Merry Decorating to you......................

I just love this time of year. The feeling of Christmas just makes you happy. That feeling comes from baby Jesus. The Shepard's who first learned that baby Jesus was here on earth must have felt very special. Notice in the story they went straightforth. That means they went right away. They knew the story of Jesus and went to see.

I even imagine they had try outs in heaven for who was going to be the Angel that was going to announce to the world that Jesus was here. It had to be an Angel who had a good voice, not to hard but with authority, and must be a beautiful radiant Angel.

Happy decorating to you, for the real feeling of Christmas still comes to us each year just like it did on that First Christmas night.

I'm back.............

After football season has come to an end and I have recovered from surgery, I can get back to blogging.

For all your Christmas needs this place here is the bomb. I ordered this box full of wonderful dried goodies in September and I was thrilled. You can start doing your Christmas shopping here with these nice people at www.driedflowersdirect.com.

They have eucalyptus wreaths, dried flower wreaths and bundles of oat straw.

Take a look......O'w did I mention the prices are out of this world.

I'm So Excited, I have my roots.

You might ask what is this child talking about. Well you see here in the country, we harvest our wood in the summer for the Fall and Winter burning.



You hear people talke about "Going Green"; I want to yell "We've Been Green, Your Just Catching up". I am lucky enough to have a family who has several acres of land with trees and wildlife. (the 4 legged kind not the 2 legged kind)he he. When we get ready to harvest the trees, Daddy drives the tractor around and finds the trees that are good but need to come down. These trees usually have had woodpeckers drilling holes in them and he selects them for the year.



Now my daddy is a steward of his land. He loves it, takes great pride in it and he even fusses over it and the wildlife. He worries over the baby turkey's. The baby turkeys have a hard life coming of age between the rainy weather and the coyotes; they have to be tough to survive.



Ok to my point. While we we're cutting trees, I found some old tree stumps that have been in the forest for years. So, I thought ( I do that occasionally) these would look good in my front yard. So, I made those eyes at my sweetie. You know those eyes that said " Will you please cut this stump, I promise I'll make it up to you". Then I asked Daddy, "Daddy will you load these on the trailer". To my joy they all fit on the trailer with several of the trees and I can't wait to place them in the yard and to show you. One of the stumps even has ax marks on it with smut, it looks like someone tried to burn it years ago for some reason.



Now for the funny part of the day. We we're finishing up. All of us hot, dirty and ready for some sweet tea. ( here in the south we don't make that un-stuff) Daddy leaves with tractor and said trailer full of trees, hubby and I start to leave in truck, like I said tried. It had rained so much that the dark black good soil just would not let us go. So stuck we we're. I hiked it to the house to get the tractor, but when I get there no daddy. I'm like what, this worries me since Daddy has had heart problems; so we hop on the golf cart and down to the back field we go to find daddy. He had walked out of the back 60 and was waving his hands; he was stuck too. We rode around gathering all the stuck people; take them to lunch that mom had fixed and 3.5 hours later after lunch, we we're all officially unstuck. So, I have my roots in more ways than one.

Free stuff, everybody say Yeah............

tHe oTher dAy; while we we're going over to mom and dad's I drove by this house that had a big pile ready for the garbage man. So what does my wondering eyes see; a free wooden ladder just waiting for me. So, I scanned and drove by a little to quick; but lucky for me, I'm as good as Saint Nick. I quickly turned around before anyone else spotted my treasure and slid it in; it was light as a feather. Much to my son's O'w no, I'm ducking, hope no one see's; I gleefully smiled and said; BUT IT'S FREE.

Here's some of the new things I'm adding .....

Didn't mother nature make a perfect flower pot. This will make part of the walkway up to our home.

A Post Coming

So hits the busy time of the year for us. Football season for our little league is in full swing. And guess who is co-chair of concession; you guessed it, me. So, I am up to my elbows in schedules, hamburgers, hotdogs and football pads. But, I do have a few good post coming. Since, August is my B-Day month; I have to make time to decorate. I also need to get the pics of the new shelves my husband has installed around the twins room. With twins you have double everything. So, after playing 4 years of sports already in just baseball and football; we are running over with trophies. So, I am trying to get organized before school hits and get their room decorated.

Also, the tree stumps for the front yard are hopefully going to get installed this week; right, honey. (it's a subliminal thing; hopefully he will get it)

So, hope all of you are doing well.

I will be posting soon.

See not so organized.............

See beautiful antique server nothing wrong with this picture. But what is that I see at the bottom?

Why it is a remote control truck and dust buster. Where else would you keep an remote control truck, but in the dining area. RIGHT..........

This is for sure a OCD..............

See the pillows and blanket. My sons and I do this everyday; they take off the pillows and blanket and before I retire for the night; they are put back in place. I like everything in a somewhat organized location before I sleep or leave.

Know before you think my house is all organized; I'll show you that is not the case. I like it somewhat organized. I am not a perfectionist. That would put me in too much of a box.

Affliction or OCD.............I'm not sure.

I hate to be cold when I take a bath/shower. Even though, I love winter and have several coats; I hate to be cold when I get out . This little heater gets used everyday at my house.
If I get cold getting out of the shower; it puts me in a bad mood.

This is not an OCD; but an affliction never the less.

This is what my back porch looks like; eeek.......... My front porch is the picture at the top of the blog. I am working on the back. I have moved this big chest here to serve as a table and checkers table. I want to add fold out red, white and blue chairs and have some kind of curtain to hang by the post. Nothing too fancy because the dogs think they own the porch. See the red spot on the door, I am thinking about painting the door this color. I think it will match the brick well. When I finish it; I'll have to post the finished product.

One of my afflictions...........I like things even.

RUGS THEY HAVE TO BE STRAIGHT BETWEEN THE FRIG AND STOVE AND IN FRONT OF THE SINK. Even at my sister's office, I make sure the rug is straight before I leave.

Camera on the blink

My camera's been on the blink.

I was selected by Cherry Checkers to tell 7 things about myself that you do not know. I will start this weekend and get pictures together to show you my occasional OCD ( obsessive complusive disorder). They will be funnier with pictures. You know we are all disturbed in some funny way. Some are just more funkier than others. You know like I can't put my kids in black. Since they came so close to death when they we're born; I just can't bring myself to put them in a black t-shirt or socks. They've had black jeans; that was OK. So stay tuned; you will get a kick out of this and maybe you will even discover some OCD's of your own.

A busy Friday the July 3rd.....

In between decorating and cooking for Dad's party on Friday, I had enough energy and time to get a project done that I have had in the planning. See this wall is on the blah side, nothing to talk about, so I have been wanting to get a little fru -fru to add to it; so hence here is what I have done; Some tulle ( i think that is spelled right ) some rose petals add to the top and you have fru-fru. I would like to add some ivory silk ribbon and maybe a real pretty silk fabric in the dark merlot color.
The dark merlot color would match the curtain that I have next to the tub. I bought this curtain for the other bedroom; but it didn't work in there, I loved it so much and found a place for it in our bathroom. It does mix well with the magnolia's and the magnolia print has the same color of merlot in it.

It rained early in the day on the 3rd so, I had planned a picnic outside for the kids; my twins and my great nephew and great niece. I do get the strangest looks when I take all these kids out together. Some people ask, are all these kids yours; Plezze; do I look crazy. Obviously I do or they wouldn't ask

I don't throw away strawberry flats; they make great holders for everything. If you are transporting food and don't want it to slide, taking hot food or a quick picnic basket, and magazine holders.

Here are some of the crafts I didn't get posted earlier that the boys and I made. We had these scrap woods blocks; so we cut them off into 3 pieces, painted them red, white and blue, drilled holes in the wood for the flags and just poked them in. I think it is a great way to get your kids creativity going.

My sweetie had cut these stars out for me before, I just needed a way to stand them up. I bought dowels and drilled holes at the angle I wanted the stars to stand up at. Since, I am constantly moving them, I don't glue them in.

We re-painted this bench that my sweetie made for me. After we painted them I went back over the paint with stain and it turned the blue the prettiest blueish purple.

I like making things out of what you already have. I have tons of ideas; but like many of you that thing called precious time slips away from us all. Also, this endometriosis knocks out all my energy when I am on my feet all day. So, on the 4th I had to rest.

Happy July 4th.

I'm not going to get everything posted by the 4th. My dad's birthday is the 3rd and tomorrow will be his party. My sons and I made some July 4th decorations that I will post after the 4th. It's fun to show them how to drill, paint and use their minds to be creative. Use what you have and you it makes you become more creative.

Happy 4th of July and say a prayer for all the soldiers that are serving our country. For with anyone of them, they are our sons, daughers, father and brother. For in every war some mother had to give her son up, a wife had to say goodbye to her husband and mate, and children became fatherless and a mother's grief over her son or daughter she carried til she died.

How true it is in the bible where it says something like, " A Man Laying down his life for his brother". One day as my sons become of age, I might have to do the same and say; " Go Fight For Freedom and For Our Country".

So enjoy your 4th of July, that is what all the soldiers serving serve for and what the ones who have died, died for.

One of my local Haunts when I want to just look.

This would go nicely in someone's dining room. I'm not a blue girl; so it's not for me.

I love this coffe table; the glass it open and you can display stuff in it.
Love this little bistro set; cover the seats in red and white . Bam.

Already have one or I would have bought this one.

I like egyptian history.

Anyone need a blue vase, it's big.

I've tried to figure out where I could put this but, to no avail. I'm full.

I need more space for storage. But this want do. I will have to figure out something else.

See anything you just need, let me know and I'll put you in touch with the store owner.

They have reasonable prices. The store owner is not me.

Latest have to haves.....................

Doesn't Paul Newman just have those kissable lips; so pretty and puckery. And O'w let's just say once I say this leopard print wrap; it never left my hand. I was afraid someone would pick it up.

I didn't want to show anyone that I could throw down a baby sister tantraum. The old record albums will one day find a home in my boys room. One day...............hopefully soon, right sweetie!!!!

Front Yard Dishing

Is there ever enough time in the yard. July will mark our third year in our new home. I have lots of gardening ideas so many that my husband wonders why we ever planted grass if I am only going to dig it up. I just say Sweetie, that's just Women for you. Just like wearing shoes that are pretty but painful. Pretty is Pain, sometimes; pretty is pain.

I found some wonderful things from my latest venture of antique shops. Look over at Southern Hospitalities blog and see all her finds and everyone elses. These are yard sale finds and not antique, but still some great things.

These little guys will be in time for Fall..........

In the front of our house, I have pumpkins that just sprout up from last years seeds. So these guys will be ready for Fall. Doesn't Fall sounds so nice with these 3 digit degree temps.

If you are wondering when to plant those pumpking seeds, start in early part of July and they will be ready for Fall.

Nasty Meetings.............Don't you just hate them.

Don't you just hate the nasty meetings where they make you stay at these Nasty O'le Resorts, where they deliver your food to you pool side and the kids get to see how much water they can soak up. Don't make me go agaaaain please......................please don't throw me in the briar patch.......................................................... ( if you don't know what I'm talking about, it's from the Children's book, Briar Rabbit, my husbands favorite).

Seriously had a wonderful time at the Naples Grand. The food pool side was great and reasonably priced. There is a tram that takes you to the beach. They have food, bathrooms and rentables at the beach. If you stay at the hotel, you get a chair free.

So this week we are all sporting our sunburns; even with spf 30.

One of my Favorite Antique Stores...............

Well hello...grrly grrls, long time no speak to. Shew, let's just say it's been a graduation whirlwind of parties and travel. From Pensacola Florida to Central Florida. The above treasures just happen to come from one of my all time favorite antique stores. The store is located in Pensacola and the name of it is Alyssa's Antiques. She also has a sister store located a few miles away. Everything is in there at such reasonable prices. Love, love, love it.

I found these adorable strawberry plates for $3.00 a piece. My theme for my kitchen is Strawberries or fruit and veggie canning. These will go perfect. Some old Church Recipe books ( $1.00) and this old shutter, that I can use for all kinds of decorating themes. The cracker jack boxes we bought at the Cracker Barrel on our way back home. Don't you just love the Cracker Barrel, I can just look forever.

I have all kinds of idea to share with you. I was out of wraping paper for a gift and in front of me was an old pattern . I thought that would be cute. A gift wrapped in old pattern paper tied with pieces of fabric with cute little cards on them . I had previous purchased the cards from " No Place Like Home".

Also pictures to hang. My cousin bought me a strawberry picture from a yard sale. Don't you just love cousins. And my grrly room to decorate. I am tired of looking at the same thing. So she will probably get a re do, maybe tonight. I have extra children tonight, so tonight might not be the best of times.

So ta ta for know.

Didn't realize I was so wordy today. Guess I really did miss you guys.

O'w one more thing. Dad's returning to the Dr. tomorrow. This week we should get results.

thank you all for asking.

Creative Juices

Thank you all for your kind comments; my creative juices are coming back. I just need that sweet thing called "time".

We have just found out that dad has cirrhosis of the liver; they need to run test to find out what stage. Since, he is not a drinker and has never touched the stuff; they are thinking it is his gout medication. So maybe this will explain some of the crazy things that have been going on with him. It is hard to watch your parents get old. They don't want to and you don't want them to. They want you to stay the child and them the parent but as the years progress the tables turn. I sometimes wish that we lived as the Walton's did; all together. Parents, children and grandchildren. Yes, you have problems; but like with any family, you work them out and proceed on.

Memorial Day............. and how to celebrate.

Alamo North had a great write up about how to celebrate Memorial Day and proper flag etiquette and a place where you can order flags from; and Yes, they are MADE IN AMERICA.

the site to look for flags and service flags is www.americanflags.com.

Wonderful information.

Happy...... not so happy>>>............................

I finally got around to visiting all of you. I have been sooo busy. Dad has Dr. Apt's everyday and between that a new computer program and all these graduations; I have lost my creative juice. Michelle at her peanut butter and jelly life says the same thing. So, today at lunch; I'm going to take a quick trip to my favorite antique/ not so antique place and see if I can come up with something to get me out of this mood.

I like to be Happy.............. and happy is where I want to be.

Our Lady ........Liberty..............

As I am preparing to decorate the school for the next theme; I have come up with Red, White and Blue; and Fun Facts about the Statue of Liberty.

So here is what the kids will learn.

Her Birthday is October 28, and this year she will turn 123 years old.

She is 305 feet tall; from the ground to the tip of her torch.

There are 354 steps inside and 25 viewing windows in her crown.

Her official name is; "Liberty Enlightening the World".

She is recognized the world over as the symbol of Freedom and Democracy.

Her designer was French sculptor, Frederic Aguste Bartholdi and she was completely funded by the French people.

How great it is to live in America.

Remember your roots, remember the sacrifices made; for freedom isn't free.

Deserted Island................. Family Fun

If you can't water shoot your twin brother who can you shoot??

Twins sharing a special moment.

A deserted island; exploring, laying in the sun and having a picnic.
Normally the water is clear but with all the flooding the river water has spread out more into the sea.

A boat house........really a boathouse.

Ok, Time for your Friday Laugh.................

This is why you do not let men near the washing machine. He decides he's going to wash his bee suit and while doing so; he puts in the gloves. They are leather and red. Ta --- Ta --- Da --- Do you know what you get when you mix red leather gloves and a white bee suit together; a totally pink all over bee suit. That none of the guys will wear. HE HE HE..........

Your Welcome, hope you have a great weekend.

If the Shoe Fits............................

Don't you just love this sign.................. Had to have it.

Sun in Fun ........... Air Show in Lakeland.

Hubby and brother went to see the airplanes and watch the old WWII planes do a simulated bomb drop. We are so fortunate to have never had a bomb drop in the US. Can you imagine fearing for your life or home every night while bombs drop around you. This is something that America has never had to face and with God's Help May We Never Have To. That's why Freedom isn't Free................

Need something un...ordinary...............different

The World Craft Village is a market place by the Women's on Mission Board. Here all the countries listed have products to buy. By your purchase you can help put food on children's tables and help women who need a hand up. They have nativity scenes, beautiful scarfs made from real silk, and all kinds purses.


Look on their site http://www.worldcraftsvillage.com/images/products and start your Christmas shopping early. Who wouldn't want a hand made scarf from India.

A Drop by visit....................................by my bubba.

I just wanted to update you on my bubba. That's my brother. If you read in one of my earlier blogs; his appendix ruptured and they did emergency surgery on him. His appendix had been ruptured for about a month. He went back to his Dr. on monday and he told him he was the 2nd worst case he had ever seen. He asked the Dr. what did it take to be number one and He replied SHE DIED. So, we just want tell momma that. He told him to still take it easy and not over do it because he wasn't sure that the stitches would hold. His said that his insides we're so infected he was scared that the tissue wouldn't hold the staples together. Then we would be talking major surgery; reconnecting intestines and such. We want tell momma that either. So, he said he felt better and the Dr. thought he was doing good. No fevers are a good sign.

My New Aprons........................ They are so Meeeeee

Check out my new apron. I ordered my new apron from " creations from my heart ". It is me. If you haven't guessed; red, white and blue are my favorite colors.

Thank you creations from my heart for my new apron.

I also have one to post from my cousin and friend; cherry checkers. Guess what colors it has in it. Yes, your correct; it would be red, white and blue. That will be in a new post. And thank you Teresa for that one; I love it. It is hanging in my kitchen.

Lolita is in the middle. She is a ceramic tile that I just had to have. Are you funny like me and name some of the things you like or use often. I had a car named "Jessie". My heating pad that I use on a regular basis is called "LeRoy". My husband gets jealous and says I spend more time with LeRoy.

Hope you all have a great weekend. If you are like me; I have so many things going on in the gardens. And it looks like everyone else is busy in the gardens also because some people that post several times a week; haven't posted in a few days.

Repurposing

I just love jars. I guess I am a "jar Head. When I seen these candles for sell for
.50, I just had to have them. Candles and jars, you just can't lose.

These jars here we're from jelly and cherries. If you we're having a party; adding a ribbon or strip piece of gingham check to the jar would add a nice touch.

Decorating to the side...............................

I know some like to decorate the middle of the table. I like to decorate the middle and a little side deocrating. Your favorite tea pot, flowers from your garden or a fruit and vegetable bowl. Possibilies are endless.

If you notice the table; it is made with cedar boards. The top boards are mirror boards. That term is used when both boards are identical but mirror images. The legs for my dining room table are tree limbs that my husband smoothed and attached. This table is to me beautiful. The trees came from my parents place and it was lovingly made by my husband.