Looking a lot like Christmas

I've decided to join the Open House over at A Soft Place to Land; also, if you're visiting from BooMama's Tour of Christmas homes, WELCOME to my blog! I'm thrilled that you all stopped by! I posted this earlier this month, and hope you enjoy my little Christmas corner! Be sure and visit all the other sites at the Open House and on the Christmas tour - you will see some truly amazing decorating!!

I thought I would post some of the photos I took today of my inside Christmas decor. This is our first year in this house, and I have a new tree (9 feet tall!!) and a few other new things. It's funny, because I haven't been feeling well (I have severe anemia right now), so I've really scaled down from what I INTENDED to do. However, when I look around and look at the photos, I can't believe I thought I would do more than this!

Here is a little peek into my home:

When you first walk in the front door, this is the floor in front of you. This was a $5 garage sale find that I LOVE!!!!




Looking up a bit, here's the overall view from the front door:




My nativity set is the focal point on the entryway table. I bought the figurines many years ago from my brother during a school fundraiser. For some reason, this seems a bit amusing.




Here is the monster 9' tree! I got this for only $10 at a garage sale. It is missing one of the smaller branches, but you can't really tell once it's all set up and decorated.




And I really love my fireplace. My son is very into nutcrackers, so we have a few of those. The rest are in his room, and he keeps them on display year-round.




Another of my new acquisitions is my "elf." He's from the Drolleries collection by DEMDACO (which are apparently worth their weight in gold!). We got him at a silent auction because I just couldn't resist - especially when I got him for only $40!



I just love garlands and bows! While I've done the stairwells, I have SO much more garland...so next year, it just might look like the North Pole in my living room! :-)




And just one more.....here is the area over my desk in the entryway. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.....




We haven't even been into the dining room or the downstairs! Scary, eh?? I really love Christmas. I just wish I had more time, energy, and money to really go all-out! :-)

Hope you enjoy the photos. I'm still learning how to post them properly. If anyone knows how to keep Blogger from putting every photo at the start of the post, I would appreciate the tip!!

Merry Christmas!!!!!!