Friday, December 23, 2011

Vintage Inspiration Friday # 69 "Country Christmas"





I think we all may have some hidden dreams and fantasies. One of mine that I'm indulging in is to have a real "Country Christmas". I've been a city girl, or let's say a "suburban" girl for a long time, but my roots go back to an old farmhouse. We never "farmed" but we had a few cows and a horse or two, and some wild prairie chickens were known to hang around. I grew up in a house built in 1840. Yes, it had been renovated over the years, but it still retained some of the original charm.


So via Pinterest, I'm living thru other's lens to capture some lingering memories of Christmas.


Don't laugh about this first one,
you would have had to have known my Dad, 
who collected old cars (and a truck or two)












































Source: etsy.com via Debra on Pinterest



I imagine this image from Country Living was Photoshopped, but I still love it!


There was so much inspiration last week,
here's just a little review


Nancy from Nancy's Daily Dish has the most amazing hutch display 
of red transferware all decked out for Christmas.



Vicki from Ranger 911 had me laughing with all her "elf" antics,
Good Elf, Bad Elf



Robin from Happy At Home, has captured a little deer under a glass house,
and I just want to look at it all day! Such great photos!



Anita from Far Above Rubies has a front porch that I could live on.
Go by and check out all her wonderful photos!


If you want to read a love story that has a happy ending
then you need to see this one, from Antique Chase.



and Elizabeth from Pinecones and Acorns
shares the amazing creche at Notre Dame Cathedral.
Just beautiful!


So are you ready to share what's inspired you this week?

Thanks so much each one of you,
 that takes the time to join in!

Please have a visible link within your post,
so others can join in on the party




And if I don't see you again until Christmas,
may yours be filled with the love and joy,
that only Our Savior can bring! 
Merry Christmas!




Wednesday, December 21, 2011

By Candlelight


Sometimes when it's dusk, I love to have a candle burning out here on the porch. There's something about the candle glow that warms the space and my heart. And especially at Christmas, with all the cuddly blankets and quilts, the sunporch becomes a little "nest".





This is my wire carrier that I have used for my Halloween Candy Corn candleholders for the last few years. I think the candy corn was at least 2 years old, so it was time to say good-bye! I wanted to try something new for Christmas.


I have a fixation on peat pots,
(like many of you arty gals in blogland)
and they were beggin' for some holly and boxwood.


I used a small plastic "baggy" and put a little water in it to keep the greens moist, then smooshed it into the bottom of the peat pot. I only had two matching candles, and that turned out to be "a good thing". Then I added a couple of itty bitty Shiny Brites for some sparkle. But...this post comes with a disclaimer, as I found the hard way that polyester Christmas ribbon is not fireproof !



If you look closely you can see some charred edges of ribbon.


...a quick save by scrunching up the ribbon toward the middle.



This is my little green chair that was part of a set of table and chairs
that my mom and dad bought for my second birthday.
(yep, it's beyond vintage, and just plain old!)



and since it was getting dark, I tried the carrier out on my dad's old dresser,
which holds my conservatory here in the sunroom.


The old painted concrete lambs are part of my garden collection.




so now I've learned to enjoy the candlelight,
but if I get too fancy, I need to have a fire extinguisher close by!


Nothing like a little excitement!

I'll be joining in for these parties:

No Minimalist Here for Open House Party
My French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
2805 for Potpourri Friday
At the Picket Fence for Inspiration Friday
LaurieAnnas Farmhouse Fridays
Stuff and Nonsense for Fridays Unfolded
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home
My Romantic Home for Show and Tell
Funky Junk for Saturday Night Special
Shabby Art Boutique for Simply Christmas

See ya tomorrow for 



lots of Christmas hugs,

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