Christmas Open House at the Thornton's with BooMama

BooMama's 2008 Christmas Tour of Homes began on December 15th, but I'm late to the party. I signed up anyway, and I am so happy to welcome you to our home. After the tour, run over to BooMama's and see what she's doing. Maybe you'll want to scurry around the house, tidy things a bit and join the fun. Really, my son arrives tomorrow, and I am so over politics for the moment! We have too much ice to get a good shot of the lights on my new little weeping mulberry tree. In reality, they are quite pretty, but rather pitiful in this photo.


This is our entry hall, with the only wall long enough for our sideboard, which is home for most holiday desserts. The mercury glass Christmas tree is dear to me...a gift from my sister-in-law.
Past the stairway. This is our dining room. We moved in only a few months ago. We plan to make many memories with family and friends here. The cloth on the table is a family tradition. Once upon a time, a long time ago, my Uncle was head of communications for the U.S. President. He brought this beautiful cloth back to my Aunt from Japan (or maybe China - I'm never sure). Our Christmas Tree. Our nativity was purchased the first year we were married. The manger is missing this year - yet to be upacked!!! It's a terrible thing to lose your manger but Mary and Joseph, Baby Jesus, the Wisemen and the Shepherd Boy are cozy by our fireplace. Thank you Father for the ChristChild. Amen. Christmas stockings are very, very important in our home. We have heavy duty wrought iron hangers because Santa leaves some serious loot in the socks. This year we have a new son-in-law, and his stocking is on the end to your left. Excuse the bare windows. I'll think about that tomorrow. I love peonies, although I must admit, after many tries, I'm not so great at growing them (they always want to fall over - lots of blossoms though). So, we have a painting over our fireplace of peonies. Because the colors are so soft, the traditional Christmas red and green wasn't a great match, so this year I found Christmas roses for the mantle. Favorite ornaments - a collection of Old Worlde Father Christmas'
Thanks for visiting. Here, take a warm go-cup of cider with you and visit BooMama where you'll find links to over 800 more Christmas Open Houses (I am number 857).

Related: Carol of the Bells by George Winston My Christmas Tree and other Famous Trees (this one done before I knew about BooMama's Open House - but see the Capitol Tree, the National Tree at the White House, the Vatican Tree and Rockefeller Center.