We FINALLY got back
just a bit ago, it was no easy feat and there is indeed a story or two
to tell but will save that for another post...way too wiped out and
delirious to think right now but wanted to get this posted without any
further delays! Thankfully 95% had been done before my trip, just needed
a few tweaks, you are in for a treat!!
Hi there! So miss being in blogland...we are back and so relaxed, our trip was way overdue and just what the doctor ordered. It was wonderful to ring in the new year in sunny, WARM California especially coming home to single digit temperatures here in icy, snowy New York! (will do a post on our trip in the next week)
It's so exciting to be writing my very first post of 2014......and what better way to kick things off then with my Christmas magic contest. So happy to be holding it and not letting the magic of this beautiful holiday go quite so fast, I got in some really amazing entries, and all of these have special meaning. I was admittedly totally overwhelmed by the beauty, creativity, sweetness and inspiration behind them. They hailed from Norway to Serbia, California to Maine...these pictures literally span the world which is quite incredible!
I wish I had a place to tell you a little bit about some of these pictures(many entrants send me emails with the story behind the pictures) like the hands that represent 79 years of marriage or a treasured picture of a young girl at Christmas or treasured ornaments that have been handed down from one generation after another, or the newborn baby that represented years of trying to conceive, or the talented artist who paints gorgeous Christmas scenes when inspired, or a young couples first Christmas tree together, all such beautiful and heartfelt stories...............I thank you for sending them in.You have no idea how much they were enjoyed!
With over 150 entries, it was just too much to include for one post. So as I did with the Blue and white love contest, I have divided this into two parts and will select two winners, one from each round. I have set this up poll style via polldaddy, the ever so reliable awesome site for the best user friendly accurate polls. Many thanks to all who sent in their wonderful pictures and who took the time to share and to all of you, the readers and voters for joining in the fun! Get your pens and papers ready.........feast your eyes on a little Christmas magic!
The poll is to the left, for some reason blogger was not allowing me to put it in the bottom as I normally do...so for now please find poll to your right *upper corner*
YOU WILL DEFINITELY NEED A PENCIL AND PAPER FOR ALL THIS........SO MUCH BEAUTY!
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A FEW ASUTTE READERS EMAILED ME ABOUT PICTURES 1 AND 20 BEING FROM TRADITIONAL HOME...YOU ARE RIGHT! HOWEVER THE OWNER IS MY READER AND SOMEONE WHO I WORKED WITH ON AN E DESIGN PROJECT AND SHE SUBMITTED PICTURES OF HER HOME WHICH IS TOTALLY PERMISSIBLE.
CHOICE 89
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A FEW ASUTTE READERS EMAILED ME ABOUT PICTURES 1 AND 20 BEING FROM TRADITIONAL HOME...YOU ARE RIGHT! HOWEVER THE OWNER IS MY READER AND SOMEONE WHO I WORKED WITH ON AN E DESIGN PROJECT AND SHE SUBMITTED PICTURES OF HER HOME WHICH IS TOTALLY PERMISSIBLE.
Amazing, don't you think!!! Since there are sooooooo many and I realize choosing one or even two would be a nearly impossibly task...I have allowed that up to FIVE entries can be selected. Voting is limited to once a day but with being able to vote for five pictures, it allows you a little more flexibility. Just choose whichever best says to you "Christmas magic". This post will run until Wed. night at which time the second post will run for the same amount of time. Both winners from each round will be announced on Friday morning! Thank you again for stopping in...wishing you a wonderful day and a fabulous start to what I feel is going to be one amazing year. Cheers to 2014!
Remember you can choose up to 5 entries once a day. Thank you for stopping in! So missed being here and will be back when I can snap out of my delirious state and catch up on sleep!
Welcome home my friend. Get your rest, and I've been praying for YOU to come home safely! Night night! - I voted, too!
ReplyDeleteSo happy you got home Tina. You must be exhausted and there is nothing like getting home no matter how great the trip. Incredible pictures, so much talent! Makes me wish Christmas wasn't another year away. I made my votes. Welcome home!
ReplyDeleteMy goodness you got so many pictures and theres more? It was hard to chose but I went with one in each category, prettiest tree, most magical setting, one kid picture, one sentimental picture and one that best says Christmas. Not a bad one in this bunch Tina. Glad you are home!
ReplyDeleteLoved looking at all the pictures! I am not sure I can pick a favorite. Looking forward to seeing the next group of pictures as well. Welcome home!
ReplyDeleteWhat a pleasure it is to see all of the Christmas Magic entries! Really makes me nostalgic for what a special time of year it is, and how much decorating adds to the festive pretty mood!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Tina, and glad you got back home safely:)
Happy 2014, Tina! First of all, welcome home! I'm glad you made it back safe and sound. Secondly that you for bringing us all of this wonderful Christmas magic. We took our tree down and packed up all the decorations and admittedly I was feeling a bit forlorn. This little last hit of Christmas is just what I needed. What a fun and fantastic collection of photos - they all say something special about the holiday season.
ReplyDeleteHope you are keeping warm. Looking forward to hearing more about your adventures - the good and the not-so-good - in the days to come. XOXO
Wow! What a collection! I'm glad to see this post, as I still have my tree up (for my daughter -- she loves it). Thanks for sharing it!!!!
ReplyDeleteHoly Whatzo! What a hard thing to do! Glad you are home safe and sound and it will be fun to see who wins. xo Diana
ReplyDeleteWow! This brings Christmas all over again! Love seeing these incredible images, Tina.
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to say "Welcome Home", my friend!!!!
Lots of LOVE, HEALTH and BLESSINGS this year, sweetie!
xo
Luciane at HomeBunch.com
Welcome home, Tina! I am happy you finally made it back! I can't wait to hear about your trip once you get caught up on your rest. Love ALL the photos!! Stay warm! xoxo
ReplyDeleteWelcome home and thank you for keeping the spirit alive.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're home Tina! I'm ready to listen about your trip or I guess a blog post to read about it! I wish I can come back home too but I am still looking for house for sale in Manila to stay here for couple of years with my grand daughters.
ReplyDeleteI guess I never tire of looking at Christmas pictures and did vote! very smart of you to go to a warmer place for rest and relaxation….and fun
ReplyDeleteHappy new year, Francine
Hi Tina welcome back! What a fun contest, so many beautiful pictures. It was hard to narrow it down to 5 but I was able to, and must say two really struck me here, babies first Christmas with Santa, so very sweet and the two old hands together, that is love and what the spirit is all about. Hope you are well rested and I am sure you are very happy to be back, all the best to you in the new year.
ReplyDeleteOh. My. Word. You have done such an amazing job sharing all of these, they are amazing. You were right about needing a pen and paper, lots of scrolling up... and scrolling down.. and scrolling back up. Pause, and repeat. A gazillion times. This was a delight, thank you for all of the work you put into it!
ReplyDeleteWelcome back,
tp
Tina, amazing amazing assortment of pictures! I had such fun taking a look but a hard time narrowing it down. Great idea for a contest to keep the Christmas spirit alive.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are home, I know the feeling of wanting to be home, no matter how great a vacation, there is nothing like home! Happy new year.
Dear Tina, so glad that you made it home safely!
ReplyDeleteAll of these images are wonderful and tell such beautiful stories.
Wishing you all the best in this year ahead!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
I’m looking forward to hearing about your California trip. We took a Christmas Cruise and enjoyed the Keys and Bahamas with 78-80 degree weather. Thinking about making it a tradition to find warm weather every Christmas…
ReplyDeleteMy goodness, how to pick just one! My favorite was 32, but I also loved 1,9,34
The are all beautiful but I will choose, 1, 9, & 26.
ReplyDeletehome safe--yay! loved viewing all the entries in the contest, and here's to helping christmas cheer linger, beautiful blogger.
ReplyDeletemichele
You made it back home! Fabulous pictures, and a wonderful reminder of the holidays. Love #1, and find #29 moving and peaceful. And what a beautiful and elegant hand!
ReplyDelete#1 and #20 are from TRADITIONAL HOME magazine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have that issue and just looked at it to confirm!
ReplyDeleteTina love your entrants. Such talent, makes me wish I had sent my own in..oh well next contest. Had a hard time picking 5 but did. So many special pictures to remind us all of the beauty of the season. Happy you are home. Love your blog!
ReplyDeleteTina, There are so many wonderful entrants it was hard to select just five! Thanks for the all work you put into your wonderful post.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Sherry
Beautiful post! I really had a hard time narrowing it down. Glad that I can vote again tomorrow!! I really loved so many of the pictures. I am glad to hear that you finally got home safe and sound. I hope that you get a good rest! You deserve it!
ReplyDeleteWelcome back, Tina! What a BEAUTIFUL post!! All of these images are simply gorgeous, but I have to say #29 brought a tear to my eye... so incredibly sweet and touching.
ReplyDeleteXOXO,
The Glam Pad
Welcome back Tina! And a Happy New Year to you! I LOVE all of these beautiful photos, thanks for helping Christmas last a few more days.
ReplyDeleteHave a great night home,
Hi Tina too bad I missed out on voting. So many beautiful Christmas pictures...you really have talented readers! I liked many but something about 29 really touched me. That is the magic and spirit of this holiday.
ReplyDelete