Getting Into The Christmas Spirit ...Why Not?

 

When it comes to decorating for the holidays here at Mavrik Lane, I don't do anything special for Thanksgiving ...never have.  The meal pretty much does all the decorating for our family table.

Although I have cut-back a great deal on decorating for Christmas, I do love to decorate for this holiday and start putting a few choice decorations out before Thanksgiving day. 

 

I say... to each their own.  Start your own traditions.  Spread the joy when and as much as possible.

A trip down memory lane in Holland

Started doing some extra, deep cleaning around the house to get ready for guests for the holidays and to make room for decorating for Christmas.  I found something I forgot I had.

Brought back lots of great and grateful memories while living in The Netherlands.

Jan

Linked to:
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My Romantic Home

Such a pleasure to share the special memories with the ones we love. . .

Happy Halloween 2013



Happy Halloween!

Come visit me at WhereWomenBlog.com

Visit Where Women Blog

I Have Returned From Hibernation

 

Though I seek to create a calm and soothing environment...

sometimes I remain too busy to enjoy my world.

 

I've been away, but I have returned from my blogging hibernation.
I've been working hard on my new business venture these past months and finally squeezed out some time to blog here at Mavrik Lane again.
I've certainly missed visiting all the bloggers, but I'm catching up on the news now.

Unfortunately, while working on other things ...my blogging computer died and along with it several of my photos were lost.  I certainly look forward to sharing new ones with you soon though.

Simplifying and Liberating

There is such a feeling of being liberated after deciding to simplify.

Taking a simple break to breathe

Oh how thankful I am for a moment to sit and just breathe.

Do you too long for simplicity after the Christmas holidays?

It is so bitter cold out, but you wouldn't know it by looking at the sprigs of lavendar that I cut today.

The plant is still so beautiful and fragrant ...I wasn't expecting that.

Enjoy your weekend!

Jan

A dusting of snow and then...

The wind howled ...darting this way and that all around our villa leaving behind a beautiful dusting of snow.
Then the snow melted and these appeared...

these beautiful geese.  Didn't see any last year, but this year they are BIG and hungry!

Christmas Tour 2012

Christmas is for creating memories...

Starting and keeping traditions...

For hugs and gifts from Santa...

And no matter where you roam ... a place to call home!

Resources:  Photography by Jan @ BellaCasa, TheBellaCasaBlog.com

Merry Christmas 2012

It is beginning to feel like Christmas

In honor of those who have served, sacrificed, and supported a Veteran.

To my loving husband.

~Jan

yard art in the garden

Well I took a walk through my tiny garden today ...wanted to capture some of the last color out there before it disappears for the year.

Hope you enjoy the yard art from my garden.

Participating at ::

French Country Cottage for

Feathered Nest Friday

he was just hanging around... I took him home

I really didn't plan to spend any money on Halloween decorations this year, but he was just so darn cute!

There he was just hanging around all by himself. . .

he waved and even tried to wink, but without eyeballs...

Anyway, since he was the only skeleton left on the shelf and he was 50% off, I bought him and took him home for my...

front door.

You could tell that he'd been hanging around for awhile...

Sometimes the simpliest of things can make such a big difference.

Participating at ::

Savy Southern Style for

Wow Us Wednesday

antique dutch window screen

I love my antique dutch window screen.

I placed it in a window in my Sun Room to help filter the sunlight on the plants there.

The dutch use these screens in their windows ...just as I have here.

I bought this screen while living in Holland and it is one of the many treasures I cherish from that time in my life.

When I look at it ...it reminds me of my time in The Netherlands.  My home there, the friends I made, the traditions ...all wonderful memories.

Participating At ::

Primp Junktion for

Primp Your Stuff Wednesday

::

Katherines Corner for

Thursday Favorite Things

::

 French Country Cottage for

Feathered Nest Friday

::

Common Ground for

Vintage Inspiration

::

My Romantic Home for

Show and Tell Friday

The wonder of all the bright and colorful leaves is so stunning this time of year and to think ...all one has to do is drive or take a walk to admire it ...fabulous!

Bring those colors inside for an easy way to decorate for the Fall.

Living is Joy enough

Wow ...it has been a busy, busy last few months and I am so very grateful for each and every one of those months.

Since the repainting of the paneling in the downstairs of my home last month, I haven't been able to get much re-decorating done.  I've been wrapped up with other projects, but I'm not complaining.  Each and every project I worked on turned out to be a labor of love.  Being able to give back to others ...the smile it put on their faces made me realize my house could wait just a bit longer.

I was able to get my pot rack hung.  Today I show you a sneak peak ...primarily of my Italian bowl that is filled with apples at the moment.

I hope you...

Find ecstasy in life; the mere sense of living is joy enough

~Emily Dickenson

~Jan

Summer Time At BellaCasa

Yesterday I posted about one part of my Living Room redo that you can see here in case you missed it.
The other side of the room is where the focal point and fireplace wall is located.
During the warmer months of the year, we close-up the fireplace and use it for extra seating.  I added large coordinating pillows to the seating area and then pulled our antique table up to the hearth.  The table is on wheels which makes it easy to move about the room to be used in so many ways.

 The fireplace wall is the wall directly opposite the entrance into the Living Room which makes it a great focal point.

The room is meant to be warm and welcoming ...a room that beacones you inside ...a comfortable and enjoyable place where you can relax and be entertained.
~Jan @ BellaCasa

Joining:

WOW US WEDNESDAYS @ Savvy Southern Style

TRANSFORMATION THURSDAY @ The Shabby Creek Cottage

Tea Time

The house is coming back together {slowly ...by choice} after the painting was completed.
I deliberately decided to take my time getting the things downstairs put back so that I could decide what to keep and what to donate.  It is so much easier doing it that way ...at least for me.
After hauling things around for awhile ...yep, it was time for tea.
It was nice to get away from the paint smell too :)

~Jan @ BellaCasa

TEA TIME TUESDAY @ Rose Chintz Cottage