Christmas 2017

It's Christmas in the Big Woods.  We have just finished celebrating a wonderful Christmas.  I thought I would share with you a few of the highlights from our home.
I was delighted when my husband decided to have this sign designed for the entrance to the Big Woods.  He simply took a picture of what we wanted to our local Sign company, and they were able to create exactly what we wanted.

 Our cat, Gus, has kept an eye out every day for Santa.

Santa is definitely hard to spot among all the trees.

I have been adding to my buffalo check collection this year.  The place mats are a new addition.  I was lucky to find them at our local Big Lots!

I have been collecting Santa Clauses for several years.  There are a few on this table from my childhood.  Several of these have special stories that go along with them of the people who gave them to me.

 We have had a great time decorating this year.

There seems to be lots of cottage style decorations everywhere you shop these days.

 Lots of fresh and artificial holly this year for decorating inside and out.

My daughter created these hanging wreaths for me last Christmas by very patiently forming a long piece of thin greenery into a circle and adding ribbon.  I just used a thumbtack to attach them to the back of my cabinet doors.

This very cute star was made by my Lynchburg Sister from a folding ruler.  She sells these in her booth at the Spotted Cow just off our downtown square.

Merry Christmas to all!!!

Blue Hydrangeas

At least my hydrangea bush gave me enough blooms to make a small bouquet.

Living in the Big Woods does not give much sunlight 
for growing hydrangeas.  
This is one of my favorite flowers, so every little bloom is special.

Mailbox Flowers

This mailbox was given to us when we built our home many, many years ago.
I have tried growing different flowers in the flower box, but have not had much luck until this year.

I have no idea what the name of this flower is.
  It does require watering every single day, but the results just keep getting better and better.

Fall Long Table Party

The Long Table Party is quickly becoming our favorite way to entertain in the Big Woods.  My Lynchburg Sister and I set up this party to entertain a favorite group of ladies from our church called the Hope Circle.

 We chose a nice spot in the field beside our barn to set up the tables.
It is important to try to find a place that is level so the tables will be balanced.

 It was my Lynchburg Sister who was the creative brains behind this adventure.
She planned for several days to come up with a lovely fall theme.

 The colorful napkins are from the Pioneer Woman line and tied with jute.  

 The awesome lanterns came from the Spotted Cow store in our local town.
My sister picked up the white plates from different thrift stores around town.

 The church ladies seemed to really enjoy sitting around the table and visiting.

 My favorite part of the night was the program presented by our leader about the importance of sitting around a table with your family at every meal.  
It is something my family has always done, and I cherish that time.

 Every guest left with a lovely miniature succulent that was setting at their place at the table.

 And now, we all have great memories of a relaxing evening gathered around a table.

Long Table Party

Just one of the many pictures taken at our latest Long Table Party.  

More pictures to come soon.

Succulent Source

I am super excited that my package of succulents arrived today.  They came all the way from California from a nursery called The Succulent Source.

I began to worry after I placed the order that the heat might be too much for them.  I could just imagine a box full of shriveled up plants.

But as you can see, they arrived in perfect condition.  I could not have been more pleased with my order.

The people who own The Succulent Source choose the plants that make up your order.  So it was great fun opening the box and being surprised by each one.

I used a paint brush to remove any dust and dirt from the leaves.

And then it was time to plant.

Project #1

Project #2

Project #3

I am loving these succulents. 

I learned about The Succulent Source from watching videos called Garden Answers.  

Check out this great resource!!!
www.thesucculentsource.com

Succulent Garden

I just created this succulent garden in one of the hypertufa pots 

my sisters and I made two summers ago.  

I decided to take some of my individual plants and put them together to make this garden.

I really like the way this turned out.  I think I will enjoy the succulents a lot more this way.  I have several succulents ordered from a place in California.  I can't wait until they arrive, and I can make more mini gardens.