Frozen in Place, Filled with Joy: My Amherst Va. Wreath Extravaganza & The Great Snows of '25

December 26, 2025

"God always has the final word, and this December in Amherst County, He spoke in a whisper of white. Right in the middle of my annual Wreath Making Extravaganza—with my porch pots getting ready to be made and my heart set on a creative marathon—the temperatures plummeted and two rare, early snows blanketed the Rhodes House Homestead. I stepped outside to find my buckets of greenery frozen solid! While the ice put my projects on a temporary 'snow-day sabbatical,' it also gave me a moment to reflect on the joy of the season. From the beautiful boughs gifted by Mary H. and local friends and neighbors, to the wreaths already warming the homes of neighbors and local businesses, this year is a reminder that even when the water freezes, the spirit of holiday giving stays warm."

Scene 1: The Unexpected Arrival (Visuals: Wide shots of the Rhodes House Homestead, snow falling on the yard, the white-capped Blue Ridge mountains in the distance) Laura: "They say if you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans. Well, here in Amherst County, and surrounding localities December 2025 had its own ideas. We haven’t seen an early winter like this in years—two heavy snows back-to-back, turning our world into a silent, frozen cathedral before the calendar even hit mid-month. (It would not be officially Winter until Dec. 21st!)

Scene 2: The Wreath Extravaganza (Visuals: Close-ups of greenery, wreaths, and the "Wreath Making Extravaganza" setup on the porch or carport or Studio)

Laura: "Right in the thick of it all was my Wreath Making Extravaganza. I was surrounded by a sea of cedar, pine, and fir. My creative outlet was in full swing, and my heart was set on finishing my porch pots. But as the mercury dipped and the snow piled up, Nature hit the 'pause' button. I walked out to find my greenery frozen solid in their buckets—ice sculptures where my materials used to be! My project was officially on a snow-day sabbatical." 

Scene 3: The Gift of Joy (Visuals: Photos of Sister Meyling’s wreath and the businesses in Amherst decorated for Christmas) Laura: "Thankfully, I’d stayed ahead of the storm for the most important part: the gifts. Neighbor Mark’s porch pots and wreath were already safely delivered—he was so grateful, it made every cold finger worth it. Sister Meyling’s wreath was finished, too, and seeing her love for it is why I do this. Bringing that bit of winter joy to the businesses in town and to the people I love... that’s where the true blessing lies."

Scene 4: The Frozen Harvest (Visuals: Snow on the dried hydrangeas, the pink roses peeking through the snow, and shots of snow covered Homestead.) 

Laura: "Even under the weight of the snow, the homestead tells a story. Look at my hydrangeas—those same blooms that I harvest and ship across the country through my shop, Laura Rhodes Naturals. Seeing them dusted in white feels like a quiet 'well done' for the season. Even my last few pink roses are holding on, a pop of summer color refusing to give in to the frost." 

Scene 5: The Legacy of the Land (Visuals: Photos of Mary H’s property, old Christmas trees, gifting Wreath to Mrs. Hunt, and kissing ball made for Mom.)

Laura: "I’m so blessed to have such a beautiful Local community to draw from. Just down the road, our friends and greenery from majestic trees from their property, thank you! A huge thank you to Mary H., who let me roam her stunning property. It used to be a Christmas tree farm, and you can still see the glory in the boughs of those trees. Being able to put that greenery to good use is a gift in itself. And also to Neighbor Mrs. Hunt who just wouldn’t let her husband get rid of that big old Nandina Bush so I could harvest the Nandina Berries and Greenery." 

Scene 6: Conclusion

Laura: "The work was temporarily on hold, but the gratitude isn't. Hard to say, but we were glad for the snow to melt, the sun to shine, the chickens to be able to get out again and we could get back to work! From our homestead to yours, those snow days were a reminder to slow down, breathe in the pine-scented air, and cherish the beauty of Amherst, Virginia in the winter, compliments of our Glorious Father God and His Great and Beautiful creation Prowess. A Blessed Christmas and New Year to All."

Bring a Piece of the Homestead Home ❄️

While the snow had put my clippers on pause for a moment, the beauty of the harvest lives on! Whether it’s the dried hydrangeas you saw dusted in white or the natural textures inspired by these Amherst winter days, I’d love to share a piece of my creative journey with you.

Shop the Winter Collection at Laura Rhodes Naturals:

• Seasonal fresh Cut Greenery for DIY projects and Decor, Wreaths, Garlands, Swags, Kissing Balls and more: Harvested right here at the Rhodes House Homestead and locally, Shipping Nationwide.

• Handcrafted Nature-Inspired Gifts: Perfect for bringing that crisp, woodland feeling indoors.

• Winter Inspiration: Follow along for more behind-the-scenes looks at life on the homestead.

Thank you for supporting my creative outlet and allowing me to bring a little bit of "Winter Joy" into your home!

Meet the Maker: Laura Rhodes

Welcome to my corner of Amherst County! I’m the heart and hands behind Laura Rhodes Naturals, where my passion for the land meets my love for creating. From the sun-drenched days of summer spent tending to my prized hydrangeas, herbs and flowers, to the crisp December mornings spent gathering fresh greenery from local gems like Mary's farm, my work is a love letter to the seasons.

Whether I’m designing wreaths for our local Amherst businesses, friends and family or shipping dried herbs and botanicals to homes across the country, my goal is always the same: to share the quiet, natural beauty of the Rhodes House Homestead with you. When I’m not in the middle of a "Wreath Making Extravaganza," you can find me enjoying the view of the Blue Ridge Mountains and finding new ways to put nature’s gifts to good use.

Thank you for being part of this journey and for bringing a piece of my homestead into your home!

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