Blessings for Thanksgiving

From My Home to Yours...

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving

xoxo,

A bag, a visit, and some ribbon for the tree...

I have to admit that I've been so busy and concentrating on getting moved into the new house, that the idea of Christmas just hadn't really sunk in. This last week we've been hustling to get the house in order and a place for the kids to sleep this week. So we've had a bit of a "deadline" with Thanksgiving and that has caused us to get in gear.

Over the weekend we ran out to get a few things like towels for guests and a doggy gate for the grandpuppy, and while we were out I dragged Hubbs into TJ Maxx for a quick run through. Of course there were tons of goodies to check out, but I just happened to find these adorable burlap tote bags for an extra large "gift wrap". When you have to spend several dollars on a gift bag for those extra large items, why not spend a few more and get a bag that's reusable and decorative. Dolly is being a helper with her big toes to hold the bag so you can see it!

Friday after my rehab appointment I headed over to The Vintage Suitcase to hopefully find some Christmas ribbon. Robin always has the most gorgeous decorative wire ribbon, and my little Christmas tree needed something new. So here are a few pics of the store. It's always overflowing with beautiful things, and lot's of inspiration.

I wanted some beige checked, and so here's a peek at my start of putting the tree together. It's going to be a pretty simple tree, but I wanted something to dress up the burlap that I've had on it for a few years.

I still have lot's left to do before Thanksgiving,

 but I have to say that I'm looking forward

 to Christmas now that a little of the stress of the move is off.

 I'll check back in before Thursday.

Have a great week,

xoxo,

Joining in at 

Cedar Hill Farmhouse

A Stroll Through Life

Coastal Charm

Savvy Southern Style

The "Wait Till Thanksgiving is Over With" Mantel

I still have tons of boxes to unpack, and I can't get my hands on a few of the things that I'm looking for, but I thought I'd show you my quick fix for my "Late Fall/Wait Till Thanksgiving is Over With" upstairs mantel. I've had a running joke with a few of you over the fact that my Fall Mantels go through 4 or 5 transitions before Christmas. What can I say...Fall is my favorite time of the year!

I'm lazy when it comes to decorating the mantel. If I find the "basic" elements that look good, and that I can "add to" for the seasons, then chances are they will stay there. The big mirror is bolted on so there won't be any mishaps, so that will be staying. I love my Wolff Pottery urns, and I can change the seasonal flowers and greenery easily, so they're a staple also. Ditto for my mantel lamps. They are easy to work around and I love the warm glow they give in the evening.

I love the versatility of a Preserved Boxwood Wreath, especially in the cooler months. And so my wooden monogram from a couple of years ago was the natural addition. I'd like to use a seasonal ribbon to hang them with, but Hubbs would have to get a ladder and make that happen. With all that's going on to still get unpacked here, get the lease house cleaned and ready to turn back over to the management company, and then get ready for Thanksgiving and company, I haven't made that request. Maybe next weekend I can  persuade him get that accomplished.

Just pretend that this cute little leopard print ribbon is holding up that wreath and monogram...doesn't it look pretty?

And speaking of Leopard Print ribbon, I made a quick change on the front door basket with a few pieces of faux greenery and leaves, just taking out the sunflowers from the "Earlier Fall Version".  Next weekend, it will be reworked for Christmas.

You can see my reflection in the glass...BTW I'm still in my leopard print fuzzy pajamas taking pictures with the door open while cats are escaping to the front porch. Sure hope no neighbors were out there. They've already been warned about my crazy blog photo habits.

My two large boxwood orb topiaries fit perfectly here on the hearth. I imagine they will stay there, at least for a while. I wanted to add a little Fall color without going overboard, so a few preserved leaves and Bittersweet were added. I'm not sure what direction I'll go for Christmas decorating, but I'm sure it's going to be "simple" whatever it is. I always love a "natural" approach with greenery, some ribbon and a few small touches. I have my Christmas boxes and tubs in the garage, but it's been so cold, I haven't even looked through them.

OK, I'm headed toward the garage to rummage around a little. I want some new ribbon for Christmas...don't know what that will be. Guess I better see what I have first...  Have you started Christmas shopping yet? Amazingly, I have a jump on things from ordering over the Internet. The credit card has been smoking!

Thanks so much for all the sweet comments from the last post about my old door and blogging, I read and appreciate each one. I've started Cardiac Rehab and it seems to be wanting to take over my life. Going to the gym has never been something I've ever wanted to do, but now I have no choice. Also, I'm having to endure old men wanting to flirt. Please Lord, make the next 12 weeks go quickly.

Have a great weekend!

xoxo,

Finding the Old Door and a Lesson for Blogging

When I was placing furniture here in the kitchen sitting area I knew I wanted it to have the "feel" of my previous sunporch. The old sunporch was full of vintage pieces, each of them with aged and chippy white paint. Anything vintage felt at home out there, and it was one of my favorite places to decorate and photograph.

An old white paneled wood door that was angled in the corner sort of grounded the settee, and gave me a place for a mirror and seasonal wreath. I have sold so many of my favorite white chippy pieces, but I saved the door and wanted to use it again, and so after a week of searching the storage units, I found it in the back corner with my white metal gate and gray shutters. (Hmmmm...was Hubbs subconsciously hoping I'd forget about them?) That wasn't going to happen. Anyway, the new sitting room felt off balance and odd with that corner hanging out all bare behind the wicker settee. I just had to try that door. 

We brought it in to the kitchen and for a moment the "new" of the new house tried to tell me that it was too chippy and banged up and that it's old hinges would damage the walls and that it would scratch the hardwood floor. The "new" house said "it will look out of place and everyone will think you're nuts for having some old crummy door in your kitchen". But once it was in place, I knew it was back home where it should be.

My clay sheep's head and the old vintage oval frame are here for now. Maybe this will be a place that I can change things out seasonally. I'm still looking for the mirror and wreaths...

Now my settee has it's old partner again, and I can sit here and enjoy a cup of tea in the afternoon, or read through a magazine while dinner is on the stove. My quilts, coverlets, plaid blankets, and pillows all have their old spot back.

Just a little more time to enjoy the hooked pillows and warm Fall blankets. And then it will be Christmas time, and I'll get to change it all up again.

I'm learning that there can be a balance of the things we love. That living with and decorating with "vintage" things is my first love. Capturing a feeling or essence of what makes a home comfortable, enjoyed, and reminiscent of our past is what's more important to me. I've realized this last year how much I've missed documenting the Seasons and Holidays the way I used to. While I admire all the bloggers that can give you 6 ways to do this, or 5 ways to do that, I know that that's not the real me. Finding the right light to show a flame of a candle, a delicate flower of a paperwhite, or an old religious print, is what I'm more about.

Oh, I'll always have a project to share, a painted something or other, and my latest decor idea, but this last year having had most of my things packed away, I've learned where my heart really is in blogging... and that's right where I started. Be yourself, and blog about what you love. Don't cave to the pressure to turn yourself into something you're not comfortable with. Take a rest and find your joy in life. It will show.

I'll be joining these get togethers this week:

Dwellings
Coastal Charm
Cozy Little House
A Stroll Thru Life
Cedar Hill Farmhouse
Savvy Southern Style
Mrs. Olson's
From My Front Porch to Yours

xoxo,