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Sunday, December 24, 2017

And Don't It Make Ya Merry!

I am so happy to have completed the Sweet Christmas cottage in time for Christmas! Here are my favorite photos of the project. For those that don't know (mom and dad), just click the first photo. It will take you to the viewing screen where you can click through them all in a much larger size.


  



  












 


Here we see Ellie and Jim enjoying the first of many Christmases in their tiny but perfect home. Ginger is pretty excited too! She can smell the treats in her stocking!


Here they are again about to kiss under the mistletoe.


May the blessings of Christmas, or whatever has you celebrating and finding life's meaning, fill you and yours with love that lasts forever!

The kitchen's smellin' Christmas like
with cookies, cakes and 'nog is spiked
the turkey's roasting juicy crisp
makes ya hungry just gettin' a whiff
anticipation, happiness
and don't it make ya merry

The tree's all strung with pretty lights
and ornaments strung perfect right
the gifts all wrapped with festive bows
and stockings lined up in a row
the firelight all warm, aglow
and don't it make ya merry

The night is peaceful, quiet, still
like every creature has the will
to reflect upon the grace
and put perspective in it's place
worry none, there ain't no trace
and don't it make ya merry

Christmas means a lot of things
and varied are the joys it brings
remember why we do it all
and you'll be ready when He calls
gratitude will fill your heart
and don't it make ya merry

It all boils down to just one phrase
"love one another", so simple and straight
show that love, you'll get it back
the more ya give the less ya lack
and on it goes, just works like that
and don't it make ya merry

(inspired by Speakin' O' Christmas, Paul Laurence Dunbar, 1913)

Merry Christmas!
xo xo xo xo xo xo
Jodi

44 comments:

  1. Very cozy Christmas house!
    Very good job.
    Merry Christmas
    Britt

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    1. Thanks Britt! Hope your Christmas was wonderful and that your New Year is even better!

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  2. Jodi, this is wonderful! Real Christmasy... :-)

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    1. Thanks Marion! There was certainly no shortage of Christmas inspiration to keep me going!

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  3. Some of the photos of this wonderful Christmas house could make beautiful Christmas cards.
    Merry Christmas to you and yours and the best of 2018!
    Hugs, Drora

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    1. Thank you, Drora! I hope your 2018 is full of wonder and creativity!
      Hugs,
      Jodi

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  4. Merry Christmas Jodi!!! It is so Fun to see Ellie and Jim celebrating in their tiny Sweet House!!! :) (I love the gift Ellie is opening!)And the review of all the fantastic details in this project is Swoon-worthy!!! I can't tell you how inspiring this house is for me... with my "Someday Christmas House" on my project list....(and I'm not talking about the Secret Christmas House either!) I'm Daydreaming away up here in the icy North!!!
    I hope you and yours have a Wonderful Christmas and a Blessed New Year!!!! (Yes, it's all about Love... the more you give... the more you get...!)

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    1. Thanks so much Betsy! I am so happy that you have been inspired in some way by this project, and look forward to seeing your "Someday Christmas House" getting it's wings! You Daydream the most incredible ideas up there in the icy North!
      I hope your Christmas was filled with magic and inspires more dreaming and creating in 2018! I know you have buckets worth of love coming back to you! ;O)

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  5. Perfect compilation of photos! Love seeing one big overview. The exterior just gets me every time!! Have a fabulous Christmas Jodi! Hope you get to spend lots of time with loved ones :) Can't wait to see what's in store for you in 2018!

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    1. Thank you Kristine! I hope your Christmas was a fun and memorable one, as well! I am also looking forward to what you've got in store for us in 2018 and to seeing more photos of the Belmont house! I just loves the Instagram photos, and was so sorry to hear about the memory card mishap!

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  6. Love your pictures!!! Fantastic gingerbread house and items!!! Merry Xmas!

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    1. Thanks Noelle! I hope your Christmas was a happy one too!

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  7. What a wonderful house tour. Thanks, Jodi!

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    1. Thank you Nancy! I am happy to know you enjoyed it!

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  8. Merry Christmas Jodi, Ellie and Jim and families!

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    1. Thanks Shannon! Hope yours was fun and memorable!

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  9. Replies
    1. Thanks Keli! It was truly Merry! Hope yours was too!

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  10. Lovely post, thanks. Your cottage turned out beautiful!

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    1. Thank you Megan! And now I'll add it to the round of dusting that must be done on the ever increasing projects! ;O)

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  11. So much eye candy here! That tree is just spectacular! And looking back on your rooms has reminded me what a skill it is to mix so much pattern together and make it look cohesive. You have succeeded in spades my friend. :D
    And hubba hubba, look out Jim, when Ellie, gets into that gift! ;p

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    1. Thank you, Sam! I am glad that you like the effect of the patterns! I think with a Christmas themed project you can kind of get away with a bit more busy, thank goodness! Yes - Ellie has some plans for her dreamy eyed man - one of the benefits of a long and happy married life! ;O)

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  12. Merry Christmas! Thank you for sharing all these wonderful photos. I still can't believe how you got it all done - with all the wonderful details (like the gingerbread patterned wall paper in the kitchen and the picture of Santa taking a bath in the bathroom. Such a great picture! It's so fabulous! Hope you have a wonderful Holiday season and I look forward to being inspired by your creations in 2018!

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    1. Thanks Penelope! There was no shortage of Christmas inspiration and materials out there for this project, and I am so grateful that I was able to "let go" into so many of them! I am so happy you enjoyed the project too, and I hope I don't disappoint you in 2018! Can't wait to see what you've got in store, too, now that you are unpacking and playing with your treasures again!

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  13. Jodi, it has been wonderful to follow this project and the result is just fabulous. You have made the most wonderful Christmas home! I keep enjoying myself watching all the photos again and again. Thank you for sharing your wonderful project and Christmas spirit with us. I hope you have had a happy Christmas and you continue to enjoy the holidays with your loved ones. I wish 2018 bring all the good things for you and your family, more blogging and minis! xxx

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    1. Thanks so much, Alex! It really makes me happy to know that you have enjoyed the project, too!
      I also hope your Christmas was a wonderful one, and that you continue to enjoy them into 2018! I know I will be inspired by your creative ideas and look forward to the year ahead and where our incredible community takes us!

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  14. Merry Christmas Jodi! Hope it's a happy new year as well. I love this house. absolutely love it.

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    1. Thanks Sheila! It was so nice to have your support and comments throughout the project, and to share in your inspiring creativity too! Hope 2018 will bring more good things to all of us!

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  15. A wonderful gingerbread house! Delight! Very beautiful photos!
    Merry Christmas!
    Best wishes!
    Tatiana

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    1. Thank you Tatiana! Hope you had a lovely Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

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  16. Feliz navidad Jodi, y un año nuevo lleno de buenas cosas !!

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    1. ¡Deseo lo mismo para ti, Carmen! ¡Todo lo mejor!

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  17. Es fantástica por fuera y encantadora y acogedora por dentro. ¡Precioso trabajo!

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    1. ¡Gracias, Isabel! ¡Estoy tan feliz de que te guste! ¡Es muy divertido compartirlo con otras personas que aman a los minis!

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  18. Your Sweet Christmas Cottage is so wonderful and perfect in every way!! I just love all the little details. Ellie and Jim seem to be really enjoying it and I'm sure they will fill it with love and joy. Hugs,Jean

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    1. Thank you Jean! I am so happy that you like it!
      Hope your New Year is off to a promising start!
      Hugs,
      Jodi

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  19. Hello Jodi,
    I am so glad you got this masterpiece done in time for Christmas. It is amazing! I hope you had a lovely Christmas and I wish you all the best for 2018.
    Big hug
    Giac

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  20. Thank you Giac! I hope your time away from work was wonderful and spirit filling! I know you and Jo are in for a fantastic 2018, because those who show so much love tend to get it back in spades! Big Hugs and Happy New Year!

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  21. I wonder where you have got the double red bows or have you made them?
    Britt
    e-mail: britt@fingerborgen.se

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    1. Hi Britt,
      I sent the information to you in and email!
      Jodi

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  22. Oh my Jodi!
    I don't know what to say...
    It's sooooooo amazing!!
    I am truly in awe...


    Véronique

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  23. Jodi! I cannot find words to say, how miraculous your Christmas cottage is! Just amazing! -Kristiina from Finland

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    1. Thanks Kristina! It was a joy to work on and I look forward to displaying it every year! I am so happy that you left such a kind comment!

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