Winter Porch Decor Part 2

I'm still adding some decorative touches all around my house. My front porch has been looking pretty bare, so I thought it would be nice to add more greenery.  I had already created an arrangement using a large planter:

So, I decided to continue on with that theme.  I found some great pine cones at Hobby Lobby, then later found some that were equally as nice at a local garden store for a fraction of the price. Unfortunately, I had already purchased the pine cones from Hobby Lobby. I guess there's always next year, if I find that I need more. I also borrowed a few more pine boughs from my neighbor's tree (thanks neighbor).

A few large, red ornaments were the finishing touch. (look you can see my reflection in one of them) I used some floral wire to wire it all together. We get some unbelievable wind, so I also wired the arrangement to the bench. Just a simple, but lovely little touch. It doesn't take much to make me feel proud of myself.

Have a Happy Day!

~MJ

Decorating the Little Tree

Last year I purchased a little faux tree for the kids to decorate. On Monday, I decided it was time to break out the Christmas decorations. The kids were so excited to get the little tree out and decorate it themselves. I let them do all of the decorating with the exception of a suggestion here or there on ornament placement. If I had left them completely to their own devices, all of the ornaments would be located on their eye level. Being that it is their tree, I think I might have a few control issues.

Knowing that I might like to take some pictures of the decorating, before I set up the tree, I decided to clean up our family room. Jellybean noticed my efforts and asked, "Mama, why you cleaning up? Is someone coming to visit us?" I'm guessing that the sight of me cleaning has not been a common one lately.

Yesterday, we got out the big tree and decided to decorate it as well. This is where I truly discovered my control issues. I snapped at the kids several times about touching the more fragile ornaments and pretty much ended up sucking all of the Christmas spirit out of the activity. There may have been tears involved...I think I have a problem. Fortunately, the tree is now decorated and both children are happy. I'm assuming that afternoon won't be added to their (most likely) growing list of childhood traumas.

So, how is the Christmas decorating going in your house?

Have a Happy Day!

~MJ