Greetings from the Little Red House

Every Christmas season, I try to get the outdoor decorations finished before it gets too cold, but try as I might, I always seem to leave it too long. We've got freezing temperatures here, and I am loathe to stay outside long enough to do much more than hang a wreath.

We have a tiny porch next to our garage, with a bench and some baskets of greenery. There is a bird's nest in the ivy next to the door, and we are host to a family of robins each spring. This year, I bought a tiny live tree at Home Depot, which has found a home on the porch, along with my old Flexible Flyer and my husband's old ice skates. I need to add a bow to make the whole thing a bit more cheerful.

It's amazing, though, what a little dusting of snow can do to make things seem more festive. Here is the Little Red House after a few flurries.

The picture below is my neighbor, Heidi's, house. Isn't it beautiful? I can see Heidi's house as I stand at my kitchen sink.

The other day I saw her landscapers' truck pull up. They blew the leaves from her lawn, cleaned out the shrub and flower beds, and put up all the window and door trimmings. How great is that? I could definitely use some "instant outdoor decorating!" Couldn't you?

Have a wonderful week!