Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Hanging of the Greens

greens 001 Taking time out from Christmas shopping and decorating our own homes, around a dozen of us gathered at Asbury United Methodist Church on Saturday for the Flower Guild's annual Hanging of the Greens.  Like everyone else, we tightened our belts and did without the usual live garlands, bringing a variety of greenery from our own yards and other places we had spotted.

Arriving at 9 a.m., we found that Linda had almost finished two large arrangements for the sanctuary.  She and Ed had gotten last minute tickets for the SEC Championship game and needed to be on the road to Atlanta about the time we were getting started.

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greens 015 We gathered in the sanctuary for prayer and to receive our instructions from Sally, who in true holiday fashion sported a button in honor of St. Nicholas.  Oh wait, Sally's an Alabama fan.  Wrong St. Nick.

Pat was prepared with a counter statement and proudly wore this sweatshirt in Auburn orange and blue.  Here in Alabama, it's hard to get away from football even to decorate for Christmas.

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Working in pairs, in 2 1/2 hours we had decorated and hung wreaths, made greenery badges to hang on the doors, and created arrangements for the gathering area.

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Connie and I were in charge of making two large arrangements in dark bronze urns for the gathering area.

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When we finished, we agreed that we didn't really miss the garlands after all.

320597529_6c21476212_m-1 Now be sure to head over to Thoughts from Over the Rainbow, where Susan is hosting Deck the Halls.  You're sure to find all sorts of great looks for your idea file.

19 comments:

From the Old InkWell said...

You did a beautiful job! I can smell the refreshing pine and cedar scents right through the screen! :)

Jeanette said...

I love magnolia leaves in a Christmas arrangement. To me it just says Southern Christmas.

Sue said...

Oh Kathy, I love the fresh magnolia leaves!! They are hard to come by here in Ohio. And expensive when you CAN find them... You girls did an exceptional job, I'm sure. Your urn looks great!
hugs, Sue

Baumbastic said...

That is gorgeous greenery. I love the Aubie shirt, that's funny. No, you cannot get away from football in the South.

Christi @ A Southern Life said...

Beautiful! That was some game on Saturday. Hope you got home in time to see it. You and the guild did a lovely job.

Christi @ A Southern LIfe

Kammy said...

Wow, you girls did a fantastic job - I bet everyone who attends your church agree with me !
Kammy

Robin said...

Absolutely beautiful!!

I love all of the football reference!

{{{HUGS}}}

Robin :o)

Sarah said...

Cathy--Your arrangements are beautiful and of course, I love the pine, magnolia leaves and holly! I am going to pass this along to our Altar Guild. We did something new this year on the first Sunday of Advent. All of the arrangements, garlands, wreaths, etc. were brought into the church during the singing of the first hymn. Members of the Altar Guild were at the front to place the pieces and the Chrismon tree was even decorated then! It was very impressive!

susan said...

Kathy_ I think lots of people just enjoy a beautifully decorated church and never stop to think about how it comes to be--what a true gift of yourself! It looks as if everyone was in good spirits, for the hanging and the games! thanks for linking to Deck the Halls!

Lori E said...

These are really, really nice arrangements. You guys did a fabulous job.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

They look beautiful. How wonderful to decorate the church for Christmas. I have fond memories of going with my parents as they decorated the church I grew up in.
They did it every year.

Tonja said...

One of my favorite looks is a mixture of all types of greens! So, those arrangements in the urns are right up my alley! Isn't it fun when lots of ladies get together to do a project at church? Those are always such good times and many hands mke the work go fast!

Peggy Grote said...

Everything turned out gorgeous and I miss seeing all of you.

Soosie said...

I love that--it is gorgeous! Nothing prettier than fresh greens! Excellent job, girls.Susie

Carol said...

Lovely urn arrangement!

Karen at Nittany Inspirations said...

The greens are beautiful. For years I was flower chairman at our church. In addition to the weekly altar flowers, I decorated 300 poinsettas for Christmas and a lot of assorted spring flowers for Easter. It certainly was a lot of work.

Mollye said...

Hi Kathy, Beautiful job and it looks like you girls were having a blast putting it together. I will send you a link to see our decorations at the Cathedral when they are in place. It is awesome and I think you would enjoy seeing it. Most probably don't realize the huge undertaking these projects are. Thanks for sharing. Go Hogs, Mollye

Mollye said...

Hi Kathy and Thanks for stopping by and for your prayers. Prayers are just huge. Andy was taken to UALR I think it is, as he is now a resident of Hot Springs and his mother who lives there also took him to LR because he has no med ins. Wonderful hospital she said. Mollye

Sarah said...

These are stunning! You all are a talented group. I say use fresh greens if you have them. Nothing could be better! ~ Sarah