The simple pleasures of home shine brighter
when the spirit of God intertwines our hearts
with His gentle Joy.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Progressive Christmas Brunch ~ Home Tour 2012!

What a precious memory of
fellowship sweet  shared at our first
Progressive Christmas Brunch ~
                                      Home Tour 2012 !

 
 
Seven Christian ladies,
from various denominations and backgrounds,
shared in this first progression of touring four individual homes.
 
Our FIRST stop was a newly completed home this Summer !
Barbara and Sam's first Christmas in their new home. . .
and what memories are already being made !
 
 
 
Just inside the entry. . .
the star of the Christmas decor is this massive Christmas Tree
all decked out in Traditional reds, silvers and whites !
 
 
 
 

Love this vignette on the console table
behind the upper level sofa !




Barbara told us this is husband Sam on the mantle. . .
I did see a vague resemblance.




The lower level Christmas Tree 
done in Pink Boas and Shabby Chic decor
is to delight granddaughter, Sheridan !
I was delighted with the two huge cupcake ornaments ! ! !




Hard to contain my excitement,
I do apologize for the blur in this photo. . .
I loved the white and lights on the mantle !




Our tour of Barbara's lovely home ended in the breakfast area.
Isn't this double fireplace gorgeous ? ? ?




The stockings for she and Sam
hung with such elegance and care! ! !

 
 
 
Such a festive beginning to our Brunch. . .
fresh fruit, quiche, pinwheels, juice, choice of flavored coffees and
barbecue smoky sausage links were
enjoyed following our hostess prayer
for renewed and developing friendships.
Conversation and laughter flowed freely
around the formal dining room table.
 
 
A quick clean ~up,
then all piled into my SUV and proceeded NORTH ! 
Following Barbara's directions,
we arrived safely to our SECOND stop of the tour.
 
 
 
 

I  L O V E  bunnies ! ! !
Look at this adorable bunny
in Julie's formal dining room centerpiece !
Isn't he just a d o r a b l e
with all his natural elements surrounding him ?
Apples, antlers, pine boughs and pine cones
with miniature battery lights to illuminate
that sweet facial expression !




Appears that Santa has arrived early
for husband Chuck, Chantelle, Chase, and Brooke.
Julie's gorgeous tree
decorated in Traditional reds, greens and golds
and loaded with festively wrapped packages,
reminded me I have a bit of Christmas Shopping to finish!



 
 
This warm burning fire
doesn't concern Julie's SNOWmen one bit !
The fireplace combined with the
warm smiles on the SNOWmens faces melted my heart.
 
 
 
 
White pearl lights
give a luminous glow to this all white
Nativity Scene in Julie's Master Bedroom.
 
 
All too quickly our time at Julie's lovely home passed.
Living within the same housing development,
our short drive to the end of the cul~de~sac
brought us to our THIRD stop on our Home Tour.
 
 
 
 
The woodland scenery at the end of the cul ~ de~ sac
sets the perfect ambiance for Linda's woodland home decor!
Isn't this antler wreath, made by Linda's talented husband, Bud,
amazing ! ! ! Perfect welcome for her rustic luxe decor !
 
 
 
 
As part of this talented, creative duo,
Linda made the wreath above her mantle.
All handmade, she has the most luscious, poofy bows
throughout her home !
 
 
 
 
I adored the red and gold tartan plaid
shown here in the ornaments and bows
of Linda's Rustic Luxe Traditional theme !
 
 
 
 
Julie and Linda combined the second portion
of our Progressive Christmas Brunch !
Shrimp cocktail, creamy vegetable soup,
cheese, egg and sausage breakfast casserole
with Pumpkin Spice Coffee or Mulled Apple Cider.
The most angelic singing of Silent Night
from all before our meal, follwed by sharing and laughter
as we lingered around the table in Linda's breakfast room.
 
 
After deciding who would ride with whom,
Barbara graciously agreed to ride with me.
Our 1970's Ranch Style Home is the  FINAL stop of our tour !
 
 
 
 
Arriving On Crooked Creek,
we were greeted by lighted candles, brewing coffee and tea
compliments of "Mr. Ed's" help with the festivities !
 
 
 
 
In keeping with the Reason for the Season,
our guests are greeted with Angels We Have Heard On High !
 
 
 
 
An angel topper keeps watch over us from above
our Traditional Christmas Tree done in reds, greens and golds.
Pressed gently into each fir branch are faux fruit clusters.
To help disguise the perils of being 5o years old,
sage green embossed ribbon discreetly fills in voided spaces.
 
 


On Crooked Creek wreaths in the windows
and wall pockets are adorned in Christmas greenery.



 
 
While the Vintage Christmas Tree may be the Star of our Living Room, it is our Hummel Nativity Scene and Flight Into Egypt figurines sitting atop our vintage sewing machine cabinet that truly is the focal point.
(Look for a special Christmas Eve post featuring this Nativity Scene!)
 
 



 
 
Delightful Gingerbreads fill the built~in buffet and hutch. 
The Gingerbread Tree filling the half~basket bridges
the link from living and dining room.


 
 
 
 
 
 
Moving into the dining area,
our buffet and hutch are adorned in Traditional
reds and silver.
 
 
 
 
 Christmas pillows, made in August using vintage buttons,
now adorn our vintage Farmhouse dining room chairs !
 
 


 
This simply decorated chandelier
above our dining room table was the most photographed
decor throughout the tour.
 
 
 
 
Moving to the lower level,
where all family celebrations take place On Crooked Creek,
all were in awe of the Luxe Lodge Tree.
 
 
 
 
Bronze and gold ornaments combine with
natural twig orbs, pine cones, branches and pheasant feathers.
Burlap ribbon cascades from top to bottom
and is tied into a pooky bow at the top.
A miniature redware NOEL ornament
repeats the favorite Christmas saying On Crooked Creek !
 
 
 
 
The Luxe Lodge theme
is carried to the hearth On Crooked Creek.
 
 

 
 
O~ohs and a~ahs were heard among the ladies as they viewed our
 
 
 
 
 As we sat around the festive table to share a dessert of
Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting,
Dunkin' Donuts Coffee and Raspberry Tea,
again there was merriment of conversation and laughter !
 
 
 
As our Progressive Christmas Brunch ~
Home Tour 2012 lingered far into the afternoon hours,
finally the time had come for good~byes.
 
 
 
 
Though each home was diverse in design,
the common thread woven throughout
is the deep underlying FAITH displayed by all !
 
 

 Until next time. . .

3 comments:

Pat@BPM said...

The homes are beautiful. Looks like a perfectly wonderful day!

Anonymous said...

Pat I would so love to do a Progressive home tour one of these days! I love seeing all the different styles people use- even frogs in Christmas get up!

Thank you for the tour! Which I could have been there for dessert- my favorite meal!

bee blessed
mary

Pinky at Designs by Pinky said...

OK, I am convinced. I am going to organize a progressive home tour next year here in our new neighborhood. This is a wonderful idea. All of the homes looked beautiful. I LOOOOVED that antler wreath. Just fabulous. It is such fun to see how others decorate AND enjoy such wonderful food and fellowship. Thanks so much for sharing. XO, Pinky