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Cowboy traditions influence holiday decor

Managing editor

When guests visit the home of Mark and Lisa Johnson, 2175 E. U.S. 56, Marion, they can visualize the cowboys who rode tall in one of three historic saddles on display.

The Johnson’s home is among four homes in the Marion area that will be part of the Candy Cane Christmas Home Tours sponsored by Marion City Library 1 to 5 p.m. Nov. 28.

Lisa Johnson grew up in rural Burns. Her grandfather was Paul Handle, a local rancher.

“He was a real cowboy,” Lisa Johnson said, “a traditional cowboy.”

Handle followed the boot steps of his father. Johnson’s father also was a rancher. Three generations of western tradition made an impression on the Marion High School English teacher.

That western influence mixed with Victorian charm will greet visitors on the tour.

Not visible to passers-by, the Johnson home is located along a major highway northeast of Marion and is hidden in a valley between two hills.

“Most people don’t know we’re down here,” Johnson said.

When visitors drive across a field and cattle guards to the secluded home, the rustic, eight-year-old home will be decorated inside and out.

Both decks — upper and lower — will be trimmed with lights, greenery, and bows.

“Typically, we have two Christmas trees in the house — one upstairs and one down,” Johnson said, but this year “we’re going all out.”

Western and hunting themed trees will be added to the family home for tourists to see.

The Johnsons’ oldest daughter, Kaylee, was married Sept. 25. In preparation for the reception, Johnson purchased miss-matched china place settings. Among those items were teacups.

So what does one do with numerous miss-matched teacups?

“I decided to hang them on a tree,” Johnson said.

In the couple’s bedroom is an artificial tree with the teacups.

Western heritage décor is throughout the home. Much of the Christmas décor will include year-round decorations incorporated with lights and greenery.

Such is the display on the landing of the steps to go to the basement. In the corner, there is a cowboy hatbox with a pair of cowboy boots, clear lights, and greenery. Above the display is a coat rack with a hat and spurs hanging on the hooks.

“These belonged to my grandfather,” Johnson said.

Antiques and family heirlooms are important to Johnson and are displayed throughout the home. When an item is no longer usable for its intended purpose, Johnson tries to find another use for them.

Among such items are two wooden chairs that belonged to Johnson’s grandmother. The chairs were no longer stable for sitting, so she turned them into end tables in her bedroom.

The Johnsons moved to Marion from Arkansas in 2006. They purchased the rural home in December, after living in town for four months.

Mark and Lisa have four children — Kaylee, Brooke, Colten, and Jarrett.

Other homes on the tour

The homes on the tour with Johnsons’ include homes of Jerome and Donna Hajek, 320 N. Freeborn St.; Andy and Stacy Hansen, 1842 N. Quail Creek Road; and Mike and Kathy Ehrlich, 2096 Sunrise Road.

The tour also includes a Christmas village provided by Mary Jeffrey at Valley United Methodist Church, 300 E. Santa Fe St., Marion.

Last modified Nov. 4, 2010

 

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