface.  I love the whimsical feel of these hanging in the windows.  Instant window treatment!

White...cool, calming, reminiscent of a snowy landscape....it gives dramatic effect when used all together in toning hues.

How festive and fun!  A bowl full of ornaments!  Instant Christmas on any tabletop.  

Go on a winter's hike and gather pinecones for this darling wreath.  Hot glued together and sprayed with a dusting of white glitter paint, it can be left up all winter.

Sprinkle little touches of the holiday season in every area of your home!  A wreath tucked into a shelf, bowls of pine cones, a stray ornament...nothing overwhelming but the festive holiday season is still felt.

I love the idea of enhancing these cupboard shelves with paper cut out trim!  Even the kids could help with this easy craft.

Display those Christmas cards!  It is a special reminder of the friends and family who grace your lives.

Decorations that can be left out all winter are some of my favorites.  Pine cones and tiny evergreen trees are delightful reminders that winter has its own greenery.

As do winter bulbs!  I love to force bulbs in the winter. They are an inexpensive reminder that spring will come again and it is always such a sight for sore eyes when a beautiful Amaryllis or Paperwhite peeks out of a bowl in my living room.

Whatever your budget you can spread the holiday cheer with family and guests in your home with just a few inexpensive touches.  Have fun!

~Amber

Happy Holidays!

Everyone at The Jewel Box® Home would like to wish you a very lovely Christmas and Happy Holidays!

My focus this year, as every year, will be in those small moments, tiny treasures that linger in my memory for years to come. As the hustle and bustle of the season slows down and "The Day" is upon us, I make a point to stop and reflect on the many things about this time of year that I love and the abundance of things for which I am grateful. I challenge you this week, to stop and savor the small moments. Remembering that life is made up of those small moments and that those memories can be made in your own cozy Jewel Box® of a home.

This holiday season, may you experience sparkle...

Photo Courtesy of Midwest Living

...moments of repose...

Photo Courtesy of Midwest Living

...the gift of greetings from family and friends...

Photo Courtesy of Country Living

...the joy of giving...

Photo Courtesy of Country Living

...a feast to share...

Photo Courtesy of Country Living

...visions of sugarplums...

Photo Courtesy of Country Living

...and the warmth and joy of the season!

Photo Courtesy of Country Living

From my little Jewel Box® Home to yours...I wish you love, joy and happiness!

~Amber

"A little house~a house of my own~
Out of the wind's and the rain's way."
~Padraic Colum