Wednesday, December 14, 2011

The Ghost of Christmas Past

Oh, so okay. I've come to terms with it. The Christmas decorations just aren't going to happen this year.

I did manage to put up the huge Santa head that I found last week:



But beyond that, we still have a Christmas tree with lights and no ornaments standing in our living room. Truly, it's still pretty when the lights are low and it does kinda sorta feel like Christmas.

Since I love seeing everyone's Christmas decor tours, I thought that I'd fake one of my house using photos from last year. Oh, why the heck not? So, this is what my house would have looked like this year if life hadn't gotten in the way. Enjoy!













Okay, that last one is my Mom's house but I figured while I'm cheating, I'm going to cheat it up!

So there you go. I hope that you enjoyed the tour of 2010 pretending to be 2011. I should have the word "kitsch" slapped out of my name for my transgressions this holiday season, I know. And somewhere states away, my Mom who puts up a dozen Christmas trees is filing paperwork to disown me. Oh what a year, people. Oh what a year!

Here's to a festive finale to 2011 and to 2012 being ah-mazing! I just know that next year, I'll have everything done months in advance. Mmm hmm..

Until next time (All aboard! Next stop..Procrastination Station!)
x's and o's,
Eartha

27 comments:

Molly D said...

Your house is gorgeous, with or without the decorations! Love the santas on the steps though and you can't go wrong with the white tree. Someday I'll have a silver one...

Eartha Kitsch said...

Thank you! :) When I look at these pictures, I just feel exhausted. Maybe some vitamin supplements in 2012.

You can't go wrong with a silver tree...oh yes, my favorite. Our cat eats our so it's stored away. :(

Amber Von Felts said...

By next year you will be Jonesing to get some Christmas because of the lack of it this year. I predict next year you will deck the hell outta some halls! I really like the display of all the stockings behind the tinsel tree. I also am blown away by your mom's Santa collection!

Eartha Kitsch said...

I hope so! I can't even believe how slack I am this year. Maybe I'm just getting too old and cranky or something. And thanks! I loooove collecting Christmas stockings. The wackier the better. And I know..one of these days, I'm going to take a suitcase big enough to nab those Santas when I'm home. She'd better watch it!

Rae - Say It Aint So said...

i seriously want to cry, that santa staircase is so amazing. i wish i had stairs! and now i feel like i have an excuse to KEEP buying santas like that! i have three already! and your stockings! and your whole freaking house!!!! i'm dying!!! and those huge deer! i'm pretty sure i found your blog with jenny over at freckle wonder posted about the day you found those deer and i was SICK over the fact that they were in a thrift in nashville and didnt come home with me!!

Eartha Kitsch said...

I know - I'd loooove to have stairs. They're a pain for house cleaning but fun to decorate. And thanks! :) I promise that if I ever come across more blow mold deer, I'll let you know. These were at the Rivergate Goodwill.

When I got the huge freakin' Santa head, the lady told me that just that morning, she'd sold the entire set of eight (or nine?) reindeer and a Santa complete with sleigh on Craigslist. A little part of me died. I've never seen the whole set in person.

DearHelenHartman said...

Start early. The minute calendars go on sale for half price buy yourself a handful stick them up where you can't miss them and circle August 8th and write beside it - begin Christmas prep. Just do it. I can't stand the idea of a kitsch-less Christmas!

frecklewonder said...

i am so with you. we don't have a tree yet- only managed to put together the small silver one and hang some shiny brites on it. blow mold santas are on the porch but i'm gonna be honest- they were sharing that space with the pumpkins from halloween until YESTERDAY afternoon.

swooning over all your decor, hard to find a favorite corner but i sure do love that staircase full of santas!!!!! soooooo amazing!!!

new big santa head over the desk is also just beyond awesome.

Lynn said...

Don't feel too bad. At least you have lights on a tree. We always have the tree with just lights for a day or two before we put on the ornaments. We also leave it up with just lights for a while after the ornaments are put away. I love the glow of the tree in the corner. It really helps me get through the cold and dark of winter.
Looking through the old photos are fun. At least the packing away will be easy for you this year!
Hope things are looking up for you soon!

Barbara said...

This, of course, is why we could never be neighbors. You're all ho ho ho and I'm all up yours, Santa.

I love when people decorate - I just can't be bothered myself. I mean, the dogs don't appreciate it anyway...

(do I sound like I live alone? damn Santa, send me a husband!)

Sara In AZ said...

It seems like the older I get the less enthusiastic I am about decorating because I have to drag it out and then I have to pack it all away again, ugh. I was feeling REALLY behind this year so Mike kind of dragged everything out, and put Christmas music on, and we put up some stuff. I think it is still a little meager, but hey what are you gonna do! Your house is gorgeous no matter what and your Mom continues to amaze me!!!!

Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping] said...

Your house looks fabulous, and I see where you inherited your decorating skills. That's 70 or so too many Father Christmases for me - I get unreasonably irritated with people who have Santa coming down the chimney and ALSO through a window on the front of their houses, there's only ONE! - but I admire the spirit behind your mum's decor and hers looks good. Your snowmen are inspired displayed against those paintings and I love a tree with vintage decorations in many colours (my favoured look in my house).

Also I just generally really like the look of your house, don't these photos make you want to decorate again? I have a problem and keep trying ribbon to anything which isn't nailed down...

Lebkuchen-Junge said...

I just stumbled upon your blog last night, and I am so inspired by your photos! Christmas aside, I love the look of your home; what shade did you paint the walls - Holiday Turquoise? Whatever it is, I really like it!

Anonymous said...

Giant Santa head unnerves me.

SUZY8-TRACK said...

I feel a little better now. No decorations for me this year, I'm in the process of moving. Seeing your home really put a smile on my face and I'm hoping that I'll be able to decorate my home as lovely as yours next Christmas. Thanks for sharing.

SUZY8-TRACK said...

Oh, one more thing...I love how your cat sneaked into at least 2 of the photos...very cute! Meowy Christmas!

Debbie Doughty said...

I've had the same problem this year! Tree with lights up for days- at my husbands prompting. Finally put most of the ornaments on today, again, at my husbands prompting. "I'll keep you company. We can listen to our Hawaiian Christmas CDs..." Last year I started decorating the day after Halloween! I suspect the tree will still be up for Valentines Day at this pace... Here's a link to a post I did a few years ago that show some of my Christmas decorations. Not as many mid century decorations as you, but I do have some elves/pixies, WW11 ornaments, and Donald & Mickey Mouse lights like your Santas. Your house makes me want to take pictures of my childhood felt stocking, vintage felt ornaments and Shiny Brite ornaments to share. Maybe I'll catch the Christmas spirit yet! (I found your great blog while looking for mid century decorating ideas for my new-to-me '57 Shasta trailer. Oh, I did manage to put up and decorate a little silver tree in her earlier this month!) Merry Christmas :D

Anonymous said...

At first I didn't have the inclination to do Christmas either this year. My best friend died in February and I didn't have the heart. But then I got thinking how she loved Christmas and cats. So I put a tiny tree decorated with my kitty ornaments next to her photo on the entertainment center. I am glad I did it. I think she would approve.

E said...

Well I fell down the rabbit hole when I came across your blog !! Flickr keeps telling me that you're "people" I might know, and images from your flickr stream keep popping up on pinterest so about 2 hrs ago I found your blog and I've so enjoyed the the time spent with you this evening !! Love all the music history - old woman or not, I'd be in a music venue downtown every night if I could, love the magic of the tradition (I live up in Robertson Co) - The story about the Coon Creek Girls was simply fascinating. So from now on I'll be the little red wagon following you around in blog land, Elaine

sarajean said...

OH MY GOODNESS, I see some amazing paint-by-numbers peeking out that I need to see more of! And I love your snowmens.

Decades a Go-Go said...

Hahaha oh my goodness I burst out laughing at the first pic I love it so much! I gotta get into this... love it all, the big santa, the santas up the stairs, the santas everywhere! What a great kitschmas....

peashells said...

Gorgeous!! You know I've been saying I'm going to decorate for weeks and I'm still in the same boat. Maybe it has been too warm this year?

Sparkleneely said...

So beautiful! And we hung the ornaments, displayed the Santa mug and snowman S&P shakers and used the Xmas plate you gave us, so our house was very Eartha-centric this year. Sending you lots of love, honey. xoxoxo

Anonymous said...

Your heart is filled with tinsel and lights and blow molds and joy... that's all the "decoration" you need.

Hugs,
Joan.

Lisa said...

((misting over)) If you don't have the PRETTIEST house... plus all the (even a year behind) xmas decorations? Oh, it's like a little glimpse of heaven right here on earth. Also, I love your ma's idea to use AS MANY SANTAS AS IT TAKES. So cute. The holiday is almost upon us!!

Pam Kueber said...

HOley moley, love those Santas all down the stairs!

And your quote is a classic:

"When I got the huge freakin' Santa head, the lady told me that just that morning, she'd sold the entire set of eight (or nine?) reindeer and a Santa complete with sleigh on Craigslist. A little part of me died. I've never seen the whole set in person."

Although Barbara gets a prize, too, for:

"This, of course, is why we could never be neighbors. You're all ho ho ho and I'm all up yours, Santa."

:)

steven said...

Love the Santa's on the steps. Where can I find those?