Do you take pictures of your Christmas decor?

Every year I do.

 

AnExtraordinaryDay.net  {Secretary} Dressed up for Christmas in Blue & White - Crystal - blue & white dishes - blue glass balls - deft nativity

 

If you were to observe me, you might think I was photographing for a magazine.  It really could be a bit amusing, I guess.

I did not scrapbook, I didn’t have a blog.  Yet, I took lots of pictures.  It was simply a photo record that stayed in the digital abyss of my laptop.  Pretty funny, huh?

 

AnExtraordinaryDay.net | Dressing up the Secretary in Blue & White for Christmas | Christmas Decor ideas | crystal & china

 

This year…I do have a blog….and some photos from the past that no one has ever seen.  It’s really a miracle that I have these.  For some reason they ended up in my husband’s photo files.  Yay!  You see,  my photos disappeared with all my other critical un-backed-up info when my laptop did a major crash and burn.  It was so fun to discover these, that I thought I would share them with you.  Hope you’re okay with seeing little bits from my not-so-distant past.

 

AnExtraordinaryDay.net | Dressing up the Secretary in Blue & White for Christmas

 

The display shelves of the secretary were usually filled with my Longaberger Collectors Club Miniature Baskets.  That year we were anticipating a move, so I packed them up ahead.  We still hadn’t moved by Christmas, so this was a new place for me to have a bit of fun decorating for Christmas.  Dressing up the secretary in blue and white was fun.   So many memories are associated with this bit of decor.  The vase on the left is a gift from one of my dear friends and her excursion to the Corning Glass Museum.  The vase in the center and the candlestick were gifts my husband brought back for me after conducting a summer youth camp in Russia.

 

AnExtraordinaryDay.net - Delft Nativity - Blue & White Christmas - purchased at Bronner's Christmas Store

 

One year we traveled through Frankenmuth, Michigan in the Fall.  Since I love all things Christmas we stopped at the World’s Largest Christmas Store – Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland.  I think they have almost everything imaginable to decorate the home and marketplace.  And they have more nativities than you can even imagine.  I admired this Blue Delft Nativity while in the store.  But, left it behind.  Much to my surprise, my husband ordered it and gave it to me for Christmas.   Every year it seemed to find a new place to grace, and this year filled the shelf in the secretary perfectly.

 

AnExtraordinaryDay.net - Blue & White for Christmas Decor - Blue Delft Candlesticks & Blue Glass Balls

 

By now you’ve noticed that I don’t feel the need to put candles in my candlesticks.  Here I think the Blue Delft candlesticks create a bit of whimsy in the display holding the blue glass balls.  When I was in college I had the privilege of traveling abroad.  On a trip through the Netherlands I picked up this sweet set from a factory in Delft.   I also picked up a cute planter.  Unfortunately all I now have of that is a bag of pieces.

 

AnExtraordinaryDay.net | Dressing the house with Blue & White Christmas Decor

 

This display really works because of the simplicity of color.  Blue and white.  It’s fun to pull pieces from around the house to create a moment like this.  We can never go wrong with the repetition of color and pattern.  I love to add fresh Christmas greens if they are available….the perfect finishing touch.  It’s those little extras touches that make our decor extraordinary.

Now I’ll let you in on a little secret.  I’ve never been a fan of blue Christmas decor.  (I know, the nativity is blue and white.)  Guess this just proves that we must never set our decor feet in concrete.  If I had, I would have missed out on this elegant celebration of Christmas.

 

 

What piece of furniture have you decorated for Christmas in a surprising way?

Weigh in…YES or NO to blue & white for Christmas?

What are your favorite Christmas colors?

 

 

Christmas cheer!

Diane

 

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Comments

  1. Glenda Kremer says

    your blue and white is beautiful–esp. the nativity. I put out over 50 nativities every year. Tree and fireplace were decorated day after Thanksgiving and I’m still bringing nativities up and yes I take pictures. one year took pictures of every nativity and put on facebook so they are still there somewhere if interested! on my Christmas Trees are candy canes turned upside down to make “J” for Jesus–my favorite! I also put some ornaments from our first tree 45 years ago!

    • Diane says

      How fun and meaningful!!!! I think I remember you sharing a few nativities on FB. I’ll have to go look.

  2. I love this Diane!! I too have always taken photos of my Christmas decor too!! Way, way before I ever had a blog – before I even knew what one was! 🙂 I just liked to have a record of what I did. What worked, what didn’t. A nice look back – I’m glad to know I’m not the only one!! I love your blue & white pieces!! You’re right – it’s so elegant!!! I’m glad your photos made it through! What a blessing 🙂

    • Diane says

      Haha! Maybe we’re kindred spirits, Jennifer! 😀
      Thank you for your kind words. It means so much as I truly admire the works of your hands.
      Wishing you an extraordinary week!

  3. Oh, your blue and white is so beautiful! Love how you’ve decorated your secretary with your pretties.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia 🙂

  4. Mel says

    Oh, how pretty! And how clever to take photos every year. Very cool that the husband had some tucked away on his computer. *sigh* I know about those ‘failed to backup’ moments. I’m hoping I’m wiser for the experiences–but if this external drive goes…….yikes!

    Favorite colours? Well, this year it seems things are green and red (not my choice, but there you have it, it’s chosen and I’m not climbing ladders in 14 degree weather to change the lightbulbs on the roof! LOL Red and green it is! (at least for the outside…LOL)
    Cards this year were in black, white and gray and I’m rather liking the look. Not so sure what the plans are for the inside of the house at this point–seems to be shaping up as gold and red.
    *laughing* Do you get the sense that it’s a hodge podge of everything this year?
    Seems to be!

    • Diane says

      Yes…I was blessed!
      Hodge podge? Of course not!!!! Creatively planned. (Which means you didn’t make all the plans, but will be creative in how you pull it together and in enjoying it.) Yes?
      Now I need to get to decorating….I just got the laptop back and I’m having too much fun. 😀

  5. Jennifer {StudioJRU} says

    Oh this is so pretty! Makes me think of my mom… her favorite color is blue. 🙂

  6. Ruth says

    I also take pictures of my Christmas decorations every year to see what I did the year before and if I want to change it or not. I have nativity sets on my mantel and snowmen on my buffet and a grandchildren metal tree on a dresser (that is really used for storing photo albums.) I also decorate my front porch and take pictures of it too.

    I take pictures of cross stitch projects that I have done and write on the back of the photo whom it was for.
    Just for my own personal info. Loved your blue and white!! Any color that makes you happy can be used for Christmas, I think. I pick certain colors each year to decorate my tree and then I take a picture of it and paste into a book that commerates 25 years of Christmas’s. It’s fun to look back and see the different trees for each year and read all the happenings of that year! Hope you have a very blessed Christmas!!

    • Diane says

      Oh Ruth…you are so organized!!! I can’t say that. But, I do like to go back to remember what I have done.
      How fun to have a book of your 25 past Christmases. Your home sounds so beautifully decorated and festive.
      Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.
      Wishing you the most extraordinary Christmas!!

  7. How wonderful to find these photos from your pre-blogging days! I really love adding a few Christmas touches to the “regular” look, rather than going overboard, decking every available space, and you’ve shown us how to do it to perfection!

    • Diane says

      You are so kind Tricia!!!
      There are so many ways to decorate for Christmas. I think the real fun is in taking the everyday and dressing it up.
      May you enjoy the blessings of Christmas!

  8. Looks great! I have never seen a Nativity scene like that, so unique! Thanks so much for sharing at our Countdown to Christmas link party! Have a great day! 🙂
    http://dixie-n-dottie.blogspot.com/

    • Diane says

      Thanks for your warm hospitality Dixie N Dottie!! I always love a fun party and meeting new friends.
      Extraordinary blessings!

  9. Judy says

    Beautiful images, love the blue and white. I think I like mixing it up from year to year. I love using elegant dishes and pieces and traditional red and white but sometimes like to see the unexpected, maybe aqua or chartreuse. I’m using cranberry and silver on the DR table and aqua and silver on the kitchen table.

    • Diane says

      Thank you Judy! 😀
      Since I’ve moved, I’ve started mixing things up a lot more than ever before. It takes a little longer, but it’s so worth while.

  10. Your blue and white pieces look so fabulous in the stunning piece of furniture. So glad your pictures were safe.. or some of them anyway. thanks for sharing. xo marlis

    • Diane says

      Thank you for your kind words Marlis!! Unfortunately I don’t have all the lost photos, but I’m grateful for anything more than my previously thought zero!

  11. Your blue and white display is really pretty. I love our flow blues also especially the lidded dish. The Nativity Is beautiful…Christine

    • Diane says

      Thank you so much Christine!! I totally enjoyed putting it all together. Lots of memories in that cabinet.
      Hope your Christmas is extraordinary!

  12. Anna Starner says

    I just love the blue and white decor in your secretary. The nativity is beautiful. I have mixed blue with red in my home years ago when green just wouldn’t have worked. Merry Christmas!

    • Diane says

      Oh Anna, that sounds lovely!
      Thanks for your kind words and for taking the time to stop by and share.
      Wishing you the most extraordinary weekend.

  13. That looks just beautiful! I’m such a sucker for blue and white so I really love this. Thank you so much for sharing this with us at Inspiration Friday!
    Vanessa

    • Diane says

      It’s blessing to have such a lovely community in which to share. Thank YOU!!
      May your weekend be extraordinary in every way!

  14. Ha, this reminds me of the Delft blue from my country! I love your nativity scene and I think you really displayed it so nicely in that cupboard.

    • Diane says

      I sorry to say the nativity is not Delft from your country (My grandmother came over from the Netherlands so I have a toe in there…teehee!), but I acquired the candlesticks on the lower shelf when I was in college, along with a tin of my very favorite cocoa…Droste’s. Thanks for your kind words and for taking the time to come by.

  15. Patti says

    Hi Diane, I’m so glad to meet you! Thanks for stopping by, as you can see I’ve been snooping around your blog and just had to let you know how much I love blue and white. Your nativity is just gorgeous, what I’ve been looking for actually! You have displayed it perfectly! Do come again, you are always welcome.
    Hugs,
    Patti

    • Diane says

      Hi Patti!! You are so sweet! 😀
      Thank you for coming by and blessing me! 😀

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