Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Winter Garden

Our Christmas yard display is a little more natural this year.
 
 
 
 
We didn't cut down the seed heads from the fall plantings. 
 
I think they'll remain up through the winter.
 
The birds will get to enjoy them longer, too.
 
 
 
 
And we always use our old sleds as part of our displays,
 
they seem to blend in with landscape.
 
 
 
 
We've never used blowmolds or inflatables in the yard...
 
 
 
 
...always preferring just lights and a few decorative items.
 
 
 
 
But this year, we decided we would use less lights.
 
Normally, Dan decorates all of the shrubs and foundational plantings
 
with tiny white lights, sometimes some red.
 
 
 
 
We still used some lights, but limited them this year to
 
the garlands on the house and fence and just a few accent bushes.
 
Dan said he used half of what he did last year.
 
 
 
 
You'd never know any different.
 
I can still say it's a beautiful display.
 
He always does a great job.
 
 
 
 
Now if it would just snow a bit
 
I could get some great landscape photography happening on this end.
 
But, today we are at an unseasonable 68 degrees, and there is no snow on the radar.
 
I think it's gonna be a Green Christmas.
 
 
Sharing with Garden Parties at
 
 
 
 


Monday, December 3, 2012

Christmas Pinks

A little pink brings a bit of glitz and glam to Christmas...
 
 
 
 
...so I'm sounding my horn and tootin' that I LOVE a little pink on the table!
 
 
 
 
I have a few tiny treasures grouped here,
 
some trumpets and old bulbs...
 
and a fascinating wee baby in a milkweed pod.
 
Could it be baby Jesus with those lush pink ribbons?  Perhaps.
 
 
 
 
I love how delicate these old pieces are.
 
 
 
 
Putting these tiny little trinkets in a crystal dish with some old
 
chandelier pendants lets them sparkle more so than if they were on a tree.
 
They're like dainty little candies!
 
 
 
 
Sharing my pinks with:
 
 
 


Sunday, December 2, 2012

First Sunday of Advent and Holly Berries

The holly bush by our front door is blooming right now
 
to welcome Christmas properly, of course.
 
 


And so a few clippings in a tinted jar is all I need for today's quiet imagery.
 
The theme of this week of advent is to listen.
 
 
 
 
Let's not let our hearts become weakened
 
with a commercialized presentation of Christmas.
 
Let us rejoice in the little things.
 
...clear our minds...
 
Let's listen to Christmas music to help set a tone.
 
 
 
 
Holly as decor marks the advent of our Lord...
 
let us prepare our homes and wait.
 
It is said that in the early days of Christianity, Christians used holly as winter decor
 
because it blended with the decor of the non-believers who also used it.
 
In this way, they secretly and quietly celebrated the Nativity of our Lord and avoided conflict.
 
 
 
 
To Christians, the holly leaves came to symbolize the crown of thorns.
 
The berries, the drops of blood within it.
 
This visual metaphor is emphasized in a holly wreath.
 
 
 
 
Alone, a few sprigs make a simple arrangement.
 
Natural, Biblical, folk... all hallmarks of true vintage Christmas decor.
 
(A few sprigs of faux holly can do if your concerned about children or pets
 
ingesting poisonous berries).
 
 
 
 
Happy Advent!
 
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Savvy Southern Style's Wow Us Wednesday
*Christmas Linky for Vignettes and Mantels*
 
 
 
 

 



Saturday, December 1, 2012

Admit One!

Get your ticket...
 
Christmas is coming! 
 
*And I love a vintage Christmas!*
 
(so I'll be sharing more of my love of that).
 
 
 
 
We've begun decking the halls with the old things we love...
 
 
 
 
and our little Hope tree is decorated this year with some paper ornaments
 
and lace trims from Nook and Cranny gifts.
 
It's such a romantic little tree with twinkling lights.
 
 
 
 
We'll welcome advent at the front door with this little tree.
 
 
 
 
Our youngest welcomed advent by eating a whole row of chocolates
 
out of her advent calendar, but she has three calendars, and I guess little girls love their chocolate.
 
They go to see Santa tomorrow after church.  I had a Tshirt on today with Santa on it and
 
the slogan, "I believe."  My little boy looked at it and said, "WHO WOULDN'T?!"
 
 
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