Fa la la la la ~ la la la la

I am busy, as many of you are, decking the halls.

I do decorate early, and use primarily fake greens, but it always makes me feel a teensy bit guilty.  So try as I might, I have tried to use real greens and real plants in my house just a little bit.

Well, I am discovering that there is a very good reason for the fake stuff.  It's just too hot in Texas for the real deal.

For the first time in this house, I {that term is used very loosely ~ I don't do nails in the brick so Bob actually put this up} used real garland around the door.  I bought 2, he put up one 2 days before Thanksgiving and the second one about 5 days later.  This is the north side of the house, in a sheltered entry and that first garland was already CRUNCHY!  Good grief, it's not even December yet.

So now I am hoping and praying that it will stay up till my book club comes next week.  No way will it make it to Christmas. 

But I do have, at the moment, a natural front entrance.  That's a real wreath with a bow tacked to it.

That's it, simple and done.

The driveway entrance also got the real deal.  Two rosemary trees and a real wreath.  Again, things are a little crunchy.  Perhaps it's a little bit weather and a little bit my not green thumb.  While the rosemary lives, I am loving the scent.

I love this pillow from PB.  The darn squirrels do too.  Last year they started to eat it a little.  So far so good this year.  

See the crunch starting on this wreath?  Crazy!  {I mist them too}

The only good thing about the greens drying so quickly is that I have definitely decided that I can't do real garland on the stairs in the house unless I don't care that it looks terrible and last for about a week.  

Now I can use the fake with a little more enthusiasm!

The best I could do for an outside shot.

Here you can see the lights on the outdoor kitchen.

Because our home sits on the pond, it is visible from the street, front view, and from the east, pond view.  We don't wrap the lights all the way round the east, but by adding the kitchen lights, and the playhouse it helps the night view.

Tomorrow is my first day home this week and I hope to knock off a few more rooms of decor.

Tonight was a visit from the grands, and we had a quick dinner and read a few books and played!  Fun times!

I am joining Richella for her Grace at Home Party.

And Debra for her Vintage Inspiration Party.

Alison for her Favorites on the First Party.

And Ann for Doors and Wreaths.

Merry Christmas!