A Christmas Welcome on The Porch

Well, Friends, we have done just about all the Christmas decorating around here that we are going to do this year.  Whew!  I'm glad we have a few weeks to enjoy it now before it all has to come down and be packed away again....

Although we thought we were scaling back a bit, due to being in smaller quarters this year, we were surprised when we ended up emptying most of the boxes and bins of holiday decorations.  We were able to use just about everything we had out at our place in the country.....just in a different way. 

The icicle lights we used to put up along the edge of the roof ended up going into the garbage.  (Yep, they bit the dust and those things aren't worth salvaging when half of them don't work after 5 years.)  This year, Ed and the boys used some of those miles of small twinkle lights we already had to outline the eaves.  Then they used most of the rest of them to "wrap" the mesquite trees out front.  Here's how that turned out....

I love the sculptural look of the mesquites all lit up!

We were able to maintain the tradition of a simple evergreen wreath with a large red bow on each window along the front of the house.  And all the lighted deer, spiral trees and even the polar bear made the transition from country place to town cottage with ease.

Frosty still welcomes visitors to The Porch....

And the front door is draped with lighted garland wired up with traditional ornaments and red ribbons.  (Thank you, Lord, for shatterproof balls at the dollar store!)

The three little trees used to be scattered throughout the house, but they found a better home outside this year.  And I simply wired some more ornaments into one of the leftover window wreaths to match the garland around the door.  It hangs above my beloved rocker.

Here's a view from the side of the porch.....more twinkle lights and a glimpse of our tree in the living room through the window.

(Okay, the snowflakes in the planter box were Ed's idea.  I had other plans for that area, but they required removing all the mums from the planter and getting them transplanted in the ground...and I just ran out of steam before I got to it.  Hence, we went with Ed's idea!)

When the kids came over on Saturday evening, we made sure everything was all lit up when they arrived.  Trayden came running into the house, eyes shining, and exclaimed ~

"Mimi!  Your Christmas house is beautiful!!!" 

Ah....that made every bit of the work and effort put into decorating WORTH IT!!!

Next year, we are thinking about starting to make the transition to LED lights outside.  Have any of you tried them yet?  

I'm linking up with Robin for her "All Things Merry & Brite" party, week #5!!!  Her beautiful blog, "All Things Heart & Home" is one of my favorites....a true feast for the eyes and soul.  So, check it out!

Until next time, drop on by anytime....the door is open.

Jane

Scenes from a Stroll

If you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you know how much I LOVE my daily walks!!!

Yesterday was one of those absolutely fantastic Autumn days here in Texas!  It was a little cool, but clear and sunny....the sky a stunning shade of blue. 

 
I waited until mid-afternoon to go on my walk through the neighborhood.  Long sleeves felt good, even that late in the day.  The exercise was invigorating and the views were awesome!  Quite a few of the houses around us are all decked out for the Fall season.

Thank goodness I finally remembered to grab my camera on the way out the door, so I could snap a few pictures and share some of my favorites with you!

 

 

 

 

It's hard to believe that we have almost reached the end of October and Halloween!  I've really enjoyed the decorations and displays I see on my walks, but find myself looking forward to seeing what goes up for (dare I say it already?!?!) -  Christmas. 

There.....it's out.  Just think, this time next month we'll be right there in the swing of decorating for Christmas!!!  I'm breaking into a sweat just thinking about it.  I know it helps to plan ahead and get organized, but I think I will just focus on getting through Halloween and Thanksgiving right now.  How about you?  Maybe we can think on this a bit more later....LOL. 

Hoping your weekend is off to a great start!

~Jane~

FALL PORCH PARTY (Make Mine Spooky, Please!)

It's Party Time!!! 

Debra, over at "COMMON GROUND", is hosting a Fall Porch Party....

And since we are well into October now, I decided to go all out with the Halloween decorating before joining the party.

I started with a simple concept....six metal hooks, six plastic pumpkins, one string of orange lights, one string of purple lights, and seven yards of black netting.  And this is what I came up with around the header of the porch....

A good start.....but somehow just not quite "enough".   

So, I crafted a "SPOOKY" garland to add another layer....

Okay.....now we were getting somewhere.  

I dug around in my bins and crates of Halloween decorations and culled out my favorites.....like this Ghostly Greeter to welcome visitors onto the porch....

And this "Which Way Witch" and vintage-style garden flag to carry a bit of fun over to the side stoop....

Might as well throw in another witch for good measure, right???

A quick re-arrangement of potted mums and pumpkins 

(which were already part of the Porch Decor)....

And so far, so good!  

But, the real test was to wait until the sun sank lower and lower......

Almost dark.....

Finally......there is the look I was going for!!!

Not too creepy....not too spooky....just a whole lot of FUN!!!

And one final look.....BOO!!!

 Now, me and my porch are headed over to "Common Ground" to hang out.  C'mon and join us....there will be lots of Fall porches to explore and Inspiration galore!!!  It's simple to follow, just click on this link....

See y 'all later!!!

~Jane~

**Lighting Up the Night**

Well, after braving frigid temps and a bitter ol' North wind, we have finally gotten the outdoor Christmas decorations up and burnin'!!!

Okay, so it took the two us the better part of two days (and Eddie working alone an extra afternoon) to git 'er done....but, just look at it!!! WE'RE ALL LIT UP!!!



Isn't it GRAND?!?!?! And oh so FABULOUS?!?!?!



We have a herd of deer grazing on the knoll in front of the house....



(Do NOT look at the electrical cords hanging from the deer....just pretend you do not see them!!!)

And a polar bear, complete with trees and presents....



And Frosty the Snowman....



And Lots and Lots of LIGHTS!!!!











So, we can just bundle up...and sit back and sip from our cuppa hot cocoa...and enjoy the view from the Porch!!!



Season's Best Wishes!!!

Jane