| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Dec 09 2011 : 5:05:58 PM
This year I am just decorating my house inside and out with natural things. Like lots of greenery and red berries and cedar branches. I was at my little feed store yesterday and they had some cedar branches in little metal buckets with red bows. I love that. I have an old metal bucket. So tonight when I got home, I went out and cut a small cedar tree and stuck it in the bucket with some rocks for support. I put it on the window seat in my dining room and put white light on it. I will put red berries on it and some red bows. I think that will be our little Christmas tree this year.
I will put the berries and greenery all over the house too. And my 2 front windows are real deep outside so I will do the same with them. And I will leave this up through Feb. It's so pretty. And brightens up the dreary cold winter so much.
I would love to hear what y'all use from nature to decorate your homes. And some pictures would be great too!
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| ceejay48 |
Posted - Dec 24 2011 : 07:53:16 AM
Thanks girls!
That snow is all gone now . . :(. And it doesn't look like we are going to have a "White Christmas" . . I'm very disappointed. I grew up here and our Christmases were white and I LOVED THEM!!! I still LOVE them! The positive thing is that our daughter is traveling up on Monday and I'm thankful she'll have clear roads/weather for travel.
Thanks again . . hopefully we'll get more snow after the holidays!
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
From my Hands - www.cjscreations-ceejay.blogspot.com
the "Purple Thistle" http://www.ceejay48.etsy.com
From my Heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
Through my lens - http://ceejayscamera.shutterfly.com/
From my Hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Dec 23 2011 : 3:24:19 PM
CJ, that's pretty but I am SO glad it's at your house and not mine! But I think white would look a lot better than all this brown slippery mud. Merry Christmas!!
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| laurentany |
Posted - Dec 22 2011 : 1:32:09 PM
Wow CJ- How cool is that- it looks like Christmas for sure with that fresh coat of snow! At least someone will be having a white Christmas...here on Long Island today it was 57 degrees!!! Totally unseasonable, and of course comfortable, but somehow it doesnt feel like Christmas when it is this warm and sunny. I dont know how people who live in the "south" do it- I need my seasons to feel just right! Guess I am spoiled having 4 distinct seasons here.
Merry Christmas to ALL!!!!
~Laurie
"Little Hen House on the Island"
Farmgirl Sister#1403
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.. |
| ceejay48 |
Posted - Dec 22 2011 : 06:41:51 AM
Well, I had to add this photo of the little tree . . now it looks more Christmas-y. Fresh, sparkly snow dressing it up.
CJ
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..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
From my Hands - www.cjscreations-ceejay.blogspot.com
the "Purple Thistle" http://www.ceejay48.etsy.com
From my Heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
Through my lens - http://ceejayscamera.shutterfly.com/
From my Hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Dec 18 2011 : 8:27:17 PM
CJ, that is a very special tree and it looks great. I just love how everyone is so creative and uses what is right outside our doors. It makes our homes so much more warm and cozy.
And drying all these oranges and apples and lemons is making my home smell so good! I am using the peels of the citrus in a small pot on the stove with a few drops of EO and letting it simmer. Yum!
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| laurentany |
Posted - Dec 18 2011 : 8:11:07 PM
Oh Cj How adoralble is that- and what a great idea! Now you have double the plesure from your miracle tree!
Enjoy your new tabletop version- it is really cute!
Merry Christmas!!!!
~Laurie
"Little Hen House on the Island"
Farmgirl Sister#1403
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.. |
| ceejay48 |
Posted - Dec 18 2011 : 7:03:39 PM
Some of you may have read about the Colorado Blue Spruce tree that we call our "miracle tree" because of the fire it survived in 1994 and how it's grown since then. At almost 30 feet tall the tippy-top was just a bit too close to the power lines. While it is not directly under the line it was deemed necessary to prune the leader off the top. We asked the tree company guys to be GENTLE, CAREFUL and THOUGHTFUL . . they were but it still made me cry.
Anyway, I asked them for what they trimmed off and this is the little outdoor tree I made with it out on our deck. The cut end just fit in the hole on our metal patio table, I strung on some mini-lights and tied a bow on it. So we have our little tree which WAS the very top of our BIG, BEAUTIFUL Blue Spruce at the end of our drive. And it doesn't look bad . . most people won't even notice that the leader top has been pruned.
CJ
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..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
From my Hands - www.cjscreations-ceejay.blogspot.com
the "Purple Thistle" http://www.ceejay48.etsy.com
From my Heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
Through my lens - http://ceejayscamera.shutterfly.com/
From my Hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
| laurentany |
Posted - Dec 18 2011 : 06:34:11 AM
Thanks friends, for the compliments on the centerpiece. My DD and I will be making several more today. Also bought some oranges to dry today so that we can make garland with them- have never done it before but going to give it a whirl! And speaking of decorating and nature- I will try and get a picture today of the wreaths hanging on my chicken coop doors. Couldnt leave them out of the festivities either! 
~Laurie
"Little Hen House on the Island"
Farmgirl Sister#1403
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.. |
| ceejay48 |
Posted - Dec 17 2011 : 9:23:58 PM
That is just beautiful Laurie!!!
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
Mother Hen: FARMGIRLS SOUTHWEST HENHOUSE
From my Hands - www.cjscreations-ceejay.blogspot.com
the "Purple Thistle" http://www.ceejay48.etsy.com
From my Heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
Through my lens - http://ceejayscamera.shutterfly.com/
From my Hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
| Calicogirl |
Posted - Dec 17 2011 : 07:26:45 AM
I LOVE decorating with nature, it has such a beautiful natural feel.
We usually make a trip to the mountains and get some greens and pine cones but were not able to this year. However a neighbor has a Blue Spruce tree and asked if Michael could trim it for him :) Score! It didn't take me long with the clippers to start clipping away and placing greens everywhere :)I did have some pine cones left from last year so I put some 'snowlike' glitter on them and placed them on our wreath and through out the house with the greens.
Kris, your garland sound great! I am sure that the ladies will love them. I have made ornaments out of the dried orange slices too. I glue a bay leaf on the front and then add a star anise or cinnamon stick, tie with raffia, I often use these with craft paper for wrapping and with jute.
Laurie, the centerpiece is beautiful! You and your daughter did a wonderful job!
Jonni, I would so love access to holly! One of my favorites :)
The only berries we have out here (that aren't questionable) is Juniper or Cedar berries , they are pretty but I do like red berries better and the deer ate all of my rosehips!
Oh and Chickens in the Road is one of my favorite places to visit too :)
~Sharon
By His Grace, For His Glory
http://merryheartjournal.blogspot.com/ |
| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Dec 16 2011 : 06:04:02 AM
Love Aldi's, too, Kris--that's where all my baking supplies come from. How CAN you beat their nut prices????
I think the ladies would love the drie orange garlands, Kris--what a very thoughtul gift. And, something they can keep out through the winter season long.
I, too, am waiting for money to fall from the sky :) Still some shopping to do, but I'm taking the whole week off this coming Monday, so I will do it then--but mostly, I'm decorating, wrapping, visiting Santa and doing holiday trains and things of that sort with the wee girl. She's VERY excited!
"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..."
The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Dec 16 2011 : 05:53:11 AM
Ok, so I went ahead and dried 4 trays of apples and oranges last night and they are done this morning. I have some cinnamon and cloves EO so I put a few drops on each piece. I think I am going to use some raffia and make a bunch of little garlands for some gifts for the Bible study ladies. We are having a lunch next Tuesday. I think they will like them. I'll put a cinnamon stick on each one too. I'll have to get more apples and oranges and do another tray probably. But I can get them at Aldi's real cheap. Love that store.
I still am not done with shopping. Waiting on some money to fall from the sky. Time sure has flown way too fast here. Gotta get busy!
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| laurentany |
Posted - Dec 15 2011 : 6:28:26 PM
Thanks Kris-
I'm going to go check it out in just a little while. SO many things to do, so little time...lol. I am excited for Christmas to come- I am basically ready- done shopping, still have wrapping to do, but wish there was more time for all of this fun stuff/ Hopefully this weekend we can enjoy the little things like this- after all- thats really what its all about!
Good Luck with your oranges and all of your decorating!
~Laurie
"Little Hen House on the Island"
Farmgirl Sister#1403
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.. |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Dec 15 2011 : 4:20:28 PM
Laurie, if you go to www.chickensintheroad.com, and search for dried oranges, she has some good tips and craft ideas. I love her blog. I know last year she had alot of things to do with drying fruits and making natural ornaments. So check it out. If you can't find it, I think all you do is slice the oranges thin and maybe sprinkle some cinnamon on and put them in the dehydrator til firm. Or in a low oven for several hours. I have a dehydrator and it's so easy to do. I think I will do some tonight.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| laurentany |
Posted - Dec 15 2011 : 3:11:09 PM
Hi Jonni-
Speaking of dried oranges...does anyone know exactly "how" (what temperature/time etc) to bake them at in order to "dry" them and be able to make a garland out of them? I would love to have these hanging around the house. Any hints would be greatly appreciated!
Kris- this is a great thread- so many nice ideas etc!
Merry Christmas all!
~Laurie
"Little Hen House on the Island"
Farmgirl Sister#1403
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.. |
| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Dec 15 2011 : 12:34:54 PM
That really is pretty! Maybe when Violet is older...she can't seem to leave things alone right now :) I did take some holly home from the office yesterday (yard man did a bunch of trimming) and I plan on going into the woods to gather some cedar on the weekend. Right now it's much too muddy back there.
I really enjoy decorating naturally--there is an old house from the 1820's in Madison, Indiana that is always decorated with dried orange slices on a cedar tree, pinecones, pine boughs and hedgeapples. So pretty, so fresh, so simple and perfect in that gorgeous Georgian setting.
"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..."
The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
| laurentany |
Posted - Dec 15 2011 : 12:31:51 PM
Thanks Kris and Nini!
We have been making these for a couple of years now and really enjoy it. You get to work with nature and it helps to really put you in the Christmas spirit. Not to mention it makes a great Merry Christmas gift for our neighbors etc when we go knock on their door with them .
Went to Michaels this morning to get some more "picks" to fill in the greenery and then went clipping away out in nature again. I actually carry my hand clippers in the car with me so that I can stop on the roadside and clip clip when I see interesting greenery! People probably think I'm nuts! ha ha
Merry Christmas!
~Laurie
"Little Hen House on the Island"
Farmgirl Sister#1403
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.. |
| Ninibini |
Posted - Dec 15 2011 : 07:42:05 AM
How lovely all your ideas sound! I would love to see more pictures! Laurie - that centerpiece is stunning! Beautiful job! Kudos to you and your daughter!!! - Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
www.papercraftingwithnini.myctmh.com
|
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Dec 15 2011 : 07:11:31 AM
Laurie, that's so pretty. I'll have to get my grands to help me make one for my dining room table while they are here this weekend. It sure does look pretty on your table. And you're right, it's free. That makes it so much better.
While we were walking this morning I was looking for little cedar trees. I saw a bunch. I'm going to go get one for the kids to put upstairs and decorate. I might get 2, one for each window.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| laurentany |
Posted - Dec 15 2011 : 05:19:10 AM
Yesterday my daughter (11yrs old) and I started to make a few centerpieces. They turned out so nice and we are excited to make more. Here is the one I have on my coffee table...
I love making these- its so simple and its FREE!!!
~Laurie
"Little Hen House on the Island"
Farmgirl Sister#1403
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.. |
| Amie C. |
Posted - Dec 13 2011 : 1:22:19 PM
My husband used to work in a large office park that backs up to the Erie Canal towpath. Last year, I waded out into the back lots there to gather wild rose hips and some evergreen trimmings. But now that he's out of work on disability (and dealing with lots of ugliness from the employer insurance company) I don't feel comfortable doing that. |
| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Dec 13 2011 : 12:43:15 PM
We always trim out our Christmas tree from underneath and I take some of those and put them into a big cast iron kettle on the porch with cinnamon pine cones and ribbons. Also, my office is surrounded by tons of holly trees and bushes, so I "borrow" a little for the season.
Lots of parks have pine cones just lying about for the taking--the park near my mom's has so many different types of connifers, I try to pick up as many as I can when we take Violet for walks.
"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..."
The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Dec 13 2011 : 12:37:41 PM
Amie, I have one Nandina bush out front but appaerntly the birds got what red berries there were on it. So I got most of my berries and boxwood and magnolia from my friend's yard. I got pinecones and pine branches from out back of my place. I'm sure if you ask real nice, someone would let you get some of their nature.
Laurie, your centerpieces so lovely. I need to make one now for my table. I have 7 really old crystal candle holders on the table but it needs something else.
Kristina, I love the smell of fresh pine. Makes Christmas better.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| FieldsofThyme |
Posted - Dec 13 2011 : 05:17:43 AM
We do have evergreens on our property. We use branches to decorate and bring in that wonderful pine aroma. Mmmmmm!
Farmgirl #800
http://pioneerwomanatheart.blogspot.com/
http://scrapreusedandrecycledartprojects.blogspot.com/
From my hands: http://pioneerpatchworkhomespun.blogspot.com/
From my Camera: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pioneerwomanatheart/
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| Amie C. |
Posted - Dec 12 2011 : 3:28:14 PM
Kris, I'm so jealous! I don't have any evergreens on my property (it's just a postage stamp yard) and don't have any friends I could ask either. I'm going to try to twig stars. Got lot's of twigs at least. |
