Snow Day!

Looks like it will be awhile till spring comes to brighten my flower garden.

Introducing the very spoiled, Polka Dot.

And her faithful mentor, Ping Pong.

This was special sighting. I didn't go out because I didn't want to spook them and the photo is not great but we watched three does in our backyard for about a half hour. They were just lazily nibbling on a few leaves.

We had about six inches here in middle Tennessee. Even the malls were closed this weekend. I spent a wonderful day on my laptop, organizing photos and getting acquainted with Picasa. I am so excited about it and hope my pics will improve. (Let me tell you, I am very intimidated with tech stuff.)

I have also found more kindred spirits in blogland. What a fun day!

Blessings.

Knotted Knickers

I had had my knickers in a tightening knot for days. It seemed like once the tasks and activities of the holidays were over, angst built up. After I apologized for some of the things I said, a precious friend suggested I cut myself some slack. It has been a challenging and emotional roller coaster for months. It was also suggested, very gently I might add, that D (diet) and E (exercise) might be helpful. You know it is bad when she had to resort to code.

So, I did what I needed to do to take care of myself. Why do women allow themselves to fall to the bottom of their own to-do lists? I got a much needed haircut, primped a little more, and smiled more. I cut back on all those bad-for-you carbs and chose leaner meats and more veggies. Sleep is good, too. And I am getting some exercise and fresh air. For fun, I took a walk in the park with my camera and caught a few good shots.
Isn't this the cutest nutkin you have ever seen? How could you not smile at him?

This little fellow was quite cheerful.

This heron had a friend who escaped before I could get a shot of their "discussion".

Cardinals are a favorite...did I mention I love red?

What I learned from this:

• listen to your friends
• know the warning signs that the "knot" is tightening
• know what works for you to get out of the "knot"
• In all things, give thanks.

Be real. Be blessed.

China Hutch given new life!

I love my china hutch. It was a gift from my husband for my first Mother's Day (almost 21 years ago). We even configured our floor plan to accommodate this piece when we were designing our home 11 years ago. My how time flies. It is a very simple, sturdy piece but I was a little bored with the darkness.
Here's my solution: I found some fabric that made me happy in the right colors and cut it to size for the openings. I used simple double stick tape to attach it. Honestly, I half expected it to be in the floor by morning...
To keep with the idea of lighter and brighter, I used a lot of white and a lot less than usual.

So here are the results...simpler, and lighter.

Blessings.

Lighter, brighter decorating!

After all that cleaning and un-decorating the holiday stuff, I went for a lighter, brighter style. I had so much on top of my kitchen cabinets that it is a wonder they didn't fall off. I put away a lot of crocks and pitchers and baskets...all old and dusty and heavy looking. Of course it took quite a bit of cleaning...I prefer windex or all-purpose cleaner for that job. After I cleaned all that stuff, I covered the top of the cabinets with wax paper so that next time it will be just remove and replace.
I've grouped similar items...

I love old radios and paint-by-numbers...

Did I mention red is my favorite color? And playful toys, too.

This is a collection of carnival glass with just a few accessories to fill it out...

So, when you look at your stuff, maybe you don't even see it anymore. I took everything down and brought out other treasures and it all feels new. Move it around and enjoy your home.

Blessings.

A Fresh New Year

Yep, I have noticed the calendar says this first month of the new year is already half over. My how time flies. This is a photo of "useless decoration" on my deck. (My son had a few things to say about "the incongruous collection of useless stuff" on my kitchen table.) The ladder was found on a treasure hunting expedition with my best friend and the stones were from a family vacation stop in Portland, ME. Red is my favorite color, too. I haven't exactly been languishing on my divan (it is a project still) with bonbons (couldn't find any) and I am sure you haven't either. I always start the new year with a fresh hope. This year I will "Pursue Passion" to be the woman God wants me to be.

A recent road trip gave me lots of time to think through what that means. My daughter and I went to a wedding 10 hours away and it was wonderful girl time. Over the last few weeks, I have had lots of conversations with my man and we really do like each other still. My heart is to serve, to make others comfortable, to provide a supportive home base, to know others and to be known. I especially have a heart for mentoring young women. I have been blessed to help with home makeover projects through church, to volunteer with Girl Scouts, and most recently tutoring with Christian Women's Job Corp. All of these opportunities have fueled my passion. They are expressions of the woman God created.

Each of us are created uniquely and given unique opportunities and gifts. These aren't just for us but are pieces of the puzzle in His Kingdom. My challenge is this: What are you going to do with the unique puzzle piece you are?

Blessings

Starting the new year with a bang!

I started the New Year with much enthusiasm. I was very excited to get all my Christmas decorations down and get everything clean. You may remember my "elf" style of Christmas decorations. It was a lot of wow for a little green. New Year's Day, however, it was time...
My plan was to start at the front door and work my way through the open floor plan to the back door. VERY SLOW! The drapes were dry cleaned and windows were cleaned. I have been a very busy woman!
One little project was the dining table chandelier. The shades were brittle, dingy and drab. I finally found replacements but they were a little smaller and too much bulb was exposed. My solution was to glue trim around the bottom...problem solved with style.
I couldn't find just the right color combination in one trim...so I layered two trims for just the perfect touch. Liquid stitch is my new best friend. And the trim is placed low enough on the shade to hide the bulb.

I have a few more projects to share. Life around here is never dull. I asked my sweet husband what he thought of this "clean sweep" and he says he was perfectly happy with things the way they were. I am shooting for a lighter look and I will have more photos soon.

Be happy in your home.

Blessings,