Tree Finale

 You can see that I have my pretty glass ornaments,

 my blurry sports memorabilia,

and my homemade ornaments.

Including the mandatory COLORED lights (that I so painstakingly put on this year),

I ended up with 12 strands of lights!!!  Thank Goodness, Target is close by. 

My scratched hands will prove it.

TA DA!  The 2010 Family Christmas Tree.

Check that one off the list.

Lights and More Lights

{all photos courtesy of Country Living UK}

I've spent literally all day putting lights on my Christmas tree.  I've seen a "new" way to put lights on your tree by wrapping them back and forth on the branches.  It will technically light up in the interior of the tree and not leave wires along the outside edges.  I decided to give it a try.  Well, let's just say it takes A BUNCH more lights this way!  I had lights already, then asked my daughter to pick up 3 more on her way home from work.  I picked up another 3 boxes on my way to pick up pizza.  (On a side note, I'm not buying pizza again.  Mine is SO MUCH better).  After dinner I had to run out and get two more boxes.  I feel like I'm in Chevy Chase's Christmas Vacation and this is just our tree!  I do like the "wireless" look however.  

Enjoy these pretty photos from Country Living British.  I love their natural Country Christmas look.  

Happy Thanksgiving!

{country living}

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends! 

God Bless!

Bunny for Wesley

 Our little knitting group decided to have a baby shower for Erin.  This cute little "flower" arrangement was made by my friend Cheryl.  She made it out of baby washcloths.  You can find her directions on her blog Acorn to Oak.

Erin received a lot of lovely gifts.  I'm only showing you a few handmade ones.  

Isn't this baby blanket beautiful?

 Cheryl also made this adorable hat and Owlie Sleep Sack.  She found the pattern for free on Ravelry.

My poor bunny wasn't finished, but he came to celebrate anyway.

I was so excited to be able to make something from Susan B Anderson's book, Itty Bitty Toys.

 Finally, Bunny is all done and waiting for Wesley.

Wesley is due December 6th, but will hopefully come sooner.

"Hurry Wesley, I'm waiting!" in bunny speak.

Free Holiday Magazine

Check out yet another free Holiday magazine.  Sweet Paul gives amazing recipes and decorations accompanied by gorgeous photography.  You'll be inspired.  I printed off many recipes already!  

Check it out here. 

Thanksgiving Preparations

Good morning. Sorry for the lack of posts here. I have a couple of things I'm working on, but am just not ready to show you yet. 

Next week is Thanksgiving and I see all the beautiful posts about preparing for company. My family heads out to my cousin's home that's not too far away.  It's a wonderful day full of laughter, good food and good memories. I'm not saying I want to host the celebration, thank you very much! However, I miss some of the preparation. I still end up cooking some of the traditional meal for "leftovers", but I miss the beautiful table settings. So, I'm enjoying what others are doing and thought I'd share with you.  

{bhg}

{bhg}

{bhg}

{country living}

{martha stewart living}

{country living}

Floral Fridays

{David Allen for Florali}

Opera Company of Philadelphia "Hallelujah!" Random Act of Culture

Up To

I thought I'd show you a little of what I'm UP TO lately.  I'm taking an online photography class through Big Picture Classes.  There are better photos than these, but they are on my other computer at my other house. This subject was difficult to keep still, even with snacks.

 The above is intended to be the "rule of thirds" composition or a close-up whichever you prefer.

I attend two knitting groups.  During my Thursday group, Clara walked in to show us her almost finished knitted tablecloth.  It was twice this wide.  My IPhone camera couldn't get it all in.  Isn't it beautiful? Such patience!

I added "HARVEST" to my Mantlescape.  I like it.

My Women's Ministry Council sponsored a Cookie Exchange cooking class at Williams Sonoma last night.  It was very fun with lots of goodies to try. Nancy is very focused!

 My daughter enjoyed all the baking gadgets, but not the photographer.

I'm also knitting another baby gift.  It needs to be finished by next Wednesday.  

I think the Mommy will love it.  Here's a hint. At least you can see that I'm not up to NO GOOD!

Inspiration Party

 There is a Mantle Inspiration party going on over at Beth's.  We decorator types like to get new ideas, so I thought I'd participate.  

 This is my mantle from 2009.

This is the mantle from 2008. Sorry, not the best angle.

If you'd like to see many other beautiful Christmas mantles visit the party here.  We'll see if I can come up with something different this year.  Have fun browsing!

Floral Fridays

{sweet paul}

Have a cozy, lazy weekend!

Anthropologie Visit

I'm back in the city again. . . I keep singing that in my head to the tune of "back in the saddle again". . .  Well, being at the apartment has its advantages.  One being lovely places to eat dinner and shop.  Last night DH and I had dinner at PF Changs.  Let me tell you it's tricky eating healthy there.  I selected the Chicken Lettuce Wraps Appetizer for my dinner instead of my all time favorite Kung Pao Chicken.  That was HARD!  After dinner we strolled around the shops and, WA LA, there was an Anthropologie.

I thought you'd like to see the fun displays.  Love the up tight mirrors.

and the flowy, scrappy drapes.

Vintage sewing machine

and lots and lots of bobbins

These are actually gorgeous candles that smell wonderful, and oh so cute!

Industrial lighting, I love it.  DH doesn't get it.

Fun chairs

These old school chairs were covered in canvas paintings.  This is the second time I've seen paintings turned into something else.  First time was a purse.  I'll have to figure out where that was. . .  Enjoy!