I can hardly believe it’s that time of year again.
Time to pull out the Christmas bins and deck the halls. To make our cozy home in the suburbs resemble a country Christmas.
Time to put on the Christmas carols and sing sweetly about our sweet Lord and Savior’s birth.
Time to gather with family and friends and break bread.
I always look forward to this time of year. I’m typically one of those people who starts to sing Jingle Bell Rock in July. It’s all I can do to not listen to Christmas tunes twelve months of the year.
And the Christmas movies.
Oh the Christmas movies.
This year though, I’m feeling a little weary.
It’s taken a bit longer for the Christmas Spirit to catch on.
Sure we’ve go the trees up and the house is decorated. We’ve even been listening to Christmas carols and watching Christmas movies.
But I’m just not quite feeling it yet. The joy of the season seems distant.
Maybe it’s because I’ve been on high speed, work-until-I-drop for the last several months. Maybe it’s because it’s still unseasonably warm here. Maybe it’s because we’re not hosting Christmas this year because it’s my sister’s turn.
Who knows.
But I am sure the feelings will come. The feelings of joy and gratitude and celebration.
In the meantime, I’ll cozy up by the (electric) fireplace with my family and watch the holiday classics. I’ll bake Christmas treats (not cookies though ’cause I can’t bake cookies to save my life) and listen to Christmas carols.
And I’ll read and re-read the Christmas story as told by the great doctor, Luke, in Luke 2:1-20.
As I struggle with being weary myself, I encourage you, if you’re just not feeling it, if you’ve had losses this year that make Christmas oh-so-emotionally hard, if money is tight and you can barely afford dollar store decorations…remember it’s not all about the decor or the presents.
It’s about a little baby boy that came down from heaven some two thousand years ago to bring us life.
I know that if we all focus on that good news – the feelings will surely come.
xo,
Shannon
P.S. We’ll be back with another home tour on Friday. Make sure you come back because for this one we’ve really changed things up in our house!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE OF OUR HOME TOURS
Now it’s time to take a tour of my Canadian blogging friends’ gorgeous homes. Come back each day to see a new set of home tours from Monday to Thursday this week.
Monday:
Tuesday:
The Creek Line House
Wednesday:
Suburble
Thursday:
Your house is beautiful and the reminder of what the season is truly about brightens my Monday morning! I think I am going to love the fact that I subscribed to your blog!
I love your decorations
Thank you so much!
Where did you purchase your red lanterns! I love them!
They’re from IKEA Canada!
Thank you! I love your house!!!
I can’t find red ones…did you paint them?
Thank you. And no I bought the red ones at the end of last year.
Just lovely Shannon, so stylish and chic!
Everything looks so beautiful! Love your table setting. So pretty! Thank you for your lovely words about our Savior’s birth – a wonderful reminder heading into to this busy season.
Sometimes it can be hard to remember. Merry Christmas!
I have been looking forward to these Christmas home tours of my fellow Canadian bloggers. Your home is lovely Shannon and it is beautifully decorated for Christmas. I love the colours and textures, and those stockings are so cute. Your buffet on the chalkboard wall styling is always inspiring. More importantly, your words are a great reminder of the real reason for this season. With a job loss, uncertainty and finally a new job for my husband, it has been a different year but we always enjoy sharing our home with family and friends. Thanks for sharing your home tour.
I’m sorry it’s been a difficult year, Elizabeth. I hope your Christmas is wonderful and that 2016 is much better for you!
I knew you would not disappoint. Your house looks stunningly beautiful. Thank you for sharing and inspiring me, always.
Thank you. That’s unbelievably sweet of you.
I’m not worthy!! Your house is absolutely perfect. You, my friend, just got me into the Christmas spirit!! <3 all you do. 🙂
Well I’m glad you’re in the Christmas mood. 🙂 Thank you for coming to visit.
Your home looks very festive and cozy. I love your black/white/gray color scheme in your living room and your tree in that room is gorgeous. Good job! I want to sit on your couch and read a good book in that room or maybe just daydream a little on that couch…..
Just lovely!
Carol P-K
It’s a very cozy place to sit. Thank you Carol.
Everything looks so beautiful, Shannon! It’s obvious from each and every one of your posts how hard you’re working, so please take care of you! Merry Christmas!
I will, Suzy. Thank you. 🙂
Where is your coffee table from? This is exactly what I am looking for!
We built it, Michelle. Here’s the tutorial: http://akadesign.ca/diy-brickmakers-coffee-table-restoration-hardware-inspired/
So beautiful Shannon, everything looks great. Love the pretty table setting in the dining room, so cozy.
Thank you, Dannyelle. I hop your back is feeling better!
beautiful cozy space! I love those embroidery hoops, so simple, but striking. I wish I lived closer and could pop in to see your beautiful decorations!
I wish you could too, Virginia!
Thank you for sharing about the true meaning of Christmas! I am subscribing to your blog. You were an encouragement to me. Thank you!
Oh, I’m so glad, Janet!
Beautiful and inspiring in more ways that one! All your attention to detail really makes your home so welcoming and charming. Thanks so much for letting us in!
I adored your tour too, Courtenay!
Your home is just beautiful and thank you for the message today; I needed to hear it. Do you recall where you purchased the wooden candlesticks on your table?
The candlesticks are from Birch Lane. 🙂
Your home is beautiful Shannon. Ribbon always confound me – I love how you’ve draped them down the tree. Have a wonderful Christmas with your family.
Shannon, your home is beautiful, warm, and inviting. Thank you for reminding us what Christmas is truly all about. Love your home! Your daughter’s room is stunning!
Thank you for sharing the tour of your home decorated for Christmas. I follow Town and Country Living through my blog and Facebook and found the link to your blog. I love that you decorate your smaller home with wonderful elements and style and it shows what is possible to do in a smaller home when we (I) lack the large open spaces. I wish you and yours a blessed December and Christmas!
Pam
Thank you Shannon for pointing out what is truly important. Baby Jesus in the manger. I wish you and yours a very Blessed Christmas. The house is stunning as always.