First Christmas at the Farm 2013

We are so excited to spend our first Christmas on Buttercup Farm!  It has made this Christmas special just being here.  As I type this I am smelling hickory wood being burned in our wood stove.  It is so cozy in our little farmhouse.  Cozy means challenging decorating.  I really had to pick and choose what decorations to use this year.  I am sure I will decorate totally different next year.  I mainly decorated the family and dining area.  I hope to exapand the decorating to other areas of the house next year.  On this post I am sharing some pictures of the Christmas decorating.  I hope you enjoy the tour. 

 I had to insert a picture of our sweet puppy sadie!  This is our first Christmas in 10 years without our beloved Jack Russell Lucy.  Having Sadie has softened that loss.  She is a sweetie and a cutie!

 My daughter and I made the burlap garland off of pinterest post.  It was more difficult than I thought it would be, but the result was worth it.  I did the top garland which is a little tighter.  Alli made the lower one.  I like her look better.  After we purchased the burlap garland (2 rolls) from T.J. Maxx, we went back a few days later and all the burlap was gone.  I wish I would have bought them out.  We didn't have enough to go around the entire tree.  We still love it though!  The burlap has musical notes on it. 

 This Christmas village is part mine and part my mother's.  I love the size of this village.  It fits perfectly on my buffet which is filled with our movies.  The village has a church, school, library and houses.  It is so beautiful it makes me want to live there. 

 I love snowmen.  I have collected them for years.  This is one of my favorite figures.  These snowmen look like they are having a blast as they sled down a hill. 

 This is not the best picture and is a little bit of a hodge podge, but I wanted to show off the giant ornaments that my husband accidentally bought me this year.  He bought some pallets at an auction and we found these gems in a box.  I have four giant bulbs.  I put three in this cermaic bowl that was given to me by a friend.  (She found it at a thrift shop)  I have one more on the fireplace mantel. 

 These little sheep were part of my mother's collection.  She left them out all year and so do I.  Next to them is a lovely birdhouse.  We do a Christmas exchange at our work every year as part of our Christmas party.  Everyone purchases a 5.00 gift and wraps it up.  Then we all take numbers and pick gifts or steal from others.  It is like a white elephant only we purchase nice gifts.  I purchased this bird house and stole it back because I loved it so much.  So, basically I stole my own gift back!  Fun!!

 I know decoraters all over the world are cringing because I have a recliner in my picture.  Well, we live like real people and comfort is important.  I love my recliner!  It may not be pretty, but it is comfy.  I love having the Christmas tree right next to me.  We actually had it in another area of living room, but my husband didn't like the lights shining in his face.  I however, love the lights.  I sit and stare at the tree and it makes me happy!  I see ornaments from the span of my life.  I have seen a lot of posts from friends and family with gorgeous Southern Living like trees.  Mine is definately not of that caliber, but I can't stand the thought of not putting meaningful ornaments on my tree. 

 Some might think my troll elves are ugly.  I beg to differ.  They are whimsical and fun!  Everyone should have a bit of whimsy in their live!  Another T.J. Maxx find.

 This was my mother's mouse and lantern.  I love this mouse.  I don't like the real ones, but this one is one of my favorite Christmas decorations. 

 My friend gave me this plate as a house warming present.  It fits my decor perfectly and says it all.  We do serve the Lord and thank Him everyday for His wonderful blessings!  The true meaning of Christmas for us is the birth of Christ.  Without Him we would be nothing!  Every Christmas we read the Christmas story from the Bible before we open up gifts.  It is important for us to instill in our children the true meaning of Christmas!

 Christmas Goose!