Christmastide

With only a few more days until Christmas,
I realized that I had better share some of the Christmas love that is embracing this old farmhouse.

However, the pre-Christmas season started out with two refrigerators appearing in our kitchen.
Like *magic*.

The large, pretty one in the dining area was given to us by a thoughtful, loving niece...
for free.
Yep.
Free.
We couldn't turn it down.

We hauled it in through our French doors and there it sat until I had time to clean out our current frig
(which we moved out into our garage).
The ancient frig in the garage was then given to a neighbor who was in need of one,
and even though we stressed the word ancient, he still wanted it.
We loved paying the kindness forward.

Now, cleaning refrigerators is not my most favorite thing to do.
It's just not fun, as you all well know.
I cleaned three of them in one day.
Ugh.

But once I had them all sparkling clean,
I couldn't wait to feed my slight OCD tendencies by organizing our food in the new one.

Look at all the room in there!
It's 3" deeper than our old one,
and the nice, deep shelves on the doors just roll my socks up and down.
I am beyond thrilled!
It was free...people.
Free!

And it's even got a fancy water and  ice doohicky on the door.
I tell ya....
my socks are still rolling up and down.

We actually now have a less-than-15-year-old refrigerator (which we've never had)
that is giving us more space than we've ever had before.
Did I mention that it was free?
It doesn't get any better than that, especially at Christmastime.
Bless you, Charlette and Tim!

So, after doing the happy dance in front of my new frig with my socks doing their own thing around my ankles,
and watching the eyebrows raise on the Mister,
I turned my attention to Christmas decor.
I hauled my now organized holiday tubs down from the attic.
(A couple weeks ago, I organized all my tubs
and gave 5 huge boxes of red/white Christmas decor to Goodwill.
That felt so good!)

Christmas then bloomed softly here at Heaven's Walk.

Enjoy.

♥

Christmas dream catchers ready to mail out to a customer.

A new little flocked pink tree in the corner dressed in vintage ornaments.
The pink being another nod to breast cancer research
(like my Sacred Hope Hearts are).

I wrapped some boxes in craft paper and tied them with linen and satin ribbon.

This sweet little heart was a thoughtful handcrafted gift from Laura.

Thank you, Laura!

Roses are always a part of the decor here ~ no matter the season.

Vintage silvery blue ornaments fill a wooden tray next to an glittery aqua candle.

The stockings were hung by the fireplace with care...

A sweet little doves sits quietly on a pink velvet bow amidst crystal covered pines.

A new vintage deer and pine tree ornament cradled next to a mercury class candlestick holder.

Decor was kept very, very simple in the kitchen.

An antique bowl was filled with more vintage ornaments.

I added more crystals to the chandelier for some extra holiday sparkle,
and a small flocked fir takes center stage.

The snow swirled and blew past the windows on this cold wintry day...

and while my husband and Maizie trekked out to feed the deer in Apple Meadow behind the barn...

I stayed warm and cozy inside.

Heaven's Walk is ready to celebrate the reason for the season.





...And on earth...peace and goodwill to all....


~  Eucharisteo  ~

Linking to the linky parties on the lower right of my sidebar.

Autumn's Arrival

Autumn has arrived at Heaven's Walk

with falling jeweled toned leaves,

falling temperatures,

and, of course....falling rain.

Just a tease of what is yet to come, I'm sure.
We're in Michigan after all.

But after a solid week of cold, miserable, blustery rains,

we were blessed by the weak warmth of sunshine today
and the promise of a week ahead of Indian Summer
with not a drop of rain predicted.

HALLELUJAH & AMEN!

The sky is once again azure blue,

creating a gorgeous backdrop to the colorful trees outside my windows.
The winds have calmed from hurricane force,
and it's nice not to hear pelting rain on the rooftop.

So, since I was cooped up inside for the past seven days,
and since there is always something to here in this old farmhouse,

I tackled the disaster (that...ummm... I created) in my basement.

Now....I must tell you
that an area like this anywhere in my house

drives
me
insane.

No place to walk.
No place to work!

(and no...I am not a hoarder...)


There were a handful of things that needed some ASCP love
so that I could get them back to Doster Emporium to sell.
So, I dove right in.


A couple of stools that were originally ugly blue with tweed cushions
repainted, stenciled, and reupholstered
with drop cloth...

This sweet door was a treasure I brought home from the antique market.  I fell for the awesome patina.    Can you blame me...?  You'll see it later in this post, so keep reading.  The awesome desk behind the door is my next project.

A vintage wooden frame
swiped with three neutral colors...

ASCP colors:  Country Grey, Old White, Paris Grey, and Dark wax

A sweet little plant stand...

ASCP colors:  Old White, Paris Grey, Clear wax

A primitive wooden shelf...

ASCP colors:  Country Grey

A fancy little shelf....

[errrmmmm....sorry for the blur....] ASCP colors: Paris Grey, Old White, Country Grey, Dark wax

and a boring bench/table turned into a lovely thing
with a little French script...

ASCP color: Country Grey, Clear Wax.  (See the 'before' in the 2nd photo.)

While all that paint was drying in the basement,
I did some autumnal floofing in the kitchen and living room ~
keeping everything very neutral and serene.

I want to bring in as much Jeanne d'Arc influence into my home as I possibly can.

Vintage desk lamp, wicker cloche, square galvanized pots:  Allegan Antique Market

Hobby Lobby orange pumpkins painted white.

Vintage books: Allegan Antique Market

Faux myrtle tree from Arcadia Silk Co. which I plunked into one of the galvanized pots and covered with moss.

Sign I made from an old piece of decking.

Here's that sweet door!

Alabaster lamp and old cement pot:  Allegan Antique Market

Vintage light fixture plate I turned into a candle holder:  Allegan Antique Market

 Now....

I need to get outside and brave the cold temps
to store away the deck furniture,
clean out the pots of annuals,
empty the pond, vacuum it out, and refill it,

and of course,
 start blowing leaves...

my most favorite thing in the whole wide world.

[insert sarcasm, rolling eyes, and gagging here]

Maybe I'll pretend it's too cold
and just stay inside 


to do some more floofing....

{ Hugs }

Linking with the great parties on the lower right of my sidebar this week.
Just click on the buttons and nab some inspiring fall decorating ideas!!