Thursday, November 19, 2009

A Thankful Season...





Well we're back to our regularly scheduled program of Christmas inspiration! This is my last post before we put our tree up on Saturday (well at least start putting it up), so I need all the inspiration I can get. We love putting our tree up a little early because then we can sit back and just enjoy it the whole season...and move on to focusing on other things we enjoy at Christmas time like baking and crafts (yep, at this time of year, I even do a little crafting)...




I don't mind at all that many of our neighbors have put their lights up on their houses already, because I think it looks so pretty and it brings a lot of joy to my little ones. You see, for me, it's not about skipping over Thanksgiving...a holiday I thoroughly enjoy...but about embracing an entire season of thankfulness. Christmas is the "big" holiday in my mind, so it takes center stage...and I include Thanksgiving in with the entire season of celebrating Jesus and all we have to be thankful for. The abundance of gifts He has given us are something that I am grateful for year round, but I love that there is an entire season where we can place focus on Him and all that we have to thank Him for...



Enjoy some of my inspiration pictures. Clearly I like lots and lots of white {duh} with pretty touches of nature thrown in...oh and let's not forget the sparkle of silver and mercury glass...
























{There's just something about this bathroom I had to include it...such simple touches, but how lovely they are.}





I'd like to leave you with two wonderful giveaways you must go and checkout...





First, for all of you Francophiles, head on over and visit The Brocantess and I promise you will not be disappointed. For all of us that love all things French, this is one amazing giveaway!!!





And my friend Koralee over at Bluebird Notes is having her very first giveaway! Her blog is always on my list of places to visit and her "friendship" giveaway includes so many things I would just love to have!



Please go and visit these fabulous girls and their blogs...they are both so incredible!



{images: 1,4,5 martha stewart/2,3,6 country living/7 country home/8,9 better homes and gardens}


Have a blessed weekend my friends!!!




Tracey




63 comments:

april in iowa said...

You've found wonderful rooms to be inspired by. I put up our trees yesterday and enjoy the light and the joy and the warmth they bring as well. It's the most wonderful time of the year. :)

*The Beautiful Life* said...

As always, simply jaw-dropping pics! Like you, I'm hoping to start my decorating this weekend. "Hoping" being the key word... :)

Hope you'll share pics of your efforts!!

~Ruth

Sarah said...

I love the photo of all the little cottages. They are my favorite when decorating for the holidays.

Mary said...

Lovely photos, Tracey...but the barn in the first on is fab-u-lous! Thanks for spreading the holiday love this morning! ;o) ~mary~

Martha said...

Tracey...I couldn't have said it better myself...I don't think we are skipping over Thanksgiving...I just include it too...and your pictures are just beautiful. I hope you share what you are up to this weekend with your decorating! Seeing my girls get excited saying "Christmas is coming" is why I like to start extra early...have a great day:)

Sweet Old Vintage said...

Your words were true inspirations and the photos are just lovely... What a lovely way to start the day.

Vintage Junky said...

Oh I am getting in the Christmas decorating mood now... I have alot to do!! Simply beautiful photos... great inspiration!

Smiles ~ Michelle

FILIGREE MOON said...

Beautiful, warm and inspiring photos. Thanks for sharing ~ Angela

Leah C said...

I'm thankful for you & your blog...so inspiring & beautiful! Gotta love that sparkle:)

Wizard of Was said...

Tracey,
You are an amazing photgrapher, writer and designer! You got it all girl...and such a very sweet on on top of that...What a package! I aways feel so comfortable coming to your blog as you are so very welcoming...thank you. I love the suttle touches of Christmas you have added thus far. Very inspiring!
Gale

Cathy said...

Oh Tracey...what beautiful inspiration!!! I love the white and all of the natural touches. I can't wait to see your tree and all of your Christmas touches!!!

Enjoy!!!
XOXO
Cathy

Diann said...

Congratulations on being so prepared you can start this early! I'm weeks away from a tree. You're pictures are making me want to get moving,though!

Auntie Cake said...

Oh, I got lost in the beauty of your pictures. Thanks for sharing. I think I need to bust into my decorations soon!
KAte

paige said...

gorgeous images
i love your taste!
one of the images is from a lady who lives here in atlanta ( or i think its her atlanta home). i loved how she placed small live trees in glass containers with burlap...totally copied her last year.
have a great time saturday
can't wait to see YOUR decor
xo

Jacqueline said...

I have the silver wreath with antique pink satin bow, saved in my pictures, ready to use nearer Christmas, and you beat me to it!! Wonderful Christmas images, Tracey. I'm a great believer in less is more when it comes to Christmas decorations.Thanks for the inspiration and I will probably add some of those little special touches to my home. XXXX

Kristin said...

What amazing photos and you've included my favorite colors. Yay! LOVE that white and silver tablescape.

The Brocantess said...

The photos are gorgeous and right up my alley in type of styling. Thank you so much for adding my blog giveaway to your post today as well!

Sheila R said...

All your lovely photos and inspirational thoughts on the season inspire me to continue to decorate for Christmas (even before Thanksgiving).

Blessings

Au Petit Paris said...

Tracey,

Where do you get these photos! They are so lovely. My favorite is the first photo with the one beneath it next. They have such a pristine and pure look too them so simple and yet so elegant.

Received my order and loved everything right down to the wrapping paper!

Kris

Tracey Leigh said...

Tracey, I sent my friend details of your website. She has the same thoughts as me. Your website is beautiful.
Tracey x

Dawn-Hydrangea Home said...

Beautiful photos. I love all of the touches of blue and even though I've never really used it in my home - I think I need that color! Have fun putting up your tree!

Cathi said...

Gorgeous pictures, Tracey...you've given me a few more decorating ideas...!

Thanks for the giveaway heads up! A fabulous way to find new wonderful blogs to read! xxoo

the wild raspberry said...

very inspiring....
and thanks for the heads up on the giveaways...i'll go check em out.
chas

Brabourne Farm said...

It's so hot here at the moment that the image of the beautiful barn and fairylights makes me feel cool just looking at it. Such a beautiful post - love every image. Leigh

Anne Marie said...

I'm not an "omg"er however.......
that second picture you posted made me skip right to the comments (will go back and read your post in a jiff) - but that is on our project list! Our dining room to be exact......with old doors and all that........

okay- have to go read now -

Les Cotrions said...

Hello Tracey! These Xmas decorations are stunning! Very inspiring!!! I love the white stocking! White Christmas is my favourite!
A nice evening to you!
Vale

Andrea - Faded Plains said...

All of those photos are so inspiring..lov'em all.

maryboys said...

such beautiful and tranquil holiday inspiration...i always love to visit your blog, tracey:)

mary

Farmgirl Paints said...

Love every single picture. My favorite though is of the church or school house. I want to do a painting of one. That was a beautiful pic.

koralee said...

I love love love all these images..white and blue so so lovely..that is my goal for this season of decorating. A big hug to you my friend for including my giveaway in your post and adding my link....I will remember to add your name 3xs..Have fun with the tree this weekend. We always put up a live tree..off to the Christmas tree farm in early Dec....if I put mine up this early it would be toast by Christmas...just can't wait!

AshleyR said...

Beautiful pics. You better be posting pics of your house once it's all gussied up for Christmas!! Hope you have a wonderful weekend my friend :)

Living It At Home said...

Beautiful images of white with touches of green. Very fresh and cozy. I am glad I saw them!

Haven't started to decorate, but I need to get on the ball. ~jamilyn

Dandy said...

How gorgeous! I always want to re do our decorations every year!

LuLu said...

Completely and utterly motivating! So much so i just want to jump into each picture and sit a bit okay wish it were my house!! LOL oh well i guess i must get busy trying to transform my home into winter wonderland! I'm hoping for our tree to be up on Saturday too.... hubby is out of town and i thought i'd surprise him when he returns!!!
xo,
LuLu

Jane said...

Beautiful inspiration photos.
I loved your thoughts about not skipping over Thanksgiving but incorporating it into the whole season of
thankfulness...wonderful thoughts!
Jane

June said...

Tracey this is a beautiful post as usual.
I feel the same way about decorating for the holidays. I am decorating for both holidays. Because my children all live a distance from me, I like them to be able to enjoy my holiday home more than just Christmas Eve, which is when they all come home for dinner. When I decorate early, they are able to see it at Thanksgiving too.
Hugs,
June

C'est Moi, Julie Marie said...

Hello Tracie... everything is just beautiful! I broke my vow and started my decorating early... I was going to wait until after Thanksgiving, but couldn't wait! Love to you... xoxo Julie Marie

The Flying Bee said...

Beautiful pics! I can not wait to see what you do! Have a great weekend, too!

xo,
Adrienne

nannykim/spindlecottage said...

Thanks for sharing these beautiful pics--they are inspirational!! I totally agree what you said about Christmas and Thanksgiving--totally agree!!

I am going out of town for a week--otherwise I would be putting my tree up too.

Country Dreaming said...

Have fun!!

Melinda

Florence said...

All those photos are so inspiring, I want to start right now, but I will wait until next weekend. Thanks for sharing. Florence

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Tracie,

I love all the delightful Christmas images you have shared today.
All the inspiration is lovely.
Enjoy decorating the tree.

Happy weekend
Hugs
Carolyn

Jerri said...

Hey g/f...the pics are making me drool but can't wait to see "real" ones of your house! Stop by and see some pictas from our little trip! Have a great weekend!

The Little Red Shop said...

Thank you, Tracey! I just love the silver bell wreath..and the green cabinet with the stars and the wee houses. I have some of those ooold houses...but not in pretty green and white! Have a beautiful Thanksgiving week...welcome to the holidays!

: )

Julie M.

C @Favourite Vintage Finds said...

Thank you for sharing these beautiful photos, I lOVE them all! Wishing you a lovely weekend. Best wishes, C :).

T said...

Those pictures are BEAUTIFUL! I can't wait to see YOUR house all done up too!

Anne~fiona and twig said...

Your inspiration file and mine could be twins!
Hugs,
Anne

My Grama's Soul said...

Tracey, Your pictures are so very beautiful. A delight for the eyes. I have to confess, I have someone put up my tree for me. I know that sounds a little much, but I have a very tall tree, and I am sure I would fall off the ladder. At my age, that would be a bad thing.

Have a beautiful weekend,

Jo

Tracy is ... Loving Pretty Things said...

Tracey - I'm SO excited to see your home all loved in Christmas spirit.

Your pictures are always inspiring, and you set the ball of christmas excitement in motion for me. The Christmas decor will start one week from today!!

Happy Thanksgiving - if I don't hear from you before!

Sending hugs to you!!! xoxoxo

a little bit vintage said...

Mmmm....such lovely pics! I LOVE Christmas decorating! Happy weekend!

Smiles,
Rachel

Queen Bee said...

Tracey - I am completely captivated with all of my lovely giveaway gifts...which came today. Merci from the bottom of my heart...I have posted pictures on my blog...it's amazing how one box made me feel so very special...Merci!

Barbara said...

Every single photo is fantastic, Tracey! I love the jingle bell wreath and the stars on the little church. I hope I can incorporate some of your ideas in my own home.
Think I should do a post (closer to Christmas) and show some of my collections.

Jo said...

The photos are so lovely! Your thoughts on the holiday season are so in line with mine this year.

Jo

BellaRosa said...

Tracey, what gorgeous inspiring pictures. I love all the whites and creams too, but this year I am doing the creams, antique golds and browns, even bronze...hope it comes out ok, see I figured this way I can just add to my fall and Thanksgiving decor :) Lazy...maybe but heres to hoping it is almost as beautiful as these pictures you shared:) Hope you will share pictures of your Xmas decor for inspiration too. Besos, Rose

BellaRosa said...

In all my excitement commenting, I forgot one of the most important things :) I wanted to thank you for your lovely and sweet comments you have left me when you visit, they truly mean the world :) Besos, Rose

Tammy said...

I too lump Thanksgiving and Christmas together as season to celebrate all things we are thankful for. I loooove Christmas and the whole spirit of giving to those we love and whom are less fortunate than ourselves. It makes my heart swell. I am so glad I stumbled onto your blog from another. It is pretty and full of inspiration. Come by and say hello sometime. I am now a happy follower of yours.
Have a lovely weekend,
Tammy

krys kirkpatrick said...

Tracy, beautiful post. It made me take a big sigh and just remember...thankfulness is really what it is all about. lovely. krys

BellaColle' said...

Ahh yes..well said! Jesus has given our family so much to be thankful for...
Beautiful pics!! one day I will have more white rooms... I think the white mixed with natural greenery is so crips and fresh! loooove it.
Hope you and your family have a most excellent and Blessed Thanksgiving!
OX
~Christine

Lisa said...

So so beautiful! There is nothing else to say, when those images cause you to catch your breath!

Lisa

Brayton Homestead Interiors said...

oh how lovely. now I am inspired and ready for Christmas, have not even begun to decorate yet. lovely blog...
Karen

Jen R. said...

Wonderful and great inspiration!
Congrats on Romantic Homes. I saw it today! ;) Jen

Reflections from the Stone Nest said...

Thanks for the "beautiful" inspiration, Tracey. Love those pictures. I remember seeing quite a few of them, and am so glad to revisit. I think my favorite is the barn with the stars. Just love that photo.

Thanks for sharing,
Kitty

Elzė said...

Beautiful! Really inspiring..