It's Starting to Look a Lot Like Christmas....

Here are my two sweeties in front of the tree.... Looks like there is an artificial one like this in their future because Brooke broke out in hives all over her arms when helping to decorate their live Christmas tree. That darlin' is allergic to just about everything... Bless her little heart.
DOUBLECLICK ON THE PICS TO SEE THE DETAIL. Over the cased opening, a gilded angel adds to the festive look... Can you hear the music?

It's been so rainy and gray lately that the colors look washed out. Rain, rain, GO AWAY!!!

Here's another sweet angel watching over my loved ones....

And Papa Noel himself, broken hand and all.... I used the hot glue gun to cover the damage with the sack of goodies.... Five and one half days of work left until CHRISTMAS VACATION!!! Whooo Hoooo!!!!

Countdown to Christmas Banner

I have been under the weather with a bad cold and have been staying home and taking it easy. I woke up feeling better today and got the itch to do something crafty. Here is the Christmas countdown banner I came up with. There is a mini clothespin adorned with ribbon that can be moved from day to day. It's about time for a new digital camera, don't you think? In low light, the pics are fuzzy. DOUBLECLICK ON THE PICS TO ENLARGE THEM. Here's a close-up of days 1-9.....

Days 10-18...... See the itty bitty clothespin marking today's date?

And days 19-25...... As much as I would like to keep it, it's a gift for someone.... Hope she doesn't look at my blog! ;-)

Christmas will be here before you know it!!!!

I Am Grateful....

This Christmas I am very grateful. For a hard working son who remains in remission from his cancer. For two beautiful grandchildren who are so precious to me. For a wonderful daughter-in-law who has done a fantastic job of raising them while pursuing a college degree. For a loving son who has worked full time and attended class four nights a week and endured many hardships. Graduation can't come too soon for him.... For a sweet, gorgeous daughter who just finished her first semester of college. For great friends who have been there for me when the days were bleak... As I step into my new life, I thank God for these blessings.

My Christmas Tablescape

Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch is graciously hosting another Tablescape Thursday. Hop on over and visit her at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/. I've been busy decorating for Christmas and carried the theme into the dining room.... DOUBLECLICK ON THE PHOTOS TO ENLARGE THEM. A lighted garland placed down the center of the table adds glow as do the snowmen tealight holders. I added color by embellishing the garland with faux grapes in gold and burgundy and anchored the garland on each end with apothecary jars filled with shiny Christmas ornaments.

The black chargers were marked down to $1.50 each at Hobby Lobby last summer and I'm so glad I snapped them up. I love the way they make the other colors in my tablescapes really pop.

I'm pining for some Christmas salad plates.... but in the meantime I'm using the green plates I picked up at Tuesday Morning. Have you seen the new Noble Excellence Twelve Days of Christmas salad plates? They are beautiful but too pricey for my budget at this point... Most everything is too pricey at this point. LOL

I've decided to enlarge my collection of milk glass and transferred the pieces I have to my china cabinet for a change of pace. My mother passed these pieces down to me years ago and I've only recently really come to appreciate their classic beauty.

The silverplate belonged to my great aunt Clara on my daddy's side of the family. I did some online research and discovered that the pattern is called "Elaine" by Oneida, circa 1926. From the looks of it, it wasn't put away for special occasions but used often. What good are fine things if we don't ever enjoy them? Here is a close up look at it. For some reason, there are no salad forks in the set, just dinner forks... Any ideas on that?

The pattern isn't as ornate as most Southern patterns but very pretty nevertheless. You can see the wear on the bowls of the spoons in this photo.

This shot gives a nice view of the switchplate and extension cord, LOL... It's funny how the camera captures all of those little details and records them for posterity.

Here's a view with the lighting dimmed...... Be sure to doubleclick on the image to see the light reflecting off the crystal champagne glasses.

I do believe I got somewhat carried away with photos this time..... The antique mirror at the end of the table is begging to be hung on the far wall, isn't it? Anyone have a studfinder I could borrow? It weighs far too much to be hung any other way.

Here's one last shot of my tablescape. Thanks for hanging in there through the entire post.... ;-) Hope your season is filled with holiday joy....

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Thanksgiving Blessings

I have so much to be thankful for....... Two beautiful grandgirls, sweet as can be. Here they are dancing with their Pops......

I love spending time with them. They are such well behaved little ones.

Kait got them started dancing. Here she is with Brookie Boo.

Can't leave Haylee out or it'll be BIG trouble.....

You can see the family resemblance here..... Casey with Brooke.

And Angie with Haylee......

It's kind of neat the way each twin resembles one parent, isn't it? Here they are with their uncle Bryan and his girlfriend Amanda.....

It was a great day........

Thanksgiving Tablescape

I've neglected my blog lately, busy making the adjustment to the single life. It's so freeing to be responsible for only me! I'm learning a lot about myself. There are men out there who truly don't mind shopping (I didn't think they existed on this earth) and who are generous with their compliments. It's nice to feel appreciated. I spent the afternoon yesterday playing with my dishes. Thanks, Susan, over at Between Naps on the Porch for inspiring me. I'll be celebrating Thanksgiving at my son and D-I-L's house so the tablescape is strictly "dish therapy." ;-) CLICK ON THE PICS TO ENLARGE THEM.I can't get enough of my French chef dishes these days. I started with other plates but found that the colors in them coordinated so well with the pumpkins.... What do you think???

Here's a close-up of the berry garland I pull out every fall.

I'm thinking of painting my dining room a lighter color. Any suggestions on color??? The deep red dominates the room and detracts from my tablescapes, don't you think?

HAPPY TURKEY DAY TO ALL!!!!!!!!

Ghosts and Ghouls and Scary Stuff

Heading out in a bit with the twins for tricks and treats. Here's Kaitlyn dressed as a kitty cat with her college roommate Carly. She turns 19 tomorrow. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KAITLYN!!!!!! LOVE YA!!!!! Will post pics of the twins tomorrow! HAPPY HALLOWEEN TO ALL!