Oh my GOD. This didn't work out. This didn't work out at all. That whole plan I had to get everything done by the beginning of December? Well ... I got everything done I wanted to. And then I stopped.
Being so prepared for Christmas so early lulled me into a false sense of security. There's less than a week to go until Christmas and I still haven't baked a single cookie, made a gingerbread house or knit my cats coordinating leisure suits.
I have no idea how this happened. The cats are gonna be really disappointed.
What does all of this have to do with you? Why do you care? Because. I've lost my words. It's the stress of the holidays. My words are gone. For example, just moments ago I tried to think of the words "niece and nephew" but all I could come up with was "cats". I don't think it changed the meaning of my sentence too much, so it's O.K., but it could 'cause problems in other sentences.
Because of this, in order to maintain my sanity I've decided this week the posts will have few words. It will be wordless week. Kind of. I mean, not really because here I am spewing words.
But that's it. No more with the words.
I have all holiday stuff all the time this week for you starting with the backyard urns and general festive outdoor Christmas decorating. Plus there's a chicken or two.
What there isn't is snow. There's no snow. A minuscule amount perhaps, but not much. I've been sitting inside, diligently checking The Weather Network for signs of snow. There has been no snow. I waited and waited to take my backyard pictures until there was snow because snow looks nice. But there's no snow.
Even without the snow, I still think it's refrigerator. I hope you think so too.
You don't need a lot of money or a lot of sparkly crap (though I do love sparkly crap) to decorate for winter. Other than some pine boughs, most of what I used was stuff from my backyard. A peach basket, some firewood and pinecones. Done.
And a chicken. A chicken always adds to the festive feel of a backdoor.
For extra special occasions use gel fuel candles inside the glass holiday urn hurricanes.
To add a bit more zing, zang and interest to my planters I walked around the bakcyard until I found some squiggly sticks that fell from my tree and shoved those in. The rope you see here is stuff I stole from my local garden centre when I was buying my pine boughs. I just took it. I stole it and I took it home. Granted, it was all cut up into pieces and strewn about the ground. Still. It was very rebellious of me. Nothing like the time I broke out of prison, but pretty bold nonetheless.
More stolen rope, pinecones and sticks. And a rusty planter. The fella was furious I posted this picture. The weathered urn bothers him. He likes perfect. I like imperfect. Hence we're a perfect match really.
It really is a warm welcome for unexpected guests.
For the majority of the season, I have battery operated pillar candles that come on and go off every night at the same time, in the glass hurricanes I made. For Christmas Eve, when my entire family comes over ... I'll pull out the big guns for the planters.
Pretty. I still think it's pretty. Please disregard any reference to large appliances in upcoming posts.
Dru
you inspired my husband too. he went a little crazy when a neighbor offered juniper..i requested urns instead i got sideburns and eyebrows
http://www.sunnysidedru.com/2011/12/too-much-time-in-disneyworld.html
Karen
LOL! OmG. That's an aggressive door decoration! I love it. ~ karen
Dru
he's just a tad OCD when given a task..using this as evidence..
Jen
That's why my front step doesn't have that festive feel. I need a chicken.
kelliblue
i feel ya, hon. at least you put forth the effort to decorate (and quite beautifully, might i add, it's all mighty refrigerator!). this year i'm not feeling very 'urn-est.' a mere 4 days before the BIG EVENT, and i lack both the energy and the will to do any shopping, wrapping, shipping, ho ho ho-ing or merrymaking (perhaps i just need more christmas 'spirits!?'). so bah. humbug. festivus.
Alicia
I think it's gorgeous! Love the chicken too. LOL
Why do we do this to ourselves every year? Piling things on ourselves that we feel we have to get done for Christmas and then feeling disappointed when we don't?
Looking forward to your post on Wednesday!
Barbie
It all looks gorgeous and so very refrigerator! You are such a fun way to start every morning! Merry Christmas!
Karen
Thanks Barbie! ~ k!
marilyn
love those urns w the candles inside...maybe next year
Karen
Marilyn - They're sooooo easy to make. SO easy! ~ karen
Susan
Very pretty! Good going! You really are very creative! I have tried to photograph my girls for creative pics too but the little suckers won't stay still! Ha! Hence the tiny bit of scratch! Very clever! I just finished my shopping and it wouldn't be Christmas eve around here if I didn't do my wrapping. So maybe I will redo my urns! Since it is so mild my branches all fell out! ...story of my life!
Anemone
Yup! Been checking every weather program...weather apps all over every front screen...hoping somebody made a mistake and they suddenly say its gonna snow...It's so hot these days...Anyway...i love those planters and just the whole outdoor décor. The chicken really added a lil something extra. It looks pretty during the day too.
Teresa
So where's the chicken poo? I too have Rhode Island Hens free ranging in the yard, and I always seem to be cleaning up "poo" and putting it in the composter :(
Karen
Teresa - Oh I clean up my fair share of poo. I actually haven't been letting the chickens out of their run. I let them out for a half hour every once in a while now. Their photo shoot was such an example. :) And I even noticed they didn't poop very much. Good eye. :) ~ karen!
Katie King
I was just going to ask about the poo, too! Woo Hoo! ...and that's all.
Julia
I've been obsessively checking the weather, too! Boston is bone-dry... and pretty warm some days. Christmas MUST have snow -- oy!
Steve@UrbanCottage
That's what my holiday decor is missing! Chickens! I've got to get me some chickens.
Not sure why you don't have 100 comments. You're very entertaining!
Karen
Steve - That's exactly what I was thinking. Actually ... today was a bit of a screw around with 2 posts and a power outage and ... well lots of things. Plus ... who has time to comment on blogs when Christmas is in a week?! Glad you found the site! Good luck with the chicken hunt. ;) ~ karen
sera
I definitely should have read this post before I threw all the branches I trimmed from our tree in the compost bin. although because I never did vow to have everything done by dec. 4 and I still don't have a lot done, I wouldn't have gotten around to decorating outside anyway. I do have a wreath on the door, but I also have a bunch of dead plants including large tomato plants adorning my front. no lights. I am behind again this year.
Paula
Rusty planter, stolen rope, pine cones, sticks, what's not to love? It IS perfect. Perfectly imperfect!
Marie
Very nice. I don't usualy decorate the outside but we don't have snow either so I feel like I need to do something. I really like the battery operated pillar candles inside the glass hurricanes.
Eddie
I love your winter pots, and all of your winter decor. I feel you too, "where is the snow?" I do a lot of winter pots at my house and for my clients and even tell people " Oh wait till it snows,this will look great" It's kinda weird to photograph winter pots with a green lawn in the background.
Nic
You said it for yourself and I'm sure about 500 people are also gonna say it, but ta hell with it! I'm gonna be one of them.
Pretty.
Frappin' gorgeous, in fact.
Melissa Haight
oh, and you didn't include baking in the schedule, so i haven't done that either. will they notice?
Karen
Melissa - I have a REALLY quick "goodie" recipe coming up on Wednesday. Fast, Easy, Impressive. Don't worry about baking ... do what I'm posting on Wednesday instead. :) ~ karen
Melissa Haight
lol! i was wondering how your plan went. i had all my christmas cards in hand by the 4th (the card weekend, if i remember correctly), but today is find those darned lost address days. will they get their cards by christmas? oh, and the family gift exchange.... yeah, a little of a delay on that. can't control other people, you know.
lori
man I wish i just had 1/2 of your talent when it comes to decorating ! love your front door/porch
Sandy
LOL! I feel your pain. I really do. It's very pretty & refrigerator & it's been "chicken approved". That's all that matters.