• Home
  • Contact Me
  • Policies

Housepitality Designs

it's all about the hospitable home

December 24, 2014 By Shirley

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas -The Christmas 2014 Front Porch

Twas the Night Before Christmas . . .

When all through the house . . . . not a creature was stirring . . . not even a mouse!

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care . . .

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

Christmas 2014 Front Porch-Housepitality Designs

Christmas 2014 Front Porch-Housepitality Designs

The children were nestled all snug in their beds . . .

while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads.

And Mama in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap

had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

Christmas 2014 Front Porch-Housepitality Designs

When out on the roof there arose such a clatter !!!! . . . .

I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash . . .

tore open the shutter, and threw up the sash.

Christmas 2014 Porch-Housepitality Designs

The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow . . .

gave the lustre of midday to objects below.

When, WHAT to my wondering eyes should appear . . .

but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer!

Christmas 2014 Front Porch-Housepitality Designs

With a little old driver, so lively and quick . . .

I knew in a moment, it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles, his coursers they came . . .

and he whistled and shouted and called them by name:

Christmas 2014 Front Porch-Housepitality Designs

Now Dasher! . . . . Now Dancer!

Now, Prancer and Vixen!

On Comet! . . . On Cupid!

On Donner and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch!

To the top of the wall!

Now dash away! Dash away!

Dash away all!!!

Christmas 2014-Front Porch-Housepitality Desigs

As dry leaves that before wild hurricanes fly . . .

when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky . . .

so up to the house top the coursers they flew . . .

with a sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too!

Christmas 2014 Front Porch-Housepitality Designs

And then in a twinkling, I heard on the roof . . .

the prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head and was turning around . . .

down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound!

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot . . .

and his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back . . .

and he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

Christmas 2014 Front Porch-Housepitality Designs

His eyes, how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow . . .

and the beard on his chin was as white as the snow.

DSC_8929

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

and the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.

He had a broad face and a little round belly . . .

that shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly.

Christmas 2014 Front Porch-Housepitality Designs

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf . . .

and I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head . . .

soon gave me to know that I had nothing to dread.

Christmas 2014 Front Porch-Housepitality Designs

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work . . .

and filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.

And laying his finger aside of his nose . . .

and giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.

And to all a good night-Housepitality Designs

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle . . .

and away they all flew like the down of a thistle

But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,

HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!”

Clay Nativity-Housepitality Designs

From my family to yours, I wish you all a very blessed and joyous Christmas as we all

celebrate with our own special traditions, the birth of Jesus Christ Our Lord and Savior.

NOTE: The poem, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas was written by Clement Clarke Moore

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Christmas porch, Christmas Wreath, garland, handmade wooden reindeer, Holiday Porch, Lanterns, lighted garland, Vintage door 24 Comments

Previous Post: « Christmas Home Tour 2014
Next Post: Top Projects of 2014 »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mary says

    December 24, 2014 at 11:30 am

    Merry Christmas Shirley! Your porch is beautiful and I especially love your hanging ornaments!

    Reply
  2. laura@top this top that says

    December 24, 2014 at 11:47 am

    gorgeous! love how you hung those big ornaments from your ceiling. love the pic of your girl and your navitity. merry christmas.

    Reply
  3. Kim says

    December 24, 2014 at 12:25 pm

    I love your porch all decorated for the holiday. That is one place I was lazy this year. Just the lighted garland around the door. No one on my street hardly decorated outside this year.

    Reply
  4. Babs says

    December 24, 2014 at 12:42 pm

    Beautiful post! LOVE your porch decorations, especially the hanging ornaments, and the trees beside the doorway. Best “decoration” of all is your sweet nativity scene. Wishing you and your family a joyous Christmas.

    Reply
  5. Nancy sharp says

    December 24, 2014 at 1:36 pm

    I love seeing that sweet, smiling face of your precious granddaughter. Enjoy Christmas with her and have a blessed new year! I look forward to reading your blog in the new year. Your house is always beautiful no matter the season.

    Reply
  6. Cecilia says

    December 24, 2014 at 2:05 pm

    Your porch is beautiful! Merry Christmas to you and yours.

    Reply
  7. Jayne says

    December 24, 2014 at 2:05 pm

    Merry Christmas, Shirley! May the Lord bless you and your family!

    Reply
  8. Linda miller says

    December 24, 2014 at 2:20 pm

    The porch is perfectly decorated to welcome your guests into your home. Merry Christmas to you and Tom. On a side note, you would not be able to decorate your porch like that here…we have had 50 mile an hour wind gusts for the past few days. We may be rewarded with a white Christmas.

    Reply
  9. Shelia says

    December 24, 2014 at 2:33 pm

    Dear Shirley! How beautiful your porch looks! I really love those hanging ornaments from the ceiling. You have a Nativity on the porch? Oh, how marvelous. Merry Christmas to you and your family, sweet friend.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply
  10. Pinky at Designs by Pinky says

    December 24, 2014 at 3:19 pm

    i LOVE, love your porch and especially the hanging ornaments! They are truly the icing on the cake! I wish our weather was milder here. Your topiary is looking so pretty with the icy branches and the red too! Wishing you a very merry and blessed Christmas. Have FUN with Gray!!!! She is SO adorable! XO

    Reply
  11. Pam @ diy Design Fanatic says

    December 24, 2014 at 3:38 pm

    Your porch looks so beautiful Shirley!Merry Christmas! For some reason my blog feed stopped working yesterday and takes forever to load. Wish me luck on fixing it!

    Reply
  12. Bonnie says

    December 24, 2014 at 4:21 pm

    Merry Christmas!!

    Reply
  13. Shana @ Our Feathered Nest says

    December 24, 2014 at 5:00 pm

    Merry Christmas to you and yours! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  14. cathy says

    December 24, 2014 at 6:24 pm

    Your porch is so festive and inviting, as if the rest of your house. Your granddaugher is adorable. Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  15. must love junk says

    December 24, 2014 at 7:48 pm

    Shirley, your porch is stunning! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
    xo
    Susan

    Reply
  16. Rosemary says

    December 24, 2014 at 11:36 pm

    MERRY CHRISTMAS, Shirley!

    Reply
  17. Katherines Corner says

    December 25, 2014 at 4:07 am

    beautiful!!! Merry Christmas my friend xoxo

    Reply
  18. jeannette says

    December 26, 2014 at 12:32 am

    Merry Christmas to you and your family Shirley. The picture of your grand daughter is just so sweet! Had to be content with visiting with mine on Skype today…sigh
    However, very happy that our son was able to come and spend a few days with us. Very thankful for that.
    As usual love all your decorations.
    Take care

    Reply
  19. Mary W. Ferguson says

    December 26, 2014 at 6:41 am

    Merry Christmas to you and yours. Your porch is stunning – love it!. Your sweetie is so cute.
    I enjoyed every minute with my Kelly – she is growing up so fast.
    Mary

    Reply
  20. Kelly says

    December 27, 2014 at 1:28 am

    Hope you had a great Christmas! Your front porch is so pretty all decked out for Christmas. I love the ornaments hung from the ceiling. You and I both have the same black lantern too. Mine is on my porch as well.

    Reply
  21. Karena says

    December 27, 2014 at 5:38 pm

    Beautiful Shirley, all of your holiday decor is so warm and welcoming!
    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena

    Reply
  22. Caralyn @ glutenfreehappytummy says

    December 28, 2014 at 1:14 am

    what a beautifully decorated home!

    Reply
  23. Madonna says

    December 28, 2014 at 2:10 am

    You have a lovely home and a very cute elf. Happy New Year.

    Madonna

    Reply
  24. Lorb says

    December 29, 2014 at 11:10 pm

    What a great idea to hang Christmas balls on the outside… Love it…

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

About Me

Hi I’m Shirley and I am here to share my love of classic interiors, french country style, my passion for flowers and making our home, The Hickory Cottage, a warm and hospitable home for family and friends.

Subscribe Via Email

Pinterest

Archives

Copyright © 2022 Housepitality Designs ยท Design By: Creative Kristi Designs ยท Log in