While we won’t be spending Christmas in Big Sur this year, I still wanted it to have some holiday spirit and cheer without setting up a Christmas tree. I made some simple decor changes and it was just enough to make me want to hum Christmas carols and swig eggnog!
I tend to keep things simple and natural. Here in Big Sur, I have potted paperwhites, driftwood trees, and pinecones that I bleached last year. Candles, tiny lights, the stove burning brightly, and Christmas music are all that’s needed to feel the magic of the season.
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without my mom’s delicious golden raisin filled nut cake. We look forward to it every year!
As I’m writing this, the wind is howling through the ridge and rain is lashing the windows and doors. The candles are lit, the fire is going, and the music is playing softly. I’m grateful to be here and to have had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family. I’m also happy to not be out in that storm!
I will be sharing Christmas at The Little Glass House on the next post!
Nicely done. I love how you captured all the sights, sounds, and scents of the season with just touches of Christmas here and there. If only the web could do scratch n’ sniff 😁
Thank you! There is so much natural here that to do more would be overkill 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to comment and have a wonderful simple holiday season!
Looks like I will be making Mary Ann’s fruitcake and washing it down (lady like of course) with a cup of wassail next weekend. Thanks for both recipes!
They are both delicious! I’m sipping some hot wassail right now as I’m hunkered down in Big Sur with a huge storm blowing outside. Thank goodness we installed a generator!
I love your simple approach to the holidays. Not over the top but just the right amount. I dont like feeling like I’m living in a retail store! Thank you for sharing this.
Hi Susie,
Here’s to simple holiday decor! Thank you for commenting and have a wonderful holiday season!
It looks cozy and seasonal without clutter. How do you bleach the pine cones? I have a tree shedding lots of large ones and would like to use them somehow.
Hi Cathy,
I used 1 part bleach to 4 parts water. I put them in a plastic bin and submerged the pine cones. They close up when wet so don’t be alarmed. I then placed a smaller bin on top and weighted it with small stones, otherwise the pine cones float to the top. Let soak for 24 hours, then remove from the bleach mixture and dry them on paper towels in a well ventilated area…I do remember it took them quite a while to dry out!
Love it all.
Thank you! Happy December!