Year in review

Well chickees...this is my 99th post! Holy crap, I'm not kidding. Interesting, because I started this blog in May, and only had about 20 posts in my first four months. Shows you how into this bloggy stuff I got in about...September or so? For my 100th post I have a very cute (but small) giveaway to give to one of you. Can't wait to show you. It's not really a big deal, just fun. :)What's with me

Ending With A Buy

What better way to end the year than with a thrift store makeover?
If you don't know by now, there are certain groups of items that I have a hard time resisting when I thrift store shop. I love white plates and vases, bowls, old glassware, clocks, metalware, and baskets. So when I saw this little item it caught my eye.How could I pass up such an interesting metal basket? Look at those little details on the corners! I'm not sure what they were meant for, but I immediately had an idea for what I would do.As much as I loved the original galvanized metal finish, there were spots of rust that didn't look very pretty. So out came the black spray paint. Yes, I still manage to do a little spraying even with snow outside!
Next, I took a trip to a shop that sells chemistry supplies (another fun place to shop!) and I purchased some test tubes for fifty cents a piece. I was so excited when I found out they fit perfectly into those corner pockets.Now I have an unusual, yet very pretty way to serve dishes at my holiday buffet!

I wish you all
A HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SAFE
NEW YEAR!!!
Thank you SO MUCH for your friendship!

Cheap gift tags (FREE!)

First of all, thanks for your kind words about my last post. I appreciate hearing from all of you and to know I'm not the only one who feels that way sometimes. I know it is a GOOD thing to be so grateful, but I should try not to worry so much too. :)So I have seen this idea a couple times in blogland and the first time I saw it, I knew this easy peasy project was just for me. Do you keep your

A Little New Year Decor

Almost every year I like to decorate
a small New Year's tree.
It's a fun little tradition to help celebrate the new year.I make it as glitzy and sparkly as possible
with silver and mirrored ornaments and foil streamers.A few years ago I found some ornaments
that look like champagne bottles
(we prefer to think they're non-alcoholic)
with "Happy New Year" written on them.
I bought little glitter "cheers" words for 70% off.I top the tree with a metal horn, and add more horns
on the branches and tucked at the base.Won't this look great as the centerpiece
for the holiday buffet?

Are you ever waiting?

For the other "shoe" to drop?I can't tell you how many times a week I have this exact thought in my head. Tonight I thought it again.How is it possible I could be SO blessed? So lucky? So fortunate? I have a home I love. Friends that are always there when I need them and a family that loves me and puts up with me no matter what. Most of all: a beautiful, sweet stepdaughter, my incredibly patient

The Aftermath

First of all, YES! the tree is still standing!! Yahoo!! I usually leave it up through New Year's but wanted to take it down early this year. It is stressing me out. But Hubby thinks it will be fine so up it stays. I really do love it...as long as it stays put. :)Secondly, before I show you how Christmas blew up in our house, check out the GORG wreath I got today at Tar-jay! My girlfriend bought

The Greatest Christmas Gift Ever Given

"Never has anyone offered so much to so many
in so few words as when

Jesus said, 'Here am I, send me.' "
---Neal Maxwell

Wishing You a Very
Merry Christmas!

The tree that would not STAND UP.

I figured you wouldn't believe it if I didn't show you...Notice anything different??No?? How about now?:No, I'm not kidding, this tree is falling over again. I noticed it while I lounged on the couch out there the other night. Yeah...relaxing...imagine that. Later that night, I kind of wiggled it and it ALMOST FELL OVER AGAIN. Hubby was asleep, Sister was asleep, so there I was with my drill and

It Takes A Village

The living room tree is known as "mom's tree" because, traditionally, I really enjoy decorating it by myself. I turn on Christmas music and wax nostalgic as I hang the real glass ornaments. Many remind me of the ones from my childhood. Usually I break at least one ornament every year, and if I don't, then our cat or a son does. I chalk it up as part of the Christmas tradition. Fortunately, most ornaments were purchased on clearance or at the thrift store, so I don't make a fuss. This year the tradition changed a bit. I was blessed to have my newly married daughter and son-in-law help decorate the tree. It's so fun to have them here visiting. And, I enjoyed EVERY minute of their help.
After the tree is decorated, the real fun begins. The village gets placed underneath the tree (which is why our tree is on stilts). It's a tradition to have my boys set up the train track before the houses get placed. If you look very closely (click the picture to enlarge) you'll notice lego men on the train track. That's a tradition too! Right after everything is finished, my boys have each enjoyed giving their toys train rides. . .or train crashes.My kids have all grown up with the village as part of our Christmas tradition. We like to lie on our tummies and tell stories about all of the village people. Every year there are certain villagers who have to go in the exact same place.
Santa and the elves are always high on the "mountain" so they can look to see who's been naughty or nice.The kissing couple, my daughter's favorite, always go in the gazebo. The "rich lady" is always leaving her large home to go on a trip for the holidays. The dog always chases the boy on the bike. . .except for the year that my third son decided he needed that little dog and would take it to his room to play. The family is always place by the nativity scene at the church as a reminder of our Christmas Eve tradition of going as a family to see the lights of the city and hear the story of the birth of Christ.I hand painted some of the villagers many years ago. None of the houses cost very much. Super glue is used to repair something almost every year. Our village isn't all that special, but the traditions and the memories associated with it are very, very special and dear to our family.

How Does Your Tree Stand?

The kitchen tree stands proudly in an old crock.It's decorated with fake gingerbread cookies,
cookie cutters, glass candy ornaments
and vintage pieces from a child's kitchen set.The tree in our stairwell sits in a burlap sack
with it's red ornaments and red bead garland.The tree in my daughter's/guest room
stands a top a pretty plant stand. It's decorated with all things girly and pastel.The orphan tree in the bathroom window
sits humbly in an old tin can.The family room tree is in a rusty metal garden urn. It's decorated with ornaments
made or given to us by family and friends,
as well as the cute toy kind.The tree in the computer room has been
plopped in a big basket.It's decorated with stuffed Christmas bears,
felt stockings & mittens and red wooden bead garland.The living room tree, the largest in our home,
stands on a stilt-like box. This helps it look taller and
also serves another purpose.
BUT. . . .
you'll have to come back tomorrow to see.

Make your home glow with Christmas

I'm running out of time to show you some fun stuff, so this post will be a slew of pictures, bam, bam BAM!!! Ahhhhh!!First of all, I had to show you another Goodwill project. (Don't worry, I still have MORE.) I got these little square boards for .49 each, got the letters on sale, had the paper and glitter, so this was waaaay less than $10. I. LOVE. IT. So here we go, a tour of our home and the

Fun. Easy. Cheap Christmas decor.

I know, I should say inexpensive...not cheap. Cheap sounds so...well...CHEAP. I have seen SO many creative, inexpensive, beautiful Christmas decorating ideas around blogland recently and just had to share them with you! I love them all!! Go check these ladies out for more info on all of these goodies. (I linked to the post where these can be found.)Using ribbon to decorate for the holidays from

Dining Delights

I apologize for being so sporadic with my posts these last few weeks. While most people were Christmas decorating and shopping, I decided to make-over my daughter's room. Yes, I know I'm crazy, but look at it this way, I'll have posts to share during the long, cold days of January.I finally finished tweaking the decorations in the dining room. I hung little wreaths on the china cabinet, this time I used beads instead of ribbon. Actually the wreaths are hanging on those little stick-on hangers and the bead string is just taped to the backside of the door. In the kitchen, the wreaths are actually hanging by the ribbon that's tacked on the back of the cabinet.I placed some mirrors on the long shelf/mantle (I've been gathering mirrors to hang a wall of mirrors in the stairwell). I pulled together a bunch of apothecary jars and vases and placed them on the shelf. I poured "snow" into the jars, which is actually Epsom salt from the dollar store. I added strings of white lights along the shelf and trailing in and out of the jars and vases. Then I piled in vintage ornaments and strings of silver beads.
I love the finished look. It's even more beautiful at night.

Pfeffer HUH and I need HOW many cookies??

WARNING: You will want cookies after reading this. Don't say I didn't warn you.So my other new BFF, Lori, posted at the Favorite Things party about their love of pfeffernuesse cookies. HUH? What the? I had never heard of these things, but I was intrigued to say the least. They have spices in them, as well as peppermint, but they are cookies? I say it again...HUH? I guess you love them or hate

Goodwill is my BFF

Keep joining the Christmas Tree Party here! If I haven't visited you yet, I will!So I visit Goodwill (at various locations) more times a week than my best friend's houses. You know how they say you know a good friend when you can open their fridge and get what you want out without asking? Well, if Goodwill had a fridge, I'd be opening it to grab a Pepsi.We are TIGHT.I had to show you what I've

Blessed With Good Friends

It's such a blessing when you find a good friend! Someone who is always there to laugh and cry with, to listen as you vent your frustrations, who cheers you on, and inspires you to be a better person.
It's an extra special blessing when your husband finds a good friend in your friend's husband.
What kind of Christmas gift do you give to your friends to show your love and appreciation?
How about a personally designed, hand built entry table made from a door.The shelf on the bottom is specially designed to house the family's shoes when they take them off as they enter their home.Don't be too impressed with our gift. We delivered this table unfinished, unsanded, and with a gallon of paint. Minutes before the delivery I called my friend. I told her that I had started too many projects and asked if she would be willing to help me finish one. Without hesitation, and not even knowing how big the project might be, she replied, "I'd be happy to help you out!" That's what I call a good friend!

It's a Christmas tree par-tay!

Whew, what a weekend! A Disney show, two holiday parties plus a birthday party for a two-year-old that was a hit. Do any of you have children born in December? It's tough...wouldn't change it for the world, but talk about adding one more thing to your list this time of year! Although with each year, I enjoy having the party this time of year more and more.I know I'm not the only one in blogland

Dollar Store Martha

I have always loved the festive look of

simple wreaths hanging from kitchen cabinetry. There is something so "Martha" about it.
I decided that I could still have that Martha look,
even without Martha's pocket book or her staff. Don't you just love the dollar store!

An advent calendar done. (12 days late!)

So what if it's supposed to be for the 24 days before Christmas? The Bub is two and he doesn't really understand why there's only been an advent box every few days or so, with the wrong days on them. (Yesterday was "22." Yeah.)But now, we'll be good to go for the 12 days before Christmas. I get some credit for that, right? :)I showed you the start of these here, but I just couldn't get back to

Old and Dear

Every Christmas there are certain decorations that I take out and display first, even before a single tree goes up. I've had them for years and they're very dear to me. None of them cost a lot, but they mean a lot to me.A vintage looking Santa, given to me more than twenty years ago by my mother. I love him. A few years back, he had a little mishap. Thank goodness for super glue.
I love to stand him next to the little family of carolers that I bought for myself many, many years ago when I had just two children.A buggy filled high with gifts and a happy couple, given to me several years ago by my mother-in-law. Each of these decorations, with their vintage look, remind me of years gone by when Christmas was a lot less chaotic.I always display them together in a prominent place in my home. And even though my decorating tastes have changed over the years, these decorations still bring a smile to my face and warm my heart when I unpack them from their boxes.
Do you have a favorite decoration that you enjoy bringing out each Christmas?

Yes, more greenery.

So the Stink Eye Sister strikes again. She walked by me tonight as I wrapped lights around some greenery and gave me the Eye: "More greenery?" (Stink eye.)Whatever Sister. Yes, more greenery. Shut it. I wanted to show you the various places I put the stuff... It really is such an inexpensive way to make your home pretty and just plain loverly this time of year. **Edited to add -- the Nesting

Simply Sweet

I KNOW that I am so very blessed
to have one of the
sweetest daughters in the world!!!!!!!
Thank You My Darling Daughter!

(For all of you young mommies who are struggling through temper tantrums, that last post is evidence that they DO grow out of it and turn into WONDERFUL adults. So have patience, and give them an extra hug on those days when that's the last thing you want to give them.)

Speaking of sweet, I thought I'd share some sweet little scenes from around my home.

Bling bling your light fixtures

First of all, thanks for all the sweet comments on my Bub. He had a great birthday, and I cannot believe he is two! Funny how the terrible two's started literally on his birthday. Huh. Interesting. (His "terrible" is not so bad, but still.)So tonight I wanted to share how easy it is to add some bling bling on your chandeliers or light fixtures. My example for the class is my $30 kitchen

I may get in trouble for this...

Hey blogland, this is Joys daughter! I hacked into my moms account because I wanted to tell ya'll what an amazing mom I have. I am a newlywed who lives about 2,000 miles away from my parents in a TINY apartment. Growing up in Joys home was wonderful because she always made every holiday special. It was hard for me to move so far away. 

But my sweet mom knew how important the holidays were to me and last week I received TWO HUGE boxes in the mail from her.  Guess what they were??? 

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS just for me and my husband! I was so excited! 

I wanted to share with you some of the things she sent me:

{A Christmas tree. Yes. She sent me a Christmas tree, and ALL of the ornaments with it. Can you guess where she bought this tree??? The thrift store. It was $6, and it fits perfectly in my home. The ornaments fit my sparkly style exactly. I love the silver and green Christmas theme I have in my little home.}

{She even sent me Christmas hand towels}

{I love all the star ornaments she sent}

{And even a little tree for my kitchen}

{This is only a glimpse of everything she sent.}

So, sorry that I hacked into your account mom, but I just wanted to let you know that I love you and that I appreciate everything you do for me!