Everyday Living

Simple + Southern Sunday No. 424

~ Christmas, Simple + Southern Sunday

β€œAnd the angel said to them, β€œFear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬ ‭

We can finally greet you with a current sunrise. After many days of hiding, the sun made an early morning appearance late last week. The early rays gave a nice orange glow on a very small, low patch of fog. To some, cloudy days give a sense of feeling more like Christmas, but give me the sunshine. Which do you prefer?

“And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”
Luke 2:7

PJ took a stroll through the garden making pics and ended up with my two very old and not so fancy wreaths in the background of one pic…but I kinda liked the photo!

I drag out a couple of our old nutcrackers every year and always figure it is the last Christmas they will be with us. But, to my surprise, they continue against all odds to make an appearance. A nice spot on the Sunshine Cottage porch is usually reserved for them.

Our little ones enjoyed a visit to Noccalula Falls Park last week. The girls were fine to drop by and visit the bearded guy in the red suit but WL wanted no part of him!

If you are ever in northeast Alabama, check out Noccalula Falls. It is a splendid place to visit any time, but especially magical at Christmas.

As this is our final Sunday before Christmas, we decided to make today festive, colorful and bright. Hopefully a little holiday cheer will come your way!

PJ featured doors in a post last week and, as always, I slid in and grabbed a pic or two from her. If you missed that post check it out here.

I chose a door for a throwback this week. Almost every year I trim all our doors in pine. This was 2018, from Christmas In The Country.

Our main tree is mostly covered in Radko ornaments which we have collected over the course of many years. We’ve not purchased a new one in quite some time since there’s not much space left on the tree to hang anything else!

It seems strange that we decorate and celebrate with bright lights and shiny ornaments, while giving much attention to activity and fanfare at Christmas. Jesus came into a very different setting indeed!

“Men had no room then at the Inn, but He found room for them.” 
~Butch Richardson

With a few clouds around and at a certain time of the morning, light is perfect for strange reflections. As I walked by outside I noticed the images in the bay window. We remembered that we had seen this in previous years when the Christmas tree was present.

Many Christmas trees are decorated with a theme, but our main tree is always a memory tree. We have been blessed with opportunities to travel and have dozens of travel ornaments. All of those ornaments are keepsakes, but due to limited space, only a few are displayed on our tree. Purchased in Colorado 21 years ago, this happy snowman found a place on the 2022 tree. Have you ever been snow skiing?

As I was walking (not rocking) around the Christmas tree, it occurred to me while casually observing, that there were a number of church ornaments. I had not realized there were so many!

An ornament on the Sunshine Cottage tree has the right idea. With the long range forecast predicting the coldest weather we’ve had in several years to arrive Christmas weekend, hot chocolate will be in order.

Be sure to check back for tomorrow’s post for more treats from the Sunshine Cottage!

PS – we got an early start on the hot chocolate yesterday! Pam forced it on me.

Have a blessed week and a Merry Christmas!

β€œThe Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”
‭‭Numbers‬ ‭6:24-26‬ ‭ESV‬‬

 

Linking with:
 Pieced Pastimes,  Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
 Imparting Grace,Life and Linda

Comments

  1. Happy Sunday, Richardsons! I am finally over the flu, just in time to enjoy my blog reads again and gear up with wrapping and cooking. I very much enjoyed the outdoor decorations post this week, along with today’s. The kids’ photo is a Christmas memory treasure. We’ve skied at Breckenridge also, a very memorable trip. Sounds like we’re bracing for the same kind of weather this week, the only wild card for us will be which model and whether there’s rain or snow before the arctic blast. Snow could really mess up family plans, as one host lives on the top of a mountain! Enjoy the wonders and Gift of Christmas this week!

    Reply

    • Thank you so much, Rita. I am so happy you are finally over the horrible flu. I was run over by a snow boarder in Breckinridge and had severe trauma to my coccyx bone. The snow boarder didn’t even stop. We just read to expect a high of 21 degrees on Friday with winds gusting from 30 to 40 mph. That is cold for us here. I hope your plans won’t be messed up!

      Reply

  3. I see you have made “room” for him next to the bright and memorable tree. One of my favorite nativity sets ever. Your little Grands are being showered with bright and happy memories by Grandparents who knew how to do it as Parents… and the photos today just light up the computer screen with holiday beauty, especially your memory tree. Just love that reflection of the tree in the window. The mornings of bright sunshine this week did lift the pall and that sunrise, Butch, is a great example of the beauty it brought.
    Bless you both for sharing your Christmas vision and beauty….you bless us all.

    Reply

  6. Happy Sunday Morn! Such beautiful images from around your home. The church ornaments are lovely. I love the picture in the sleigh even though WL looked like a flight risk! (All of my pictures with Santa show me in tears…I think Mama finally gave up!). Your pine garlands are magnificent! We have a lot of pine trees but the branches are waaaaay high up. This is some very scary cold coming our way. Naughty Pam forcing hot chocolate on you, Butch! πŸŽ…πŸΌ

    Reply

  7. Good Sunday Morn! Sun shining and cold here! Your home looks so beautiful and welcoming decked in its Christmas finery! I love the church ornaments collection. Those pine garlands are wonderful. It inspired me to go in the woods to gather pine boughs…that is when I realized all the branches are waaay high! The sleigh picture is adorable even if WL looked like a flight risk (all of my childhood pictures with Santa show lots of tears…at some point I think Mama gave up!). It is going to be scary cold, so sending you warm thoughts. Don’t let that naughty Pam force too much hot chocolate on you!!

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  8. Your tree is gorgeous and your nativity set is always a favorite. Your Radko ornaments are so pretty. I love that you can see the sentimental ornaments on your tree as well. The mirrored tree reflection is unique indeed. Your home is beautifully decorated inside and outside. The children look like they’re enjoying The Falls which are so festive too. We’re going to be in the extreme cold next week so it will definitely feel like Christmas. It may even snow a little. Your home is always warm and inviting. Merry Christmas to you and your family Pam and Butch. Clara ❀️

    Reply

  11. Every photo dazzles. I love your beautiful collection of ornaments, the fabulous trees, the wonderful use of pine in your garlands and of course all you do outside. It’s all so very special and very personal and I love that. Merriest to you all!

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  12. Good Morning and Merry Christmas Pam to you and Butch and your whole family. The picture of your sweet grands is picture perfect for a Christmas Card. Still my fave of yours is the nutcrackers standing guard. Love those so much. Have a good week and enjoy this final prep week before the big day. xoxo Kris

    Reply

  13. Oh, such love and festivity! I prefer sunshine, too! I enjoyed every picture and description! The wreaths in the background, the Nutcracker (I was waiting for him!), and the best~the precious grands. The reflection of the tree in the glass was stunning. Butch’s quote and the Nativity scene says it all. Merry Christmas Butch and Pam! Finley and I send our love and prayers to you and yours! πŸ’šπŸŽ„πŸ™πŸ»

    Reply

  14. What a gorgeous sunrise to open up this last Sunday before Christmas! I always admire the gorgeous nativity you share with us each year, and your tree looks beautiful beside it. I look forward to seeing Sunshine Cottage tomorrow. Wishing you both a very Merry Christmas week!

    Reply

  15. I can’t believe how big the little ones are getting! They are just so adorable! I love seeing how EM was holding on to WL in typical big-sister style. So sweet!

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  16. Sorry to hear about the cold snap coming your way – we are smack dab in the middle of one here in Calgary (-29 C currently). Hope your snap is more moderate (hot chocolate is definitely in order)! Lovely sunrise picture and I love the one of the reflection of the tree too. The grands are so adorable! Your Christmas tree is gorgeous! Wishing you lots of holiday cheer in this week leading up to Christmas!

    Reply

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