I have met some incredible people while in blog land and have even been blessed to meet some in person (you know who you are, Michelle).
Besides getting to know you all, I've gotten some wonderful inspiration for projects.
That being said, I'm having a give away to celebrate my 100th post and looking for some inspiration as well.
Tonight will be our first sub-freezing night this fall, so my giveaway has to do more with cold weather comfort than the fall season we are currently enjoying.
We even had flurries blowing around this afternoon already!
It's still October for petes sake!
Included in this giveaway are 3 half-yard cuts of homespun, a set of 6 snowman note cards, a wonderful smelling votive made by my sister, and a jar of Fireside Coffee(decaf) mix and a corn bag made by me.
Corn bag? What in the world is a corn bag?
Let me tell you it's the best thing since sliced cornbread!
It's a microwaveable hot pack and no, the corn does not pop when heated. I get asked that question the most. The bag is filled with field corn. Just pop it in the microwave for 2 minutes and you have the best heat pack around. It holds heat a nice long time and when I get a sinus headache, the only thing that will usually knock it out is to go to bed with the "corn bag" on my face.
Now here's the catch to my giveaway...
I, in a weak moment, agreed to be part of a local Christmas housewalk held the first weekend in December. This housewalk benefits the American Cancer Society which is a cause near and dear to me as 25 years ago next week, I lost my Mom to cancer.
However on the upside, I am a cancer survivor.
My mother-in-law, sister, sister-in-law and niece are all survivors too! Praise God!
I have a good friend who is fighting breast cancer right now as well.
So anyway, weak moment aside, I'm looking for suggestions in decking out my front porch for this housewalk.
I want to do something different for outside decorations than I've done in the past or at least change it up a bit.
I usually have a big wreath where the fall wreath is on the front of the house and in the past I've swagged the railing with greenery and lights as well as lit the bushes around the porch.
I know it's early to be thinking Christmas but hey, all the decorations are out in the stores already so I may as well get going on this too.
I am hoping for some unique ideas on how to decorate. Can you help?
The porch -- We use the door on the left side of the porch the most but I don't want to neglect the other door. Your thoughts on the porch?
This is a little corner off to the left side of the porch between the house and garage. I'm thinking I'll fill the wheelbarrow with greens maybe? I've lit the birdhouse in past years.
You can enter one of three ways...
1) comment on this post
2) comment with a link to pictures of your holiday decorations from years past on your blog and a return link to mine
3) email me with your ideas and pictures
If you include a link from your blog to mine, I'll enter you twice in the giveaway drawing.
You have until this Saturday, November 1st at 6pm CST to post all the great ideas and suggestions I know you have.
I will draw and post the winner's name on Sunday.
Help me celebrate my 100th post by sending those suggestions! I'm looking forward to getting inspired by you! December will be here be I know it!
Hey, sweet girl! I don't have any ideas, but I CAN'T WAIT to see your place all decked out for Christmas! I love Christmas, not for the gifts, but the beautiful decorations and the music, and everyone's happy spirit.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week.
Michelle
Ilove the look of an old flexible flyer sled with ice skates hanging from a evergreen swag and red ribbons. Leaned up by the front door. To me it evokes memories of winter fun as a child.
ReplyDeleteI have the sled but need to go looking for the skates at the resale shop.
Still have plans to call you before I go to see mom next.
I am a cancer survivor too, so am so glad to see you are participating in a cause near to my heart. Maybe i'll come out and do the house walk.
Beautiful Christmas garland or Christmas ribbon going up the poles with maybe some lights!
ReplyDeleteCandy cane lights in front of the bushes to line the walk way.
Can't wait to see what you do! Just do it from your heart I am sure it will come out beautiful!
I agree with the idea of an old sled hanging where the wreath is. Swag the railings, hang a wreath on the door, those single candles in the windows. Also, the porch looks large enough to have an artificial tree out there. Little white lights on the bushes.
ReplyDeleteI'm digging for my pictures right now. I'll get back to you.
- Suzanne, the Farmer's Wife
What a great giveaway! Congrats 100 posts!! Ideas-maybe more than one tree with white lights-one could have little pink ribbons for decorations. You could stagger the sizes of the trees-to make a mini forest look.
ReplyDeleteLori I'd put a Christmas tree (with lights) in the corner there where your porch makes an L and borrow stuffed animals from all my friends to pile around it - on chairs and in wagons, even on the rungs of a stepladder. Lots of animals! You wouldn't need a wreath then because the tree would be too close but I love the idea of having a sled somewhere - maybe propped up beside one of the doors and maybe skis propped up beside the other. I'd wrap all those windows with a garland of greenery as well as the doors and the rails. I'd put another small tree in the wheelbarrow and tie red ribbons on it and maybe add things for the birds to eat. And I'd put topiarys all down the sidewalk and driveway, probably on the grass beside the concrete. I love your house - perfect for decorating! blessings, marlene
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your 100th post! I began my journal in November of last year and I, too, am surprised at how much I have learned and enjoyed the lovely people I've met.
ReplyDeleteI will definately post your giveaway. It NEEDs to be shared! LOL
I always like using natural things to decorate. Wooden bowls full of nuts and pinecones. Lots of greenery. Sleds and skates and maybe even a mitten tree on the front porch. Brown boxes tied with jute. Oh I think I'll start decorating tonight!
Whatever you do, your front porch is already beautiful! It can only get prettier.
Smiles,
Lea
I just posted about your giveaway on my journal and I got to thinking about your decorations. In honor of survivors, how about a small artificial tree cover with pink ribbons or maybe other survivor symbols? Just a thought.
ReplyDeleteSmiles,
Lea
What an awesome house, however you decorate it will be adorable, I can't wait to see it!!
ReplyDeleteLurking Laurie :)
Laurieheap@yahoo.com
Thanks for the giveaway, and congratulations on your 100th post! I will post your giveaway on my blog!
ReplyDeleteI would love to be in your give away. I love your porch just like it is. I will post your give away on my blog!
ReplyDelete100 Posts! WOW time flies when we are having fun.
ReplyDeleteHow about loading the porch with minature twinkle lights, then dress the grandkids, neighborhood kids, friends, or who ever will do it, in Snowmen costumes to wave at those passing by!
We don't decorate the outside of our house except for 2 wreaths. We live down a long private lane.
LOL, just kidding.
Osagebluffquilter
How about a half tree hanging where the wreath goes decorated like the others mentioned with pink ribbons. also maybe swag greenery from post to post with lights or just put candle lights in windows. the doors could have large bows attached to them. maybe still light the bushes. then place a decorated tree either in the wheelbarrow or place one behind the birdhouse. long comment but LOVE your house and porch! wish I could attend that walk!! take care kim
ReplyDeleteHave you ever tried luminaries? White or brown lunch bags with some sand in the bottom, a glass jar inside with a lit candle....maybe a battery candle if you can find them....
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with the others about a small tree with only pink ribbons. A real statement...
Thanks for the giveaway. I love the homespun.
Love your giveaway, anyone could do alot with that homespun. Please include me in that! Youyr home is beautiful, love the porch. I will chck back often on your blog. Its great to make new friends!! Dawn
ReplyDeleteOh wow, awesome giveaway. Ideas, huh??? I decorate different every year because I get new ideas from looking at other peoples pictures of their holiday decorating. This year I am doing more old fashioned things. I have some candle clips for the Christmas tree and I am looking to get more to make the tree look even more old fashioned. I am also using more old fashion looking tree bulbs and ornaments. I also am doing a pair of ice skate with some greens on the door. Count me in your giveaway. It is so much fun!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great porch! I can't wait to see how you decorate it. I think lots of greenery and twinkly white lights would look great! Have fun decorating ~ and happy 100th post. I just found you through Lea of Farmhouse Blessings. Please enter my name in your contest.
ReplyDeleteLinda
diamondk410@texasbb.com
Please enter me in the give away. Using anything pink would definetly represent survivors. I love your porch NOW!!! Julie
ReplyDeleteLea said I really should come on over and enter and so here I'am. Glad I stopped by, you have a lovely site and I do believe I will be stopping back.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your 100th post.
NANCY JO
I would put a green tree in the corner of your porch with mini lights and decorate with pink ribbons. You can take the pink off after the tourn. Love your porch just the way it is!
ReplyDeletePlease enter me for your 100th post giveaway. I am getting close to my 100th also, and must decide on something big to do as well.
Wooly hugs,
Trudy
I have a small child's ole sled and have put a bow on it. You could put a pink bow on it?? The tree is a neat idea what about putting names on the ribbons also...
ReplyDeleteYou could even put pink lights on the tree???
Please enter me in you give away. and good luck with your decorations.
Hi! I found you through my friend at Farmhouse Blessings. I love your adorable home. Your ideas are already fantastic, about decorating. What about a primitive Mr. and Mrs. Claus sitting in chairs on your porch? I remember my parents had those when we were kids and I loved it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for entering me.
Kathy
I scrolled down to comment without reading any other comments, so this may be unique or a copy, but anyway, I love grapevine trees that have twinkle lights on them so I would put a tall one, or a group of them if you have them, in the corner on the porch. Then I would put not large wreaths on each window, hanging from ribbons, if this possible, just plain wreaths, not all gussied up with bows and stuff...simple, to go along with the grapevine trees. Then, if possible, I would put twinkle lights framing the front door. I guess since I have no other idea for that other little corner I'd probably match the porch with one or three lighted grapevine trees. I know they are not cheap but they do last and last and can be used indoors too.
ReplyDeleteNot creative, but it's me.
I am catching up on my blog reading and I am so glad I didn't miss out on your giveaway! What about placing small voltive candles in mason jars along the drive and sidewalk? I guess you could put them in paper sacks even. Brown ones if you want a contry look and white ones if you want it to look a little classier. Can't wait to see what you do!
ReplyDeleteI think the swags of pine roping with red bows. A simple pine roping wreath with a red bow and maybe some pinecones. I like the idea of lights on the little birdhouse. What about a little pine tree in the wheel barrow tipped over like it is being transported. You could get a small one that is balled and burlapped and just put pine cones or something over the ball so that it does not show. I have seen some old looking small sleighs that people have hung on their front doors or larger ones put against the wall by the front door. I love snowmen, so any sort of snowman (except the blow up kind) would be cute as well.
ReplyDeleteSo many lovely ideas. I think I'll snag that grapevine wreath and twinkle lights suggestion.
ReplyDeleteYou probably have already thought of this, but soft Christmas music on the front porch to welcome your visitors would be a nice touch. Smoky Mountain Christmas has some lovely tunes (no words) with old time instruments like the dulcimer. It is my favorite Christmas music of all.
Blessings,
Lea
I have a corn "privacy fence" around my yard too, but it will be down any day now. I always enjoy it while it's here. Thanks for offering the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI adore porches and you have a beautiful one...here is a link to my porch last year. HTH. Dianntha
ReplyDeleteChristmas Porch 2007
Scroll down a little to see the picture.