Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Monday, December 13, 2010

Our Home--All Decked Out for Christmas

Today I will share with you some of our outside pictures in and around our home --all lit up for Christmas.  I took this picture right before dark--so you could see the big red bow which hangs on our lamppost.  You can also see all three of our wreaths now.





Here is a picture showing our home --as it continues to get darker outside.





And,  now it is obviously DARK outside...  You can't see the big red bows in the the windows above the candles (garage and the window on the right next to the bird feeder) --but they add color during the daytime.





We have garland, bows and lights strung all across the deck --which we also enjoy seeing at nights while looking out of our sliding glass doors.





I stood in the back yard and took this picture of the garland on the deck --and also the Christmas tree inside our home.  This is not a very good picture --but I wanted to include it to show you the lights from the back.  You can also see some of my bird feeders.




Here  is our newest wreath --all lit up for you.  Isn't it gorgeous?





And here is the first wreath all lit up --which we bought three years ago for the front of our home.   The other wreath is now my header.   Several people said that they liked it the best --so I decided to feature it as the header.

Hope you enjoyed seeing more of our Christmas decorations. I enjoy decorating for Christmas so much these days.  As I have told several of you in blogs,  gift-giving is not what is important to us at Christmas.  We just choose not to spend our money that way, although we do small gifts for each other and for family and friends.  However,  we DO decorate --and truly love it... That makes Christmas special for us.

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LET IT SNOW..... This picture was taken yesterday afternoon.  We have lots of snow here now along with bitter cold temperatures...  I love the snow--but not sure I like this cold cold weather!!!!!  Don't you love seeing the snowflakes in the picture???  It felt almost like a blizzard out there taking pictures!!!! ha

Have a tremendous day!
Hugs,

74 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Betsy, your home looks beautiful all decorated for Christmas. I love the wreath and the garland. The lights at nights look so cheery. Thanks for sharing.

eileeninmd said...

Betsy, your home looks beautiful all decorated for Christmas. I love the wreath and the garland. The lights at nights look so cheery. Thanks for sharing.

Tabor said...

Perfect Christmas card photo that last one. Bird feeders...does the store have any left? LOL

Big Dude said...

Looks like you guys are all ready. I'd title the last one "It's beginning to look alot like Christmas" while I hummed the tune.

Darla said...

Very nice Betsy..I LOVE the last photo the best!!! Perfect Christmas Card Photo..

Anonymous said...

Betsy, your home is absolutely beautiful and the snow was right on time to make a picture perfect Christmas card photo!

Beth said...

Betsy, I'm finally catching up on my favorite blogs. Those sunsets from the last post were stunning!

I like how you have the Nativity scene set up with all the candles behind it. It's beautiful. However, even if you had not previously told me the age of your grandchildren, I would know they are much older than mine. No Nativity scenes on coffee tables in this house!
Your outside decorations are abolutely wonderful--so warm and welcoming--I feel a glow just looking at them!
We do some, but will do more once we're settled in our 'permanent' home.
Love to you--will pray for your friend.

Catherine said...

Your house looks terrific Betsy! And with the white stuff falling it now looks like a winter wonderland. I hope you don't get too much snow though ~ because then that long drive way has to be shovelled! :)

Have a happy week Betsy!
xo Catherine

Ruth Hiebert said...

WOW<Your home is picture perfect.Are you sure you didn't get these from some postcard? LOL
Enjoy the beauty and each other this Christmas season.
Blessings,Ruth

diane b said...

You've done a great job at decorating your house. I love the last shot ,it looks like a Christmas card. I'm glad I can enjoy your snow from the warmth of my country.

Valerie said...

A beautiful home - decorated so beautifully.
Do you use battery operated lights on the tree's or do you plug them in? They are so pretty!

I love your snow! Just the perfect amount - Hopefully you are staying safe and warm.

I know you said something about everything shutting down when you get a little dusting. I remember that happening in Virginia - but also knew that up here in Buffalo we have HUNDREDS of snowplows and salters and sanders - most southern areas don't have the equipment that we have to get the roads clear and safe. We also have so much salt thrown down on the roads that often 1 salting lasts for a few days.

Enjoy this special month!

Arkansas Patti said...

Betsy, your house is absolutely inviting and lovely. I was thinking as I read along, all that was missing was snow.
Ahh, there it is.
You and George give each other presents all year long with wonderful trips. No need for extra at Christmas.
We are bitter cold here also, 13 degrees but still no snow. Rats.

linda m said...

Love all your decorations, Betsy! Your house looks so festive. The picture with the snow flakes falling is my favorite (even tho living in WI we got our fair share of snow this weekend).

Beth said...

Hi, Betsy! I'll have to echo everyone's else comments about that last shot----it really does look like a Christmas card! Your decorations are so lovely. We're like you---we don't spend a lot on gifts, but I do bake tasty Christmas treats for folks. I love putting on Christmas music and puttering about the warm kitchen.

We have snow, too. But I don't think I'm quite as cheerful about it as you are. :-)

Snap said...

Just beautiful, Betsy. Festive and fun.

Connie said...

Your home looks lovely all decorated and in the snow, Betsy. You're all set for the holiday! :)

Cicero Sings said...

Your home is looking very inviting!

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

Your pretty Christmas decorations make a wonderfully inviting home scene...a welcoming sight indeed...Have a wonderful week Betsy!!!
Ps...it's 8 degrees here....bbbbrrrrrr

Andrea said...

Hello Betsy, your house even without lights is beautiful especially on that sloping contour, but with lights look more beautiful, and with snow awesome! That last picture is really magical for me. I can feel serenity at its best.

A Brit in Tennessee said...

Your home decorations are just gorgeous Betsy, I can imagine you light up the "Glade" :)
Snow is still falling here a little East of you, I see you received almost five inches last night, so if it's anything like here, your locked in today.
Stay warm, and enjoy those wreaths and lights !

Dorothy said...

Your home is beautifully decorated! Your newest wreath is my favorite. Love that last picture in the snow!!!
Have a toasty warm day!

Anonymous said...

Your Christmas decorations are beautiful all lit up!

Sharon said...

Your decorations are perfect and the snow was the frosting on the cake! I love that you don't have anything garish on the front lawn, Santa would ruin it!

Peggy said...

love seeing Christmas around your home. It's beautiful! I am so jealous of your snow.... take a walk in it for me.

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

Very festive and welcoming. We enjoy the atmosphere Christmas decorations create also. We like that good feeling and time with family and friends more than gifts too. Merry Christmas.

Fred Alton said...

Wow Betsy! Talk about the "glow" of Christmas - you have captured it. And I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the one of your home being blanketed with snow. We have the bitter cold weather (20 degrees) which I faced this morning at 8:00 to have my regular med check. (Everything AOK.) Thanks for sharing the warmth of Christmas at your home!

penny said...

Betsy, your home looks so festive and bright in the darkness of night. Although I love seeing it all covered with snow, it makes a beautiful Christmas scene.
I like your holiday header as well.

Warm hugs,
Pam

Barbara said...

Oh Betsy you have such a beautiful home, and the decorations are wonderful, I especially love that lit wreath, so gorgeous. Hugs my special friend, and count your blessings, you have so many. Love ya Barbara

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

Your home looks beautiful, all decked out for the holidays. I loved the last shot with the capture of the falling snow. The temperature here is in the teens this morning, with strong winds and blowing snow. A good day to sit inside and look at the beauty through the window.

amelia said...

Your home is so pretty Betsy!! All the lights outside are so festive and cosy!
Love your snow too. We have lots here today as well!!

carpe diem said...

Beautiful! :))
carpe diem

MadSnapper said...

my favorite is the shot of really dark and the last one with the snow. all of them are gorgeous, so are your wreathes. thanks for letting us "visit" and enjoy your decorations.

Ginny Hartzler said...

I can't pick a favorite wreath today! Your house looks beautiful and like a cozy safe haven, welcoming! I love the deck best, and seeing your tree through the door! It must take a lot of time to maintain those bird feeders! The last picture was such a surprise, I think that is my favorite picture. You did not capture snowflakes coming down, they are white Christmas lights decorating the front of your lens!

Out on the prairie said...

Coming back Saturday I was racing the weather to get home, but saw a farmhouse with a wreath in each window.This made me think of you and your loveof wreaths.One year i decided to make a bunch out of wild grape vines. I went and cleared some of on a fenceline only to find I had also found some poison ivy in them. I went to the doc who had never treated anyone in December for the itch.

Diane said...

The last picture is the prettiest of all because it shows all the lights and your beloved snow! (Want some more?) Diane

Sunny said...

How lovely and festive your home is. I really enjoy decorating for Christmas. I purchased a new wreath this year, it's the first time I've had an artificial one but it looks quite real.
The snow is really pretty with your holiday lights :)
☼ Sunny

Anonymous said...

Pretty pretty lights, Betsy, & I love the wreaths!
Sure looks good in snow... they forecast snow here for Sat night & Sunday, but there was only a few flurries early Sun morning... nothing stuck! It's 10 degrees here this morning... YuCk!!! =(

Be careful in all that snow & stay WARM!!! =)

cyclopseven said...

Everything is set aglow. Brilliantly beautiful.

Karin said...

Thanks for the wonderful light tour of your gorgeous home! Simply wonderfully done! You really are a shining light in your neighborhood. God bless you for sharing THE LIGHT of Jesus to everyone you meet. Hugs!

Ida said...

Your home is SO beautifully decorated for Christmas! Love the big red bow on your lamppost and, like everybody, the MAGICAL SNOW PIC!!

Busy Bee Suz said...

Your home is so pretty and festive. Love all the lights at night.
Stay warm!!

carpe diem said...

Merry Christmas to YOU!
carpe diem

Kelly said...

...beautiful! I love the lights at night time photos. The snow just keeps coming down it seems! It does make everything beautiful. Love you Merry Christmas decorations!

mudderbear said...

What a beautiful place you've created. And the setting at twilight really makes everything seem full of peace and quiet. Thank you for sharing.

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Lovely, all. But I especially love the last picture, where you captured the snow falling, in front of your decorated home. :-)

DayPhoto said...

Beautiful, Besty and George!!!!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/

Unknown said...

So pretty! Maybe next year we can start decorating the outside. It would really just be for us because we don't get too much travel out our way, but I would like to hang some wreaths! Thanks for sharing your Christmas cheer!

Love Of Quilts said...

WOW! It is gorgeous all of it....lovely seeing the snow in the picture it was like a blizzard here yesterday when I had to go and pick up Alicia...I didn't know what the roads were going to be like but they were ok. God Bless Trish

Together We Save said...

We got some snow too but as cold as it is the snow is gone now!! I love all your pictures!! You home looks lovely!

Small City Scenes said...

You home looks lovely betsy. I think the first picture would make a nice Christmas card as would the snowy one. I like to see houses decorated outside.
Wishing you a happy week. MB

RoeH said...

I like your little footprints in the snow down to where you took the picture. And the house is gorgeous, too!

Jen said...

It surely looks festive at the Adam's house!
Glad to see you got a bit of snow to make it all the merrier. :)
Love the lighted wreathes, I always want one, but never see them in the stores. Guess I should look online.

imac said...

Its hard to get the festive spirit at the moment, we are struggling with MIL at the moment.

Kay said...

How pretty and you even have snow. We are in the middle of summer here I think. 83 deg. today. YUCK!

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, What a lovely home you have! Great pictures of your Christmas decorations! I share your feelings about our bitterly cold weather. I do love the snow though. Have a great evening tonight and stay warm! Tomorrow will be a tad bit warmer out but still we're in the deep freeze here.

The Retired One said...

So festively gorgeous, Betsy..you guys did a great job. Loved the wreaths the best!

carolina nana said...

How beautiful your house is all lit up and especially in the snow.
After this wind that is blowing today and tonight I will have to find some of my big red bows that I had on my fence post and hope that other things don't blow away tonight as the wind is higher now than it has been. We have fires in both our wood stoves tonight just in case the power goes. Stay warm and have a blessed tomorrow.
MArilyn

Harriet said...

Beautiful decorations! I love that you have some at the back to enjoy when you look out. My son LOVES to decorate and he always puts some at the back. One year the neighbor next door said where my son would be sure to hear (she was hidden behind the fence and didn't say it to him) but laughed Who puts decorations at the back of their house? Well we do because we enjoy Christmas.

Unknown said...

G'eve Betsy ~ White with envy for some of those flakes, Betsy. Your decor is so welcoming & warm ...

Have a lovely winter's eve ~
TTFN ~ Hugs of love, MArydon

Pedaling said...

I do like the looks of those snowflakes.
We have no snow here in Utah, right now and it's unseasonably warm, as well.
Your home looks beautiful, as usual.
Very Festive!

Rose said...

Oh, Betsy, next year be sure and have the last photo here ready and use it as your Christmas card! It could not be more perfect.

GreatGranny said...

Your home looks so warm and festive and I love the snow photo. We only got blowing flurries, but it's OK, pretty anyhow.

Joy said...

Your home looks so lovely. I enjoyed seeing all the bird feeders in the back too.
I can't believe the snow. What a perfect touch to go with all yoru beautiful decorations.
Looks like a postcard!
♥ Joy

Neal said...

Gorgeous pictures. I'm glad you got the snow you wished for. Since you like it and want it I think you should do all the shoveling and let poor George stay in the house since he doesn't like snow. :)

Carletta said...

I loved seeing all your pictures Betsy but that last one with the snow is has a very inviting look about it!
You captured the lighted wreaths very well - lovely!!
We have two inches of snow since last night and very cold temps as well. We won't get above 20 until Thursday they say. BRRRRR....
Stay warm in front of your fireplace.
Oh yes, little Sammy has his Grandma's strawberry blond hair but his Mama has red hair too so I can't take all the credit. :)

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

The warm glow tells me that this house is very warm in fellowship.

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

The decorations, snow all of it so beautiful...m.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Hi Betsy,

Your home is absolutely beautiful all decorated for Christmas! The last photo is especially fine. Love your new header, too. Stay warm!

Hugs,
Cheryl

SquirrelQueen said...

Betsy, your home is absolutely beautiful with all of its holiday decorations. The pretty red bow in your front yard really "ties" it all together in the early evening.

My favorite shot is the last one with the snowflakes looking like little globes. From the looks of your weather you are having a cold night. We are having really odd weather, it hit 62 over the weekend.

ratieh said...

whooaaa...all of those Christmas decoration make your house looks very very beautiful! it's awesome! i love it so much =))

Twilight Man said...

Your photos brought back again, good memories of Christmas season in US which is not seen in any other parts of the world!! I spent the first American Christmas in San Francisco and the houses were happily & elaborately decorated like yours too. I think your style has a certain charm and warmth that Santa would pick your home if he's given only 1 home to deliver his presents!! I would love to peep through your window from outside too.

Lynda said...

Too, too Gorgeous!!!!! Thank you for freezing so we could view your beautiful decorations celebrating the birth of our Savior and Lord!

Kirigalpoththa said...

Beautiful and homely decorations!

KathyA said...

Gorgeous home, Betsy! It's obvious you put a lot of work into this and that you enjoy it! Your place just defines 'Christmas' as does your attitude.