Sunday, December 7, 2008

Rough Ride & Decorating the log staircase
















It was a miracle we made it to the log cabin on Saturday. It is a 3 hour drive to our place and it ended up taking us 5 hours due to the weather, spin outs and standstill traffic. At one point, people were turning around on the freeway and going back up the wrong way ramp! (Okay, I admit, we were one of those people, but I had to go to the bathroom!) But we were determined to make it to the cabin. Of course we had plans to go to a Christmas festival but Greg accidentally drove my car into a ditch. So by the time the tow truck arrived and pulled us out - we only had time left to go grab a meal. Transportation was not in our favor this day.

On to better things, I decorated the log staircase with garland (bought from Garden Ridge - $3.00 per 9 feet) and added ribbons and other decorative Christmas ware. What do you think? (And should I add lights?)

32 comments:

Lady of the Mote said...

ouch sorry you had such a rough trip,
the staircase looks lovely,
lights would be nice too

Judy said...

I'm sorry your trip was not a fun one. I love your decorations and I think lights would be a nice addition.

Alex and Alicia said...

Although the staircase looks lovely as it is, stringing some beautiful white (or colored) lights through the garland would definitely add a little extra something! If you do, please let us know how the new look turns out :)

Jen said...

Oh wow, I thought I went up the ramp the wrong way too, but I am where I wanted to go---Love your new look here! :)

Deorations look lovely! Yes, addd lights since you don't have a fireplace.

Jessica said...

Oh Wow!! I love the winter theme!! It is so cold and crisp and bright! It's beautiful. I love your log cabin in the header. Very nice. Rebecca is awesome.

All of your Christmas decor at the cabin is perfect... It's so cabiny (you know what I mean).

I'm glad you made it to the cabin safe. I was glad I didn't have to drive anywhere the last few days.

If you rent sleds this winter you will be hooked!! I was afraid of snowmobiles for years. My husband and kids have been on the sleds for a long time. I finally figured that if I couldn't beat them then I had better join them. Only 3 years ago I got on a sled for the first time. I was hooked right away. It takes time to get comfortable but it really is pretty easy. And with all the snow that you have at the cabin you'll love it. They have the most awesome trail up in Grayling and Gaylord. I'm looking forward to hearing about your "trial". And yes, we have got to come up and sled soon. We have a trip to the U.P. planned in Feb. but we want to go north before that and sled some.

Love the new look,
Jessica

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Oh My Shelley--- As much as I love snow, I wouldn't want to drive/ride in it.. Of course, down here, they don't scrape the roads much or quickly. SO--when it snows, we try to stay home. Glad you made it though.

Your staircase is decorated perfectly. I decorated our back deck similar to that with garland and big red bows.
Hugs,
Betsy

Pam B said...

Shelley, it's beautiful! Yes, I'd definitely add lights!

Something Nice and Pretty said...

Love the staircase with the garland, lights would be neat though:0
Have a great time in the snow.
Rondell

Anonymous said...

It looks lovely. I love garlands on staircases. Lights would cast a nice glow when the lights are down low or off.

George said...

I vote for no lights on the staircase -- it looks great as is. I'm glad you made it to the cabin safely, but your adventure in getting there makes me glad I live south of the Mason-Dixon line.

Carol said...

Hi Shelley,
It sounds like you had a real adventure on Saturday! So glad you finally made it safely to the cabin! Your garland looks beautiful! Adding white lights would add a warm glow. Go with your instincts. . .
Smiles,
Carol

reliv4life said...

LOVE the new look of your blog!!! So sorry it was a rough trip - nothing worse than inching along. I am also saying YES to lights in the garland.

Patsy said...

Love it, glad you made the trip, for us to see the decorations on the wonderful staircase.
Patsy

Cliff said...

Shelley decorates her cabin
With love and garland too
Looking great in it's simplicity
But maybe white lights will do

Naturegirl said...

Shelly a NEW look to your blog! Very Nice!
I understand the fright driving in that snow blizzard as we also experienced one when driving home Fri. through a blizzard on route home from northern Ontario.The scenery was just like the image of your log cabin in your gorgeous header image!!
It was truly like being in a magical world..because all the trees were covered in wet snow that clung to the branches!Simply beautiful to witness..I won't see this in southern Ontario..because I leave for the southwest AZ before it gets too severe here.
I would put some lights on the garland and BTW these images show how beautiful the log cabin structure is inside!
I passed one on the highway when up north and wanted to knock on the door and ask for a tour of the cabin!

Dawn Marie said...

glad you made it ok! we are getting tons of snow to so i think we will be like you guys as of later today!

I love the look and yes I would add lights but for 1 reason only--at night that glow will ROCK! I love your new look.

jalynn01 said...

Those are the kind of trips you're glad you have your hubby along! I would have been really scared if I were alone. I am a 'lights' kind of girl so definitely lights! I love the ambiance of night time with nothing on but christmas lights, a fire maybe in the fire place and some hot chocolate! Sounds divine! Put on some Christmas music!! haha

Constance said...

You should MOST definitely add lights! I hang garland next to our ceiling, add lights, beads, picks and bows. The lights just somehow complete the whole look! Glad you are safe and sound, have you considered getting a snowmobile or a horse drawn sleigh? Tee Hee!
Connie

Cedar ... said...

hmmm.... lights or no lights? well, it's lovely as is. But it sure would be festive with lights,.. so there, not much help am I? :) Either way you will have a wonderfully decorated cabin!

Laurie Brandriet Keller said...

Yes! Add the lights ... the more the merrier!

Leedra said...

Lights are optional, the garland is nice.

Sometimes snow trips can be uneventful, and then other times....

ctlogcabin said...

Hi Shelley ~
Happy Bleated Birthday !!!
Hope your day was Wonderful !!! Love the picture of you and your Papa !!! And the cabin looks very festive, decorated for Christmas ~~ Beautiful !!!
Blessings ~ Connie xox

Lolosblog said...

I love your new layout and header!

The garland looks great and I love lights, the more the better!!!

Sorry you had such a rough trip, but you made it safely!

Brandi

Shelley said...

Lady of the Mote - tks for the weigh on - I do need to add lights!

Judy - Im thinking the next car ride up there will be better1

Alex & Alicia - I still have more decorating to do - I am so behind the eight ball! Lol!

Jen - what's funnier is there was a cop giving tickets to everyone coming up the ramp the wrong way - but once my hubby told him of my "dire" situation - he let us go!

Jessica - you are making me more excited for those snowmobiles!!

Betsy - it can be a challenge to drive in sometimes!

Pam - thank you! That seems to be the popular concensus!

Rondell - you're right! Thanks!

Jylync - yes - nighttime does set the mood if you have more xmas lights!

George - I think I could become a professional race car drive!

Carol - tks - more decorating to do!

Michele - glad you like the new blog look! was inspired by Jessica at Five Pines.

B&P - more xmas decoration posts coming up this week! :-)

Cliff - thank you poetry man! :-)

Naturegirl - it seems like a log cabin requires "extra" decorations - so I probably was being too lazy about the lights on the garland. I should add them!

Dawnie - yes. Nothing better than looking at your xmas lights sparkle when it's nighttime!

Jalynn- I need to stock up on some more hot chocolate! Maybe red wine too...

Connie - you are right - the snowmobile would be the perfect cabinmobile!

Cedar - tk you - hope you like everything else I post this week!

Laurie - you can never have too many lights - right? :-)

Leedra - i definitely won't forget this drive!

Ctlogcabin - thank you for stopping by fellow log cabin dweller!! :-) Stay warm!

Misty said...

Oh I'm glad your whole family was okay, you failed to mention that one until I got to touch on your blog. :0) The lights, small white ones would be just a classic touch, simply beautiful!

KansasandI said...

How Beautiful!!!!! I just love your cabin it is gorgeous. I would add some lights. I just love your blog and the pic's you share with us. Thanks so much.
Linda

Unknown said...

Wow - your updated site looks great! You can tell I've been out of touch the past few weeks, I'm just noticing the changes.

Sorry you had such a rough trip. But the stairs to my loft look great!:)

Denise said...

WOWZA! Glad I drove up Friday afternoon! Glad to hear you are OK. I missed getting your number from Bill until today.... He's not very experienced at being my secretary...LOL Love the staircase decorated. Gives it that Christmas feel.

Tammy ~ Country Girl at Home ~ said...

Glad you all are okay and made it safely...sorry it was so rough though!

Your staircase is absolutely gorgeous! I love it the way it is..but I do love the glowing lights at night!

Your log cabin pictures always just make my heart leap! I just love them all!

Tammy

Ginger said...

Glad you made it safely and without a ticket!!! Don't you hate that when you have to go and you are stuck in traffic? Never fails.
We got snow last night too, but not a whole lot.
Yes, lights would add a nice touch to your beautiful staircase.
Ginger

Heather said...

Shelly - I'm sorry to hear the driving conditions were so bad. At least no one was hurt. Your stairway garland looks lovely. I vote for adding lights (white, of course). Also, noticed you've got a new background on this blog. Very nice, like the seasonal touch.

Catherine Holman said...

Glad you made it there safely. I love the garland without the lights. I'm a little old fashioned though.
Hugs,
Cathie