Monday, December 15, 2008

Christmas Tour of Homes 08

BooMamaChristmasTour

I cannot tell you how glad I am that we are not touring my home today, with its measly little 12 inch gold tree. I did not do Christmas at home, because, hey, I am not there!

I am in the Alps.


Yes - I am at my sister's home in Switzerland, high up in the Alps. And there is no-one on earth who does Christmas better than she does. So thanks to Boomama, you all get to see what her home looks like. And as I speak she is at work, so she will not know I swiped her camera and took photos. there will be more later. When I get round to getting shoes on and investigating all nooks and crannies.
But here we go with the first ones..... You walk in the door and Christmas starts right here.... If you touch that chimney, Father Christmas pops up and starts singing and dancing...
Then you turn left into the downstairs foyer, and Christmas is all around you! Yes, my sister made those cushions and the teddies under the tree, and so much more, you would not believe it....
Keep turning round - we have not even got to the living area yet....This is her doll's house. Look a little closer.... yes, even this little house is decorated for Christmas!
And all the dogs' soft toys have now got into the festive spirit, and they all have Christmas hats on their heads.....
So now we go upstairs, because that is where the living areas are.....And you look to the right, and here is the lounge....

But you have not seen her village yet. This is Marge's "St Petersburg" - that is what she calls her village. It is arranged, for Christmas, on special stands she built across the fireplace, and honestly, the photos do NOT do it justice. I walked in last night and the lights were on and it was magical. Stunning. So I have tried to take a few photos of it close up for you to see. Have I mentioned that my little sister is enormously creative and unbelievably talented? You may be hearing that quite often in the next 2 weeks....

So you have started to see her beautiful home. I say started, because here, it carries on, through the house. The bedrooms are decorated, as are the bathrooms and kitchens. The hallways, ....everywhere. And then you look out of any of the windows and all you see is snow and mountains. Magical. Perfect. Today it is a little foggy, but I do not care. I am in the Alps, and I am with Marge, Peter and Mum.

Excuse me now, while I go to find the snow boots and the Leki sticks. I am off to breathe in the alpine air.

PS....... Can I just say here that the tree is her Memory tree. The Christmas tree has not been put up yet! There will be loads more photos coming, believe me!

25 comments:

Olson Family said...

I will be the first to comment! Wow!!! Does she have a proper Swiss bomb shelter to store all of it in? Lovely and homey and look forward to pic's of the "real" Christmas tree when it goes up.
Enjoy your day and hope the fog clears - ours is half & half on Zurich today. Susan

Mary said...

I really want to say that I am EXTREMELY jealous, but that wouldn't be very nice - not very nice at all - so I will refrain (although I am feeling it;).

I am so glad that you arrived safely and that you are already filling your cup with joy.

Your sister is way TOO talented. I have never seen anything like it - magnificent.

Enjoy.

Jeana said...

Wow. I can't stop looking at that first photo. Beautiful!

Pam said...

How absolutely lovely, Linds. Thanks so much for the tour of Marge's place. Have a wonderful visit in the land of enchantment.

Susan said...

Beautiful indeed and the village does look magical. My, what a lot of work. Glad you are there. You sound at peace.
Susan

Needled Mom said...

Oh my goodness.....how long does it take for her to set the house up for Christmas?

Everything is beautiful. That village is something magical for sure.

Thank you so much for sharing it with us.

Carol said...

Wow! Amazing! I agree - Christmas at your sister's in the alps is awesome! Thanks for sharing.

Merry Christmas!

Edith said...

Oh my....how absolutely beautiful! I really do like Christmas village scenes but don't have the time or patience to put them up.

Wow...just beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

Lisa Marie said...

How beautiful! Enjoy your stay and be good so that you don't get missed by the Jolly Man himself!

Sandra said...

Oh my word Linds, I'm so glad you stole the camera and took pics LOL

It's just beautiful and in Switzerland nonetheless, it's so beautiful out there.

The Christmas village is just gorgeous.

Hugs,
Sandra

Barbara said...

Christmas in Switzerland - what could be better!

I wonder how long it takes your sister to set up her Christmas scene. Looks like a whole change of decor. I do hope you have awonderful and relaxing time Linds.

Your quilt make with Geoff's shirts is amazing. You are clever.

Luanne said...

Oh my goodness. What a beautiful view. Your sisters house must be huge. I am exhausted looking at all she has put up and you say its only the beginning. Where does she find room to store things when she is finished with Christmas season?

I hope you enjoy your visit with your sister.

Barb said...

I'm so glad that if you couldn't share your home with us, you shared your sister's beautiful home, Linds. Her village collection is amazing. She must have been collecting for years and years. It's truly awesome.

I have Christmas decorations for my one-inch scale dollhouse too. My poor dollhouse is stored away right now but seeing hers sure makes me think I should get it out.

I shudder to think what my grandbabies would do to it though. It took four years to build and completely furnish it.

Two weeks in the Alps. The perfect place to spend Christmas. I'm so glad you're there. Your sister's home is absolutely lovely.

Desia said...

Just lovely! I can't wait to see the rest of the house...

Carole Burant said...

Dearest Linds,

It made my heart swell with joy for you when I read that you are now in the Alps:-) I know how much you love being there!! Omigosh, how wonderfully your sister decorates, everything is just beautiful. Her village is so delightful and I would spend hours just staring at it, admiring every little detail:-)

Enjoy every minute, my friend, and let your body and mind heal!! xoxo

Dawn said...

Wow, I didn't realize you were there already. How did the flight go??

I am so glad you got to show us your sister's decorations - fabulous!! The village is absolutely amazing. Amazing!

Crystal said...

I didn't realize you had gone already either!! No wonder you were working so hard last week. Was the flight and airport travel hard to do with the knee?

What a lot of beautiful decorating!! It makes mine look very simple but I'm okay with that :) I'm so glad you have gone to this place you love. Have a marvelous and relaxing Christmas!!

And more pictures will be lovely :))

At A Hen's Pace said...

I am so glad that you are DONE with everything and in Switzerland and finally able to rest up and relax!!!

So lovely to see your sister's home.

Have a blessed visit!

Jeanne

Heather said...

Oh, my! Your sister has a lovely Christmas village collection. Have a wonderful time visiting her over the holidays.

Olson Family said...

Hi - it ocurred to me that I sent an email and you may have left for CH already and not able to check them. Or you may have received. I wondered about Thurs. morn. this week - we have so many school/friends leaving this week, it is my only free day. You can email me & I will send phone #'s. Hope you are enjoying your time. Our morning is very foggy! Susan

Vee said...

So much fun to see the indoor setting! What an incredible village scene...love the skiers and skaters.

Ms. Kathleen said...

Wow, what a village...a gorgeous cozy place to spend Christmas! Lovely, lovely, lovely! Merry Christmas!!

Joyful Days said...

Oh wow, oh wow. Everything is lovely, but I am coveting that doll house, especially.

Too fun!! What a great idea to share your sister's home.

Keetha Broyles said...

That Switzerland scenery is breathtaking.

I LOVE all your reds and greens, and those slippers under the tree - - - how cute is that!?!

Do you put out shoes for "Father Christmas" in England instead of hanging stockings like we do here in the States, or do I have my countries/traditions all intertwined?

Anyway - - - I thoroughly enjoyed my tour through your home, and MINE is the one RIGHT AFTER YOURS on BooMama's list.

Merry Christmas

Melodie Norman Haas said...

How neat to see a home form the Alps! It is beautiful! Thank you for sharing!