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.  

Our December garden

You'd never know it was December by the warm weather we've been having.  

Flowers are blooming in the garden like it's still summer.  

....just enjoying the warm sunshine while we can.  

The Christmas mantel

Happy December, everyone!

While travelling home from Pennsylvania over the Thanksgiving holiday Galen and I decided to take the "scenic" way home and avoid 95 as much as possible.  Travelling along the back roads we were able to enjoy all the bright Christmas lights and decorations that were on display and enjoyed the Christmas music in the car.  

I am now in the Christmas spirit and ready to decorate Mourning Dove Cottage for the holidays.  

I always start with the mantle for some reason.  Maybe it's the easiest place to start.  

  

I decided to make it simple this year with two hurricane lamps, candles and a white ceramic and gold angel.  I wrapped the greens with a light mauve and gold sheer ribbon and added some red berries.   

It gives off a warm glow at night when the candles are lit.  

I hung Otis and Riley's stockings (my two very spoiled dachshunds), and I'll be adding the granddaughter's stocking soon.  (I have to buy new ones this year.)

So, while I enjoy my coffee by the warm fire this morning, I am thinking of new ways to decorate the tree and the dining room and the kitchen and the outside and all the other nooks and crannies in the house, not to mention the outside.  

The boxes have been brought down from the attic.  

Now I just have to find a place for everything and let my creative juices flow.  

How about you?  Are you in the holiday spirit, and have you started decorating?  

December in the garden

Come in and enjoy the garden with me today. It's an absolutely beautiful day here in eastern Carolina and I'm getting my fill of warm weather, blue skies and sunshine. Sometimes just sitting in the garden with the sun on my face is all I need to rejuvenate my soul.

It feels like a spring day with temps nearing 70 degrees. I've been missing the garden...missing nature, with all the cold weather we've been having but what a lovely break today. The birds are chirping and the windchimes are softly tinkling.

Surprisingly, there are blooms in the garden!

It makes my heart happy.

A well deserved break from all the cookie baking I've been doing lately, don't you think so?

The front door

I have been decorating outside for Christmas since the weather has been so warm. Hard to believe it's December with temps in the 70's. I hung a simple swag of fresh greens on the front door with a big red bow.

While stringing the twinkle lights in the jasmine over the door I noticed the jasmine is blooming. It made my heart happy to see these sweet yellow flowers this time of year.

I placed a big pot of ivy on the front steps. It will give some greenery during the gray winter months. You could also use rosemary.

And that's about the extent of decorating for the front of the house. How much decorating do you do?

December

Hello my dear family and friends. Can you believe it's December already? We had such an enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday, a busy time it was, and here we are in December, and still busy busy. Happy Birthday!! to my oldest daughter, Jen, (today is her birthday. While my youngest daughter, Amy, was here from NY over Thanksgiving she ran a 50K race (32 miles) and we cheered her on to the finish line! Congratulations again, Amy!

Galen and I are getting quite a few orders for wooden toys for Christmas and I just finished two pet paintings and another one to be done. There is a cookie party at my sister's on Saturday, family coming to dinner on Sunday, and decorating for the holiday which might have to wait a bit longer.

I haven't had much time to spend on the computer but I am anxious to get around and visit each of you and see what you've been up to, and I can't wait to see all those wonderful Christmas decorations! Hope you are all doing well!

Oh, and by the way, my amaryllis is in full bloom! It's beautiful, and I am enjoying it! Will it make it to Christmas? not sure...