Welcome sweet friends and Merry Monday! Have you finished your decorating and shopping? I am still tweaking the decor and there is shopping yet to be finished.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.”
John 1:1-3 (ESV)
I love decorating the Sunshine Cottage porch at Christmas, especially for the grands. Few changes are made from year to year. However, you may remember that I recently said to stay tuned for a change. Today, I am excited to share the change!
My Renaissance Man gathered pinecones, magnolia leaves, fresh cedar, pine and Yaupon Holly berries to place in a large basket beneath the small bench.
Our son’s radio flyer wagon is probably considered vintage now! It is ideal for filling with festive Christmas boxes!
Do you notice anything different about the Sunshine Cottage?? If you guessed it is has been painted a different color, you are correct. I loved the white, but was finding it impossible to keep clean. I decided last year that I wanted to change to Benjamin Moore’s Iron Gate which is on RM’s workshop and the gables on our house. Finally, we had it painted in November. I really like it and hopefully it will be easier to keep clean.
The old and decrepit nutcrackers were saved for one more appearance on the porch. This one’s age is showing, he can no longer stand upright!
This fellow looks rather well until you see his right side (not in view) which is split and has grown larger than it was last year. These guys have been with us longer than we can remember. We came home two or three years ago and one had blown off the porch from strong wind gusts and was broken in two. Butch glued him back together but it wasn’t a pretty sight. We were going to retire them and so many of you replied and said “no”. We are pretty sure, this will be their last year!
A tartan plaid throw adds a cheerful appearance to the rusty bench. You can see a gouge below the nutcracker’s belt! Unfortunately, they are just old and falling apart!! (Butch says he can identify.)
The little trio of snow carolers are named for our three grandchildren!
The drumming nutcracker looks quite well from this side, we will honor his dignity by not sharing his gaping hole.
We need another boy caroler rather than this extra girl. We have another grandson due in February! We are excited and so is WL that he is going to have a brother!
If you missed my Tablescape “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”, you can see it here!
“Who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son.”
~ Corrie Ten Boom
Now, I will turn it over to the wonderful man who is responsible for the gorgeous garland around the door and for him to share the story on the Williamsburg Fan! Take it away, Butch…Pam had a busy day, so I volunteered to take care of the short grocery list. While in the produce section, I was faced with red apples, and next to them, pineapples. The Williamsburg fan which I had firmly determined to retire came to mind. The apples were not that good and the pineapples were absolutely sad looking. But, before I had time to talk myself out of it, I had counted out 30 + red apples and a pineapple and placed them in the cart. High priced and poor quality, but I had no extra time to look further. Now to solve two other problems in order to use my not so wise purchase.
Problem one was what to coat the fruit and the magnolia leaves (plenty of those at home) with, so everything is shiny and also protected somewhat from the elements. Solution, a polyurethane type high gloss fast drying spray that I found at the hardware (not a bargain either). Problem two was what to do with the fan once it was completed. And then I had an idea. The Sunshine Cottage had a fresh look, so why wouldn’t that be a great spot, out of the reach of possums too! If I worked fast, I could have it in place before PJ returned home. It is better to ask for forgiveness than to ask permission…sometimes. While the fan was drying, I had time to place the lighting I have used in previous years in front of the cottage to shine on the fan. I finished just in time and then awaited the verdict.
Sweet readers, thank you so much for your visits, and gracious comments!
Wishing you a joyous Christmas season!
Linking with: Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Life and Linda
Merry Monday Pam! I love the new paint color on your Sunshine Cottage and of course, Butch’s Williamsburg Fan! It looks so festive and I love it illuminated at night. Fingers crossed that it stays intact and the critters stay away. Darling pillow on your bench and I love seeing the carolers and nutcrackers again this year. Wishing you a wonderful week ahead. 🎄❤️
Thank you, Mary! I am glad to finally get the cottage painted. This is the kind of job that we use to do ourselves, but not any more!
It’s beautiful! and I love that the grand score will soon be even!
Thanks, Rita! Yes, two and two!
Beautiful Pam, both decorations and paint. Your decorations are just perfect for the porch and the fan tops it off! Have a great day! Clara❤️
Thank you, Clara. Wishing you a wonderful week❤️
It’s beautiful Butch and Pam. I think it’s funny that Butch might have to ask for forgiveness because he knows you so well. And beauty is your middle name.
Everything is gorgeous and I love the new paint color. So now that the playhouse is no longer yellow will it get a new name?
Thank you dear Alice. Butch knows me quite well. The name of the cottage will remain the same. Love always!
It all looks beautiful! The new Williamsburg fan looks fabulous and hopefully no critters will discover it!
Thank you, Rachel! Wishing you a blessed week!
Picture perfect! I do love the Williamsburg fan. I made them years ago and resorted to artificial fruit when the fruit became so pricey. Hard to find a pretty pineapple but you can hardly tell the difference in some of the apples on the market these days. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year.
Bobbie, it is so good to hear from you. I hope you are doing well. Thank you dear one!
Merry Monday Folks!
The Williamsburg Fan looks fabulous! And you even illuminated it all at night. Way to be awesome, Butch!
I love the new paint color on Sunshine Cottage. It’s perfect!
The Christmas Spirit has come to Everyday Living! Pam, your decorations are all so beautiful!
Merry December!
Thank you, Nancy! Every year we say we are downsizing the Christmas decorating. Somehow it starts that way and grows as the days go by!
BEAUTIFUL! Sunshine Cottage needs to be in magazines. The Williamsburg Fan is the icing on the cake.
Thanks so much, Nancy! Your comments are so sweet!
The Sunshine Cottage is so holiday festive! I adore those cute carolers, the nutcrackers standing guard and the wagon full of Christmas packages. Butch’s Willamsburg Fan looks fabulous on the freshly painted cottage, and what a treat when the lights come on at night!
Thank you, Jenna. Your visits are always appreciated!
It’s all beautiful. I love natural decorations and planted a little gem magnolia and hollies just so I’d have things to cut at Christmas! My small suburban yard doesn’t compare to your place. It’s amazing!
Thank you, Leslie Anne. I love the little gem magnolias. We planted our magnolia the year we moved into our home, yikes that was 1979.
Pam, I love the new color on Sunshine Cottage! It really makes the blue shutters pop. Everything looks so festive. Is there a ceremony for retiring nutcrackers after years of devoted service?!? I’m with Butch in relating to all the cracks. Butch’s fan turned out beautifully. I had been scouting the internet looking for his wax…I was hoping Vermont Country Store might carry it, but no luck. Just don’t tell the possums! Very excited to see a little boy caroler join the choir.
Thank you, Roxanne! Maybe we should have a ceremony for retiring the nutcrackers. They have faced wind, rain, cold temperatures and never have complained even once! We have to find another boy caroler with our little one coming in February. Hobby Lobby hasn’t stocked them the past 2 years! Take care of yourself!
Wow! First of all, love the color and I’m glad to see the nutcrackers one more time. It’s fantastic, Pam. And Butch, that fan is spectacular! I’m so glad you decided to do it and I’m inclined to think I like it even better placed on the cottage than over the door, though one could debate the issue for days Such a magical world!
Thank you, Jeanie. I really am enjoying the new color on my little cottage!
I love the new color of the Sunshine cottage. You will have to get a new caroler to join the group for your new grandchild to come. I hope the critters stay away from his lovely fan over the doorway. Just beautiful. Hugs. Kris
Thanks so much, Kris. Yes, we will need a new caroler. Sending hugs back to you!
So pretty Pam and Butch. All your touches are perfection as is the new color for the cottage. love that you kept the nutcrackers even though they are aging. I love knowing just how much these pieces have gone through over the years. They are a treasure for sure. Have a great week. IT IS GOOD TO BE HOME.
I am so glad you made it back home. Thank you, Kari for taking time to visit. I sure missed you on the Christmas blog hop!
Thank you for repeating all the wonder and beauty you create at Sunshine Cottage. All the new
changes, especially the transplanted Williamsburg fan, the lovely new color and the loyal company of the Nutcrackers, bring to life the traditions that make Christmas through you so heartwarming and complete. So much effort..so much love… so much embraced and appreciated by so many. Ever
grateful.
Thank you, Mary! I cherish traditions and have a hard time giving them up. It is a lot of work, especially for Butch. He loves it and will do it as long as he can! Merry week!
Pam, Sunshine Cottage’s new color is gorgeous and looks perfect with the blue shutters. The porch is beautiful decorated for the Christmas season. I know the grands must love all the festive decorations. Butch did a wonderful job on the Williamsburg fan. It looks so pretty hanging above the cottage porch. Have a wonderful week, sweet friend!
Thanks so much, Shannon. I hope you all are feeling better, sweet friend. I am so glad you like the new color of the cottage!
Ah Pam, the porch is so beautifully decorated for the season. I love the carolers and the sweet little wagon filled with presents. (I feel kinda bad about the poor nutcrackers). The new paint color for the cottage is very pretty and Butch did a fantastic job on the Williamsburg fan. The Sunshine Cottage looks magical at night with the lights. Happy, happy Monday!
Thank you, Kim! I am so glad you like the new color on the cottage. Happy week to you!
Well of course I’m excited about the beautiful new look for the Sunshine Cottage, but it’s the exciting news about a new baby boy on the way that has me thrilled. Such exciting news, Pam! Congratulations!
The decorated porch looks perfect. Butch’s Williamsburg Fan is impressive. I do hope the critters don’t attack it. I have the same issue if I put out the darling bird seed covered Christmas pieces. The squirrels consume the entire piece within 30 minutes of me hanging it in a tree.
Enjoy the rest of the decorating. I finally have my tree up, and still working on the mantel and dining room. Hope to be finished by tomorrow. Enjoy the process.
Thank you, Sarah. We have been so excited about our little boy arriving in February. Wyatt can’t wait to have a little brother! Thank you for your sweet comments, my friend!
I love the new paint color! Just beautiful. And so is the fan!
As always, thank you Cheryl for your sweet visits!