I am practicing Praising The Lord for All Things

I have been known to be a neat freak from time to time, so I am sure that is why the Lord puts a LITTLE chaos in my life every once in a while.  I have a house full of company still and while I am loving every minute of it, I just had to laugh at what my world looks like.  I always show you all the pretty pictures, but let's end the year with what it really looks like today.


Everything but the tree is packed away and ready to go to the attic, and of course, this is when DH says I have an erand to run, I'll be back in a couple of hours.  Oh well, there is a path to open the front door. lol

My grandson asked if he could set up his computer, of course I said yes, I just forgot how they spread out and make a mess.  Gotta love it.  Reminds me when I was raising my boys.

 The guest room is full, so the grandson put his suitcase and clothes here.  Guitars, clothes, presents and who knows what all. 

I think the Lord has worked wonders in me, there was a time when this would have definitely driven me up the wall to the point of tears.  Now I just thank Him for my family and Praise Him for the mess.
I can clean house when they have gone home and then I will miss them sooooooooooo much, besides I do have a clean familyroom.  (Thank you Lord.)

As the year ends, I am trying to be Thankful for all the messes in my life this past year, and to Praise and Thank Him for all the wonderful Blessings that I received.

I count you all as a huge Blessing and I so appreciate your friendship.  I pray your New Year will be filled with Blessings to many to count, Love, Laughter and Health.

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A New Look for the New Year

I am constantly changing the pillows and accessories in my living room and it really does change the look of the room.  It's always fun to look back and see what all was going on in 2011.

One of the first changes last spring was to make some blue and yellow pillows, and use some of the blue and white decor that I had found at GW.

Summer brought some totally different colors.  I had a new sofa and some orange and green pillows for a vibrant summery color scheme.


Fall arrived with a few more changes.  This time I added some brown crewel fabric to the orange mix.



Winter came with the revival of some old pillows in a dark peach, taupe and chocolate.

I always start to long for a clutter free and calm space when Christmas is over.  So my mind is spinning around looking for a new color scheme for the new year.  I love this piece of fabric, the pattern and color is wonderful and since it is reversible, the possibilities are endless.

 I dug around through my stash and found a couple of other fabrics that will coordinate really well with it.  I love this heavy embroidered piece.

A simple stripe always works with multiple patterns.

 I found this lovely crocheted table topper, maybe layered over a simple cream cloth.

 This is a good start, now I just need to find some trims and possibly another fabric and I will have a totally new room for the new year.

How about you, are you ready for something totally different for the new year?

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Just Think of all the Possibilities

I love it when I get really great things to play with and to decorate with.  That is definitely my favorite kind of gift.  My daughter knows me all too well.  She gave me the fabulous flavored olive oils and had them all displayed so beautifully in this wonderful wire basket.  Of course I tore it all apart so I could see it all and didn't get a pic., but take my word for it, it was really pretty.

Can't you just imagine how many wonderful displays I can make in this great basket.

 I love the size and the handle is just perfect.

She had this all filled with the most wonderful oils, chocolate truffle candies and these wonderful tea towels.  Don't you just love them.

 Now I would love to live her and have the lifestyle that goes with it. lol  Well I guess we all would.

I am linking to the following parties:

Open House Thursday @ No Minimalist Here

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage

Home Sweet Home Friday @ The Charm Of Home

Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground

Flaunt It Friday @ Chic On A Shoestring Decorating

Inspiration Friday @ At The Picket Fence

Potpourri Friday@ 2805

Thanks so much for stopping by, I always look forward to your visits.

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Most Popular Posts of 2011

Seems like I have been super busy this year, but some of my favorite projects are really sort of small.  I love to find great frames and decor items at flea markets or the GW and then transform them with a little bit of stain, paint and buffing.  I showed you several items that I transformed with just the use of some stain and how wonderful it works on ceramics, metal, plastic and wood.

This is a frame I found for $1 that was way too shiny gold.  This is just one example of how a little stain can transform anything.

A little minway walnut stain and then a couple of coats of clear and it looks fabulous.  Throughout the year I showed the same technique on a lot of ceramic pieces as well as some plastic and wood ones.


I took a very plain tray, a little paint and some decopage and totally transformed it into a chic accessory.


Gold paint with a little stain for aging.


Then decopage a great graphic into the center and you have a stunning piece.



The one change that I have enjoyed the most is redoing the family room/breakfast room drapes.  This is the before.



I added a contrasting fabric and trim to the top, hung them from rings and it totally transformed the rooms.  Such a simple change to update a room and give it a designer look.


You have all inspired me with so many fabulous and creative ideas this past year.  I can't wait to see more in the new year. 

I am linking to Southern Hospitality for Top Project of 2011

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Gourmet Gifts for my Kitchen

I love to cook with seasoned oils and I got some fabulous oils from my daughter.

Garlic, Basil and Tuscan Herb.  I can't wait to give them all a try.

Of course they immediately found a place on my little tray by the stove.

 I love the pour stopper that came with it too.  I need to get two more so I have one for each oil

 Fits perfectly with my regular olive oil and the salt and pepper grinders.  I also received a new can opener too.  Yip-skip, now I am all set.  No excuse not to cook up a storm.

I am linking to Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

What's It Wednesday @ Ivy & Elephants

Fall into Fall @ DIY by Design

Can't wait to see what all Santa brought you. 

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96th Table Top Tuesday

Welcome to the 96th Table Top Tuesday.  I hope all of you had the most wonderful Christmas ever.  Today we are having an "Anything Goes" day, so in honor of the Christmas season, I am posting a few pics of my Chirstmas.

Our Christmas started off Friday night with part of the family for dinner and gift exchange.  It's hard when you have to share with inlaws, but we manage to shuffle everyone around.  My grandson and his wife with his dad, (my youngest son) and my grandson here from Oregon.  My grandson gave his dad a new Base Guitar, he was so surprised and thrilled.

Next, we were on to Chirstmas Eve.

My daughter and her two sons in front of her fireplace on Christmas Eve.  We attended church and then went to her home for dinner and gift exchange.

My daughter, two sons and 3 of my grandsons. 

Around her kitchen island for some snacks and visiting.

I love this silly bunch, and every once in a while they will stand still for a real picture.

My son-in-law by their tree.

Christmas morning at my house with DH, two sons and grandson for Santa.

Don't you always have to have a picture of all the mess.

My son got new Vuarnet sunglasses from his son.

As you know if you've read my blog for very long, that all of my guys make guitars, this is the lineup this year of the newest ones they've made.  The one on the far right is one my youngest son and grandson are making while he is here from Oregon.  (I have sawdust everywhere that they are tracking in, lol.  I love it. I'll hate the clean house when they're gone.)

Now this is a super present.  A stand that holds 7 guitars.  My youngest son is thrilled.  They had to put it together and give it a try.

We did manage to get the whole gang together here at my house for Christmas Dinner.  The Lord Blessed us all so much this year with the Gift of time together, the best gift of all.

That's a taste of the wonderful chaos that is going on here, I hope yours was just as fun and chaotic as mine.  Now let's see what all you've been up to.

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Christmas Blessings

                                                           Source - Kincaid Painter of Lights

I read where some of you are getting ready for family and friends to arrive and others are getting ready to make a trip to be with family.  This is definitely the time of year when we try to spend as much time with all of our loved ones as possible. 

My family has all arrived, we have a house full and I am loving it.  Lots of talk coming from every room, tons of laughter and eating non stop.  One of the biggest Blessing ever to see them enjoying each other's company, reliving old memories and making new ones.  I feel especially Blessed and grateful.

I am also so grateful for all of my friends in Blogland.  You all enrich my life daily with your creativity, talent and kindness.  You are definitely one of my biggest Blessings and I appreciate your friendship so much.

I am going to take a few days and enjoy my family, but I would like to wish you all a very Blessed and Merry Christmas as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior.  My prayers are for a safe trip for all that are traveling and may your Holiday be filled with tons of Love and Laughter.

God Bless, 

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95th Table Top Tuesday

Welcome to the 95th Table Top Tuesday.  This is such a special week, the Tuesday before Christmas.  I am sure you are all running around getting things ready for all of your family and friends.  Wrapping presents, baking and planning parties and meals.  This is the time of year when family seems more special and spending time together is such a Blessing. 


I don't have any new vignettes this week, just the addition of some family pictures that add special meaning to our family this time of year.  There are so many antique or beautiful frames available at great prices at flea markets, thrift stores  or even Home Goods and Hobby Lobby, you can always find something that goes with your decor.

My great-grandson is such a blessing, and adding a photo of my parents just makes it feel like they are here enjoying this special time with us.  They are spending another Christmas in Heaven, we all miss them so much.

A picture of Jim and I in Maui in Oct.  I am giving a copy to each of the family's and a huge thank you for this special gift they all chipped in and gave us, 8 days in Maui all expenses paid. A fabulous gift of love that we enjoyed so much. 

Of course having all these special people here is the most precious gift of all. 

If you need another decoration somewhere, just add a family picture in a pretty frame and you won't believe how much it will warm your heart to see it.

I wish you and all your family the Blessings of time spent together as we celebrate the Birth of Jesus.

God Bless and Merry Christmas

Next week since it will be 2 days after Christmas, we are going to have an open post.  Anything you want to post about.

Now, let's see all of your beautiful decorations and vignettes.

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