Monday, January 3, 2011

The After-Christmas-Lull

I usually experience that 'after-Christmas-lull', when after all the hectic preparations, and after all the activity, you breathe a sigh of relief, enjoy the lull after Christmas and the New Year and sit and savor the memories. Well, I am sitting and savoring memories, but I really didn't feel that any preparations were hectic this year, whatever I didn't get done I just resolved that it didn't need to be done, and since our extended family has been doing 'Secret Santa' gifts for the past few years, we don't have the pressure of shopping for and wrapping gifts for tons of people anymore. So I have thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this Holy Season.

I also have enjoyed getting to know each one of you better over the year, and I've even met a few new bloggers. And although quite a few bloggers have 'dropped off the radar', I am I hoping that this year they will return at least once in awhile to fill us in on their 'going-ons'!

Anyway, I thought maybe some of you might need a 'lull' right about now, so I'd like to return the favor that so many of you have been kind enough to extend to me this past year. I have been hosted by so many bloggers and treated to so many wonderful things. You have invited me into your homes and your lives either through picture posts, or the pictures you've painted in my mind through your words.
I have been spending some time in your kitchens as you share delicious recipes, I've peeked in on your home renovations and house projects, I've loved seeing the 'before and after' pictures, I've sat in your living rooms and have enjoyed time next to a crackling fire, I've admired your Christmas decorations and your decorating style. I've enjoyed your thrift finds and the many ways you choose to use and display them, I've seen your beautiful gardens and woods, I've gotten to enjoy some fabulous tablescapes, and I've come away with many good ideas! You've taken me along on your various travels, I've seen so many sights, and have gotten to enjoy so many new experiences, and I've even gotten to move to a new home with you! I've been to so many of your parties and family gatherings, and I've joined in your celebrations, and I've gotten to watch your children and grandchildren grow.
Oh, and I almost forgot ~ I've even gotten to have a nice, long soak in your tub!

We've talked about so many things: Faith, and home, and family, and friends, loved ones still here, and those that have passed. We've reminisced, we've shared plans for our future, we've supported each other through rough times, and we've celebrated the good times with each other.
It's been a year of friendship I will treasure, and I look forward to another year of visiting with each other.

But for now, during the lull, I'm inviting you into my home:



Come right this way ~



Up this path ~



And then up these steps ~



To the front door ~


Don't bother to knock, just open the door and let yourself in ~




Here some of Jayden's Christmas art work will welcome you ~




Come on into the hall ~


And pass through the dining room ~


(We don't have fine furnishings, in fact, most of our furniture is old, used, second-hand, and there are even a few pieces that have been rescued from other people's garbage.)


And now through the living room ~

(Yes, all our decorations are still up. Last year I took them down before 'Little Christmas' and I got lots of complaints from some family members, so this year they will stay put until Epiphany.)

And come around back to the kitchen ~




We can sit here at the counter ~

My favorite place to sit and snack!

(This little table in the foreground was picked from the garbage, and the little chair was given to us by a friend when her family was cleaning out her grandmother's house, these are two favorite pieces of furniture!)

We can enjoy a few slices of olive bread and brown bread dipped in guinness reduction ~



With a glass of wine ~

Red for you? Or white?


(I've read that Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio are not considered very good wines by wine connoisseurs, in fact I think they are labeled as 'underwhelming' by wine connoisseurs, and they've also been called "Davy Crockett" wine by some. I am not a wine connoisseur, a fine bottle of wine would be wasted on me. And I LOVE Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio!)


Or would you rather enjoy a Guinness?!

(I also love a really cold glass of beer, but it has to be ice cold, and if it's bottled beer, I prefer to skip the glass and drink it right from the bottle!)


Or if you are visiting in the early morning, we can have a cup of tea and some delicious pumpkin bread my sister made, along with some left-over Christmas cookies ~




We can sit awhile, just we two, and you can tell me about your latest adventures. Fill me in on your Christmas, on your family and your friends, tell me about the past year and your plans for this new one.

10 comments:

  1. Thankyou Eileen for inviting me into your home. I feel very comfortable and welcome. I can feel the beauty and the love that lives here. My virtual visit has been a blessing!!! ((((HUGS))) T

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  2. G'day Eileen ~ What a beautiful home ... NEW & IN isn't always the warmest & most inviting, yours is!!

    I have so enjoyed our visit & chat, you are a wonderful hostess ... the charming kid-lings creations are a joy to see.

    Pop over for our lovely CSN GIVEAWAY!

    Have a beautiful New Year ~
    TTFN ~
    Hugs, Marydon

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  3. Beautiful Eileen and comforting seeing Jayden's art work and your sister's baking plus your "finds" of furniture. I think you realize and understand what makes a house a home....Hugs

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  4. What a lovely visit!!! Thank you for the invitation!!! It's always grand to stop by your house for a wonderful respite!!! Wishing you well! Cathy

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  5. Very lovely, warm and welcoming visit, Eileen. Thanks for the wine and bread, it was delicious!

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  6. This was such cozy warm post that I almost felt like I could jump right into those pictures and sit and chat for awhile. You are so inviting! Your home is filled with charm and love. Very obviously so.

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  7. Loved your post Eileen! I'm sorry it took me so long to get over here. You have a beautiful home. It's very warm and inviting. I love how you put up little JAayden's art work :>)We always do simple Christmases now, like you, and I find the season much more enjoyable. I think it's what God meant it to be. I have enjoyed blogging with you so much. I hope you and your family are blessed with all things possible this coming year and always.

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  8. This is a lovely, warm, generous post, just like you are. I loved walking from the outside walkway through the door into your charming and cozy home. I would be comfortable there and I would love some tea and pumpkin bread. Thank you.

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  9. Blush. I KNOW I'm late. Only on a blog post could I still see your wonderful home decked out for Christmas on January 10th. I THINK you've even "wrapped" your coffee table, haven't you? I'm hoping you might have some frozen pumpkin bread to pull out...I'm sure you ran out of the loaf you were offering a week ago...

    I must not be an official follower. Your new posts don't show on my "reader". I'll take care of that as soon as I say "good-bye".

    When I get more energetic, I might do a "welcome to our home tour", too. I really liked this post :)

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  10. What a sweet post!! What a cozy, welcoming, lovely charming home you have..I enjoyed your tour SO much:) I would love to sit and have some coffee with you..What fun it would be:)
    I'm just hoping for the energy to take my tree down soon. It may be a winter snowman tree again this year:)
    Love you!!! Jerelene

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