I have been so excited to decorate for Christmas here at our new home. Even though the plan is to build a new home here in the next year, and my creative designing juices are flowing in several directions, I am thrilled to decorate with a woodland or "ranch-y flair".
I wanted it to be simple, slightly rustic; yet classy. I had thought I organized everything perfectly, when the movers unloaded us, where all my Christmas decorations were going. Yet, somehow I still found things missing. Some of the decorations must still be in semi-permanent storage. Now I had to balance homeschool, ranch projects, getting Christmas pictures and cards done; as well as getting the inside and outside decorated.
I was off to a frustrating start...
But, I always have fun decorating and I love a challenge. Unfortunately, outdoor lights on the house didn't happen. But, I got wreaths hung on each window, and candles inside of each as well. Then, I tried to add a bit of Christmas flair to the front porch, keeping in mind, the constant mud and dirt my boys track up there...it is a ranch after all. { I can't wait for the future mudroom}.
Notice the boots all lined up, Ha!
Then, we had to get a new tree. Our old 12 foot tree wouldn't quite fit, LOL! The new 7.5 foot tree we found was perfect. Because of my asthma, artificial trees are the only kind I can have. They really have come a long way! The trees are looking more and more real each year, and pre-lit is always a plus!
I used pheasant feather and an owl as the topper, and grapevine garland. I couldn't find my humongous owl for the topper, that lights up...oh well!
The formal dining room is where we homeschool, so I can't go crazy decorating it. I did decide to use the same burlap piece I've used before, one of our pheasants as part of the centerpiece display, moss covered conical trees, more grapevine garland, adding pinecones, winter berries, brown candle sticks, and my husband's trumpet from middle school.
I convinced my husband Glen to break out the camera yesterday, gather the horses on a dismal afternoon, with lots of mud from the 2 days of rain, and take Christmas pictures. I knew it was cold, muddy, cloudy, and horrible lighting, but...what choice did I have? Hellllllooooooo....Christmas is next week! He knew it and I knew it, this is a bad idea, but we have to...it's now or never. And thank goodness for Walgreens same day service on printing pictures!
I envisioned it snowing like last year and we'd get a great snowy picture at Thistle Hill, and that didn't happen. Then, I pictured our newly spruced up barn and snow, and THAT didn't happen. I was out of ideas and time!
I grabbed a huge wreath I had, tied some pinecones and bells on it, with a burlap bow. Then, I grabbed an old lantern, and plaid throw blanket ...threw them over the H-Brace we have by the pond, and crossed my fingers the photo would look cute, and not ridiculous!
Turns out...the picture turned out kinda cute. Well, not bad for a camera battery that was apparently no longer holding a charge, all of us knee deep in mud, (hence my awkward standing position), Glen setting the timer and feverishly running back into place. Then, hoping everyone had their eyes on the camera, horses looking normal, and NOBODY blink! Out of a gazillion pictures we got 1, LOL! Then took some quick pictures of the boys on their own and got some cute shots. I have SO much respect for professional photographers...it is NOT easy to get a good picture! This of course is evident, by all my blog photos from my phone camera, HA!
I can't wait for our 1st Christmas here at Thistle Hill! I hope your Christmas is Merry too!
Merry Christmas & Many Blessings from Thistle Hill Ranch!
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