Everyday Living

From Our Door To Yours

~ Christmas, Decorating, Holidays

“When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy”
Matthew 2:10

Here in Northeast Alabama, the temps are dropping and the winter coats are coming out of hiding!  That means one thing: we are staying inside where it’s warm!  We always want our home to be a warm and inviting place for family and friends…but we want that to start before they ever step foot inside. Today, we are sharing two of our entrances with you…our front porch and the doorway to Butch’s garage that is in plain view when you come up our driveway.   Butch is in charge of the outdoor Christmas decor, and I think you will agree, he does a fantastic job!  Be sure to come back next Monday for a look at our fun kitchen porch!  I hope you’ll feel the warmth from our hearts and home as we share them with you. I’m going to slip back inside…hot cocoa and a fire sound really nice right about now!  And from our door to yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas!


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Our front porch is small and seldom used…I kept the decorations simple!


The trio of lanterns were found a couple of years ago at TJ Maxx…red candles and cedar add a festive touch.


The fruit wreath has not been used for the past several Christmas seasons.  It still looked great and seemed a perfect choice for our front door.  The “Joy” rug moved from the kitchen porch this year.  I have a really cute one that is at our kitchen door!


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We filled the urn with a flocked pencil tree.  It is all simple but a Christmas welcome for any guests that decide to use our front door!


“Christmas is the end of thinking you are better than someone else, because Christmas is telling you that you could never get to heaven on your own. God had to come to you”
Tim Keller


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Butch’s garage is often mistaken as a guest house (you see a side view in many garden photos).  He built it over 25 years ago and we knew it could be converted to a home office or for parents. Butch handles all of the major outdoor decorating including the beautiful Williamsburg fan wreath!


Once again, an old wreath was brought out to use.  I don’t think you have to buy new decor, but use what you have.  Much of my Christmas decorations have great memories attached.


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The Old World Santa is very old, but I like him standing at the door of the garage!


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The fruit fan shows up so pretty at night with the twinkling lights and faux greenery!

unnamed-4Over 25 years ago we saw in a magazine what was described as a Williamsburg Fan or Fruit Wreath (as best we remember). We thought it was a gorgeous and unique Christmas decoration. We decided on a place to display the fan and made one per the instructions provided. We’ve put one together and have allowed it to adorn the same spot every year since. It was necessary to customize it slightly to fit our space and perhaps you would need to do the same for your spot should you decide to make one.

The board, once made, has been used as the base for the fan every year. It’s showing some wear, mainly where we’ve stapled magnolia leaves to the same area repeatedly. But it’s still getting the job done.

To prepare the wreath each year  requires 30 red apples, a pineapple, magnolia leaves, and a bottle of clear floor wax.

Our fan base is 1/2″-5/8” thick plywood, sprayed green. The board is 40 inches wide across the bottom and has a height of about 13 inches to the fan top in the center.

Long finishing nails have been placed on the board, one for each apple and three in the center for supporting the pineapple. A small eye hook is also in the center near the top to complete securing the pineapple with a cable tie. 


The top rows of nails are approximately 1 1/2 inches from the edge, with each side having seven nails. The rows are then two rows of 5, and two rows of 3 with the rows being around 3 to
3 1/2 inches apart.  A spare board (without greenery) is shown to give a better idea of how the nails are arranged.

Some artificial greenery was permanently added to cover the face of the fan, leaving room for the pineapple and a bit of space around each nail for an apple. You may also decide to cut fresh greenery each year instead of using artificial. Just sprig it between the fruit after you are finished.


We empty the floor wax into a small bucket and then coat the leaves, apples, and pineapple with the wax to make them shiny and offer some protection from the elements. A day of drying and they are ready to be placed on the board.


I’ve found it’s best to use an electric stapler to attach the leaves  to create the fan shape while the board is lying flat.

 
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The apples and pineapple are pushed onto the nails but this is best done after the wreath is hung in place. The fan is delicate and heavy once the fruit is in place.

We have a permanent hook above our door and the back of the fan has a heavy duty “D” ring attached which is made for the back of a picture frame.

 Thank you sweet friends for your visits and be sure to come back on Monday to see our kitchen porch dressed to welcome family and friends!

 Be sure to visit all of these talented bloggers!

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Comments

  2. I love the Williamsburg fan. I made one myself after seeing one in Southern Living many years ago. It was the prettiest thing I had ever done and as you said, be sure to hang it before putting the fruit and magnolia leaves on the fan. One thing that would have helped is to dip the fruit and leaves in the liquid wax and let it dry as it preserves the fruit and leaves somewhat. Thanks for the tutorial.

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  3. Pam querida, los adornos de Navidad son excelentes. Todavía tengo en mi memoria los del año pasado con los cascanueces firmes a los lados de la puerta. La creatividad y el buen gusto son los responsables de tanta belleza.
    Tengo acumulados varios post que todavía no he comentado pero que comentaré. Son entrañables, y cuando las cosas son buenas hay que expresarlo, porque si no se dice quedan en la nada.
    Estoy bien, tranquila en mi ánimo pero llena de papeles y abogados y todo eso que aburre mucho. La Navidad se hará en mi casa y eso me anima.
    No se me olvida las fotos de mi nuevo nieto, quizás dentro de un rato me de tiempo a enviarlas.
    Un gran abrazo
    Dolores

    Pam dear, the Christmas decorations are excellent. I still have in my memory those of last year with the nutcrackers firmly on the sides of the door. Creativity and good taste are responsible for so much beauty.
    I have accumulated several post that I have not yet commented but I will comment. They are endearing, and when things are good it is necessary to express it, because if it is not said they remain in nothingness.
    I’m fine, calm in my heart but full of papers and lawyers and all that boring a lot. Christmas will be in my house and that encourages me.
    I do not forget the photos of my new grandson, maybe in a while I’ll have time to send them.
    A big hug
    Dolores

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    • Dulce Dolores, es tan bueno saber de ti, sigo orando por ti especialmente ahora durante la temporada de Navidad. ¡Me alegro mucho de que tengas la Navidad en tu casa! Voy a compartir los cascanueces en la puerta de mi cocina el lunes … no puedo esperar a ver una foto de su precioso nieto! Enviando abrazos, Pam

      Sweet Dolores, it is so good to hear from you, I continue to pray for you especially now during the Christmas season. I am so glad that you will have Christmas in your home! I will be sharing the nutcrackers at my kitchen door on Monday…can’t wait to see a picture of you precious grandson! Sending hugs, Pam

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  5. Pam, I don’t know where to start. Your front porch is so welcoming, and I love the fruit wreath. I’m like you…you don’t have to buy new things every year. I like to reuse what I have and give it a new look. Now for the Williamsburg fan….how stunning. Wow, it is gorgeous! What a statement piece to greet your guest. I have pinned your instructions and may have Mr. Bleu help me make it next year. Thanks for the great instructions. I hope that you are having a wonderful day!!!

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  6. I love the Williamsburg fan. Williamsburg is one of my favorite places, but I haven’t visited during the holidays … yet! Ha! I like your front porch — simple and welcoming. Thanks for the tutorial, too. Have a fun weekend.

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  7. Beautiful entrances! Your family and friends are warmed immediately as they arrive at your door.
    hooray for finally some cold air here in the southeast.

    Velva

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  8. It is so gorgeous Pam, you could hire Butch out to install these Williamsburg fans and make a fortune! I’m guessing the floor wax preserves the fruit? Aren’t you loving this Christmas cold weather we’re having? We just lit our first fire! Both entries are so stunning, and it’s nice that you get to look at the Williamburg fan from across the way and can enjoy it! Thanks for sharing the how to, maybe someday…
    Jenna

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  9. Your decor gives me all the heart eyes! I also love your testimony. I found you through Instagram and then saw you live in NE Alabama. We live in NW Georgia, but come to Lake Guntersville every weekend. My husband fishes tournaments there and I tag along at least once a month. I’ll be following your Ig account. Thank you so much for sharing!

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    • Gena, I am sorry I am so late in replying. It is wonderful to meet you and thanks for following. Lake Guntersville is a beautiful area and how nice to visit so often! Wishing you a wonderful Christmas season! Blessings, Pam

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  11. I think your wreath brought out of hiding is perfect with your blue door. Are you enjoying the new color? The door brings out a similar tone in the pencil tree, and it’s gorgeous! Once again, I adore the fruit fan that Butch labors over. It’s so unique, and at the perfect location. The weekend will be here soon. I hope you enjoy it!

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  12. Gorgeous doors…you are a girl after my own heart!….I love everything Williamsburg!…I had to show hubby Butch’s tutorial on the fan…he did a wonderful job…Bravo to Butch and you for always giving us such great inspiration!…Have a Merry weekend!

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  13. This is beautiful, Pam. I love your wreath. It reminds me very much of the ones my mom used to make as I was growing up. She would dip the fruit to antique and then attach to the wreath. It was a lot of work and I can see that it was lots of work putting all those apples in the garland. It’s just lovely in every way. Thanks for sharing it with us — and also for your visit to The Marmelade Gypsy! Happy day!

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  16. Wow Pam, your Williamsburg Fan is beyond amazing! I love that you have the process down pat after all these years. It’s beautiful and such a statement! I love your front porch as well. You’ve done a beautiful job. It’s been a joy hopping with you this week. Have a very Merry Christmas and a blessed new year!

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  17. Pam…that Williamsburg Fan…just lovely. Your husband is so very talented (and patient!). He really does a fantastic job.

    Wishing you both a lovely Christmas.

    Lynn

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  20. I love the Williamsburg fruit fan. We visited Williamsburg at Christmas. The beauty was indescribable. Real fruit was everywhere in their decorations. There were white lit candles in each window. I want to go again!

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