Friday, December 12, 2008

Christmas Mantel



This clock, which sits on our mantel, belonged to my maternal grandmother.  We've used lots of red and gold this year, to decorate the mantel.




Of course, I'm a dish-a-holic, and a Christmas mantel would not be complete without a few dishes.  :)  The large brass candlesticks belonged to my mother.




This small framed piece of needlework was a thrift store find.  




More dishes, of course.  ;)

It's been raining cats and dogs for two days now, and I'm beginning to get cabin fever.  But at least it is forcing me to get out the Christmas decorations.  If we ever get some sunshine, I'll take a decent wide angle picture of the entire mantel...  In the meantime, back to the decorations.

35 comments:

  1. It's been raining like that here, too, Mary. I'm hoping to get to the decorations this weekend, if I can find them in the garage. These are beautiful shots. Love your holiday stuff!

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  2. I love what you have done with your mantle. It is so festive and looks great with your personal/non-Christmas items!
    It has rained for days here as well. The chidren were out of school due to flooding yesterday. Hopefully we will have a little break this weekend before it returns on Monday.
    Enjoy your weekend!

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  3. Your mantel looks beautiful, Mary. You have done it in just your style, and it is elegant.

    It's been raining here for days, too. I believe it is supposed to stop today.

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  4. Your mantel looks beautiful. I am finally getting my decorations up and I really like how they make me feel more like Christmas. I hope the rain stops soon, we have snow, snow, snow here. Looks like a white Christmas this year:>)

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  5. Freezing rain here...just yucky.

    I love all the red and gold. It looks rich and elegant with all the vintage elements. That clock is quite the treasure.

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  6. You are an inspiration can't wait to see your decorations in all their glory as you have such good taste.

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  7. Everything is so special on your mantel. I love the dishes, of course, and those chunky brass candlesticks with the touch of red - so elegant. Sally

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  8. Your mantle is gorgeous. You make me want to go to my mantle and re-do it. Love all your inspiring ideas.

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  9. This rain is dreadful. That setting is beautiful!

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  10. The age of time
    is measured
    by the clockwork
    of the human spirit.

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  11. I love your mantle. You brought together some lovely items that I would not have thought of using for Christmas mantle decor. It turned out beautifully. laurie

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  12. Dear Mary
    You decorated your house again so nicely. In beautiful pictures you show all of this. Thanks for it. I wish you a beautiful third Advent. ♥☼♥Barbara♥☼♥

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  13. Your decorating style is elegant and impeccable; your photography fabulous! Would love to know what camera you use. And also, do you make house calls... my house sure could use your touch :)

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  14. Crazy rain here too, but up North they had a blast of ice, there are so many without power and it could go on for days !! I feel so badly for them !!

    Your mantel looks great Mary :)

    Have a nice week-end,
    Kathy :)

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  15. Hi Mary,

    I found your blog today through another blog, and another etc :) wow, I am so glad I did too! Your home is stunning and you are such a talented photographer and stylist too! You do beautiful work!

    I sat a spell and went through some older posts too, you have a wonderful sense of humor also! I loved the one about your daughter getting her license, I can totally relate! My middle son just got his this year too, and I said a similar statement! "its got to be 5pm somehwere, where's the wine?"....:) oh what we have to go through! ;)

    anyway, your home is just gorgeous and so cozy and elegant too! I loved every post and look forward to coming back for many visits! I also loved your post on Blurb, that is such a great idea, I've seen a few and would love to do one, but my photography skills need some more work first :) do you do classes? :)


    Hugs, ~ Cynthia ~

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  16. Welcome Iva and Cynthia! Thank you for your sweet comments. I hope you will feel free to come and visit any time. :) Iva, I use a Nikon D40. I still have a lot to learn about taking pictures, but I'm having a lot of fun learning. :)
    xoxo,
    Mary

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  17. Love your mantle, but I adore the teacup tree. I want one. If only my dining room was bigger!

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  18. Please stop by my blog for a little surprise for you.

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  19. Beautiful mantle....beautiful clock....

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  20. Hello Mary; I really love how you decorated your Mantle. It is so beautiful and cheery. I can't believe that the small framed stitching was form a thrift store find it is so pretty.

    have a great weekend.
    Hugs;
    Alaura

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  21. It tool me awhile to WANT to decorate this year...guess I have not been feeling well but heck. Grace insisted so that got me off my ample rump! The snow fall tonight helped too. Watching holiday movies does too.

    Your home is looking so lovely Mary. So elegant, so beautiful.

    Love,
    Sue

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  22. I love all the golds together like that!!! It's supposed to start raining here tomorrow too. It's good though because we really need it!

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  23. Mary, as always, your photos are beautiful. I love the arrangements you make with your treasures.

    I hope you don't mind my asking, but I have been wondering... where do you keep all your dishes and treasures when not displaying them? I like collecting pretty dishes and glassware but they are overwhelming me.

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  24. Hi Mary,

    Your mantle looks beautiful! I love the way you have mixed the colors :)

    Hugs,
    Dena

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  25. Mary, I knew it would be beautiful at your house right now. Love your mantel and everything else. My tree is dark red and gold, a classic can't go wrong look.

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  26. Your mantle looks great, Mary. Love what you've done.

    I too decorate with red and gold.

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  27. I have just seen your posts that I have missed to see so far. Words cannot describe how much I enjoyed in every detail and decoration of your beautiful and warm and cosy home. My words cannot describe how much I like all your photos which talk much more then I am able to express.

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  28. It's supposed to start raining here tonight. I'm hoping that will force me to start with the Christmas decorations...

    Your mantle is lovely, though I'm still dreaming of your teacup Christmas tree.

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  29. The mantle decorations look great, and that clock is fantastic! What a nice remembrance of your grandmother.

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  30. Your love for your home shows in everything you do in it. Each treasure you buy and then share with us the reason you love it, makes it so much more fun to watch as you display it.
    JUST lovely.

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  31. Your home looks so cozy!! I love the teacups on the Christmas tree!!

    Jen

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  32. Lovely mantel - you did a great job, Mary!

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  33. Hello Mary from another Mary across the country...Oregon to be exact.

    Your mantle is lovely as is every bit of decorating you do! I was interested in the clock! My goodness, it looks a lot like some of ours. We have three that look similar to yours. One is a Sessions, one a Seth Thomas and the other a Ingraham. What is the make of yours?

    I enjoy looking at your blog from time to time. I not only get ideas for decorating, but I thoroughly enjoy your style of writing and seeing things that remind me of my childhood. Reading your blog and seeing your pictures brings much joy!

    Mary in Oregon

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  34. Hi Mary in Oregon,
    Our clock is a Seth Thomas. Thank you so much for your kind comment. Wishing you and your family a very happy New Year!
    xoxo,
    Mary

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Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment. I love to hear what you have to say!