December was a blur

So this month really grabbed me by the nape of my neck and shook me hard- I can’t believe it’s dec 27th -  I am going to consistently make an effort to publish weekly 

So much to talk about! 

For those of  you following the front porch progression: 

My mom bought me an antique milk can- I have wanted one for years- and this particular one is very old and heavy and I say it’s safe to assume it’s going to stay on my front porch year round now 

Love it 

Other than Christmas and holiday celebrations last week- the  highlight of my month was getting to take my oldest son jack to go see the play “Hamilton” in Greenville, SC at the peace center. Jack has been obsessed with the soundtrack and so this was his big gift from his dad and I to him- lucky me got to go too! We had an amazing time and loved every second of it! 

After that, the kids were out of school and I’ve been in a hurricane of events, family visits and holiday fervor 

But I have also made time  and space for myself too- which I think is so important during the holidays 

I’ve done a lot of this :

I’m reading a great book about Alva Vanderbilt 

I’m

Almost finished with it and I love it so much! Been such a great read! 

I also repurposed a necklace (cut it up and made it to fit me better used a different design) 

It has a fairy stone on it! And I love this necklace it’s so meaningful to me! Very SwVA 

I also was able to go to the farm and feed  cows with my dad on Christmas Eve 

Such a great morning! 

I received some great Pyrex bowls from my mom 

And fire king mugs from my sister in law Tammy 

And even though I wasn’t expecting it and feel I don’t deserve it - ( because I feel I have too much and really need nothing ) 

Santa (in the form of Brock) came and left me something very nice 

So sweet ♥️

So now here I am present moment  I am thinking of taking down my Christmas decor either today or tomorrow - 

On the cusp of New Years 

I really don’t have resolutions- other than I want 2019 to be full of happiness and joy-  good health - fun adventures and I have a lot of home related projects I wish to tackle. 

If you made it to the end of this post- I truly wish you had a wonderful Christmas and wishing you a happy new year ♥️

Oh Christmas tree

Yesterday we were able to do some family bonding and get our live Christmas tree from Red Barn Christmas Trees near Damascus, Va. These trees are harvested locally from

white top mtn! One of my favorite places! Plus it feels amazing to support a local business and have locally sourced trees

We may have out did ourselves - we bought two trees a small one and a big one - I bought the smaller one for my front porch to go in my moms galvanized wash tub she lent me- and we bought the large 10 foot one for our living room

I was impatient and decided to decorate the smaller one last night 

Yay! I also bought the boys two new sleds for the impending snowmagedon this weekend- that’s what’s junking up the pic behind The tree :) 

We got the larger tree in the stand and let the branches find where they need to be overnight 

And decided to decorate it today 

We used all our ornaments we have amassed the past 15 years! So sentimental- and so us ♥️

Crafty beginning to December

This morning I awoke to a lovely sunrise 

I decided to treat myself to a craft day today: 

First I made myself a headband using a combination of knitting on a loom and crochet 

Warm and toasty- I got the yarn from “a likely yarn” in abingdon - it’s wool but feels so soft without feeling scratchy 

Then I made little gifts for the up coming Christmas season 

Yes everyone and I mean everyone is getting homemade soap and lip balm for Christmas! 

Lastly I’ve added some greenery to my front porch 

I am going to have a live  decorated tree on my front porch placed in a galvanized wash tub - but waiting until

Next weekend to do that 

 So this Saturday was nice and relaxing, productive  

Slowly starting to feel like the holidays

We have been experiencing some cold weather this week- I really have wanted to accomplish more but sick kid, weather meh- 

Some days you just have to play the cards you are dealt. 

However, today even though it was windy and 25f I decorated some outside- it’s a work in progress but I’m slowly chipping away at it 

Here are some pictures of what I’ve done so far: 

I hung a big wreath and garland on my back porch- this porch is probably my favorite place in the house - I’m constantly out there no matter what the season . 

Still have a lot to go on the front porch but it’s a start- going to have a tree 🌲 on my front porch by this weekend :) and more greenery but I have my antique sled and ice skates out! And the watering can is very special to me it was my papaw Claude’s 

My dad gave it to me several years ago. It’s one of my most treasured things 

 Mail box 

 This isn’t decor- this is my dinner - it was so cold I decided to use my mini bge I normally just use for tailgates or family camping- but it was so blustery and cold 🥶 I did not want to have to walk into the courtyard and use my normal sized big green egg- plus with me and the kids I now realize how much lump charcoal I was wasting - this size is perfect for three ppl or less 

And I enjoyed just Popping out the kitchen back door onto my porch to check the food and two feet from the warm house 😂 

Truly thankful for the little things 

Next up: I know this weekend more adventures on tap and more decorating 

Tomorrow am going to try for a cold weather adventure run in the woods after I take the kids to school -