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Monday 17 December 2012

Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire

Sadly, I haven't got an open fire ... just a faux woodburning stove, but it doesn't quite have the same ring to it, does it? Anyway, I've finally got round to decorating my home for Christmas so thought I'd share it with you, so do come on in!


I got the idea of using my ice skates as a door decoration from Fee, although hers is much more elaborate and stunning than mine. I love the idea though and think that these skates will make an appearance every year now.  And to think I wanted to sell them! I actually have 2 pairs ... bought from 2 old ladies at a car boot sale in the summer. They were dumped apologetically at the side of the stall, in a bin bag covered by old curtains.  "We nearly didn't bring them", they said, "because we didn't think anyone would want them, they're a bit rusty".  Two pairs of vintage leather, ice skates?  "Would £4 for both be ok, love?"


My lovely Dickensian picture which stands at the top of the stairs, facing the front door ....


and vintage vases, planted up with hyacinth bulbs and decorated with charity shop finds (a big bag of toadstools, which seem to be very popular this year. for 75p)


In the back room, my other pair of skates, toasting themselves by the ahem! woodburner.


Lovely little owl decoration (also very popular this year), found in a gigantic bag of vintage decorations bought in the summer for £1.  I think he's very old ... and very fragile too, amazing how he's survived and remained perfectly intact.


Little Hornsea deers, which seem to come into their own at this time of year ...


and their friend Thumper the rabbit! These Hornsea pieces used to be in the free boxes in the charity shops, or very cheaply priced, but I've noticed that they are getting quite pricey now.


Plump robin at home on the mantlepiece ...


A very old copy of Christmas Books by Charles Dickens ... how can a Kindle compare to this?


The tissue-thin pages ...


The smooth leather cover ... oh and the smell! How many people over the years have dusted off this beautiful book, and rediscovered it each Christmas?


And presents wrapped and waiting for The Big Day!


Hand made felt bauble which I treated myself to at the Country Living Fair ...


and Ruby's own bauble ... it even has her curly tail!


And the tree in the back room ... I bought a bigger sofa for the front room and too late realised that there wouldn't be room for the Christmas Tree! The tree has now moved to the back room and I bought a new bare branch tree which takes up less room for the front room.


It's very simple and unassuming, compared to the blowsiness of the Big Tree, but I love it! It twinkles very prettily, and I'd love two next year at either side of the front door.  Where I live, though, they'd have to be tied down and chained to the wall or they'd be flying round the garden!

And the last word has to go to Ruby ...


"D'ya like my Christmas jacket?"

Hope you all have a fabulous week, and looking forward to seeing all your Christmas preparations!

Love, Claire xxx

61 comments:

  1. A lovely post with your festive, vintage finds. You did save the best til last though. Oh Ruby...you do look special! xxx

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    1. Thank you very much ... she is very special! ... sometimes xxx

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  2. Fab pics, Claire. Egads, you've wrapped your pressies up already! *faints to the floor*. Love the skates and the owl. xx

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    1. Don't be deceived, these are just 'other peoples' ... I still have a mountain of my own family to wrap!

      Claire xxx

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  3. Its all looking lovely & festive in your house :)

    Those skates are gorgeous - an utter bargain too :)

    BTW our woodburner is like yours - more ignition than matches required ;)

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    1. Hi Vicki, ours is electric, so flick of a switch! Thanks for dropping in!

      Claire xxx

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  4. Hello Claire,
    Your skates look beautiful on the door. What a unique decoration. I love your owl. We had a Santa that was very similar when I was a child. Your finished tree looks lovely, as does Ruby. Very nice jacket. Have a lovely week.
    Ali x

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    1. Hello Ali, thank you, I think the old things really bring it all together, don't you? xxx

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  5. Gorgeous Christmassy pictures ... love your new twiggy tree ... very pretty ... have a lovely week ... Bee xx

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  6. Hello Claire,

    many thanks for your comments on my previous post. Let me start at the end......Ruby darling you look gorgeous in your Christmas Red.....the star of your Christmas decorations Claire! Does she put up with it for long or does she try to get the coat off?
    Definitely hot chestnuts ..... I do so love hot chestnuts and I've always associated them with Christmas. You can get them in the streets here too....such a yummy smell as well.
    Horror of horrors though I haven't got any of my decorations up as yet not even a card....hopefully I can get cracking when I get home from work this evening. I am so behind this year. All your decorations look so cosy and attractive.....they are saying come in and enjoy as Christmas is here!


    keep well

    Amanda :-)

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    1. Oh hello Amanda, love you dropping in and thanks for your lovely comments ... with regards to your decorating, don't worry, you'll get there in the end!

      Love Claire xxx

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    2. PS: Ruby loves the jacket ... especially wearing it to school to pick the children up, and being made a fuss of! xx

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    3. oh that is soooo lovely...please do post a photo of Ruby going to school in his jacket and with the children

      A x

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  7. Very festive and pretty, but I am most taken with your faux woodburner, simply because we are thinking of giving ourselves a new fireplace makeover in the sitting room next year and want a woodburner that isn't a real one, and yours looks pretty cosy. Is it gas or electric?

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    1. Hello Maggie, there is a tale behind the woodburner somewhere lurking on this blog! It was £12 from a car boot sale and is electric ... I just use it as an extra lamp really, it's too expoensive to run as a heater!

      Love Claire xxx

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  8. oh claire it's all looking gorgeous but the skates are just my favourite...can't believe what a bargain they were!!!the ones hanging on the front door are inspirational.....love love love x

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    1. Oh thank you, as I say I pinched the idea from Fee, I had wanted to hang them at the door, but needed inspiratioj and she gave me it! xxx

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  9. It all looks so gorgeous. Having vintage ice skates hanging up is a brilliant idea!
    xx

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    1. Hi Ivy, lovely to see you, and thank you! xxx

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  10. You have made me feel right at home, Claire, and somehow transported me back to my childhood home in Missouri, USA :) I know. I know. You have no idea how you did it and I am pondering it as well :) Somehow the skates and the Hornsea pieces took me there, I think. I have an inexpensive electric stove in our fireplace because our fireplace needs work. I love the coziness the stove provides even though I would like to be able to have a wood fire in the fireplace... Thanks for posting, Claire.

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    1. Oh Gracie, what lovely comments and I'm so glad I took you back home!Ours is electric too, but I think it looks the part ... one day I'd love a real one but until then, this one'll do!

      Love Claire xxx

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  11. It looks so festive in your home Ruby has to be my favourite, but I also love the way you have incorporated your bargains into your decorating especially the skates, owl and books.
    Sarah x

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    1. Hello Sarah, lovely of you to pop in, you're always welcome! xxx

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  12. OOOH Claire I am liking the skates VERY much, infact I love it all.
    I really enjoy looking at other people's decorations and preparations for Christmas and yours are no exception.....Gorgeous!!!
    Have a great week
    xxx

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    1. Hello Mrs H! Thank you so much ... looking forward to my little parcel!

      Claire xx

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  13. Hello lovely Claire
    Your home is "beginning to look like Christmas" I love your skates and your picture well all of it really, I made my wreath for the door this weekend but alas no skates..I will take some pics
    Take care
    Wishing you a Holly Jolly week
    Thea x

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    1. Hello Thea, lovely to see you! I remember seeing some skates at at a vintagey friends home a couple of years ago, and I loved them but thought I'd never find a pair, never mind two! So you never know, keep your eyes peeled!

      Love Claire xx

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  14. What a great idea .. the skates..looks fab.
    You have a nice Christmas x

    Vicky x

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    1. Hello Vicky, they are lovely, aren't they? You have a lovely one too! xx

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  15. It's all looking very cosy and festive, but I have to say the skates is a genius idea! Such fun, I love it. x

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    1. Hello Giliian, thanks so much ... I love them too! xxx

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  16. What a wonderful post - lots of lovely gorgeousness to look at and I adore the skates idea! That little Thumper rabbit is the same as my Nan used to have on her hearth many years ago. I'd love to know what happened to it! xxx

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  17. Thanks Kim, it's strange isn't it, looking through the blogs you recognise lots of things you'd forgotten about! I really wish I'd kept my 70's and 80's clothes for my daughter!

    Love Claire xxx

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  18. What a lovely glimpse into your Christmas home!
    And I do love Ruby's smart little outfit :-)
    xx

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    1. Hello Gilly, thanks you so much, lovely f you to pop in! xx

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  19. All looking very festive! Like the ice skating boots idea! :)

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    1. Hello Ada, thank you and Merry Christmas! xxx

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  20. Knock, knock
    Cooeeee - just popping round for a mince pie. Budge up so that I can sit down and admire your tree! Lovely and cosy Claire and the room looks nice too! Ho ho.
    "...and it's a double axle to finish"
    Brownie points if you can remember where that comes from!
    Seasons Greetings
    Jenny

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    1. You're very welcome anytime Jenny!

      Love Claire xx

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  21. Or is that 'axel' (I am not a skater - hard to believe I know!)

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    1. Haven't a clue ... Dancing on ice, perchance? X

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  22. Cripes - maybe it was a triple axel! I have too many mince pies today...

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    1. Ooh so have I ... Mince pies, festive fondant fancies, vanilla slices, eeek ... Weight watchers not open for 3 weeks! xxx

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  23. Beautiful! I'm a big fan of the Hornsea Fauna and love the little deer. Your house looks lovely as always, full of treasures. Love the ice skate idea :) x

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  24. Hello Jooles, thank you and a Very Merry Christmas to you too! xxx

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  25. Oh thank you Cheryl ... You're always welcome here! xxx

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  26. Your house looks beautiful - and your dog is adorable! I saw the ice skate over at Fee's too and thought it was lovely - your version is just as nice!
    Merry Christmas! xx

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  27. Hi Sarah Jane, thank you for your kind comments ... and a Very Merry Christmas to you too!

    Love Claire xxx

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  28. Awww little Ruby is just the best Mrs Santa :-) all gorgeous and cosy and the skates what a bargain and they look lovely. hope you have a a lovely Christmas with your family xx

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  29. Aw thank you Sophie, lovely to see you!

    You have a fabulous Christmas too ...

    Claire xxx

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  30. it all looks so wonderful. Now we just need a dusting of snow!

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    1. Hi Sadie, that would be the icing on the cake, wouldn't it?

      Have a lovely Christmas!

      Claire xxx

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  31. Hi, LOVE your cosy Christmas decorations, I like your little robin best.Happy Christmas. Warm Regards Pam.

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    1. Hi Pam, thank you and hope you have a fabulous Christmas too!

      Love Claire xxx

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  32. A beautiful post, Mrs!
    I got to see those wonderful skates and indeed all your Christmas finery for real and it was soo lovely! ooh not for getting Ruby! Have a magical day, Claire! Sending 'Twinkles' ***** love Maria x

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  33. Thank you Maria! We had a lovely day on Tuesday, putting the world to rights and thank you for my lovely presents ... the daffodils have opened and look beautiful in their splendid jug! You have a fabulous Christmas too xxx

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I love to hear what you think of my ramblings and value all your comments ... I will try and get back to you, but am sorry if I don't always manage this ... sometimes real life just gets in the way! Claire xxx