Thank You Lord For Another Birthday!!!

Six days ago God allowed me to see another birthday come and go. I am grateful to be alive and be kept by Him for decades! I have my health and strength, my family and friends, a roof over my head, clothes on my back and food on my table. God has provided for me all my life. I have experienced ups and downs and unexpectant changes in life just like the next person but He has kept me and assisted me in getting through, over and past life's stumbling blocks and disappointments. I am forever grateful for His love. I have been used by Him to tell the world about Him and the goodness that He posses and bestows upon us. No, we can not explain and understand why some things happen but what we do know that God knows what He is doing and He has a plan. His ways and thoughts are not like our neither are our ways and thoughts like His. 

My children made my day so special and that made all the difference in the world. I don't desire gifts I desire love and that is what they gave me. I am blessed. We take so much for granted and Father I ask for your forgiveness for anything that I have taken for granted for I did not consciencely mean it. Sometimes we have to look book on life or reminded of how good God is and has been to us. I have looked back so many times and was grateful for what was and what wasn't. I pray for many more happy healthy years to come accompanied by my family all of them safe sound secure and healthy as well. 

All in All I am just grateful because God owes me nothing but I am so so so grateful for His Grace and Mercy, Love and Kindness toward me.

Fall 2025 is Here!!!!!!!!!!

It has almost been three years since I have made a blog entry here. I have been all over the place doing things but I feel a tugging of my spirit. I get this way often and especially during holiday time which is slowly but surely sneaking up on us. Summer is now a memory and Fall is here. The weather still has not completely caught up with the season and we are experiencing some summer heat. I love the anticipation of holidays and I welcome the seasonal temperature decline.

Around the latter part of September I start getting antsy to decorate for the holiday especially with Countdown to Christmas beginning on the Hallmark Channel in October. When my children, now grown, were little I began Christmas decorating on October 31st because I wanted my house decorated for Christmas on November 1st. When I moved from the family home they grew up in and relocated elsewhere the urge to decorate earlier than the 31st of October became evident. My begin date kept go backwards and now I decorate as early as September (this year being the first year I actually started in August). It is a process for me packing up and relocated everything that is not Christmas to make room for Christmas, lol, if that makes sense.

When I decided in late August to start pulling things out of my garage to begin organizing what I would put out this year I had discovered that some of my bins had fallen over and water had gotten in some of them as well as the tree bags that were being stored. My heart was hurt a little. I pray that the things in a private unit at another facility is still intact when I visit there next month to see what Christmas stuff I will bring back home with me.

I began the process of sorting to see what I could salvage and what would be trashed. The only thing I managed to save so far was one Santa. All my garlands, tree ornaments, my new tree  that I had just purchased last year, and other Christmas odds and ends had to be trashed. I had to buy a new tree and begin the search online to see if I could replace some of the things lost that were my favorites. My 2024 tree and my tree of 2025 are both 7 1/2 foot Queen flocked (king of Christmas) trees. The one last year was a full bodied tree, the one I purchased this year is a slimmer version which suits me fine. The one last year was so wide I have to my furniture my sofa halfway down the wall just to make the tree fit in the corner. This year I have the slimmer version on the opposite side of the room out of traffic flow. I had no major furniture adjustments to make besides relocating the console table that was there before I put the tree in its place which was an easy fix.

I did manage to find a replacement for two items lost in the flood one being my snoopy who plays the trombone.  The lost of my super large Jesus stocking stung a bit and I have yet to find a replacement for it. I only managed to retrieve a smaller version of it. It doesn't quite feel the same but I ordered it just the same. I actually stopped looking further for things because it was quite nerve wrecking in doing so but I will have to resume to see what is useful and continue to discard what is not.

This year I reverted back to the green garland and chose not to reorder the flocked garland that I had last year to match the tree. It was most cost effective to take this route. I learned a hard lesson and I can safely say none of my Christmas stuff will be stored in the garage going forward.

I am still the same country living grandma who explored other decorating styles for the last few years that never completely shook her love for country decor. For four months out of the year I revert back to country decorating for the holidays and the remaining eight months its an eclectic decor style. The only country relic that remains is my Amish step back cabinet that I refuse to let go of, all my other wood furniture is gone and has been replaced with industrial, modern, contemporary pieces. The two styles are like night and day. Don't Ask, Lol I will say my current style does give me a sense of calm and contentment to a degree but as I said my first love continues to linger in my thoughts and remains  my first love of decorating thanks in part to HGTV's 90's show "Country at Home". 

Memories of Christmases

For many Christmas is just a day of anticipation the last month of the year in receiving presents whether santa claus is a factor or not. On a deeper note Christmas is the day set aside in December where many celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus, the Christ. When you are a young child the thought of a room full of toys to be found under the tree or scattered about when you wake up Christmas morning is really all a young child dreams about being their reality on the 25th of December. The older we become things are more evident as to what the season is really supposed to be about whether we celebrate it in that way or not. The truth is the truth.

I fully know what the reason for the season is because I not only celebrate and worship the Lord during the last month of the year but the other 11 as well. Those who know me know I have a deep love for Christmas, more than most. There is just something about the spirit of Christmas that warms my heart and lights up my spirit. No matter where I am Christmas is always with me and for the last three months of the year I not only wear it as far as my personality goes but it is strongly displayed in my home. I am truly an interior design junkie and at Christmastime the level of my joy of decorating goes into overdrive. It is fun for me to map out room by room and corner by corner as to how I will visually display some aspect of Christmas. 

Family is so important to me for the Lord is the one who has blessed me with a family from my parents on up to my children and grandchildren. My joy was sharing my love for Christmas with my kids and grandkids. I can think back year by year how I played a part in assuring that they had sweet memories of the holiday season and knowing what the true meaning of that time was all about. Yes, we still watched Christmas cartoons and movies that may not have put the emphasis solely on Jesus but we knew the real reason for the season. My children are all grown up now but the memories leading up to them reaching adult of christmases past here never left me and we are still making memories together going forth with each passing year.

This year in 2022 there is just something so different about the feel this holiday season. Yes, the same joyous feeling remained and the same lavish of love was present as always. It just felt a little different this year and I can't fully explain it. The fact that the 25th of December is about Jesus takes it over the top for me and this year the feeling just felt stronger than decades back. I have never left Christ out even in the midst of the fact that santa claus was more of a focal point then He was. I made up my mind years ago that more emphasis would be put on Jesus in my home and with each passing year it grows. I know next year has not even gotten here yet and I am already taking in to account how I want to represent Christ in my home next season. Make no mistake I take not one day for granted and know that it will only be by the Grace of God if I get the opportunity for these things to come to fruition in the near future. I am grateful in the moment that I am in right now a mere 4 days past Christmas 2022 and only 4 days away from 2023.

I still remember the vision I had before the holiday season arrived and every piece I found that helped complete the vision of Christmas 2022 in my home. Life brings about changes, losses will happen, plans can abruptly take a different turn, even your mindset can change involving the holiday season depending upon what you have survived over the years. Many life changes have happened for me and I am grateful for what is and what is not. In conjunction with all the changes in my life over the years I have never lost my love for Christmas and I pray that I never do. 

Time evolves with or without us and we have to adjust to the times and the situations that life and time sits in our lap. It is truly a blessing to continue to be in your right mind and good health. I am grateful to still have both. I am grateful for each new morning that the Lord opens my eyes and allows me to get out of the bed and move around and through my home on my own by His Grace.

As the holiday season comes to a close in 4 days my prayer going forth is that repentance and revival will blanket our world. I pray that the spirit of division and hatred will dissipate. I pray that love will blanket the earth. Only we can make these changes inside and out. We have to be willing participants to be the change we want to see happen in this world.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to come!

Peace and Blessings,

Country Living Grandma

I have been at this for almost 13 years!

Let me reintroduce myself....

Hi, my name is Catherine. God has brought me a mighty long way since I started this blog 6 months shy of 13 years ago. I then dedicated My blog to all who had a passion for decorating such as myself and those who were partial to country decor. I am city girl with a country heart. I love decorating. Your home is where you get to express yourself artistically and put your decorating skills on display. My mission continues to motivate and inspire others looking for fresh, new ideas of design with a little touch of old world. 

When I started documenting my love of design 6 months shy of 13 years ago I had just become a first time grandmother a few months prior, next month my grandchild becomes a teenager. I was blessed to be a stay at home mom who was able to nurture and witness my children blossom into adulthood, now I a Grandma, hence the name of my blog in celebration of becoming one almost 13 years ago. 

Country decorating has always been my first love of design. I love the homey feel it gives me and how it takes me back to my childhood where I was partially raised in MD, oh the memories God has allowed me to retain,  we cant go back, we can only remember.

I am a bargain hunter who is not afraid of buying second hand furniture that I can cleanup and makeover. Over the past 13 years I have gone from blogging to sharing on IG, Pinterest,  and decorating groups, now via YouTube. Country living grandma was the beginning of my documenting journey, since then life changes took me in a different direction almost 7 years ago but I am bringing it all back to where I started.

In this new year, 2022 I hope my journey in decorating continues to motive and inspire as it did 13 years ago. I hope I can give you some ideas on how you too can make your living space a cozy place to live in and come home to. You can do amazing things to your home even if you are on a budget! There is a little bit of creativity in us all.  I always say, be yourself, go with your own taste and likes in creating a happy place just for yourself and or your family. My taste just happens to begin with Country.

I am a firm believer that you can style your home without breaking the budget even more in today's market with all the craft stores, sales, coupons and rewards programs that some of the stores offer. I for one still love flea markets, yard sales and thrift stores. I’ve always enjoyed bargain hunting  before many caught on LOL. I remember when it would only be a few people in the second hands stores shopping, now there are lines outside before they even open. Well, it's true the early bird catches the worm. 

I love hunting for items that help bring my vision and style to light. My blog will continue to document my love for Christ and family as well as my passion for decorating. I remain excited to share a small piece of my life and passion for design with you all. Thank you for stopping by my blog. Have a blessed day and please come again.

Country Living Grandma 

Goodbye 2021, Hello 2022, prayerfully!

We unconsciously take a lot for granted daily. God forgive me when I have ever done this from the greatest to the least. You are so faithful. From January 1, 2021 til December 31, 2021 right now he has kept us. No matter the trials or tribulations we have endured he continues to carry us from day to day. We don't wake up on our own, we don't keep our hearts beating and our minds functioning right, He does. We are not by chance able to speak, think, hear, see and walk. It is all by God's Grace. God is Merciful. He gives us chance after chance after chance. We fail him repeatedly. It makes you wonder why in the world would he care about us. He could easily wipe us all out in the blink of an eye and start humanity all over again. Yes, He can because he is God. As I sit here on the threshold of a new year I am grateful for all that God has given me and allowing me to keep in my life according to his will and purpose for me. I thank him for Grace and Mercy, forgiveness, provision, protection, family, friends and new beginnings. People are dying daily from things known and unknown. I will continue to live day by day by Faith trusting him and whatever comes I know he will be with me his rod and his staff will comfort me. I pray for all those hurting and who have suffered loss this year. I pray for healing for the sick and comfort for the grieving. I pray for shelter for the homeless and food for the hungry. I pray for provision for those in need. Lord I also pray for a gathering of souls unto you.

Father God in Heaven, I pray that the lost will turn to you and trust in you. We are living in perilous, fallible times on borrowed time. We know not what tomorrow will bring and or even if tomorrow will come. When this world is no more and we have to be transported to another place of existence and refuge our prayer is to be counted worthy to be in that place in the presence of God. All of this is temporary as we are seeing from day to day the rapid decline. Let us not live in fear those of us who know and trust God. I am not saying we don't have concerns just like the next person but what I am saying is their is a difference when you know God is with you to endure the daily changes and happenings. Believers know know that God is with us and for us and if God be for us, who in the world can be against us? He is in control, trust him even when you don't fully understand the process of what you might have to endure to the end but endure it with Faith knowing God is our deliverer. Draw near unto God while time is still left to reconnect with the Father through his son, Jesus, the Christ.

8 more sleeps til Christmas!

Thanksgiving 2021 came and went this year on the 25th of November which left us only 30 days away from Christmas 2021. God is great. I hosted my 5th Thanksgiving at my home with my mom and children in tow to share it with me. I was grateful to God for the gift of gathering again to give the Lord thanks for all he does and another bounty of God for that was only by his Grace was on the table. Now here we are 8 sleeps til Christmas. Time flew by rapidly as it always seems to do once October ends. I am just grateful to still be alive and well.

 

I don't know what it is about this holiday season that has me so filled with Joy. I mean my decorating went into overdrive. It began with a plan and that plan was to incorporate Jesus in my holiday decorations as much as I could. It began with the 6 foot tree in my living room that is covered in white lights, the names of Jesus and scripture. It has a gold crown as a tree topper because Jesus is the king of kings and Lord of Lords. I added the red cardinals for a pop of color and in memory of our loved ones that have moved on from this world. I was already gifted a willow tree Nativity set last year which I could not wait to bring out for its second Christmas. I found a beautiful nativity set at a second hand shop which shocked me to my soul when I saw it sitting on the shelf like it knew I was looking for another display of Jesus. Every piece was there including the wise men, the baby Jesus, a shepherd and his parents.

A second idea came to me about having a tree with white doves on it. I call it my Holy Spirit tree. I love it. I kept it simple with just white lights and the 24 white doves. It has a grapevine star as a tree topper cover in white lights. 

I was gifted a santa bowing to Jesus. I have two beautiful ceramic angels, another thrift store find from years back they both flank a small nativity between the two of them. Everywhere you look in my home you cant ignore the touches of Christ. I even have signs hanging that proclaim him and an advent wreath that I made. Check my YouTube channel because I am doing a weekly series about advent. It started on the 28th of November the first Sunday after Thanksgiving.

At the moment I am listening to Christmas music on Pandora and it is soothing my soul so much. I feel like a child in a Christmas globe and I am a mom and grandmother who God has allowed to live. I am grateful and cherish all the memories of Christmas I had with my children as they grew up into adulthood. I treasure those memories. I can still remember Christmas as a child and I treasure those memories also. 

We are living in perilous times and Jesus is our only Hope. Say your prayers and ask for protection because only he can protect us from the evils of this world for He is not the God of this world, satan is but his power is limited and unlike God's so cling to the Father, trust him and ask him to help you endure to the end. None of us know when our last moments are here on earth so live and love and stay close to your family and pray for one another. My wish is that you will have a blessed holiday season and remain under the Father's protective care. Stay safe and be careful where you go and what you choose to be around because the enemy is busy. 

In closing I just want to thank the Lord for my life and the life of my family and for allowing me to experience so much Joy through the years. Yes, I miss all my loved ones who have gone on before me especially my daddy who has been missing from my life physically for almost eight years. I will never forget him and how could I. I was his daughter and he was my daddy. I have so many memories! I have been celebrating Christmas for the both of us these past 7 years and Lord willing in 23 days when Christmas 2021 arrives.

Thank you for stopping by and reading my blog. I know I am on a decorating journey and its my passion ergo the reason I created this blog and my YouTube channel but I have a fervent love for the Lord, Jesus Christ first and foremost which is the reason I talk about him so much. I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.

Peace and Blessings and Merry Christmas!

Sherri

Holiday 2020 Flashback

Christmas is my favorite time of year. It was a different kind of Christmas socially in December of 2020 but the decoration and the joy of the season remained. Let me rewind time here on my blog and share some of that joy with my readers. 

Hope is still alive in 2021

 Better late than never, a Happy New Year to all my blogger friends. We have endured much in the past year. The ways of the world have been altered and things are being done differently in the midst of still trying to battle and overcome Covid 19. God is truly good, never stop praying for one another and helping one another. We can only get through this if we stand united. Praying that God will keep you all safe in his care.

A New Year has brought about new vision and new designs.  2020 I entertained the Boho look alongside of my Farmhouse look. Country will always be my choice of design in some form or another. I believe Country design became a part of my DNA back in the early 90's when I became serious about design within my homes. I have decorated using styles from Americana to Victorian but Country will always be my favorite. I love earthy colors. I have latched on to a more neutral palette the past few years.

Spring has arrived and the winter decorations have been put away. It's time to open the windows and doors and air out our homes and change to a more lighter decorating theme. I love florals and plants during the Springtime. So let the decorating begin. Have fun with it and enjoy personalizing in the style that makes you comfortable and relaxed.

Greenery Brings a Home to Life

3 Foot Fiddle Leaf Tree in a grey clay pot topped with River Rocks.

Fern Stems in a crocheted Hanging basket I made.

6 foot Fiddle Leaf Tree in a basket with handles.

A Eucalyptus Wreath (My favorite)

Eucalyptus picks placed inside of a white flower pot. ( Love Love Love)

White Peonies with Lambs ear in a Galvanized Flower can I found on clearance.

A 6 inch artificial Boxwood Balls perfect to side on top of pedestal pillar holders, scattered on a tray with other items and place in the opening of a flower pot.

A Snake Plant 

Nothing makes a living space more cozy and homey looking than greenery. Plants, Topiaries and Wreaths in the form of greenery bring nature inside and adds to the farmhouse touch especially if you have a white backdrop in your home. Plants give a home visual interest. Popular Farmhouse Plants and Wreaths are Fiddle Leaf Trees, Boxwood Wreaths, Olive Trees, Magnolia Wreaths, Lambs Ear, Eucalyptus Leaf Wreaths, Sage greenery and Ficus Trees also. Plants and trees look good displayed in Terracotta Pots, Galvanized Buckets, Baskets and Plain White Ceramic Pots.