Peace on Earth

Hello, again!  Can you believe I am blogging again so soon?!  I actually wanted to get it done before this, but things have been a bit crazy around here.  A blizzard.  Two sick kids and a sick husband. A feeding tube "button" needing to be replaced. A house that needs to be ready for 13 guests (my whole family) next week.....

 This poor chalkboard is old and has spent a lot of time out in the weather.  It needs to be repainted....someday.  For now you will just have to ignore the "autumn blessings" that refused to be erased. Despite the chalkboard, I really like how the top of the entertainment center turned out.

 A peek at my nativity collection.  My 10 year old still enjoys setting these up.  Such a wonderful reminder of "the reason for the season."

Another fun vignette.  Jan P., are you reading this?  The sign came from you.  The wooden box came from you.  The chippy white bench came from you.  Oh, I miss junkin' with Jan!

 Please, please ignore the filthy windows.  I guess I will get to them in the spring.  It is far too cold right now.

 Love this old mailbox!  I paid 50 cents for it at a yard sale this fall.  The bugle in the above picture was a junk find from several years ago.  I liked how it tied in with the mailbox graphics.

 Here is my favorite corner cabinet that everyone dreads moving.  Sorry, but I'm not sure I can ever part with it.

 The ceilings in this house are vaulted, so I used the old shutter (another junkin' with Jan curbside find) to add some height.  Some of my old ornament boxes are just that - empty boxes. You sure can't find wonderful graphics like that now.

 This is not a great picture, so it is hard to see the red ornaments in the cups.  I bought this set of dishes at an auction right after we got married.  I rarely use them, but I still love 'em.

 The old dust pan came from Jan's son Dave.  One thing is for sure - I collected a lot of good junk (and good friends) while living in Arkansas!

This is our driveway last Sunday morning.  It is there - under a couple feet of snow!  It took some serious scooping by my guys to get it uncovered.  We did discover something nice about our location.  The sidewalk in front of our house is essentially part of the community walking trail.  So.....the city comes and clears it!  Nice!

I'm not sure if I will be blogging again before Christmas.  I still have pictures to show - just don't have the time.  If not, I wish you all a very merry Christmas!

{"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”  Luke 2:14}

It's Beginning....

.....to look a lot like Christmas!  Since moving into the house over two months ago, I have really struggled to get any decorating done.  Unusual for me, because normally that is something I really enjoy.  Well, I'm starting to feel more like myself again!  This past week or so I have really had fun decorating for Christmas. And I discovered that it is a lot easier to decorate for the holidays when you don't have other "regular" decor getting in the way.

I do have to warn you before we go any further:  There are a lot of pictures, none of which are outstanding.  Also, please try to ignore any dust or dirt you might see.  I said I had felt like decorating, not cleaning!

Here is my decorated mantel.  Just kidding!  I don't have a mantel, so I decorated the top of the piano instead.  I did not purchase anything new - just used things I already had.  I really do love how it all came together.

Love the vintage bird ornament clipped to the star!  It is one of my favorites.

This pretty garland was a clearance purchase a few years back.  I finally took it out of the packaged and used it this year.  I think it adds just the right touch.

Okay, I really did try to wash those spots of the window.  They seem to be permanent. Oh, well.

For something a little quirky I added this old clamp.

Can you see what it says?  "Perfection."

Can you tell what my tree is made of?  It is an old bedspring with mini Shiny Brites.

I try to pick up vintage wooden boxes anytime I can find them really cheap.  This one was a couple dollars at an auction.  It was filled with lots of junky metal goodness.

It felt good to get this done.  I will show you more on another day.  Right now it is time for supper.

{The one thing I ask of the Lord—the thing I seek most—is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,delighting in the Lord’s perfections.... Psalm 27:4}