Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Noel a la Maison LeJeune ~ Chapter One

My wish for today would be for you to join me for a walk through memory lane of Christmas past, enjoy Christmas present and be inspired by Christmas future...

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Oreo has been waiting for you...

She'd love to sit on your lap while I tell you a little bit about how we decorate for the holidays.

It's such an exciting time of year for us when we anticipate celebrating with friends and family.

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Our home is always welcoming and the doors are always open.

Toasts and cheers, stories and smiles, food and games, memories and good times are extremely abundant here.

We wouldn't have it any other way :)

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All of our decorations throughout our home reflect our heritage and our simple Southern Cajun life which we are SO very proud of.

Old porcelain tubs filled with pinecones and poinsettias and tree bottoms covered in burlap...Simple is sometimes beautiful.

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Most of all, I would like to think that our home reflects our appreciation of the reason that we celebrate this glorious season...

the birth of Jesus Christ.

You need not take your shoes off but I would ask you to leave all of your worries at the front door and come on in.

I promise to take your mind away from the holiday hustle and bustle and beg you to relax and enjoy yourself so that you can begin to experience first hand...

Noel a la Maison LeJeune

(Christmas at the LeJeune Home)

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I believe it's the little details that make a house a home ~ don't you agree?

You won't find a fancy interior decorator nor any expensive ornaments here.

Sometimes, all it takes is adding a little red and green to your favorite everyday things and you can have an instant Christmas atmosphere too.

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First stop is the Front Room or the "Library" as we call it.

Of course it's not massive like the Library of Congress...

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But it's cozy and warm and it does hold our favorite reads such as The Man's love for aviation and automobiles, our son's love of military history and as for me?

Well, it holds our main computer and I just love to sit here and blog with you every chance I get!

I personally have a lot of inspiration in this room, it is one of the favorites of our home.

And using some of that inspiration, I hung our Christmas stockings on the old trunk with care, hoping that St. Nicholas would soon be there! 

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Nestled in the corners and arranged on the shelves among the books, this room is also filled with gifts from friends, garage sale finds and family treasures from the past.

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With these little treasures at my fingertips, I'm always inspired to be a little creative outside of my studio which can be so much fun, especially during the holidays!!!

I just love mixing the past with the present.

It's sort of like crossing an imaginary time warp and I'm always saying that I was SO born in the wrong era (but I cannot do without my modern day air conditioning...and my fast food!!!)

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A whole family memory was created and enjoyed by all in just one little vignette that included my grandmother's eye glasses, an old world atlas (so Santa can find me), a vintage Underwood typewriter, a vintage-looking letter I made on the computer (to remind Santa that we've been good all year) and a few touches of red and gold here and there and ... voila!!!!

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It feels like Christmas!!! I'm SO ready for Santa!!!

(I hope he finds me)

:)))

I just couldn't stop there, I had too much family treasures to leave out so I tied some green silk ribbon around some of my Dad's old Catholic school books that are from the 1940's.

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And with that stack of books, I created a little vignette on the coffee table that included some more treasures that are truly dear to my heart...

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Treasures such as gifts from friends who share their family treasures with me...old postcards and letters from their loved ones...they totally make my heart skip a beat! :)))

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When all of this fabulousness was arranged together, I added just a touch of Christmas red, green and gold and it became totally holiday PRICELESS!

The red alarm clock was a flea market find earlier this year. I just LOVE it!

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The feeling of old Christmas is certainly in the air in this room.

Since one of us is always in this room at any given time of the day, AND since it's the Front Room aka Library, we decided to put our "main" Christmas tree in here by the front door. It's nothing fancy, only a tall slim tree but it's filled to the brim with old ornaments from Christmas past.

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Along with the Christmas presents, I love tucking some of my favorite vintage items under the tree to add a warm and cozy feeling. Some items are previous gifts, or garage sale finds such as the lovely octagon-shaped Holmes hat box, and some are sweet memories of special friends and family.

This beautiful pair of vintage children's shoes below and the altered silverware box under the tree above, (just to name a couple) were both gifts from my girl Lisa.

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Incorporating the past with the present makes me feel like my loved ones are still here with me...near and dear to my heart :)

This beautiful China Doll was loaned to me by a very sweet friend of the family. Growing up, she lived in the same town as my parents and she now has become like a mother to me since my Mom has passed away 7 years ago. I found the old wooden child's swing at a flea market for $8. I cleaned it up (but left it all chippy), placed the beautiful china doll in it, set the precious pair of shoes near her and tucked an old "Night Before Christmas" Golden Book by her side.

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She's so beautiful sitting under the tree :)

On a high ledge in the library, over the grandfather clock that my Dad bought for us as a housewarming gift when we built this home in 2003, I placed an old Samsonite suitcase filled with a "Santa" Golden Book and some vintage ornaments that I've collected over the years. The photo may be a little blurry, it's about 9 feet high and I tried to zoom in on it so you could see the detail...

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The rest of the ledge is filled with fun little Christmas icons such as a metal sleigh, the three wise men's camels, a Christmas hat box and some other little treasures. It was so hard to photograph...sorry I can't show you the big picture.

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Another little vignette that I put together was on the entrance table near the front door...it was SO simple.

Do you keep old Christmas cards that you've received over the past years? I do.

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I taped one of my favorite old cards to the back of a backless garage sale frame and stood it up on an easel. I placed it on a metal tray along with a brass trumpet and bow, some "wish" tickets, a crystal vase filled with snowflakes and red glittery filler, a huge glass ornament that my MIL gave me YEARS ago, a vintage wooden carpenter ruler that I folded out into a star (loved the idea from Jane), and a vintage Railroad log book that I picked up at Homestead in Fredericksburg Texas while visiting and shopping with Anne earlier this year.

It's a simple vignette but it's cute. It's full of reminders of fun times and all of the wonderful people that I've shared inspiration with. It was just enough for the narrow table...

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And not one thing is "new" on it...just all sweet memories!!!!

We had lots of fun over the past month decorating our home this year.

One of my sisters and a few local friends took a day here and there to come over and help me put my things out. I think the best part about the decorating was spending time together, reliving all of the memories, telling stories to each other and just plain being creative! We even surprised ourselves at times!!!! :)

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In our home, the Christmas music is ALWAYS playing in the background, can you hear it?  :)

I hope you've enjoyed Chapter One...we are SO NOT finished experiencing Noel a la Maison LeJeune by any means!!!

We've only JUST begun!!!

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~ Please stay tuned for Chapter Two ~

In the next post, we'll continue the tour to another holiday room.

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Note: After much consideration, I chose not to photo the layout of my home and post it "to the world" due to security reasons, however...I do promise to show you all of the Christmas highlights and inspirations that we hold dear in the LeJeune home for the holidays. 

Thank you for stopping by for the tour...but please don't leave. Just sit back, relax and read a book in the library.

Make yourself at home :)

34 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ok sweetie...i'm in the library reading...could you please bring me some cookies and tea? It's gorgeous in here...let's sit and chat :)
HUGS!

Robin said...

Looks oh so wonderful Jodie!!

Hugs,
Robin

Blessed Serendipity said...

All I can say is G*O*R*G*E*O*U*S!!

xo,
Danielle

Debra@CommonGround said...

Hi Jodie, it's simply gorgeous, each vignette is a work of art! Sounds like you had a fabulous Home Tour! Oreo is just the cutest little greeter!
big hugs,
Debra

Sanctuary Home said...

I love how you used all of your vintage "finds" in your decorating...just beautiful! You don't need a fancy decorater, you obviously have natural talent.
Your home seems so comfortable and inviting. I would love to stop over for some Christmas cheer, but I guess this will have to do. I'm a new follower of yours. Stop by and visit with me for awhile.
Susan
http://sanctuaryhomebysusancooke.blogspot.com/

Sandy said...

Jodie,

Everything looks gorgeous as I knew it would and the one thing that rang out at me in your post was not so much your decor but your heart for family and friendship, to celebrate with the people you love. That focus came across loud and clear. I so enjoyed a little relaxing in your library, can't wait for the next leg of the tour.

Rebecca said...

Hi Jodie my sweet!
Love all that you do... each display is just a work of art! Love those little shoes and the typewriter with a letter to Santa. I bet everyone was overjoyed on the tour.
I know I am on this tour...
Blessings
Rebecca

Theresa said...

Oh my dear Jodie! Your decorations are beautiful and I felt right at home from the moment I walked thru the door! You have given me some great ideas to use some memorable items from my Parents and Grandparents! Have a blessed day my friend, can't wait for more! HUGS!

the gypsy chick said...

gorgeous! gorgeous! gorgeous!

Heather Ales said...

Jodie,

It's WONDERFUL! And, it was just what I needed to kick my keester into gear and get back to the business of "decking our halls".

Love it! Thank you!

NicNacManiac said...

So warm and welcoming and more to come...oh my goodness!! Thank you for inviting us to view this wonderland of Christmas!!
I can see why you are tired....so far it's Magical!! xOxO

Geralyn Gray said...

Jody your decorations are spectacular......My favorite is how you did the pointsettas with pinecones.....genius...a really beautiful look!!!!! I actually got a little emotional when you showed the catholic books of your dads......not sad tears......just a feeling of remembering...........Wishing you the best this holiday season and Always!!!!!

Claudia said...

Your touch is everywhere, Jodie! Just beautiful - the loving attention to every detail is amazing. I think I need to curl up with a good book in your library!

xo
Claudia

Sandi said...

WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW!!!!!Love your vignettes.
VictorianGypsy--who still can't take a decent photograph

ShabbyESP said...

Happy Holidays Jodie!!!

Thank you for stopping by for a visit and the sweet comment.

I can't wait to see the rest of your beautiful home :)

Suzann

Anne Lorys said...

Warm and cozy and just beautiful, Jodie!
Can't wait to see the rest!

Love ya,
Anne

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Jodie you do know how to make a friend feel welcome in your home. I am looking forward to more Christmas with you.

Lisa Phillippi llelsik@aol.com said...

I definatley think Santa will find you....he prbabably won't want to ever leave! Everything looks amazing! Thanks for our virtual tour!

Unknown said...

Girl, I love all of your decorations inspired by your family and your heart. You have shown us that decorating can literally be about the physical unfolding of treasured memories and {in addition to sweet Jesus, is what makes this such a wonderful holiday}. Thanks for sharing ~ you have made my day! xoxo H

The French Bear said...

Jodie, that's it I am packing my bag and moving in!!!! It is beautiful!!!!! Of course I love the little shoes and the doll!!!! You really worked hard and it shows.....gorgeous!!!!
Hugs,
Margaret B

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

Wow...I feel right at home!!

Warm, inviting and beautiful ~ just like you!! Don't be surprised if you wake up Christmas Morning and find Santa resting in the library!

Jodie you did an amazing job!

xoxo
Sandi

Dreaming of Vintage said...

Jodie, your house is beautiful!
Hugs,
Kelly

Pierelantijntjes said...

Hello Jodie, Thank you for this first tour trough your beautiful decorated house. Ooh, how I love those little vintage shoes. I think christmas is realy the most wonderful time of the year.
Hugs from Ester

Rose Brier Studio said...

Jodie, Such wonderful photos and decorations. I'm delighted to take a few minutes out of my busy day to sit down in the library! Always lovely to visit here.
~Marilee

Dorthe said...

Jodie, dear,-this was a beautifull feast for the eyes,what wonderfull decorations, you have been doing- I would love to enter your library, sit with a cup of tea, and just enjoy..your front door is so gorgeus with the green and the red bubbles- and every place I`ve seen speaks:christmas
I will love continuing this great tour, Jodie- thanks for showing.
XOXO Dorthe

Minx's Den said...

what beautiful photos you take! love your blog!!!

Miss Gracie's House said...

I enjoyed this post so much and everything is just beautiful! I've always wanted to do a holiday tour...but did it make you crazy?!
blessing to you as you celebrate this joyous season!
Rene

Karen said...

Oh Jodie - you just poured yourself into your home this year.
Here is my question - where are you going t store it all? :)

Looks absolutely fabulous - but I wouldn't think you would do anything less for a houseful of visitors.

:) HUgs! Karen

Debby said...

Jodie, your home looks so festive and beautiful. My goodness what an inspiration you are to all of us.
Debby

Pam @ Frippery said...

Looks so gorgeous Jodie!!!

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

Jodie, WOW, you have done a fantastic job decorating your home!!! The front door looks very welcoming and you have arranged such wonderful vignettes throughout the house. I especially love the ones with the typewriter (so cute!!!) and the alarm-clock. The old swing was a great deal and makes such a lovely decoration. Your tree is so beautiful too. I know it was a lot of work but it must have been a lot of fun as well, to decorate for that great event.
I'm off to check out part II :-).
Big HUGS,
Julia

victorian parlor II said...

Oh my gosh this is all so beautiful!!! I can't wait to see chapter three (what can I say-I started with chapter two and then read chapter one so now I'm ready for chapter three-I've never been one for conformity:).

Blessings,

Kim

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

This room has so many good ideas in it!

Blessed Mommy said...

Love it! Your Nativity on your table is beautiful! Merry Christmas.