Top 5 Favorites of a Country Christmas

There is nothing better than spending Christmas in the country.   Here are a few reasons it's the best!

1.  The neighbor down the street who decorates his house to look just like a real gingerbread house!

2.  The Christmas parade down the middle of the main street with familiar faces and so much festivity!

3.  A show in the big city is such a magical treat, yet as we drive back into the country, the fields open and we heave a sigh of relief to be nearly home and tucked away from all the hustle and bustle (mainly traffic!).

4.  It's a simple affair without too much pretense, simply homey!

5.  Our neighbors are still so neighborly!  A sweet great grandmother who lives next door brings Monkey Bread for our Christmas morning, such a treat!

What sort of Christmas do you prefer?  Whatever it may be ~
Wishing you a Merry & Bright One!
Olivia

A new old way

We have a new (for us) tradition starting this year!
For the past few holiday seasons, I've been drifting away from some of the traditional elements of Christmas.  While I still LOVE Christmas, on my heart right now is the upcoming celebration of Hanukkah!  The celebration of the Miracle of Lights is an ancient tradition Jesus would most likely have enjoyed as a child!

This year, starting on December 8th, we will learn about Hanukkah and join in the traditions of lighting the candles, playing games, eating traditional foods and so on.   Most importantly, we will remember how God is faithful.  Since we have simplified our Christmas plans, gift giving, decor and such I am looking forward to have a time and space in December for this.

My own paternal grandfather was Jewish so I know it is a part of my heritage, however small.  I am hoping it will keep our focus on Jesus more throughout this season of giving!  Inspired to include this new aspect to our celebration I found a simple and pretty Menorah from Israel and a handmade wooden dreidel on etsy.   

Impromptu Harvest Party

An at home day, with no soccer for the first Saturday in months, we weren't sure quite what to do with ourselves!  Inspired by Kelle Hampton, I had the idea to throw a midday harvest party with our friends.  It's actually the ONLY way I am willing to host parties!  There is no pressure ahead of time which always takes away the fun (for me).

So we bundled up - it's quite cold here!  And headed down to our favorite produce stand for some treats to share.  Tracy's produce stand is one of our family's favorite outings because it's so festive and seasonal.

We grabbed a bag of kettle corn, tortilla chips, apples, mandarins, fall flavored taffies, caramel dip, chocolate covered pretzels, fresh cider and an apple cider scented candle.  Yum!  We already had the pumpkins for decor at home so nothing needed there!  The kids gathered and strung some leaves for a kind of banner over the window!  So cute, so simple.

We just needed friends!  Our neighbor friends came and my friend Noelle with her little girls! We had just the right amount of children and grown ups for a simple gathering!  With the frosty chill the little ones played outside in the leaves and yard just for a short time but inside was warm with our woodstove crackling!  What a lovely cozy day after all!

A new way to celebrate

Today is a celebratory day to be sure - Jesus is Risen!

I saw the message posted on many church signs we passed yet we didn't enter a church today, persay.   I recently stumbled upon this lovely quote by George Washington Carver "I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in." 

We didn't go in... no, we went out of doors today. 

We shared our own lesson of the Resurrection Story.  We went out into our neighborhood to clean up and share flowers with our community in celebration.  The "Easter Bunny" did not come for the first time in our family history but instead we shared what we could with others.  As a momma, I have watched the delight of chicks and bunnies crowd out the message of our servant Lord.  We have been missing something good in all the unnecessary "stuff" from before that we were able to take in today.  Blessed by a warm and bright sunny day and the ability to take our lessons out of doors - uncommon for April in the PNW! 

There is freedom in going your own way and joy to be found there.  Traditions can be good yet sometimes they can be remade into something better!  And isn't freedom the reason why he came!!
Blessings,
Olivia

We had a lovely day...

The thing I am most satisfied with about our traditional Thanksgiving celebration is that it was my very first Turkey & stuffing ever

Love is in the air

For the first time ever I'm loving this holiday all about love!  It all started with a heart shaped wreath on my front door, the first Valentine's Day decor I have ever put out.  Then it moved on to some felt stitched hearts my mom gave the kids 2 years ago...

We made a heart craft as a fun weekend project inspired by Flower Patch Farmgirl!

And then, all the sudden red and pink bloomed all over my home!  I even found myself picking out Valentine Chocolates for my sweet with a darling little tin!  What is going on around here?  It's usually so country french in blue & yellow! 

It seems as though my style is edging toward english country lately, a little of my Country Living British addition magazine subscription rubbing off on me!  Well, change is good right?!

How do you let your sweet ones know their loved?!  Wishing you a love filled holiday!  Au revoir, Olivia

He came like the winter snow...

It's all about Him.

Our simple nativity sits at the center of our dining table, we see it at every meal.

Our Christmas tree this year is fragrent & green!  A woodland delight with snow & birds and blue & white.

Our Mantle, no stockings yet though, not settled on them yet.

This is a special little tree on the table in our office.  It has all the silver ornaments from our babies first Christmas's, their spoon, fork & cup.  Even one of our puppy Hunter when he was small! 

And above my computer desk, where I spend many hours...

Our card, Jesus is the Prince of Peace, He is the only way to experience peace on earth. 

We wish you a Christmas with the kind of Peace only He can bring!

Is it too early?

For this:

And this:

And this:

I'm sure it is it but it's so much fun ~ I cannot wait!

I'm sorry, I know you're not quite ready but I feel the Holiday season is fair game about the first day of November!  The thing is much as I value giving thanks I feel it is more of a daily choice instead of an annual holiday!  It is really a side road detour on the way to my favorite Holiday of all, the birth of Christ, Christmas!
The really ironic part is its so warm and sunny today not winter-ish at all!  Oh well!
Blessings, & thank you for putting up with me!
Olivia