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Wednesday, December 23, 2009

What's Red And White And Red And White And Red And White. . . . ?

What's Red And White?
Christmas, inside and out, at That Old House!


On Saturday it started snowing.
Anne, who had just gotten home for Christmas that morning,
ventured out into the cold to take pictures of the front door:

Alida and Anne put up the white pine roping, I tied some big bows for the corners,
and Anne poufed and snaked the ribbon ends down the sides:

It's lovely to have some talented and cooperative Elves to help with the decorating!

No front door wreath this year. Local fresh wreaths were skimpy and spindly looking.
So I took clippings from our conservatory Christmas tree, and the girls and I just
bunched them together, tied them with twine, and added red ribbons.

I like the simple look on the front door, and the free price tag as well.


Now what are you doing still standing out in the snow?
Let's leave the cold white outdoors. It's much nicer to be inside, looking out:


It snowed for a long time.


But we are snug inside, and can enjoy our Christmas reds!

Ribbons on stairs and newel post:


You can see the red dining room from the front hall.
Upstairs, another tree on the stair landing:

There's a little tree, with lots and lots of red ornaments, next to the front door:

In the red dining room, a spiral tree:

Our girls' tree, in the study, laden with ornaments that will someday be in their own homes:

If you read the story of our 1999 Hurricane Floyd flood, you may remember the Noah's Ark that was the only
Christmas ornament to survive. Here it is, on our parlor tree this year:

Look closely, below; you can see a thin dark line, right under the window.
That's where it broke in two -- that line goes smack around the whole ark --
so I could clean and disinfect it and glue it back together.

(Read more, here.)

A Noah's Ark that survived a flood. Where have I heard that before?

One more bit of red to share with you today. My bargain red dishes were put to good use at our Christmas party on Sunday. Ten people backed out because of the snow, but we had 30 hardy souls, ready to laugh and get silly. My kind of party.

I always forget to take pics during a party.
My girls took a couple. Here are the red plates, ready to go!


In this one, below, left to right are my sister Peggy, my friend Betsy,
and my husband Howard all busy working in my kitchen. How clever am I?

Oh! One more bit of red:

Mr. Dion, all decked out in his new hoodie, from Annie's graduate school.
She found it at the bookstore, and couldn't resist turning her pup into a frat boy.
All he needs is a beer and a babe.

Despite the expression on his face, he really doesn't seem to mind wearing it.



Thanks to Susan of A Southern Daydreamer
for hosting
Outdoor Wednesday!







Thanks also to Sue of It's A Very
Cherry World
for
Rednesday!




And tomorrow is Christmas Eve! Anne is singing O Holy Night at both nighttime services at church, and Alida and I will be in the choir. Howard will be on "Pop" duty with my Dad. Have a blessed Christmas Eve! -- Cass

39 comments:

  1. Deeeelightful! I thoroughly enjoyed that. Merry Christmas.

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  2. Your front door with all the snow looks like a Christmas card!
    Have a joyful Christmas in that old house!
    Hugs,
    Dawn

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  3. Such a lovely home, and all decorated and festive looking for Christmas.
    Love your front door !
    Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas, at That Old House ;)
    Hugs,
    Jo

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  4. I love red--especially at Christmas.
    Our tree has a lot of red on it this year.

    Merry Christmas to you!

    Melinda

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  5. Everything is so pretty and the food looks yummy. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

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  6. Love your Christmas decorations -- so warm and welcoming! Love the "Hoodie" -- Ollie would not stand for it!!!!! But I can see him in K State purple!

    Hope you and yours have the merriest of christmases!

    Martha

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  7. Merry Merry HoHoHo!!!
    oh Cass..so delightful!
    warm, festive and so inviting!
    the elves did great!!
    beautifully presented!
    food looks so yummy!!!
    now.. back to wrapping, sipping hot spiced cider while snow falls and Christmas music plays...
    Merry Christmas Cass!
    warm hugs..laughing smiles..
    from snowy Denver with love..
    Loui♥

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  8. Hello from Canada Cass
    We have more snow on the ground this morning, but not enough to stop us lol
    Love your "old house" all decked out for the Holidays.
    Merry Christmas and I LOVE that feather tree.
    Love Claudie
    xoxoxox

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  9. It all looks lovely... especially the front door, which I plan to copy from you next year over at This Old House.

    Have a wonderful Christmas, and a Happy, Healthy 2010

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  10. Lovely Christmas decor. I especially like that topiary tree on your staircase landing. I just love those. Your red plates are perfect for Christmas and dare I mention Valentines Day yet. Nice to have helpful elves in your kitchen too. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
    Maureen

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  11. I have been admiring your house for a long time now. It is so beautiful. I like the decorations on your front door and all your trees most dressed in red. I love red at Christmas too. YOur food looked delicious and I am sure you had a great party,
    Wishing you and yours
    Happy Holidays
    Riet, The Netherlands

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  12. Gorgeous decor!

    May your holidays be blessed & beautiful ~

    Merry Christmas ~
    TTFN ~Marydon

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  13. Cass-I know you are glad to have your girls at home--especially when they decorate and help! I love your front door with the fresh swag! That old house looks festive and happy as I hope you all are--Merry Christmas!

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  14. Cass, I just love all your decorations! Enjoy your girls!!
    Wendy

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  15. Simple is often the best look. Your home is looking fabulous and festive. I saw my plate there on the table too. Thanks.
    I have to say that Dion has the biggest pout I have ever seen on a dog in my life. He is too funny.

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  16. Oh Cass, your home looks gorgeous all decked out for Christmas. Everything is so festive and yes, you were smart to get all those folks working in the kitchen1

    I was so happy to see the Noah's Ark I read about, that is still my favorite story I've read this year and I've shared it with friends and family as a testament to what we can accomplish when we work together and look around and become aware of what is happening to those around us.

    btw, I did see your comment on the Chicken and Rice Casserole and cracked up when I read the Southern-ism you shared. I know I will be full as a tick come Christmas Day! lol

    I also want to thank you for your kind words on the loss of my friend Randy, The King of Chili. AND, yes we do have a lot of eateries in SoCal and I have many friends there who never, ever cook. Amazes me to this day!

    Merry Christmas to everyone at That Old House, I know it will be full of love.

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  17. Lots of red and probably too much white ;) Great shots and...

    Merry Christmas!

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  18. My father OFTEN decorated their front door with a simple swag of pine and a red ribbon. The BEST.

    All your celebrating looks wonderful - - - and what IS all that food? I want to reach into the screen and take a bite!

    Merry Christmas.

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  19. Everything looks wonderful!! Merry Christmas!!

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  20. Cass,
    Your home looks gorgeous. May you and your family have a wonderful holiday.

    Carol

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  21. Hi Cass,
    Everything looks so wonderful & festive!!

    I love your front door and the food looks so yummy.

    Wishing you and yours a very merry Christmas :)

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  22. How home is just lovely! The front door is absolutely beautiful. Wishing you and your family the brightest Christmas ever!

    Smiles...

    Beverly

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  23. Just beautiful, Cass! Your front door and the porch together make such a welcoming entrance!

    Merry Christmas to you and yours!

    xo
    Claudia

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  24. Lovely festive decorations! Your home is beautiful. Merry Chrismtas!

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  25. You have a beautiful festive home.

    Merry Christmas!!

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  26. Now thats what I call a home for christmas.

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  27. Love your house Cass....Merry Christmas my friend, xoxo~Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings...

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  28. Love the garlands, what a welcoming front door! Merry Christmas!
    Kat

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  29. Cass, your house looks so warm and inviting! (I'll be right over!) It looks like you're really going to have a very merry Christmas!

    God bless,
    Sue

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  30. Just beautiful, enjoy your good fortune. Merry Christmas...

    http://wwwbeenblogged.blogspot.com/

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  31. So Pretty Cass!
    I am always a lovin your home! Your doggie looks adorable as usual! Merry Christmas to you and your wonderful family!
    Cindy

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  32. What an absolutely wonderful post....I love your decorating....very simple but yet a huge statement.
    have a wonderful Christmas
    Karen

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  33. Totally in love with your front door and the fact that the snow arrived at the perfect time.

    Merry Christmas from my home to yours.
    Di
    The Blue Ridge Gal

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  34. Beautiful! Merry Christmas.
    Valerie

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  35. Your decorations are beautiful, Cass & I'm so happy to hear you're surrounded by family, especially your Dad, this year.

    Merry Christmas to you & yours!

    fondly,
    Rett

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  36. What gorgeous decorating and yummy looking food!

    Hope you are enjoying a wonderful holiday with your loved ones!

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  37. Gorgeous! I hope you had a blessed Christmas and have a Happy New Year. I love you house!

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  38. HEHE! More Dion pics making me smile again. I love this doggie!

    Cass your front door garland is AMAZING!!!! Love the RED bows!

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