The Crazy for Christmas Tour--And Giveaway!

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By the time you finish my "tour" you'll probably agree--I'm crazy for Christmas! Leave a comment following the post to enter the giveaway.  

Front Porch

Welcome!

A little hokey--I try different things every year. (Not all are successful--ha!)

(I forgot to put a huge bow at the stair post)

The stockings don't go up until Christmas Eve

Close up

Santa's beard (right) is missing--my doggie ate it off.

My mother is a quilter. I hang this over a Monet print every December.

My youngest--caught eating in the livingroom!

Kitty--who isn't supposed to hang out up here--but always does.

Close up--I like to hide little surprises in the greenery

Another little surprise!

She's suffered a few chips over the years, but I keep this

Christmas angel. I love angels!

No piece of furniture is "safe" from a Christmas touch!

Our Nativity--pieces from three sets. (Chalk it up to raising five kids!)

I live outside of a town loaded with antique shops. Found this vintage window cling there. (It's on the fridge.)

On facebook people ask, "Do you decorate for Christmas in your bathrooms?"

YES!

Ditto.

Crazy for Christmas!

That's not quite everything, but I believe you've got the gist of it!

Why am I crazy for Christmas? Because it's the time of year when we are reminded of the Incarnation--God coming to earth in human form. God with us.

Coming to know Christ changed my life completely, eternally, and in ways I could never have imagined. I pray and wish that all would come to know him and the joy that is found only in him.

From my house to yours,

With warmest blessings for a happy and healthy New Year! 

Linore

PS: Was this crazy enough for you? Do you go all out when it comes to Christmas? What's your favorite decoration? Leave a comment and let me know. I'll choose one commenter to win a copy of one of my books.

All photographs copyrighted by law. 2016 Linore Rose Burkard.

 Merry Christmas and Warmest Blessings

 to you and yours! 

I pray your Christmas is filled with warmth, wrapped in blessings and touched by His love. 

Hugs,

from my heart to yours,

Linore 

Before you go, please enjoy the following vintage illustrations:

The banqueting room at the Regent's Brighton Pavilion. Undoubtedly the place for many a lavish Christmas dinner. 

Angels Singing

A Christmas Greeting

"Christmas Dinner,"  Cruikshank

Our cat, Hobbes, emerging from within the branches of our Christmas tree!  

 

 

 

Merry, Merry Christmas!

Warmest Blessings,

Linore

PS: Check your email for details on the next giveaway which starts tomorrow. If you don't receive "Woman of Faith" updates in your inbox, simply add your email to the subscription box to the right (choose one: either Feedburner or Feedblitz.) 

Festive Christmas Table Idea

 I love doing something different each year, even though the family loves traditions. Adding a little surprise to the house makes everyone happy, it seems. And it doesn't take much to slip in a new treat, tradition, or small blessing. Today's nifty little idea fits the bill. Like the wonderful recipes for filling your house with Christmas scents, it also comes from this week's giveaway book: 365 Ways to Prepare For Christmas, by David Monn.

In the tradition of Victorian Christmas crackers, make your own

 "Surprise Rolls."

Take a cardboard tube such as the kind from an empty roll of paper towels, or toilet tissue (the ideal size).  Using a pretty foil or heavy wrapping paper,  cut a "ten by twenty inch piece out. Center the tube on the paper, and roll it up, pinching the paper together at one end, and tying it off at that end with a long piece of curling ribbon. Fill the tube with candies or other small treats and coins. Pinch the other end together and tie with another piece of curling ribbon."

 

Open out the ends of the paper rolls in a fan shape; then curl the ribbons.*

 

I like the idea of using these as place settings on Christmas (and if your children want to pull them apart afterwards, as above, that's fine, too!)

 

How about you?

 

What's your simple trick to add festivity to your holiday table or home?

Leave a comment and you'll be part of the drawing for this week's giveaway.

PS: Don't miss my post over at Regency Reflections about a Remarkably Regency Yuletide! 

*Adapted from the "Surprise Rolls" from 365 Ways to Prepare for Christmas, by David Monn.  Win this book by entering this week's drawing! Simply leave a comment to be entered. I don't usually get around to drawing a winner until Sunday night, so you have until 12/23 to enter!

Something New for Your Tree

I never saw this idea before, so when I read about making "The Christian Christmas Tree" in this week's giveaway book (365 ways To Prepare for Christmas), I thought you might like to hear about it, too.

The Christian Christmas tree is decorated only with ornaments that have a link to either the Bible or church history.  As author Monn says, "In addition to churches and angels or cherubim..." You could include:

• Wheat, symbolic of life
• Doves
• Scrolls, representing the Pentateuch
• An ark
• A rainbow
• A camel
• Musical notes (for praise and worship)
• Grapes ( the wine of communion)
• A 12 pointed star (the tribes of Israel)
• A lamb
• Candles ("fake or electric never real") since Jesus is the Light of the world

I can think of a few more things to add, such as:

•  A tiny book ornament with the words "Holy Bible"on it
• Lots of baby's breath or cotton wadding for fake "clouds"
• Small instruments like harps, drums and flutes.
• Nativity figures. Add a string or ribbon around an existing nativity set and hang it on the tree instead of putting it on the floor or a table. Each piece becomes an ornament. 

It might not be desirable to make your family tree just a Christian Christmas tree, if, for example, you have years of specially collected ornaments to display. But I like the idea for a small secondary tree for a hallway or child's room.

What do you think? Would it be pretty? Would it help remind you and your family of the real meaning of Christmas?

Let me hear your thoughts. I love to find out what my readers think. And don't forget that a comment enters you into the current giveaway of 365 Ways to Prepare for Christmas. 

Warmest Blessings,

Linore

Warmest Blessings,

Linore
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Christmas Scents (and sensibilities)

When it comes to Christmas, a little ambiance goes a long way. Nothing shouts "Christmastime" quite like entering a house to the SMELL of the season.  A fresh new Christmas tree may do the trick, or a really good scented candle or two, but if you want to add a little humidifying scent to your home without doing any baking or rigorous cooking, try the following recipes, adapted from this week's giveaway book: 365 Ways To Prepare For Christmas, by David E. Monn. 

 Seasonal   Fragrance(s)

Place fresh orange rinds, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and fresh ginger in a saucepan, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Simmer on low heat and enjoy the scent that will billow into your home from the kitchen.

Or:

"Combine an ounce of cinnamon sticks, an ounce and a half of whole cloves, half an ounce of fresh or dried bay leaves, and simmer for two minutes. Set out in a decorative bowl."

Or:

"Warm the oven, turn it off, then sprinkle cinnamon on a cookie sheet and put it in the oven." *

*p. 104, 365 Ways to Prepare For Christmas, David Monn

There's another kind of ambience that goes a long way during the holiday season, too:  keeping your expectations at bay. As women, we sometimes don't notice that our attitude and mood can affect the entire household. It's like that popular t-shirt that says, "if mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy."

So-- make an effort to, yes, be happy! You'll give your entire household a lift.

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Don't forget to leave a comment after any post to enter the current giveaway. This week's winner will get a copy of 365 Ways to Prepare for Christmas, by David Monn!  

OK--SO IT'S A MERRY BELATED CHRISTMAS

I love, love, love, Christmas. I love the season, the lights, the small-town main streets all decked out in holly and berries and candles and more. I even love the look of department stores with glitter and glimmer and ornaments shimmering, despite the commercialism. It doesn't dampen my spirit or heart--maybe it's the hopeless female-shopaholic in me, I don't know, but the only thing that really gets me down about Christmas is how fast it goes by each year.

This year went especially fast.
I had hip surgery on December 9th, stayed in the hospital for three 1/2 days, and after that, zip, zip, zip, Christmas came, Christmas went. Fortunately, my kids REALLY wanted us to decorate before my surgery, so the very night before, we did. I finished exhausted and not looking forward to the next morning in the operating room, but when I got home from the hospital, the decorated house was a wonderful sight.

I'm one of those who decorate big--not the outdoor glitzy stuff, but the inside, deck the halls and mantels, put a tree in more than one room, fill the picture-window sill with snowmen and santas and angels, and get the nativity just right. After that, layer on the lights!

I'm very visual when it comes to how I feel, and the visual beauty of Christmas is partially why I enjoy it so much. Don't get me wrong, however. I really know that Jesus is the Reason, and some years have been special JUST because of Him. Perhaps all my decorations and adornments only distract me from the Savior. In the end, though, I consider it THE best time of the year for evangelism, and I never feel there can be too much emphasis on the Son of God becoming flesh for our benefit.

HOWEVER: My post today is really an excuse to send YOU a belated Merry Christmas.
Due to my post-op recovering, I did less shopping, less sending of cards, less of just about everything (even decorating). And less cooking!

I also failed to get out a December issue of my online e-zine (which I hope you're subscribed to by now--if not, sign up on my website and you'll get a free download by email right away. Join here:Linore Burkard.com . The thing is, I usually fill the December issue with beautiful, historical Christmas images, as well as a good meaty article. I'm sorry I didn't get to do that...

Which is why this blog post is an excuse for me to at least send you a Christmas e-card, even though it's belated. Actually, I have two cards to share.

The first was sent to me by a sweet reader--The card only takes a minute to view, and it is well worth it! Also, if you have youngsters around, be sure to let them watch as the graphics are sure to delight young and old. Have your speakers on:
Click HERE

This next one is from me and other Ohio authors who are part of the ACFW chapter here in the Buckeye State. Author Michelle LeVigne put it together. A fellow Harvest House author, Mary Ellis, is in this, too. Enjoy it here!

Wait! Just like late night info-mercials, "that's not all!" If you act now (by scrolling down) you can ALSO get some belated lovely images from my collections. After this, I can say goodbye to Christmas.

SCROLL DOWN for IMAGES:


"Stirring the Christmas Pudding"



"Candlemas"





"Angels We Have Heard On High"














Last but not least, about keeping "Merry Christmas" in commercial outlets. My 9 year old loved this.

Merry Christmas!
Hugs and love,

Linore
PS: Today is the LAST DAY you can get The House in Grosvenor Square for only $2.51 on Kindle! If you have an e-reader or an e-reader APP, please don't delay!