Tuesday, December 16, 2014

NATURE MANTEL


I would love to enjoy the story of your mantel if you have one
this time of year we love to surround ourselves with tradition and family and stories and history
and we bloggers like to share that

I don't know about you, but I could get lost in everyone's decorations and caught up in the stories 
of why you do what you do
I love it!

In our music/dining room I have 
The Nature Mantel
and this is how it all began

we have owls that hoot in our trees almost every night

a few houses down, a pair of owls have a nest every year...
...in the crook of a huge old elm tree
the baby owl photo is from google but this is exactly what they look like
(it's not smart to take photos of baby owls)

because the parents watch from up above and they just might swoop down and pluck your eyeballs right out of your head...no one likes that!

I tend to break the rules...these babies are past the white fluff ball stage, and I couldn't resist the risk

 Pier 1 has got them down to an irresistible T!

and like your mantel might...mine tells a story...a family story
that begins with
two jeweled cardinals in a sparkly snowy tree

Mr. and Mrs. PV...two birds in a tree

this snowy tree has three cardinals on the icy branches
they signify our three kids

this mantel has changed several times since we've lived in 822...
...due to our sweet additions to our family

this baby owl nest used to represent the three kids but now-- 
the nest, lined with shredded vintage music, are
Grace, Jena and Mattie

we have added a new deer
we now have three deer that are
Charles, Coach Been and new this Christmas 
Ashley August Pshigoda

and it gets even better!

this year we also have three owls that represent
Betty, Perilyn and Jordy (Ashley's daughter and our new granddaughter)
and what do I see here?  
Why yes...that is a gold egg in its own little nest

next year, there will be a new baby owl perched in 
HIS
own little nest
and if we are very lucky
that little gold egg might just make a return next year...although who it might belong to 
is only for God to know right now!

every time I see this mantel 

my heart is filled with 

JOY

and upstairs?

the mantel just brings a tear to my eye
it's a fun one, where we hang our stockings
~each family~
that now includes the newbie Pshigodas

I would love to know the story about your mantel

Linking with

















17 comments:

NanaDiana said...

Your mantle is wonderful and what a great inspiration from baby owlets! They are so so so cute, aren't they? You did good getting a picture like you did of them. Brave woman AND still have both eyeballs!

You did a beautiful job. xo Diana

Karena said...

Beautiful Gina! I have a lot of birds in my decot; however have not done owls. Those little guys are adorable though!

xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena

Anonymous said...

youe decorations are beautiful and even more beautiful than I would have imagined they would be, you know how I feel about owls, lol, this post made my heart sing for sure, Happy Happy holidays to you and your beautiful family ( and house) lol, you know how I love that house!!!,

Stacy CUrran said...

I've always been a bit creeped out by owls, but those little ones are SO cute! I think I'd change my mind if I had them in my yard. Beautiful post!
Stacy

Tina@WhatWeKeep said...

I have three of those little fluffy owls representing my sons. They are the cutest! Our mantle is always woodland because that's my happy place. Love the little egg that will be debuting soon. Total sweetness.

bj said...

OOO, those baby owls are so so cute...and I was in Pier 1 just today and saw their adorable owls...
Love this post....

bj said...

OOO, those baby owls are so so cute...and I was in Pier 1 just today and saw their adorable owls...
Love this post....

Row homes and Cobblestones said...

Gina loved your photograph of the Owls and adore your mantle. Very sweet storyline and the meaning of the gold egg is precious.
xo

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

SIGH SIGH SIGH!

Gina, I love this idea. I just have not been home enough in the day time (work, you know) to take any decent photos of my mantle. The stories we can tell of our homes, right?

AND THOSE OWLS, both real and ornamental....sacred birds of wonder. MUCH LOVE TO YOU! Anita

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Oh you dear heart...I just saw your comment on my blog. What a beautiful thing to say.

Blessings of CHRIST on your household!

Rustic Vintage Country said...

Just gorgeous, all of it and as for owls, you've got my weakness, so cute! Suzy xo

designchic said...

These are all so adorable - I have a few birds on my tree but now I have new inspiration - gorgeous!

Anajá Schmitz said...

Olá,
lindas corujas, por aqui não se encontra mais corujas. Adorei sua decoração de natal. O que é mantel? Antigamente o natal era mais comemorado hoje é muito comercial. As pessoa s´o pensam em consumismo.
Bem, te desejo um ótimo natal e ano novo cheio de coisas boas.

Unknown said...

Your mantel story is so sweet!! My mantel isn't so much a story of family but a tale of my journey as a designer...it began with a simple garland and changes every year to reflect my design mood.
But the sideboard in the kitchen tells the story of love between a mother and daughter-in-law when she gave me a pair of hens - one mother and one baby. She also gave baby ones to my mother and my daughter as she said we were all connected by me. I love unpacking them every year.

Debbie@Mountain Breaths said...

Gina, I love this post. Your mantel is right up my alley. I rescued a great horned owlet with a broken wing over 20 years ago. From that point on, I was fascinated by owls. I'll be showing my mantel over the weekend, filled with nutcrackers.

Debbie@Mountain Breaths said...

Gina, I love this post. Your mantel is right up my alley. I rescued a great horned owlet with a broken wing over 20 years ago. From that point on, I was fascinated by owls. I'll be showing my mantel over the weekend, filled with nutcrackers.

miss b said...

What a lovely, cute story. Your home is looking so festive with so many details. It's a wonderful time of the year!