New Year's Eve

You know how the old year going out is depicted by an old man with a cane and the new year coming in is with a cute little baby?

One of my sisters made this tiny doll for me. And of course I love her. She is crawling on her tummy. I wonder what I will learn and how I will grow next year?

Happy New Year's Eve...gift!

For some reason...I'm not really sure, we say that on the eve of every holiday!

Love, Rachel

Almost Gone?

This past year has been full of changes.
The light is shining toward the new year to come. Are you looking forward to it? What is one of your New Year's resolutions?

I plan to be more intentional in tiny acts of kindness to my children and husband.

Have a fun day.
Love, Rachel

The Winner!

Yay! Congratulations! The winner of the magazine is "Jeanne" listed under Anonymous. She was chosen by random pick, so if you could email me with your address, I will get the magazine right out to you! It is my gift from the heart to you!

Thank you so much for your kind and sweet comments. I am still adding in the links to my "Blogs I Enjoy" list, so if you would like to be added just leave a comment with your link information.

Have a fun Monday!

Love, Rachel

Thank You!

A friend gave me these twisted wire snowflakes. There are 4 of them. You can use them all together, or obviously separately. I think they are absolutely darling. I hope you had a merry little Christmas. I don't have to think very long and hard to find myself feeling thankful and joyful deep inside. We had family all around. We have peace. We have health and safety. In spite of all this past year has held for us, I am still thankful. I count my blessings with emotions that are sometimes as varied as snowflakes!
One of my blessings has been you, my readers...those of you who leave comments and those of you who don't. You have been so kind to me and I appreciate that.
I thank those of you who have found me and told me you enjoy this blog. I have learned so much this year through all of you. I have made some wonderful friends.

When I give gifts, they may not be large and flamboyant, but they are from my heart. You know if you've read my blog very long, or know me personally, that I LOVE decor magazines. I read them from cover to cover, backwards and forwards, forwards and backwards, over and over. I feel like I know the editors and writers and stylists and photographers like friends...though I really don't! I'm just me...little ole' Rachel!
I've felt the ups and downs as the magazines have changed editors or direction with decor and marketing. I have a few favorites that are 10 years old. Yes really, but they are organized.
As my way of saying thank you for this year of blogging fun, I am going to draw a name from the comments that are left on this posting, and I will send you my most current issue of "Romantic Country". Whew! There I got it out!
I know a lot of you have already purchased this magazine, but I've contemplated this for days, and I finally realized that I just needed to give it up.
It truly is a gift from my heart.
Leave a comment, and I'll draw a name from the comments on Sunday night!

Also, you have mentioned to me that you use my "Blogs I Enjoy" list to go to other blogs. I know I have used other blog lists in the same way. SSSSSSSOOOOOOOOO, if you do not see your blog link in my "Blogs I Enjoy" list, it would make me so happy to add you to my list. Please just let me know your blog info through your comment, or my email...found under "About A Romantic Porch".

I'm looking forward to talking to you again on Monday when I tell you whose name is drawn for the magazine. Have a wonderful weekend!
Love, Rachel

Merry Christmas!

Twas the night before Christmas.
Not a creature was stirring.
Not even a mouse.

Well, only except for momma who was up making sure that Santa ate his cookies and Rudolph ate his carrots! Sort of!

But then the delightful smell of iced cinnamon toast wafted from the kitchen and all creatures began to stir.

Even Ivory had a yummy feast as she wiggled and squirmed with glee at the taste of fresh sliced orange.

Have a special, one of a kind Christmas day.

Merry Christmas!

Love, Rachel

Pausing on Christmas Eve

Each year the Nativity story is depicted in such pretty and perfect terms, almost a sterile manger scene of sorts. I'm sure you know the story well.

I pause to think, how could that be? Wasn't the world harsh and cold? And wasn't a meager stable a place where farm animals ate and slept...a small shelter from the cold and the harsh night beyond?

In the darkness and cold the glow of a light brings much more brilliance than when it is shining in the warmth of sunshine.
Did Mary talk to the animals? Did she ask them to move over? Or did they scurry to make room for her as they heard her cries of anguish. She was probably just looking for a place to lay her head, a place to lie down, to pause and take deep breaths as she pondered the magnitude of the labor to come.
Did the animals come close to bring her warmth? And did the sheep offer his side for a pillow? I don't know!

I do know that the world is harsh and cold.
I do know sometimes our shelter may feel like a meager refuge from the harsh night beyond.
I do know life can be hard and filled with pain and anguish.

And so for all of this we need a Savior...a Light shining brilliantly to bring hope!

On Christmas Eve I pause and ponder...HOPE!
Love, Rachel

White Christmas?

We've had cold cold cold temps and ice and freezing rain is predicted in a few hours. Then I think it is supposed to warm up and we'll probably have a slushy Christmas at that point.

However in the true spirit of things I can offer you a few of my tiny white items of decor.

But if that is not enough, and you just must, absolutely must have a white Christmas, I think you should just click right here and see Karla's porch!

With that being said, are you still dreaming of a white Christmas?
Have a dreamy white day!

Love, Rachel