Sunday, December 16, 2012

Christmas decorations and preparations


I decided the back porch needed a little sprucing up for the holidays, so I added some fresh evergreens and pine cones to a rusty wire basket.  These evergreens were free when we bought our Christmas tree and I snatched up a bunch because I like to decorate with them, inside the house and out.  
I placed a Christmas pillow on the wicker loveseat, and more fresh greens around some old oil lamps filled with red oil.  It looks so pretty at night.  



I brought out a wool throw from the house for the back of the rocker.  Often times, even in December, the weather is mild enough to sit and enjoy the porch.    


As far as some of the preparations go, my Christmas cards are finished and mailed, 


and the cookies are baked (I decided not to go overboard this year)  just a few of our favorites 


like peanut blossoms and lemon bars.  


Some last minute gifts to buy and wrapping to be done.

How about you?  How are your decorations and preparations coming along?

Below is a night time picture of Mourning Dove Cottage.  Hurricane lamps with white candles line the walk way, lights in the jasmine over the door, and a fresh evergreen swag with a big red bow hangs on the front door.  


I hope you all are enjoying this holiday season.  

9 comments:

Angie said...

Mourning Dove Cottage is so beautiful all bedecked for the Holidays. I would love to sit on your back porch, with Otis and Riley piled up around me, and have coffee or hot chocolate with you. Your decorations are just so beautiful.

La Vie Quotidienne said...

It all looks so welcoming and so charming. I wish you and your family the best holiday ever.

Catherine Holman said...

The evening photo is so welcoming! Merry Christmas to you and your family Donna!
Hugs,
Cathie

Pondside said...

The photo of your cottage in the light from the lamps is just beautiful. I hope you are snuggled in, looking forward to the best Christmas ever!

Balisha said...

Oh, how pretty...I love the night view. We like the same cookies :)
If I don't tell you...Merry Christmas to you and yours, and a happy, healthy New Year.
Balisha

Donna said...

GoodNess!! You're almost Done! I Love all the shots...
I am Not done...sigh!!Hahaaa
hughugs

Mimi Sue said...

Your little cottage is just beautiful all dressed up for Christmas! I'd like to come over and sit on your back porch and enjoy a lemon bar. Too bad we live 12 states apart...Mimi

Babs said...

Donna, your back porch is so pretty with the pine cones and greenery and the cute pillow. Love your oil lamps. I have some but, they make me nervous to light them..lol.
I gave up sitting on the deck a few nights ago...brr.
Hugs,
Babs

Susan said...

Your cottage is beautiful all decked out for Christmas. the wind blew lots of fir boughs down for us this year which we used to decorate the house.