~~ Christmas Greetings from the Foot of the Rockies ~~

Taking some time off this week to be with family and friends.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

~~ It's All in the (Vintage) Details ~~

"Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it."

-- Confucius

We've all heard the phrase "It's all in the details" but most of us are so busy 

it's easy to miss the beauty in those little things that fill our everyday lives. 

As the frantic holiday season is upon us, 

let's take a breath and try to savor those details before they slip away. 

In photography, as in painting, we must notice the details 

in our compositions for our pictures to work like . . . 

a candle in a twisted metal holder reflected in a mirror,

simple lines of a birdcage against a sheer curtain on a winter's day,

white flowers reflected in an oval mirror,

scalloped lace edging against a contrasting texture,

feathery seed heads on ornamental grasses in the winter sunshine,

brass and enamel knob on an old oak cabinet,

intricate designs on vintage silver,

delicate detail in a gesso mirror frame,

a preserved leaf in an old book,

and the way light and shadow play on a vintage metal stand.

When your families and loved one gather this season, 

take a moment to notice the smallest details of your life:

your mother's hands, a child's smile, snow floating by your window, 

the colors of the flames in your fireplace. 

Life is in the details.

What little things would you photograph for your composition? 

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you have a Merry Christmas!

Sharing with:

Rustic & Refined, Dwellings, Karen's up on the Hill, Between Naps on the Porch, Cozy Little House,

Coastal Charm, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, Bella Rosa Antiques, Elizabeth and Co.,

Savvy Southern Style, Knick of Time, Maison de Pax, Ivy & Elephants, From My Front Porch to Yours, Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson, A Delightsome Life, Northern Nesting, Adirondack Girl at Heart, Rooted in Thyme,  French Country Cottage, Creative Country Mom,

Shabby Art Boutique, My Romantic Home, The Cottage Market, Shabby Fu Fu, Thoughts from Alice

A Simple Vintage Christmas

I like to keep things understated for Christmas.

With vintage family ornaments and a few natural touches,
my decorations are simple and heartfelt.

The foyer gets a wintry revamp.

Some twinkly white lights, pine cones, silver ornaments 

and a feathered friend here and there bring the outdoors in.

I love how this vintage candelabra casts a double reflection in my front window. 

I remember these foil icicles from my childhood tree 

which we always decorated on Christmas Eve.

Adding a few chandelier crystals creates shimmer and movement.

Remember when we had to carefully place each individual icicle on the tree?

My sister made the tiny snowmen. Aren't they sweet?

What's under the tree is just as important as what's on it. 

A lace-trimmed bucket of bears, some new, some old 

including the one given to me the day I was born. 

Can you guess which one it is?

(Hint, it doesn't have any eyes!)

A box of toys for good little boys!

This little vignette on the living room mantle includes a vintage figurine 

and a silver ornament atop an old Boopie glass turned upside down.

White and silver on the coffee table.

The dining room mantle features a silver horse bookend

and some snow-dabbed greenery and red berries.

A little touch of Austria graces the china cabinet.

A simple centerpiece on a milkglass cake stand with some jelly-jars to hold candles

adds a warm glow to the dining table. 

On the front porch, a weathered ladder forms a festive backdrop

for a wreath and an old pickling crock. 

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas

with family, loved ones and furry friends.

Sharing with:  Dwellings, Rustic & Refined, Karen's up on the Hill, Between Naps on the Porch,

Cozy Little House, Coastal Charm, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, Bella Rosa Antiques,

Elizabeth and Co., Savvy Southern Style, Knick of Time, Maison de Pax, Ivy & Elephants,

From My Front Porch to Yours, Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson, A Delightsome Life, 

Northern Nesting, Adirondack Girl at Heart, Meadow Lake Road, Rooted in Thyme, Charm of Home,

French Country Cottage, Creative Country Mom, Shabby Art Boutique, My Romantic Home, 

The Cottage Market, Shabby Fu Fu, Thoughts from Alice

Winter White -- First Snow!

About four inches of fluffy white snow fell on our street overnight and turned everything white --

 my favorite color!
I thought I'd venture outside early this morning and take a few pictures of this magical landscape.

Saint Francis looks like he's wearing a white scarf and hat in this tranquil corner of the garden.

I feel like I should whisper in his presence. 

Even in winter, the sun shines in a cornflower blue sky almost every day, 

and, at a mile-high, the snow usually doesn't stick around for long. 

So, I rushed outside before the snow was all gone.

The contrasting textures of a metal lantern, a rusty nail and an old juniper post 

form a perfect backdrop for freshly-fallen snow. 

It wasn't a heavy snow . . . 

just enough to accent the forms and shapes in the garden. 

This long-needled pine gets me in the mood for Christmas!

A dusting of snow clings to this rusty metal arch in my side garden 

as the sky begins to show signs of blue. 

A weathered juniper arch with a blanket of snow anchors the wildflower garden 

as more blue sky peeks through the clouds. 

The sun has broken through. Soon, the snow will be all gone.

I'm sure it will snow again this winter but that first snow is always special,

turning my world into a private snowglobe.
Happy December!

Sharing with:  Rustic & Refined, Dwellings, Karen's up on the Hill, Between Naps on the Porch,
Cozy Little House, Coastal Charm, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, Bella Rosa Antiques,
Elizabeth and Co., Savvy Southern Style, Knick of Time, Maison de Pax, Ivy & Elephants,
From My Front Porch to Yours, Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson, A Delightsome Life, Northern Nesting, Adirondack Girl at Heart, Meadow Lake Road, Rooted in Thyme, Charm of Home,
French Country Cottage, Creative Country Mom, Shabby Art Boutique, My Romantic Home,
The Cottage Market, Shabby Fu Fu, Thoughts from Alice, Casa Watkins