Thursday, December 2, 2010

First SnOw!



We had our first snow last night...and it continued through the night. Floating snow, and as it fell on the ground, it glittered. Not much stacked up, maybe an inch, but it's an inch of magic we didn't have before.





And it made everything seem like Christmas...inside and out!





I had just finished decorating, so it was just the finishing touch I needed! The snow softens everything, makes the outdoors quieter, less harsh, and seems to make a home cozier and the cold more worthwhile somehow.






I thought I'd make an "early Christmas card" for you...I had to run out and snap some pictures when the snow was fresh. I get excited like a kid!





And with the snow I want to wish you a happy, peaceful, Christmas season...




A Christmas season that is chock full of the simple things that make this time of year so wonderful.

Somehow I've found it necessary this year to give myself permission to go much simpler; to decorate less and enjoy the Christmas season itself much more.

I don't know why, exactly, I thought I had to decorate every main room in the house, but it became more of a chore as the years went by. I gained stress about it and lost the beauty of the season. I was afraid my kids would only remember my lists and my frantic "must do" attitude...

It's so easy to do. It's so easy to think we have to do it all to keep up; to do "what's expected" when it's really only expectations we put on ourselves.

Despite the fact that there are wonderful and beautiful treasures in my attic that I really do adore and enjoy decorating my home with, I'm going to be forcing myself to stay away from that little attic door, and stop bringing them down one by one.

Instead I'm just going to enjoy this Christmas. How about you?


The First Snow
Eileen Spinelli

The first snow
falls
softly.
Suddenly,
moonlit children
spill across
the sidewalks
laughing.
Give me
your red-mittened hand.
We will join them.
The moon
will light
our faces too.
It is time that
we learn again
the play
and the magic
of peace
in that first snow
that falls.


****************************************************************


I am participating in VINTAGE INSPIRATION FRIDAYS on "Common Ground". If you would like to see more beautiful vintage decorating click on that link! At the end of her beautiful post, is a menu of links to other blogs that are participating!




Have fun! (But remember, you can just look, you don't have to add pressure to yourself to "do more, be more"...just be you and enjoy what you can and leave the rest!)




Thanks for stopping by!
xoxo
Joni


15 comments:

Dar said...

First snow is always welcome and it does soften the blow of winters bitterness. Enjoy the simpler Christmas. I found myself doing the same. Ha! I did the same thing with the old sled and skates. I hope you don't mind, but I would love to borrow the lantern idea, I have the perfect one.
BlessYourHeart

~from my front porch in the mountains~ said...

Joni, We had flurries this a.m. and I was so excited!

I have simplified my Christmas, too! I am just not going all out the house, but I did decorate the barn :) I am there more than the house sometimes!!

As always your home just looks beautiful....

Thank you for your recent comments. I really love your visits to my blog, friend!
xo, misha

aimee said...

What great photos Joni! Ahhh--I love the first snow of the season (and the second, third...)! Snow is so magical--it makes me feel like I am a child again:)

I like what you said about our expectations taking away from the blessing that is Christmas! It makes a lot of sense to me--I am planning on lots of baking(yum) and minimal decorations.

Blessings always, Aimee

samantha cabrera said...

Joni! Your farmhouse is gorgeous!Happy Holidays! xoxo

Kathie Truitt said...

I WISH I could make myself do the same thing, but I just love overdoing it.
Your home looks so cozy and warm - just like grandma's house.

★Carol★ said...

We're expecting 2-5 inches tonight, and I can't wait to see all of the decorations covered in snow!
Bless you for having the willpower to not go crazy with the Christmas decorating! I think blogging makes me decorate more, just because I like to share the things that I love with everyone. I think that if I didn't blog, alot of those things would stay in the boxes!
Happy Weekend!
Carol

Pam Kessler said...

I am going to have to take your advice to quit bringing Christmas decor downstairs. Every year I start out decorating "lite" and then before you know it it looks like Christmas has exploaded in the living room. Gotta stop and enjoy it.

Donna said...

First snowfalls of the season are so magical! I decided to quit stressing myself out and only put out a fraction of our decorations.

MelMel said...

What a cosy blog......I like the snow, but only if I'm tucked up at home.....no fun when it turns to ice....yikes!
:>)

Cindy Adkins said...

Hi Joni,
Wow, I love your home and your blog...so beautiful!!!
It is so nice to meet you. I want to wish you a wonderful holiday season!
XO

Cindy Adkins said...

Hi Joni,
I came back because I realized I forgot to become a follower!! And I also wanted to tell you that I love the sled on your porch--it is precious!
XO

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Just beautiful and a wonderful post! Thank you for sharing at Feathered Nest Friday! :)

Teresa said...

Snow is truly a magical thing. It makes everything beautiful and like you said, it softens the sounds and just makes everything cozy and peaceful.
Enjoy your snow, Joni!

Anonymous said...

Your first snow looks magical, fluttering down, soft and light..Beautiful photo of the Christmas tree and porch lights shining thru..just lovely.
luv Ann.xx

Debra@CommonGround said...

Hi Joni, I so agree with your attitude! I usesd to drive myself and everyone else crazy getting things decorated for Christmas. I alway ended up bent out of shape. Then I realized just a little was so much better! Thanks so much for a great post, and for joining in on VIF!
big hugs,
Debra