Christmas Mantel 2016

Better late than never...

Our Christmas mantel has been done for some time now but oops, I have not shared it here on the blog yet.

I am loving the simplicity of it this year.

Some faux greenery, a red berry garland, a couple votive holders, and some sticks that I painted.

I didn't use any glue or wire on this wreath.

The picks are just strategically placed into the wreath.
Check out some other wreaths that I've made.

Instead of a bow, I used this burlap poinsettia that has a little bit of glitter.

It is a pick, as are the berries.

I bought these at Hobby Lobby...on sale of course.

The wreath hangs on the mirror above the mantel.

I gathered these sticks from the yard last year and spray painted them with some glitter paint.

I stored them with my Christmas decor, and think they held up nicely.

The votive holders were a gift.

Because they are so close to the greenery and berries, I chose to use battery operated candles.

Cold outside and toasty warm inside...one of my favorite times.

I think it's fun to look at this year's mantel compared to previous years.

Seeing how my scrapbooks are gathering dust ;-(  I'm glad to have this blog as a remembrance.

Christmas mantel 2015

Christmas mantel 2014

DIY Christmas Wreaths

Weather you consider yourself crafty or not, I guarantee this is one project anyone can do.

With a little creativity you can make your own wreath!

And for a fraction of what a store bought decorated wreath costs.

I have been making Christmas wreaths for years.
Some for myself.
Some as gifts.

If you haven't made one yet, I hope you will soon...

Using Milk Glass With Christmas Decor

Milk glass, oh how I love you!

I only have a few pieces, mostly given to me by my mother.

They're so pretty.

A bit nostalgic.

Crisp white.

I like to decorate with milk glass all year round,
 and I also like to use my milk glass pieces.

Here are few ways that I am using milk glass this holiday season.

Vibrant red bulbs nestled in the crisp white milk glass makes the living room feel so festive...
Like it's ready for a party!

Fresh cedar branches tucked in a milk glass vase can be used all winter long.

The girl's bathroom is getting a bit of a makeover (post coming soon).

Blue Christmas bulbs adds a little cheer to the space as they are getting ready for their day.

Homemade pimento cheese served in milk glass makes a Christmas party feel a little more fancy, compared to a plain bowl.  Click HERE for the easy recipe.

Pine cones and dried oranges tucked in a milk glass dish makes a simple yet stunning statement.
And can be used all winter long.  Click HERE to see how to dry oranges in the oven.

So dust off your milk glass and let them shine this Christmas and winter season!

Our Farmhouse Christmas Porch

Thanks for going along with me on my walk through the woods the other day.

Wasn't it invigorating?

As I mentioned, visions were dancing in my head to decorate the front porch with the beautiful pieces that I gathered.
Sometimes I don't sleep very well when this happens ;-)


The design assistant (observing from the window) has given her approval for me to show you our farmhouse Christmas porch.

I tucked some fresh juniper branches in the urns that flank the front door, then gave them a little water.
Click HERE to see how I did it.

It seems as though many of our animals have a design opinion this year.

This beautiful, old, rusty milk can got some fresh cedar branches and some beautiful red berries, along with a little water to keep them fresh.

Next to another antique milk can, I used some pine cones that I have gathered over the years along with a lantern.

I used some faux greenery and berries on the top.
Then added some silver ornaments and a red candle.

I like how the stacked firewood is both useful and handsome.

Handy Hubby hung some icicle lights.

He also hung some wreaths on the dormers.

(Our faithful farm dog wasn't so much in the design mood like the cats were...
she just wanted her 'very worn' dog bed put back in place.)

Have you noticed that I didn't use a wreath on the door?

...more on that later.

No Sew Christmas Pillows

I wanted to add some red plaid Christmas pillows to my decor this year.

But, after shopping for holiday pillows (and getting sticker shock!), I decided I could make my own.

And you can too! 

A Chalk Paint Marathon

I am on a chalk paint marathon!

Let's be honest...chalk paint ain't cheap!

But, WOW is it awesome!!

To me, it's worth the money, especially when I can do more than one project with one quart.

Tucking Fall Into Our Lives

Fall is my absolute favorite season!
Tucking a little fall into our lives makes my heart sing.

I love to feel the crisp air that blows through the house when the windows are open.

Deck Progress (Part 3 of We Are Building A Deck)

Yep, we are still at it!

Handy Hubby works on the deck in his spare time (and when the humidity is not 950 degrees).

A lot has been done since my last update... 

Yard Sale Dresser Gets A Makeover

Don't you just love yard sales?  

Someone else's junk/trash can become your treasure...

We Are Building A Deck (Part 2)

Handy Hubby worked on the deck some last week in the evenings and more this past weekend.

Let me just say it has been  H-O-T...we're talking temps in the 90's!

We've also had some rain out days and a busy life...

Here's a recap of what was accomplished since I last shared:

We Are Building A Deck (Part 1)

We are finally getting around to building our back deck.

Four years ago when we were building our home, the deck is something that we decided to not do at the time.  The money (and time) was used for other things in the home and on our homestead.

Over the years, it was two things that never seemed to line up for us to do this DIY project...

Time 

and 

Money

One or the other (and sometimes both) seemed to be an issue.  Well...we are diving into it!  

We are building a deck.

Now I know what you're probably thinking...

the bird bath on top of the aerator system and the dog box look just fine right?  ;-) Ha!

The plan (which is in our heads) has been discussed and decided...

Farmhouse Laundry Room Refresh

A functional pole for drying clothes is what sparked a little refresh in the laundry room.

The drying system that I was using was just taking up too much space.

Laundry...

it's not a chore that I enjoy doing, but it's a service that I do for my family so they don't have to go around naked...you're welcome family ;-)

Full disclosure:  The girls help with laundry around here too. 

Anyhoo...as I said a functional pole is what was needed.  I know you know what I'm talking about...delicates yes, but also for those clothes when the dryer is in one of her moods, and decides to make your clothes too tight.  Yes, it is the dryers fault, not that delicious pie that I may have devoured ;-)

Our laundry room also needed a little prettying up.  I didn't want to spend a lot of money, so here's what we did...

Farmhouse Bench

A farmhouse bench for the mud room. 

Years ago I purchased this bench to go with our then dining room table.

It was all the light color that you see on the seat.

Nice, but...

How To Keep Flowers Upright In A Mason Jar

Don't you just love to have fresh flowers in the house?

Hand picked from the garden, the woods, or even the grocery store...flowers are welcome any time of year.

One of my favorite ways to display them is in vintage blue mason jars.  I have purchased most at yard sales throughout the years.  

Anything looks better in a mason jar, right?

But sometimes because of the length of the stem or even the weight, they need a little help standing upright in the mason jars...

Feed Sacks From Grandma

My Mom gave me some feed sacks.

What?

Yes, feed sacks!

There are some very pretty patterns.

But the best part?  They have a story that goes with them...

How To Dry Oranges In The Oven

 

Did you know that you can dry oranges in the oven?

No expensive dehydrator needed!

Just a couple hours in the oven and I had these beauties.
I love how the light shines through the orange slices.