CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF CHRISTMAS - ST. MICHAELS, MARYLAND - part 1

Heading out of Annapolis, and only a short drive across the 4-mile Chesapeake Bay Bridge, heading east, you get to the Eastern Shore of Maryland - scattered with waterfront towns, farmlands, farm stalls, fields of Canada and Snow Geese in the winter, lovely old barns, and some wonderful shopping and eating venues.   One of many small historic towns to day-trip to is St. Michaels aka "the town that fooled the British", referring to the war of 1812 - more of that in another post.  This is about the main Street of St. Michaels, quaint, pretty, small, colorful, classy, a shopper's and foodie delight.  And bedecked for Christmas.  I spent a late afternoon walking up one side of the main street and down the other, snapping madly at almost every little building.

IT'S BEGINNING TO FEEL A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS IN OXFORD, MD

This has got to be my absolute favorite Christmas House I have seen so far.  Oxford is the most beautiful small town on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and we have been there so many times, to walk the streets, pick up a delicious Crab Cake Sandwich at the little market on the main street, or relax on the tiniest strip of beach along the Strand, on the Tred Avon River.  It is small with one main street dotted with some of the prettiest houses - quiet, peaceful and just lovely on a sunny day, or when the wind is howling and the usual pond of water turns choppy and deep purple.  I stopped by yesterday "to work", and couldn't resist taking photos of this soft pink house bedecked in festive finery.  Don't you love the grand old evergreen Southern Magnolia growing in the front yard on the right, (perfect for Christmas decorating) and then on the left is a huge pink flowering Magnolia that drops it's leaves in winter and bursts into a pink fantasy of flowers in the spring.  

Had you tried to describe it to me, I would never have imagined a pale pink house, with a red door and black shutters was so stunning, but it works.  

Little white fairy lights twinkle on the conifers at the front door, this house must be lovely at night too.  The wreath on the red front door is made from fresh boxwood and holly.

I love the fall leaves still all over the front lawn.

The front doorway has simple ropes of pine hanging either side, and the door is topped with a swag of fresh boxwood, magnolia leaves, a pineapple centerpiece and rosy red apples - all fresh and beautiful - a colonial form of an edible arrangement??  I've seen so many of these door swags down in Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia.  Exquisite.

Welcome!!  Simple and sweet.

Such a lovely walkway to the front door.

Outside on the sidewalk, a lovely fresh arrangement of boxwood, magnolia, holly with all its red berries, and bits of conifer.  I love the pine ropes, fresh and scented.  

MORE CHRISTMAS BLING FROM HOMESTEAD GARDENS

At Homestead Gardens, anything goes when it comes to what to decorate with for Christmas - from Elves on Shelves to animal prints, embroidery and fruit, foxes and farmland creatures, furry friends, angels, deer horns and ballerinas.

STILLRIDGE FARMS at the Harbor Center

I first visited Stillridge Farms way back in the days when I was still living in South Africa and came over on a look-see, probably 16 years ago.  I remembered the recycled wood furniture, the rustic decorations, the exquisite embroidered cushions and beautiful smell of natural soaps, cinnamon and dried orange.  At the back they have a collection of delicious sauces and chutneys, lots of adorable pottery bowls filled with samples to taste.  I was delighted when I returned to find it has survived the years - I stopped by this evening while Christmas shopping in the Harbor Center - that smell of cinnamon is still there.

The storefront from outside

Storefront closeup - so inspiring as always.......