Love. On this Fourth Sunday in Advent we Light the Candle of Love. The first week, we lit the candle of Hope. The second week, we lit the candle of Peace. And last week we lit the candle of JOY. My heart is full of gratitude. I cannot even begin to comprehend this love the Father has for us. To think that he so much wanted us to "get it" that he orchestrated an amazing turn of events to not only demonstrate this love he has for you and me, but to make a way to be a part of his forever family. At Christmas, we imagine a sweet bucolic scene of a mother tending to her … [Read more...]
Are you a fan of gold or silver or some other metal in home decor? If I choose to decorate with metallic elements at Christmas, I usually choose gold. Last year I stepped out of my 'gold box' and dipped my toe in some silver spray paint. The results were quite pleasing. To see more of this silver table setting, click here. Are you enjoying our 12 Days of Christmas series? ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Catch up on all that's … [Read more...]
I confess I enjoy decorating my whole house for Christmas. Nothing elaborate, just a small woodland touch here and there. Do you decorate your whole house for Christmas? For quite a few years I hosted a Longaberger open house the first Saturday of December. Because I was a crazy lady and because I wanted customers to see my baskets and pottery in use around the house, I decorated every room of my home. I will confess...it was fun. And a lot of work. In addition to that we used to host either a dinner or an open house or both for volunteers from church as well. Our … [Read more...]
One late fall, my aunt and uncle invited us to their home in Flint, Michigan. They insisted that we go with them to the quaint town of Frankenmuth for a German chicken dinner and a stroll through the world's largest Christmas store, Bronner's Christmas Wonderland. Bronner's truly had more Christmas decorations in one place than I could have imagined. But, what most amazed me were all the different nativities and sizes, some but an inch tall to larger than life. And of course, I came home with a small piece, the holy family and a star and an angel, to begin my tradition of … [Read more...]
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19 Just think of all the experiences Mary had leading up to and through the birth of her baby, King Jesus. Somehow Mary recognized the greatness or significance of each experience. Her heart was full. Neither of us are Mary, but God has allowed us to experience many significant things as well. Which of your experiences do you treasure? Have you pondered the significance of any? The good and the not-so-good? Christmas is more than the celebration. Christmas is also … [Read more...]
This year I have enjoyed playing with nature's elements. You might remember my pampas grass wreath here, my grapevine wreath decorated with privet berries and colorful leaves here, or my oak leaf branches here. These are all items that get pruned, raked up, composted, or burned. But for me, they have been a treasure for creating woodland home decor. Winterberry is my new favorite for Christmas decor. Actually it isn't a new favorite, it's just that Michigan has more wetlands than either New York or Pennsylvania where I lived for the past 13 years, and it's been that long since … [Read more...]
Grapevine wreaths can be so very easy to decorate with for most holidays. You might remember my Easter Egg Wreath or my Natural Fall Wreath. Both were quick and simple to make. This Grapevine and Winterberry Noel Wreath was also easy to put together. Early this fall I created a few grapevine wreaths from those growing up in the trees nearby. They're easy to make and they're free. Yay! I've been having lots of fun decorating with Winterberry or Michigan Holly which grows in wetlands. I love their vivid red color. They really add a colorful pop to all the … [Read more...]
Today, on this third Sunday of Advent, we light the candle of JOY. The first week, we lit the candle of Hope. The second week, we lit the candle of Peace. Today, we rejoice with Mary at this amazing thing God has done. Oh JOY! Though we know that Mary was a very young woman about 13 years old, she had an amazing understanding of scripture and the times in which she lived. She was carrying the Messiah, the one who to bring freedom to the captives. No doubt she was a little scared. Yet, she was filled with great joy. I enjoy reading a translation of the Bible called … [Read more...]
Do you love attending home tours? When you go on a holiday home tour, what are you hoping to see? Have you attended any holiday home tours this year? I bet you'd love to take a tour of my home. We can't do that this year since everything I own is packed up in storage, but how about we push the button on the time machine and go back in time? Are you ready? Here's a link to some holiday fun at my last house. Be sure to 'sign the guest book' and let me know if you picked up any ideas or what you most liked. Oh...you're wondering about the 12 Days of Christmas? We're … [Read more...]
Joy Joy is my word of the year. Joy is in my tagline, A Place of Joy and Inspiration. Joy Day! is a special day on the blog each week. Joy is something I strive for and desire for you. How about we spread Christmas JOY all over our homes? Today I have a fun roundup of ideas I've been seeing around the blogosphere that are joy-worthy for your home. So without further ado... Here's some Christmas Joy for you... I love the simplicity of a frame hanging around letters hung directly on the wall. This entire mantel design has such a wonderful textural … [Read more...]
There are just 16 days until Christmas arrives. Are you ready to have a panic attack or does this heighten your anticipation? Christmas looks different to all of us depending upon our circumstances. I remember re-runs of an old PBS sitcom...."Keeping Up Appearances." The main character, Hyacinth Bucket, was overly concerned about looking good to the "important" people of the world. She wanted those of her "stature" in life or less, to see her as impeccable in every way, equal to those of wealth and high social standing. She even went so far as to pronounce her last name as … [Read more...]
Are you observing Advent with a daily reading or a weekly candle lighting? If not, it really is not too late to begin. It's a very special time of anticipation. I shared some ideas for observing Advent here. And I created a not-so-typical-version of an Advent wreath here? Today we light the second Advent candle. The candle of Peace. Click here to read about God’s promise of peace from Isaiah 11:1-10. In the second chapter of the Book of Luke in the Bible, the writer tells us all the details surrounding Jesus' coming to the world, including the census which … [Read more...]
Are you one of those amazing people with your tree decorated and all your presents wrapped the first week of December? Or maybe you haven't even begun hanging wreaths or stringing lights. Whichever camp you're in....there is still plenty of time to make a few whimsical paperback book Christmas trees. They are really popular this year, too. How do I know this? This post from last year is currently my number one, most viewed post, hands down. The good thing....I wrote a simple and easy to follow tutorial for creating your own amazing paperback book Christmas trees for you to … [Read more...]
This year, I wanted to be really intentional about observing Advent. I even shared a post with ideas for Advent readings and candles, here. But, when it came to my own advent candle wreath, I had nothing. Nada. It was something I wanted....but it is not necessary. Plus, I don't exactly have money to be spending on something like this, and since I'm living "in between" with my stuff in storage, well...I really could go without. Several weeks ago I was invited to participate in an upcoming blogger event, All Things Dollar Tree for Christmas, where you create something from … [Read more...]
Quite a few years ago my husband and I were browsing a sweet little book shop in downtown Holland, Michigan at Christmas time. We could spend hours there. Tim, who is a huge fan of J.R.R. Tolkien, picked up a full-sized softcover book with the most amazing illustrations, Letters From Father Christmas. I was busy that year and though Tim encouraged me to read it, I never got around to it. But, year after year, I stacked it up along with an assortment of Christmas books on the blanket chest we used for our coffee table. Then, for some reason, I sat down. Um. Generally I never sat down before Christmas … [Read more...]
It was interesting to me to listen to other shoppers when I was in the stores earlier this weekend. I was amazed at how intentional and sometimes intense people were in finding and deciding upon their purchases. Most of us have a plan in mind when we go shopping, or even when we begin our Christmas decorating. How many of us have a personal plan for the Christmas season? Often we are so busy doing....that we don't take time to be in the moment. We don't take time to ponder the reason for the season. We just go. And I am very experienced at getting into that mode. So... Last week I invited you to … [Read more...]
It was an Extraordinary week here on the blog. Here's a rundown of this week's posts... Vintage Flow Blue Thanksgiving Table Setting :: The Week at a Glance 11/29 Last year's Thanksgiving table with some easy how-tos for creating place card holders and napkin rings. Plus a quick review of the past week on the blog. Giving Thanks with a Grateful Heart :: Joy Day! Exploring this grateful heart "thing" and then counting our blessings from the week, together. Thanksgiving Tablescape :: Creatively Using Woodland Elements Who knew a Wood Duck could make such an interesting centerpiece? Taking … [Read more...]
