Vintage Bible

During the Christmas holidays I went to an antique store that I always enjoying browsing at. I went to get a mirror out of layaway. On my browsing tour I noticed this Bible. Seeing how aged it looked, I checked for the price. FREE! Grabbing it, I took it to the counter. There's something wonderful about finding an old Bible that someone else loved and read. Personally, I love to read through old Bibles that have scriptures underlined and highlighted. People are different. Some never write or mark in their Bibles. I like to highlight scriptures in mine. If you're like me, you forget where some verses are found. So it makes it easier to find those encouraging verses of scripture if you highlight them. The vintage Bible I found at the antique store now has a new home.

I'm linking to Knick of Time Interiors.

Cabin Cottage Christmas

The theme of Christmas this year in my cabin cottage is a simple one. Enjoy the special vintage finds I've recently come across. Bake in the new oven my husband bought me awhile back. Look at the side table with family pictures, Christmas photos of the past, and new family photos with Christmas cards - and hold close the sweet loving memories of fond pastimes. Play games. Do a puzzle. Read a book. Simply relaxing.

Here are a few photos of recent vintage things I've picked up and Christmas decorations of the fireplace.

The snowman and candy - gifts from friends

Fresh pink and red poinsettias-a gift from my hubby. Black candle stand a vintage find from awhile back. The PEACE LOVE JOY terra cotta pot I painted with black chalkboard paint. The needlework handmade by my daughter. All these bring joy to me on Christmas.

My daughter's beautiful needlework from years back. Sweet memories!

An old Bible I found at an antique store. Price: FREE!

A poinsettia plant I got for 25 cents at Home Depot.

The fireplace with more candles and "CHRISTMAS" spelled out. The vintage JOY plaque I picked up awhile back.

Christmas candy.

I'm linking to Pink Saturday, The Thrifty Home

Back to the Basics Christmas

Popular Christmas greetings this year in Santa Monica, California may be heard as "Happy Holidays" and not "Merry Christmas" at least for some people. I like to say both as I love the holidays including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. All three holidays bring back special memories I have of my family.

My special memories of holidays from November, December, and January include family gatherings with tasty prepared recipes, driving around town to look at Christmas lights, drinking hot apple cider, receiving fruit and candy paper gift bags handed out at church, enjoying fireworks with my family and cousins, singing Christmas carols with the church youth group, and just enjoying family.

One thing we didn't have too often in East Texas was snow, but occasionally we did. When we had snow, school was canceled. You got to stay home and build snowmen. Snow is beautiful, and I love it - for no more than a week every year. I'll let my sweet friends who live in the northern states enjoy longer durations of snow. I enjoy looking at their pictures. Speaking of pictures, it did snow not far from my cottage cabin about a week ago. There is a farm we always pass to get to our cottage cabin, and it looked like ones I see on Christmas cards.

These kind of Christmas and other holiday memories are simple ones, don't cost much money, and include Christ. Some may leave Him out, but I love to include Him in my holidays. This year I'm having a back-to-the-basics Christmas. Simple pretties. Baked tasty goodies. Bible reading. Gifts-from-the-heart giving. Loving Christ. Loving others.

Thank you for visiting Southwest Cottage Designs.

Merry Christmas!

I'm linking up to Pink Saturday.