A Christmas Visitor...

Christmas afternoon, things were  quiet while our "big kids" took a walk around the lake with their "frenchy", Vinnie. Hubbs and I were setting in the Living Room talking when we saw a some commotion in the little skinny tree on the deck. Hopping and fluttering we could see a bird outline, but we couldn't make out what kind. It was bigger, looked a little like a cardinal, but more like a robin.  We got up to investigate.

I've enjoyed bird watching my whole life. Living in the country we always had birds in the bushes, trees and yard, and since my dad was a "waste not, want not" kind of person there was always something for the neighborhood fowl to feast upon. 

I used to keep bird seed on the deck for prime viewing, but we have a chipmunk and squirrel population and this was just too close to the pool. Besides, the squirrels have chewed our deck to embarrassment.

This little birdie, rummaged thru my Christmas greens in the basket, sat on the ladder, then on the head of the goose, just bouncing around for a few minutes. I didn't want to waste time running for my camera because I knew I just needed to savor the "visit". 

Glad to know someone else liked my "Backdoor Christmas" decor.

After searching my field guide books we found our little friend, a Gray Vireo, who was out of his normal habitat. It says that he likes scrub brush and junipers in the arid country of the southwest United States. (pretty far from home here in SW Missouri) I guess he was visiting relatives for Christmas and just took a moment for a break. But I'm so glad we were able to have a sweet visit from a little friend; just a little Christmas blessing.

Hope you've had time to enjoy the "small blessings"

 of this Christmas Season...

xoxo,

Christmas Blessings

painting by William Adolphus Bouguereau 1903

Matthew 1:22  All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel, which means, God with us".

May you know Him as the Savior,

Merry Christmas,

Christmas Eve

Just a few pics of Christmas in my Living Room,

as we're gearing up for all the fun tonight.

I found this little snowflake tree last year, 

love the simplicity of it. 

These are old Christmas Cards from a stash of my grandparents,
 in little "dimestore" frames

"White" potpourri from TJ Maxx that I found this year.

So far these faux paperwhites are the only ones blooming around here

These are just a few of the presents,

you should see it now!!

The St. Louis kids got here last night, they were running behind schedule do to work and a master bath renovation with workmen still at their house.

We were eating Sushi at 10:00 last night at one of our favorite Asian places.

Can you overdose on sushi...?

I'm thinking the answer may be "yes."...

 I found this evergreen cone at "the Vintage Suitcase",

and used dried hydrangeas and faux holly and greens at the base.

Christmas birdies on the coffee table

...and I just kept this sofa table simple

with my basket of faux poinsettia.

It's always been a family tradition to open gifts on Christmas Eve.

So this room will be a happy mess in just a few hours,

hope your day is wonderful.

joining in for:

A Stroll Thru Life for Table Top Tuesdays

Christmas love and blessings,

Back Door Christmas

Hey, look who's here out on the deck...

My little goosey has made herself a Christmas nest

out of some greens and a wheelbarrow.

I "shopped" the garage for some fun outside decor

A skinny tree in one of my vintage bushel apple baskets

an old red ladder and some ice skates.

( I didn't even remember these ice skates

 until I found them in a closet last week!!)

Note to self: organize and clean closets in January

Shhhhh....don't tell her, but she's just a plastic decoy...

She thinks she's mighty cute!

If you haven't joined in for 

Vintage Inspiration Friday

then just scroll on down to the next post!

joining in for

My Un Common Slice of Suburbia

Coastal Charm

xoxo,

Vintage Inspiration Friday # 69 "Country Christmas"

I think we all may have some hidden dreams and fantasies. One of mine that I'm indulging in is to have a real "Country Christmas". I've been a city girl, or let's say a "suburban" girl for a long time, but my roots go back to an old farmhouse. We never "farmed" but we had a few cows and a horse or two, and some wild prairie chickens were known to hang around. I grew up in a house built in 1840. Yes, it had been renovated over the years, but it still retained some of the original charm.


So via Pinterest, I'm living thru other's lens to capture some lingering memories of Christmas.

Don't laugh about this first one,

you would have had to have known my Dad, 

who collected old cars (and a truck or two)

Source: notetosarah.tumblr.com via Debra on Pinterest

Source: betterphoto.com via Debra on Pinterest

Source: bhg.com via Debra on Pinterest

Source: emporio74.blogspot.com via Debra on Pinterest

Source: emporio74.blogspot.com via Debra on Pinterest

Source: verdefarm.com via Debra on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Debra on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Debra on Pinterest

Source: commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com via Debra on Pinterest

Source: centsationalgirl.com via Debra on Pinterest

Source: homeinnewengland.blogspot.com via Debra on Pinterest

Source: thestwrd.com via Debra on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Debra on Pinterest

I imagine this image from Country Living was Photoshopped, but I still love it!

There was so much inspiration last week,

here's just a little review

Nancy from Nancy's Daily Dish has the most amazing hutch display 

of red transferware all decked out for Christmas.

Vicki from Ranger 911 had me laughing with all her "elf" antics,

Good Elf, Bad Elf

Robin from Happy At Home, has captured a little deer under a glass house,

and I just want to look at it all day! Such great photos!

Anita from Far Above Rubies has a front porch that I could live on.

Go by and check out all her wonderful photos!

If you want to read a love story that has a happy ending

then you need to see this one, from Antique Chase.

and Elizabeth from Pinecones and Acorns

shares the amazing creche at Notre Dame Cathedral.

Just beautiful!

So are you ready to share what's inspired you this week?

Thanks so much each one of you,

 that takes the time to join in!

Please have a visible link within your post,

so others can join in on the party

And if I don't see you again until Christmas,

may yours be filled with the love and joy,

that only Our Savior can bring! 

Merry Christmas!