A Day Off, A Day Outside

Our 1847 porch with a little Christmas decor.
Toby on the farm hill above the house.

Irish and Blue, two of our trail horses.

Gabby the Brittany mischief maker.

Panama our old girl lab.

My daughter and son and their families.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Mantles at Christmas

Click on pictures to enlarge.

Christmas around the house includes our four mantles.

This is the kitchen where we spend much of our time.

The old cupboard has a tree my daughter made

for me at least a decade age; a real treasure. It is a good

place for the handmade sheep to graze.

Candles in the entry.

The dining room mantle has the traditional southern

magnolia and sugared fruit, layed below a primitive winter print.

A group of bottle brush trees in the dining room.

Poinsettias in the foyer.

The Al and Martha room mantle.

The master bedroom mantle with portrait I did of our

horse Blue in oils.

Vintage nativity in the living room

Storing gifts in the living room awaiting the grandchildren.

Yellowware and ironstone on the livingroom shelves.

A touch of Christmas on the sunporch piesafe.

Merry Christmas

From our house to yours.

May you celebrate Jesus,

the true reason for the season.

God bless you!

Carrell

Decorating the Al and Martha Room

School masters desk in the entryhall.
Fireplace in the Al & Martha room .

Click pictures to enlarge.

The entry hall sampler is in German and I never knew what it said until my stepson read it to me "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord". No coincidence it had chosen to hang it in the entry unware of what it said.


Painting the Al and Martha room

was a challenge with 14 ft. ceilings and 3 coats of paint on all the woodwork including crown moldings. I drug a 12' step ladder around and around the room.

My mother and my daughter's portraits hang beside the dresser.

A vintage tree candelabra sits on the heartside table. The tall bookcase secretary belonged to my great grandparents who had it built for their home in Louisville, Ky in the mid 1850's.
This has been a busy past few weeks. We had a nice visit from my stepson and his wife and baby. I was able to finish painting the Al and Martha room in time for the kids to stay in it. They loved it and thought it was a definite improvement. After 2 weeks with a cold, I am back to myself and bustling for Christmas. Posting some pictures of the redone room and a few holiday decorations.

Set the tree on the sunporch this year since that is where we spend out time. I put everything on the tree from graniteware to duck decoys.

Note the basket of pecans from our trees.

Christmas in Bell Buckle, TN

Recently I visited my friend Patti owner of Pinecone Hill Antiques in Bell Buckle, TN. Pinecone Hill features period antiques to cottage chic as well as accessories, homemade soaps, candles, linens, and wonderful locally made potpourri. A visit is not only a eye treat, but smells delicious too. Hope you enjoy this little photo tour, but if you decide to visit, you must plan a lunch at the renowned Bell Buckle Cafe, just two doors down. Patti would love it if you visit; she is a lovely lady, a wonderful friend, and knows how to treat you with southern hospitality. If you are traveling this Christmas, BB is only a 15 to 20 min. drive from Interstate 24 at Murfreesboro, TN. Call Patti for hours and directions, 931-389-9002. This weekend Dec 6 & 7 is Christmas in Bell Buckle with period dressed carolers going shop to shop, food, shop specials and all kinds of fun for the family. Go by to see Patti and tell her Carrell sent you!