It's here! TIme for a peek into everyone's houses. (I have to say, I leave my blinds open all the time out of respect for others who, like me, love to peek into someone else's home! Do you?)
Come on in out of the cold--it finally made it up to 0 degrees here in Denver this afternoon! Have a sit by the fire to get warm--you can even sit in "my" chair by the tree while I get some tea and once you're warmed up we'll take a look around.
I'm a word girl and love vintage cards, so they are tucked here and there:
I also love trees of all kinds:
(Yarn trees from my sister Kristen--and those are my parents visiting Santa when they were small)
And I like to have more than one Nativity set:
(The girls have always loved to play with this pewter set we received as a wedding gift from Toben's Uncle Jim and Aunt Susan)
(This is part of my new one--it's cardboard and was made in 1933)
By the way, we're listening to this--well, most likely just tracks 2, 3, and 9 over and over again. Because they are my favorites. Just ask my family. (And if you don't have this CD, you really, really want to put it on your Christmas wish list!)
And we're going to be eating some Rocky Road Fudge. I'm not usually a fudge person, but my friend Yvette made some for us and oh. my. word. It couldn't be any easier to make and it so deliciously yummy. (This is what my neighbors will be getting!) I'd show you a picture, but we ate it all and all that's left is the cute tin it came in.
Rocky Road
Yield: One 9 x 13 pan
3 cups semi-sweet chocolate
3 tbsp. butter
3/4 cup chunky peanut butter
1 package mini marshmallows
Line 9 x 13 pan with waxed paper. Melt together chocolate chips, butter, and peanut butter. Add small amount of mixture to pan. Fill pan with marshmallows and pour remaining chocolate mixture over the top. Bang pan on the counter until the chocolate mixture works its way down between the marshmallows. Refrigerate 2-3 hours. Turn out onto cutting board and cut into squares.
Go here for all the other tour links.
One more tree before you walk out the door...
Come again soon!
What a lovely nativity from the 30's! I love vintage cards too. All of your natural items are so neatly arranged - what a cute little red bird on the tiny tree on your mantle. And my curious mind is wondering what the picture is on your wall above your mantel?
And I'm not even telling you it was near 60 here today...
Posted by: Lora | December 15, 2008 at 05:06 PM
I scored a bag full of vintage Christmas cards from my Great-Aunt Flo. I LOVE THEM. I never thought about tucking them in "here and there". Going to have to find them and do that.
Loved the tour. Thank you for sharing...
Love u.
Posted by: Susan | December 15, 2008 at 06:23 PM
P.S. Tracks 2, 9 & 10 are my favorite.
Posted by: Susan | December 15, 2008 at 06:24 PM
Everything looks really pretty! :)
Posted by: Solidia | December 15, 2008 at 06:43 PM
I am so in love with the vintage cards! Everything was just beautiful - and you are a lovely host! Stop by and see me if you have the time!
PS - been a lurker for a while, glad to have a legit excuse to leave a comment!
Posted by: Becky Jo | December 15, 2008 at 06:54 PM
How I have enjoyed all your Christmas pictures! I feel most welcomed into your warm home. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Gail Sowell | December 15, 2008 at 07:29 PM
You are too cute. Love all of your fun decor. I'd come visit even at -18. (of course, you would promise we'd go skiing!) You know I needed that fudge recipe. Thanx dear and stay warm. Having a cup of Celestial Seasonings Tea for/with you.
Posted by: Carolina Mama | December 15, 2008 at 07:50 PM
Your home is Bee-U-Tee-Full!
Thanks for sharing!!!!
Posted by: Amber | December 15, 2008 at 08:24 PM
Your house looks beautiful. Very festive and comfortable.
Posted by: Tammy S. | December 15, 2008 at 08:56 PM
Simply wonderful! Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way! Whee!
Posted by: Puva | December 15, 2008 at 09:05 PM
I love it! You have a beautiful home!
Posted by: Ashley | December 15, 2008 at 09:05 PM
You have a beautiful home...it's so cozy. I'd love to curl up in 'your' chair by the tree and read a good book. Maybe I'll just stay for awhile. It's too cold to back out there just yet. :)
Happy holidays!
Posted by: Carey | December 15, 2008 at 09:16 PM
Simply lovely--just like you!
Have a warm and toasty day tomorrow friend!!
Love,
Holly
Posted by: Holly @ Crownlaiddown | December 15, 2008 at 09:29 PM
Cute house! I LOVE the idea of using the vine around the window for cards! Excellent! Thanks for the tour and Merry Christmas!
Posted by: rosyrose | December 15, 2008 at 10:03 PM
What an adorable home you have. So warm, so lovely. Thank you for letting us come in.
I LOVED the pictures of your parents on Santa's lap. Hmmmm now you've given me a great idea.
Merry Christmas
Posted by: Joanne | December 15, 2008 at 11:04 PM
What an adorable home you have. So warm, so lovely. Thank you for letting us come in.
I LOVED the pictures of your parents on Santa's lap. Hmmmm now you've given me a great idea.
Merry Christmas
Posted by: Joanne | December 15, 2008 at 11:04 PM
So cute. Will you come and decorate my house?
Posted by: Lisa R-P | December 16, 2008 at 03:00 AM
Beautiful! You need to do a decorating book next :) I love your natural look, maybe you need to come decorate my house! It is around 70 degrees here today....
Posted by: Misty | December 16, 2008 at 06:31 AM
Everything is stunning, Joanne!! Love, love, love it! Merry Christmas, sweet friend!
Posted by: Marla Taviano | December 16, 2008 at 08:11 AM
Everything looks so sweet and beautiful-just like its decorator!
Wish we could have met up at the Nativity. It would have been nice to see you.
Posted by: Kimberly | December 16, 2008 at 08:39 AM
Loved the tour Joanne. This is my second Christmas in US and I have fallen in love with the spirit of Christmas. Me and my husband put up a tree (our first christmas tree) and it has changed my home completely. I expecially love the vintage cards Joanne..wish I had some. (Thats for now added to my wishlist).
Hope you have wonderful and warm holidays.
Posted by: Priti | December 16, 2008 at 09:25 AM
Your home is lovely and the photography is great! Thanks for sharing this with us.
Merry Christmas!
Posted by: Carol | December 16, 2008 at 11:44 AM
Your house is beautiful and I love the picture in ALaska. We have some dear friend that live there. Thanks for sharing with us. Merry Christmas!
Posted by: Heather | December 16, 2008 at 03:43 PM
I think your tour is my favorite so far!! It has a homespun feel to it, and I love "your" chair!! I needs me one of those!! Thanks for the heart-warming!!
Blessings,
Becky
Posted by: Becky | December 16, 2008 at 10:53 PM
Everything looks so inviting and cheery, Joanne! Thanks for the tour! xo
Posted by: misschris | December 17, 2008 at 09:37 AM
You don't mind if I just move in, do you? And act like it's all mine? :) Lurve the yarn trees and pictures with Santa. Lurve it all, actually.
Posted by: Gretchen | December 17, 2008 at 10:04 AM
I greatly enjoyed your tour! Very comfy! This is my first visit to your blog.
Posted by: Cindy | December 19, 2008 at 05:45 PM