Looking for the Spirit

I was trying to find the spirit of the season in my home....

I pulled out boxes and shuffled through ornaments, and such, and ended up putting out just a few of the things that I really love.......many of which are new to me this year.

For example, the red and white plate below was $2 at Hidden Treasures - how could I not bring it home?

This precious bear is by my friend, Patience Brewster (of Krinkles fame) This woman IS magic!

Everything that she does is an extension of herself - delightful and unique. I am lucky to have several of her extraordinary pieces and I treasure them....

Above is the top of the cabinet in the living room...and below, next to the cabinet, is my mushroom shelf, with a few additions of late. I imagine I will have to move them all if I add too many more....
I try to change some of the art on the wall to Christmas goodies during this season.... I find them pretty inspiring, but can't seem to find the time to pursue that inspiration.

A couple of years ago, our stockings got left in DC when we "Christmassed" there with Cullen's brother and family. I decided to make new ones this year. I must admit that the quilted ones are oldies that I got 15 years ago and I just added our names to them. Grayson's, however, is one I made start to finish. well, it is not quite done, but close! It is hard to "replace" a stocking that someone grew up with. He would like to have his original back someday, but he told me that he does like this one, too......

the TREES - two smaller ones instead of the much LARGER one that we usually have. Years ago, we decided to buy one that we can use year after year. I miss the smell of the cut trees, though. It is a dilemma - buy a cut one that is grown just for this purpose? Or try to be "green" and have a tree that you can use year after year?

I don't know the answer to that......I guess that all I really want is the little, sparkly, white lights. They are what say "magic" to me and I almost don't care where they are hanging as long as I can turn them on at night and feel sure that things are good and safe and cozy........