We're friends, right..

So, can I be honest with you?

It's hard to describe, but 2019 has been an off year for me.  It was way too busy and with too many projects that required too much time on the road, loss of a most treasured loved one, and now it's gone.  As I reached the end of it and began looking back, I came to find much of it is a blur.  

  

It's been a thrilling year having our new grandson with us, he is so precious, and I couldn't love him more!  The interior cabin renovation is finally done, yay!  But it's been an exceptionally busy year and I found myself absolutely exhausted at the end of it.  Then there was Thanksgiving which was late, and Christmas which was early and three birthdays to celebrate, and New Year's Day...and I was hosting it all.  My mind and body were too full of tired and exhaustion to be motivated or creative or to enjoy the process of getting all these things pulled together...I was stuck.

Are you ever like that?

In the Meantime

After Christmas, once all the decorations are put away, doesn't it look a little bare!

Is it just me or do you feel the same way?

And now that Christmas is packed away, there is much more to do!

Mantels

and

tabletops

and

kitchen counters,

so many places needing to be decorated!

And how do I want to decorate these spaces for winter?

Is it just me or are you asking yourself the same question?

Well, that's just too much to decide right now, so I'm sitting back and going to ponder that a bit.

And in the meantime...

Just Like that Christmas is Over

I still feel as though I've missed something, or as if something is still to come?

It seems many of you feel the same with Thanksgiving being so late this year,

which trickled into Christmas decorating being late,

and Christmas coming early,

and just like that...it's already over...and there is much I didn't share!

I was late in finishing my decorating, but I'm still in the Christmas spirit and not taking my decorations down just yet, so here is more Christmas at our house.

Christmas Kitchen

Christmas is only 5 days away and I'm still behind.  I'll say it's because Thanksgiving was late this year, because if I had another week all would be good, and less hectic, and I wouldn't be so crazy...so that sounds like a good excuse to me!

Growing up we had a tinsel tree.  It came in a tall box, with a ton of honeycomb sections, and each section had the end of a tinsel branch right there at the top for us to pull up and then stick in the wooden pole.  It was so much fun to putting the tinsel tree together and I loved all the sparkle!  I don't know what became of that tree, but I enjoy this tiny one that finds its place in the kitchen every year.

Christmas in the Dining Room

Are you ready for Christmas?

Not me...I am so far behind in getting my decorating finished this year.  I am trying not to stress about it though.  I'll continue doing what I can and come Wednesday, what is done, is all I will be doing.

It was fun pulling together Christmastime in the dining room.  I do love these Christmas dishes, especially in the evening light.

Merry Christmas 2017!

So we can focus on the real reason for the season, AMAZE ME MONDAY will resume next week.
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

'Twas The Night Before Jesus Came'

Unknown Author

'Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house

Not a creature was praying, not one in the house.

Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care

In hopes that Jesus would not come there.

The children were dressing to crawl into bed.

Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.

And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap

Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.

When out of the East there arose such a clatter.

I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!

When what to my wondering eyes should appear

But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.

With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray

I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY!

The light of His face made me cover my head

It was Jesus! returning just like He had said.

And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,

I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.

In the Book of Life which He held in His hand

Was written the name of every saved man.

He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;

When He said "it's not here" my head hung in shame.

The people whose names had been written with love

He gathered to take to His Father above.

With those who were ready He rose without a sound.

While all the rest were left standing around.

I fell to my knees, but it was too late;

I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.

I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;

Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.

In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;

The coming of Jesus is drawing near.

There's only one life and when comes the last call

We'll find that the Bible was true after all!

Christmas Home Tour 2015

Christmas is over and I'm in the process of packing all my decorations away.  Each year I share a full tour of my home decorated for the season but so far have only shared individual rooms, so here is my Christmas 2015 home tour with snippets and links to rooms you may have missed.

Christmas in the Foyer

Plaid ribbon, garland and ornaments on the banister.

This Most Wonderful Day

It's very early on this warm Christmas morning

and as I make my way around the house, turning on all the Christmas lights

 and getting the coffee going, I am filled with emotion as I ponder the true meaning of Christmas; celebrating the birth of Jesus, the Christ, Savior of the world and the reason for the season.

Christmas in the Kitchen

There is something special as the early morning sunlight streams in through the windows and into the kitchen.  From early morning to late afternoon it's magical as the sun creates shadows that dance across the room; especially when it's decorated for Christmas.

Christmas in the Great Room

It is always such fun decorating for Christmas.

Since before Thanksgiving and all the way through New Year's Day our calendar is full!   Much more so than any other year I can remember.  The week following Thanksgiving I had less than a week to get the house decorated and a menu planned and prepared for the first Christmas party to be hosted here, so I scaled back the decorating.

With all these events to host and attend, my focus has shifted from decorating ,taking pictures for blogging and the usual holiday activities to preparing for more gatherings with special friends and family.

Though this involves a lot of extra planning, cleaning and cooking, I am enjoying it so much!  More focus on others and spending quality time with them is truly making this an extra special Christmas season.

The great room is simple and fun this year.

With snowmen, snow birds, lots of berries and cute little hats too...come on in!

Eagerly Awaiting...

Kindness,

good will towards men,

selflessness,

anticipation,

reflection,

celebrating the birth of Christ,

a renewed hope and excitement for this beautiful gift of life.

These are just some of the things that make Christmas such a special time of year.

All spring and summer long I lovingly nurture a few things dear to my heart

and

then

autumn

arrives

and

I

find

myself

eagerly awaiting their arrival...

Just Before Christmas...

The day was planned.

Christmas decorations were brought down from storage the day before,

each labeled box had been placed in the room it would be unpacked,

I was excited to begin decorating for this special Christmas season,

this most wonderful time of the year.

First thing first though;

the usual early morning gathering of shelled sunflower seeds and meal worms for feeding the birds,

putting on my coat, slipping off my slippers and sliding into my outdoor boots,

heading through the back door and onto the deck with the songbirds waiting for me at the feeders

and that's when this ordinary day turned extraordinary.

Pink hues seemed to engulf the world.

All was pink, purple and blue as my eyes gazed out past the deck,

through the trees and into the sky...it was a glorious sight!

There was calm,

a reassurance,

an instant importance of things so much grander than my plan for the day.

I was taken past the decorations and straight to the reason for this most wonderful time of year.

Joy,

Peace,

Hope,

there is a plan,

we have a future

and

it is secure.

Which Are You?

I hope you had a Merry Christmas!

These days after I am curious...

Christmas Home Tour 2014 & Merry Christmas to You!

Merry Christmas!



Over the past few weeks I've shared individual rooms with you that have been dressed for the season.  Today I have added some new ones too, so come on in for my Christmas home tour and wish for you this holiday season...

A Keeping Room Christmas

Reindeer.

Glistening greenery.

Crystal snowflakes and ribbon.

Golden rings and candles.

The keeping room is ready for Christmas!

Dining Room at Christmas

As we pull down box upon box of Christmas decorations,

reading each label to group them by room,

there is a bit of excitement as I see the one marked "Dining Room".

Christmas Touches in the Great Room

I wanted to show you the great room all decked out for Christmas!

This room has Mr. Hearts favorite decorations,

can you guess what they are?

Christmas Sparkle Farmhouse Kitchen & Tour of Homes

It's been playing over, and over, and over in my head.

Oh what fun it is to ...
you know the song ... Jingle Bells! 

This is the first Christmas in our farmhouse style kitchen and oh what fun it's been adding Christmas sparkle!

I am so excited to be a part of the 2014 "Christmas in the Country" Home Tour and Link Party.
If this is your first time visiting...WELCOME!

Christmas Bird Centerpiece

Around here,
it's all about keeping things easy this Christmas.

Adding simple but cheerful Christmas touches,
like this quick and easy Christmas Bird Centerpiece...

A Showy Gift!

Every year this time we receive a gift.

Even though I know it's coming, each year I am more captivated...