Welcome to the 464th Metamorphosis Monday!
I’ll be leaving soon to visit the Christmas Markets in The Netherlands, Germany and France. I plan to post some while I’m away provided the ship has WiFi that will let me upload photos to a post. The biggest issue I’ve found when traveling in the past is that it seems everyone on the ship tries to access the wi-fi at once, which pretty much brings it to a crawl. We’ll see how it goes this trip, I so hope to share this Christmas wonderland with you while I’m actually there.
I’ll also be sharing photos on Instagram each day, so if you’re not already following BNOTP on Instagram, you can do that here: Between Naps On The Porch on Instagram. If you would like to subscribe for email updates that let you know when a new post is up here on the blog (it’s free!) you can do that here: Subscribe for Post Updates.
A Fantasy Christmas Porch
December has been a challenging month in so many ways. After getting sick for ten days with a cold/virus right after Thanksgiving, followed by a crazy snow storm that dumped 8 inches of snow in our area…
…I decided to keep the decorations on the front porch simple this year. I hung a fresh Frazier Fir wreath on the door and decorated around the door with fresh pine garland.
The snow is almost all gone now, just a little left here and there in the yard.
Determined to share the front porch decorated for Christmas, I was inspired to create a whimsical setting, something totally impractical but just for fun. (See that little bit of snow left there on the left side of the porch. Snow takes forever to melt in my yard since my home faces north. The snow in my neighbors yard across the street melted away so much faster!)
This would be a fun way to decorate a porch the day of a Christmas party–a whimsical, fantasy setting to delight your guests as they arrive for the party.
Some of the decorations could remain throughout the holiday season, like the garland and wreath, but others are just a bit of fun for family or for party guests.
One strange thing you may notice in this post is how the porch lanterns appear to be coming and going. lol In the photo above, you’ll notice a lantern on the right and a hanging lantern in the center of the porch. The lantern on the left is missing, kinda hard to see for the column.
In the photo below, both of the lanterns on either side of the door are present, but now the hanging lantern is missing.
So what’s up with the missing lanterns? I’ve been trying to clean the lanterns for the last few years, but each time I’ve attempted to take them apart for cleaning, I couldn’t get them to open up. I had a handy man/electrician take a look and he found that the screw mechanism where you take them apart had basically rusted/welded itself together.
He ended up removing the lantern on the right to take it home where he could soak the part where it was screwed together with something that would break it loose. A couple of days ago he returned and reinstalled the right lantern, then took the left lantern home to do the same. As I was taking photos today, he arrived and reinstalled the left lantern. Next he took a look at the hanging lantern and found an issue with it, so he took it home today. I took the photo below today before he arrived, so the left lantern was still missing, but the hanging lantern in the center of porch was still there.
I love the bubble glass in these lanterns. They were purchased in Home Depot Expo when the porch was being built in 2008. I wish the HD Expos were still around, loved shopping in those!
So you can see why this month has been a real challenge for sharing the front porch. I do love seeing the lanterns all nice and clean again. Will be glad when the hanging lantern is back.
So about this whimsical, fantasy porch, it looks like Santa has stopped by and left a lot of presents!
He also left a sled, just in case another big snowstorm comes this way again.
Mr. and Mrs. Reindeer have arrived for our party! Looks like they brought a Christmas tree with them! 🙂
There’s a cozy throw for enjoying some porch time. Throw is from Pottery Barn this season, but I think it may be sold out now.
I found the “No Sniffing, No Squeezing, No Shaking” basket in Michaels a few weeks ago during a 60% off sale. It’s filled with some of the many magnolia branches that came down during our recent storm.
A few evening shots…
Be glad when the hanging lantern is back in place, I miss it already.
Hope your holidays this year have many wonderful, fantasy-filled moments. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, dear Friends!
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Metamorphosis Monday
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Merry Christmas! Safe travels.
Thanks, Kay! Merry Christmas to you!
Hope you have a great trip. It is getting very late. Hope there are still some markets open. We have spent several Christmases in Europe and know they close.
There are supposed to be a few. Thanks, Barbara!
Enjoy your trip and Merry Christmas!
Thanks, Maureen!
Merry, merry, Susan! The front porch looks great, with and without the various lanterns. I do love that bubble glass too – it’s very forgiving of dirt showing! Thanks for sharing and hosting. Safe travels!
It is, I love that about it, too! Thanks and have a wonderful Christmas, Rita! XX
Your home in the snow! Suitable for framing I’d say! As always, I’ll be borrowing a few of these ideas – and some of my neighbors fallen magnolia branches! Thanks so much for inspiring all year round!
Thanks! That’s certainly a look I don’t see very often! lol
Loving your beautiful front porch for so many reasons–it’s whimsical, old school nostalgic, cozy and sooooo inviting. What a great presentation for any guest, and I’m sure your neighbors love getting to see the wonderful changing views each Christmas. I love it when our neighbors go the extra mile to make it pretty for every passerby. Where I lived in Ohio it was customary to have candles burning in every window all year. That looked so beautiful, especially when a big old house stood alone in the countryside all aglow on a snow-covered night. Our HOA only allows window candles from Oct. to mid-Jan. which makes me sad because I love the way it makes each interior room look so cozy at night. Hugs!
I do, too. My neighbor across from me always does a lot of lighting and I love seeing it. Aww, that’s too bad they won’t allow it whenever you like. I love seeing them, too!
Bobbi, there was a house inside the city of Marietta that has a hard plastic 3-4 foot Santa standing on the roof right beside the chimney. I guess it was too hard to take down because it’s been there for years, I see it whenever I travel that way. It has eventually faded and lost it’s bright red color, now it’s pretty much all white and hardly noticeable. I always wondered why it was never taken down, if they had someone available to put it up, but for some reason, could never get them back out to remove it. I’m sure there’s a story behind that permanent Santa who is always on the verge of going down the chimney. lol I’ll have to look and see if he’s still there next time I’m in that area.
Thanks so much for the party!! Your porch looks lovely, especially with the snow!!
Hugs,
Debbie
Thanks, Debbie!
A pretty porch decorated for the season says please come inside for a nice visit! I can smell the fresh pine….mmmmmm. Enjoy your special holiday vacation. Merry Christmas and Happy 2017.
Thanks so much, Donna!
Your porch looks so festive! I hope the Atlanta airport is back to normal before you leave for Europe. I got back into town yesterday, only to be stuck on my plane for 3 1/2 hours because of the power outage. They had to remove the electronic mechanism from our jetway and manually drag it into place in front of the plane’s door so that we could finally get off. There are few things eerier than a pitch black airport full of people you can’t even see! Mass confusion reigned but the employees did a decent job getting us to the airport exit doors. The airport was very hot and stuffy and smoky – it was such a relief to get outside into fresh air!
I actually got off fairly easy. Some people were stuck on their planes a lot longer, others had connections that ended up being cancelled, and still others were a lot farther away from the exits (I was at the Delta gates, which are closest to the main terminal – I felt so sorry for the people at the F gates!). And luckily I had no checked bags – it is going to take forever to reunite people with their checked luggage (which might also be drenched since the rain came pouring down when the baggage was unloaded from our plane, and all of it was left sitting on the ground, under a wing but uncovered, in the rain).
Power has finally been restored, but I hope you are not leaving today, because I’m sure it will take at least a day for everything to get back to normal. That is one travel experience I hope no one ever has to encounter. Enjoy your holiday trip – it sounds like so much fun!
I just checked with the flight dept of the company I’m taking the trip with and they said that it’s all back to normal and every thing is still scheduled as normal. Really glad to hear that! No, I don’t leave for a few more days.
Wow, what a mess! That would be one time when you would be REALLY glad you hadn’t checked your luggage! Glad you didn’t have to wait on luggage.
I’ll pop ’round and sit on your porch for a while. Bringing a thermos with something warm.
Have fun bring the extra suitcase. The markets sell everything you’ll want for next Christmas.
In parenthesis (ships on the ocean, boats on rivers) not to correct you, just thought you want to know. No hard feelings I hope. Happy Christmas and Merry Holiday.
Oh, forgot, I covet the pom pom throw.
lol That sounds good, but there might be one issue. I have a house sitter who may call the police, although most burglars don’t stop to sit and enjoy the porch. 🙂
I just googled it because GCT calls them, “140 Passenger River Ships.” Maybe it qualifies due to its size and the fact it could carry a boat if designed with a spot to place one. Also, it has multiple engines I believe. The criteria for calling it a ship is a bit sketchy, but that’s what GCT calls them.
http://mentalfloss.com/article/33557/what%E2%80%99s-difference-between-boat-and-ship
https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1553
Did I mention I’m copying you for the 24th. Just not as well. Don’t have a pom pom throw.
Aww, thanks Kem! I know if you do it, it will be beautiful! I was a bit rushed since the workman showed up right in the middle of my picture taking. I forgot to light the lantern on the porch when I took the evening pictures. What a crazy December this has been! lol
Safe travels Susan, what a magical time to travel to Germany and the Netherlands! Your porch full of packages looks adorable! Merry Merry Christmas!
Thanks so much, Jenna!
Adorable Susan! Love all the plaid and vehicles, I pinned to my ‘Christmas on Wheels’ board. 🙂 Safe travels and Merry Christmas!
Your porch looks so cute! Sure hope the mess at the Atlanta airport yesterday didn’t cause you any travel grief? Merry Christmas and blessings for the year ahead. Vikki in VA
Susan,
Have an absolutely wonderful time on your trip. You are going to love Germany! I can’t wait to hear all about your adventure.
Frohliche Weinachten (Merry Christmas)!
JUST MAGICAL!!! franki (I miss HD Expo, too!!)
Thanks for hosting Susan. Your trip sounds so fun… I was just telling my husband about it last night. I can’t wait to hear more from you about it. Fun! Have a Merry Christmas… in Europe. 🙂 Liz
Your Christmas decorated porch is just enchanting. Thank you for hosting your party today. I hope you enjoy a wonderful week.
Your porch looks so festive, Susan! I hope you enjoy your trip and can’t wait to hear all about it! Merry Christmas to you!
Your porch is so cute! Great idea to start the festivities on the porch! Have a wonderful trip and Merry Christmas!
Thanks for hosting Susan! Merry Christmas to you and I hope you enjoy your trip! It sounds fabulous!
Delightful AND beautiful!
Thanks so much, Laurie! Merry Christmas to you!
I love porches. None here in Mexico as my house is walled which I do adore and I got to name my house. I always wanted to have a personalized house and now I do. “Casa de Jengibre” which is Ginger’s house. I do think I have ever seen a more Christmassy house than your is. Have a wonderful trip. I know you will find many treasures and better yet, make lifetime memories.
Susan: I hope you have a safe and enjoyable tour of the Christmas Markets. I have always wanted to see one of the European Christmas Markets. On another note, I really enjoy your blog and appreciate your generosity in sharing all of your home, shopping and travel experience and tips!! You work hard in giving great detail and honest opinion which is so helpful. I also love how you take such great care of the birds that fall under your temporary care. Many Christmas Blessings!
Thanks so much, Gina. Truly appreciate that! I’ve been covered up in crows and starlings the last few days and had to finally take in the mealworms, I hope they move along real soon. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!
Have a lovely holiday!
Thanks, Michael! Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!
Susan – love the details on your porch, the lit lanterns, fresh greenery, packages that would disappear in a minute (ITP) Atlanta.
Best wishes on your last minute fling to Europe and I look forward to seeing your beautiful pictures. No stress, no rain, no freezing bitter wind and lots of open Christmas markets. Sending you blessings of the season, Teresa
Thanks, Teresa! Hoping for some snow since I bought that insulated coat…but I can skip the freezing wind/rain. lol
I can’t wait to hear all about your upcoming safari! I was just thinking about you last night and how much I love traveling with you! Will miss you on this trip!
Thanks for hosting Susan!
Your porch is so lovely and lends itself so well to Christmas decorations! Enjoy your trip. We all will be looking forward to your updates. Safe travels!!
Susan, the porch is so sweet and whimsical. I know that your neighbors must really enjoy seeing what you will do next!
I was thinking about your trip today when I came across a program on PBS about the Christmas Markets of Europe. It included a couple of the places that you will be visiting as well as my beloved Nuremberg (Nurnberg). I really enjoyed watching and imagining myself being there! As I mentioned in your last post, the Rhine River Cruise and Germany specifically have a dear place in my heart. (Although France, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, etc., etc., are all wonderful places to visit). Once the love of travel is in your blood, you just keep thinking about the next place that you want to visit, right?!
God Bless your journey and give you much happiness as you experience this new adventure! Merry Christmas!
It looks so inviting! Love how you decorated!
Have a wonderful trip Susan and thank your for hosting today. Always appreciated. Your front porch looks so inviting and so glad the light fixtures are back in place, fixed. Merry Christmas.
Joy
So excited for your trip, Susan! I hope you have a wonderful time!! You mentioned “ship” above. Are you flying to Europe or sailing by ship? Either way, I know you’ll have a super time!! I’ll be looking forward to all the photos.
Merry Christmas!! Jane xo
Thanks, Jane! I’m flying there and then we board our ship in Amsterdam. It will be a little strange spending Christmas in Germany. lol
I think you’ll have a wonderful time! We were watching Rick Steves’ Christmas special the other night, and the markets in Germany are the best! Just loaded with wonderful things!! Hope lots of them are still open.
Your porch is super cute. Love the details like the truck and car. Your house lights are very pretty- I’m glad you found someone to help get the hardware to work. Wishing you a safe and very fun vacation and a Very Merry Christmas!
Susan, have a wonderful time on your trip and a very Merry Christmas. Thank you for your generosity all year long, sharing our posts via your parties. I really do appreciate it and always enjoy poking around and seeing what you’ve been up to as well. Warm regards. Kim
Susan I just love your porch! It never disappoints.
Merriest Christmas to you Susan and have a wonderful trip. I am sure it will be fun and exciting.
God bless
The porch is so welcoming and a great invitation to come into your home. You come up with the cutest ideas. If you have time, it would be great to see what you are packing to wear on this cold weather trip. I watched the video for the trip next year and am over the moon with excitement for you! It will be a Christmas you will never forget. Also, saw many red coats. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas as you experience special customs in the different countries. MaryEllen. xoxo
Susan, have the best time on your trip. I can’t imagine that it won’t be magical at every turn. I look forward to following along on instagram. Safe travels and Merry Christmas!
Your porch looks great, so festive! I thought about decorating boxes and placing on the porch, but we have been experiencing high winds so I chucked that idea for this year. Would have had to place a brick inside, ha. I know you will have an awesome time in Germany, the land that started the Christmas tree tradition! Looking forward to your pictures. Godspeed and Merry Christmas!
Love the porch and Mr. and Mrs. Deer in the red truck. They really get around at Christmas.
May you have a safe trip. Merry Christmas to you and all of the posters.
That love bug is so cute with the tree on top. Very welcoming porch. Love your lanterns (you take such good care of your possession). Have a wonderful trip!
Thanks for hosting! Your house looks beautiful!
Merry Christmas!
Have a wonderful trip!
Katherine