Natural Beauty. . .

I am so excited to be doing a Nature inspired post to share with Tracie at  Fishtail Cottage for our ‘Creating Christmas’ blog party.

I hope that you will come and share your Vintage Christmas décor with me on Thursday.

Welcome to the Olson’s Christmas Cottage!  Hubby made the sign and I painted it.

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Did you notice the gift that Mother Nature blessed us with this morning?  Freshly fallen snow.  I guess she wanted to come to the party too!

I adore nature so I decided that I would use that as a theme for my front porch.

Every year, clippers in hand I take a jaunt to my FIL’s home to trim boughs of pine from his trees.  When I mentioned that I did that to one of my friends, Nana Diana.  I said that “I was doing him a favor, don’t you think?”  She replied, “Yes, I’m surprised you don’t charge him for it”.  She made me laugh!

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Birds are one of Nature’s most precious creations. They bring  joy with their sweet songs. I filled both the top and inside of my green cupboard with birds, .

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A bird peeking out of an old lunch pail.

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One perched by some pinecones I brushed with Modge Podge and sprinkled with Epsom salts for a snowy effect.  See the tiny bird sitting on the branch of that metal tree?

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Pumpkins saved from Halloween got a dusting of gold.

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PicMonkey Collage

Love doves sit upon sunflower seeds inside their cage.  A jar full of seeds to sprinkle now and then for our fine feathered friends that are brave enough to endure Winter.

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A Moss wreath holds a real birds nest.  Hubby wanted to know why I needed another door on my porch when I already had a front door.  Men, they just don’t get it. lol!

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More pinecones with snow.

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A gazing ball in my bird bath resting upon boughs of pine.

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Right about now you may be thinking, according to Webster’s Dictionary definition; that’s no cottage.

cot·tage

n.

1. A small, single-storied house, especially in the country.

2. A small vacation house.

Well, I read somewhere that cottage was more a way of living than the actual size of the home.  Honest, I did!  That’s my story and I’m stickin to it.

And really, when we were looking for a new home I did want a single storied house.  Just couldn’t find one I liked.  That ought to count for something. Hee-hee!

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Cottage or not, I’m loving that snow!

Hugs,

Jann

I will also be sharing with:

Santa button 2

Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Cowgirl Up

Cozy Little House for Tweak it Tuesday

Knick of Time Tuesday

Kathe with an e for You're Gonna Love it Tuesday

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday

Lavender Garden Cottage for Cottage Style Party

Wilderness Wife for Wicked Good Wednesday

All Star Block Party

Rose Chintz Cottage for HOME

From my Front Porch to Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday

Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home

32 comments

Unknown said...

HOMEY, WELCOMING AND GORGEOUS!

Sandy said...

A bit of snow always makes the Holidays even brighter.. I miss it this time of year but I don't miss the cleanup...
Love your little Cottage no matter how big it is.
Happy Holidays
Sandy

NanaDiana said...

I think Cottage is a FEELING myself~ I see that you used my name in vain here (Nana Diana)...lol...oh sure...tell ALL my secrets! I am so glad you got some snow- we got our first snow last night, too.

The first gal that commented on your blog today...that is my ex-sister-in-law and she is crazier than I am...shhhh...wouldn't want that to get around~
Blessings to you- Everything looks absolutely beautiful, Jann....but I expected no less- xo Diana

Julie Marie said...

Love it all Jann... but it is sooo cold here tonight, don't you think?... your porch looks so cute with all your treasures from Nature... I can just hear Nana Diana saying that too!... she is a hoot!... and I too think that cottage is a state of mind, just like farmhouse or bungalow or whatever you want to call home... and your cottage is just delightful!... xoxo Julie Marie

Carlene @ Organized Clutter said...

I love it all. The bird cage, bird seed, lunch box bird, the "extra" door. All of it!

Susan said...

Love the bird cage and the birds! I think Nana Diana has the sweetest personality and she is so darn funny.
Love your decorations they are so inviting.

Yolanda Renée said...

Beautiful, just beautiful!

Pamela Gordon said...

You have lots of great decorating ideas on your front porch Jann. I love that old door! We had snow today too, then freezing rain. messy!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

You really have a pretty porch to decorate! And the snow is the perfect setting! I love that big lantern with the pine cones!

Kris said...

LOVE that sign!! And I love your holiday goodies, everywhere! And I really love that fresh snow!!!
How jolly!!!
xo Kris

Maureen Wyatt said...

Even if calling that lovely home a cottage is a bit of a stretch, it looks wonderful all decked out for Christmas with cottagy accents!

Micupoftea said...

What a treat for family and friends when they arrive...a welcoming porch. Love the bird cage and seed! Have a wonderful Tuesday :)
Shawn

The Farmers Daughter said...

Jann! I've always loved your porch and the cupboard there but I truly love your Christmas decor! It is perfect for the season. I'm so glad you shared how to put "snow" on the pine cones--great idea! I bought some of the spray snow--sure didn't work very well. Your method looks wonderful.
Christmas Hugs,
Dru

Lorena said...

Hi Jann!!! everythings looks so nice!!!!!! love it!!!

Anonymous said...

Please send us (in Virginia) some of that snow on December 24 cuz I'm dreamin' of a white Christmas! Now then, I am in love with your bird house and birds, the natural theme, just perfect for a front porch. I wish I'd thought of that! Haha, just kidding, it really does tickle my fancy, I'm feeding the birds this year (first time ever) and loving every minute of their beauty. Thanks for sharing at Cozy Little House, I linked over from there. Mary

ImagiMeri said...

Okay, I'm jealous now because I'd never be able to put that much good stuff on my front porch without someone stealing it. Cottage is a frame of mind sweet lady, so whatever the size of the house.....it doesn't matter.

Happy Holidays,
Meri

Mimi@blueroofcabin said...

Loving your "cottage". Your front porch looks fabulous. Love all the rustic furniture and snowy pine cones. So jealous you got snow ;)

Chenille Cottage said...

Home Tweet Home! Oh, Jann....I've had such fun searching each one of your photos to make sure I don't miss a single darling detail. What a delight and isn't God amazing...He dusted everything with His very own powdery sugar just in time for your photo shoot.
I love it all and I love you, too!
Merry Merry Christmas, my dear friend!
Hugs,
Carolynn xoxo

Ky said...

Mom. I love this post!!! That sign is amazing. Your creativity is so amazing. And it made me smile ear to ear to see my door on the porch. I am glad it is getting some good use.

Debra at HOMESPUN: http://www.thehomespun.com said...

Everything is so pretty, Jann! No snow here and it's pretty weird...by now we should have had something.
( western Pa / Climate Change report :)

Fran. said...

Jann I just LOVE your porch!! I had to laugh when I saw the jar of bird seed!! My squirells would have that top off in a heart beat!! They amaze me at what they can do!! LOL Your birds are so beautiful!! And the frame with the nest is awesome. I also like the little hanger with the bird on it. Oh I love it all!! Thanks for sharing your cozy cottage porch!! and home!! I have been enjoying the tour!! XOXO Love Fran.

Sandy said...

Yes, I believe cottage is a way of life! I live in a 1950's ranch and it's my cottage for now (until I find my dream home). I love your outdoor decor and really like the sign in front of your home. Love the bird cage too.

Rhonda's Favorites and Flops said...

Another amazing sign by your husband. I would all your about decorations.

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

So many cute details and the sign is lovely. Loving your special gift of snow. We miss that in sunny California.

Sandy said...

Hi Jann,'

Thanks so much for coming to visit and a big thanks for becoming a follower. Now that I'm retired for a year I'll have more time to blog. I'm following you back. I had to laugh about the red wall. I love pops of color and love the red wall but it makes it difficult to decorate at times. It looks great at Christmas time!

Doll in the Looking Glass said...

Love the pops of red on your natural porch. It might be a bit chilly, but that wicker chair and pillow look so inviting to sit and watch your birds!

Debra

A Joyful Cottage said...

Oh, Jann! I just LOVE everything you did. I laughed out loud over the comment you made about your door and how men just don't get it. (God bless 'em. We love them anyway, don't we?) You never cease to amaze me with your sense of style and creativity. Coming to your blog is like sitting in my comfy chair with my favorite home magazine. Beautiful photos. I never tire of it. (I have to worn you, though, I do have my eye on those fabulous timeworn ornaments next to the little tin with the pinecones on the red shelf. If you find them missing, you'll know where to look.)

A Joyful Cottage said...

P.S. Jann. I completely agree about "cottage" being a way of living. And you, my friend, have a cottage life. Blessings.

Kristen Pare said...

Jann, thank you for the sweet comments on my little blog and now a follower too! Nice to meet you. I am loving your beautiful home and the natural theme! so inviting. Merry Christmas, Kris

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Jann, your place is looking very festive. Love the sign you and your hubby did. I like the bird bath with the boughs and gazing ball in it too; pretty!
As for snow, I would love for it never to come our way! Pretty but not nice for my hubby to have to work out in. Can be hazardous to one's health up here in Atlantic Canada. Thanks for joining me at my HOME and have a lovely weekend.

Christmas blessings,
Sandi

Karie said...

Ah, I love it all. So envious of a good sized porch though. (sigh), mine is small and hard to decorate. You live in a wonderful place, I am just over the west mountains from you. Hugs, Karie

Butterfly 8)(8 Bungalow said...

I love your family sign!

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