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!

By Candlelight

Sometimes when it's dusk, I love to have a candle burning out here on the porch. There's something about the candle glow that warms the space and my heart. And especially at Christmas, with all the cuddly blankets and quilts, the sunporch becomes a little "nest".

This is my wire carrier that I have used for my Halloween Candy Corn candleholders for the last few years. I think the candy corn was at least 2 years old, so it was time to say good-bye! I wanted to try something new for Christmas.

I have a fixation on peat pots,

(like many of you arty gals in blogland)

and they were beggin' for some holly and boxwood.

I used a small plastic "baggy" and put a little water in it to keep the greens moist, then smooshed it into the bottom of the peat pot. I only had two matching candles, and that turned out to be "a good thing". Then I added a couple of itty bitty Shiny Brites for some sparkle. But...this post comes with a disclaimer, as I found the hard way that polyester Christmas ribbon is not fireproof !

If you look closely you can see some charred edges of ribbon.

...a quick save by scrunching up the ribbon toward the middle.

This is my little green chair that was part of a set of table and chairs

that my mom and dad bought for my second birthday.

(yep, it's beyond vintage, and just plain old!)

and since it was getting dark, I tried the carrier out on my dad's old dresser,

which holds my conservatory here in the sunroom.

The old painted concrete lambs are part of my garden collection.

so now I've learned to enjoy the candlelight,

but if I get too fancy, I need to have a fire extinguisher close by!

Nothing like a little excitement!

I'll be joining in for these parties:

No Minimalist Here for Open House Party

My French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

2805 for Potpourri Friday

At the Picket Fence for Inspiration Friday

LaurieAnnas Farmhouse Fridays

Stuff and Nonsense for Fridays Unfolded

The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home

My Romantic Home for Show and Tell

Funky Junk for Saturday Night Special

Shabby Art Boutique for Simply Christmas

See ya tomorrow for 

lots of Christmas hugs,

Christmas on the Sunporch

You didn't think you'd get by this Christmas Season

 without an invitation to the sunporch now did you?

Come on out, it may be a little chilly,

but the sunshine is warm!

This is my "partial cats" pic.

Do you see the "disappearing" one toward the bottom left?

My Baker's rack is loaded with paperwhites in my white pottery.

and a fun Christmas find at Leola's Christmas Open House this year,

was the great vintage red plaid umbrella!

My camera has been returned, and actually because it was still under warranty, I think I received a new one. I don't know if you can tell, but I have a new lens for Christmas and I'm lovin' the detail!

Miss Jenkins on lookout.

Vintage Santa Noel Bells door hanger.

I've loved using a gifted seed box from my pals Brian and Meloney

filled with old kitchen utensils and cookbooks.

Welcome to my Shiny Brite obsession...

Are you pacing yourself this week?

Wrapping is done,

grocery shopping tonight

last minute errands tomorrow.

Kids will be here Thursday!

Don't know if you've noticed it, but there's been more "color" this Christmas in blogland. After a few years of just neutrals and white, many of us really wanted a touch of the traditional red and green this year. I've really loved seeing all your homes and decorations. Don't forget this is our last week for Vintage Christmas, so be sure and join in for the party.

I'm joining these Christmas Parties:

Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday

xoxo,

Sideboard Inspiration

We're counting down the days now  and I have a few more things that I want to share. I made a quick stop here at the sideboard on the  Christmas House Tour, but I wanted to show a little more detail.

This lantern is one of two matching that I bought this year.

and it was the inspiration for my sideboard.

I wanted a serene "Jeanne D'Arc" feel to the entry and Living Room.

This little bottle brush wreath

 and the bubble print portrait of Mary are separate,

they just happened to fit together beautifully.

 (sorry for the glare of the overhead spots)

I also found these wonderful moss covered pinecones 

and a battery operated candle to add to the lantern

with my Mary and Baby Jesus statue.

A few of my favorite vintage postcards and an ex voto in flower frogs.

I found this wonderful Madonna of the Goldfinch print 

in this chippy frame a few years ago.

Here's a little information about the painting:

Madonna of the Goldfinch by Raphael or Raffaello

Renaissance Art by Raphael Sanzio or Raffaello

Madonna of the Goldfinch, Madonna del Cardellino (1505). Artist: Raphael Sanzio (1483-1520) or simply Raphael or Raffaello. Madonna of the Goldfinch is a vintage Renaissance fine art religious portrait painting. The Virgin Mary is holding a book, with identifies her as Sedes Sapientiae ("Seat of Wisdom"). The goldfinch is a symbol of Christ's future violent death. The young Saint John the Baptist offers the goldfinch to Christ in warning of his future.

This captured the feeling I wanted this year,

serene and spiritual.

Just a few more days...

hope you have a wonderful week!

xoxo,

Tuesday Treasures at My UnCommon Slice of Suburbia

Primp your Stuff at Primp 

House Party at No Minimalist Here