French Day Bed

Let's take a walk outside.  Brrr, it is cold, yet if we bundle up, we will be just fine.  My garden has long been put to bed for the winter, so sorry no flowers today (in about five months.)  So instead, I would love to show you my antique french daybed.

It sits on my porch, dressed with a grapevine wreath and greenery.

I walked out to the woods to cut several kinds of greenery and berries for all my winter decor. 

I stuffed all my garden urns with greenery and berries as well.

Don't you just love chippy wicker?

 An old ladder used to hang homemade garland is propped against a porch post.  I love the aqua color against the greenery.  I keep all of the garlands and greenery up all winter long to add interest with the snow.  I will show you my garland soon.

Let's head back inside where it's much warmer!  Thank-you for taking the time to visit with me outside on this chilly morning. 

I hope you all enjoy the rest of your week!

Happy New Year,

Maria ~Rusty Hinge


I'm joining these parties:

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

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: