Hi everyone! I was so hoping for a little bit of snow before I took outdoor photos, but this year it feels more like a tropical Christmas! My husband is perfectly happy with this weather. I want to share one of our porches and the most beautiful evergreens my mom brought me!
I remember my grandmother always making swags of Balsam pine and white pine tied with a very effortless-looking red ribbon, so I use those a lot myself, although I am not as good at the ribbon tying!
I have used a sled my grandfather made many years ago along with a garden basket filled with fresh greenery. The lantern is a vintage Southern railroad lantern one of two found here on the property. Balsam is 3,315 feet above sea level, and the highest standard gauge railway east of the Rocky Mountains crosses here. The Asheville to Murphy branch of the Southern Railway was constructed through Balsam Gap in the mid-1880s.
The plaid coat was my grandmother’s and I wear it frequently.
Notice in the background the little guest house…
The sign was on my great grandfather’s house I featured Friday…
This beautiful candy cane was made by a dear friend of my mom in Mountain City, Tennessee at Forge Creek Farm! This is just one of several that she brought back.
I am loving the red doors this season! These wreaths are just some faux ones I bought several years ago. I hang wreaths on all the windows.
Here are evergreens in the shape of a cross from Forge Creek Farm. I saw this on their facebook page first and fell in love with it. I have never seen anything like this! It is so beautiful and lush in person. I will post contact info for them at the end.
The cross inspired me to put a nativity underneath…
I also tucked bunches of fresh greenery in the candle sconces.
A few night pics…
These were taken before I finished with the red ribbon and the greenery on the sconces.
A few random shots…
I cannot be here at Christmas without thinking about and missing my “Granddaddy and Isabelle Knight.” I am surrounded with things that belonged to them, and they bring back so many precious memories. Knowing that I am walking where they walked, enjoying the land and things they loved is such a blessing and brings so much joy to me.
Thank so much for letting me share those memories with you:-)
Please go by and check out Forge Creek Farm and more beautiful wreaths at their facebook page:
Thanks for stopping by!!
Anita
I’ll be joining:
and
Your porch is absolutely gorgeous, Anita! All the greenery is so beautiful. The Christmas red looks fabulous with your new red accents on the trim and porch. Thanks for sharing your wonderful memories with us! We're enjoying this wonderful weather, as well. We really wanted to head up your way for a weekend before Christmas, but it will have to wait until after.
Anita, this is absolutely stunning!! The cross and the candy cane are amazing!!! You have done an awesome job with your home this season! I am awestruck each time I visit! I love the warmth and sentimentality in your posts! I wish I could see it in person…I know it is just stunning!
You did wonderful with your porch, Anita…it is just beautiful dressed up in the greenery and red ribbon! Lit up, it looks magical!
Thanks for such a sweet post! Happy Holidays!
XO,
Jane
Dear Anita, This post put a big smile on my face.
Just LOVELY!!!
Have a very Merry Chritmas,
d
The key word 'absolutely' is necessary here, absolutely beautiful, breathtaking. I have never seen a porch decorated like this. Ever. xo
oh i can close my eyes and smell the balsam what a wonderful display i love the candycane and cross and the nativity set is awsome not many people do them any more .I think a lot of people forget its Christs birthday not just presant giving .It sure looks like Christmas outside to me .You can always get a can of snow lol warm hugs Linda and many christmas blessing to you and your family:)
Anita your porch looks GORGEOUS!! Love the night shots and I love the evergreen cross! Martina
I love your traditonal Christmas decorations on the front porch. It looks so beautiful! The old sled reminds me of one we have that was used to take the milk cans to the roadside stand for pick up 'back in the day' on the farm. Wonderful post! Blessings to you for a very happy Christmas. Hugs, Pamela
wow that was one of the best posts I have seen!! I kept sighing with joy as I looked at these pictures. Just awesome!!
Your porch looks so pretty, Anita! It is quite striking at night with the lights lit. Love lots of different things you've used here like the sign and that lovely plaid.
So beautiful Anita…really this could be in a Christmas story book setting. I love everything! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Everything is so beautiful. I so wish I had a nice big porch to decorate. Love the evergreen candy cane and the cross!!
Your porch is just wonderful, it's so welcoming! I love all the greenery and your antique pieces. The sled is fabulous!
I so appreciate your stopping by my blog and your kind comments about my "box"! I have shown yours to everyone I know and they love it just as I do.
Anita, your porch looks beautiful!!! I love the candy cane and the cross greens!!!! The little Nativity is beautiful and I love the creche. Wishing you a truly blessed Christmas. OH! I have some family who live in Mountain City, Tn.!!!!! XO, Pinky
Beautiful! I love seeing your porch, especially at this time of year. Your wreaths are so wonderful. I love the candy cane and the cross! I bet it smells just divine on your porch right now too!
This is a just crazy, over-the-top warm and pretty porch, Anita. Love every detail, including the red on the columns–looks like it's paint, but now I want to do it with wide ribbon on my porch columns! I went to follow you and found I'm already following–I like what you have here! Please visit me sometime. Blessings to you and yours. ~Zuni
This is absolutely stunning! I love nostalgia during the holidays. Very cute sled!
Oh, my! Just gorgeous! I have never seen a prettier porch! Stunning!
Let me just say; beautiful porch, the greens are stunning. I specially love the sleigh vignette.
Happy Holidays.
Michele
What a beautiful front porch! You've decorated it perfectly to go with the style of your house. I love all the rustic features and the lush greenery. You haven't missed a thing! I know you must enjoy sitting out there (depending on the weather).
I just voted you "Best Porch" in the virtual home decorating tour I'm having in my head. I love it.
What a lovely decoration, made with love!
♥ Franka
Hey there, dear Anita. Your porch needs to be a magazine feature! Your home is just wonderful and I love hearing about your grandmother and the plaid coat! thanks so much for linking up to VIF, and sharing all the inspiration. Have a great Christmas Week, xo
It's absolutely gorgeous Anita! So beautiful and festive. I wish we could smell the pictures because I'm sure the scent is just lovely.
I agree, your porch should be in Home Beautiful or some other decorating magazine. I love it all, but especially the beautiful cross in Christmas greenery and the nativity. I've never thought to put a nativity on the porch, but I might just be copying this one!
Your blog is beautiful!
Oh to live in the country in a gorgeous home like yours –What a dream!
Merry Christmas Anita! I am looking at this listening to you in that last post. You have a fantastic voice! Such a pretty version on O' Holy Night. This porch is gorgeous! May you and your family have many blessings over the Holidays!
Sherry
I loved seeing your porch, Anita! It is so cozy & comforting. the manger scene on the bench just sets the stage. Merry Christmas!!!
Your porch is an eye to behold with the beautiful greenery and red ribbons! Absolutely beautiful! Visiting from Common Ground. How could you not have a Merry Christmas in such a beautiful setting!!!
WOW – your porch is so welcoming! Can I come over?! I see you are a thrift store lover like me! Glad I found you. Following along.
Kelly
Beautiful decor … The porch looks soo inviting… !! love the idea of hanging wreaths on all the windows… !!!
Wish you and your family a Merry Christmas !!