Christmas Decorating – Part 2

Today – the tree.   Before . . .

 and after . . .

 

It has birds, nests, snowy branches, berries and silver and gold poinsettias.

Another project tomorrow.

Christmas Decorating – Part 1

I just accomplished the first part of my decorating – my Christmas village.   I enjoy it so much that I could really leave it up all winter.   So, it’s usually the first thing up and the last thing put away.  Tomorrow – the tree!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Count your blessings, but don’t eat too much!!   Enjoy your day with family, friends -- and football.

Another Frilly Dilly Bag

I promised a friend of mine that I would make her one of these purses for her birthday.  I made one earlier this summer and you can see it here.  We went together to pick out the fabric and, yes, that’s the Pink Panther you see in there!  It will be a belated gift for her, but I just had to get it done before the holidays or it would have been a New Year’s gift . . .

My Butter Pats

Sometimes you wonder why you collect what you do and then you look at it and you remember.   I have been collecting butter pats (I have 45) for years and they are in a desk/curio in my upstairs hall – not really where I can enjoy them.  But, I love them just the same.

Brrrr – it’s cold outside!

We may have a light freeze tonight so I had to put all of my plants in the greenhouse and I cut the last of my zinnias and one gerber daisy.   I don’t think I’m ready for this!    I so hope the sun will be shining tomorrow . . .

Yipeeeeeee!!!

to Paula at Castle and Cottage Signs!!!  I won the giveaway -- a  $40.00 gift certificate!   Oh my gosh, what do I want?!    I am so excited – this is my first win in “blogland”.   You know I’ll be anxious to show you my sign here when I get it.    Oh, I can hardly sit still  . . .

A Day to Honor

all of our veterans for their unselfish service to our country.  Two of them are very special to me . . .

my husband (Army, 1962) . . .

 

   and my father (Army Air Force, 1943).            

It is my belief that If ever there was a time that we should pray for our country and those ensuring our freedom, it is now.  

Okay, I’m a copycat!!

I’ve been wanting to do this ever since I saw it on the Cherry Hill Cottage blog.  Then Tina showed the idea again when she recently gave us a tour of her friend Monica’s beautiful cottage.  (She said she got the idea from Monica!)  Well, my hubby went deer hunting this weekend so I thought this was a good chance to figure it out and not have to listen to “how many holes are you going to put in the wall?”.   Tina said she is going to blog about how to do it, but I couldn’t wait – I might be making some adjustments after she lets us in on the secrets.

My living room sofa is a vintage style print of brown and red floral so my plates have mostly those colors.   It was a little challenging, but not too hard.   I let a day go by and then asked my husband if he noticed anything.   He said “Only those plates on the wall – how many holes did you have to put in?”   Boy, do I know him!

So, what do you think?

Here’s my sofa (from the back). . .

I’m sharing news about a giveaway!!!

Paula of Castle and Cottage is having a blog giveaway.  All you have to do is go to her beautiful blog, become a follower and comment on your favorite color for Christmas decorating.

She makes beautiful signs and the winner will receive a $40 gift certificate to her etsy shop.   Check out the sign she made for Tina of Cherry Hill Cottage.

And, here’s a bonus, if you have a blog, mention it there and then let her know and you will get a second entry in the giveaway.  Don’t be late – Saturday, November 14 by noon is the deadline.

Sweet Little Napkin Rings

Aren’t these the cutest napkin rings?   I bought them at an estate sale years ago just because I loved looking at them.  I had almost forgotten about them, but had to move everything from my dining room this week to have the wood floor refinished and came across these.   They are wooden and made in Germany.   They make me smile . . .

My Herb Garden

hasn’t really loved all of the rain we have gotten lately.   The mulch seems to have disappeared and some things are looking water logged.  But then, there’s this

Mexican mint marigold (or Texas tarragon) – smells like licorice and blooms in early fall.   My hoja santa (which means sacred leaf) plants (below) don’t usually do this well, but they are not totally suited to this climate.  I guess they like it wet.  It comes back every spring.

Rosemary is looking good

and so are some of my roses.

I even have enough to put some in the house, so I’m happy!