Many, many thanks for your kind words about our new home in the previous post! Tom and I read your comments together, and we’re very appreciative of them. Thank you for taking the time to wish us well. A tour of the interiors as well as an update very soon – work has already begun!

In the meantime, the DC area had its first snowfall this week. Does it get any more magical and wondrous than the first snowfall? It always inspires us to start the holiday decorations. This season we are keeping our home very simple as we’re a bit busy.

How about you? Have you started decorating? And have you found that perfect tree? Our woodland tree came from a friend’s property outside of Belfast, Maine. Don’t laugh when you see the little *Charlie Brown* tree 🙂

From our home to yours, much warmth and good cheers for a wonderful holiday season!
Loi

The first snowfall in December – a lovely way to start the holiday season!
A plump robin enjoying a bit of sunshine between snowfalls. After the snow, a wintery ice storm coated the gardens in glistening ice.
It’s freezing so let us go inside! In the dining room, pomegranates and red nandina berries in an antique ironstone tureen add a splash of seasonal color. The marble top console will soon get fresh green ferns.
Gilded zinc stars from Restoration Hardware are a patriotic way to jazz up the antique eagle sconces in the living room.
   Back on display for Christmas is the antique mercury glass collection. Also the popular and frequently pinned (on Pinterest) bleached pine cones which I shared last year. Read about the mercury glass and pine cones here.
 Also in the living room, giant ornaments from Pottery Barn bring festive flair to the pair of French urns.
 And now our woodland tree from Maine! Yes, it is fully decorated, and no, I didn’t prune it 🙂 Because the tree was growing in dappled shade, it is naturally sparse. I wanted an airy tree with minimal decorations inspired by nature…..a simple tree that breathes.
I was inspired by Steve’s gorgeous woodland tree last year – check it out here!! The little birds came from Merriefield Garden Center, the quail eggs from eBay, and the nests from Michaels. To make the nests pop, I added bright green moss.
In lieu of light strings, votive candles illuminate the tree. Pine cones and burlap continue the natural theme.
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!