I Would Like To Share
Some Decorating Ideas Wtih You

As I begin to decorate for Christmas, I thought it might be nice to share some decorating ideas!  We take pictures of the house every year after we have decorated.  Each year is different — like the year we went all out getting ready for a tour of homes, and the year we decorated just for our grandchildren, and the year I didn't decorate much at all… or even the year we put lights EVERYWHERE! 

As I said, each year is certainly different.  I have so many decorations!  I'm sure you can imagine being the owner of a business that, for 15 years, was totally transformed into a "Christmas Wonderland" shop from June to December!  There were so many special things I ordered hoping that at season's end maybe one or two wouldn't sell, so that I could "bring my work home with me."  Well, I am happy (or maybe unhappy – I don't really know which) to say that happened quite a bit.  It was good in the sense that I brought home some very beautiful and special Christmas decorations.  It was also bad that I had them left over to bring home instead of selling them!

With so many "Christmas Treasures" we really never get around to using all of them.  So we begin this "ordeal" each and every year bringing every box down from the attic… deciding which will stay down to be used, and which will be taken back up the steps waiting for yet another Christmas to sparkle and shine!

We love the front of our home at Christmas!  A large, sparkling wreath hangs from our custom glass front doors with garlands encircling it.  Behind the door you can always see our large Christmas tree so filled with lights…we have no clue how many there are (we have had several strands burn out through the years, but it is hardly noticeable because there are so many left!  Our neighbors across the street give us a hard time each year when we "undecorate"… saying that we should leave them up all the time.  They really enjoy the lights and the view from their home!

I have to show you two views of our large back porch at Christmas!  It is very comfortable and "homey" — one of my favorite places to relax!  Now that I think about it, there is nothing "new" on our porch.  There are many pieces of furniture which were family pieces, and to those I have added many "distressed" yard sale finds, which mean much more to me than anything new.  If you look closely enough, you'll see our sweet dog, Sebastian, who is no longer with us – but will live in our hearts forever!   

Yes, we have double glass doors in the back also…I guess you can tell I like plenty of light.  It brightens my life and my spirits!  We enjoy spending a lot of time out there, reading, or just sitting and talking with friends and neighbors.  We have at least one Christmas tree on the porch – sometimes more, and of course double wreaths for the double back doors – also with garlands wrapped around them. 

When talking about our home at Christmas, I just cannot leave out our Pergola.  We spend a lot of time out there roasting marshmellows over the fire pit right in the center — especially at Christmastime.  The Pergola is now covered with wisteria and Lady Banks rose bushes, so it is kind of like a totally enclosed porch.  As you can see in the picture, we have three slim trees clustered all together; there is a five foot, a seven foot, and a nine foot tree.  I put all natural leaves berries, twigs, birds and nests in them.  They get all the weather but that is okay… I don't mind if they fade a little.

This morning, I just sent out a newsletter for Ladybug Wreaths.  If you would like to see more pictures of decorating from our home, click on the following link:  http://nancysramblings.com/?page_id=463

I do hope each of you have a blessed Christmas!  It is nice to have a home we enjoy decorating for Christmas, and it is nice to have parties and enjoy it with our friends, but that isn't the true meaning of Christmas for us.  It is Jesus…His Grace…His Love…and His Wondrous Miracles and Blessings in our lives!!

Enjoy your family and friends this Holiday Season…because they are among our Greatest Blessings from God!