Saturday, December 23, 2017

A Plum Cottage Christmas

'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free

'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
("Simple Gifts" is a Shaker song written and composed in 1848 by Elder Joseph Brackett.)
This piece came to mind this morning, so I looked it up and here it is.

Good morning Friends ~ I hope you all are enjoying this Christmas holiday time, cooking, baking, different festivities with family and friends.

May we all take a moment or two to ponder what this season is all about.  The greatest gift for all mankind had been the gift that God gave us, when He became flesh to be our Saviour. He was born in a lowly manger, in a stable in Bethlehem.

12-23-nativity

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

He came that we might have life more abundantly, here and in eternity.

All we have to do is call on Him. He has promised to never leave or forsake us. We are very dear to Him.

Christmas here at Plum Cottage is simple and quiet. This is my 6th Christmas without my dear husband. I miss him but knowing he is with Jesus our awesome God, I have peace. I will be having Christmas with friends this year and am looking forward to it.

I found purple lights for Plum Cottage and love them.

12-20-lights

12-20-lights2
12-20-lights3
Here are some photos from inside.

              12-16-main-tree2

12-16-main-tree4
12-16-main-tree
12-16-second-tree3
12-16-second-tree

12-16-second-tree2

12-16-angels

12-16-basket-roses

12-16-flower-pin

12-16-friends

May you all have love, peace & joy this Christmas season

and a blessed year in 2018.

Love, hugs & prayers for all of you,

FlowerLady

35 comments:

sweetbay said...

I like the purple lights and your Christmas trees! Beautiful!

Wishing you a merry Christmas, love and peace.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Beautiful images. have a most wonderful Christmas.Yes,we miss our loved one who is celebrating in Heaven. I am missing Jake more this year than some others and t's already 7 years.Sending love and hugs your way.
Ruth

Tatyana@MySecretGarden said...

Lovely! You've done a great job Lorraine, preparing for the Holidays. So many beautiful touches. Merry Christmas to you, dear blogging friend!

Rebecca said...

Merry Christmas, Lorraine.
How wonderful to have found purple lights! They're PERfect!
I know you'll enjoy your time with friends.
Ours will be fairly quiet. (Dad and I have serious colds. Gary is keeping busy visiting folk in the hospital and assisting at some funerals...)
Your reminder about the Reason for Christmas brings hope and reassurance even when walking through the valley of the shadow of death!

Stacey said...

Merry Christmas Lorraine. ♥

Kit said...

Merry Christmas my dear friend. May you have a lovely holiday. Love, KK

L. D. said...

All of your trees are so beautiful to see. Have a Merry Christmas and a good rest of the holiday season. I like your ornaments and I can see all the care that was take to make them.

M.K. said...

Ahh - A sweet, merry Christmas to you, dear friend. I love your purple lights - they are so cool looking. Sweet, sweet tree too!

ellen b. said...

Merry Christmas and may God bless you and keep you!

Pom Pom said...

Plum Cottage looks wonderful. I pray you have a sweet and holy celebration of Christ's birth, God's gift to us.

Mrs. Mac said...

Hi Flower Lady. Just popping in to say Merry Christmas from Mrs. Mac in the North Woods of Idaho. May the Lord bless you now and in 2018.

Mrs. Mac

Cathy @ My 1929 Charmer said...

I love the purple lights on your home and your Christmas trees are beautiful..Sometimes I wish I could leave the up all year. Wishing you a blessed and Merry Christmas.

Henny Penny said...

This is such a sweet post. I love the purple lights!! Hope you have a Merry Christmas!

Dewena said...

I always feel blessed when I visit you and especially tonight after reading your Christmas message, Lorraine. The purple lights are just right for Plum Cottage, and I love the glimpses of the sweet and artistic touches inside.

A merry Christmas to you, dear Lorraine,
Dewena

klaraau01 said...

All the best for Christmas Lorraine, peace and love and happiness to you .

Nancy J said...

Purple lights, beautiful trees, delightful ornaments. memories, to be with friends, and faith, hope and love with you always.

Betty said...

Your tree is so pretty. I wish You A Very Merry Christmas.

Janneke said...

Wonderful Christmas decorations Lorraine, especially the purple lights, a real Plum colored cottage.
I wish you a Merry Christmas with your friends.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Good Morning, It's Christmas Eve today ---and yours is the first post I've looked at... Your post and all of those gorgeous pictures made me smile...... SO SO SO beautiful.

The wait for the birth of Baby Jesus is almost over.... Hallelujah.

Have an awesome Christmas, my Friend.
Hugs,
Betsy

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Your cottage is so prettily decorated both inside and out.
Merry Christmas and prayers for a blessed New Year.
xx, Carol

Debbie Harris said...

Plum Cottage looks lovely!
Merry Christmas Blessings to you, dear lady~

NanaDiana said...

Wishing you a blessed and wonderful Merry Christmas, Lorraine. I hope the next year is a good one for you and that you have peace and happiness and good health. xo Diana

Lemon Verbena Lady said...

Dear FL, Thanks so much as always for stopping by! The Herbal Husband and I send herbal blessings to you in this holy season! Snow overnight! A white Christmas! Love from us both! xo

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

🎄🎅🏻🌟 Merry Christmas!

BeachGypsy said...

Merry Christmas my friend and i LOVE LOVE those pretty purple lights!! Hope you have a lovely holiday!!

Junkchiccottage said...

Your purple lights are beautiful and love your pretty tree. Wishing you a new year filled with joy and happiness, great health and lots of new blessing to come into your life. Glad you are finding peace in your heart with missing your hubby especially at this time of year. Merry Christmas.
xoxo
Kris

jerilanders said...

Lorraine, Everything is so beautiful... I hope you are having a nice Christmas!

Darcie said...

I wanted to pop over here and wish you a Merry Christmas!

Sandra @ Thistle Cove Farm said...

The purple lights totally suit Plum Cottage...love the name, by the way! Merry Christmas Dear Rainey; may 2018 be full of God's richest blessings for you. It's the 6th Christmas without Dave as well; it doesn't get any easier but it doesn't hurt as bad as it did.
love and prayers, Sandra

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

Love your Christmas header and all of your decorations...Plum Cottage was ready for Christmas :)

I don't know if you ever have read about Near Death Experiences but I have read about some and listened to some on You Tube. They are amazing to read and listen to...gives us a glimpse of what our loved ones might have encountered when they went beyond the veil...

Debbie - Mountain Mama said...

Lorraine, I love the purple lights, they are just the perfect thing for Plum Cottage!! Your home looks lovely and cozy and warm and welcoming, as always. Have a very happy and healthy New Year!

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

I hope your Christmas was filled with kindness and love, dear one, and that your New Year brings with it many wonderful blessings to reflect upon. Your dear little Plum cottage looks so sweet. Hugs xo Karen

Ellen Ross | Ask Away Blog said...

Such classy décor!
XO Ellen from Ask Away
www.askawayblog.com

A Joyful Cottage said...

Plum Cottage is enchanting, Rainey, filled with Christmas sparkle. The purple lights are so pretty, and really show off your charming cottage. Your stained glass windows are gorgeous! I've always liked "Simple Gifts". Have you heard this piece by The Piano Guys? They've arranged "Over the Rainbow" with "Simple Gifts". You may enjoy it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzF_y039slk

Hugs, Nancy

outlawgardener said...

All was calm and bright at Plum Cottage this blessed season!