Christmas on the Sunporch

I've said it before... I get so much of my inspiration from all of you out there! I pinned a few ideas from last year that I wanted to try. One was a tote full of Christmas Kitch. Last year I filled some little drawers on my kitchen counter, so this year a white wooden tote became home to a congregation of Christmas goodies.

I've been using Tartan wool blankets out here on the porch each year since we've lived here. Always love a good ole Christmas-y plaid!

The old mini muffin tin has cranberry tealight candles this season,

and my old green metal tackle box is filled with my stash of paperwhites and another candle.

Another fun trend I'm copying this year

 is a toy truck hauling bottle brush trees.

Sorry, shameless copy catting here.

I found this cutie last January at an antique show.

Perfect red and white.

More plaid Thermoses and lunchbox on the Baker's Rack.

The lunchbox held an Angel Vine plant until last week 

when it turned too cold.

And a trio of little elves have found their way here.

These are the vintage variety,

and they're up to lots of crazy antics.

This one's pretty cute...

this one's sorta creepy.

but I AM digging those great eyelashes.

While we were in St. Louis earlier this month I picked up these

wonderful winterberries at of all places, Schnucks. (grocery store)

and placed them in this old French watering can, 

along with some Holly from our big old bushes out back.

Here's my Santa jingle bell door ringer,

on my old picket gate.

You've seen him before, 

but I smile each time I look at him!

These next few photos were from earlier in the month

before I put together the tote,

but wanted to have pics that showed more out here.

(oh yea, here's the angel vine in the lunchbox)

found the red plaid umbrella at Leola's last year...love it!

And I won this adorable Drummer Boy pillow

 from Dear Lillie earlier this Fall.

Thanks so much Jennifer!

Gotta dress up the birdcage too,

 with some vintage bottle brush trees and a reindeer.

Can you see the patch of furry cat carcass on the lower left chair?

Yep, that's HER chair for viewing birds and squirrels.

 It gets a little nippy out here unless the sun is shining. Miss Wrigley is a Maine Coon, so she's oblivious. Miss Jenkins on the other hand is a shorthair and like to sleep next to the heater in the bathroom...she'd rather stay toasty than bird watch.

Couldn't let Christmas go by without sharing the sunporch.

I think I have 4 or 5 different Christmas Pinterest boards,

run by and check them out if you have a minute.

\
joining in at 
Savvy Southern Style
Stone Gable
A Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

Hope you have a great weekend.

just thinking outloud...

I've realized after 3 and a 1/2 years of blogging, that this little niche on the www has become somewhat of a pictoral  diary of my decorating style. What I loved 10 years ago, I'm not so crazy about any more, or even 5 years ago; how my ideas and concepts have evolved. What started out as a home with lots of extra space has become a little crowded, but filled with things I love and enjoy, and that hopefully reflect who I am.

I love "pretty", but I also love comfort, functionality, and simplicity. I love a good "trend" but you won't find me being a slave to it. I'm a mesh of a lot of decor styles, but "vintage" will always be the fundamental and basic premise of my style. I find myself, with each new season or holiday coming up, going back through my archives of posts to see what I did last year, or the year before. Let's change it up a little, I don't want to get into a rut. Some things are basically the same, but just tweaked a little. Other things are retired and sent the way of the antique mall space, but each loved and enjoyed for the time that it's part of my world.

I guess I'm going over all this to say that sometimes, I just like to have a place to peek back at, and then form a new plan for what's ahead. One of my favorite things to do is to go back through your blog archives and see what you all did last year. We really are an everchanging, growing, and inspirational bunch!

(my new plaid wool throw from Leola's, 

which brings in a little "Christmas Color")

Each season on the sunporch I start with a different quilt. 

Then layer on the pillows.

It's my place to have some fun.

I told you I had a couple more turkeys up my sleeve...

Now that it's cold outside,

 I enjoy the visual warmth of the Fall inspired woolens.

The kitties love their snuggle spots out here.

almost like being outdoors.

I'm pretty sure I enjoy this space more than any other in my home.

A lot of wind and a hard freeze a few nights ago,

took down most of the maple leaves.

Love the golden hue this casts.

In a week it will be time to put away "Fall" and Thanksgiving,

then bring out "Christmas".

Time to turn another page in the book.

I don't want this blog to ever be thought of 

as a place that is "show-offy".

I hope when you come to visit 

it's like coming by for a cup of tea

and a warm muffin...

put up your feet,

and tell me about your day.

Hope you're savoring the moment.

Enjoy life and the small pleasures.

thanks for always being here.

...for being a friend.

Thank you for being part of my life.

xoxo,

oops a p.s. here
If you haven't entered Dee's Give Away
CLICK HERE

Fall on the Sunporch

Just a few overdue pics from the sunporch for Fall...

Making use of the bittersweet and some deer antlers.

These next few are some of my fave pics from this season.

Just look at the face of complete innocence...

now wait a minute, girlie!

Here's the other one.

 I always have fun mixing and matching the quilts and pillows for a new look each year. 

 If you'd like to see what I did last year,

 then here are some pics from last year's porch.

 Being away from home for almost a week, I feel like I'm trying to play catch up. There are so many things I wanted to do this Fall, but taking care of my sweetie has been my top priority. We saw a specialist in St. Louis last week for his inner ear, vertigo, and hearing loss. This doctor told us more in 5 minutes than we had been given in months and months of doctors visits and therapy. Hubbs is on a medication regimen at the moment, but we have options for down the road...much more hope and confidence for recovery than we were having before. Anyway, hope you enjoyed the photos from this week on the sunporch. Ahhhh....my favorite season for decorating out here.

If you didn't make it by earlier in the week, come check out all the great shopping links at the Marketplace; just scroll down to the last post. It's live all week, so feel free to link up any of your Etsy or Boutique Items.

linking up to these parties this week:

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style
Treasure Hunt Thursday at From My Front Porch to Yours
Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
TTT at Stone Gable
Open House Party at No Minimalist Here
Friday's Unfolded at Stuff and Nonsense
Inspiration Friday at the Picket Fence
Potpourri Friday at 2805
Feather Your Nest at French Country Cottage
Sweet and Simple Friday at Rooted in Thyme
Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home
Jennifer Rizzo
The Inspired Room
Happy Hour at Craftberry Bush
It's Overflowing

xoxo,