Welcome, internets!
I’m oh-so-glad that you’re here for this year’s Christmas Tour of Homes. I hope you have big fun clicking around, seeing everyone’s decorations, finding some great recipes, and pretty much being glued to the computer until your eyes cross and your family is begging you for food.
Which is totally the spirit of the season, now isn’t it?
And seriously, I figured out last year that this deal seems to work best if you only look at 20 or 25 houses at a time, take a computer break, and then come back for another round. It’s a marathon, people, not a sprint, so don’t overexert yourself. And for heaven’s sake, drink plenty of water. You have to stay hydrated or your mouse hand will cramp up and all your interweb training will go totally to waste. So tour carefully. Pace yourself.
One more thing: I think it would be ever-so-wonderful if you would make a point to leave a comment at every blog you visit. Don’t feel like there’s pressure to tell your life story or elaborate on the time that YOU MADE PEPPERMINT MOCHAS FOR A CHRISTMAS PARTY, TOO! Even if you keep your comment short and sweet – saying something as simple as “lovely” – you can still make a blogger’s day.
Just looking out for the interpeep posse, y’all.
So. Am I supposed to show you some pictures or something?
THAT’S A GREAT IDEA!
Here’s what you would see if you walked in our house, after you looked down to see the four pairs of shoes that you stumbled over trying to get in the front door.
I think it’s a real touch of Christmas klass.
However, on the table next to the Xbox stuff, there’s a star-shaped serving bowl that I picked up on clearance at Target last year, and I just love it – it is one of my favorite things.
Our tree is tucked in a corner next to the fireplace, and it looks pretty much identical to last year. Probably because Mama decorated it for the second year in a row.
Our fireplace doesn’t have a mantle, so last year I decided that I’d decorate the bar in our living room instead (yes, I said “bar in our living room” – welcome to home construction circa 1974), and I did same thing this year. Since I normally blog from the bar, I’ve had to relocate the BooMama, Inc. International Headquarters until Christmas is over, but that is perfectly fine because, well, sometimes decorating requires sacrifices, my friends.
I actually have two new additions to the little display on the bar this year:
Unless that combination arrives in the form of old shoes. In which case I am not at all tempted to make any sort of purchase.
Hey! Would you like to see my dining room?
OKAY!
This first picture of the dining room cracks me up, mainly because it seems to indicate that we have some sort of disco theme going on. Which might not be completely out of the question, what with that BAR in our LIVING ROOM and all.
Our nativity scene is on a table in the corner of our dining room, and the little man loves to move around all the pieces.
Either that or we’re dealing with a guard cow and a guard donkey.
Not to mention a completely apathetic lamb.
I’ve mentioned before that I love (LURVE) to decorate my dining room table with china and crystal at Christmastime. And I really like to mix and match, using bits and pieces of whatever happens to strike my fancy. This year I used some charger plates that Sister and I found at Old Time Pottery for a whopping one dollar each, and then I used dinner plates from my wedding china, topped off with smaller plates from my holiday china.
I like to pick up the smaller plates before we eat Christmas dinner, set them aside and then use them for dessert – that way everybody can get an assortment of their favorite treats. No little dessert plates for us. No ma’am.
Finally (yes! the end is near! mercifully near!), last year I put a Christmas tree in our little boy’s playroom (the tree was free after a Home Depot rebate), and I used that tree to display all our Christmas cards. By the time Christmas day gets here the tree will be chock-full-o-cards, and it is absolutely a tradition that I will continue for the rest of my life. So fun.
It takes so little, really.
Merry Christmas, everybody! Happy Touring!
Please make sure to link to your SPECIFIC POST for the Tour of Homes – not just your general URL. Thanks!
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Love the cards on the tree! What a great idea! I may just start that tradition myself.
Your home is lovely.
I just love the wreaths in your windows, and your table looks lovely! Thanks for hosting!
This is so cool! I just found your blog today from Musings of a Housewife, and I decided to play along. :) I love your gorgeous house!
As always, you do not disappoint!
I just knew you’d have disco balls!
Well, there’s nothing NOT to like about a feather tree, in my book. Steinmarts has some splendid red ones that I will be purchasing the day after Christmas.
I felt right at home knowing you have enough cream cheese in your fridge to give out as party favors to each and every guest (like a proper Southern hostess, of course!)
boomama….love your house and love your blog…I entered into the festivities….who -hoo!!
Merry Christmas Boomama! Thanks for setting this event up and for letting in to your lovely home. Good advice to take this in small bunches…wow there are tons to see!
I love all those windows in your living room! Gorgeous with the wreaths! And the card tree is such a great idea!
Merry Christmas from the frozen north!!! We in Maine get to enjoy a white Christmas this year. Your place is beautiful. Thanks for sharing it with us.
thanks for the tour! wonderful as always!
Thanks for hosting. This is my first time of joining in and linking and such! I did have to change my template because my pictures were too big, but I didn’t have time to resize the pics, so I just made do with what I had. I enjoyed your beautiful home :-)
You have an incredible blog – and do so much with it – you’re my hero!! You have inspired me!!
Thanks
Thank you so much for hosting this tour. It’s absolutley lovely:)
Beautiful! Your home looks like a Magazine spread!
Loved the wreaths in the picture windows, and the dining room table looks fab!
Judging by what my toddler has already done with the bulbs from our tree, I’m afraid decorating my table is out until the day of Christmas.
Wow, I can almost look at one a day until Christmas 2008…I’ll give it a try…fun…
I love all your decorations, and have to say that the Christmas cards on the tree was the greatest. What a great idea.
All of it is fantastic, thanks so much for doing this! I had fun!
honestly, I was hoping for another glimpse of your mother under the tree…knowing she wasn’t hurt allowed me to LOL for minutes on end…
love the idea of the tree with the cards. also love the feather trees!
that’s really beautiful. I love the retro disco ball and feather section.
And the tree with cards, I may need to invest in a 3rd tree for that, since I never know what to do with my cards. Although I already feel odd for having two trees. But apparently it’s not all that weird.
What a lovely idea (and home)! Thanks.
Oh boy, am I going to have lots or fun bloggy reading to do in the next few days. I really love your card tree.
Wow!!! I can’t wait to steal my hubby’s laptop and spend the evening looking at everyone’s homes. This is so fun!
Thanks Boo Mama!
-Nancy
I had stolen the “Christmas Card Tree” idea last year but didn’t remember who I stole it from! It was YOU! Thanks for sharing it…I love my card tree this year! :)
I found your link from Design Mom and I was hooked as soon as I read “Read by tens of people every single day!” And then I laughed my head off when I read your take on the Nativity arrangment. So funny! You can and one more person to those tens!
Nothing like good ol’ 272. I didn’t even think I’d make it to the party this year. So glad to join in. Your home is just lovely.
Steph
Whew…I finally did it. Though my home is not large, my “tour” is! Oh, and I’m new to Mr. Linky, and accidentally linked myself twice…#270 & #271. Sorry! Thanks for hosting this…I’ve enjoyed the tour so much! And you are TOO funny!
Bee-U-T-full! You have great taste and a big generous heart for doing this. Thank you for sharing.
Merry Christmas!
I have just began my 1st ever blog hop with the Christmas tours, and you were my 2nd stop…I really enjoyed my time at your webhome and love the details about your china…but, my heart stopped when I looked closer at the china and I did a double take because it looks like my Grandmothers! Grandma passed in the early 80’s and my twin has been finding pieces all over to add to the dishes she got…just brought back smiles and thoughts, so thank you!
I heart you! This is going to take me all of my Christmas break! Luckily, we teachers get 2 whole weeks off. Hmm, what shall I do with the boys? Perhaps lock them in their rooms? Or just turn on the TV to Polar Express and that should hold their attention.
BTW- I like the little pointy glittery Christmas tree things. I don’t know what they are, but they are COOL!
I am in total envy of your dining room. I don’t have one yet b/c we currently use it as a play room for our kids, but someday, I hope to have one that looks very similar to yours! ; ) Thanks for hosting this, can’t wait to look at the others…
If you come to my blog you will find a Christmas story that will have you rolling on the floor laughing ..at my expense!
Scroll down and you will see my Christmas decorations!
I shared the first wedding photos! we got married on the 8th and I SWEAR boomama that I asked my photog to have a few to me JUST FOR THIS! love ya! read ya daily!
Your house looks wonderful! I’m so glad you did this…of course, it took me only 2 hours to create today’s post, but it was fun. And I can hardly wait to get a peak into all the home of our fellow bloggers. Have a Merry, Merry Christmas!
Wonderful, Boomama! I love your table! Thanks so much for doing this again this year!
Wow – looking at all this is so festive…and makes me feel guilty that our house is completely Christmas-less so far, unless you count the two rolls of wrapping paper laying on the top of the piano.
Your home is beautiful! Thank you for hosting this event.
I love the card tree. Your home is beautiful.
Thanks for hosting the Christmas Tour. You have a lovely home!
stunning. i love your wreaths on ribbons in every window!
Your home is beautiful! What a flair for decorating you have. I love your star shaped dish, green cone shaped trees and I want that china! Friendly Village I think it is? It’s all lovely…thanks for hosting!
Merry Christmas!
I’m so sorry! I already left a comment, but I misspelled my link and it was kindly pointed out by a visitor to my blog. Oops! It has been a long week!
I am still busy wiping the eggnog off my monitor after reading thhe post (which I had previously missed) about your Mama falling under the tree.
And OHMYGOSH, did you REALLY have 700 comments on that last post of yours? Tens of readers, indeed!
I’ll be over for something with cream cheese in it in just a couple of hours. We’ll sit at the table with the crystal and china and I won’t jump even once.
Merry Christmas and thanks for doing this.
Beautiful china and Christmas tree! This is such a fun idea!!
Hello,
Thank you for bringing us together. Your home looks beautiful. Enjoy Christmas.
Love your card tree! How fun!
You are so much fun! Your tree looks amazing.
Thank you so much for hosting this!! I also love your Christmas card tree and think I want to start that next year!!! Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones!
akkk sorry I linked to my blog instead of the post directly.. dealing with kids while trying to post, not such a great idea!
your home is beautiful! I love all the decorations! and im lovin the card tree!
what a great turnout!
Merry Christmas everyone@
Thank you for welcoming us in your beautiful home. You have done a great job of decorating and making us feel welcome. The Christmas card tree is a fabulous idea. I am going to use it! THANKS!!!!!
Okay, okay…I am a LURKER of your blog! I just adore Big Mama and yourself…thanks for hosting the tour of homes. I have enjoyed seeing how everyone celebrates the season! I am de-lurking here at your blog and adding my home to tour as well!
This is fun! Thanks for hosting!!
You table looks so beautiful!
I can’t get passed the fact that you have real china. Out. On the table. I’m afraid if I did that, the boy would go all “Italian Wedding” on me. So, Chinet it is. For now.
Your home is beautiful.
I found this through Design Mom today, and I’m so glad I did! You are HYSTERICAL! I love reading things that make me laugh hard…especially after a rough day. Your house is beautiful!
Wonderful, Beautiful!! You have done lots and lots of work! Enjoy!
Alyson
LID 01/27/06
Beautiful decorations! I especially love the card tree. I just might steal your idea next year. Theft – that’s in the holiday spirit, isn’t it?
I’ve got mine up for you! Thanks for hosting. This is a really cool way to get some decorating ideas!
WOW! You really knew how to make the comments HAPPEN, huh??? hehehe… Well… I only thought I was supposed to comment at the October post – but when I came to comment it was closed… sooooooo I just played and thought I was a rebel! Now folks have told me to sign the linky here – way late in the day I find this out! But I’m HERE!!! I’ll adjust my post to reflect such!
Your decorations are gorgeous! I love that first tree!!! SO pretty! I always “look” at the very modern decorations at Target and Pier One — but I seem to always stick with the more old fashioned things. One of these years though… One of these years… I’m going to have a FUNKY Christmas!!! :)
I posted my photos. Better late than never! Enjoy.
Good Heavens, BooMama! I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many comments and links on one person’s post. Ever. I love the guard cow and donkey.
I enjoyed seeing your lovely home, and reading your notes is such fun!
Thanks for hosting the home tour. Wow! What a turn out! We’ll still be looking at all the beautiful homes this time next year!!
My house is on tour too, stop by if you get a chance. I’m featuring my Nativity collection!
Katherine
Yellow Rose Arbor
BooMama- GREAT deco’s :) I think you should pick like 10 of your favorites (of course you are not visiting them all… but 10 that you DID see, and have us readers vote on a favorite!!!) Any one else think that would be fun???
:)
Loved the tour. Especially the Christmas plates! I’ll be back later to click on other tours. :-)
Love your house! The china on your table is the same pattern that my Grandmother used. I have very vivid memories of going to her house often as a child. We would eat Sunday dinner there and of course, every holiday. I would sit at the table waiting as patiently as a child could and I would imagine myself in the snow scene on the china. I NEVER see that china that I don’t recall those memories!
Merry Christmas and God’s blessings on you and your family!
thanks for hosting the party! i’ve been by before, but only lurked ’til now. when you get a chance, stop by for some wassail and homemade chex mix!
Your posts always come to the end of your sidebar for me in IE 6.0. I think it’s the three column basis for “Oh so very”…that little kink was never fixed by the primary 3 column designer as far as I could tell. Blogs I based on that 3 column still have problems.
This was so much fun. Thank you!
I can’t tell you how often I walk past the feather Christmas trees and want them. I just don’t have enough space to put them anywhere just yet. Your house looks great and thanks for hosting this.
Your home is just gorgeous and the style reminds me so much of ours (circa 1975) with alot of windows that look into the great outdoors! Stop by and check it out!
By the way, I was laughing hysterically at your description of the Nativity animals!!!
Wow, came here through Adventures in Babywearing, love it all! I especially love your estate sale find! Merry Christmas and your boy is a cutie!
Thanks for hosting this. I hope I didn’t join this party too late. Your home is lovely.
Love the card tree idea! Thanks for hosting. I was having a cruddy day, so this lifted me right up. :O)
This was a great idea. It’s great to see others’ creativity and to be able to share it too! Thanks & Merry Christmas.
I love this idea..thanks for hosting!! Can’t wait til my little guy is old enough to make gingerbread houses..so fun.
I finally, finally got my links to work and have my it linked!
Thank you for letting me be a part of this, BooMama!
God Bless and Merry Christmas!
Love your home and decorations! Thank you for hosting this. It was my first time to participate. I can’t wait to go check out all the decorations and creations!
I’ll have you know, I was so inspired by your Christmas Card tree that I went out and purchased a tree just for that purpose today! It is still sitting in my front yard, but I have big plans for it. And I’ll have you know that I got said tree at Target on Clearance for $30. Thanks for the inspiration and beautiful ideas!!!
Blessings,
Lysa TerKeurst
I really really love love your style! And the Christmas stuff was lovely but really, I was falling in LOVE with that lime green dog painting you have next to the Christmas card tree! And I don’t even like dogs.
This will eb fun good times, I can tell. Thanks for putting this together and sharing the bloggy Christmas love.
Jamie
Very very lovely.
And, when my kids were 4, they could totally handle fine china too. It takes raising them with it, not to mention a bit of teaching, but it’s worth it to be able to use the nice stuff.
Sophie, you’re a blog star! You have brought to blogland so much bliss! So much Love & Laughter! I just TRIED to post my Holiday Tour of Homes but the TEXT IS TINIER THAN THE NAME TINY TIM…YOU COULDN’T READ IT WITH A SUPER DUPER magnifying glass. Oh well! I tried for hours! Shoot me an e-mail if you know off the top of your brilliant blog mind what I’m doing WRONG. I just loved doing this tour thingy. I even put a PS in honor of YOU. The text is so tiny it looks like a line. I sure do LOVE looking at everyone else’s. Brilliant beautiful blogging!
Thank you so much for hosting this!! I love your blog–you seem like such a fun girl. And your home looks great.
Merry Christmas!
Wow, I am overwhelmed. I think I’ll go take a few tours…hehehe
Thanks for hosting.
Oh! How great! Thank you for sharing your home with us! Gorgeous!
I loved the nativity scene and I took special note of the animals as you indicated…couldn’t help but laugh out loud (hope I didn’t wake hubby!!). It was too precious! Who knows…they could have been guarding the baby Jesus!!
Thank you sooo much, Boomama, for doing this for us. I love your home, and each of the lovely people that have signed up to do this! God bless you, and Merry Christmas!!
Chrissie
I really need to get in touch with my inner BooMama and go for the fun, retro disco items that make me feel warm and fuzzy! My Christmas decorations are too “cute”.
Your home is lovely and your Nativity cracks me up (ours in frequently rearranged also by our youngest, although I don’t recall ever having a “guard donkey”!). :-)
My picture is actually from last year, but this particular decoration has not changed since 1960 or so. It is the most unique thing I own.
I love your tour, particularly the nativity set.
Merry Christmas Boo Mama,
Thank you for a year of joy and laughter each and every day on your blog!
God Bless you.
Oh, and you TOTALLY cracked me up with the guard animals at the nativity scene. I almost lost my corn flakes!!!! =)
Your house is beautiful!!! I love the feather Trees! And the Christmas Card Tree. WHat a great idea!! Eventually today I will get some time to take some picture of our decorations!
LUV your Christmas Decorations! They are so down-to-earth! ,-) You are a real gal, with a real young family and you do accordingly. I LUV it!
And your writing is a hoot, so you are pretty perfect! :-)
Happy Christmas hugs to you,
Mari-Nanci
I’m sorry – what?? Is that greenery I see through your windows? Considering it was 20 BELOW zero here last Sunday (yes below) and we have lots o’ snow, I cannot fathom greenery beyond a Christmas decorated home. And yes Jack Frost was nipping at my nose and everywhere that wasn’t covered by boots, scarves, gloves and 3 layers including cuddle duds. lol But your home is lovely and I enjoyed the pictures very much. Thank you for hosting, I shall move on to the next home when I get home from work.
Happy Holidays!
Hugs,
Marie
P.S. 3 words for you
Jessica Simpson boots!!
Oh my!!
Your home looks lovely! Love the star bowl from Target…good move on not covering up the cute.
Sorry I am a day late, but better late than never I guess.
Merry Christmas, Boomama.
I so enjoyed your dining room….love the china and crystal. And your sweet little boy is more precious than the entire house!
I LOVE your dishes and LOVE the cards on the tree–what a great way to display them. Much better than my system of leaving them on the passenger seat in the car till I remember to grab them, then sticking them up to the wall with randomly selected various colored push pins! lol…
Beautiful! Merry Christmas!
love your decor! Merry Christmas!
Love the retro cone trees! Fabulous!
Merry Christmas to you and yours! I love the wreaths on the windows. So classy and simple. Many blessings as you celebrate our Savior’s birth.