Decking the Halls

We've been busy little elves here - decorating, 

shopping, and preparing for Christmas Day. 

My sweet Ramblin' Man even took me out 

on a little drive to see all the decorated homes. 

Complete with hot chocolate! 

Our little cottage in the woods gets no passers-by, 

but we like to add some seasonal touches - 

just for our own enjoyment. 

The family will be joining us on Christmas Day, 

so we like to make it warm and welcoming

for them, too 

Come along inside for some seasonal cheer, 

won't you? 

I will put on a pot of hot chocolate:)

Let me take your coat....

My Dear Father made the coat rack as 

a gift one long ago Christmas. 

A collection of red plaid woollies is 

a necessity during hunting season :( 

Two of these were my Father's and 

wrap me with his love every morning

when I venture out to feed the birds. 

Maggie takes a nap on a sunny morning......

We have had unseasonably warm weather lately. 

It was 66 degrees last week and this week has 

been in the 50's. 

We have been taking advantage of the lovely weather

to get some yard work done and to gather greens 

for decorating. 

We have had some strong windstorms to go along 

with our warm weather which has left us 

with plenty of windfall! 

(To gather and to clean up :)

Our tiny tree....

I have been sewing new pillows -

the smaller pillow is new, the larger one

was sewn a couple of years ago. 

Both were made out of vintage crocheted table runners. 

My vintage picnic basket holds presents. 

The thermos is sweet with gathered greens. 

The tree was elevated with an upside down

galvanized wash tub. 

I used vintage 'pearl' necklaces for garlands. 

I bought 4 crystal guardian angels

for my 4 children when they were young. 

Glittered glass pine-cones were a recent purchase

from the sweet shop featured in my last post. 

The nativity is in a safe place. 

I have to protect it from jumping cats. 

They would rather jump onto the window sill :)

The bisque porcelain is hand painted with lovely detail. 

It has survived 4 children and many Christmas celebrations

without a scratch.

A beautiful day. 

A pine-cone orb that I crafted last year. 

My Christmas cactus blooms in the window. 

This cactus is at least 15 years old! 

The scene reflected in the mirror. 

The entry table with its woodland vignette. 

My small collection of log cabins. 

As a child, I lived in a log cabin with a 

beautiful stone chimney, knotty pine walls, and open beam ceilings. 

As a child, we also vacationed in a log cabin 

in the White Mountains

of New Hampshire.

It belonged to my Father's boss, Mr. Butler. 

We called it 'Butler's Cabin'. 

I even had a log cabin play house, 

with furniture crafted from 

branches. 

Log cabins are very dear to my heart. 

Of course we can't forget Santa in our Christmas 

decorating! 

I handcrafted this little fellow years ago from 

a pattern out of Better Homes and Gardens magazine. 

I actually made 10 of them to give as gifts one year! 

The rocking horse was a childhood ornament. 

It is these sentimental keepsakes that give 

special meaning to the holidays. 

I've kept my mantel classic and simple this year. 

A favorite, hand-painted plate of cardinals. 

A hand-painted music box - 'The Nutcracker' - 

a gift from my Dear Mother. 

One of our last Christmas's with her, 

she bought all the girls in our extended family

tickets to see 'The Nutcracker' ballet

at Mccaw Hall in Seattle.

She gave me this beautiful music box that same year. 

Golden mosaic votive holders for Advent. 

Thank you for your sweet visits, my Dear Friends. 

I hope you are enjoying these short winter days and long

nights leading up to Christmas. 

I know this is a busy time for everyone and I appreciate 

the time you have taken to visit my little corner of the world. 

Thank you for your dear and encouraging comments on my 

last post on behalf of my daughters. 

Knowing that you have them in your thoughts and prayers

means the world to me and to them. 

You are all truly special. 

xoxo

Next time: I will show you my Nordic Inspired redecorated kitchen <3 

Until then, take good care.