Sunday, November 27, 2011

Enjoy Only What Matters

A old tag for you.....

A picture of a lovely tree from old magazine....



Although I love the Jeanne d Ark style Christmas decorating many of the bloggers are creating I still think the one style that lasts forever in my heart is the lovely old Victorian homes all decked out at Christmas time... The splendor these old girls bring .. Maybe it is just the idea of the holidays at a slower pace that is also so appealing..

According to history the oldest record of a decorated Christmas tree came from a 1605 diary found in Strasburg France... The tree was decorated with paper roses , apples, and candies... Seems everything in the homes for the well to do in the Victorian era was quite extravagant... Guess really those times haven't changed that much... when it comes to the jingle in the pockets..some glistened with the tinsel of gold and silver while others were adorned with the family gathering of stringing popcorn... I love them both... When I think of lavish.. everything on a very celebrate scale I think of the Victorian... The Victorian era began in 1837 and concluded in 1901 according to reading in history... Caroling was a part of their holiday tradition.. Christmas cards were created and ancient pagan customs of using evergreens as Christmas trees was brought back... A Victorian Christmas was very family oriented... Celebrations of faith and thankfulness for blessings through the year ... Ornaments were not mass produced so almost all were some sort of handmade... Appreciating the tree should be encouraged and time taken to do so instead of rushing to open presents and should be practiced to appreciate and bring a wonderful awareness to the holidays..

Through out history there are many customs... The simple candy cane we all love indulging in at the holidays has a lovely legend... J is for Jesus or the Shepard hook and the color { purity and Jesus blood} There are many lovely legends surrounding us too be taught and enjoyed... Lovely traditions are awaiting for you to enjoy as a family instead of all the worry of gift giving creating stress and wishes for all to be over... Take the time and enjoy the true reason that all started this season... it can be truly rewarding in ones lives if you will do so... Let the season be merry and bright as the lovely words.... Enjoy....



Friday, November 25, 2011

Enjoy The Real Reason We Start This Season

Another sunrise and a windy day in the forecast for us here in NW Ohio...
Today will be spent cleaning some and mopping kitchen where traffic was heavy filled plates and eating the large array of food.... I plan on being kind to myself and work at a slow pace... laundry in started.. beds are made ... leftovers for lunches... plans for attending the Tinora Girls first basketball game of the season this evening .... Next week the boys season will start so we will attending many games for the next couple months...
Food was very plentiful yesterday... The cooking and baking went very smooth but by evening and clean ups all day ... I was all in... just like most of you I am sure....
Many Christmas trees will go in place today and this weekend to start the holiday... well that is if you aren't one of those " out of your mind" black Friday shoppers... I checked Facebook this morning and many had comments about being out there and just plain giving up and coming home... The best choice is to stay home... enjoy what you have already and you all know I love when people use what they have and just be creative... Addictions for what you love can be so very easily tucked in with touches of Christmas and made all your own... going beyond evergreen boughs and red bows... Cherished antiques and vintage makes a house feel warm and well loved... Glitz and glam are lovely but I prefer just little touches of that and touches of cozy.. It is just the right stuff to capture the spirit of the season.. With my background in design for myself this shows off your personality....
Hope if you are making your home lovely and welcoming for others you take lots of pics and share... whatever you may be doing... enjoy... the process and the right reason for the season in your hearts.....

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Days Filled With Blessings

Received rains yesterday and over night but sun is shining this morning..as yards and fields are overflowing with water...
In my home today... laundry is being done... light house cleaning again... some dishes are being started for tomorrows Thanksgiving celebration...
Last night as I lay in bed with the rain beating hard against my bedroom window... I was filled with emotion as I was so very thankful to have a warm shelter and warm bed ... well knowing that there are many that will not... I couldn't help but take that time to offer up Thanks to God for this what we call a small blessing but when you think of it ... it is such a large blessing... I thought of ones that would not be having the 250.00 worth of food we will be feasting upon and it brought sadness... Oh the blessings we call small. Tom and I's families will be here as one big unit... although I get overwhelmed by it all and very tired by the end of the day.... I know I am very blessed... Whatever plans you may have... with family or otherwise... enjoy and take moments to be thankful...
Many bogging friends are not celebrating our American holiday tradition of Thanksgiving but to them I would say take minutes to be thankful with all the wonderful that surrounds you as we shouldn't have to have a holiday to do this... Sending best of wishes and happiness and blessings to all... Happy Thanksgiving.....

Monday, November 21, 2011

Ushering In The Holidays
































Thanksgiving week is upon us ..ready or not.. here it comes...

Some holiday events have started taking place... I attended one Saturday afternoon with several friends.. the event was very enjoyable.. it was held in conjunction with the Festival Of The Trees, held at the Eagles in Defiance, Ohio.. I snapped a couple pictures that the tables were created and made ready by the hostesses of the table you are seated at. They had 3 servings of tea and finger foods.. First were scones... second finger sandwiches... third being sweets... It was served by Defiance students... All was very delicious...

My very favorite table was the BLACK... It was done with a Gibson girl theme and very striking... My second favorite was the candy canes tables... So full of eye candy... A picture of several friends in attendance.... Kay came in vintage style and wore a lovely vintage black hat that she looked very sweet in... It was a great vintage hat.... A very nice time was enjoyed by all of us... Many people placed allot of time and energy in this event.... Great job.

I spent a couple days and evening last week creating cards of altered art for several friends I will be attending another Christmas event with... Many hours can be spend working on these types of presentations...

Once again I find myself needing to be off to my maid job and get some cleaning and making ready for Thanksgiving.... Sometimes I wonder how two people can create so much dust.... There is much to do as tomorrow morning is planned to go purchased groceries... my dreaded job but I will smile and be thankful we have the money to purchase whatever we desire and share with about 20 people..... Never quite know if a extra face will attend or not... I do not have a space for everyone to sit at a table together ... therefore the food is out on the island and counter and the free for all begins.... It works and there is always plenty for all.....

I am sure many of you are feeling just some of the pressure that starts to happen at the holidays... I am going to just try to keep good thoughts and thankfulness in mind and keep working in short periods till I am successful at completing what will need to be done... Keeping a happy heart ... the body may not be as happy but I will try to be kind to it.... Last evening I was very kind and watched two back to back movies on the Hallmark channel... "A Dog Named Christmas" and " The Christmas Wish".... Both were the kind that makes you heart all mushy....











Friday, November 18, 2011

French Inspired Passion

































I think the time has arrived to start turning on the Christmas lights in the evening as we are entering the season... Time for ambiance...

I have been admiring the lovely and creative altered art of Rhonda at http://alittlebitfrench.blogspot.com and placed a small order with her for a treat for myself and to use for inspiration .... Yesterday when my package arrived here,, the presentation of her work was wrapped to perfection and I salvaged every little speck of it I could for further use in projects... Rhonda has a unique style that is all hers... I love creating myself but having some works of another on hand to view and love is always refreshing... Rhonda has used many bits and pieces in her art in a very creative style...

I have shared some pictures of the little treats... created wit French inspired passion....







































Thursday, November 17, 2011

Morning Musings







Little tucks of Christmas around my home.....


Looking out my front bay picture window I am watching 3 deer making their way across the neighbors shelled corn field ... The sun is just making it's appearance, making it a chilly feel but lovely picture of nature at it's best in this part of Ohio... and as we enter the very wonderful week of Thanksgiving.... Now if I could just find someone else that would love making Thanksgiving Dinner... hum, at what age do you say it is someone else turn... Seems like at the age of 70 nearing 71 that event should be happening soon... This young chick seems to run out of batteries unlike the little energized bunny... Tom is off to Indy to visit his son Todd and the family for a couple days... He was up at 4:30 a.m. getting ready to leave and of course you know who else got woke up..
ggrrrrrr.....

As soon as I post a few words I am off to clean house.. Hopefully this afternoon I can spend some time completing some angel wings and a card enclosure I have been working on for some friends... Ya all know the holidays are upon us now, right? I always try with a early start but somehow it always catches up.. then we get to the stage where we are not calm anymore...

As I continue to try to obtain Timeless Vintage, the love of yesterday, combined with today that will last forever on a shoe string budget....I am trying to stay on track and think I have done quite well... Do I see things I would love to have.... you bet I do... but then remember they are only things... no matter how lovely they are to the eye... I need to stay on track so I can have all the pecans for holiday baking and yes even peanut butter that sounds like they are to be a luxury item... Seems many items have become a luxury...

Well, I must get myself motivated and accomplish half the cleaning today... I think being waken so early and up for coffee at 6:00 a.m. has not helped my motivation....




Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Christmas Heaven On Pages

Christmas heaven arrived on pages... of course I am speaking of my Christmas issue of Jeanne d Ark Magazine... They call it a magazine but with the price and the lovely inspiration I consider it a book to cherish and have no plans of ridding of the ones I have...
They state they are brimming with creative and fun ideas and that is " Oh so true".. and filled with traditions, expectations, happiness, and togetherness.. The simplicity of some of the rooms are hard for me to achieve cause I just plain and simple have too much stuff... but I sure love the look... When I find inspiration from here I usually create and tuck one more thing in with my house family of things.... Seems like every page just melts my heart ... I would like to attempt to make a few little objects from inspiration from the book yet this week... Some will not go with my theme this year of snow... snowflakes and icicles and sparkle.... but I always make some very small gifts for 5 or 6 friends or so and these will be perfect....
Yesterday at 6:00 a.m. a crew pulled in with the pieces of a small building Tom has wanted for several years now and finally ordered... This building is Amish built and was put together on site as it was too large to transport placed together.... I have place a picture of it on my Face book if you would like to check it out... We received very heavy rains in the afternoon so we didn't get things cleaned up around it as of yet... The wood is from the privacy fence that a portion was removed to place the building ...which now acts as privacy... There are a few projects I want to do in the spring to finish the pool area ... they weren't completed as the pool wasn't built till late fall and closed immediately due to the trees disposing of their leaves... I will hold those thought as I have to travel through a long winter season before this can take place...
I hope you are all searching for inspiration for your Christmas gift giving and decorating as bloggers and sites and magazines have a world of possibilities awaiting and many suited for myself and my shoestring budget....
PS. the pic is of angel wings that was created with drawing free hand and old book song pages and junk from stash for altered art creating...

Friday, November 11, 2011

Thrifty Chic

Had our first dusting of snow through the night as we slept.... Signs were still there as I awoke and sipped coffee and enjoyed a peaceful time..
My it seems the word " THRIFT " has become a household staple in many of our homes here in blog land... It has actually become very fashionable... Re-use and re-purpose... and most of the time we love the results and are able to be the envy of a one of a kind object... Making it yours... Fabric such as grain sacks seem to have hit the top of the charts... and it one of my most favorite... They are a great element of design as they are wonderful with prims and luscious with glam... Never thought a grain sack covered piece of furniture or lovely pillows would appeal so much when combined with a crystal chandelier... but I love the combination... It is just pure eye candy... Vintage mirrors of all shapes and sizes are also readily found at thrift stores and make lovely additions to ones homes... They have the ability to be hung...set or flanked and can add a ton of charm and warmth.. If you don't want the gold that so many are found in that state a simple application of paint may be applied...
Your front door is always a first impression, so I always suggest a wreath or some similar way of welcoming be added to say " come on in". Although we have been warned against not always accepting first impressions I have found them most aways to be right...
Most of us do not get the opportunity to start from scratch .. so many of the times we marry things together to obtain the desired charm we love but sometimes as in real everyday life somethings need to be divorced.
I believe retro to be my least favorite when it comes to a form of vintage decorating... I find it hard to achieve to be appealing... I love vintage but many older in years and a touch more country style... It all works to me however if it is a reflection of one's personality... If you find you can't afford many luxury items it is still no reason why you cannot be a " Thrifty Chic " and create your personal style and make a cozy retreat...

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Values

Yesterday strong winds terrorized our area.. Today still chilly and windy but the sun is shinning.. We were suppose to be on our way to Indy this morning but plans didn't work out so I am home doing my daily chores instead.. Laundry started... beds made.. and morning coffee completed.. I just pulled a nice large beef roast from the freezer and will prepare it and place it in the oven early afternoon.. with carrots and potatoes to simmer all afternoon...
Last evening watching the TV and the news reports.. I found to be very troubling and decided I needed to distance myself from them for several days... The events of Penn State are dis- hearting.. along with many more.. I guess the media will be leaving Ohio State alone for awhile...Wish we could relay to the students however that rioting sure is not a answer.. can only cause injury and further problems... So fearful for the safety of others... Hope all will mend itself over time and more caring for one another can be shown... I think that is the reason I am so content just to be on our little amount of acres in the country.. on a peaceful setting.. It is always important to try to remember the good and bathe in it.. The simple blessings and value of living a clean life and slow respect to others. Back to the values of the past we were taught... especially as we enter into the holiday season.. it is always important to remember that the price of the present isn't nearly as important as the thought placed into it.. The quality of time spent.. you can't place a price tag on that... Maybe it would be a lovely gift is this year one would give a gift of more of one's self... Time with others... Why not place this a top of our to do list... #1 spend quality time with others and making this a present...
As most of you will be entering into a time of decorating your homes and making them warm and inviting for family and friends.. As my readers know I was on a zero dollar decorating theme this year... If you truly become somewhat creative and just freshen things up and use them in a different manner than the past it is not the hard to do... Actually it can be quite astonishing.. wonderful and personal... Don't forget to use vintage mirrors as a base when placing together vignettes atop them.. The extra sparkle and reflection and charm is amazing...
Sending best wishes to you as you travel through this day.....

Monday, November 7, 2011

Need Not Want



The love of vintage... Pic from Country Living....


No awakening to sunshine this morning as it is very grey and over-cast.. a complete change from the day offered up by Mother Nature yesterday, with warming temps and gentle breezes blowing leaves ... It does seem like the calm before the storm that we know is just around the corner here in Ohio...

Yesterday Tom and I traveled to Toledo to the Notre Dame academy ...visiting and attending a benefit held there by the Sisters... Women helping Women... Tom's 2 sisters and a aunt are there...

Saturday I watched the Ohio State football game and started a project of cutting and sewing together 3 pair of the mittens, larger, but very similar to the ones I made and added to the little antique stove in the previous post... Making use of the materials I have here at home these will be used as a gift and holders for Tom's grandchildren money cards... I have to stuff... add crinkle ribbon.. embellish with junk jewelry or buttons... glitter so they can be used as a decorating after removal of the money cards...

I would like to add a couple tags and a couple sprigs of evergreen in a couple areas but for the most part my decorating is completed for this years season... I haven't been burning the lights in the evenings as of yet but think I will start this week... after the work and it really isn't that far away till Christmas and the day of Thanksgiving... so time to enjoy...

I watched my first Christmas movie for this year on the Hallmark channel last evening and enjoyed it very much... The Christmas movies always seem to warm my thoughts and my heart... I may have seen the movie the year before but still love to view again... Some times it is good to be reminded of the way we want things to be and not let our self fall into the commercial parts that accompany this time of year... Knowing the real difference between our WANTS and our NEEDS... The lesson of the difference should be practiced and taught all year but is especially important as we enter the season...

As many of you I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my Jeanne d Ark Christmas magazine... It will mean a afternoon of curling up in a comfy spot and soaking in all the inspiration as it is always very beautiful....

I must be off now to do some Monday chores as the first load of laundry is dried and ready for folding... I must however have a sampling of the home-made pecan roll made by the sisters and offered at the bake sale yesterday... The sweetness will help create energy to complete the chores... Enjoy your day and hope it is filled with blessings and the wisdom to realize it.....





Friday, November 4, 2011

Forever In Our Hearts


























Got out and about for a short time this morning as Mother Nature has been kind and given us a day of sunshine... Our corn field that is beside our home is being harvested as I post making Tom happy to see the shelling taking place... I had some letters and a package of paper dolls for a blogging friend to be placed in the mail this morning so I headed north to the small town of Pettisville.. There is a small post office ... a great meat market { I stopped and purchased some meat for the freezer} and a sweet little flower and gift shoppe owned by a acquaintance that was having a open house for Christmas so I stopped by.... The name of the shoppe is Weeping Willow and I thought it was very lovely as she offered more pretty that what she had in other years as the offerings were more Country in years past... I noticed the tags and many offerings were from wholesalers I had purchased for my shoppe in past years so it was interesting to see the different wholesalers and the lovely items... Years come and go but it is always wonderful to view lovely and beautiful that add a touch of glam... Making it ours and loved makes it perfect....




"WHERE WE LOVE IS HOME, HOME THAT OUR FEET MAY LEAVE, BUT NOT OUR HEARTS" Oliver Wendell Holmes










The pics on the post today are little objects of interest scattered around my home... Punch bowls of snowballs and snowflakes and snow and and glitter ..... The little stove in my eyes needed a little more ... so I had this woolly felt from another project a couple years ago .. so I free handed a mitten pattern and cut out and hand sewed together the little mittens... glitter and a junk pair of vintage clip earrings were added for the touch of glam....











Thursday, November 3, 2011

Musings

Idea and picture fromhttp://www.countryliving.com

I found this sweet idea on the Country Living website and thought it would be clever for Thanksgiving with the menu and a name card but also very sweet for Christmas decorating... I can see some old book pages and a old photo made into a altered art piece... The foundation is a scalloped cardboard cake mat.... These can be easily found...
The sunshine has left the area and the threat of rain is here... Today I spend most of cleaning the nest , laundry and cooking it seems... This morning while doing chores I placed a kettle of homemade ham,beans, and chunked potatoes on to simmer as cornbread baked in the oven for our lunch at noon.. Just before I sat down to post I prepared a small meat loaf to go into the oven in about a half an hour and have some potatoes baked for cutting up to make fried potatoes and harvard beets ready for warming... also a apple waldorf salad has been made with honey crisp apples and placed in to chill.... After supper I feel the need to just relax and cuddle up and watch some TV....as my body is telling me that is what I should do....
Have you been thinking of your finery for the holidays and how you will be using it to decorate this year? I noticed that many of you other bloggers have also been creating and making ready for the holidays with your talents... Candles need to be included at the holidays... the gentle flickering and the aroma of the scented candles are luscious... The allure of the sight of staggered and varying styles of candlesticks and tapers are always a touch of glam... With the chill of the nights getting upon us I think the candles will be making a appearance in my home soon... I am off to place the meat loaf in the oven and sending you best wishes and blessings for a peaceful and relaxing evening....

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

In Door and Outdoor Charm

Pic from http://www.countryliving.com

Another sunshine day here in N.W. Ohio with the forecast calling for rain again tomorrow.. I so pray that the rain doesn't take place so the harvest of the fields can resume...
I just came in this morning from completing a few chores outdoor... Hung a couple small wreaths on the porch posts and a few ornament on the 3 foot lighted tree I placed in the antique buggy that sets as you enter to the front door of our home.. I have spent very little money on outdoor decorating over the years... I love to view decorated homes from the outside that have been decorated tastefully but do not care for the carnivals in the front yards.. I love seeing something as simple as the indoor candles perched in the windows casting their soft light and welcoming one to come in...I just love the charm of soft and lovely... Everyone however has their own way of decking the halls... Some love whimsical and some love beautiful.. It is all about the family coming and gathering from all directions that matters the most... I love the thought of coming to grandmas house when I was young.. Although there was never a bunch of presents in our family- there was the greatest gift of all.. being together...
Don't you just love the inspiration of working flea market finds in with your holiday and marrying all your collected objects ... in imaginative and unexpected ways.. Bowls of baubles always work for me..
Tom has been working equally as hard out of doors as he makes ready for the Amish workers to come and construct a new building 16' x 24' for the storage of mowers and outdoor equipment... He has been digging and leveling making ready for stone to be hauled in before the builders come.. This new building will be out by the new pool we put in this fall... The existing shed will then hold all the pool equipment and the gas grill ect... He has wanted this for several years and since we are not getting any younger we thought now is the time... We will be able to be much more organized and have flow in the garage that is now taken up with equipment.. Refreshing the outside is just as important as refreshing the indoors when it comes to welcoming friends and family... Wishing a lovely day to all...

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

The Allure Of Twinkling Lights and Sparkle

Pic from Victoria site...

Although almost all my white twinkling Christmas lights are in place I am not turning them on as of yet... I usually wait till about the second week of November to flip the switch and set the mood for the coming holidays.. I just mainly love the thought that all the work has been completed... I am shortly going to go our of doors and add a few tucks of Christmas... I do not decorate that much out side... A couple wreaths can usually weather the elements well through the couple months but much more just takes a lashing...
As less is considered more in traditional decorating I am not a traditional style gal.. and tend to love the all that glitters style when it comes to the holidays... I also love the sight of lovely ribbons and old images.... Oh actually just any piece of fanciful for the eye will attract my interest...
For those of you that purchase or subscribe to the Victoria magazine I Just feel in love with pages 58 and 59. Thought the old newpaper fashioned into upside down trees and used on the sheves was sweet and the old wash stand and tubs serving as a sink... Way too clever....
The sun is melting the early morning frost and encouraging me to get a crackin with the outdoor chores awaiting me... Need to aborb some of that precious sunshine and add energy to the body... The trees are becoming skeltons as all the droppings are awaiting removal before the arrival of snow.... Enjoy the day God gave to us...