Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Memory Lane

Picture from Martha Stewart.....


A walk down memory lane and Christmas time often just brings to mind, snowflakes gently falling with snow covered buildings, fields, Christmas lights a glow under the fluffy white and pine trees covered to extreme beauty... A crackling fire always feels wonderful as it warms us and we gaze into the flames and dream and the Christmas tree draws our attention and aromas of gingerbread's and other holiday treats fill the air... A couple presents may be in view under the tree, and the happy faces of pink cheeked children play in the room... With these sweet memories who wouldn't love Christmas?
Remembering the good old days and sticking by their ways and traditions make the holiday very delightful for me... Not allowing my ways to get all caught up in the large wish lists of today's ways....Children relishing in wonderful ways and baking and eating Christmas cookies and sipping spiced cider or hot chocolate oozing with whipped cream... Displays of lovely Christmas cards wishing you best wishes straight from the heart... This stroll is to enjoy the past traditions presented to us by our parents in a giving manner.... Bites into those wonderful sugar cookies all sharing respect to happenings years ago with or ancestors and wishes of a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.... Remember Christmas works on any budget.... even if your facing a "hard candy Christmas"... I believe it is when we are at our very best and giving from the heart our perfect gift... The gift of one's self... It requires no money what so ever, Take time and effort and remember it is a wonderful life.... Sit in your favorite chair and enjoy the beauty you have created for yourself and others right in your own home... The peace you will fell at these moments is what it is truly all about... If we really feel it there can be a little bit of Santa in all of us....

Monday, November 29, 2010

It's Time....

It's time to get out all your holiday finest and make way to lovely decorating for this rendition of Christmas.... I love this picture I found on http://www.dailybitsofbeauty.com I love to view the thoughts and inspiration of others... Many home make my little budget friendly objects look like small time stuff but I am still enjoying my little cozy nest we call home....This year with the economy many seem to have taken a move to walk away from polished and modern materials and lean toward Country and hand-made decorating materials.. I know I have seemed to have taken a liking to the look and feel of comfort in times of budget and hardship.... Grain sacks and burlap's seem to once again become quite popular mixed with laces and more delicate materials for a charm and warmth with a bit of glam. Grain sack pillows have really made center stage in the last year.. I try hard not to be trendy but stay with what I love but I must say I do love this new grain sack in the chairs ... sofas... and curtains and table cloths.. It just has a come on in and use me approach... not the I am beautiful don't touch me look... The sweet grain sack stockings are making their statement in the wonder of Christmas... The sack look equally as lovely with glamorous ornaments as they do with more natural materials.... Making your home your own can be obtained with very little money if this is what you truly wish.... The key to Christmas is to go with what you love.... I also think key is not to buy everything... Creating makes it your own... As we start to travel much closer to the magical holiday... it seems my heart becomes much more of a marshmallow.... Last evening I watched the Hallmark movie with Sam Elliott November Christmas and enjoyed every moment of it.... This one was one I had not viewed before but I will watch many I have seen... it's part of the tradition it seems although in many I know the ending.... enjoy your week and I hope to visit with many of you and share in the inspiration you are offering on your blogs....

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Ramblings

I like many of you seem to be trying to catch up after a very lovely Thanksgiving holiday celebration.. We were so fortunate to be able to spend time with all our children and almost all the grandchildren.... After returning home from church this morning Tom wanted breakfast and I have just placed a kettle of chili on for our supper after we return home from a younger grandson's basketball game this afternoon that we will attend... I told him I wanted something very simple this evening for our lunch.... Seems as though I get to where I can't think of taking take another item to eat after all the feasting..... It was once again a very nice family time....
Tomorrow will enter into a time where we think of the main holiday of the year... Christmas..... Most traditions are very pleasurable! One of my most favorite is still the sending of Christmas cards with a special little hand written note to each family enclosed... This is a very special way of sending best wishes to someone you may not see that often or someone you just wish to send special wishes... A lovely card can bring one joy and something to hold in his hand... This tradition has continued every year and I look forward to sitting down and hand writing and sealing each and every card with special thoughts to all. A card to the receiver can be a pleasant surprise whether it be for the holiday season or just a ordinary day.... We traveled to Indianapolis on Friday to be with Tom's side of the family and I saw many decorations and trees in homes .... stores dressed in their finest to lure you in to take a peek and hopefully seek.... As many return to the work force tomorrow my hopes are that you take time to enjoy the coming days....

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Oh How Stunning!
































As we near our day of Thanksgiving and for many of you decorating weekend, I wanted to share pics on today's post of the lovely shades of turquoise... Isn't this stunning... I could certainly enjoy visiting and sharing these lovely shades and beautiful inspiration... http://www.houseofturquoise.com/




Decorating our home should be fun, inspired by trends such as above and the love of traditions... Add the sparkle by using antiques you may already have in your home..




Christmas and Thanksgiving is a time of celebrating life's blessings. Decorating with ones blessings,already in the home should be enjoyed. Bringing belongings out of boxes, off shelves, from the attic, and making the the heart of the home should make this season special.. Bringing out the family ornaments and childhood belongings are very special to many. Most of us will most likely not display the trees and the colors I have posted today... I use pinks... We must remember no matter what our colors or our themes, the reason for the season.. To give meaning to the holiday and create new and loved traditions... All the while remembering to place the "MERRY" in Christmas....




I will most likely not be posting as I will be preparing food for many hours and having a home filled with family... Then on Friday we will be traveling and unsure of how busy or how much energy will be left in the tank... I would like to wish everyone a full tummy and a room full of love of family as we celebrate another year of Thanksgiving... Many blessings wished for each and everyone of you......








Monday, November 22, 2010

Delicious Decadence




Pic.. Ideal Home UK






A common theme for many larger homes is decorating with ample amounts of glamour... This ranges from fabulous satins in stockings to glimmering baubles arranged in lavish bowls... Adding special touches are all of one's choice. Equally as lovely can be the naturals such as mosses, pine cones and gingerbread's...and such... For myself I love using all of them... Delicious decadence... Your home may have a craving for something more than from your local retail stores... You most likely will find that a antique shop offers something a bit more special.. Intricately cut crystal bowls or special parlor objects... Then fill them with lovely treats from your kitchen... These will all be very special touches that you will not be going next door to view and this is what makes your style just charming not just to you but to others.... Remember glamour is a spirit you can add to any style...


Anyone can add glamour by catching the light... Shown in one of the pics above... Hang several objects from ribbons in the light of a window or in front of a mirror reflecting movement and light... These objects are lovely hanging at different levels... If you don't own glass or silver ornaments then you can always use glass goblets or glasses that are stemmed and hang them at different levels... This can be a quite stunning for the holidays...especially New Years Eve....The other pic offers antique cake servers and a vase filled with baubles and touches of pines and floral... Let this post help with inspiration and let the rest come from your imagination... ENJOY....



Add charm to your holiday..... We all know the date on the calendar.... Our attention is turning to the home and making Christmas a magical time... for family and friends... For ones such as I living in rural life and for those who wish they did, it symbolizes a good old fashion holiday season...

Many of you will choose to create hand-made and many will purchase at stores. There certainly is no right , no wrong, just personal preference. My goal is to try something alittle different every year but tuck in existing objects... Christmas tree decorations are always a personal choice... I love simple but stunning.... I just enjoy creating my own style as I am sure many of you do too....I saved this picture as I would like to collect enough rhinestones to create a wreath similar to this but do believe I would then leave it out on display after acquiring that amount of vintage jewelry.... I did post my little bottle brush tree with the vintage jewelry earlier.... I believe this pic was from BHG.....

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Planning With Devotion

As we enter into our week of Thanksgiving I hope we all take some moments to reflect on the holiday and the message that comes with it... I will take the moments toady's and finalize my menu and my larger than normal grocery list... When I think on it too long, anxious moments may arise and I change my thought pattern. Sometimes in life it brings us to places where we need to stop, take a deep breath, and regather our strength to continue on... Taking moments to relax and absorb what the planning, cooking, and sharing really means helps us with our inspiration... and not to be so overwhelmed... As we ready to celebrate this Thanksgiving we need the warmth of the feeling of family and friends that will surround us... thus creating another memory that will remain dear to us... Gratitude becomes a necessary and crucial part of the event for the lasting mental wealth and happiness we all desire. I know I want to feel I am fulfilling my purpose as a partner, mother, and grandmother, but I also want to also enjoy the celebration... By thought patterns and planning this can be achieved... Make sure you sit and enjoy moments and laughter and tales as the family gathers this week... enjoying the lasting abundance and happiness created by this wonderful day of Thanksgiving... If you are running behind { you shouldn't be reading this post... Opps.. just kidding} take a few the time you need to get yourself organized... you will be thankful you did... Blessings...

Friday, November 19, 2010

A Holiday Village
















A Christmas village is a miniature-scale village most likely set up during the holiday season... The villages are rooted to the traditions of the Pennsylvania Dutch. The construction was originally cardboard of sorts and called Putz and were very common... Most were placed beneath the Christmas tree. After many years of producing cardboard houses in the 1970's ceramic or porcelain houses were introduced.. Many other companies have offered other brands and many styles.. Most of these are lighted today.. I am sharing some pictures of some of my houses in my little village that I peer at every evening and especially enjoy shortly after supper hour when first turning on the lights for evening... This is the first place our grandchildren come when they visit... They spend allot of time with their little imaginations looking and talking about the houses.... The two grandsons that live just a short walk from us have decided they would both like to live in the same house and course that means they will remain brothers... I think that is really neat... The house they want to remain family in is the last pic... Most of my little village houses are Thomas Kinkade or Hawthorne Village... Most of the Kinkade houses to purchase are 50 to 60 dollars a piece... I haven't added to it for several years now ... because of the expense and my window is really full... The wiring is hard to set up and hide the mechanics but I suppose I could squeeze a couple more in if I just fell in love with another one... But for now this is a peaceful little village that I named Tinsel Town......





Thursday, November 18, 2010

Budget Friendly Inspiration







Good day.. Taking a few moments from my house cleaning day to come and share thoughts, words, and hopefully some inspiration with you...
When one enters your home, I would hope she wouldn't necessarily be a detective to discover what your own personal style and passions are in your nest.. Remembering it isn't the price of the object set before one's eyes that creates a home...
I was searching the web and would like to share a couple sites that have shown some lovely use of candles... Adding a touch of beauty and elegance to one's home... Sharing a couple simple to create holiday centerpieces for those of you whom find yourself short on time and feel you cannot arrange in floral design... The candles pictures are more contemporary but feel the idea could be switched to vintage with very little thought... The charming idea is to use no cost objects or mixed nuts that can be eaten and enjoyed at a later date... Small pine cones.. acorns.. and many nuts can be found laying on ground or a bag of mixed nuts would work also... Getting inspired by things around you can be lovely and a budget friendly answer to your holiday decorating... The sites if you want to see more are http://athome.kimvallee.com/ and http://www.decodir.com/
I am off once again to catch those little dust bunnies.... Enjoy your day...



Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Sharing Of Life

When it becomes sugar plum and gingerbread time something inside me has a desire to make the surroundings around me become rather magical... I have a simple desire for the sharing of life and it's many things of beauty. Shimmery... distressed... stained... glam .... and objects of great endurance all become center stage in my home... All these happenings make my eyes dance... I miss my mother who has been gone for many years now but the desire to share with her still remains steadfast... She always thought things I created were wonderful no matter how quirky... As a child even I remember making hand-made as I knew we didn't have sources to splurge on man items... especially un-necessary ones.. Stringing popcorn that was placed in a hugh old porcelain pan that we ate as much as we strung was shared by everyone in the family... Wonderful memories... Mom would also make large popcorn balls to be wrapped and red ribbons added and hung in our kitchen windows... Others were made for enjoying... Her recipe had white karo..sugar.. and the powder of red or green jello for color but I do not remember exactly what the ingredients were...
Somewhere along my journey I acquired passion for a touch of glam with a sugary winter look for Christmas.. I enjoy the traditions of years past but I step out of the box and do not use one red object for holiday decorating... I use greens with pines.. but melt for lovely objects that whisper "peace..comfort.. and joy". Old book with bottle brush snow trees meet guests as they come for a visit.. Embellished vignettes with not another inch to place another object also are displayed with a re-cycled elegance.. Budget friendly ideas are tucked with personal items... My thoughts and hopes are to always encourage time spend at home.. Sharing with others...Your home can be your retreat and blessing for your holiday and winter season coming upon us.....

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

What's On Your Wish List?

What is on your wish list? Our one little grandson and I was talking about tings last week when he was here... The tow boys Christmas list is really quite large... I joking said I think I'll put a hot tub on your list as my list never gets answered... Well he came over another day and was telling me how they place carrots in the backyard for Santa's Reindeer to eat.... I told him I would place a couple carrots in our yard with a note that they can come on over to his house cause we didn't need anything here. Oh boy that didn't work cause his little voice didn't take a second and he said" Uh huh... You need a hot tub!!!"Oh my gosh what have I done.... There are many things I dream of having... wall paper removed... a new sofa... a new crystal chandelier but none of them are a need... Just a desire or a want... Since my meds are to keep chances of life going they are a need and I have to make sure those funds are available cause even though I have Medicare... a supplement and a drug plan it doesn't cover it all and is very hard for me to keep them coming... That hot tub thing... I am so thinking he has a vision of hanging out over here in that hot tub like when he comes many times a week swimming in the summertime... Oh Dear......
I have heard the statement before.... "be careful for what you wish for....."
ps.... the above wreath is on my front door with a sweet pair of old rusty ice skates.....

Monday, November 15, 2010

Little Bits Of Inspriation







Still on my goal of decorating for the holiday season with a not a dime spent attitude I thought I would share a couple very small projects with you.. The inspiration arrived from other blogs... I had seen many religious tags in Jeanne d Ark Magazine and a few blogs so I thought I would make one for my lampshade... This was a piece of old book cover I didn't use on my book house. I glued a copy of a lovely vintage religious print... added a piece of stained crochet doily and a piece of cheesecloth and a small reigious metal... So simple but I love the way it looks on the lampshade...
The other inspiration came on the feature of Horton't I posted earlier that Tracey had made. In the pics I saw shakers, one was filled with little jingle bells and a tag on the shaker called "Jingle Seasoning" ..... Then I also viewed one that the inspiration in my picture came from and created cause I had the objects here at home already... I could have bought some shakers but the no cost thing... I used a shaker that was already setting in my kitchen... it is a very old cut glass shaker ... filled it with artifical snow and mica and cut and printed a simple tag stating " The Sparkle Of Christmas"... This one was a piece of cake... it took all of 5 minutes making me think this would make a cute project for a small gift exchange or a great idea for favors on a table for a Christmas party... Just another thought that you really don't have to spend more than pennies to tuck in little touches that create conversation for the holidays. Besides I think to add my own personality... not what was purchased from a store is the pleasure of being true to yourself.... Wishes sent your way for a lovely day.



Saturday, November 13, 2010

Old Book Covers House








As the no cost decorating has come to completion except for little ideas I may find here and there I complete this little book house this morning... I have been using aged book pages in my decorating and noticing I had several unused book covers and love little gingerbread houses I thought hum... wonder if I could create a book house.... So within a hour and a half I cut and frosted { well really it is spackle... plaster patch} and cut from a aged page little door and window... I wanted it to be very simple....I placed a small collection of vintage pink buttons to pick up the pink glass balls on the tree in this area.... Placed it on a stemmed old cake stand with aged book pages underneath and added some mica... Not a cent was spent on this as everything was used I already possessed.... It's even rather cute..... I am enjoying the simple ways to captivating ways to decking the halls.. not any splurging... and just having fun....I love this time of candlelight... flickering lights and pine boughs...
I know I can't have the luscious extravagant decorations and ornaments of many but I can have the mix of vintage... sparkle... with a touch of glam and a sweet and cozy holiday... It's most definitely me and my style anyway.... Whatever your style and whatever your fancy there is one thing to remember and that is to do it all for the right reasons and enjoy in the sharing....



Did You Know?

Did you realize this lovely song of the past for the holiday season was inspired by the Salvation Army bell ringers? It has rather a cute little story that goes with it... The song title started out as Tinkle Bell but the title was changed and first heard in the 1951 comedy with Bob Hope called " The Lemon Drop Kid". Jay Livingston the composer and Raymond Evans the songwriter originally called the song, Tinkle Bell, but Livingstons wife reminded him that "TINKLE" had another association in the bathroom so they put that title aside but loved the music and the melody so the title was just changed to Silver Bells and money has been pouring in every since... Now a old standard and one of my very favorites this song still creates a old-fashion emotional response.... As you ponder your decorating and may be starting why not turn on some of these lovely songs and help them with your inspiration? Enjoy and have a weekend as lovely as this old favorite.....

Friday, November 12, 2010

Remembering To Offer Thanks

When you come for a visit at my blog site you usually get a big taste of home ... Musings..... and simple things...... Everyday should be a day of Thanksgiving but thank goodness we cannot have the feast everyday or we would be rolling instead of walking around... Remembering to offer Thanks on a daily basis keeps our thoughts fresh and positive and our wills for living strong... On days that all is not so perfect we should place the thanks on practice.... Soon our country side will fall asleep under the glistening blanket of snow making it ever so more time to enjoy one's home that offers us toasty and cozy... A timeless appeal of romantic with linens and unique objects... What creates a reasonable amount of happiness and joy in your life? I am finding great enjoyment right this very minute writing and sharing on my blog... The act of writing creates thoughts and feelings that I pass on to you... This thought pattern makes us to think more deeply about life and helps us gain strength in life's journey.. The peaceful presence of soft hues and layers spell warmth even when the fireplace isn't burning with the glow in our winter covered land... The burning of candles offers a special presence as the shimmering reminds is of elegance of old... Days when these were the main source of light through evening hours... As we pass through the coming days my hopes for all of you are to enjoy each and every day and do take the time to reflect and give thanks... Our fields are all harvested in our area and the families that till the soil have been blessed with a very good year.. Seems that thought and feeling really hasn't changed all that much since the day the pilgrims made a day of Thanksgiving.... the feeling in our hearts... a season for Thanksgiving....

Thursday, November 11, 2010

For Us Girl's Only Rated PG

Here's the deal... Look up or get out mom's or grandma's recipe { after all think about it.. It worked for her} of anything made with pumpkin... These are the scents men love to have wafting through the house. Probably reminds them of being cozy and cared-for at home... This is a scientific fact my friends... It works! They'll love it... { Well at least till you tell them you purchased something new} and they'll never know what hit them!!!!
If you as me are on a budget or just need something special for a gift or a extra little tag for a gift... why not give a personal coupon such as one of the following ideas or one of you own.....
*** This coupon good for a warm drink and conversation....

***This coupon good for a fabulous breakfast in bed......

***This coupon guarantees 5 kisses.....

***This coupon good for a home cooked dinner for two.....

***This coupon good for one massage { guaranteed to curl your toes}....

Starting to get the idea? With all the ladies and your altered art talent the possibilities are endless......

Today's post is a fun one and set aside special to take a break from decorating...
Here also is a great recipe for the holidays or just a ordinary day the will blow your socks off....

2 large cans sweet potatoes or yams
1 cup walnuts { chopped}
1 stick butter
1 1/2 cup brown sugar
8 oz. can chunk pineapple
{ If you think you need a few more calories you can always melt and brown marshmallows over top before serving}
Place sweet potatoes or yams in casserole dish to accommodate the ingredients... after spraying with cooking spray for easy cleaning... Pour pineapple and juice over potatoes or yams... Sprinkle with the walnuts ... then cubed butter... and brown sugar...Cover with foil and bake in oven at least a hour or till mixture has candied...Bake uncovered for a few minutes and add the marshmallows if desired...
Watch the smiles with the first bite... Yummmm......

Ladies I have shared some ways with you today to make life joyful and fun and to place a smile on your favorite guys faces.... Enjoy life and enjoy the little pleasures.... Have a wonderful day...