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Thursday, December 8, 2016

Christmas on the Front Porch-2016

I am a creature of habit and change is not something that I like to mess with too often... I know, funny for someone who is constantly wanting to paint or move furniture, right. But there are things that work for me and it doesn't take a lot of effort recreating the look year after year. Not really what you're coming here for? Well, I did change it up a little on the front porch this year.

Mister hung the icicle lights for me. I try to get this done when temps are still warmer to make it less of a dreaded chore. Sometimes lights are up for a week or two before we actually turn them on. I got some pictures taken the day after Thanksgiving, which is when I usually decorate outside. The weather was warm. A week later we got our first snow and I had to run out with my camera. You will notice the difference in the photos.



I changed the bows on the wreaths to plaid. I don't know why my decorating has taken this turn this year....




Maybe it has something to do with a side project I was working on for someone else. Their was Winter Wonderland so everything was white, gold, and silver. That is what I thought was going to happen in my home this year but then the backward hutch top happened and here I am.

I found this fishing creel last month at my trip to a local monthly market! I changed the bow out to match the wreaths.



I bought a 4 foot tree for $15 from a local yard sale Facebook page. I crammed it into the bottom of my cart and slapped my hand painted sign on the front.






I gathered downed branches from the yard, added some greens and some holly from my neighbor's huge bush. They always come over to let me know I am welcome to cut from the back for anything I may need.  I pushed all that into the old crock and placed it on the church pew.

A wreath, with a matching plaid bow, adorns the front gate.


I consider our decorated home a gift to my neighborhood. My snowman welcomes people as they go by.


I love looking at the lights and decorations on people's homes and I assume others do, too. We often take drives through pretty neighborhoods during Christmas. It makes me happy to see all the twinkling and sparkles. Even the worst home in a neighborhood looks pretty at night with the Christmas lights on. Kinda like us.... Simple humans, tattered and worn, covered in the grime of our transgressions can become beautiful when adorned with the light of Christ.



Now, I need to work on the inside! Happy decorating and preparing!
                                                           Merry Christmas!

Party time!
Imparting Grace, Lambert's Lately, My Repurposed Life, The Charm of Home, Katherine's Corner, The Vintage Nest, Joyful Homemaking, A Cup of Mrs. Olson, A Delightsome Life, Up To Date Interiors, Craftberry Bush, Charm Bracelet Diva, Life With Lorelai, Shabby Art Boutique, Shoestring Elegance, Olives-n-Okra, Coastal Charm, Skip To My Lou, French Country Cottage, The Cottage Market, The DIY Village, DIY Vintage Chic, McCall Manor, Creatively Homemade, The Chelsea Project, Chic On A Shoestring, Ms ToodyGoo Shoes,, Pieced Pastimes, One More Time Events, Finding Silver Pennies, Create With Joy, The Boondocks Blog, Nifty Thrifty Things, Dwellings-The Heart of Your Home, The Stonybrook House, I Should Be Mopping the Floor, Creatively Living, The Dedicated House, Strangers and Pilgrims On Earth, Our Home Away From Home, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, Cupcakes and Crinoline, Celebrate & Decorate, A Stroll Thru Life, Common Ground, Flamingo Toes, Lou Lou Girls

26 comments:

  1. Wow, you are blessed with a beautiful home and you have decorated it with such panache it is stunning.

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    1. How kind! Thank you for leaving me a comment and for spending time with me.

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  2. Looks like a scene from a postcard! Very pretty!

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    1. Aw, thank you. Merry Christmas and thank you for always being sure to leave me a comment. I am thankful that you are always quick to reach out with kindness.

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  3. Hi!your house is gorgeous. I'm visiting from Charm of Home Linky Party! I have a farmhouse pinterest board that this blog will look amazing on! Pinning now!

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    1. Hi, Heather! I am so glad you stopped by today. Thank you for pinning and for the sweet words. Hope you stop by again, soon!

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  4. This is absolutely stunning. All the charm of the fresh greenery. Beautiful.

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    1. Thank you, Leanna! What a lovely compliment. Thank you for stopping by.

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  5. Jolena, your porch was begging me to come over - it was featured on Linda's Coastal Charm. It is beautiful. Trust me, once you've gone plaid, you're likely to go mad. ;) I started with ribbon and paper, and now my house is splashed with it all over with vintage and new, little additions each year. No truer words were ever spoken about us simple humans, tattered and worn, becoming beautiful with light.
    Your blog makes me want to stay a while....linger. I'm subscribing, and look forward to getting better acquainted in 2017. I know we have things in common just by reading your profile.
    Merry Christmas during this most blessed season!
    Rita C at Panoply

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    1. Merry Christmas, Rita. It is so nice to meet you and I am glad that you found my little corner of Bloggerville welcoming and comfortable to linger in. Thank you for subscribing and for the kind words. I am constantly amazed at how the internet has afforded me the opportunity to connect with others. Often I feel that Lord is just trying to expand my understanding of the opportunities that lie before me. I am so glad you stopped by and look forward to getting to know you better in 2017. I am spending time on your blog today!

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  6. This is all absolutely stunning!!! Great work!

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    1. Thank you! I am so glad that you could visit with me today. Merry Christmas!

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  7. Beautiful Jolena, just beautiful. Coming from South Africa I love seeing how everyone decorates their homes for Christmas in the North. Everything always looks like it comes straight out of a fairy tale. Wishing you a lovely Christmas

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    1. Hi Michelle! South Africa! Wow! Again, I am amazed at where this little blog ends up. Thank you for such a sweet compliment. Who doesn't want to live in a fairy tale house? Thank you for visiting with me.May your Christmas be lovely, as well.

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  8. Love the classic red and plaid. It's so cozy and homey. Thanks for sharing at Dishing It & Digging It!

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    1. Thank you, Lori and thank you for the party. I love seeing all the lovely things linked up each week.

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  9. Very pretty! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!

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  10. I'm just going to have to gush...when I first saw your pics it reminded me of the farmhouse where I grew up. I love it all, the tree in the wagon, and the wonderful fishing creel. so nostolgic and beautiful!

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    1. Aw, Debra, gushing is always welcome here. I am so glad our home brought back happy memories for you. Thank you for the lovely compliment and for the visit. I spend a lot of time checking in at Common Ground to see what you're up to and am always happy for the visit there. Merry Christmas

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  11. Everything is beautiful, including your spirit-filled analogy of tattered humans covered with the light of Christ. My Christmas decor Pinterest boards are now filled with your inspiring snow-covered yard and house.

    Judith

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    1. Hi, Judith. Thank you for the visit and for pinning! I am glad you found things here that caught your eye. I cannot take credit for the beautiful snow nor the gifts I have been given-to included the pontifications on the reminders God has set around me. I am just thankful that what I have been given can be used to encourage others. Merry Christmas!

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  12. Jolena, your porch is winter wonderland perfection. You got lucky that it snowed and you were able to take photos. And they are really beautiful photos too. Everything looks better with the snow. And I noticed you getting philosphical at the end there, but what you say is so true. I want to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas.

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    1. Thank you, Mary. The timing of the snow was perfect and who was I to not take advantage of that! I don't know about being philosophical but-sometimes it nothing more than ramblings from a old woman, other times the Lord uses it to bless others. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

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    1. Thank you, Cindy and thanks for visiting with me. Merry Christmas.

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