Libby shows off her winter coat and her Holiday bling

We have been using every day-lit, non rainy moment in the last six weeks to cut down gardens, plant bulbs, and most importantly, decorate for the winter holidays. As I mentioned previously, Corinne and Ellie worked four weeks putting lights in the deciduous trees in the Courtly Check Courtyard and in two trees in front of the archway. We also decorated a big evergreen tree in the entry circle. We have used LED lights in all the trees; the lower energy requirements of the LED strings allow us to connect many strings together without blowing fuses. Corinne and Ellie did a superb job- Ellie even came back after dark to take pictures.

Locust Trees in the Courtly Check Courtyard

The archway flanked by a Coffee Tree and Locust treeGarland wrapped lamp postsThe Farmhouse Porch

In addition to the LED lights on the trees we put incandescent lights in various locations throughout the Estate. This year we put fairy lights on the Concolor Fir trees by the front entrance, on the Frasier Fir trees beside the doors, under the archway, and outlining several structures on the grounds.

The Gazebo

The other important element in our holiday decorations is the use of evergreen wreath, garlands, medallions, and boughs. I purchase our wreaths from a nearby Amish woman. She and her family do a lovely job creating a multitude of mixed-green wreaths and hundreds of feet of garland.

The wreaths vary from 10 inches up to huge 48 inch wreaths that we hang on our barn doors. The wreaths and garlands are comprised of Douglas Fir, Frasier Fir, and white pine. As a special touch Ada adds multiflora rose hips; we decorate the wreaths with pine cones and bows.

The garlands are used to wrap the lamp posts, porch posts and around doorways. We intertwine fairy lights through the garlands.

Simon poses on the Farmhouse porch

We use about 200 pounds of evergreen boughs to fill in window boxes, around the fountain, and make arrangements for either side of the doors going into the shop and the farmhouse. I use a base of Douglas Fir, Frasier Fir, White Pine, and boxwood; to these greens I add Oregon Cedar, Salal, and seeded Eucalyptus.  I like to use crab apples and Mountain Ash berries from our property as accents in the arrangements.

I love the different textures each green brings to the evergreen arrangements

The Fountain in the Courtly Check Courtyard

Mountain Ash Berries

 The medallions we hang on the farmhouse, shop, tour center, and employee entrance doors are special decorations we created after visiting Cooperstown, NY and being inspired by the decorations supplied by the Clarke Foundation. Our special project manager created a frame which holds a Courtly Check tile and our signature thistle surrounded by boxwood. I pick gilded leaves, pomegranates, acorns, lady apples, and cones to adorn the greens. I especially enjoy creating the medallions; I like their unique beauty.

Medallions on the shop doors

The Farmhouse medallions use smaller tiles so we have left off the thistle

We hope your holiday preparations are as joyful as ours. I love this time of year with its cheery lights and fresh smells. Enjoy the pictures of our latest efforts.