Is there anything more festive than a natural evergreen wreath with a big, red bow and snow all over it? Nope, I don't think so either. TOTAL CHRISTMAS.
Christmas cactus, where have you been all my life? I love this plant. The flowers are huge and gorgeous; I almost can't believe it's a cactus because it reminds me very much of my hibiscuses. We're enjoying it on the kitchen table, where it gets lots of sunlight.
We put our chile pepper lights on the bricks of the fireplace. We use the wire sculpture as a sort of trellis for them. We don't have a mantel so I can't decorate the fireplace much for Christmas (we hang the stockings on the drawer knobs of the dining room china cabinet). The chile lights give us a festive glow in the family room.
I bought a paperwhite narcissus kit at Trader Joe's when I did my grocery shopping. I may get an amaryllis kit this coming week. I just love these little kits; they're affordable and you get beautiful flowers in those wintry weeks after Christmas. I truly enjoy those weeks - the return to peaceful normality, the clean starts - but they can sometimes seem a bit bleak after the holiday frenzy. Flowers add freshness, color and progress.
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Hello and welcome, new readers and followers! I'm especially excited to see new readers from Cozy Little House, where my blog was featured over the weekend. That was a really pleasant surprise and I'm glad to have new bloggy friends, however you landed up in my little corner of the world. I'm really glad you're here. Thank you for the continued lovely comments. Did you know I was a little afraid to blog about the Mina dress? The GB loves it, which is the most important thing of course, but I felt self-conscious about sharing it. Your supportive comments helped me feel a lot better about the whole experience and I'm glad I shared it here. I've never been very good at sticking my neck out but that's been one of the most positive, enriching parts of blogging for me. I'm doing it, and fortunately, you've been a lot gentler on my neck than I ever expected.
Hello Jennifer..... I just got caught up with your posts of the last few weeks. It's been hectic here! Love your photos, especially of the snow, as we don't get snow here in the Phoenix area. I love Christmas cactus, too, and making jam, tho I haven't done it for awhile. Never made orange marmalade, but would love to. We have orange trees in the yard, so maybe after Christmas, I will try that. I loved your little dress you made for girl bear. You did a nice job. Have fun getting ready for Christmas, and have a Happy Christmas! xxoo. JO
ReplyDeleteYou know - I always like your happy posts. They make me happy too!
ReplyDeleteJennifer,
ReplyDeleteLovely festive happies!! I'm off to buy a wreath for the front door this week. I have never had one before, partly because my old front door was grim. But our new door demands some Xmas bling!!
Leanne xx
When I saw that your post about Christmas was up, I had to run right over because I knew it would be "home-y" and delightful. Of course, it is! The reds you captured are the deepest, brightest, happiest ones I've ever seen!
ReplyDeleteAnd now about the chili pepper lights! It's fun how regional things are so normal to us. Here, in Michigan, a string of those would leave people gaping in wonderment, "Whaaat? Chili peppers? WHY?" lol - oh the crazy, happy fun that's Christmas!
Hi there Jennifer. It all looks so calm at your house!
ReplyDeleteAnd cosy,and pretty,and just about perfect.
I have never heard of Chilli lights.
Keep on having fun x
We don't have a mantel either, I miss it at this time of year when I see so many decked out in beautiful decorations. You've solved that little problem though, your chilli lights look fab.
ReplyDeleteI have a log burner but no mantel. This year I have put knitted bunting over it. And the children's stockings are hang on the stairs. It still looks nice. I love your lights. and the wreath is fab.
ReplyDeleteRosezeeta.
Gorgeous Christmas cactus flower shot! Have you thought of adding a mantel to your fireplace so you have a great place to hang stockings and decorate?
ReplyDelete❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉
*M*E*R*R*Y* *C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S*!*
❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉
((hugs)), Teresa :-)
There is quite a natural theme to your happy things today. I really like your wreath. We have a fake red berry wreath that I hang every year but nothing beats a fresh green one, especially with a red bow. x
ReplyDeleteOh wow, it looks beautiful where you are Jennifer! That wreath with the snow is so christmassy! Elisabeth x
ReplyDeleteSuch lovely festive happy things!
ReplyDeleteMarianne x
Lovely happies and festive too.
ReplyDeleteClare x
Such festive happy photos! Very inspiring to me! x
ReplyDeleteLoving all your festive happies Jennifer. Envious of your snow as it's quite mild here in the south of England.
ReplyDeletePatricia x
I love your Christmas wreath, enjoy your Christmas preparations! :) x
ReplyDeleteYes, it is looking very christmassy at yours Jennifer. I have bought a ring of oasis so that I can make my door wreath next weekend. All I need to do before then of course will be to raid some of the hedgerows and our garden for some foliage to use.I love your chilli lights!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Christmas wreath and the real deal too! Love it!
ReplyDeleteJemma
Oh it all looks beautiful at yours. I love the wreath and the lights - wonderful. Don't be afraid to share the lovely things that you make. I found your post about the dress so very inspirational. The fact that you persevered and taught yourself things as you went along. It encouraged me a lot. It's such a pretty thing, and beautifully made. It's so lovely to make things that they really appreciate as well. I'm thinking of getting an amaryllis after reading an article about them by Alys Fowler - she's an English gardener who does a bit of television. She's quite a hippy, and I love her style. Her book on growing vegetables is really inspirational. If you're interested in the article, it's here http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/dec/07/alys-fowler-amaryllis-bulb Hope you all have a lovely week Jennifer.
ReplyDeleteI agree about a fresh wreath. We have no fireplace let alone a mantel. We used to hang our stockings along the stir rail but this year as it's only the two of us, they are hung on our living room bookcase. Like CJ said, don't ever be afraid to share what you've made. The blogging world is very supportive and will give you confidence to try new things all the time. Have a lovely day Jennifer.
ReplyDeleteI love how you have decorated the fireplace with your chilli lights, they seem very right for your area! I am sure that Santa will find the stockings whereever they are hung up! xx
ReplyDeleteHello Jennifer - I am way behind with blogging and need to catch up but just want to say everything on this post is gorgeous - and your cactus is doing so well! Hugs, Joy x
ReplyDeleteWe have a Christmas cactus too, one with pale pink flowers.
ReplyDeleteI love your picture's!
Glad you are enjoying the cactus....she will love it outside in the summer♥
ReplyDeleteGreat photos....great marmalade...I have been AWOL!!!
Enjoy your week♥
Cheers!
Linda :o)
Love your fresh green wreath with the red bow! I love the Christmas cactus, too. That's something you keep year after year. The chili pepper lights are so cool, and so appropriate for where you live… they are very festive!
ReplyDeleteEveryone's been showing their lovely Christmas cactus plants in bloom...and here mine sits, just plain ol' green. No blooms! I've tried several different things, to no avail. Love your chili pepper lights...so cute and unique.
ReplyDeleteWhat a festive post! Do you get much snow in NM? I should know as the hubs went to UNM and his grandparents lived right next to the school...but this was long before I met him. :-) I visited the school with him once and took a photo of his name as alumni in the Geology building. Pretty cool town...now I am rambling. Nevertheless, can I continue just say the blue crocheted dress down there a couple of posts is the cutest thing ever. Love, love, love the colors! Happy Holidays Jennifer!
ReplyDeleteNeat chili lights, Jennifer...and the wreath...and the snow...and the Christmas cactus :) Cheery! I invested in a little Christmas cactus this week, and am hoping I will not kill it. We may be getting a bit of ice and snow tonight and our front pond was frozen enough that some of my family ventured to stand on the edge of it today! It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas here, too :)
ReplyDeleteGracie xx
It's looking a LOT like Christmas :-) Such pretty, happy things! Have a lovely week, enjoy the festivities.
ReplyDeleteHugs xx
Love these happy posts and it sure looks a lot like Christmas over there. It is so mild over here for this time of year. Your fireplace looks lovely as does your wreath. Enjoy your week lovely xoxo
ReplyDeleteVery festive xx
ReplyDeletewow everything looks so wonderful, I love the chilli pepper lights contrasting against the black , stunning
ReplyDeleteIt sure is looking a lot like Christmas over your way! I love your lights over your fireplace. This time of the year I feel so cheerful,(even with a cold, and some sniffles) and seems like we have been playing quit a bit of holiday tunes. =) Oh and your Christmas cactus-it's beautiful! Stay warm...
ReplyDeleteI always love coming to your cozy, warm, wonderful blog!
ReplyDeleteYou have inspired me to get some paper white narcissus as you are right they look lovely mid winter blooming indoors.
Well what do you know? I've had a plant for years not knowing what it was, it's a christmas cactus, hooray! Thankyou for showing yours. I might even give it pride of place downstairs now. (It normally lives in the bathroom!) These are beautiful pictures of your home, is that real snow?
ReplyDeleteJess xx
I used to have a Christmas cactus when I was younger, they are neat! We have been snowing all week, I am ready for the snow to go away :) Your snow covered wreath is beautiful though!
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures, I love Christmas cactus too, everything is looking lovely and festive. :)
ReplyDeleteEverything looks lovely.. the thought of flowers blooming makes me happy
ReplyDeleteBeautiful wreath, Jennifer, perfect in its element! You have a lot of cozy going on in your thistle bear home!
ReplyDeletePoppy
Lovely pictures, Jennifer - very Christmassy. :-) I haven't started to decorate yet, but will hang up a few cards this afternoon.
ReplyDelete