Fire Light, Twinkle Lights, and Warm Woolen Blankets

The post Christmas week is one of my favorites. There is no rush to do much of anything.

It's a time to relax after the crush of holiday parties. A time of leisure to enjoy quiet moments by the fire, to treasure these last days of the glow from the  tree lights and shiny ornaments, and to bask in the splendor and joy of this beautiful holiday.

Our tree is a collected tree.   The ornaments are ones acquired through the years, some from our childhood trees, some from my single days. others added through the 42 years of our marriage.

This "golden" duck wish bone with sequin details was crafted by my mother-in-law and given  to us for our first Christmas tree the year we married. A bone saved from one of the Thanksgiving ducks were used to make this "good luck" ornament for our tree.

Many have asked to see more details of our tree,  so I've focused in on a few themes within  the ornaments that hang on our Christmas tree.

If you follow my blog, 
you know of my passion for MacKenzie-Childs,

especially the brand's Courtly Check pattern.

We started adding MacKenzie-Childs ornaments 

to our tree in 2000 with the two you see above.

As the number of ornaments have accumulated, our tree has taken on a distinct Courtly Check theme. These are but a few of the incredible  MacKenzie-Childs ornaments on our tree.

This darling Courtly Check cake plate mimics the life size one The Chef gave me on my 60th birthday.

Various cooking theme ornaments reflect The Chef's passion for food and cooking.

Tea theme pieces are a nod to my fondness for tea time.

 Our love of France is 

also reflected on our tree.

This charming Louis Nicole French couple were added to our tree in 1983. You can read a complete post about  Monsieur Chien and Mademoiselle Chat here.

Of course there are other dog ornaments too. This year there was a new tartan dish under the tree. Our sweet Sadie girl inspects it frequently asking, "So where are the goodies, folks?"

 A collection of beautiful glass heart ornaments
are scattered throughout the branches.

The one above top row center is a treasured gift from my mother,

while most of the others were gifts from a dear friend 

who brings me a new heart each Christmas.
This is just a sampling!

 I am a Chi Omega alumna, so it is no surprise

that owls have flown onto the branches of our tree.

This guy sporting real feathers is new this year, my treasure from

 the ornament exchange at my recent dinner party.

Other birds have flocked to our tree through the years as well. The Courtly Check bird on the egg is a rare MacKenzie-Childs ornament.

Generally our tree looks much the same year to year,  a tweak here and there or a new ornament found or gifted. This year, I added the plaid picks that Pier 1 offered. I like the pop of red plaid with the Pier 1  burlap picks I've used for years.

To top our 2017 tree, I unpacked this exquisite   MacKenzie-Childs handpainted glass topper. Since I hadn't used this piece in recent years,  it added an elegant fresh touch.

A small tabletop tree on the 

dining room buffet glows with tiny lights.

Another small tree sparkles with lights

by the side entrance to welcome us home.

Here at Hyacinths for the Soul,

 the post Christmas week is one of fire light,

 twinkle lights, and warm woolen blankets.

Joining

Dishing It and Digging It @ Life and Linda  Mosaic Monday @ Normandy Life
Amaze Me Monday @ Dwellings Make It Pretty Monday @ The Dedicated House

The Scoop @ Cedar Hill Ranch Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

Show and Share @ Coastal Charm Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern StyleTablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the PorchShare Your Cup Thursday @ Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olsen Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner Home and Garden Thursday @ Delightsome LifeShare Your Style @ Vintage NestVintage Charm @ My Thrift Store Addiction, Foodie Friday and Everything Else @ Rattlebridge Farm Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage Pink Saturday @ How Sweet the Sound