Dec has been a trying month, first my furnace went out and I was wo/heat for a number of days, problem fixed, then went out again--its since been fixed. The $ hit wasn't too bad, could have been really much worse if I wasn't able to fix the same problem myself at no cost.
Then a few days before Christmas, my little parrot Houdi of 25+ yrs died--for a Nanday Conure he was an old bird and was aging, so that it happened was something I was prepared for, but it still hurt to lose him.
I discovered by googling the info on his leg band, that he was captured in the wild--so I have no idea how old he really was.
Anyway, I decided against the big tree and used things that would survive the young cats for fear of breakage. It worked out pretty.

Jim

Have a Happy New Year

I took down my fowl painting so I could put the faux deer head on this wall and added the other dog pics.
The cats are MsK and Tigger.

My 3 Wise Men that are new this yr.

I haven't rally been able to take a good pic of the gold tree in my urn.

The epergne on the table was a Christmas gift from a friend.

My new foil faux candy Santas.

The lamp w/snowman was a happy error. The glue on the dog lamp dried up when I received it, I never re-glued the dog--only used tack wax, and then I was able to use the snowman vignette on it.

Your two new kitties, MsK and Tigger are very pretty. So glad you shared all these pictures with us. Your decorations are always inspiring. Loved seeing all of them.

Punk

This last pic with the cherubs/candleholder is so, so BEAUTIFUL! The prism tree between them is such a GLORIOUS piece! And that it survives your kitties makes it even better! I admired those cherubs in your pics last yr...great flow in the shapes/textures of those pcs!

Swapping out the snowman vignette with the dog on your lamp certainly works so well! All your vignette collections of Santas & snowmen...your art, everything...just so elegant!

Losing an old friend like Houdi is sad & I hope you have many, many good memories of your dear pet. Good luck with your kitties...what a wonderful home for them to share with you! TFS your pics! Jeanne S.

Secondly, beautiful as usual!

I think I have the same mercury glass urn you have which is on the stand. What I discovered is the color is just stunning at Christmas!

Good job!

Jim, I love how you display all your precious items. Even the kitties seem like they know who to sit for pictures. Sorry to hear about your birdie. It's always hard when a pet leaves, even when we know it's time.

Thanks so much for taking the time to photograph and post your wonderful decorations.
Have a great year.
OA

so sorry to hear about your Houdi - it is never easy to say goodbye to a beloved pet. We had to do that earlier this year due to a sudden incident but Christmas day we were blessed with a new kitty who has won our hearts. Her markings are very much like your MissK :) .....

Lynne

I'm so glad you decided to post. I didn't get to come here as much as I wanted to this season, so I thought I had missed your pictures. I don't know how you can manage to blend all your wonderful decorations together so artistically. I have a lot more decorations than display because I don't have the knack that you do and it just ends up looking junky. I just LOVE your style!

I know you will miss your bird, so hard to lose one of our pets. It sure leaves a hole in our hearts doesn't it? Hope the kitties will cheer you with their antics so you won't feel so sad.

TFS

Luvs

I wasn't sure we'd be seeing Christmas photos from you since the Tiny Terrorists were having their first Christmas Party! But looking at Tigger in that photo, not so TINY now! My he's become a big boy. I often wonder what Miss Kitty and Selena think of the "cat explosion" at your place. LOL. Then again, they seem to love it. You have such wonderfully good-natured animals. Selena stole my heart from the first photo I saw of her. What a beautiful soul she is!

As for your decor, it always awes me. Like visiting a museum but with all the comfort and coziness of a home. Your opulent style is just a feast for the eyes! I never tire of seeing your beautiful things. Especially the paintings! I see that you also believe "wall space" is the little area between frames. LOL. I love it.

Did you decorate the tree with the gold leaves yourself? I think it is wonderful. I'm tempted to try something like that on one of my little table trees next time.

I'd LOVE to have SEEN you putting that wreath over the Deer's head. Looks like quite a feat!

I really wish had an album of your decor photos so we could keep going back to look any time we want. Of course I do have quite a few in our Inspiration albums. :o)

I hope the New Year is good to you. And the terrible weather that's hit the East Coast has spared you somehow.
Stay safe, and stay warm.
hugs, Karen

Also, Tks for the all the props--what a good way to start the new year--it can be a challenge keeping up with all of you and what's posted on a daily bases.

Oldalgebra - the 3 Wise Men are from HSN. From what I gather, they have them every now and then in limited supply and the set was around $100., They were available late last summer/early fall.

It seems of late I've been adding a "quality" Santa yrly - this yr, my friend sent me the big Napoleon "Bee' Santa above the little lamp I put together.
Oh, I got the cherubs last yr, and I did leave them out because I enjoyed them.

Karen - Yes I did the small tree w/gold leaves myself, believe me, it looked better, but the cats kept trying to take it down...they love the bling!
Those gold ivy leaves were another after Xmas purchase bought cheaply en masse yrs back.
Finally I said enough was enough--it is what it is!
Yes. Tigger is big, he's bigger than his daddy, even the "runt" Gizmo turned into a big kitty.
Selena the dog has a cat gene--she likes them, and even makes friends with strays if they're receptive.
She's also friends with the birds, squirrels and a possum.

They are big! I would have preferred to use them on the flr, and by the tree, but not this yr, the cats are still too young.

Luvs - I'm surprised the crystal drop tree was left alone. My late mom would pick up those chandelier crystal whenever she found them cheaply.
Like my Santa collection--which my mom started, you add one or two yrly and after a few yrs you have something.

pdg777 - I found if you get enough of like things such as decorative picks, sprays,etc--it becomes easier to create a look...or at least punt!

lynnencfan - the kids/snowman and vignettes in the display cases are from QVC/Valerie Parr Hill. Their quality is superb and they weren't too $$ either.
Another gift/acquisition this yr.

nana2010 - Anytown USA,LOL Tks

forhgtv - yes the cats will keep me busy and will "help" when I take things down...in their special very own cat way, meaning, check boxes/totes before sealing!

oakleyok - RE; Pointer pic, maybe in the will ;-)I agree, Mercury glass does go so well with Christmas decorating. Mine are from Wisteria.
I didn't do it this yr, I put a string of battery operated lights inside and they glow. It creates another nighttime look.

slinkey - There's a Where's Waldo in pic 14 down, Ms K is down near the flr behind the cabinet leg next to the blu & wht jar.

jeannespines - LOL,I'm glad you see elegant--I see chairs w/cat patina, and pieces mended/glued, scratches...aka gentle decay!
I work with what I have and try to it make it work - Tks for the compliments.

phonegirl - Thk you. Kind words do help ease the pain.

excessfroufrou - Normally the deerhead/wreath is where the mirror/crystal tree is, as the mirror hides the heavy screws needed to hold the deerhead on the wall. I found I could do the same above the sofa, the big pic that's normally there will hide the screws and nails used.
I had those display cases for 3 yrs before I could figure out what to do w/them--they're big! Adding the marble beneath actually helped the look.
I can't wait to do something w/the epergne next yr - the cats think it's their new feeding bowls--they keep checking it out to see if I've put anything in there for them. The friend who gave to me suggested Fancy Feast!

My look isn't for everyone, but it sure makes it fun to share with people who get it.

jane

XOXO

hugs, Karen

Hi all.

Not much going on w/me - same old same old, haven't done much w/any decorating.

Finally all the cats are fixed - makes life so much nicer esp having 7!
They couldn't complete Sweetie's pre-surgery exam once-over because as the paperwork stated..."she had attitude!" LOL
I'll bet they thought I was being ironic naming her Sweetie.

Jim

Here's a few pics of some things I've done.

Since I left existing mail holes and needed to cover them w/the wreath, I added the faux ivy.

My sister gave me these cherry 'scatters'...so I did. You can't tell by the pic, but the ceramic birds have cherries in the base.

Here my buffet - fowl pic w/moved from over sofa.

Here's the boys, L-R Tigger, Gizmo and Cookie on makeshift cat tree.

Some Xmas inspiration to share..

Loved the decor photos as always, thank you for sharing.
We do miss you here, and hope once the Fall holidays start
you'll be back more. And maybe this year the tiny terrorists will be less destructive. Age helped Jazz aka Trouble...most of the time. LOL.

hugs, Karen (and one to your beautiful Selena as well)