The Avery House Holiday Tour 2012

I love looking at other people's homes and seeing how they have them decorated especially at Christmas time. When I was a little girl, one of my favorite things to do was to go to Victorian Village with my mom during Christmas break and tour all the wonderful old Victorian mansions on Vance street in Memphis. Now with the world of blogs I get to tour other peoples homes from the convenience of my own home while I ooh and ahh over the wonderfully decorated homes of so many talented people. One of my blogging friends Paige from Simple Thoughts was recently featured on a Holiday Home Tour sponsored by Jennifer Rizzo. Jennifer's Home Tour showcases many beautiful homes and it was also featured by Pottery Barn this year. You should definitely check it out! As a gracious hostess, Jennifer is giving a House Tour Linky party on her site in which one participant will win a spot on next year's Holiday Home Tour with Jennifer Rizzo. I thought I'd try my hand at giving a tour of The Avery House all decked out for the holidays. This is my first tour so welcome!

 We live in a 1950's house that has been remodeled and added on to many times over the years. This is our recent addition to the home and we feel very blessed to be a part of it's history.

 If you parked in our driveway, you'd get to the front door going down this path.

 I am in love with all dogs spaniel. You will see my own real cocker spaniels as well as my stone cast friends. This little guy is presenting our guests with "Holly and Ivy."

 Welcome to our home! This is the front entry way looking into the kitchen, dining room, family room and keeping room.

 We will start in the dining room.

 We've circled back to the entry and now we will go to the kitchen and the keeping room where Howie may make you a cup of hot cocoa to enjoy!

 The keeping room is very Mary Englebreitish. I love the white rooms and decor that others have so beautifully done in their homes, but I myself am drawn to primary colors. I guess that comes from teaching kindergarten, first and second grade for 12 years :-)!

 If You Give a Mouse a Cookie Tree we bought to benefit Children's Hospital here in East Tennessee.

 The artist who made this Santa is terminally ill and needs prayers. He was born on my birthday, March 13 and his name is Shannon. I just loved this piece he made.

 Our kitchen where more baking will be done this season!

 Lucy our 17 year old spaniel welcomes you to the family room. It is a full glass room so it is sometimes hard to photograph during the day.

 My collection of Nutcrackers from Germany.

 Macy, our cocker spaniel puppy likes to snooze around the house.

 Miss Mustard Seed said to take the poinsettias out of their foil and put them in pots, so I listened to her advice.

 The final indoor stop is our Master bedroom. This is the entryway to our room with my Lori Mitchell collection.

 Howie does not like our plates on the wall. He thinks we could serve an eight course meal up there!

 The sign above and below was made by the incredibly talented Tara and Andy at Between you and Me. Howie and I danced to this song by Harry Connick Jr. at our wedding. I just love it!

 I made that ottomon above. I couldn't find one and put this together on a whim. It may not be the prettiest, but it's practical!

 Our last stop on our house tour is outdoors in our back yard pavillion. We love sitting out here all year long. It is a wonderful sanctuary!

Thank you for stopping by to tour the Avery House! I hope that you enjoyed your visit here. And thank you to Jennifer Rizzo for hosting the linky house tour party!

I am also linking to Sarah at Thrifty Decor Chic for a Christmas Tree Party.
Thanks Sarah for hosting!

And I am linking to the Inspired Room  and Cottage Magpie for a Christmas Linky Parade

Thank you Melissa and Angela for hosting!
And on December 18, I am liking to Nesting Place for a Christmas Tour of Homes.

Thanks Nester for hosting!

Warm Hearts on a Cold Day!

The weather has turned cold again here in East Tennessee. Although I truly loved the extremely mild weather we have had lately, colder weather is more Christmasy and lends itself to nice evenings by the fire while sipping on hot cocoa.

  Speaking of Hot Cocoa, I was inspired by Tara from Between You and Me and Paige from Simple Thoughts to create my very own hot chocolate station.

 To prove how easy it is to do, the things below were obtained from items I already had around the house. I just assembled them together and placed them on the kitchen counter and viola, instant Hot Chocolate station!

 This candy cane heart arrangement is also inspired by Tara's adorable table setting.

 I simply gathered a silver tray, hot cocoa from Trader Joe's, marshmallows, candy canes, Christmas tree spoons a couple of cups, a sugar bowl for the cocoa, and a small little cloche for the marshmallows, a couple of Christmas decorations and put them all together to make a hot chocolate station. Simple and easy! You can do it too!

  I hope that the cold weather finds you cozying up to the fire too and sipping your favorite cup of hot cocoa.