Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Welcome to The Holiday Home Tour

Welcome to the second day of the Holiday Home Tour! I am so excited to have been asked by Cathy of 1929 Charmer and Judy of 20 North Ora, to be a part of the tour.  If you missed the homes on yesterdays tour, you will find the links at the bottom of the page.  Lets get started!

I'll be showing you the heart of our home and where a great deal of time is spent, especially during the holiday season!  That would be the kitchen. Step right in. This is truly a simple little cottage. The house runs around 1150 square feet and we have done a lot of living in that little footprint.  The kitchen was remodeled just about a year ago, with new counters, sink and lighting.  Since we do so much cooking and baking for gifts and parties, I like to keep the Christmas decorations warm and simple and the counters as clear as possible.  

It's dark and gloomy today, cozy winter weather that makes it a little difficult to get a good photo.

 A tiered server keeps fresh fruit available and takes up very little counter space, it's also a pretty way to add some height and color. Some of these oranges will end up in gift baskets as an orange -grapefruit marmalade.
 If you look closely at the photo above, you can see the little niche that I keep our small collection of jadeite displayed in.  That little niche was a tiny built in cupboard when we moved in here 35 years ago.  There was another built in floor to ceiling cupboard where the fridge is now, an old 1940's fridge where the pantry is and a stove where the stove is now, and that was all. There were no counters or cabinets! I think the elderly people who lived here had a kitchen table in the corner that they used for mixing and eating. This little kitchen has come a long way since then.
Here is a closer look at the niche.  I added some cute little snowmen and some clementines for color. I also have some battery operated lights that I sometimes turn on for a little glow when it's dark and gloomy outside. 

It doesn't take much looking to see that I have sprinkled stars all through the kitchen and dining room.  I love them. They remind me of the star of Bethlehem.  These galvanized tin star lights were an outdoor solar light set from Target this summer.  The solar part went kaput pretty quickly, so I took the stars off the string and added them to a small string of battery operated lights for Christmas.  They look so pretty as it gets dark.
 I took the curtains down and attached some faux greenery to the curtain rods, then the lights. I get more light in the winter that way and the windows don't look so bare.
 My favorite candle holder, an old glass block star. I used to have a pair of these, one broke long ago and I have been looking for more ever since with no luck.
 On the back wall of the kitchen is my favorite star this year.  Earl brought home some birch logs from the family hunting cabin for some projects he is working on and was able to peel the bark off a fairly large log.  He made the birch bark star to hang on the wall. It is lit with battery operated lights and I absolutely love the way it turned out!  I flipped the chalkboard "bakery" sign over, it's on  an old cupboard door, and made the Christmas sign to go with the star.

 Here is a close up of the star, peeling bark and all. LOVE!
Back in the corner is the coffee bar.  I know, hot cocoa bars are all the rage right now but we seldom drink it. I sometimes make my coffee into a "mocha" with the addition of a little cocoa, but give me a good hot brew any day. I will, however, top my coffee with whipped cream ;) That "Let it Snow" sign makes me smile this year, it has been hovering in the mid 40's and even in the 60's this past two weeks. Unseasonably warm for December in Michigan!
Come on, grab a cup and turn around, this is the view from the kitchen to the dining room.  As you can see, the front door leads right into the dining room, that's the way it is with small cottages. No wasted space.  It's a pretty big room for such a small house. Good thing, because we like to host fairly large family dinners. I think the most we have had for Thanksgiving is 23 people!  The table belonged to my grandparents. It was used for years in their farmhouse, and I remember sitting at it many nights as a child, drawing, and practicing my penmanship for school. If you look closely, you can see the hanging star lanterns I put in the windows every Christmas. They give a pretty, warm glow to the room, and I always hope that if one of the family is coming home at night, that glow lets them know they are home where it is safe and happy and warm.
 Have a seat at the table, I made coffee and added some whipped cream :) Those gingerbread men are freshly baked and from an old Swedish recipe. I make them with extra spice and they don't last long.  Do you know how often I have wished I could sit at the table with some of my dear blog friends and just chat over coffee and cookies? Many times, and I know I have seen you express the same longing. I feel so blessed to have so many friends that I have made over the 8 years I have been blogging.
 More stars in the garland over the mirror. I have a small tree on the buffet we found by the side of the road.  It's filled with a collection of favorite bird and nest ornaments that we have collected over the years.  I added a few simple candles for color and sparkle and called it done this year.

 That's all for today.  I'll be sharing my living room and tree later this week. Thanks for stopping by and please, be sure to stop and say hello to the other houses on the tour that I have linked below!


December 16 Tours


Anne's Attic Designs

Cherry Hill Cottage

On Crooked Creektt

Sweet Cottage Dreams

December 15 Tours


My 1929 Charmer 

20 North Ora

Ash Tree Cottage

Art & Sand

Junk Chic Cottage


58 comments:

  1. Kathy, your cottage is wonderful! I love the way you've sprinkled stars around and the birch star is amazing! Whatever made you think to do that? That's the mind of a creative person at work. I love the glass block star too. That chest that you refinished is gorgeous!

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    1. Thank you Stacey :) I had seen a rustic, lighted star at Michael's that I loved. When Earl brought the birch bark home I immediately knew I wanted a star made from that bark. It's so pretty! He did all the work and I get to enjoy the beauty :)

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  2. Your cottage is adorable. Loved seeing your kitchen and dinning room decorated for the holidays. Its been gloomy here to and hard to get photo especially in my kitchen nook. You do have a large dinning room like ours, older homes are know for that thankfully! To have you grandparents dinning room table is so cool and must bring back such memories. The person who threw away the buffet was nuts but lucky for you. Thank you so much for being a part of the Tidings Holiday Housewalk

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    1. Thanks Cathy, I do love grandma's table, especially since it brings back so many memories of sitting at it for meals and play in their beautiful old farmhouse. I loved that farm, and my grandparents, so much. It is a real treasure!

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  3. Everything is so pretty! I love the chalk board :)
    Have a Merry Christmas!

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    1. Thank you Joy, I really liked the way it turned out. I think I rescued that door from the trash half a dozen times, Earl kept trying to get rid of it for years! Lol

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  4. Kathy, we have had such a pleasant time chatting this morning. I confess that I have been shamelessly poking about in corners. I even flipped the birch bark star over to see what I could see...very carefully, of course. Such an inspired idea! I also peeked under the dining room table to see how far it could extend. And I commiseratd with you over doors opening directly into living space. Ours opens directly into the living room. I think I would prefer it to open into the dining room. Every single thing you've done looks wonderful! You have proven that one can appreciate a clean look and still have a lot of impact. Worth waiting for, my friend! Sparkle on!

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    1. Thank you Vee, it's always good to have a cupa and a chat with you :)

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  5. I just love all those stars!! I would be leaving them up well past Christmas! Too pretty!

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    1. That's a great idea, they aren't really limited to Christmas as a motif :)

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  6. Love the sparkles everywhere for this time! Seeing the Arvorvitae's out the window is delight as well!

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    1. Thank you Bernideen, twinkle lights pull me out of the winter doldrums every year. Have a very Merry Christmas!

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  7. Your home looks so lovely and inviting Kathy! Love the niche in your kitchen too. I was looking at the view from your kitchen window and how delightful it is to see that row of evergreens in the background. Just the perfect Christmas setting. Merry Christmas my friend!

    Big Texas Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

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    1. Thank you Susan, That view is so nice, I love it too! It also provides me with fresh cut greens every year, so that's a win, win :) Merry Christmas to you and yours!

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  8. Hi Kathy! Ditto what Susan said about the view of the trees! I was thinking in my mind it looks like a winter picture! I love your charming home decked out in Christmas. That birch star is so special. Good job, Earl! I'd love a cup of coffee with whipped cream!

    Have a beautiful Christmas dear friend!!!

    xxoo
    Becky

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    1. Hey girlfriend, you know I love you, and I sure wish we could share that coffee. Your home took my breath away. What fun to be on this tour together. Merry Christmas!

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  9. Lovely. All the stars bring such beautiful light to your home. Love the Hot Cocoa/Coffee Bar too.
    http://doodlet.me/

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  10. It's just like imagined it to be charming, colorful and welcoming and I wish I was one of those lucky friends to share a cup of hot coffee with you at the table.

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    1. Me too Patty! We would have a wonderful time. Thank you so much. I hope you and your family have a vey Merry Christmas!

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  11. What precious Christmas decor. Love all of your stars! Thanks so much for joining us on the tour.

    Judy

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    1. Thank YOU Judy for cohosting and inviting me! Have a very Merry Christmas in your new home! I'm looking forward to seeing how you make it your own :)

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  12. I love your charming cottage Kathy. It looks wonderful all dress up in it's Christmas finery. I would love to sit at your table and have coffee and cookies. We were so close to meeting once, I hope we will have the chance again. Hey! I spied a mosaic heart on the wall :-)

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    1. I sure hope we have the chance to meet some day, being that close and not being able to get together was so disappointing! Yes, that beautiful mosaic heart you sent me is one of my treasures. I think of you every time I see it, which is every single day :) Love you, and I hope you and Ken have a very Merry Christmas!

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  13. It's all truly lovely. So pretty in any season but especially so in it's Christmas finery!
    Love, Sue

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    1. Oh Susie, you sweetie, Thank you! Wishing you and your sweet family a very Merry Christmas :)

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  14. It's all truly lovely. So pretty in any season but especially so in it's Christmas finery!
    Love, Sue

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  15. Kathleen,
    You, dear one, have the most adorable Kitchen and Dining Room!!!
    I adore the niche you've created in the Kitchen!!!
    Stars for Christmas are perfect!!!
    I adore that you removed the curtain at the Kitchen window for Christmas!!!
    I can only imagine how gorgeous that view will be with luminous White SNOW!!!
    Thank you for sharing your adorable Cottage with us on Tidings Holiday Housewalk!!!
    Fondly,
    Pat
    P.S. Thank you for your sweet visit and kind comment!!!

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    1. Thank you so much Pat :) It was wonderful to meet you and see your gorgeously decorated home. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

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  16. Kathy, I've so missed your posts. It's all so pretty and crisp. I love it. Merry Christmas

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    1. Merry Christmas to you too Valerie! Thank you so much, I hope I can get back to blogging more often soon :)

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  17. Everything looks so shiny bright and festive...I really love your twinkle lights and star theme...It all looks beautiful...
    xoxo

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    1. Thank you BJ, Ialways love seeing your home too. You're just my style! Merry Christmas!

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  18. To you and all other Cottage Posts ~ So wonderful to be able to go through your beautiful homes at Christmas. Thank you all and Merry Christmas to each and every one of you! Just all too cute and beautiful !!!!!

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    1. Thanks so much Libby, weren't there some really gorgeous homes? I'm so glad you stopped to say hello. Merry Christmas!

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  19. I just love your Christmas cottage!!
    and.,. I think I can smell the gingerbread men!!
    MY FAVOITE!!
    BEAUTIFUL...just BEAUTIFUL!!
    MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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    1. Thank you Tina, yes that gingerbread smelled soooo good baking! I think I'll share the recipe soon. I plan to make another batch within the next week. Merry Christmas!

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  20. Love your kitchen. much bigger than mine! Your home looks lovely for Christmas. Loved the tour.
    warmly,
    deb

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    1. Thank you Deb! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas :)

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  21. You won me over with the jadeite.

    Everything is wonderful.

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    1. Thank you. We just recently started collecting the jadeite, we love the color :) Merry Christmas!

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  22. Love your little cottage. So cute and friendly. Thanks for letting us visit you!

    Linda

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    1. It was so great to meet you Linda. Thanks for stopping and saying hi. Merry Christmas!

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  23. Very nice! I remember that cozy little college. Beautiful as ever!!

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  24. Dear fellow tall girly girl friend.....my home is always open to you and Earl to come and visit! And when I am out scouting fun stuff, I will keep my eyes open for a star. You just never know! How big is it and was it made by a certain company? It was fun to share the tour with you, too. Love you!!!! I am coveting your collection of Jadeite, too. I love that stuff!

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    1. Oh Becky, why do you have to live all the way over in California? I have searched high and low for more stars like that, ebay, you name it. The star is about 5" tall and holds a tea light. I have had it for so many years, no mark or label on it so i don't know who made it. Let me know if you find one! Sending my love and wishes for a happy, happy Christmas :)

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  25. Your kitchen looks great. Saw the link at Art and Sand. Enjoyed the visit.

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  26. Your home is so warm and cozy...I can tell by looking at it someone wonderful lives there.

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  27. Your home looks so inviting! I love the star candle holder too and really love the Old Holy Night sign. What town in Michigan do you live in? I'm a Michigander.

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    1. Hi Sandy, Thank you for stopping by. We are in the Detroit area. Merry Christmas!

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  28. Hi Kathy. Your home looks wonderful! So glad you were part of the Christmas tour. Hope you have a lovely Christmas. Rhondi xo

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    1. So glad to see you back blogging Rhondi! Merry Christmas to you too :)

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  29. How charming your cottage and decor is! You certainly have the talent to make a room glow! Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year!

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  30. Warm and happy kitchen! Love that pretty jadite!!

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  31. Your home is such a delight! Love in every corner! Happy New Year! xox

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Thank you for taking the time to say hello :)