Christmas Day

Snow, snow and more snow makes for pretty outside decor

It has been several years since our part of Michigan has actually had snow for Christmas.
Oh, we would get a tad bit, but not much at all.
I think this year is changing that.
We got NINE inches a few days ago.

What better time than to snap a few photos around the ole' homestead.
There are pine cones in the olive  basket above...underneath the snow. :)

In lieu of no job and being careful spending money , we trimmed our evergreen trees and
I added a bundle to my bench on the front porch.

I have always loved this little lantern that my daughter gave me several years ago.
Make note of this photo when you see another one later in the post with much more snow
on it. 

Wreaths with berries, pine cones from our own trees, a pretty lady statue, live greenery and an
old picnic basket...

perfect for Christmas.

I even dressed up our outside light with fake pine greenery and a red ribbon.

I didn't purchase one thing this year to decorate. Just pulled from my stash.

My little window house even says
HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

Much more snow in this pic...eh? :)

A favorite sled with skates, greenery and ribbon

There are also pine cones in this clay pot...so funny. I hope to get pictures that actually
show the cones before the winter is over.

I was in the process of decorating my back porch so this stuff is not totally where I want
it , but oh well.

I hope you enjoyed your mini tour of my outside winter decor.

I pray that each one of you have a wonderful holiday season and that you will be blessed
many times over!!

My Advent Calendar

Let me start off by saying that these pictures are not that great, but I wanted to share them with you anyway.
I haven't a clue what I am doing when I take photos and white is a hard color to photograph...at least in
my opinion. :)

Sandi over at A Cottage Muse inspired me to make my own advent calendar this year and this is the result.
I had so much fun shopping my home and using bits and bobs from here and there.

 I even used an old frame that I had laying around. I got it FREE at a garage sale down the road a
couple years ago and painted it white. I love it.

I opted to hang three waxed twine strings on the back of the frame and thread my tags onto them.
It wasn't as easy as it sounds. I spaced them out evenly at first, but then when I got the tags all on,
the bottom row was hanging on the frame. I don't know about you, but a little trial and error always
 happens at this house!

If you haven't made one, I encourage you to give it a try. It is FUN!

About the picture taking again, the lighting in this house stinks especially in the winter months so
 I work with what little I have. :)

Are you ready for Christmas?? Ready or not...here it comes!!!
Blessings~

*** A little Christmas magic ***

I thought I would give you a mini tour of my home all decorated for Christmas today.

So grab a cup of tea and some cookies and pretend that I am having an open house.

I do hope you enjoy it. *smile*

{Haven't figured out yet how to hide that thermostat or telephone yet}

I made a few of these cards this year, but not nearly enough.

They are prettier than the pic shows with tinsel glitter and a Swarovski rhinestone added
to each one.

I love these gray clay pots that I scored at a sale a few years ago. I am using them for
candleholders.

I think some photos got left out so I hope to add them another day along with my advent calendar
that Sandi over at The Cottage Muse blog inspired me to make. I LOVE how it turned out!

Hubby is still job hunting and really doesn't expect to find anything until after the holidays,
but please continue to  keep us in your prayers.

Merry Christmas to all of my wonderful peeps in blog land. I never dreamed when I started on
this journey a few years ago where it would take me. It has been a huge blessing in my life!!

Hugs~

Come along with me to the Dickens Festival in Holly, Michigan

Over Thanksgiving weekend while we were visiting our daughter and her family, I was thrilled to
 attend the Dickens Festival in Holly, Michigan. We didn't take the time to go to any of the plays,
but I was happy just to be there and walk the streets for the atmosphere if nothing else.

Holly is a beautiful little town, especially when it is all decked out for the holidays.

Carolers serenading us with beautiful music. 

You could take a ride in a horse and carriage if you so desired. With hubby just losing his job,
we opted not to , but it was fun watching.

There was even a free wine tasting for all who wanted to partake.

I LOVED this storefront, but somehow I never made it into this store!!
I can't believe it.
I told hubby I must have walked past it three times. Next year...

We did go into this beautiful antique store. I just love old buildings, don't you?

The famous and historic Holly Hotel. My daughter took her daughter and me here a few years ago
in the summer for a proper tea. It was very nice, but they served liver pate which neither one of us
could eat! ha! 

St. Dominic's choir was found strolling around town singing and it was beautiful! It was so nice to leave
the hustle and bustle of the season behind us and just relax in this beautiful atmosphere.

I found a link online that tells about this choir. If you are interested
you can click here.  They are trained and directed by the Dominican sisters of
the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

We even happened to see a wedding party that was strolling down the street! What a perfect place
for a Holiday Wedding!

This Santa greeted us right inside the antique store doorway.

Our oldest granddaughter Allysha...she was sick by the time we left to go home.  I felt
so bad for her. She had a terrible headache and quite a fever by the time we got back
and it came on fast.

This was actually a photo of  the rest of our family just entering the festival , but we will
pretend that we are leaving since I am at the end of the post. lol.

I highly recommend this wonderful town if you are ever in the area.

There is a store there called Pigeon in the Parlour that I love!!

I will add those pictures soon.

Happy holidays and God bless us everyone!!

{P.S. my daughter decided that this really wasn't the place for three little boys so she left before
we did and our oldest granddaughter stayed behind and rode back with us}

Just a note: I am having an online garage sale a couple posts previous to this one and I just added
two Jeanne D Arc scarves. They are gorgeous!!