Christmas Traditions

My mom and I had many plans this Christmas, for a silver-themed dinner table with glass and silver pedestals and cake plates, a fresh home-made wreath hanging on the front door, and Pumpkin Mousse for Christmas dessert.  We had excitedly talked about some of these ideas and others since Thanksgiving.  

We had big plans.

Yet, when it came down to the final week before Christmas, it was like time was a jet and it blasted away before we could get everything done.  Between us all working at my parents' art galleries by day and Christmas tree and gift shopping by night, there were some things that simply didn't get done.  Christmas came like a rushing wind, filled with too little sleep, loads of gifts, new family members (my brother-in-law and mother-in-law), lot's of laughs, and great food.

It wasn't until the day after Christmas, that it dawned on me that there had been no silver themed dinner table, some gifts didn't get wrapped (or made) in time, the boughs for my home-made wreath sat at the front door in a metal bucket, and we hadn't made any kind of Christmas dessert, let alone Pumpkin Mousse.

 And you know what?  It was totally fine.  

I listened to a man recently talk about traditions and how they can be detrimental when kept simply for the keeping.  Traditions are good, in and of themselves, when they point us to what is good - God, truth, family, close relationships and connecting with others, generosity, time well spent, etc.  When traditions are simply done for the keeping, they create bondage and become meaningless.

So, this Christmas we all woke up late after wrapping gifts until 4:30am, started unwrapping gifts after 2pm, ate Christmas dinner spread throughout the house, some in the living room, some at the dinner table (un-decorated), and the Christmas tree never got all of it's ornaments put on.  Yet, I doubt any of these things will be remembered shortly, for what really stood out was the coming together of two families newly related through marriage, generosity and love through wonderful gifts, laughing till we cried, a cozy, warm house, and an atmosphere of peace and thankfulness.

This Christmas wasn't about traditions and that was just perfect.

Maybe next year mom and I will do some of the things we had planned . . . and maybe not.

I hope your Christmas Day was filled with meaningful memory-making moments.

God Bless you all.

~Callie

4 More Days!

4 MORE DAYS!!

 left for the

** DE-STASH SALE **

ALL ITEMS MARKED "SALE" TAKE AN EXTRA 40% OFF

at

my shop

Dovetail Vintage

AFTER THAT . . . the sale items are GONE.

Come see!  :)

Now till Christmas Day!

Drooling

Can I just say, "I love Pottery Barn!"?

Their style is so ME!

. . . and whoever takes their photographs and stages their rooms is just fabulous at their job. 

Each room has such a wonderful balance of lights and darks, and cozy, yet simple. 

Truly, I am in love. 

I have been drooling over and wanting this rug for months now.  It will be the perfect addition to the narrow hallway that leads from my living room into my kitchen.  Someday . . . someday.

Here are several other items that would easily fit into my life and style . . . :)

* gorgeous duvet cover

* the perfect lamp to lean over the edge of my vintage toffee brown velvet couch

* a very dreamy mirror

* oh white linens, how I love thee . . .

* I am going to make something like this!  
The local salvage lot will be a great place to find a great old piece of wood like this, and probably at a bit better price.  ($399 at potterybarn.com)


I'm home now with my family for Christmas, and in a way, it feels like I never left.  How wonderful it is to have a home away from home.

Blessings to you all in this week before Christmas.  May you enjoy this time, whether it be festivity after festivity, or many simple moments.  May you find the beauty in it all . . . and take a breath here and there to take it in.


~Callie


**(All photos courtesy of potterybarn.com)

My Holiday Decorating

I will be heading home for two whole weeks over Christmas, hopping a plane mid-December to spend the holidays with my parents, sister, and her new husband, and then returning the beginning of January.  Woo hoo!  Because I won't be in my cozy little apartment come Christmas, I opted out of getting a tree this year.  But, given that the whole house where I work was decorated for Christmas right after Thanksgiving, it got me wanting to do a little decorating of my own.  As usual, I wanted simple and cozy.  Here are a few pics of what I did . . .

This fabulous raw salvaged barn wood sofa table that I bought at my local Salvage Lot houses some of my own favored items as well as items in my shop awaiting their new home. I gave it just a touch of sparkle and a soft glow with a set of slow twinkling vintage Christmas lights.

Christmas gifts from my mom last year from one of my favorite shops in La Conner, Go Outside.

On my coffee table is the most lovely little wire and bead tree with a star hanging above, and wire and bead manger scene with its own star and a carved pearl dove attached to the upper left hand corner.  I found them at Christianson's Nursery just outside La Conner, WA last year.  I LOVE them and will keep them forever.  Their simplicity and little bit of whimsy is perfect.  They warm my heart. 

(Note: If you ever get to La Conner, WA, and you love plants and french antiques, you must stop into Christianson's Nursery.  They are amazing - you won't want to leave!)

Have a wonderful day!

~Callie

Destash Sale!!

GIVEAWAY WINNER:

Amy

Thank you to Amy from Chestnuthillvintageanddesign.blogspot.com for leaving a wonderful story of her favorite childhood Christmas tradition.  Read her comment left on the post titled "Giveaway!"  

I want to have my (future) kids have personal Christmas trees too!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Well, Christmas is getting closer by the day, and then the new year is just around the corner.  In the spirit of a new year approaching and a new season, I am destashing the shop to make room for new items!  

You know what this means - SALE!!

Head over to my shop, Dovetail Vintage and enjoy 40% off ALL SALE ITEMS, now 'till Christmas!

And, have a great day!

~Callie

Giveaway happening all week!

DON'T MISS OUT!

Go HERE to read my giveaway post

or

scroll down two posts.

Can't wait to hear what you all have to say!

Blessings, Callie

Sneak Peek

Hello!

Here is a sneak peek at some of the items coming to the shop tomorrow and Tuesday.  Hope you enjoy!

Other items will be coming too.  Stop by Dovetail Vintage  to see these items and others starting tomorrow . . . and do a little holiday shopping too!

~Callie


Oh, and check out the giveaway on yesterday's post! Fun, fun, fun.  

Giveaway!

My Very First Giveaway!

I have decided to do a giveaway . . . . well, because it's fun, and who doesn't like something free?  But, as my economics teacher always said, "There's no such thing as a free lunch." And well, he's right.  :-)

To receive this "lunch" or giveaway, I want to know about your most meaningful Christmas tradition.

In the comment section below, tell me what Christmas tradition you and your family take part in each year that means the most to you.  The winner will be chosen December 10th and will then receive this tiny blossom teacup and saucer from my shop, Dovetail Vintage.

(teacup 2" tall, saucer 4" in diameter)

I can't wait to hear about your traditions!

Happy Holidays all!

~Callie