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And the Soul Felt It’s Worth

December 22, 2017

Merry Christmas dear friends! This will be my last blog post before the big day and I’m so thrilled to be joining a group of authors to bring you some encouragement for your hearts AND an awesome giveaway as we honor the true meaning of Christmas. Now, sit back, take a deep breath, exhale and let these words wash over you today. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We stood in the hallway outside the third grade classroom door afraid to speak to each other, waiting for what felt like an eternity. Behind that closed door, the future of our stage careers was being determined by a room full of 9 year olds and the enormity of the moment had rendered us all silent. Or perhaps we just hoped that if we didn’t talk, somehow we would manage to hear a snippet of what was happening inside.

Only 5 minutes earlier, I had been sitting at my desk when my teacher announced that our class would be putting on a production of ‘Mother Goose’. She asked that all those who would be interested in playing the lead part raise their hands. I can’t say what exactly possessed me at that moment, but before I realized what was happening my hand shot up along with those of three others around the room. All eyes turned in my direction and I instantly regretted my implusiveness. We were told to go wait out in the hallway so that the class could vote for the winner without us seeing who voted for whom and thereby avoiding any hurt feelings.

[Read more…]

32 Comments Filed Under: Book, Christmas, Devotionals, Faith, Holidays Tagged With: devotional, God

Your Turn to Shine!

December 19, 2017

Can you even believe that we are less than a week away from the big day? At our house there is a flurry of cookie baking, present wrapping, movie watching and (hopefully!) some napping at some point!

A couple of weeks ago, I asked a question on the At the Picket Fence Facebook page that garnered a TON of attention. All I asked was to see your Christmas trees and boy did you guys blow me away! Not only did I love seeing all of your beautiful and creative decorations, it warmed my heart to see the interaction happening there with compliments and kind words being given out like candy canes.

[Read more…]

3 Comments Filed Under: Christmas, Community, Decorating, Good Ideas, Holidays

Take Your Mantel From Fall to Christmas

December 13, 2017

I know, I know, it’s kind of late in the game to be sharing with you how I transitioned my mantel from Fall to Christmas, but maybe you still haven’t decorated your mantel for Christmas (I KNOW there are a few of you out there!) or maybe you want to tuck the ideas away for next year, or maybe you’re just going to enjoy the reassurance that you aren’t the only one who is trying to do things as simply and cost effectively as possible in your home.

[Read more…]

8 Comments Filed Under: Christmas, Decorating, Good Ideas, Holidays Tagged With: Christmas, Christmas decorating

Winter Decorating in the Dining Room

December 6, 2017

A few years ago, as I began to decorate for Christmas, I had a glorious ah-hah moment. One might even call it an epiphany. Get it…epiphany…Christmas….I can never resist the opportunity for a good pun!

ANYWAY, as I began to clear off surfaces and psyche myself up to head into the attic for the bins of decorations, I realized that I was feeling this sense of dread. It wasn’t that I didn’t look forward to having the Christmas decor around the house, it was knowing that I would be doing all of that work only to take it down so soon afterwards.

[Read more…]

19 Comments Filed Under: Christmas, Decorating, Good Ideas, Holidays Tagged With: Christmas, Christmas decorating, dining room

Simple Christmas Front Porch Decorating

November 29, 2017

I think the front porch is like a little sneak peek at what awaits you inside a home. And this year, my sneak peek reflects a look that is a tad bit more simple and a little less fussy.

[Read more…]

9 Comments Filed Under: Christmas, Holidays Tagged With: Christmas, Christmas front porch

Christmas Home Tour 2017

November 28, 2017

Welcome, welcome dear friends! My halls are decked and ready for you to come inside and make yourself at home. I’m so thrilled to be apart of the Jennifer Rizzo Holiday Housewalk again this year!

You will not want to miss all of the beautiful homes in this tour so be sure to start at the very beginning and catch up on all of the holiday eye candy. Click the image below to get started!

And if you are joining me from taking the tour of my dear friend Shannon’s gorgeous home, you did not have to travel far because we both have the privilege of residing in the beautiful state of Oregon.

You know, every year when I begin to decorate my home for Christmas, I am absolutely flooded with feelings of nostalgia. With each box that is pulled from the attic, I’m transported to another place in time.

There are the four stockings I bought when we were only a family of three but my heart longed and prayed for a sweet girl and by the very next Christmas she had arrived and that extra stocking was put to good use.

Elegant French Country Inspired Christmas Entry

[Read more…]

59 Comments Filed Under: Celebrations, Christmas, Decorating, Good Thoughts, Holiday Blogger Block Party, Holidays, Home Tour Tagged With: Christmas, Christmas decor, Christmas home tour

Cozy Home Decor Gift Ideas

November 24, 2017

Hello everyone, and Happy Thanksgiving from redheadcandecorate.com. It’s hard to believe that we are entering the holiday season, but here I am in my fuzzy slippers (as small snow flakes fall from the sky) and straight across the table from me in our family room is our Christmas tree 1/2 decorated 😆 . You see, we decided to put the tree up a bit early this year, and it really has added that “cozy warm” feeling that we all crave when it turns cold outside. I truly believe that is one of the reasons Christmas trees are so enjoyable to have in our home. They add a warm cozy comforting atmosphere that is difficult to achieve otherwise. Now, although I can’t send you my cozy Christmas tree…I can recommend a few simple ideas, tips and products to help bring the cozies into your home. You might also notice that the household items I have chosen below would also make amazing gifts this holiday season.

I know most of you probably enjoy a nice cup of coffee, right? In fact I bet you could go for a cup right now 😆 . Well, I couldn’t help but start out things today with this colorful coffee cup tower that received a lot of attention in our “Colorful Family Room Makeover“. My daughter uses them for soup, too. Can you spot them in the back right corner?

*** Some of the links in this post may contain affiliate links for your convenience. Read full disclosure policy here.

[Read more…]

2 Comments Filed Under: Christmas, Decorating, Good Ideas, Holidays

How to Make a Hot Cocoa Bar in 10 Steps

November 17, 2017

I’ve noticed a trend happening over the past few years. When it comes to decorating for Christmas, I always start with the hot cocoa bar.

Maybe it’s because my kids ask me umpteen times when it will make it’s appearance. Maybe it’s because I feel like I can set it up before Thanksgiving without people getting all judge-y and thinking that if I have even a hint of Christmas before turkey day I’m breaking some kind of sacred rule.

Because hot cocoa is really just winter-y right?!

Or, maybe it’s because dragging out the trees and the garlands and the lights always feels so daunting so starting with this one little area gently eases me into the season.

It’s simple and sweet…pun intended.

[Read more…]

3 Comments Filed Under: Celebrations, Christmas, Decorating, Desserts, Good Ideas, Holidays Tagged With: Christmas, Christmas decorating

DIY Chalkboard Leaf Napkin Rings

November 8, 2017

Well, my friends, apparently I don’t totally stink on camera because I was invited back for the 6th (what??!) time to share a craft live on the air on the Portland based AM Northwest show! This time it was to share my chalkboard leaf napkin rings.

[Read more…]

10 Comments Filed Under: Autumn, Book, Crafts, Good Ideas, Holidays, Thanksgiving Tagged With: fall, fall crafts, fall decor, Thanksgiving

Simple Christmas Ideas and Inspiration

November 4, 2017

I ease myself into Christmas.

I love it so, SO much but I can’t just jump right into blasting Jingle Bells and draping garland on every surface. I’ll admit that I do start listening to Christmas music before Thanksgiving but I start out with just soft instrumental versions before heading into the more hard-core stuff. Easing into it.

I also ease into the decorating. By virtue of being a blogger, it all has to be done on the earlier side but I just can’t bring myself to head into the attic the day after Halloween to drag out the bins of holiday decor while repeatedly banging my head on the rafters (happens every.single.time!).

Instead, I like to take my time looking at magazines and Pinterest and glancing around the rooms of my house, imagining how I will tackle this corner or that tabletop. Easing.

[Read more…]

4 Comments Filed Under: Christmas, Good Ideas, Holidays, Recipes Tagged With: Christmas, Christmas decorating

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