A Sneak Peak…It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Written by Aunt Ruthie on November 3rd, 2007

My home is in transition! I love my pumpkins, but it’s almost time to bid them farewell for another year (they have been out since September 1st !!!) Time for my little pumpkin heads to go nigh, night. Christmas is on the way, so bring out the snowflakes, stars and jingle-bell sleigh! My goal is to have everything ready for Christmas …decorated… gifts wrapped… mugs filled with hot chocolate ‘n’ marshmallows… all by December 1st, so I can enjoy the whole month with joy ….and less stress… with my family. (I’ll let you know if that really happens!)

White sparkly snowflakes…shimmering stars…a warm crackling fire….the twinkle of tiny lights…Bing Crosby dreaming about a white christmas….icicles dripping…Aunt Gen’s Date Nut Bars hot from the oven…sweet baby Jesus laying in the manger…pine branches hugging the mantel…a mug of hot spiced cider…sleigh bells ringing…children singing… a bowl of fragrant oranges polka-dotted with cloves….the wind whirling outside…so cozy inside…. all my children will be home….these are just some the things I love about Christmas!

I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year. ~Charles Dickens

My tablecloth and curtains are actually fleece blankets. I wanted a lumberjack-flannel-shirt look but could not find it anywhere, until I saw these blankets in a mail order catalog for only $20.00. They are warm ‘n’ cozy and wash beautifully. My curtain rods (from Target) have ring clips, so it was so easy to hang them. I’m a “red” girl…can you tell?

Can you guess where I got my inspiration for decorating the way I do? Disneyland. Oh honey, I love it so much I want to marry it. (I say that about things I adore!) I want so bad to live on Main Street USA at Disneyland but they won’t let me. (huh! how rude.) So I try to re-create it at home. I grew up going to Disneyland in Southern California and always loved lingering along Main Street studying the architecture and shop displays. Of course, I had to “linger” in a hurry because everyone I was with had other things in mind, like getting to the Matterhorn or the Pirates of the Caribbean. I just think Heaven is going to be a lot like Disneyland…and I WILL get to live there….forever.

You can be sure I have not forgotten Thanksgiving! I love Thanksgiving! My table with be set with the Pilgrims in mind, along with plenty of turkey, stuffin’ , cranberry sauce, sweet potato casserole and of course Pumpkin Pie! My heart is ever so thankful for all of the Lord’s Blessings! May He be praised!
Happy Thanksgiving BlogGirls!

Thanks for stopping by for pie!
Ruthann
P.S. My sister Sherry (Prairie Home) made me that Cornbread and Buttermilk sign!

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A bit of Ozarky Merriment!

Written by Aunt Ruthie on November 3rd, 2007

A few of the things I love about living in southern Missouri are the beauty of the hills and the heritage of the mountain folk, also known as the Hillbillies. Down-home folks who learned to live off the land, care for their families, created home remedies, made their own soap, sewed quilts, lived by the Good Book, filled the air with sounds of fiddle music and the spicy fragrance of fried apple pies. They are friendly, helpful and caring people. Why, you could be driving down a road and pass by a couple of folks just enjoying an afternoon walk and they would wave and smile like they knew you and were happy you passed by.

One of my favorite places to go is Silver Dollar City, an 1800’s theme park, where time has stood still. There are authentic cabins furnished as they were back in the day, and folks dressed in period costumes. They cook and spin wool, tell stories, play bluegrass music, and demonstrate a variety of homespun crafts. There are dozens of live music shows, down-home food to eat, of course rides for all ages and lots of fun shopping! It’s a breathtaking day of beauty and fun. Free Branson Coupons!

My home is farmhouse-lodge. It is built on an old cattle farm that we bought from the original owner. This land was in his family since the Civil War. So I decided to celebrate this rich heritage in the way I decorated some of the rooms of my home. Hence, my Hillbilly bathroom!

I love this vintage photo my sister Sherry (Prairie Home) gave me! What stories they all could tell!

I found this old washtub and washboard at a local antique store. My trim carpenter built the washstand to fit it. The faucet I found online at Lowes.
I also found this print of Andy, Barney and Opie years ago. I framed it in black, then took a white paint marker and wrote all the names of Mayberry’s Characters. This always makes me smile!
Proverbs 22:17 says
“A Merry heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.”
Our homes should be a happy, safe place for our families and ourselves. That includes spiritually, emotionally and physically. I like to add a bit of whimsy and merriment to my rooms because they give me a lift, a breath of fresh joy and inspiration. Life is serious enough with plenty of difficulties, our homes should refresh and comfort our hearts as we face each new day. It’s good for our health! The Good Book says so!
***
In fact on Oprah this week Dr. Oz said that the greatest contributor to aging fast is stress! So girls, let’s find ways to reduce our stress so we will live longer and healthier! We can start by de-cluttering our lives and homes, so we can bring beauty inside. Beauty inspires! A cluttered messy home breeds chaos and irritable attitudes and stress! Think about this, the BEAUTY of a sparkling crystal vase filled with fresh-cut fragrant roses would get lost on a table layered with papers, empty soda cans, and a pile of laundry. Don’t miss out on the beauty.
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So start one room at a time and clear the clutter. I like to start at the front door, on the porch! Then I walk inside and try to look at each room as if I were a guest. What looks out of place? Put it away. Is there a bunch of stuff in the corner, on the tables, on the floor? Look at each item and ask yourself “do I love this thing so much I want to marry it?” If the answer is “NO”, then give it or throw it away! (unless it’s your toothpaste…you may not want to marry it, but you just might want to hang on to it! That reminds me…one time one of my kids groaned “do I have to brush all my teeth???? I replied ” No, just the ones you want to keep.) If the answer is “yes”, put it away in it’s proper place.
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Girls, we were born to nest. We have that God-given instinct. We all need a nest without thorns, as do our loved ones. So when our homes get out of control, (and we have all been there, done that, got the T-shirt!) we feel the stress in a big way. So let’s honor our homes and bless our families by removing the mess and bring in comfort and beauty. We will also become healthier and happier in the process!
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Whatever I do I try to create a happy (cleaning, baking, etc.) atmosphere. I light a yummy candle, put on cheerful music, tie on an adorable apron, pour myself some sweet tea and get busy. It helps to get me in the mood!
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I hope these ideas give you ideas!
From my home to yours! Thanks for stopping by for pie!
Ruthann

 

 

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