Monday, December 22, 2008

Holiday Homes Tour 2008 (I'm in it for the kettle corn)

When Jen first suggested that we throw a virtual open house to show off our Christmas decorating, I was a bit dubious, but threats gentle persuasion worked, so, please, come on in and help yourself to some virtual eggnog and virtual Christmas cookies. They're very good.

First, here is the external decor:


I'd like to say I'm responsible for the lovely snowy look, but I have to give credit to my exterior decorators. Perhaps you've heard of them: Mother Nature and Old Man Winter?

Wait, I did do the elf on the door:

Come on in. Now we're in the front hall and looking at the bookcase, which is usually in the living room, but makes its annual pilgrimage to the hall to make way for the tree. These stuffed animal ornaments are usually hung on the tree, but it's a smaller tree this year, so they are sitting up here to greet guests.

(Sorry for the darkness of the photos, I was taking them without the flash, as the flash was making everything look all washed out. Photography is not one of my many talents. Unlike, say, Microsoft Paint.)

Here is where the stockings hang:

Yeah, my colour palette in the living room is more suited to Halloween than Christmas, but what are you gonna do? Here are some close ups of things on the mantle.

The Nativity Scene. As is traditional around here, one of the shepherds needed his feet glued on again.



Here is my Mexican Nativity Scene, a Christmas gift from my friend Evelyn when we were in San Diego together. I love that it has a llama in it.


Here is the Christmas village my mum gave me this summer:



And finally, the tree:



So, thank you all for coming, it was lovely to have you over. Don't forget your gloves, it's cold out there. Bye!

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Die, tiny ceramic humans! Feel the sting of my paw! I will bat you all over the edge of the abyss! I will crush the one you call Claus beneath the raw power of my glutes. Bring me tuna or face the annihilation of all you hold precious.

(Merry Christmas from the Evil Ninja Assassin Cat.)

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Head on over to Jen's for links to other blogs holding open houses today.


23 comments:

  1. A holiday open house. That's such a cute idea!

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  2. Love the evil giant cat! And also the Mexican nativity set.

    Merry Christmas!

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  3. Anonymous9:56 AM

    Everything is so fun and festive and totally filled with your fabulous sense of humor.

    The Evil Ninja Assassin Cat was a nice touch.

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  4. I like the llama. Merry Christmas!

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  5. I like seeing nativity scenes from other countries - yours is lovely!

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  6. I'm loving the llama and the cat just finishes everything off nicely.

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  7. I wish I had a fireplace. A real honest to goodness fireplace. Gas or electric just don't have the same appeal, but desparate times...

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  9. Who knew you could put llamas i na nativity scene? Giant Evil Cats?..We got'em too!
    Thank you for inviting us in out of the cold to tour your home, the eggnog was fab..No calories right?
    Merry Christmas!

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  10. Anonymous12:45 PM

    Nice ! Looks real Christmassy!! Good job with the decorating.

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  11. I move a lot of stuff, but a bookcase? That is dedication to the decorations. It's all lovely.

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  12. Anonymous2:25 PM

    You are one of the village people! I adore villages--I covet them--I have no place to display one, but always enjoy those that others have. Pretty house.

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  13. I love it!! Can you please come to my house and make it look remotely festive?? Please???
    I already have the snow, so no need to bring me more.

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  14. Your house is a very very fine house indeed. I love the Mexican Nativity set. Thanks for letting us in. You are right, it is cold out here.

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  15. Very nice, even the evil ninja assassin cat! Thanks for opening your house to us.

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  16. Anonymous7:38 AM

    oh I love this idea. I must do this when I get home or soon...

    The Boy has a great appreciation for the cat. I have visions of all these itty bitty people running away and the cat prepares to sit down.

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  17. oooh, i'm gonna do this...when i have time (sob) when i have time.....

    this totally made me laugh out loud...thanks for the giggles!

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  18. Merry Christmas!!! Love your decorations and your bah humbug cat!

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  19. lol!!! merry christmas!

    my cats chew on the fake garland/trees and it drives me insane. Well, just as we are opening presents this morning the cat falls off the upper hall railing (mid-chew) down to the main floor. That'll teach her!

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  20. A very merry Christmas to you and yours Alison.

    André, Papa le Chat and Big Purr all have asked me to pass along a"hail to the Evil Ninja Cat". (I think they _were_ conspiring. Now they're lolling about, stoned, from the cat nip mice Santa left them!)

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  21. Anonymous8:25 PM

    Our cats have recently discovered how to hide in plain sight while napping beneath the Christmas tree. It's warm and soft and there's plenty of "tree water" to drink if they get thirsty. (Yuck!).

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  22. What a nice idea! I love the elf! And what a decent nativity scene ;)

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