Rusty Hinge

Saturday, December 24, 2011

For Unto Us a Child is Born

"For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given and the government shall be upon his shoulder and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

-Isaiah 9:6

Joy to the world, the Lord has come! Merry Christmas, everyone! I hope you are all having a wonderful day shared with family and friends.

We have several parties in the next couple days. Karl and I are celebrating our own special party tonight, Christmas Eve. I usually cook several favorite dishes, we sing a couple Christmas hymns together, then open each other's gifts. It is such a special time. I can't wait!

Then after church on Christmas day, it's off to Karl's parents for some more family fun!

What about you? Do you have lots of special parties planned?

At this time, we are all remembering the manger, but we can not forget the Cross and what Christ did for us. And because of that we can truly be filled with comfort and joy!

So go, sample some Christmas cookies with your niece, watch a family special with your mother, share a laugh with your uncle... and know with all your heart that our Savior has come and He is born this day!

A very Merry Christmas to you and your family,

Maria ~Rusty Hinge

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Homegrown Christmas Tree

One more week! How is everything coming along? All your shopping done and your presents wrapped? Or are you a last minute person? I understand completely, we just put up our tree last week and I still have a bit of shopping to do. The last couple years we have been cutting our tree out of our front yard and oh how easy and fun it is! After cutting it down, Karl hauls it inside and we spend an evening decorating it together. I look forward to this special time every year, and I want to share our homegrown, country Christmas tree with you. Can you smell the fresh pine yet?

I wrapped our country tree with grapevine and stuck red sticks and berries into the top. Last week, I walked out to the woods and cut these berries for my homemade pine garland and I had a couple extra twigs that look perfect in our tree.

Our tree ornaments are very special. Every year, at Christmas since I was born, my mom and dad gave me an ornament with the year written on it. On our wedding day, my mom surprised me with all of them as a wedding gift. Come to find out, Karl's mom had done the same thing for him as well, so our Christmas tree has never been empty and bare. I have continued on the tradition and still buy an ornament each year to add to our tree.

My little sister, Carla made me this ornament out of toothpicks many years ago when she was in grade school. It is one of my favorite ones.

My dad was very sick in 2008 and spent the holidays in a far away hospital. My mom gave me this ornament that Christmas. She attached the small round hang-tag with Mark 9:23-24 written on one side.

Growing up on a dairy farm, this ornament is very appropriate!

I just received this wonderful feather wings ornament from a new friend and blog reader sent with a Christmas card all the way from Washington! Thank-you so much, Sheree, you are so sweet!

Since I don't have all my presents wrapped yet, I put my collection of antique children's sleds under the tree. Each one is different, some out of metal, some wood.

This wonderful wooden sled came from a friend's garage sale. She said it came all the way from Germany. I told her it was going to a good home! I love it!

I am so glad I was able to share this year's homegrown Christmas tree with you! Thank-you so much for stopping by and taking a look.

Happy last minute Christmas preparations,

Maria ~Rusty Hinge

I'm joining these parties:

Monday, December 12, 2011

Twelve More Days

Hello everyone, how are you doing? What an exciting and fun week this has been! So many new followers and lots of sweet comments. I can't tell you enough how you all brighten my day. I am so grateful. This post is dedicated to you.

Melinda of Alabaster Rose Designs featured me on her wonderful blog. To view it click *here*. Thank-you very much, Melinda! And now it is my turn to return the favor and show her off to all of you! Her style is fabulous and she is very talented. Go see for yourselves, you will not be disappointed!

Melinda upholstered this vintage French style chair herself. I love it.

This is my favorite picture. I love Melinda's settee and her monogram grain sack bolster pillow. To see more go check out her blog, Alabaster Rose Designs. You will love it!

When I decided to start a blog several months ago, I was very nervous to put myself out there as my style is a little unconventional, but you have all received me so warmly and welcomed me with open arms! Thank-you very much.

I have met many new people and can call you all my friends from near and far. There are a couple wonderful ladies that have been with me from the beginning and they have never failed to leave me a greeting on every post! Their blogs are amazing so head on over and say hello!

Rachel at French Farmhouse 425

Cheryl at Fresh Vanilla for C
Jessie at A Cozy Cottage in the City

Michele at Summersoul

I found these wonderful monogram pillows that I keep on my bed at Michele's Etsy store, Maisondemichele.

And Maria at Dreamy Whites. Maria also mentioned my blog on her latest post and her online store is one of my favorite places to shop. I find many wonderful treasures there, such as the metal french wine baskets and the grain sack stockings shown in my last post. Thank-you to all my new friends, you sure know how to make a girl feel welcome!

Welcome to the twelve days of Christmas! We are finally here. Today, I want to show you my advent calendar that I hung on my wall above the kitchen table. Several years ago, I saw a picture like this in a magazine and made my own out of an artist canvas and shipping tags. It is plain, but I like the simplicity of it... at least for now. Next year, I might add a burlap background or redo the tags. How do you count down the twelve days of Christmas? I'd love to hear about it!