Sharing Shadymont, My Mountain Cottage

You've probably seen the old store counter jars that were once used in stores to hold peanuts, chips, cookies, etc.  My husband inherited one from his mother and it usually sits on a corner cabinet in the breakfast nook.  Last Christmas I sat it on the breakfast table filled with ornaments.  You can see that photo here . This year, I decided to do something else with it.  While rambling through some old decorations, I came across a lighted house, still in it's box.  I'm sure it has been here for years, and I've never used it. So, I put some shiny snow into the old jar, added the house, and here it is. Of course, I had to add a bottle brush tree. Then outside the jar, I added batting for more snow.  The snowmen/women remind me of carolers. I have it sitting on the bookcase. We are enjoying it this way. Think outside the box, and add interest to your vignettes by using vintage items in new ways. Sharing here: ...

Yesterday I awoke in the mood to 'tweak' my Christmas decor.  You see, I had declared myself "through"!!  When I said that, my husband laughed and said he knew that wasn't true, that I would keep decorating.  As is often the case, he was right.  I didn't put more decor out (not much, anyway), but started re-doing what I had already done.  I'm happy to report that it does look better. I'll show you some of my changes. I had originally set up a nativity set on the entry table, with my shutters, and burlap as the barn roof. It was o.k., but it didn't look like I wanted. So, I switched it out, and did this: I flipped the shutters around to the white side, moved my favorite candlestick to it, added a red candle, white ribbon, and ornament that reads "Welcome Friends", and added trees, as well as the Christmas table cloth. Sooooo much better!!  It sure brightened up the space, and looks cleaner. I switched ...