Everyday Living

Simple + Southern Sunday No. 59

~ Simple + Southern Sunday

 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.”
‭‭John‬ ‭1:1‬ ‭  “Hark the herald angels sing “Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled”
Joyful, all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim: “Christ is born in Bethlehem”
Hark! The herald angels sing “Glory to the newborn King!”  A Simple Southern church! A trio of brotherly love…our great nephews…aren’t they cute? Surely, Butch cut enough greenery for the kitchen door! I think Beau is excited that Santa is coming…what do you think?! After several days of rain, water was rushing over Noccalula Falls on Friday! I wonder if David and Jacob know who’s behind them?  Ho! Ho! Ho!      Snickers got caught trying to un-decorate the tree! I’m sure sweet Braden was on the nice list this year! The beautiful windows at Etc Jewelry in Mountain Brook rival any windows in New York City!  Photo from @shopetcjewelry!  Even the barn is decked out for Christmas! Who’s the driver of this truck? Espresso on a cold day…bliss       A picture post card -beautiful Aspen!

“I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD!'”
Psalm 122:1  final-closer-both-1 Linking with Pieced Pastimes, Silver Pennies, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice, Coastal Charm, 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 Charm of Home, Cornerstone Confessions, A Delightsome Life, Imparting Grace, Posed Perfection, Katherines Corner, Rooted In Thyme, Share Your Cup, The Enchanting Rose, Alabama Women Bloggers, 21 Rosemary Lane, Northern Nesting, Cozy Little House, Rattlebridge Farm, Karens Up On The Hill

Christmas Foyer: Here Comes Santa Claus

~ Christmas, Decorating, Holidays

“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver”
2 Corinthians 9:6-7

Santa Claus usually brings thoughts of a rotund man with a white beard, driving a sleigh led by the bright light of Rudolph’s nose, and finally sliding down the chimney into our living rooms where our stockings are hung by the chimney with care.  Why do those thoughts bring smiles to our faces, especially children?  It’s probably because of what he brings with him…that sack of toys that they have had on their wishlist for the past 11 months!  Santa shows us a beautiful quality that scripture speaks about…he is a giver of gifts and we all love gifts!  We can learn a lot from the man in red!

We started decorating last Friday and the jolly fellow showed up in the foyer!  One thing you will learn about me as this month goes on is that I have a love for Christmas traditions and collections…the sentiment, the joy, and the holiday cheer that they bring!  One of these is the five Fitz and Floyd Santa pitchers that were given to me by my Sunday School Class.  They are all hand-painted and most are dated the early 90’s!

Now let’s take a look into our foyer!
 Our foyer is small and the Santas make a big impact!  Glittered red tulips soften and add texture!  This large Santa is a cookie jar and he sits on a Southern Living publication, “Christmas All Through the South”!  The tall candlesticks are Fitz and Floyd, also! The glow from candlelight creates warmth and ambiance! I added the Santa calendar this year! I had planned not to purchase any new decorations, but I got this for a bargain!
The bisque votive candle holders are from a set of six that I ordered from Wisteria many years ago!
   Do you have any Christmas collections that you keep adding to each year?

side Linking with Pieced Pastimes, Silver Pennies, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice, Coastal Charm, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, 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 Charm of Home, Cornerstone Confessions, A Delightsome Life, Imparting Grace, Posed Perfection, Katherines Corner, Rooted In Thyme, Share Your Cup, The Enchanting Rose, 21 Rosemary Lane, Northern Nesting, Cozy Little House, Rattlebridge Farm, Rustic & Refined

Tablescape Tuesday: The Carolers

~ Christmas, Food & Entertaining, Holidays, Tablescape Tuesday

 “Oh come, let us sing to the Lord;
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭95:1‬ ‭

Is there anything more joyful than singing…especially at Christmas time?  The timeless Christmas carols that flood the radio this time of year have a way of taking me back to Christmases in years gone by.  If you’ve ever gone caroling this time of year, you know the joy and smiles on surprised faces as they open their doors to the sounds of the season!

Since the gift of music is so important to us, it was only natural that I would be drawn to Byers’ Choice Carolers!  My collection began when my Mother started with three carolers and has since become such a treasure to me!

I am excited to share a few of them with you all today, and what better way than on a tablescape?!  After all…as believers and followers of Jesus Christ, we do have a reason to sing!


  The table is set with my oldest Christmas china!

 
* 
I have always loved this pattern…Christmas tree with a teddy bear and presents underneath! 

   
The carolers are entirely made by hand…each one uniquely created
by talented artisans in the US!


The caroler has a sack of fruit and a basket of eggs! 
 
The little girl caroler has fur muffs!
They are dressed for cold and snowy weather!
  
The velvet table runner adds pattern and texture!


What joy to see the Salvation Army bell ringers everywhere I shop!  The pair of carolers with their sign and bucket is the perfect centerpiece!


*  
The ornament place card holders have graced
Christmas tablescapes for many years!


*  
The letter carrier and teacher carolers hold special meaning, both gifted by my friend, Kathy and her beautiful granddaughter, Nalin!  My Daddy is a retired letter carrier and Kathy is a retired teacher!

 
*

 Their singing faces always make me smile!  


A pair of rustic lanterns complete the caroling centerpiece!  


“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold
in a setting of silver”
Proverbs‬ ‭25‬:‭11‬

The Details:
China – Nikko “Happy Holidays”
Cranberry stemware – Department store (years ago)
Gold flatware – Cambridge
Table runner/lanterns/napkins – TJ Maxx
Byers’ Choice Carolers

side Linking with Pieced Pastimes, Silver Pennies, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice, Coastal Charm, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, 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 Charm of Home, Cornerstone Confessions, A Delightsome Life, Imparting Grace, Posed Perfection, Katherines Corner, Rooted In Thyme, Share Your Cup, The Enchanting Rose, 21 Rosemary Lane, Northern Nesting, Cozy Little House, Rattlebridge Farm, Rustic & Refined