Sunday, November 22, 2009

Wonder and joy...







Ahhh...the look of pure wonder on a child's face as they gaze at the Christmas tree...to me, it's pure joy! At our house, we call it the magic of Christmas...






And so it began on Saturday, with Christmas music playing and spiced cider warming on the stove top...the Christmas tree went up and little bits of Christmas cheer started to appear (hee, hee that rhymes...yes I know I'm no poet)...








...a little sparkle on the mantel...





the tree...




Yep...this picture I shot thru a mirror!






I'm not done by any means, but it's getting there...I like to keep things fairly simple...with touches that feel warm and festive! I'll keep working as the week goes on and hopefully be done by Thanksgiving...then I will be able to enjoy the long weekend with family and friends!

My kids are home from school all week, so we have a few craft projects planned...if any of them turn out, I'll be back later in the week with some pics :)



My most heartfelt thank you to all of you for coming to my little blog every week with all of your joy!!!

Blessings to you and enjoy your week!


Tracey


71 comments:

Sandi said...

Just beautiful Tracey! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Blessings~

mari said...

looks like a beautiful beginning!

Simply Me Art said...

There is nothing better than Christmas through a child's eyes. Beautiful Tracey. xo

Lori said...

Loving these shots Tracey ~ especially the ones of the kiddies. It is a season of wonder and joy ~ I hope you have a fabulous Thanksgiving and I love coming to visit you!

Natasha said...

What a beautiful and joyful post! Your tree is truly stunning and your decorations are so elegant. Thanks for posting such magical pictures.
Blessings and best wishes, Natasha.

*The Beautiful Life* said...

Pretty, pretty!! :)

I meant to start this weekend, but... :)

Your children are adorable!!

Have a great week with them and Happy
Thanksgiviing!!

Ruth

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Tracey,

Your photos are beautiful and what precious little ones you have.
Christmas is such a magical time and just the look on the little faces, says it all.
Your tree and decorations are lovely.
Have a wonderful thanksgiving and great time with the children home and doing your craft projects.

Hugs
Carolyn

Rose ~Victorian Rose ~ said...

Soft, beautiful, darling, festive, sweet...You are indeed getting it together.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Rose
http://delightfulclutter.blogspot.com/

Cathy said...

Love the sweet little faces!!!

Your Christmas decor is gorgeous...love it!!!

Happy Sunday!!!
XOXO
Cathy

FILIGREE MOON said...

Beautiful photos, especially the children! Sweet! ~ Angelamor

Jackie said...

Beautiful pictures! We were just watching video of our babies at Christmas when they were little - so magical (now they're 15,12 and 10) - still fun, but different. Enjoy your sweet babies!!

T said...

It's all looking so beautiful! I love how bright, yet calm your home looks. I hope you get it all finished. I finally finished and now I need to clean top to bottom to get ready for company on Thanksgiving!

undomestic chica said...

Your tree is gorgous!

koralee said...

Everything looks amazing...I have not even started yet...this coming week if all goes well. I love your tree...so beautiful.

Emilie M. Paper's said...

Tracey,
Everything looks so wonderful and the pics of the children soooo sweet...I'm excited to get my prize in the mail aka my cloche...Have a wonderfully Blessed Thanksgivivng Emile

The Little Red Shop said...

God Bless You! Have a beautiful Thanksgiving week!

: )

Julie M.

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

So excited for next weekend - we'll be doing the same thing (oh, to find a Christmas tree lot might be a challenge, but we'll make it work!)!

Your photos just went into my personal files for Christmas inspiration. LOVE your photos - I MUST see your house someday! (and I'm thinking it needs to be Christmastime!!)

Tidings of comfort and joy!!

xoxo

Jeni said...

What beautiful little faces. I love how excited the little ones get. Your home is stunning. Now I can't wait to see more.

Laura said...

May we all see the wonder of Christmas through the eyes of a child this holiday season! Your home is beautiful, the tree is perfect and those children are dear! Happy Thanksgiving!
:) Laura

Les Cotrions said...

Waw Tracey! Your Xmas tree is stunning and your children are wonderful! I adore this post! That's the true spirit of Christmas!
Happy new week!
Vale

Martha said...

What beautiful pictures Tracey! I just love them...so sweet and beautiful faces! Enjoy your Thanksgiving...and your tree looks wonderful!

Theresa @ 612Riverside said...

What sweet pictures, you really captured the essence of Christmas with them. Happy Thanksgiving! ~ Theresa

Gypsy Brocante said...

Everything looks amazing! ... very peaceful, calm and inviting. The kids look as sweet as sugar plums!!

Such inspiration ... I guess I should get started ...

xo
Jill

Suzann @ The Olive Cottage said...

beautiful!

Chrissy said...

Another lovely post...your kids are lovely too!!! I miss those days,enjoy every moment cause they grow up soooo fast...our son Jess starts applying to Police Dept.after Christmas and our little girl Meg is in university!!!!AHHHH I am getting old.....have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family,our is long over but I am looking forward to Christmas...and my magazine(I am driving my entire family crazy talking about it) Talk to you soon,Chrissy

C'est Moi, Julie Marie said...

Hello Tracey, everything looks so pretty, I am excited to see the rest of what you do! Your little ones are adorable, have fun with them this week doing crafts... Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family... Bisous... Julie Marie

Jane said...

Everything looks beautiful. I love the timeless simplicity that you have achieved.
Thanks for sharing your photos.

Shawn Seay said...

Your home looks so peaceful and serene. I always love your pictures!
Blessings,
Shawn

Kasey said...

it looks fabulous tracey...and do is spy some red in the tree?
xo

Farmgirl Paints said...

So pretty! Oh and the look of joy and awe on your daughters face...priceless:)

littlebyrd said...

I love how excited kids get at Christmas!!! I'm a little jealous you already have your tree ;) It looks wonderful. Happy Thanksgiving!

Flower Patch Farmgirl said...

Uh-oh...you're putting me in The Mood. Your pics are divine!

Meg said...

I'm glad I wasn't the only one that put a tree up this weekend :) Your home looks wonderful! And I love your mantle with the mercury glass and such - awesome! I hope you have a fabulous week.

hugs,
Meg

Suzann @ The Olive Cottage said...

Thanks so much for visiting my blog and your sweet comments today. According to your profile, we're neighbors!

Leah C said...

Oh it all looks so festive and lovely...especially love all the sparkling mercury glass! But, I agree, the pure magic of Christmas is our children. Their wonder, joy & excitement is contagious, too:) I hope you & your family have a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving, Tracey!

June said...

Tracey you've created real magic at your house. Esp.those beautiful children!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Hugs,
June

The Vintage Modern Girl said...

Tracey,
What a lovely post! Your kids are adorable and your Christmas-y home is just gorgeous!! Love your sparkling mercury glass!!

Alicia

Wendy said...

Everything looks beautiful! Truly stunning. Ü

Anonymous said...

So pretty already!

--Vicki K

Karyn Bernard (French Charming) said...

Hi Tracey,

Lovely pics and the best thing about Christmas is seeing the look of wonderment on the faces of sweet children!

Your tree is spectacular!!

Have a lovely week and sending Thanksgiving wishes your way!

Love and hugs,
Karyn

Mary said...

Love it all...the tree, the chandelier...but especially the chubby cheeks on your little cutie! ~mary~

My Grama's Soul said...

Hi Tracey - your pics are simply beautiful, and your children - oh my!!! That is truly what the holidays are all about.

Enjoy every minute of them!

Happy Thanksgiving,

Jo

Diann said...

Lucky you with little ones around. My kids are all big..still fun, just not the same. You've got me more and more likely to use that white paint I've always been afraid of!!

Julia said...

Adorable children! And your tree is gorgeous!

Country Dreaming said...

Looking good-the tree is beautiful.
Have a woderful Thansgiving holiday!

Melinda

traci said...

wow tracey. it looks absolutely beautiful. i am hoping to start sometime this week. see you tomorrow.

a little bit vintage said...

SO pretty Tracey!!! I started decorating over the weekend. I still need to make some things...and shop for things. :)

Smiles,
rachel

Jacqueline said...

I love your decorations, Tracey. You have kept it simple which is so stylish and, of course you have wonderful taste. Anyone who likes Jeanne D'arc has taste, in my book !!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. We don't celebrate Thanksgiving in the U.K. but I am very thankful for everything that I have. XXXX

Barbara said...

Lovely, Tracey! You have such smashing taste!
We're not going to start decorating until after Thanksgiving....but I have lots of Christmas spirit already (even though it was 85° today) just reading your blog and looking at your photos!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Au Petit Paris said...

Tracey,

What delightful kiddos! So cute!. I haven't started decorating yet but hope to right after Thanksgiving. Our grandkids are home all week as well and we are watching them.

So pretty!

Kris

Jen R. said...

You tree is so pretty! What a fun and magical thing for your kids!

Cathi said...

Just beautiful, Tracey! Have a wonderful week with your family!

Jenni @ nest to keep said...

Hi Tracey,
I just came over from Sanctuary Arts at Home, and love your blog! This is a beautiful post! Love all of the pictures! :)

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! :)

Blessings,
Jenni

BellaRosa said...

Tracey, your children are beautiful! I think your home and Christmas decorations are really gorgeous! Thank you for sharing :) I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with the love of family, friends, good food and lots of laughter as were are reminded of cherished memories of those not with us this year :) Besos, Rose

Firefly Hill said...

Happy Thanksgiving Tracey!

xo,

annie

Elin said...

Just lovely and beautiful... i really like your christmas tree...
and as always, lovely pictures...

Many warm hugs
Elin

LuLu & Co. said...

Tracey, Your home looks like a winter wonderland! Elegant, calm, cozy... I'd be over in a heart beat to have a cup of hot cider! Your decor has boosted my mood to get it into gear and decorate... I just love this time of year and peeking into your home was such a treat... be sure to show us more when or if you add!
Happy Thanksgiving to You and your sweet family,
xo,
LuLu

Queen Bee said...

Tracey -

I enjoy your blog...every photo and every word...The tree is lovely and the children adorable...magic indeed! Heartfelt wishes of a wonderous holiday to you and those you love...

red.neck chic said...

Oh my goodness - that is so lovely!!! And your children are just gorgeous too!!!

I can't wait to see what else you have up your sleeve!!!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!
;-) Robelyn

Gretchen said...

Tracey,
Your house looks dreamy! I can't wait to put up our tree this weekend.
Have a happy Thanksgiving,
Gretchen

Cheryl ~ Casual Cottage Chic said...

Many Blessings Tracey!

Torie Jayne said...

It all looks so wonderful! Have a sweet day!

BELDECOR by Bine said...

Oh Tracy your children are sooo cute, i can imagine that this time of your is wonderful for them.

But I'm wondering a little bit, is it usual in USA to get out the tree at this time ? Here in Germany it will be instaled to Christmas eve and remove it until Epiphany.
It' so interesting to learn about the diffent traditions in several countrys, isn't it?
Enjoy this wonderful time
xxx Bine

farmhouse wares said...

Your tree looks gorgeous. I just love how the kids light up. You're making me want to put mine up now. Peace and Happy Thanksgiving.

becky up the hill said...

Your blog has given me a kick in the pants to get going on my Christmas decorating. Also your pictures are beautiful and restful.

{kara} said...

thanks for coming by my blog and leaving Thanksgiving wishes! I just love your blog and am so thankful for the inspiration you bring me! Have a wonderful thanksgiving and a great time as you start to enjoy the holiday season!
xo
kara

Anne~fiona and twig said...

Those pictures are just gorgeous, especially the ones with the precious kiddos.
I love the shot through the mirror, too!
Just wanted you to know that I am thankful for your blog and your friendship...Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Anne

Gypsy Purple said...

Wishing you a blessed and happy Thanksgiving

Wendy said...

I am so happy I found my way to your blog this morning!
I love your decorating and writing style!
I grabbed your button and will post on my blog.
Thank you for the inspirtation!

paperbird said...

Such sweet faces and I love your photograph shot through a mirror. You have inspired me to start my Christmas decorating :)

I hope you and your sweet family had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Sarah said...

Incredible! Your photos are amazing! Thanks for sharing a peek into your home. I've added myself as a follower to your beautiful blog. I look forward to many visits. ~ Sarah