like the mess of lights I found up in the attic
I stood up there in disbelief - "oh man" I said as I looked at all the wonderful decorations
thoughts of taking all three totes downstairs and putting it all out for decorations....after all...I am on a Christmas house walk!....
but as I stood there with the children to find their little trees to put in their rooms, to decorate all their own, I stopped........took a deep breath.......and left it all up there
This year, just like every other year, it's so easy to get caught up in the hub-bub of what this country of ours (God bless the USA) has made it into.......commercial.........."santa"..........lights/action.......competition
to us, a lot of the commercialism is rather like "noise"..........polluting this holiday with things other than what this season is truly meaning should be evaluated....
this does not mean not celebrating the season with decorating!! like I would do that! good gravy no....what I am saying is that taking that deep breath up in the attic wasn't as hard as I thought - and there are certain things I will bring down this year for decorating.........but a lot of it comes from the seasonal changes outdoors here on the prairie.........the grasses are still tall...........there are pine cones fallen from the trees........and taking those natural elements and leaving them how God made them in their natural beauty, instead of glittering them this year..........gathering cranberries and stringing them for our tree...........
instead of.....
the lights are staying boxed up = candles instead
buying new ornaments = using pine cones from our trees
running to the store for that last minute gift = purchasing handmade items
getting caught up = slowing down and embracing nature
I hope you get inspired to take walks with your kids and gather what you have out your back door....look around your house and re-purpose items that you wouldn't normally use..........
Today is the FIRST DAY for Jennifer Rizzo's House Walk!! there is a lot of inspiration today over there!!
Today I will again be working on a very special project...very special to all of us here at the farm........
Excited to see all the house walks...I will go after this...
ReplyDeleteLove all the natural decorating options! Pine cones are a favorite here...but we do have many shiny ones. So looking forward to seeing yours...your banner is delightful!
You already know I'm embracing nature and its gifts so.... if you hava a minute and if you'd like it, come to my blog and see my very first decorations...inspired by nature and done using the objects I already have in my home!
ReplyDeleteWith love.
Fra
I hear you! I too just want to take that deep breath and simplify things and get back to basics.Handmade is simply the best ever! I always make my girls something for Christmas and I enjoy them making me a gift rather than buy one.Darling photo ~Cheers & Blessings Kim
ReplyDeletei can't wait to see what your home looks like. you have such an amazing natural style. have a wonderful day my dear.
ReplyDeleteYou have the perfect home for an "organic" Christmas and the flair for that type of decorating--I would love to do that in our home but for some reason it just wouldn't look right....I know I will have a "country home" in the desert someday. I would love to be able to bring in those natural elements and keep it understated, but lovely--for now I will drool over your blog!
ReplyDeleteDear Anne Marie,
ReplyDeleteI think that your natural Christmas will be perfect.....I'm not one for too much sparkle. I like a lot of nature in the house....lots of greenery but, I do have baubles and candles on the tree. I love a wreath of greenery on the front door and a few white fairy lights in my bay trees. I look forward to seeing what you have gathered on your walk. XXXX
Sounds like a very
ReplyDeletepeaceful, lovely idea,
Anne Marie. Besides
our tree and a few lights
outside, I am leaning to
a more spare and calm
note in our home this year.
And, it makes me happy!
Still need to wind some
fairy lights around the
wooden star I bought on
my first visit to NaDa....
xx Suzanne
I think back to a couple posts ago when you reflected on celebrating the reasons for the seasons...I suspect there was no plastic, glitter and tinsel on the first Christmas. God gives us such beautiful natural decorations for each season, I can't imagine not bringing them indoors to enjoy. I'm so much happier surrounded by twigs and branches from my yard than I am by anything artificial.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to seeing your home on the house parade ~
I love to use creation in my decorating as well. We are blessed that the first owners of our farm put in a row of pine trees that are abundant in pinecones at this time of year ~ the branches also make the best wreaths!
ReplyDeleteI hope your decorating continues well!
Blessings
Renata:)
THAT, my sweet friend, is the PERFECT way to celebrate Christmas. It truly doesn't get any better than that. Simple, sweet, natural, and God-given. :) I wish that everyone out there would embrace your way of thinking, Anne-Marie. Maybe Christmas would eventually return to what it should be.... ♥ Luv ya, girlie.
ReplyDeletexoxo laurie
Anne Marie, you are so sweet...I would just LOVE to meet you someday, too:). Your header is gorgeous and I am soooo looking forward to a peek into your home at Christmas! I love simple and nature inspired. I am sure your special project will be wonderful...you are so very talented:).
ReplyDelete~Julia
I am feeling a strong desire to have a very simple Christmas this year too, and to get back to the real meaning of the holiday and being with my family, and not focusing on stuff. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteKat