Christmas at Fort Guthrie

I was visiting my parents’ house today and took some photos of all the Christmas decorations to share.  So, if Mama had a blog, this is what it would look like.

The front staircase is decorated with garland and red and gold accents.  The ornament cluster came from Habitat Restore.  I love it and want to steal it.  Since stealing is not in the Christmas spirit, I had to make my own.  But I haven’t found any garland to go with it yet. 

Her garland is strung with white lights and poinsettias and is dripping with glass icicle ornaments.

She opted to get a real tree this year and retire her artificial snow covered one.  She stripped the lights off the old one and repurposed the top section into a tabletop tree by sticking the base into a log stand.  I think this is super cute and a great way to reuse your old artificial tree!  The rest of the branches will make their way into decorations next year when we use them as greenery in arrangements around the house.  Can’t wait for that!

Over on the mantle, more garland and lights are joined with red poinsettias, candles and berry clusters.  And the stockings are hung with care, of course.  The rest of the stockings are hanging on the bookcase, but I neglected to take their photo.

The dining room is festive with red and gold accents.

The table is set much like last year with Spode Christmas tree china and poinsettia napkin rings.  The new addition is the lacy poinsettia runner that we got on sale at Joann’s.  It so perfectly says Mama.  :)

The Christmas village is on display on the buffet.  It has candle trees, figurines and even a carriage ornament as accessory pieces.  Every time I visit the pieces are rearranged.  Sometimes the carriage is at the store and sometimes there are snowmen in the street.  It’s fun!

The rest of Dickensville is over on the corner shelf.  We picked up a few new pieces for our collection this past year at thrift stores… among them a cottage that belongs to “Mr. & Mrs. Santa” (which I had to get because my mom calls herself “Mrs. Santa” at Christmastime) and a fabric/dress shop (very appropriate!).  The shop has little rolls of fabric on display and people inside doing their Christmas shopping.  It’s precious!

On top of Mama’s desk, we created our rustic winter scene with pinecone trees and brush reindeer.  I gave you all the details here.

The Christmas tree is in the parlor this year.  It’s a nice skinny tree decorated with colored lights, festive ornaments that have been collected over 40 years and topped with a red and ivory bow.

Tree Day 1:

Tree Day 29: 

If you look closely you can see how Mama rearranges all the ornaments after we leave. :)  And of course there is a massive pile flood of presents beneath.  We really go all out for Christmas at Fort Guthrie.  The worst part (or best part depending on your point of view) is that this pile is still lacking gifts from two of the three children.  Ha!  Merry Christmas to us!

Here is the tree all sparkly as I have learned to capture with the tripod.  Praise be to the inventor of the tripod!  I’m sure you all are enjoying my new crisp photos lately? :)

As promised, my niece Abby and I did build the gingerbread house today and here we are with our fabulous candy/cookie creation.  Notice the gumdrop roof on one side and peppermint studded roof on the other.  It’s a new trend in home design… I think. :)

Thanks for coming along for the Guthrie Christmas Spectacular! 

Wishing you a wonderful holiday weekend!