***Wonderful***

A few years back I read a quote that said, "Life does not have to be perfect to be wonderful". Lightbulb! My life a seeming perpetual un-perfect mess, my brain latched on to this and has clung to it ever since! : )

Christmas eve, and Christmas day have once again illustrated this for me. SO not perfect. I SO did not "check all the boxes" this year. In more ways than one we've had a mess. 

Tonight, kids tucked into bed with their new favorite Christmas toys, I tripped through the mess on their floor to say our Merry-Christmas-goodnights. I went downstairs to tend the thermostat, check the doors and lights etc. I got to the living room and just stopped in my tracks for a moment. 

There was the warm light of the Christmas tree and in an instant I saw the calendar of my kids' childhoods in my mind. One more childhood Christmas behind them, and their mom. It will never come again. A bittersweet satisfaction came over me as I let my heart say goodbye to Christmas 2012.

The curtains are all open and I see the icy-bright iridescence of moonlight across the snow covered landscape beyond the warmth of the Christmas tree lights. The beauty of this place-our little hometown-and this place of seeing in my heart....it leaves me awe-struck. 

Moments later I turn to walk past some dishes, yet un-washed. Shreds of Christmas paper here and there. We'll tend to it tomorrow. I step over a coat and boots at the bottom of the stairs as I'm heading back up. I'm fighting a sore throat and cough coming on and, as I reach my room, I feel....happy.

Christmas of 2012 is behind us. Certainly not perfect, but it was wonderful.


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At the Picket Fence-Inspiration Friday

Merry Christmas 2012

This Christmas season has not been easy. Don't worry, I'm not having a pity party at this moment. It HAS had it's share of amazing blessings! We've had many kindnesses bestowed on us in the past weeks.

We've also had....

.....family issues, financial crisis, maybe a little loneliness? A house full of kids that can't master peace between siblings, much less grasp the concept of peace on earth. 

A tired single mama (I know, all mamas are tired!) who had every intention of doing our Advent reading each night this month, but only managed a few. 

The list goes on, and I KNOW I'm not alone in these things, but the temptation is to beat myself up for not doing more. Not being more.

Right now I'm listening to Bing Crosby sing "White Christmas" and the snow is gently falling. It really is a white Christmas! And so beautiful. 

   
I'm making chocolate chip cookies for my son-in-law's Christmas gift. Stirring up the humblest of offerings, listening to music, watching the snow fall.

 And I remember this.

This is a magical time to remember that without this baby (sometimes in slightly comical form around our house) I couldn't hope for things to be better.

I couldn't know that while my circumstances sometimes feel out of control, my heart is also being changed and strengthened by His love.

I know I can trust Him to give me everything I need to handle whatever may come.

 

And that makes all the difference in the world to this tired mama.




Merry Christmas and God bless you, no matter what circumstance you find yourself in today!

Jeanette

This December Week

This week we had some snow.

We had some smiles.

Photo: Mikayla

We read some books.

We prayed.

We were stopped in our tracks by the winter beauty around our town.

Photo:Mikayla

We created some things, and had plenty of coffee and hot chocolate : )

I hope your week has had some sweet, funny, happy, beautiful moments!

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The Dedicated House-Make it Pretty Monday 

The Tiny Tree Vignette

To say this Christmas is....slim, financially speaking, would be an understatement.  

HOWEVER...   

One thing I appreciate about not having much money this year (did I really say that?) is that it forces me to be extra creative with what we already have. After all, I have plenty of "stuff" to be creative with, right?   

Yesterday, I was talking with my daughter about what, if anything, I had purchased specifically for Christmas decor this year, and all we could come up with was the ornaments the three kids chose, and this:

Isn't it cute?! It didn't start out looking like this, though. 

My oldest daughter called me from Hobby Lobby last weekend (an hour away from our house) and said they had 12" trees for $1.50, and did I want one? 
I told her to go ahead and get one for me. I was totally thinking I would give it to the younger kids for their dollhouse "forest". 

I wish I had taken a photo of what it looked like before, but I think everyone has seen these, right? The little bendy wire branches and a plastic base?

Perfect for a little dollhouse pine tree!   

But then something happened.

I had the tiny tree in my hand, and I happened to walk past a can of spray snow on the kitchen counter. I found 2 cans in my "stuff" that I had bought several years ago. 
Well, I had to see if it still worked, didn't I?

Well there was this tiny tree all frosty-snowy-cute, and I knew the kids weren't getting it for the dollhouse. I feel so selfish! 

The next thing you know I had my vintage looking glittered bird in the tree. The bird is sort of heavy and kept tipping the tree, so I needed a sturdy container to hold it up and just like that, it was in a cute clay pot.

  

I tucked in some of those pearly things on wired sticks, ripped up some cotton scraps to make tiny hand stamped peace, hope and joy banners, added my tiny bird flag to the top and I knew I had my inspiration piece for the wintery decor on top of the piano.




 As I have complained about incessantly mentioned before, we don't have a fireplace in this home. I showed you how I put together a faux mantel for my little electric fireplace in the master bedroom. 

Downstairs, I'm doing what many of you who don't have fireplaces do. I'm using the top of the piano as substitute mantel. 

 I strung my handmade "Let Heaven & Nature Sing" banner across the front of the piano and hung my twig wreath, with the vintage sheet music leaves, in front of a large antique mirror surrounded by a large white frame.

 
Lots of white details, some silver ornaments, bottle brush trees, candles, and the tiny tree as the centerpiece. 

  

Peace, joy and HOPE to you, my friends. 

Jeanette

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CHRISTMAS PAST at SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE 



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StoneGable-Tutorials, Tips and Tidbits
Common Ground-Vintage Inspiration
The Vintage Farmhouse-Creative Things Thursday

The Charm of Home-Home Sweet Home
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Craftberry Bush-Happy Hour!  
Liz Marie Blog 
Debbiedoo's-Power of Pinterest Party
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Warmed Up With Red- Part 2

I don't know about you, but I'm still feeling somewhat somber in light of the terrible events in Connecticut. It just doesn't feel right to be too silly over decorating, etc. 

I don't have alot of words today, but I promised to show you the other area of the house where I like to use red at Christmas time, which is the kitchen/dining area. Yesterday I shared how I warmed up my normally neutral master bedroom using cozy color and fabrics.  I hope you enjoy taking a look at some of our colorful details!

 Our Christmas/Winter dishes, out for the first time this week for blueberry pancakes on a bright morning.

Some fun vintage kitchen items: My mixer is now sadly retired after recently failing to help prepare the Monkey Bread icing :(

 I'm not going to say it makes the best coffee, but it still works great for boiling water!

Some of our fun aprons.

Some vintage cookie cutters and my grandma's old fruitcake tin. When I got it, it was full of her old buttons and sewing notions!

I couldn't decide if I wanted to keep the pail! I went ahead and listed it in the shop {sigh} Sometimes it's hard to let go.

As fun as it is to have some cheerful red through the Christmas season, I have a feeling by New Year's day I'll be ready to go back to my winter whites : )





I'm working on a few things for the The Penny and the Pearl this weekend. Come take a peek when you have a minute!

See you soon!

Jeanette

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Debbiedoo's Newbie with a Twist Party!
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