Come on In!

Snowball Tree

I made a snowball tree from a wrought iron votive holder to dress up my front step.

Ice Skate Frame Wreath

My front door displays a winter friendly decoration. Check out my wreath tutorial.

Inside my front door, Jingle Bell Swag.

Entryway Coat Rack.

Entryway/Living Room "Hall"

Tin Star of Bethlehem

Seasonal pillow with an ever-present pile of blankets

I hung the kids' stockings from the living room side table. The star basket houses our incoming Christmas cards.

Handmade felt stockings from Aunt Carly!

Christmas Tree

Snowmen in the Kitchen

Recipe card holder

Cookie Jar

Christmas art work jazzes up the side of my fridge.

Christmas magnets on the fridge make everything look festive, my grocery list included.

Even my menu plan perks up with a little Frosty.

Dining Room Side Board and Shelf

A vintage Santa gift tag is tucked in the spikes of a pinecone. The metal stove is an antique doll house toy.

A little beaded beauty.

Between the dining area and the living room I hung a hand quilted wreath. (Thanks Aunt Elise!) I look forward to displaying this wreath every year!

Christmas towels, Making Spirits Bright frame and a little wooden tree make my bathroom sing - Santa Clause is Coming to Town.

Ornaments tied with red ribbon, give my bedroom farmhouse window some red & green flair for Christmas.

Well, that’s all for now. I hope you enjoyed your tour. I think I’ll be playing around with Christmas decor and projects well through the actual Holiday. It’s my favorite time of the year!

Love,

Jess

This post is linked up with a few Holiday House Tour parties…
Hooked on Houses

The Nester

Thrifty Decor Chic

Southern Hospitality

This maple tree shot was the closest I got to a photo "walk" this season. Yes, notice the lovely street of garbage day, sigh....I guess there has to be some ordinary in the extraordinary.

While driving in the car with the kids one day Ry and I had the following conversation:

Ry: I hate God.

Messy Jessy: thinking…..biting tongue…..praying….

Ry: I hate Him because I can never see Him.

Messy Jessy: Ry I can’t make you love God and I can’t make you see Him. But, if you ask Him, He’ll show Himself to you.

Ry: Okay

Messy Jessy: hoping…

Ry (some time later): Hey Mom! I just saw God! He is making all of the leaves come off of the trees. That’s awesome.

Messy Jessy: It sure is buddy, it sure is

Bible, Book of Matthew, Chapter 7, Verse 7

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Ryan's Nature Box

Nature Box

1. Cut a hole in the top lid of a shoe box. We have a flip top kid’s size shoe box for our nature box.
2. Cover box with butcher paper (brown craft paper or a grocery bag). Use a bit of tape and wrap the paper on the box like a gift. Wrap the lid and bottom separately.
3. Adhere a piece of felt under the lid hole. Slit felt with an exacto knife to create a hand passage way into the box.
4. Decorate box with stickers, magazine clippings or drawings. Label with letter stickers or marker.
5. Cover box with clear packing tape or clear contact paper to help the box hold up over time.
6. Bring box outside and start collecting!

Molly on our nature collection tour of the yard. Notice she brought a book.

Ryan shows off his collection of twigs.

Mini Fall Trees

Materials: Branches or twigs, old play-doh, fall colored tissue paper, glue, and brown paper
Directions:
1.    Stick little branches or twigs in a ball of old play-doh.
2.    Glue bits of fall colored tissue on the twigs for leaves.
3.    Wrap the ball in a piece of brown paper.
4.    Tie a piece of string or yarn around the brown paper.

Ryan starts his tree with green play-doh.

Even Molly creates a mini tree glob. I only had to fish play-doh out of her mouth 3 times!

Target had awesome jewel and metallic toned tissue paper.

The mini trees are great for my seasonal hound Ry. He loves decorations but sometimes I just don’t want him playing with the ceramic tiles, glass urns and faux berries. You know? So, Ry decorates his table with his own mini trees Win! Win!