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Christmas Greens

December 2nd, 2009

It’s that time of the year to put up Christmas, at least outdoors. I like fresh mixed greens and big white lights gracing my little cottage. There’s just something so welcoming about them.
Christmas_lights_at_night
I like big colored lights as well and I think about using them every so often, but when it comes time to decorate I just can’t use anything but white.
fresh_pine_garland
I bought my garland last Tuesday, and I soaked in in a garbage can of water (from my rain barrels) for 5 days. I took them out Sunday to dry, but then it rained, so I’m hoping it will be dry enough to put it up today or tomorrow. Oddly enough it was December 3 last year when I put up my garland (I have these great photos of Dexter, helping me, before he was officially ours).
Soaking_Christmas_garland
I need to gather everything I’m going to need to get our holiday cheer going. I have grapevine stars and pine cones to go along with the garland and lights. I love the natural look! I don’t have tons of time this year, but I’ll make time to put decorations up outside. I may not get any up inside, but I don’t think I could go without a little outdoor Christmas cheer.

Do you put up lights outside for Christmas?

16 Comments to “Christmas Greens”
  1. pam on December 2, 2009 at 8:01 am

    We are so lazy. We have two wreaths with lights on them. We hang them on the porch, plug them in, and call it a day.
    .-= pam´s last blog ..Garden Tuesday – Supermarket Flowers =-.

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  2. clive on December 2, 2009 at 8:04 am

    We do not decorate outside the house largely because our neighbours have excesive decorations; giant inflatable snowmen and santas and lights all over the front of their houses. Good fun but using loads of energy and causing light pollution . I supose a nice wreath on front door would be a good idea.

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  3. kristin @ going country on December 2, 2009 at 8:42 am

    No. I really, really want to, but there are no outlets outside, so we would have to run an extension cord through a door, and that would mean the door would be cracked a little, which would mean cold.

    Most of our decorations are indoors.
    .-= kristin @ going country´s last blog ..The Sheep Talkers =-.

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  4. Dave on December 2, 2009 at 9:44 am

    We haven’t gotten to putting lights up outside yet. Maybe when the kids are a little older and we have more time. I would like to put up green garland like you are using, it adds so much to Christmas!
    .-= Dave´s last blog ..Under the Cover of a December Frost =-.

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  5. Missy on December 2, 2009 at 10:52 am

    We put our garland and lights up on Sunday, complete with the timers so we don’t think about them at all. They turn themselves on, they turn themselves off. No worries. We just bought our indoor tree last night and decorated it, it smells so so good! I was so proud, as of December 1st—all shopping, wrapping, and decorating (in and out) are all done.

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    • Susy on December 2, 2009 at 11:01 am

      You’re so on top of it. Usually I’ve got all my Christmas up by this time, not this year. I’ve been too busy. I have been sewing up a storm in the evenings trying to get all of my homemade gifts done. I also have a few more batches of jams & jellies to finish up.

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  6. Morgan G on December 2, 2009 at 11:47 am

    Susy, I have never used fresh greens before but I’d love to try. Can I ask why you soak them for a few days?
    .-= Morgan G´s last blog ..Trees, Please =-.

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    • Susy on December 2, 2009 at 11:59 am

      I soak them because they’re like cut flowers. They like to have a drink. Since it’s impossible to soak them while they’re hanging (although some people do mist with water), I soak them before I hang them. This helps them last a week or two longer than without soaking.

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  7. melissa on December 2, 2009 at 1:23 pm

    We never did in this house because we don’t have an outlet in the front. But I probably wouldn’t on a two-story house, anyway. I do love to put a wreath on the door, though. :)

    I had wondered about how to keep them fresh…that is a great idea. I looove the smell.
    .-= melissa´s last blog ..Best of 2009 Day 1: Best Trip =-.

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  8. MAYBELLINE on December 2, 2009 at 2:59 pm

    Inside and out!
    .-= MAYBELLINE´s last blog ..Thanksgiving Bounty =-.

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  9. Chicago Mike on December 2, 2009 at 3:03 pm

    Not if I can help it. But I can’t usually help it. :)

    My wife loves them.
    .-= Chicago Mike´s last blog ..Some Dehydrating =-.

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    • Susy on December 2, 2009 at 9:53 pm

      I love them too, but I haven’t been able to get Mr Chiots to help, I need to talk to your wife :)

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  10. Conny on December 2, 2009 at 8:58 pm

    We put up lights outside but haven’t yet – probably this weekend. There is no way we could compete with the neighbor’s house though. It’s not a competition at all, but next door they have a display which makes our lights look quite dim. I will be posting pictures this year on my blog because when I tell people my next-door neighbor has a “surfing Santa” on the roof, no one really gets it.
    .-= Conny´s last blog ..Corner view – corners of your home =-.

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    • Susy on December 2, 2009 at 9:54 pm

      I’m thinking with the rain that moved in today I’ll be waiting till this weekend as well. Looks either Sat or Sun will be a nice day for it.

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  11. the inadvertent farmer on December 2, 2009 at 10:14 pm

    Love the garland…just put up our outside lights today, the kids are thrilled! Kim
    .-= the inadvertent farmer´s last blog ..Prefab Gingerbread House Yes I cheated! =-.

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  12. Mandie on December 3, 2009 at 10:12 am

    I love that you use real greenery. I don’t know where one could find it out here. In high school we use to sell it for Kayettes. I would love when it came in, the smell is sooo fresh and yummy. Can’t wait to see it all up with lights!
    .-= Mandie´s last blog ..Homemade goodies for Christmas =-.

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This is a daily journal of my efforts to cultivate a more simple life, through local eating, gardening and so many other things. We used to live in a small suburban neighborhood Ohio but moved to 153 acres in Liberty, Maine in 2012.

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