“For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”
Isaiah 9:6
Once again, we invite you to our kitchen porch. It was first seen here: In Awe of Autumn. We occasionally add a new decoration or a new wrinkle to an old standard when preparing for Christmas. Most of us do change out a few things from time to time. Wear and tear gets it’s way and replacements must be found. But, there are those traditions, objects, displays, and items that we hang onto as long as possible. These “old ways” help keep memories alive! It’s amazing too, how each year bringing out the old also stirs our hearts with new thoughts and a fresh awareness of things to come. Yes, Christmas is a celebration of a “one of a kind” past event, but at the same time it is a declaration of a glorious event yet to come. So, doing it like we’ve done it for years is great for both memories and future hopes. In the words of a George Strait song….”So leave the world behind you, let the spirit find you, and have an old time Christmas for old times sake”
The large nutcrackers have welcomed guests to our kitchen porch for many years!
Believe it or not, we bought these wooden nutcrackers at Wal-Mart
We love their bright and festive colors, and they stand almost five feet tall!
Butch always cuts fresh pine for our door. It smells like Christmas when you walk up the steps!
A simple wreath is all that is needed!
We have to be careful when choosing a door mat, Oreo is very finicky! I think he approves!
Candle lanterns light the steps at night!
It is almost dark and the candles are burning as Christmas music plays outside when guests arrive!
Photo bombed by Oreo!
Bench offers Christmas cheer
This is a detached garage which is often confused for a guest house. We have talked about converting it for guests or an office for Butch. But, where would all of his junk be stored if we made that decision?! Butch built this building at least twenty five years ago. For most of those twenty five years, we have decorated its front door and windows for Christmas! Santa was made by my friend, Delilah so very long ago!
On our first trip to Colonial Williamsburg in the late 1970’s, we saw their beautiful fruit fans over the doorways. Southern Living magazine (I am a long-time subscriber), a few years later gave instructions on how to make the fan. And ever since, Butch has made this beautiful apple fan with a pineapple for its center as a symbol of hospitality!
“O Come All Ye Faithful
Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him,
Born the King of Angels;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord”
-O Come All Ye Faithful
Linking with Pieced Pastimes, It’s Overflowing, Be Different Act Normal, Silver Pennies , By Stephanie Lynn, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice, Creatively Living, Rustic-Refined, Three Mango Seeds, Pink When, Mod Vintage Life, Coastal Charm, Knick of Time, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, The Dedicated House, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, Ivy and Elephants, French Country Cottage, From My Front Porch To Yours, Stone Gable, Confessions of a Plate Addict,Worthing Court, Between Naps on the Porch, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, The Style Sisters, The Charm of Home, The Winthrop Chronicles, Cornerstone Confessions, A Delightsome Life, Imparting Grace, Craftberry Bush, Posed Perfection, Katherines Corner, The Vintage Farmhouse, My Romantic Home, Chic On A Shoestring Decorating, Rooted In Thyme, Share Your Cup
Your doors and porch might be my favorite! Love your brick steps leading up to front door. Love everything thing about your front door! The apple fan is gorgeous, too! You should share how to make one! It looks beautiful on the red door. How long does it take for you to decorate your entire home? Everything is just perfect! One last question. The green garland on the red door is so full, may I ask where to find those? Thanks!
Hello Karen! Always appreciate your kind comments! We hope to share a tutorial for the fan. It takes 3 or 4 days to decorate with a lot of help from my husband. He does all the exterior! The garland on the red door was purchased at market in Atlanta and I dont remember the name of the show room! Thank you so much for reading! Blessings, Pam
It looks wonderful….and I cannot believe where you found those nutcrackers! It looks like they were made for that spot perfectly….
Thank you, Christine. I had to go to our two local Wal-Marts to find a pair that were not damaged! Blessings, Pam
Everything is so beautiful! Love those huge nutcrackers and I’m sure all who enter through this door gets a thrillin’! 😉 Your fruit fan is just gorgeous! Thank you for sharing with us.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
Thank you Shelia! We love our place in the country! Merry Christmas! Pam
Your kitchen porch is so beautifully decorated! I am sure that all of your guests feel welcomed at any time! Love the decor on the detached garage, as well. The fan is beautiful!
Thanks, Shenita! Blessings and Merry Christmas! Pam!
I want a fan! Show me! And your decorations are spectacular!
Thanks, and we are going to try and do a tutorial! Merry Christmas! Pam
Yay!
Everything is so Beautiful. Merry Christmas.
Thank you so much, Valerie! Merry Christmas! Pam
Just beautiful! Could Butch share how to make the Apple and Pineapple fan over the door?
Thanks for sharing the joy of the season!
Merry Christmas to your sweet family!
Sandy
Thank you Sandy! We will try to do a tutorial for the fan! Love you and Merry Christmas to you and yours!!
Your front entrance is beautiful and I love that tradition is important to you in this seemingly disposable world. The door garland is lush and beautiful.
Carolyn, thanks bunches for your sweet comments! Merry Christmas, Pam
Wow those are some fabulous Nutcrackers! I can hardly believe they’re from Walmart- they sure don’t carry stuff like that these days! The garden bench looks wonderful and so does that entry to the garage. That’s a beaitiful fruit fan- love it!
Liz, a great big thank-you for your kind words! Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!
Awesome!! I have the guy w/the trumpet, had never seen the drummer. Mine was found at an antique mall in Jefferson, TX.
Denise, that is interesting that you found one of the nutcrackers. Still hard to believe I bought these at Wal-Mart! Merry Christmas, Pam
BEAUTIFUL!!
Thank you, Martina and Merry Christmas! Pam
Hello, I’m visiting you for the first time from Centerpiece Wednesday. The is such a beautiful post, love the message and your home is beautiful. I love the door with it’s nutcrackers, such a warm and festive way to welcome your guests. But, I did fall in love with the Colonial Williamsburg entrance you have on the door to the garage. Stunning.
Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas.
Emily, I am thrilled you came over for a visit. I invite you to follow our blog! Thank you for your sweet words and wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas! Blessings, Pam
Wow, it just keeps on getting better!! That over the door fruit fan is gorgeous! Your porch looks great too!
Gina, thanks for your sweet comments! Merry Christmad, Pam
A wonderful welcome! I have to say the Nutcrackers are my favorite with the candle lit lanterns marching up the stairs. But that pineapple fan is just gorgeous, what a labor of love!
Mickie, thank you for your sweet comments and for reading! Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!
One of the most beautiful porches I’ve seen! I L-O-v-e all the fresh greens.
Thank you so much for reading and commenting! Merry Christnas Tenneil! Pam
Wow! I love the nutcrackers but OMG, Butch, your fruit fan over the garage door is perfection.
Heather, thank you for your seeet comnents! Merry Christmas, Pam
What a wonderful entry. The giant nutcrackers are fantastic!!!! Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop xo
Katherine, thank you for hosting a wonderful party!! Merry Christmas, Pam
I love your tall nutcrackers! They look great by your kitchen entrance…and I love the fruit display over the door – I must see if I can make that work for our home next year! Beautiful!!!
Shelia
Shelia, thank you for your comments! Sometimes i wish guests would come to my front entrance, but i am thrilled that they choose to come to the kitchen entrance which is truly the heart of our home! Blessings, Pam
Stunning! I love the nutcrackers and the Della Robbia fan over the garage! Merry Christmas!
Thank you for reading and commenting! Wishing you a joyous Christmas!! Pam
Thank you so much for the feature and for the very kind comments!! So thrilled to be a part of Alabama Women Bloggers!! Blessings, Pam