My husband and I are still in Georgia, enjoying a few more days with my sister Diane and her husband Ed. With memories of a fabulous Thanksgiving feast behind us, our thoughts are now turning toward the next big holiday.

Diane has been decorating their home for  Christmas, with a few items chosen to delight their seven-year-old grandson. In the dining room, for example, Santa reigns:

The garland on the built-in buffet is adorned with sparkly fruit and berries:

Suspended from the light fixture in the hallway is a pair of kissing balls the size of bowling balls:

In the living room, the mantel is decorated with an elegant lighted garland:

Also in the living room are a couple of simple but elegant additions. . .

. . . and a tiny tree next to the piano:

In the kitchen you’ll find this charming vignette above the range:

The front and back doors have large wreaths:

Even the powder room gets the holiday treatment:

Every day I notice something new: kitchen towels decorated with snowmen, jingle bells and tiny needlepoint pillows hanging from doorknobs, Christmas-themed bowls and spreaders for hors d’oeuvres displayed on the counter, a nutcracker standing guard on the fireplace surround.

I really do think Diane has a knack for decorating. Her home is graciously appointed all year around but right now, decked out for the holidays, it is especially beautiful.