Tabletop Tuesday

Usually I put my Christmas village in the Library/Office. But, we really don't use it very much so this year I decided to find a place in the living room. I had too many to put in one place so I made one display on my fireplace hearth (I'll show that to you later) and one on the side table in the dining room.

The only way to reach "Pleasant Hill" is to arrive by train. And this little train doesn't run very often.



But once you get there, there's plenty of shopping.

And a place to sit down to check your email or favorite blogs when you tire.

And don't forget to take a sleigh ride through the white and drifted snow.


Your kids will love to walk over the bridge and play in the snow.




But, you'll have to watch out for this little guy. He can cause problems. . .



A little more shopping.





Don't forget the tree.

The maid will have the house clean and hot chocolate waiting. And oh, she'll put the tree up also.

So come on over for a visit. You'll love "Pleasant Hill".



Don't forget to drop back by in a few days to see Santa's Play Land.

Take Care and God Bless!

And . . . be sure to stop by and pay a visit to Marty at A Stroll thru Life for more Tabletop Tuesday.

Joy, Peace. Love and Hope

Many people fuss about Christmas decorations and shopping starting earlier each year. Many say the holiday is becoming too commercial. I say it is all what you make of it and what it means to each person.

I always put my decorations out early. Either the day after Thanksgiving if not before. Why? Because to me the holiday decorations are a sign of joy, peace, love, and hope.

Joy . . .

Peace . . .

Love . . .

Hope . . .

As we await for our most loved Savior.

Take Care and God Bless!

         Linking to  Spitirutal Sunday   Please drop by and spend some time there.

Outdoor Wednesday

This past weekend Larry, Kelsey, Ismael, and I went to Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO. Branson is a tourist town about 3 hours from our home. The drive was beautiful and the weather was brisk.

Every year I say I want to go see the amusement park decorated for Christmas with all of the lights and Christmas trees.

I have to say I was not disappointed.

Larry and the kids rode lots of rides (roller coasters) while I looked around in the shops. I rode one roller coaster and it jarred me and made my head hurt so I didn't bother with any of the other ones. My favorite rides are the water rides but it was way to cold to have them running in November.

Here we are in Grandpa's Mansion trying to stand up straight in the slant room.

We stood in line to ride on the train that runs through the property and was able to get on the train just as it was getting dark. They had a lot of beautiful lights up. But my favorite (and most surprising) part of the train ride was when we stopped and all lights were turned off. Then grandpa told us the story of Jesus' birth. As he told the story lights were turned on to reveal the nativity. It was very touching and I have since considered that there are thousands of people that visit the park every year and wonder how many hear the story for the first time.

We had a great day.  The worst part was driving home on unfamiliar roads in the dark.

Thank you, Lord, for keeping us safe.

Be sure to drop by A Southern Daydreamer for some great outdoor pics.

Take Care and God Bless!

Show and Tell Friday

I have a mailbox that my father made me at least 10 years ago. I change the flowers on it 4 or 5 times a year to match the holiday decorations.

Even though I love the fall colors that I used, I look forward to a couple of weeks from now when I change them for the Christmas season. It's the most wonderful time of the year.

Be sure to stop by Cindi at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday.

Fall Mantle

Last January when I was taking my winter decorations down, I just couldn't give up seeing my white glazed 3 piece nativity. So I decided to leave it out all year with the intentions of moving it to a different spot in the house every couple of months.

I did leave it out, but it has stayed on my mantle all year. I just changed the flowers and other accessories as the seasons changed.

The nativity has served its purpose which was to get me to slow down and think about my life and be thankful. I do believe I it may have earned a permanent place in my living room.

I'm linking with Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for Table Top Thursday. Be sure to drop by there.

Take care and God Bless!

Fall Decorations

Not a lot going on around here today. I spent the weekend cleaning my kitchen. I mean deep cleaning my kitchen. I do this every year about this time to get ready for my Christmas decorating. But it is still a little early for that so I thought I would share my fall decorations with you over the next couple of days.

I rescued this old chair from somewhere, not sure where. It had a cane braided seat made of jute. Needless to say what was left of it was rotted and would not hold anything. So, I stapled some of the breathable, black ground covering that is used as a weed barrier for plants and made kind of a bowl. Then I put some potting soil in it and planted some annuals. It was pretty for a year or two and then the black covering started to rot so I ripped it off and put the chair away in the garage. After I took down the Christmas decorations last year, the house seemed bare so I went off on a scavenger hunt (to the outer garage) and dug this chair out. Since then, I have changed flowers with the seasons.

I've kept the same greenery and changed the flowers for Valentines, Easter, and now Fall decor. I can't wait to see what I come up with for Christmas.

It actually hides the vent well. This picture was taken down low but as you walk, it is not noticeable.

My original plan was to put a wooden seat to sit decorations on and I may still do that. But for now, I like the eclectic look I get from it as it is.

Take Care and God Bless!