A Touch of Winter nestled in Indoor Plants...

O.K. I know it is winter - I mean it IS January BUT my oh my - today was BEEE-U-tiful!

 

Nearly 50 degrees and super sunny in Kentucky - but tonight - guess what - it is suppose to snow.  Wow, what a difference a few hours can make!

 

But I enjoyed replanting some of my indoor house plants today...outside in the sunshine.

 

 

This morning my big ceramic pot (yard sale find for $4.00) was filled with what was left of my amaryllis.  Nestled around them was a bunch of pine cones and some feathers (more on that in a minute).

 

 

I couldn't stand it - I had to do something different - sooooo, I took out the bulbs.

 

 

I gathered some plants that I had inside that needed attention.

 

 

The one in most need of attention was my Peace Lily.  It was terribly root bound and needed to be divided.  I must say I was a lil' hard on it with the knife but it'll rebound fine.  If you'd like all the "how-to" information on care, maintenance and dividing the Peace Lily check Pro Plants for some great info.  This plant is about as low maintenance as it gets.

 

 

Along side my Peace Lily, I replanted an arrowhead vine and ivy,  both of which were part of a gorgeous Christmas planter I received this year.  I then topped the soil with moss.

 

 

Next I nestled in the pine cones to remind me that it is still winter no matter what the temp. says.

 

 

These beautiful feathers were also tucked in that delightful Christmas basket I received from my friend, Pam.  Of course, they are from her flock of fine feathered friends.  It was truly a beautiful gift.

 

 

And there you have it - a fresh new planter - filled with the hope of spring as well as the natural beauty of winter time. 

 

 

I took some of the remaining Peace Lily and placed it in my pretty blue crock...

 

 

...And another few pieces found their new home in an old milk bottle.  Actually the Peace Lily roots thrive just fine tucked in water.

 

 

 

I'm dreaming of spring today!

 

Happy Sunshiney Day!

 

 

Easy, Breezy, Fun Tablerunner...

Happy Weekend Friends! 

 

I've got an easy one for you today!

 

I'm 99.999999% certain this has been done before BUT here's mine anyway.

 

A simple piece of 1 X 10 board cut to length

Chalkboard Paint

That's it!

 

My Mother-n-law's birthday was this week and I needed a quick something for the table.  She was coming out to eat dinner with us and I wanted to make it a little personal.

I thought this simple idea would do the trick.  I've had this board painted for a while but had never used it quite like this.

It's about as simple as you can get - but it's sweet when....

...you can personalize it to say exactly what you wanted! 

Happy Birthday MeMe!

Our Guest Bedroom...My "Happy" Room...

Well, its winter...so everybody needs a room that lifts your spirits and makes you happy.  The room in our house that I think is cheerful and makes me smile is our guest bedroom.  I had never had the opportunity to have a guest bedroom before we built this house so I was excited about getting to have one.  See I have this wishy-washy thing going on with "my style".  I love so many different things that it is hard for me to commit to just one particular style so guess what - I'm not gonna commit.  I don't have to, do I?

 

So let's look around the "cottage-y" style bedroom.  As with every other room in our house - it is a work in progress - like... needs curtains, the bedside table needs a drawer, I need to hide the cord, etc....etc..

 

 

My Happy Room...

 

 

The left bedside table is a piece made for me by my dear late friend, Mr. Curry.  It was perfect for my quilts. A bench that I had at the old house and the print above - a gift from my sweet friend, Kim.  Behind the cabinet is an old screen door just propped up against the wall.  I'm gonna make a banner for it soon I think.

 

 

Treasured quilts from family.

 

 

On top of this piece is a red lamp from IKEA, a bunch of flowers tucked in a bucket and some pictures of all the boys - one is mine - the other three are my nephews.

 

 

I've told you all before that I love paint by number - especially when it has a barn in it!  $7.00 - SCORE!  A simple wooden chair I painted blue sits beneath it.

 

 

The bedding is just pieces from here and there - I don't really like "matchy-matchy" bedding - just layers.  The comforter at the bottom is from K-Mart.  Hanging above the bed is an old window with the metal letters reading "good night".

 

 

Since there is no closet in this room - I opted for this armoire.  It functions just fine for overnighters.

 

 

And the piece at the end of the bed is a Swedish blanket chest - or at least that is what they told me at the antique store.  I must confess... my knowledge of "antiques" is limited - so I pretty much believe whatever they tell me.  Oh my, that could get me in big trouble one of these days. 

 

Hopefully I'll find the perfect curtain fabric some day- still looking. Oh and yes, that rug at the foot of the bed was a clearance rug for $20.00 from IKEA.

 

 

And that's it - my happy room!

 

I want to say to those of you that comment - thank you.  I have tried and tried to find the "reply" button - but I believe my template does not offer that option.  Just know that I really do appreciate it - especially my faithfuls, like Nana Diana, Melanie, Stacey and Dori and so many more! 

 

Have a happy and blessed week!

 

My Christmas Kitchen - 2 WEEKS LATE!

O.K. I know, I know - Christmas was 2 weeks ago - I'm sorry.  Life got crazy busy - you know how it is.  BUT, I saw my friend Millie yesterday and she fussed at me (not really) because I didn't post pictures like I said I would.  So this is for you Millie!

 

All the Christmas has been put away now and I'm working on spring projects - but I did enjoy my Christmas kitchen this year and all the people I got to share it with, so here it goes....

 

I put our family ornaments on the tree in the kitchen this year...

 

 

I just added a few pops of red here and there...

 

 

My Christmas hutch...

 

 

My little Christmas houses my mom gave me.  Scattered about you'll see a few tags hung on things.  These were just tidbits of information about my decorations so that when the people came through for Open House - they would understand the importance of those decorations.

 

 

A simple wreath...

 

 

One corner cabinet - sorry it's dark - I'm learning how to take better pictures! 

 

 

Another corner cabinet with all the pitchers that I love...

 

 

In front of the window - a little tree with handmade dough ornaments.  I nestled the trunk of this tree in an old flour sack that I had.

 

 

Simple packages, nuts and candy canes finish it off.  

 

 

 

My lil' carolers under glass...

 

 

The mantle in the kitchen with my carolers my grandmother made for me. 

 

 

The barn doors got a simple snowflake...

 

 

And that's it...

 

Now all the Christmas is down and it feels clean and simple again.  

 

Thanks for tolerating my procrastination with posting! 

 

Happy brrrrr.... Winter!

 

 

The Meaning of the Snowflake...

First, let me say...from our home to yours - a very Merry Christmas.  And as we embark on a new year, I thought I'd share this poem with you that was given to me this season.  I love every... single...last... word of it. 

The Meaning of the Snowflake

 

Every new snowflake comes to the earth

 as a picture of our Savior's birth,

Because they are sent from up above

and remind us of God's care and love.

 

Each one is so intricate and small

because Christ sees the details of us all,

and just as two are never the same

the Lord knows and calls us each by name.

 

Snowflakes gently cover the world in white

and hide what's unlovely from our sight,

showing us how HE covers our sin

and gives us HIS grace when we come to HIM.

 

So may every snowflake bring Christ to mind

and in every bit of white may you find

a reason to celebrate anew and

a reminder of HIS love for you.

 

 

To me, Christmas means HOPE.  I'm so thankful and completely humbled for the forgiveness he so graciously gives.

 

Merry Christmas and A Happy and Blessed New Year!

Christmas in the Office...

Well, we made it - we were able to have the Christmas Home Tour (minus the snow & ice) on Tuesday night and we just had a lovely evening.  For all the locals that stopped by - thank you so much - it was wonderful seeing you.  And for the rest of you, I thought I'd do a little mini home tour with you over the next few days.  As I always say, our home is nothing fancy, it is just home.  A house is just a house, it is the people in it that make it a home. 

Enjoy!

Here's our office...

blues and browns with a few friendly FAKE farm animals thrown in...;-)

 

My new curtains - I love them - thank you Beverly! 

A Merry Christmas Banner made from old book pages hung below a beautiful painting that was recently given to us.  Its actually a painting of the farm belonging to my husbands great grandparents.  It was a generous gift and it means so much to us - it looks like it was painted especially for this room but it was painted many many years ago.  We will treasure it always!

There is our FAKE cow head - I love this girl!  I just think she looks so cool - I've got to give her a name.  Most all of our real cows here on the farm have names - she needs one too.  We'll have to work on that.

 

Here is a cabinet "in the works".  When I say I quickly painted it - I do mean QUICKLY.  She needs some sanding and some glazing.  I simply stenciled some numbers on the inserts.

 

On top of the cabinet - you'll find a clock, my "cow breeds" print, that sphere "thing" that I love and a little Christmas greenery filled with some feathers, pine cones and antlers.

I'm happy with where this is going.

Now, the desk is another story.  It's actually on loan from my sister - hence, that is why I haven't drilled holes for the cords.  I think I've decided I'm gonna try and build one - wish me luck on that one.

 

 

BUT, I still do love my map from IKEA.

 

 

And I love my lil' brown reindeer...

 

 

On the door is just a bunch of greenery tied up with some burlap ribbon and feathers.

 

 

You can see here that this tree is placed in an old shipping basket I got years ago. 

 

 

The tree is topped with peacock feathers and 75 cent clearance flowers from Hobby Lobby.  I'm not for sure what they are, I just call them pom-poms.

 

 

Besides a few balls, all of the ornaments on this tree are made of paper.  I made lil' pinwheels from folded book pages and topped them off with a button center. I also purchased cards from the dollar bin at Michael's (12 in a pack) and cut them into circles - I made 24 ornaments for 1.00 - I also used the envelopes that came with them to make name tags for my packages.  Yes, I love a bargain.

 

 

The tree also has a few small banners that I stamped with the words, "Peace, Hope & Joy". 

 

 

And that's it - the Christmas office tour..

 

...Hope you enjoyed it. 

 

 P.S.

 I've been married 17 years on Sat., Dec. 14th..

 

 

I. AM. BLESSED!