All is Merry and Bright

Inspiration lives along the road less traveled.

Amid the hustle and bustle of the holidays, there is a moment when Christmas happens. It may be the sounds of carolers in the neighborhood that suddenly lift the heart, the arrival home of a loved one from far away, or the jingle of bells and the twinkle of lights seen and heard on city streets. Or sometimes it’s the simple act of lifting the wreath onto the front door. Scents of sweet cedar, pine, and fresh-cut magnolia leaves bring a rush of memories of Christmas past.

There is a stretch of road winding south from Augusta through South Carolina that makes its way into small towns like Allendale, Kline, and Barnwell. We always traveled this way from our home in Atlanta. Even back then I enjoyed the road less traveled. Always take the back roads when you can.

This road passes by schools, centuries-old graveyards, and under shadows of ancient live oaks. Small white wooden churches dot the landscape along with rusted, dilapidated tractors and farming equipment, tin-roofed shacks overgrown with jungles of pokeweed, and wooden sheds. Tired timbers of old barns moan and groan in the wind as pieces of metal roofing hand on. Weathered brick chimneys surrounded by weeds stand tall in open fields. Miles of abandoned peach orchards go untended, storefronts are boarded up and restaurants closed. Welcome to the South.

Like many aspects of our culture, the South is changing. And along back roads of South Carolina, the pace slows down. Amongst these ruins are treasures waiting to be discovered. Inspiration lives here and undiscovered stories and ways that belong to the past are waiting to be told.

The South of old endures. Beaufort, SC became our home and it was never more dear to us than during this season of joy and reflection. Standing proud along the banks of the Beaufort River, the Barnwell House was legendary with its own storied past.

A step into the home revealed 20-foot walls covered with a deep, rich pecky cypress wood and dark-hued wooden beams in the ceiling lending an ambiance to the splendor of the house. The Christmas tree reached high above and all trimmings for the mantel and doorways were gathered from an island nearby.

A similar photo depicts the swag that hung on the mantel.

I used fresh fruits of the season and a medley of natural finds on the front door. Surrounded by a swag of magnolia leaves, this welcoming wreath, made of fresh magnolia leaves, cedar, and brightly colored fresh oranges and pine cones set off the heavy wooden entry. All was calm and bright.