Christmas 2016

I wasn't going to do a Christmas home tour blog this year.  Most of my decorations are used year to year, so I thought why post again?  It will look pretty much like it did last year, right?

But after getting things out, and decorated, I decided to go ahead and post pics of our 2016 Christmas.  Why?  Because my sister asked me to.  :-)  So this is for you, sis!

Welcome to our Christmas home!

Stepping in the house, you are greeted by the lighted garland on the stairs and one of my favorites, the "Merry Christmas" sign made by my sister.  Her online shop is "White Hen".  You will be seeing more of her work throughout the home.  I admit I'm a bit obsessed with her work.

Our living room has taken on a little different look this year with a different furniture and tree placement.  This is the first time I've placed the tree in this spot.  I love it in front of the window.  You can see it almost immediately when you walk in the front door.  

The sofa table is in front of the window on the other side of the tree.  

The sunroom is used primarily as overflow for the living room.  But I love sitting in there in the mornings for my Bible study time.  It's so peaceful.

This "Oh What Fun" sign was a gift from my sister.  I LOVE it!

In the dining room, we added a new hutch this year, replacing my old buffet.  So I tweaked that end of the room a bit.  I love the sign that is above the hutch.  I had my sister busy doing several other signs for me (I'll show you those later).  I found this at a friend's online shop, "The Feathered Nest".  It's perfect for this space.  And of course, my white ceramic tree had to sit atop the hutch.  I added some green miniature trees in some of my white ware to finish off the space.

The table is centered with more trees.  I used an apothecary jar and homemade snow globes to keep with the tree theme of the room.

My small buffet on the opposite wall adds to the tree theme in the room.  Above it I hung a chalkboard I made using an antique frame and 1/4 inch plywood.

This year, I painted and moved my buffet from the dining room to the kitchen, making a space for a coffee bar.  I hung the open shelving above it for storing additional coffee items.

On the opposite side of the room, I have a small live tree, decked out with kitchen utensil ornaments.

At the top of the stairs is my new favorite room in the house.  I transformed my craft room into a room for my grandkids to stay in when they visit.  I love how it turned out, but mainly, I love that I have a place that is special for them when they come!!

This little sign is so precious to me.  Made by my sister (again, you can find her at her online shop on Facebook as White Hen).  For the season, I simply adorned the shelf above it with bottle brush trees and hung a little garland from the shelf.

These little dolls are adorable.  They are from an online shop called "Cuddle+Kind".  When you purchase one of their dolls, they donate 10 meals to needy children.

In the master bedroom, I didn't change much from my decor I used last year.  But I did add this adorable sign also made by "White Hen".

Other spaces upstairs are the guest room, office and landing.  All have small touches for the season.  

So whether you pull out the old decorations, start with new ones, or do a combination of both, Christmas can be fresh and beautiful adding a beauty to your home that you only get to see for a short time every year.  Enjoy it!  Drink it in!  But mostly, as you find joy in your decor, remember it is all in honor of the real meaning of Christmas, the celebration of the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ!

Misplaced Hope

In July, my daughter got her license to foster children and soon after, she received her first placement,  an adorable 14 month old baby boy.  We were all excited and overjoyed with the addition to the family.  The bond he had with Bethany was immediate.  It has been so sweet to see him grow and blossom under her love, nurturing and parenting.

Not long after entering her home, we found out the mother's rights would be terminated.  At the time, no family members were stepping up to adopt the little guy, and Bethany gladly raised her hand to say she would adopt.  The paperwork was filled out in early October, and we began hoping for the adoption to be finalized by Christmas.  What a gift!  My daughter to have a child and us another grandchild for Christmas!!

Not long after, our hopes were dimmed.  A person with family connections showed interest in adopting.  Because this person had family connections, Bethany was told they would most likely be chosen over her.  We all have been reeling over this news.  We went from thinking we might have this little fella as a permanent member of the family, to being fearful he may not even be with us for Christmas.  This HOPE we had was being dashed, right before our eyes.

Isn't that the way it so often is in life?  We have hopes in one thing or another, only to have them dashed or disappointed?  Relationships, financial security, health, the list goes on.  All important, but  the problem we have is if we are hoping in them, our hopes are misplaced.  Hopes in anything on this earth will always end in disappointment.  Because hope doesn't exist here on earth.  Real hope only comes from above.

I think it is fitting to focus on something to hope in this time of year.   This time of Advent.  This time leading up to Christmas.  The reason the angels sang and shepherds visited the manger was because the real reason for hope had finally come.  Jesus!  This one whom the world had awaited!  

We sing about that in carols at Christmas every year.  

"Come thou long expected Jesus,

Born to set thy people free.

From our fears and sins release us,

Let us find our rest in Thee.

Israel's strength and consolation,

Hope of all the earth thou art.

Dear desire of every nation,

Joy of every longing heart."

He is the only one we can place our hope in and not be disappointed.  He is the true and living hope.

Now, what about our daughter and this child she desires to adopt?  Have we lost hope that it can happen?  Does she just give up and not pursue adoption?  No!  We still pray things will work out there.  She hasn't given up.  But not because she has hope in the system.  We certainly have seen that the system is flawed on more than one occasion.  But for the very reason I mentioned before, we have hope in the LORD!  And can trust HIM!  We don't know the outcome, but we can trust this little guy to HIM and trust the Lord will put him in the home HE sees fit.  And we can rejoice even now, knowing where ever this child ends up, is what the Lord deems best.

 We can be thankful no matter what disappointment we face, we can know we have real hope in the Lord. This Jesus who was born in a manger to set people free.  This Jesus who grew up to die on the cross to redeem our sinful souls.  This Jesus is our hope.  This Jesus is our salvation.  Place your hope in Him today!

"O holy night the stars are brightly shining.

It was the night of our dear Savior's birth.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining

Till He appeared and the soul felt it's worth.

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees

O hear the angel voices

O night divine.

O night when Christ was born.

O night divine.  O night divine."

*Inspired by the adult Sunday School lesson taught by Allen Pellum at Community Bible Church, Dec. 4, 2016.  Advent Week One: Hope.  

Waco or Bust

There's an old postal motto which says, "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds".  Well, when it comes to two sisters going on the trip of their dreams, the same can be said!

  Like so many others, my sister Jo and I have been dreaming of going to visit Magnolia Market since the show "The Fixer-Upper" came on HGTV.  So we finally did it!  We booked her flight from Wisconsin to Jax, then planned for the two of us to head west to Texas.  A two day trip, but everyone says to drive so you can carry all your treasures back with you!  So this is what we planned to do.

What we didn't plan, was for a hurricane to land in Jacksonville at the exact time her flight was suppose to land!  Seeing the storm coming, we moved her flight to arrive a day early.  We waited out Hurricane Matthew, making sure the family was safe and there was no damage to our home.  Thankfully all we experienced was the loss of power, so my husband urged us to head out the next day.

When we got in the car, loaded up and ready to go, it wouldn't start.  Crazy!  I had just driven it down the road to grab some breakfast!  My husband was still determined that we were going to have this trip of a lifetime, so he went down and rented a car for him to drive while we were gone, and we transferred our luggage to his car and headed west.  A few hours behind schedule, but we were off! Not even Hurricane Matthew could stop us!  

And 2 days later (16 hours of driving time) we arrived in Waco!!  Woot!  

The first thing we did was head to the Silos.  We knew it would be closed, but we had to see it.  Even closed, it was an impressive sight.  And it certainly whet our appetites for the next day! 

  

Fortunately, the Silos Bakery had opened a few weeks before we visited, so we planned to go early the next morning to have breakfast before shopping.  The bakery opens at 7 AM, and the staff is friendly and welcoming.  (We should know... we went to the bakery at least 5 or 6 times in the 2 days we were there!!) 

 The decor of the bakery was so Joanna!  Fresh white subway tile and black cabinetry with wood floors.

 And the baked goods were beautiful!  It was hard to decide... so we tasted pretty much everything while we were there!!

We can recommend the Silo cookie, the nutty cinnamon roll, the orange cranberry biscuit,  

the almond pastry, the cupcakes... like I said, pretty much everything! 

Even though the Magnolia Market doesn't open till 9 AM, after you grab your breakfast, the grounds are open for you to explore.  There is plenty to see.

 For my sister Jo, it was 1,159 miles to Waco.  For me, 1,054!

Chip and Jo thought of everything.  Their attention to detail is incredible.  We walked around with our mouths hanging open, so taken by everything.  Who sees an old abandoned silos and thinks of creating this?  Chip and Joanna Gaines!  That's who!

I love the way they used the metal structure from the Silos to hang swings for the kiddos 

(and the adults!).

Once inside the shop, it was a whole new level of amazement.  All the vignettes were gorgeous!  I apologize for not having more photos.  I was so overwhelmed with the store, I didn't even think of taking pictures!!  Every table and every display was equally inspiring and beautiful to take in.  We walked the store about 4 times, to make sure we didn't miss anything.  Then we came back later after having our lunch and shopped again.  THEN came back the next day and shopped more!  And every time, we saw things we didn't see before.  There is just so much to see!

The main room  opened up into another huge room.

And there were a lot of associates who were eager to help you find what you are looking for. 

When you got to the counter, the team member made you feel like you were the only customer they have had all day.  They took time to chat, find out where you were from and hear your story.

And did I mention lunch?  No need to go anywhere for it.  There are food trucks lined up outside in the courtyard, which give you a wonderful array of options.  Pizza, grilled cheese, crepes, Asian food... and the list goes on!! 

Once you get your food, there are dozens of white picnic tables to sit at.  Some under their recently built pavilion, and some under umbrellas, but all providing shade, and all beautifully adorned with Jo's touch.

This old truck was parked in the courtyard.  Another fun thing to explore.

After splitting a yummy grilled cheese sandwich, we made our way to the garden shop, Magnolia Seed and Supply.  Again, so much to take in.  The greenhouse is currently being built and will open soon.

There were several of these precious ferry gardens throughout the garden area.  You can buy the pieces in the Feed and Seed shop to make your own.  When my grandbaby, Hazel gets a little older, this will be on my list to do with her for sure!!!

I don't think there was anything the Gaines didn't think of.  They have included every family member in the visit to the Silos.  The open courtyard has toys for the children to play with.  It is all not just family friendly, but family ORIENTED.

You certainly won't leave empty handed, hungry nor disappointed!!

After having about as much fun as a human being should be allowed to have, we headed over to Harp Design.  It's just a short drive from the Silos.  Their shop was filled with great home decor pieces as well. And their employees were equally friendly and eager to tell THEIR story.  We loved that!  

We left with bags filled with Harp Design goodies too!

After shopping Clint's shop, we headed out to McGregor, TX to find the Gaines' B & B. 

 The Magnolia House.

On the way, we took a little detour (after driving right through McGregor without realizing it... yes, it's small!).  But the detour allowed me to see some beautiful countryside and meet a few new friends.  

I mean, when else is this city slicker going to see goats?  And horses?  And cows?!!  

And they were very obliging to pose for me!

(Actually the cows were along the interstate on the way home, but they fit the story here, so there you go.)

"You crazy lady!!!"

So, after making our way back to McGregor, we found The Magnolia House.  SO charming! Just like it is in all the pictures.

Next trip, I will be booking the place, for sure!

On the way out of town the next morning (after our 5th or 6th visit to the Silos Bakery), we caught the sun coming up over some iconic places in Waco.

And THIS is why we drove!!!  Not one regret!  4 days on the road, over 2,200 miles covered, tons of quality time with my sister, visiting the shop of our dreams... SO worth it!  I'm so thankful my husband pushed us out the door, and didn't let the storm or the broken car stop us.  

Would we do it again?  You betcha!