For those of you new here this is our first Christmas in our new home. We live in the heart of the Paso Robles Wine Country. I would love to take you on a tour. Come Visit My Home and New Hometown. Today I am joining Annie, Mary Ann, and our friends Kim and Kelley.
We actually have a Templeton address, but we live midway between Templeton (pop 7,965) and Paso Robles (31,000+). Paso Robles is a small town with a big heart. They celebrate Christmas in style with festivities beginning in mid November with the Elegant Evening. Attendes stroll and shop the charming downtown and “sip world-class wines, relish good food and take a stroll along one of the most beautiful and romantic places in all of California, downtown Paso Robles. Event features live mannequins by Class Act Dance Studio, dancers, singers, musicians”.
Chicist Downtown Tasting Room Especially at Night
The wonderful Pony Club bar at Hotel Cheval
We did not attend the Holiday Light Parade last weekend because it was raining but apparently many did. Some snaps via the Paso Robles Press.
Last Sunday we enjoyed the Santa Ysabel Ranch Christmas Party held at the much loved Loading Chute in Creston. The party was held in the barn. I did the table decorations. Here is my car filled with the arrangements.
Casey Biggs (the paso wine man) and his band provided the entertainment.
A few of the “outlaws” who attended
This weekend is the Annual Vine Street Victorian Showcase. Vine Street is lined with old Victorian Homes. Here are some photos from years past. This image via KPRL.
This image is from the Paso Robles Daily News
Tin City has an annual Forklift parade. Tin City is a former industrialarea in Templeton that is now filled with wineries, breweries, and the wonderful Etto Pastificio. We will be out of town for this one unfortunately but it looks like fun.
I am sure there are many more events going on. Studios on the Park has its annual Winter exhibition that goes on from November 30-December 30. Mission San Miguel has their Holiday Brass performance next weekend. We are really enjoying ourselves here and feel grateful to have landed in such a friendly active community.
In case you missed it I shared How to Decorate your Courtyard for Christmas here., and How to Decorate a Natural Looking Christmas Mantel in this post. I still do not have a single present wrapped (that will be a post next week), but I can share my decorated tree and the rest of the room. As I said on Instagram I got the tree from Terrain. It was very reasonable and we love it. It is not pre-lit. Our tree is filled with ornaments that we have collected over the years. It looks the same every year.
If you look closely you can find ornaments that my children made in pre-school, ornaments from our travels, from treasured friends & family, and loved pets no longer with us. If you love a collected/heirloom tree, you might enjoy the reel I did on Instagram of my tree here.
Every year, Steve would grudgingly (although not this year) fill the tree with lights. Colin took over that job once he got older. Jenna and I would decorate the tree. She was quite good at decorating a tree at a very young age. Colin took pride in gluing all the broken ornaments together and hanging them in some place where guests could spot them the minute they walked in the door. He also took great pride in rearranging my carefully decorated tree (not-so-pretty ornaments always in the back). Daily he would move them front and center, hoping it would take me a few days to notice.
I think someone else will soon be proficient at decorating her tree as well.
We usually open our presents to each other on Christmas eve (although this year Colin and Lauren will be working). On Christmas morning we open gifts from Santa (Summer) and find the treasures he has left in our stockings (always fun).
Across from the tree is this tavern table that always seems to look good no matter what the season.
I hope you enjoyed Come Visit my Home and my New Hometown, and a peek into the life of our collected family tree. I would love to hear about your family Christmas traditions.Now let’s pop over and visit my other blogging pals. I have a feeling we will be in for a treat.
Hey Cindy – just now reading all my blog posts from the last week. I love your home so much. And especially your tree. Mine looks the same every year as well.
Hi Gray
We have memory trees….the best…
Cindy! You are amazing! Moving to a new hometown and you’re already in charge of the floral arrangements for the Christmas barn party!! Love your gorgeous tree too!
Christmas in your new home!
Xx
Hi Annie
Only because of my friend Karyn who knows everyone!!
Hi Annie
It is because my friend masterminded it!!
Cindy, your new town is so sweet. It reminds me a lot of my new village. Thank you for sharing your house and village.
Love all of your Christas decorations and family ornaments.
Hi Elizabeth
There is just something about a small town isn’t there Elizabeth?
Hi Elizabeth
Thank you so much. We treasure each and every ornament
Wow, your new home town exudes with tradition. They put so much into everything. The community must have some highly talented and creative people, well of course look at you.
Your table decorations for the tables looked perfect.
The outlaws are the cutest. You looked great and Steve too.
Hi Katherine
There are some very talented people here.
Cindy, your new hometown sounds and looks wonderful, fun and festive. I’ve got to hand it to you, moving to a new place and jumping right into the social scene. I could live somewhere a year and never meet a single person. Seriously. I’ve added the Paso Robles area to my list of must-visit places. My husband has spent quite a bit of time there but somehow his trips my schedule were never in sync. Fooey on me. Like your family, ours opens gifts on Christmas Eve, and Santa comes Saturday morning to the littles delight. I love your sweet little Santa’s helper … there’s nothing like the joy of the holidays through a child’s eyes. Thanks for this amazing glimpse into a very cool place to live. Merry Merry! xo
Hi Cindy: I always enjoy seeing how you curate your home from treasures through the decades. I’m the same way. I do a family tree as well and opening the boxes every year takes me back to the time and the place where that ornament came into our lives. We too had a rotator in the family. My daughters would carefully place the ornaments as high as they could reach and when they went of to school I would balance things out hoping they wouldn’t notice. Of course they always did! Thanks for sharing and have a good one.
Hi Shelley
That’s hilarious! Your rotator sounds just like Colin
Love seeing your hometown and I always get decorating ideas when you share pictures of your home. Thank you!
Hi Barbara
Thank you so much! Happy Holidays!!
Hi Barbara
Thank you so much. Happy Holidays
Hi Barbara
So glad to hear that!
Love your heirloom tree, Cindy! Ours holds ornaments bought or received the year we were married, ornaments made by our daughter as a child, ornaments from my sister (our traditional Christmas gift to one another while she was living), and cookie dough ornaments I made in 1983. Glass icicles from Lillian Vernon (remember that catalog?). A tree topper angel made by our daughter when she was in Girl Scouts. Every year, decorating is a treasure trove of memories.
Oh my gosh Lillian Vernon, of course I remember…love hearing about your tree Sarah!
Hi Sarah
Your tree sounds wonderful!
You have definitely put your touch in your new home and hometown! Your home is beautiful and your community looks fun. Enjoy the rest of the Christmas season.
Hi Mary!
You guys need to come visit! Happy Holidays!
Such a beautiful part of California! My daughter’s wedding wad held at Hammersky Winery in Paso Robles..,a beautiful location!
Hi Judy
Hammersky is such a pretty spot! I bet the wedding was beautiful!
Fabulous, Fabulous!!
You have landed in a charming community, lucky you!!
I love your elevated casual style that you decorate your home, So lovely!!
Enjoy your first year making sweet memories!!🌲
Hi Janelle
Thank you so much. Happy Holidays!
Thank you Janelle!
Thank you so much for sharing, Cindy. Loved seeing your beautiful town at Christmastime and your home looks wonderful.
Family traditions are the best… and your Christmas plans sound great.
xoxo
Jan
Hi Jan
My pleasure! Happy Holidays to you! We need to do something together in the new year!
What a wonderful place to live – and your home is beautiful! I’m sure you going to have a lovely holiday season making new memories there!
Cheers! – Shelley
Hi Shelley
Happy Holidays friend!! Thank you so much!
Hi Cindy,
Very beautiful! I would love a little travel guide to Paso Robes – your recommendations on where to stay, eat, shop, wineries. That would be so great!
Hi Mary Kay
I am working on a “little black book” coming soon!!
Hi Cindy what a gorgeous part of the world you live in! My hubby and I had a wonderful couple of days in Pasa Robles and totally loved it and the Christmas events sounds heaven. Must try and go during the holidays, note to self! One of my new traditions is sharing something small I have bought for my christmas decorations-normally Etsy- and buying the same thing for my daughter as she sets up her home.She always gets a kick out of it !Thank you for the wonderful posts I so love them! Happy Christmas to you and yours! xo
Hi Francesca
I love that. I buy an ornament for each of my kids every year as well. Of course I get one for Summer now!!
I recognize all outlaws! When my kids moved away from home, I let them take whichever ornaments of theirs they wanted. It’s fun to see them in their own homes now, getting a collection started for their own children. I think this is your third post this week. How dod you do it all, Cindy?! When the season calms down, let’s get together.
Hi Wren
Of course you do!! Let’s do it soon.
Oh how much fun! And your house looks so fantastic. So happy for you and hope you are finally feeling settled and calm. Hope you can come down for a visit soon. And next time let me know when you are arriving !!! xxoo Kelley
Hi Kelley
Thank you! Can’t wait to head that way soon!!
Cindy wow so much fun in your new home town. Love the light and forklift parade! People know how to have fun. Small towns are the best. Your story about Colin reminds me of Griffin and Jack. They always put their school ornaments and some of the other big paper and egg cup ones front and center.. I sometimes move them a bit to the sides! I spy that little gingerbread guy! Your tree is perfect in your beautiful new home and the shot with the chandelier is gorgeous. I’m so glad you guys are happy in your new spot. ‘m sure you’ll have a fantastic Christmas with Summer too! xo
Hi Kim
It must be a young man thing!!
TRADITIONS!
FOOD ON THE 24TH AND FOOD ON THE 25TH DINNERS!!
COLORED LIGHTS ON TREE NEVER WHITE AS THE ITALIAN WILL HAVE NO PART OF THAT!
ORNAMENTS FROM MY YOUTH ONWARDS……..WE ALWAYS LOSE A COUPLE EACH YEAR TO FALLING OR SLIPPING OUT OF OUR HANDS!MY MOTHER COLLECTED THE CHRISTOPHER RADKO FOR US SINCE WE WERE MARRIED AND I CAN ALWAYS FIND IN OUTR LOCAL CONSIGNMENT SHOP A FEW MORE!
PANDORO WIH CHAMPAGNE ON THE NIGHT OF THE 24TH……..PANDORO WARMS BY THE FIREPLACE BEFORE EATING!CARROTS AND COOKIES FOR SANTA…………….
LOTS OF MERRIMENT!!
XX
Hi Elizabeth
My kids always wanted colored lights, but guess what now that they have their own trees? White Lights! We lose a few of the glass ones as well! Thank you for reminding me about the carrots!
This sure makes me want to visit your part of the beautiful USA! Sounds like a lovely town and area.
Hi Denise
It is a lovely town. We are very lucky!
It really is!
Cindy,
What a wonderful area you and Steve have chosen to live in. Your home looks wonderful all the time, but especially when it’s dressed for a California Christmas.
I’m leaving for Austin today to join my oldest son and family for an early Christmas and then I’ll celebrate Christmas Eve and Christmas with my youngest son and family. Lucky me, I get two Christmases. 😊🎄🎄
Enjoy the season.
xx,
Karen B.
Hi Karen
Well Austin sure is a fun place to visit!!
A Forklift Parade!!! Now that sounds like fun. The area where you live is so interesting and lovely.
It sure is! Sorry we will be missing that one!
I love that you’ve made yourself a part of your new community. Most people don’t do that and it takes them a long time to get to know people and feel really at home. xoxox, Brenda
Hi Brenda
We have been lucky to have found a couple really outgoing friends!
Cindy, thank you for sharing your new community and your lovely Christmas tree and the memories along with it. So beautiful!
Hi Jennifer
Of course! We love it here and are so happy to share!
Hi Jennifer
Of course! Happy Holidays!
Hi Jennifer
Of course! Happy Holidays