Oh Clarita! You have one of the most beautiful houses I have ever seen. It looks like a magazine..or a pinterest board! I too love greenery. Yours looks so pretty and cozy.
I actually have thought of your friend Ruth's family here and there, prayed for them. Those little kids without their mom, a husband without his wife during a time where family is so special. I didn't know her, but just typing that makes me tear up. Life is so short. Eternity so long. It's so important to stay focused. I love the hymn Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus...Look full in His wonderful face and the things of earth grow strangely dim..it's so true! The petty things just fade away and what's important, truly important stands out.
Hope your girls get better soon. We're still on the couch over here..Jeff actually read us the Little House Christmas book tonight. We love Little House here too. We watched Little Women a couple times between yesterday and today. My poor boys are being annihilated with girl movies since their mom is sick. Ha!
You are one of the sweetest and gentle hearted people I know. You are such a great mom and a beautiful woman. Your family is blessed to have you. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
I love your style! The way your house is put together is so charming and inviting. I love that. You're right, the world is full of heartache. It feels to me this year, more than ever, I'm excited to celebrate the coming of the savior. He is truly the light that scatters the darkness. Back to your house, I'm thankful for your real pictures, too! Makes me feel better about our stuff lying around. Ha
Love your posts with pictures of your house. Charming is a perfect word. I love that you have "real life" pictures as well. What I always wonder looking at your pictures is where are all the toys? And your TV?? I never see toys scattered where do you keep them?
Thanks for sharing a beautiful post, and pictures of your decorated house.
Your little cottage is absolutely charming! I love the way you add details everywhere ... it looks so warm and cozy and inviting! I remember those little ice skates on your front door wreath from last year and think they are just the cutest ever!
That quote is so, so powerful! I think sometimes christians almost get the idea they should feel guilty for celebrating when there is so much pain in the world .... I love this quote because it is not a hiding or burying of grief, but realizing fully that we live in two kingdoms ... here where there is so much pain, and eternally where there is so much joy!
Love to see others Christmas decorations!Your house is lovely,Merry Christmas!
It's beautiful. All of it! Merry Christmas to you and yours. Love you!!!
i always enjoy peeking in your lovely home. and even more? the peek into your heart. also lovely. the WHY of Christmas that you wrote. and redemption. bigBIG hugs and much love.
@Raisingahandful - the toys are kept in the girls' bedroom closet, so although they make it out to the living area, most times it's their bedroom that suffers! and, we (gasp) don't have a TV!
Simply lovely.
Beautiful home! I LOVE your kitchen! What's the counter top made of?
Merry Christmas!
Then how did you watch Little house???
Sorry it said my reply didn't go through...but it did. :/
@purpleamethyst76 - Merry Christmas to you too! The countertop is made of old 2 X 4's that we saved when we were remodeling the house, and my husband made them. Isn't that precious!? The other countertop is concrete.
@Raisingahandful - that's fine! we get DVDs or watch movies online.
love your style! You got your kitchen rugs sewn together quickly:) they look really nice in your kitchen.
that was like a bolt of refreshing...just so pretty and cozy. the wagon in the girls room is the cutest idea...I can just picture them laying in bed discussing the pretty tree.
loved the quote too.
fun fun post! -and you turned 30! i missed that one! Yes yes to the Trueblood quote, our hope is much deeper! and you know i think that's the wonder of growing older - that reality can just become more firmly planted beneath us in every experience that life brings. Ruth included. I cry when i think of our loss, how i can't see her now, but never because hope is lost! Just thinking about that makes me excited! When i see photos of your house i always have this thought that your Ben must be such a happy man. The living room looks great, you should continue to enjoy it as is. I thought my house wasn't coming together as i wanted it (Yes the WHOLE house!) but finally i just let it be and i've been enjoying it much more. I laugh, seeing your piles and pj-wearing child. Women.. always such tendencies to compare.. =)
love seeing a glimpse of your cottage again. Of course your chalkboard art caught my eye immediately, and I realize you prly did that free-hand out of your head in prly 5 minutes, cuz I know you're talented like that Loved the lettering I glimpsed on your christmas cards too. Also. I like the pops of red in your living room. Gives it a differant, but very cozy, feel. Merriest of Christmas' to you and yours!
I love your cottage!!!! It's always fun to see into the houses of my friends! So many things I just find so fun and simple in your house! Lucky for you that you have all that nice greenery around to decorate with! We have to buy all ours Really love how you incorporated the ice skates into your front door wreath. I ended up pulling my mom's old ones out from her highschool days and her box and decorating a sled with them. It looks better than it sounds As I say, if you have a perfectly clean house and no messes then that means you must not be having any fun
My thoughts: You have beautiful writing. Your home is sooo pretty. And this: "because he is convinced that these, in the light of Divine Sovereignty,are never ultimate." (Yes and AMEN!)
Enjoyed peeking in at your home! Everything is beautiful~
what a cozy cute house you have for Christmas! so enjoyed looking and reading your post! Merry Christmas!!
I love your house! It is just so cozy! Merry Christmas....may you have a wonderful Christmas season. Love to you and yours.
well, i finally got a chance to come back and comment! i got to look at part of this a few days ago when nursing.... now i came back to "soak". you know how people say "thank you for posting?" well, i really mean it. i know it takes time to load all these pictures and everything but they so make my day. so i just wanted to say thank you... this whole post is just. aw.e.some. i love how you use a lot of natural and handmade things. i think that's what makes it special for me. i especially love your dining room- every time i see it- i think, i want to sit there and eat and drink. i LOVE your kitchen too and all your wreaths. i have a dinky one in my kitchen that makes me happy... after seeing all yours i think i will go stand in front of mine and laugh at its dinkiness. hahaha i love your handwriting- especially on that chalkboard. if you ever come to my house, i am going to make you write on mine. then i will spray it with sealer or something. ok, well, i will say good bye. thanks again for the GORGEOUS post!
ps. i think my elle has a black wool coat like the ones on your header. it is like the prettiest coat she has ever owned. but "dry clean only"-- are you kidding me??!! i was not happy. old navy? i always love to see what your girls wear, we often have the same cute things. (oh, wait, maybe i just flattered myself... i think i did.)
I was just commenting to my sisters a day or two ago about your writing! It is unbelievably pretty. I just looked at your writing in amazement (on the envelope when I got it)! I loved much about this post...that quote you included...Awesome! Such great perspective. And then those pictures at the end of the "real life"...I loved how you included that amongst the prettiness of your house all decorated for the season. And I also really related to what you wrote about liking life to be "full" but not "busy".
such a beautiful little home merry christmas! and i would just like to add that you have gorgeous handwriting! LOVE the typography of the addresses on your christmas card envelopes
I love how beautifully your house is decorated! And you absolutely made my day with the "real" pictures as well. I actually took some similar pictures thinking about doing the same thing! I love having a sparkly clean house beautifully decorated for Christmas, but I'm learning to relax a little more than I used to and let my children have fun, which sometimes needing to put up with a mess for a while. I also love the sprinkling of joy in the midst of sorrow in this post. Bless you my friend, your heart is such an inspiration, and I feel blessed to know you even though it is mostly via blogging. May you feel his comfort this year in a special way!
Wow, wish I had a neighbor like yours! That was so very kind for her to host for the new mother you are! I had great intentions of hosting a 'Happy Birthday Jesus' party and letting the kids bring money and than pick out of the Gospel for Asia magazine what gift they would like to give Jesus but it was only an idea that never developed! Merry Christmas friend! Dawn
Hey Clarita!!!! I can hardly believe this...but we actually know each other. I'm Jonathan Denison's wife. Ben and my husband, along with Rod, use to work together. It saw a picture on Pinterest of your kitchen and ended up here on your blog. How amazing...and such a small world!:) We are remodeling, too and I was looking on Pinterest for ideas. Believe it or not...Jon did the same exact butcher block style counter tops in our kitchen to save money and they are equally beautiful. I blog as well... tiffldenison.blogspot.com. We are very excited about finishing up on our remodel and hope to be in soon. I love your style of decorating and will probably use a lot of the ideas:D Hope to talk with you again, soon!:)
This is my second attempt at posting, so maybe you won't have a duplicate post:( I happened on your blog through Pinterest....and WE KNOW EACH OTHER!!!! I am Jonathan Denison's wife, Tiffany. Rod, Ben and Jon use to work together. We are remodeling our home and I was on Pinterest looking for ideas...and found your beautiful kitchen with OH SO MANY GREAT IDEAS!!!! I blog as well... tiffldenison.blogspot.com Jon actually used the same technique for counter tops as Ben because of the expense but ours is much darker, but equally beautiful. I love your home and have always wanted to take a peek inside...thanks for that opportunity. I look forward to talking with you again!
@tdenison - Oh my goodness, what a small world!! Ha ha! Oh, I'd love to see your house after your remodel! Isn't it just great having a husband who can do so much of the world?! It saves so much money! And you are welcome to stop by anytime at our REAL home! I hope you'll post pictures on your blog, I'd love to follow you there!
@baileyandme - your comments are delicious. i always love when you stop by! and PLEASE, I hope you kept that darling wreath in your kitchen!! my decor was green everywhere - there is nothing fancy about it at all!! oh, and the black coat? are you kidding me, it's dry clean only? i never looked, i didn't expect that from Old Navy, and it was just so CUTE.
I know I commented on this post on FB but I just had to come back and scroll through all your Christmas goodness one more time! I love your header Clarita! Is it new or have I just been that out of it for that long?
Hope your new year has been restful and happy! XO April
@inanorchard - you are so dear, April! i've been missing your posts too! your blog is a favorite of mine. and yes, my header is new. i was hoping it would get me in the blogging mood again, but so far it hasn't worked. love to you!!
Comments (37)
Oh Clarita! You have one of the most beautiful houses I have ever seen. It looks like a magazine..or a pinterest board!
I too love greenery. Yours looks so pretty and cozy.
I actually have thought of your friend Ruth's family here and there, prayed for them.
Those little kids without their mom, a husband without his wife during a time where family is so special.
I didn't know her, but just typing that makes me tear up. Life is so short. Eternity so long. It's so important to stay focused. I love the hymn Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus...Look full in His wonderful face and the things of earth grow strangely dim..it's so true! The petty things just fade away and what's important, truly important stands out.
Hope your girls get better soon.
We're still on the couch over here..Jeff actually read us the Little House Christmas book tonight. We love Little House here too. We watched Little Women a couple times between yesterday and today. My poor boys are being annihilated with girl movies since their mom is sick. Ha!
You are one of the sweetest and gentle hearted people I know. You are such a great mom and a beautiful woman.
Your family is blessed to have you.
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
I love your style! The way your house is put together is so charming and inviting. I love that.
You're right, the world is full of heartache. It feels to me this year, more than ever, I'm excited to celebrate the coming of the savior. He is truly the light that scatters the darkness.
Back to your house, I'm thankful for your real pictures, too! Makes me feel better about our stuff lying around. Ha
Love your posts with pictures of your house. Charming is a perfect word. I love that you have "real life" pictures as well. What I always wonder looking at your pictures is where are all the toys? And your TV?? I never see toys scattered where do you keep them?
Thanks for sharing a beautiful post, and pictures of your decorated house.
Your little cottage is absolutely charming! I love the way you add details everywhere ... it looks so warm and cozy and inviting! I remember those little ice skates on your front door wreath from last year and think they are just the cutest ever!
That quote is so, so powerful! I think sometimes christians almost get the idea they should feel guilty for celebrating when there is so much pain in the world .... I love this quote because it is not a hiding or burying of grief, but realizing fully that we live in two kingdoms ... here where there is so much pain, and eternally where there is so much joy!
Love to see others Christmas decorations!Your house is lovely,Merry Christmas!
It's beautiful. All of it! Merry Christmas to you and yours. Love you!!!
i always enjoy peeking in your lovely home. and even more? the peek into your heart. also lovely. the WHY of Christmas that you wrote. and redemption. bigBIG hugs and much love.
@Raisingahandful - the toys are kept in the girls' bedroom closet, so although they make it out to the living area, most times it's their bedroom that suffers! and, we (gasp) don't have a TV!
Simply lovely.
Beautiful home! I LOVE your kitchen! What's the counter top made of?
Merry Christmas!
Then how did you watch Little house???
Sorry it said my reply didn't go through...but it did. :/
@purpleamethyst76 - Merry Christmas to you too!
The countertop is made of old 2 X 4's that we saved when we were remodeling the house, and my husband made them. Isn't that precious!? The other countertop is concrete.
@Raisingahandful - that's fine!
we get DVDs or watch movies online.
love your style! You got your kitchen rugs sewn together quickly:) they look really nice in your kitchen.
that was like a bolt of refreshing...just so pretty and cozy. the wagon in the girls room is the cutest idea...I can just picture them laying in bed discussing the pretty tree.
loved the quote too.
fun fun post! -and you turned 30! i missed that one! Yes yes to the Trueblood quote, our hope is much deeper! and you know i think that's the wonder of growing older - that reality can just become more firmly planted beneath us in every experience that life brings. Ruth included. I cry when i think of our loss, how i can't see her now, but never because hope is lost! Just thinking about that makes me excited!
When i see photos of your house i always have this thought that your Ben must be such a happy man. The living room looks great, you should continue to enjoy it as is. I thought my house wasn't coming together as i wanted it (Yes the WHOLE house!) but finally i just let it be and i've been enjoying it much more.
I laugh, seeing your piles and pj-wearing child. Women.. always such tendencies to compare.. =)
love seeing a glimpse of your cottage again. Of course your chalkboard art caught my eye immediately, and I realize you prly did that free-hand out of your head in prly 5 minutes, cuz I know you're talented like that Loved the lettering I glimpsed on your christmas cards too.
Also. I like the pops of red in your living room. Gives it a differant, but very cozy, feel.
Merriest of Christmas' to you and yours!
I love your cottage!!!! It's always fun to see into the houses of my friends! So many things I just find so fun and simple in your house! Lucky for you that you have all that nice greenery around to decorate with! We have to buy all ours
Really love how you incorporated the ice skates into your front door wreath. I ended up pulling my mom's old ones out from her highschool days and her box and decorating a sled with them. It looks better than it sounds 
As I say, if you have a perfectly clean house and no messes then that means you must not be having any fun
My thoughts: You have beautiful writing. Your home is sooo pretty. And this: "because he is convinced that these, in the light of Divine Sovereignty,are never ultimate." (Yes and AMEN!)
Enjoyed peeking in at your home! Everything is beautiful~
what a cozy cute house you have for Christmas! so enjoyed looking and reading your post! Merry Christmas!!
I love your house! It is just so cozy!
Merry Christmas....may you have a wonderful Christmas season.
Love to you and yours.
well, i finally got a chance to come back and comment! i got to look at part of this a few days ago when nursing.... now i came back to "soak".
you know how people say "thank you for posting?" well, i really mean it. i know it takes time to load all these pictures and everything but they so make my day. so i just wanted to say thank you...
this whole post is just. aw.e.some. i love how you use a lot of natural and handmade things. i think that's what makes it special for me. i especially love your dining room- every time i see it- i think, i want to sit there and eat and drink.
i LOVE your kitchen too and all your wreaths. i have a dinky one in my kitchen that makes me happy... after seeing all yours i think i will go stand in front of mine and laugh at its dinkiness. hahaha
i love your handwriting- especially on that chalkboard. if you ever come to my house, i am going to make you write on mine. then i will spray it with sealer or something.
ok, well, i will say good bye. thanks again for the GORGEOUS post!
ps. i think my elle has a black wool coat like the ones on your header. it is like the prettiest coat she has ever owned.
(oh, wait, maybe i just flattered myself... i think i did.)
but "dry clean only"-- are you kidding me??!! i was not happy. old navy? i always love to see what your girls wear, we often have the same cute things.
I was just commenting to my sisters a day or two ago about your writing! It is unbelievably pretty. I just looked at your writing in amazement (on the envelope when I got it)! I loved much about this post...that quote you included...Awesome! Such great perspective. And then those pictures at the end of the "real life"...I loved how you included that amongst the prettiness of your house all decorated for the season. And I also really related to what you wrote about liking life to be "full" but not "busy".
such a beautiful little home
merry christmas! and i would just like to add that you have gorgeous handwriting! LOVE the typography of the addresses on your christmas card envelopes 
I love how beautifully your house is decorated! And you absolutely made my day with the "real" pictures as well. I actually took some similar pictures thinking about doing the same thing! I love having a sparkly clean house beautifully decorated for Christmas, but I'm learning to relax a little more than I used to and let my children have fun, which sometimes needing to put up with a mess for a while. I also love the sprinkling of joy in the midst of sorrow in this post. Bless you my friend, your heart is such an inspiration, and I feel blessed to know you even though it is mostly via blogging. May you feel his comfort this year in a special way!
Wow, wish I had a neighbor like yours! That was so very kind for her to host for the new mother you are! I had great intentions of hosting a 'Happy Birthday Jesus' party and letting the kids bring money and than pick out of the Gospel for Asia magazine what gift they would like to give Jesus but it was only an idea that never developed! Merry Christmas friend! Dawn
Hey Clarita!!!! I can hardly believe this...but we actually know each other. I'm Jonathan Denison's wife. Ben and my husband, along with Rod, use to work together. It saw a picture on Pinterest of your kitchen and ended up here on your blog. How amazing...and such a small world!:) We are remodeling, too and I was looking on Pinterest for ideas. Believe it or not...Jon did the same exact butcher block style counter tops in our kitchen to save money and they are equally beautiful. I blog as well... tiffldenison.blogspot.com. We are very excited about finishing up on our remodel and hope to be in soon. I love your style of decorating and will probably use a lot of the ideas:D Hope to talk with you again, soon!:)
This is my second attempt at posting, so maybe you won't have a duplicate post:( I happened on your blog through Pinterest....and WE KNOW EACH OTHER!!!! I am Jonathan Denison's wife, Tiffany. Rod, Ben and Jon use to work together. We are remodeling our home and I was on Pinterest looking for ideas...and found your beautiful kitchen with OH SO MANY GREAT IDEAS!!!! I blog as well... tiffldenison.blogspot.com Jon actually used the same technique for counter tops as Ben because of the expense but ours is much darker, but equally beautiful. I love your home and have always wanted to take a peek inside...thanks for that opportunity.
I look forward to talking with you again!
@tdenison - Oh my goodness, what a small world!!
Ha ha! Oh, I'd love to see your house after your remodel! Isn't it just great having a husband who can do so much of the world?! It saves so much money! And you are welcome to stop by anytime at our REAL home! 
I hope you'll post pictures on your blog, I'd love to follow you there!
@baileyandme - your comments are delicious.
i always love when you stop by! and PLEASE, I hope you kept that darling wreath in your kitchen!! my decor was green everywhere - there is nothing fancy about it at all!! oh, and the black coat? are you kidding me, it's dry clean only? i never looked, i didn't expect that from Old Navy, and it was just so CUTE. 
I know I commented on this post on FB but I just had to come back and scroll through all your Christmas goodness one more time! I love your header Clarita! Is it new or have I just been that out of it for that long?
Hope your new year has been restful and happy! XO April
@inanorchard - you are so dear, April! i've been missing your posts too! your blog is a favorite of mine.
and yes, my header is new. i was hoping it would get me in the blogging mood again, but so far it hasn't worked. 
love to you!!
LOVE your header!
))
that is all.
gotta scoot...
Comments are closed.