Lois Lenski wrote this about observing the customs and traditions of Christmas, "One of the best ways to fight evil is to spread beauty.".
Happy first day of December! Hope to see you tomorrow!
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
DECEMBER 1ST: DECK THE HALLS!
Deck the halls with boughs of holly! If you are a regular reader of this blog, you probably know that I love to decorate. And Christmas is one of my favorite holidays, but I also can pinch a penny until it squeals, so I thought I'd show you a few ways that I deck our halls for pennies.
Simple greens cut from trees and bushes in the yard, placed in plain white ironstone cups, mugs and pitchers are placed throughout our home.
I wanted something celebratory for our guest's room so I found a twig in the yard, placed it in a crock and hung cheap snowflake ornaments from the dollar store on it. It has an almost Shaker simplicity that matches the decor of the room.
Rose hips and other berries are hung from knobs. Caution: some berries are poisonous so keep out of the reach of babies and naughty inquisitive pets.
If you can avail yourself to a lot of them, they make a pretty, albeit prickly natural wreath.
Tie birch bark around clear glass jars with jute or raffia for a simple wintry votive.
And old family ornaments that are too delicate to hang on the tree spend their retirement in old crock bowls. Here's a blog that I find inspiring. Such beautiful vignettes.
Lois Lenski wrote this about observing the customs and traditions of Christmas, "One of the best ways to fight evil is to spread beauty.".
Happy first day of December! Hope to see you tomorrow!
Lois Lenski wrote this about observing the customs and traditions of Christmas, "One of the best ways to fight evil is to spread beauty.".
Happy first day of December! Hope to see you tomorrow!
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What a insightful quote. I think it is so much more effective focusing our energy on what we want rather than what we don't want.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of tying bark around the glass jars.
Lois Lenski was a very wise woman, and ahead of her times. Have a wonderful day in your garden!
DeleteHugs
Jane
I love it- So easy and so pretty! I would have never guessed the snowflakes were just a dollar! Have a great December 1
ReplyDeleteThose dollar stores have some pretty things in them, Vickie. Living in a tiny village, one of the few stores we have is the Family Dollar, so we've become well-acquainted with it. Ha!
DeleteHugs
Jane
Oh I love all your decorations...especially the rose hips!!! And the bark idea. Very nice. I like your expressions...squeezing a penny until it squeals..ha.. Hugs, Andrea
ReplyDeleteIt used to be "squeeze a penny until the buffalo squeals", ANdrea, but most people don't know that a buffalo used to be on the back of a penny, so when I say that people usually just scratch their heads. Ha! Old folksy Midwestern sayings. Had a friend from NY that couldn't get over the fact that people actually said "okey-dokey" around here. Ha!
DeleteHugs
Jane
Ha. I had a friend in the 70's who taught me a bunch of expressions...such as okey-dokey. "see what I mean, jelly bean", "see you later, alligator"..ha.. hugs, Andrea
DeleteStill use "Youknow what you mean, jelly bean?" on a daily basis! After while crocodile!
DeleteJ
Jane, I love the rosehips hung on those crystal dooknobs. I'm starting to think about sprucing up a bit now that the smoke has cleared the area. (Thankful for rain.) Looking forward to seeing more decorating ideas.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are safe and sound, Toni! What a scary thing to live through! Happy sprucing!
DeleteHugs
Jane
So pretty! I used to love the Lois Lenski books as a child. I checked every one of them out of our public library. The illustrations!
ReplyDeleteWe are kindred spirits, Isabella! I love her books and illustrations too. Was reading her Christmas Stories last night. I actually met her when I was young and had my picture taken with her for the newspaper. At the time I didn't understand what an honor it was!
DeleteHugs
Jane
Some great decorating ideas, and an excellent quote. Like Sherri, I believe what we focus on grows, and I choose beauty. I may just have to cut greenery today, and begin my decorating.
ReplyDeleteIt's the easiest way to decorate, Laurie. Especially since I like to trim my evergreens this time of year.
DeleteHugs
Jane
Dear Jane,
ReplyDeleteYou are I are on the same page when it comes to decorating. I've got a vase of rose hips, pine branches and ilex berries on my table right now. I also have three (1) bare trees in my house, propped up in corners which I string with twinkle lights or funny little ornaments that come my way. I make a swag for the front door every year from the same outdoor resources and the I once found three strands of glittering beads (like a chandelier) for the Christmas tree at the dollar store. It all makes for a quiet, more natural atmosphere which I think matches this time of year perfectly.
Cheers,
Dana
Sounds perfect, Dana! I think it's much more fun to decorate with freebies from nature, don't you? I think it hearkens back to our ancient ancestors, who brought in pine boughs to dispel Winter's gloom. It just looks natural.
DeleteHugs
Jane
Sweet decorations dear Jane. I am slowly decorating and enjoying it while listening to Christmas music.
ReplyDeleteIt is very warm here today, 81 and feels like it is 85. AC feels great.
Happy Holidays to you and your family ~ FlowerLady
I'm so glad, Rainey! We almost had the same temperatures yesterday! It reached 60! Can you believe it? We didn't even need a coat. But it's supposed to snow on Sunday, so maybe that bodes better for a white Christmas.
DeleteHugs
Jane
Oh I love Lois Lenski! Project Boy was youngest favorite book growing up. I know this is everywhere but I just did yesterday: took pint milk jar I already had and added salt (can we say cheap). Then I stuck in greenery from the back of the tree. So cute! Was given the first of holiday treats this morning- yum with my coffee!
ReplyDeleteShe had a way of writing that was so simplistic but profound at the same time, Angela. And here illustrations were so simple, I just adored her.
DeleteYes, I've seen those decorations on Pinterest. What a great place to get ideas. Nothing like a holiday goodie to get one into the spirit! Have a wonderful day!
HUgs
Jane
Lois Lenski, an inspirational lady. Way before years when it was easier for any young girl or woman to have a career and follow on with those amazing talents. Thanks for sharing her words. And your decorations, mine will be pine cones and twigs this year .
ReplyDeleteThat's the best kind, Jean. When Christmas is over you can just toss 'em.
DeleteHugs
Jane
hi jane,
ReplyDeletei love your decorationen!!!!! birch bark glass candlelight are very populär in my country. you can find some in deco shops. thanks for the link.....you know i love this blog too.
have a nice day,
hugs regina
It's one of the prettiest isn't it Regina? And her knitting is superb. Really inspires me to do a better job on my own. Bet Germany is wonderful this time of year. It was always a dream of mine to visit your country at Christmas time.
DeleteHUgs
Jane
So pretty! I do love your decorations!
ReplyDeleteWhile my kids are still home, I will have a tree with all of their handmade ornaments...now that they are teenagers, you should hear them snickering at what they made in elementary school, but they still happily hang them on the tree. So my tree won't win any awards for best decorated, but it is full of good memories. :D
That's what a Christmas tree should be, Kathy! Leave the fancy ones for stores. I've given all our ornaments to the children, so now I just decorate with pinecones and twiggy stars that I make. It only takes two shakes to decorate it. I'm getting old and only have a tabletop tree now. Never thought I'd get to that point in my life! Next stop one of those ceramic ones that I just have to plug in. Ha!
DeleteHUgs
Jane
Do you have a real tree? I think your pineco
Deletenes and twiggy stars sound wonderful, but you surely aren't old. Ha funny I do have one of those ceramic trees that my aunt made years ago(80's) maybe? I think they are making a comeback as I have seen classe to make your own tree, and I saw one for sale at cracker barrel. :D
I don't have a real tree because the only place I can put one is in the same room with the woodstove. Very dry in there.
DeleteMy mother had one of those ceramic trees, and my sisters and I always joke about next year we're going to get one too. They are very popular at the senior citizen's housing that my mother lived at. I see you can buy them from the Vermont Country Store catalog too. Probably Millennials think they are great! Have to laugh every time I see them gushing over the 70s fashions and decor. Having lived through them once, I can say it was truly an ugly era. Hindsight is 20/20!
J
Ha the 70's were pretty bad...I remember my brother wearing a leisure suit. Sure hope that doesn't come back into fashion. Now the 80's were my favorite with the preppy look even if it did have the big hair. :D
DeleteYour decorations are absolutely beautiful! Love all the natural elements you used. I made one of those ceramic trees back in the 70s when ceramics was a popular craft. These days, I skip the tree totally because it is just too tempting for my cats.
ReplyDeleteThanks Shirley! Our pets must think we are crazy, putting up trees in the house. There was a comedian that had a routine about decorating for Christmas. When you think about it, it really does sound a bit odd.
DeleteHugs
Jane
I love your ideas and decor! I may have to go and cut some pine branches today. :)
ReplyDeleteBet there's lots of them to choose from you beautiful state!
DeleteHugs
Jane