Everyday Living

A Cheerful Welcome

~ Christmas, Everyday Living, Faith

“And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭1:30-33‬ ‭

Merry Christmas Eve Eve dear friends! This is the last of my Christmas decor posts. If you were to drive up the hill to my home and park, this would be the porch you would see first…known as the kitchen porch! When you arrive, you will hear Christmas music playing on our outdoor speakers and the fragrant scent of pine as you approach the steps. We hope it is a cheerful welcome because side door guests are always the best!

A simple greeting to welcome guests!

My Renaissance Man always adorns this door with fresh pine. Many have asked how does he make the garland so full. I will let him explain…

Regardless of the type material that surrounds the door, I’ve found the easiest, almost no cost, with no wear and tear on the existing surfaces is making re-usable forms. It is better than anything I’ve tried. I made forms based on my door measurements a number of years back and I still use the same ones every year. I took 1″x2″ (which actually measure 3/4″ x1 1/2″) wood trim to make the framing to hold greenery. The frame is painted green to match the natural greenery so it doesn’t stand out underneath. I drill holes in the top corners and put a bolt with washers to put the pieces together. This creates a hinge which makes the form easy to handle and fold if needed to store for next year.

I select my method to mount the forms to the wall, depending on the surface, and prepare the mount so I can re-use that from year to year also. In the case of this door, which is brick, I have two small anchors in the mortar joint above the door and holes in the top piece that match up. I even leave the screws that are used to screw into the anchors loosely in the form when it comes down so they will be there next season. 

I took small eyes and screwed them into the forms every few inches on both sides and across the top for attaching the greenery. I think plastic cable ties are a great invention, not just for electricians! I use those to create and “tie up” bundles of greenery, in this case pine. I then use plastic ties to secure the greenery to the form by running the ties through the eyes and cut off the excess plastic after I have pulled them tight. When it is time to take everything down, it is very easy to simply snip each cable tie and remove the bundle. As mentioned, the forms are easy to store and the only real expense from year to year are the cable ties, and possibly your greenery. We are blessed to have various types of natural greenery around the house that we can collect each year.

The quartet of snow people carolers have been singing on the porch for the last three Christmases! They came from Hobby Lobby and were available again this year!

Ella Mae and Emma love them!

Every porch needs a lantern!

This rustic hand-crafted basket holds Leyland Cypress and pine cones!

The “Joy” rug seems to make an appearance every year!

“Love ‬‬and joy come to you,
And to you glad Christmas too,
And God bless you and send you a Happy New Year.”
-Kate Rusby

Oh come, let us adore Him,
Oh come, let us adore Him,
Oh come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
-John Wade

 

 

 

For more years than we can remember, Butch has made the Williamsburg Fan Wreath with fresh apples, magnolia leaves, and a pineapple. It hangs over his workshop door.

We wish for you the most wonderful Christmas as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, who was born to die so that we could live.

Linking with:
 Pieced Pastimes,  Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
 Imparting Grace, Calypso in the Country

Comments

  1. Just beautiful Pam! The outside is so festive & the carolers are adorable. Butch has great talent in so many ways. The fresh garlands are fabulous! Wishing you and your family a blessed Christmas! Clara♥️🎄🎅

    Reply

  4. Just love your Williamsburg Fan Wreath which is stunning! Maybe Butch will share some of his tips on putting it together. He is so patient and expert with his projects. Merry Christmas and a Joyful and Holy New Year!

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  5. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year wishes to you and your beautiful family and a huge thank you for all the joy and inspiration you’ve so graciously shared with us throughout the year…
    ❤💚❤🤣❤💚❤💚

    Reply

  7. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year wishes to you and your beautiful family and a huge thank you for all the joy and inspiration you’ve so graciously shared with us throughout the year…

    ❤💚❤💚❤💚❤💚

    Reply

  8. Just gorgeous Pam! I love how lush and full your pine garland is and Butch’s Williamsburg Fan Wreath is a show stopper! Those trio of carolers are the cutest. Merry Christmas Week ♥

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  9. Such a spectacular sight to see Butch’s Williamsburg Fan Wreath! Well done Butch!

    And I sang right along with your carolers!

    Thank you for all your inspiration! Merry Christmas my friends!

    Reply

  11. Such a beautiful Christmas welcome for your guests! I always love those sweet carolers, and I can see why the girls like them so much! I’m going to share Butch’s information with Mr. Bleu. That is a wonderful way to hang garland without harming your door. I hope you both have a most joyous, blessed, and Merry Christmas!!!

    Reply

  12. The fresh greenery, Christmas music and carolers are such a warm and happy welcome! And the Williamsburg Fan takes my breath away every year!! Butch, you make it sound so easy, and you have really mastered decorating with fresh greens…you make Martha Stewart look like an amateur! I know you both will have a joyful and blessed holiday, full of family, food, and music, Merry Christmas!
    Jenna

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  13. Pam and Butch, just beautiful! Your talents are beyond amazing. I miss the beautiful greenery of the south. We not have long needle pine or cypress here in the WV hills. We do have a few southern magnolias scattered about, but they don’t thrive like they do in the south. Wishing you both a glorious Christmas and many blessings in the New Year! ❤

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  14. Now having a husband who can do that — awesome!! Having a husband who will do that — more than awesome!! And having two together that can do what you two can do — more than words can express!! Merry Christmas!!

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  15. Delicious … immensely delicious and endearing is what you show us today on the eve of the birth of Jesus.
    Butch’s abundant art is undeniable. Every year I wait impatiently for his Christmas compositions outside the house. The foursome is endearing, it has a great tenderness in its little faces … and I enjoy it as if it were a girl.
    Thank you my dear friends, I wish you a very happy night in the company of your children and those beautiful girls.

    DOLORES

    Reply

    • Dolores, Feliz Nochebuena mi dulce amiga! Deseando un hermoso día de Navidad con tu preciosa familia, estoy muy contento de que estés con ellos. Estoy enviando amor y abrazos dulce amigo! ❤️ ¡Es tan especial celebrar el nacimiento de nuestro Salvador, Jesús!

      Reply

  16. Pam, it is always a pleasure to stop by. I wanted to swing by and wish you and Butch a very Merry Christmas. I am so wowed by the lush pine around your front door, and that amazing Williamsburg fan! Wow and Bravo!! I hope you holidays are joyous!

    Reply

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