Saturday, December 18, 2010

The Heart of My Christmas Home - The Kitchen


Gifts that come from the heart often come from the heart
of the home, the kitchen.



Welcome to my holiday kitchen.  I have a lot of fun decorating
and cooking in the kitchen at this time of year.   The counters
always seem to be filled with projects.
(Of course I cleaned them off just for you!)


Did you know there was a blue hour in the morning
too?  I didn't know that. Look at that blue sky out
the window.  The blue hour was at 7:30 am this
morning as I was taking pictures.  This is from
above, looking through all of the beautiful ornaments
that hang from the ceiling over the chandeliers.


You can see the blue hour again through these
small windows that flank the hood.

I love to ornament my ceiling over the island.
I started hanging ornaments over the island
years and years ago after I noticed that stores
at Christmastime were hanging ornaments on
ribbons from their ceilings.  It really adds and
is so easy to do.
(So many have asked - I just use thumb tacks, often
finding last year's hold to put them in!)



The center of the island always has some arrangement
on it.  This year it is purple and gold.


It always has an abundance of candlelight too.




A tall pedestal that I bought in Seattle years ago
is filled with multi-hued purple ornaments.
The island is a way to highlight
 individual ornaments
and trinkets such as the Mickey shaped gold
ornament that was picked up at Disney World
when my daughter danced in the Christmas parade.


More ornaments and candles grace this side.


I love this bejeweled purple mermaid lady
who would get lost on a tree.  I bought
her at a little boutique at one of our favorite
special restaurants, La Caille.  The boutique
has since closed.


A scattering of more, a golden sleigh and a
cream and gold saxophone.
I played the saxophone in the marching band
in high school, I actually started in 5th grade,
 so I had to purchase that one years ago.



I love the crown votive holder.


The pizza oven is lit to create holiday atmosphere
for a
breakfast with neighbors
this morning.  Even the
 fireplace gets a few decorative touches.


Nutcrackers, elves, chocolate cookbooks.



Leonard our head chef elf overseeing the kitchen
from atop the pizza oven cabinet.



Another fun decorative spot for the holidays
is the baking cupboard.


This holds an assortment of some of my most
cherished Christmas treasures that span my
life.


These little elf brothers add such charm.


Another saxophone, this one in crystal that I found
at TJ Maxx this year, a crown jeweled bottle,
a white angel that a friend sent me, a snowflake
cookie cutter...


A treasured mini jeweled stocking, a silk acorn
ornament, a family photo with Santa,


My parents tree topper, glass trees that we
purchased early in marriage, a silver nutcracker...


This beautiful woolen unicorn that we purchased
back in 1984 in Florida when BYU went to a bowl
game there (in the 80's)...


The cups my sister in law bought me early
in our marriage, the tower of Santa, Mrs. Claus
and Elf platters.  This really holds lots of fun
treasures and works great as a buffet or
drink station too.


Between the table and pizza oven these two
elves perch on refurbished red and toille
chairs that I redid.



The small table is filled with holiday photos.


Even the pantry door gets a little bedazzled!

My firsts Christmas blogging has been such a joy.  I want
all who enter my home during this time of year to be
lifted and filled with wonder.  It is such a delight to open
up your home and share, to open up your kitchen and
make gifts, even to open up your kitchen and teach.

Yesterday I had 5 women here learning how to make
  We all said what a fun evening it would be
to have friends over and do a cooking night. 

My kitchen is always bustling with family and friends
and especially little people.  My grandson who is 18 months,
the little elf covered in chocolate if you read my post on
 thinks my pantry is his personal snack center.

I know all of you spend lots of time in your kitchens
creating memories in the heart of your home this time
of year.  May the wonder of the season have
a great place in your kitchen too.

I will be posting this with

47 comments:

  1. Your Christmas decor is lovely but I'm really lovin' all the purple/lavender I see. :-)
    Kind of neat hanging the ornaments from the ceiling in the kitchen.
    When we were first married I used to hang silver stars (that I made) from the ceiling in the family room every year.
    Merry Christmas.
    Judith

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  2. You DO have fun! I love the votive holder too..and all your munchkins everywhere..

    Love the ornaments from the ceiling and the nooks and crannies filled w/ lore..
    I particularly am enjoying Jamie Oliver's Christmas specials..Don't know why..you post reminded me of them~

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  3. Your kitchen is to die for, and all the beautiful christmas decor just makes it all the more special. Love it :)

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  4. Your kitchen is very elegant and european inspired. I love the purple touches! My grandma's favorite color is purple as well.

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  5. Here I am again, clicking on you pictures for a "closer" look! I almost feel like I'm snooping but since I'm upfront about it, I feel better! Jacqueline we love that you share so much with us, down to the details about who gave you the most precious ornaments. It's like a visit with an old friend each time I come. You are the reason I love blogging so much! Wishing you and your family a blessed Christmas with all the magic of the season thrown in...

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  6. I love all your decorations - just magical.

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  7. Everything looks just wonderful. The chandeliers are stunning and all the ornaments hanging over the island are such a magical touch. Everything is stunning. I hope you and all your family have a very Blessed Christmas. Hugs, Marty

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  8. What a great kitchen! And you've decorated it so wonderfully. I love the balls from the ceiling - just what do you use to tack them up? Your elves are a beautiful touch. Thanks so much for sharing your home with us.. great inspiration for us all.
    Merry Christmas!

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  9. Very fun for the holidays! What do you use to hang the balls from the ceiling? I'm sure you don't poke holes with a tack :-)

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  10. Absolutely stunning!! So elegant but warm and inviting. I am certain that a great deal of love and laughter is cooked up in that kitchen. My favorite pictures are from the blue hour. Such a magical contrast it creates. Thanks for sharing. Kerri

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  11. I would be in heaven with such a roomy kitchen! Everything is so pretty! My favorite items are the red/toile chairs! LOVE them!

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  12. Once again, everything looks so inviting! Your elves are too beautiful...as is your whole festive kitchen!
    Happy holidays to you!
    Shel♥

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  13. Your home/kitchen is beautiful!!!! Love all the lavender goodies you showed us. But, most of all I ADORE the platters, Claus, Mrs C & the Elf... They look a little bit like my coffee mugs. Did you get them this year & if so do mind sharing where? Merry Christmas
    Charlene

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  14. I hate to admit it, no I guess I don't because I do it, but I do just use tacks in the ceiling. I do try and look for the former hole. Also I got the platters at TJMaxx/Home Goods last year but they had more this year, just slightly different. I picked up some extras for my girls this year.
    Jacqueline

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  15. Oh,my I love your kitchen. You can stay in my guest room if I can come bake in your kitchen. I'll bring my Italian daughter in law to make a pizza from scratch and use that pizza oven. That is the thickest slab of granite I believe I have ever seen under the pizza oven. Your kitchen looks magazine worthy for the holidays. No detail has been overlooked. Enjoy and have a Merry Christmas.

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  16. Thank you for sharing your beautiful kitchen with us. It is an amazing place and you can feel the love and memories in each picture.

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  17. Jacqueline,

    Seeing your post it's like going on a trip to "Magic Land"! What a treat to us! Thank you for taking the time to organize everything, clean everything... it looks wonderful!

    Yesterday, my two children and I were choosing what we should bake (together) for our Christmas dinner. They loved your site and they were laughing so much with the Halloween ghosts that you made before. We had a great time looking around your blog. I think we'll make the Red Velvet cake... our tree will be colorful thou. My daughter wants some purple trees, my son wants some green... it will look beautiful! I hope! ;-) So, in another words, you'll be part of our Christmas this year! lol :-)

    BTW, please, make sure to not miss my post this Monday, ok?

    xo


    Luciane at HomeBunch.com

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  18. What a fun post on your Christmas kitchen -- need some of that lovely fudge! I have also always loved all your hanging ornaments from the ceiling. The kitchen is the place to hang out in your home! Joni

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  19. Your kitchen has always been amazing, but this is just gorgeous. I love ornaments hanging from the ceiling..I didnt do it this year in the new house but you might have just given me the nudge. lol All of your holiday decor is beautiful and I love the use of purple...I used it this year for Halloween in the dining room. Great job...visiting from Met Monday.

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  20. Your kitchen is simply stunning all dressed for the holidays. There are so many details to take in and I agree, what a wonderful place to make beautiful, happy memories! I've thoroughly enjoyed the tour!

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  21. Elegantly exquisite! Love the purple throughout your kitchen and the faux pomengrantes are darling on your counter! Thank you for such an inspiring post. Merry Christmas, dear!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  22. Your kitchen is the most gorgeous and look at all the Christmasing you have going on in it. The ornaments hanging down from the ceiling look wonderful - kinda like snow. Oh, you have lovelies.
    be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  23. Love the whimsy...glad that you don't take yourself too seriously in the seriously stunning kitchen. Terry

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  24. Very pretty, the purple really suits you and your home.!

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  25. Jacqueline, your home is beautiful. Since our move last year, I am trying to decorate... but clearly it's a nack you have or don't. And you clearly have the gift of decorating. Beautiful. THanks for sharing and giving so many tips. Merry Christmas!!

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  26. Delight! So much attention to every detail, all decorated with such love, come and enjoy! Wow! These creators are very rare! Now I think - where to send your flight of fancy - it's too fascinated me your kitchen!. Thank you - I wish to continue to create with more inspiration!

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  27. A little whimsy and elegance is a delightful combination for the holidays. Your kitchen isle is beautiful.

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  28. I love your kitchen. I could just stay there all day looking at things. I just discovered your blog last week. So fun!! I love chocolat too!
    Marie Arden Pink Living

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  29. I love your kitchen and you really have done a superb job of decorating it for the holidays with a luxe feel. The purple is lovely, and I also have used purple in my dining room this year, taking it from the purple transferware collection I have on the walls. One of those pretty platters would look amazing in your kitchen!

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  30. Hello, Dear Jacqueline.

    Thank you so much for your comment! I am so happy you liked my "thank you" note to my blogging friends and readers.

    Have a wonderful week!


    xo



    Luciane at HomeBunch.com

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  31. Your home is gorgous! I love how you hung ornaments from the ceiling in the kitchen - how did you do that? Thumbtacks?

    frommytinykitchen@yahoo.com

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  32. What a wonderful, festive kitchen...adore your decor!!

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  33. I love your kitchen! Your decorations are beautiful :)

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  34. Your Christmas Kitchen is such a delight for the eyes! Love the ornaments hanging over your island. How did you get them to stay put? I have hung snowflakes using tape but have never tried anything as heavy as ornaments. Such a super idea.

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  35. I just love the unusual decorations all around your beautiful kitchen! Everything is filled with such personality. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas.

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  36. Everything looks beautiful .... but those purple crystals hanging are just stunning !!!!!

    thanks for sharing,
    gena
    www.thehouseonlavenderhill.blogspot.com

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  37. Oh my goodness! All of your decorations are beautiful, I'm not sure what to comment on first. Love the ornaments hanging from the ceiling, love the purple vignette on the island, love the baking area--that 3 tiered cake stand is so cute & whimsical! Can I just add...a pizza oven? Oh man, would I love one of those!

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  38. It must be a joy to cook in your kitchen this time of year. I can only imagine what the rest of your house looks like all decorated for the holidays.

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  39. Your kitchen is one of the prettiest I've ever seen, J.
    Just beautiful and the decorations are such a delight, I laughed out loud several times.
    Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful kitchen with us.
    xo bj

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  40. I love the decor and the size of your kitchen. Plenty of room for everyone. You have made a wonderland for the holidays!
    ~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

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  41. OMG just beautiful kitchen...and the candies YUM!! Thanks for much for all the eye candy...Merry Christmas...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

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  42. Oh, I wish I had seen this sooner! I would love to hang ornaments. It's so gorgeous. Wow, everything you decorated is extra lovely.

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  43. Oh how delightful to be baking up Christmas joy in your bedecked kitchen! I'm so going to steal that ornament idea next year! Many Blessings for a Merry Christmas!

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  44. Simply exquisite!..Im very fond of the 3 tier, Mr.Claus, Mrs and Elf..where did you fin this treasure? Beautiful decor!

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  45. Lizykitty, I purchased these from TJ MAXX/Home Goods last year and hope they have more this year. I just used a little hot glue to secure them as I stacked them on top of each other so the kids wouldn't knock them down. You have to hit the store about now to find them. I tried to email your or find a way to contact you, but couldn't!

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  46. I love the ornaments hanging from the ceiling but after they are put away, don't the holes from the thumbtacks look unsightly?

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  47. I've never seen a kitchen so elegant with so much glitter and gorgeous..at the same time, so inviting too; it's like I want to have some chanpagne in your fab kitchen. Have a merry Christmas, along with your lovely family.
    FABBY

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