Same time, last year...

This has been a pretty hectic month with my husband's doctor visits to St. Louis, (ear specialist), and because of that I just haven't been able to get everything done that I had wanted to for Thanksgiving. Case in point, I didn't get my Holiday Cupboard dressed for Thanksgiving. (just one of many little things) So as I was looking back through my posts, I thought I'd share again what I did last year at Thanksgiving. 

 This is in our lower level sitting area. 

It's always fun to come up with new vignettes each season
for this "married" cabinet and dresser.

squirrels and chipmunks

(hey, I heard they don't have chipmunks in Europe?)

this is my old chalk squirrel bank.

quail, turkey, and pheasant

white ironstone...

The season before Christmas gets a little "woodsy".

 love all my little fuzzy plastic vintage deer

and more ironstone pitchers

I'm counting the days until Christmas decorating starts.

the boxes are posed and ready to explode!

tonight the Give Away closes,

if you haven't entered click here.

If you haven't joined in for Vintage Inspiration

then just scroll down to the next post.

Share all your Thanksgiving ideas with us,

Some of us still need some help!

xoxo,

Vintage Inspiration #114 Almost Thanksgiving

Hi Everyone,

There's more inspiration over here at Vintage Inspiration than a stack of magazines! I know you all are getting ready for that special day and table. Preparing lists and shopping and cleaning, but just in case you don't have your tablescape thought out completely, I want to share one that's perfect for your vintage inspired table. 

Jennifer from Town and Country Living

outdoes herself with this wonderful vintage 

Thanksgiving Tablescape 

Letting her memories of past Thanksgivings guide her,

she uses family pieces to make this a very special Holiday table.

Her lovely china and crystal are balanced just perfectly with the vintage oak drawer, layered with burlap and pumpkins. So easy and just the right touch!

Jennifer has lot's of wonderful photos to inspire you,

hope you'll run by for a visit.

And more Thanksgiving Inspiration...

Kitchen Hutch ready for Thanksgiving,

dressed in ironstone and transferware

from Kate's Place

Rustic Natural Thanksgiving Centerpiece

from Cindy at Beaux R'eves

Wonderful Burlap and White Pumpkin Tablescape

from Debbie at Confessions of a Plate Addict
Debbie has tons of great ideas on her blog,
be sure and check them out!

Sharon from Sharon's Wannabe Cottage 
is busy making beautiful Christmas pillows.
You'll want to see that wonderful chair, too.

And saving the most fun for last is Carlene from Organized Clutter,

 who created a look alike snowman from one she had seen on a post I did 

from Leola's Home and Garden Christmas Open House.

(just adorable Carlene!!!)

Thanks gals, be sure and grab a featured at button on the sidebar!

Hope you'll join in for the party.

 Anything vintage, vintage inspired; new, old, or in between! 

Please have a link back to Common Ground 

within your post to be featured.

and while you're at it please check out my fave Friday Party Gals.

 And if you've been missing a place to hang out your whites on Wednesday, then be sure and come by Timewashed each Wednesday and join the party. I know you'll feel right at home.

Blissful Whites at Timewashed

If you haven't entered the Give Away with
 French Bleu Vintage
then why have you waited?
just CLICK HERE

I'll be starting the party early next week on Wednesday instead of Thursday. I'll remind everyone next week; that way we still have time to party AND cook that turkey!  Hope you have a great weekend!

Top Three at Vintage Inspiration

Hey folks, here are the top three visited links from last week's Vintage Inspiration, each of them a "tour" of sorts. If you haven't visited yet, you'll love the posts. Aimee of It's Overflowing was fortunate to have Jennifer of The Old Painted Cottage do a guest post tour of her own wonderful cottage. Hope you enjoy!

Dreamy Dwelling Home Tour of the Old Painted Cottage

at It's Overflowing

Sherry from No Minimalist Here took us to 

The Fancy Flea Vintage Market

And Mary Alice from Chateau Chic, 

who is a frequent and local shopper

took us to the Open House Christmas at Lucketts 

(This store is on my Bucket List.)

Hope you'll come back tomorrow for

"anything vintage or vintage inspired"

See ya then,

xoxo,

just thinking outloud...

I've realized after 3 and a 1/2 years of blogging, that this little niche on the www has become somewhat of a pictoral  diary of my decorating style. What I loved 10 years ago, I'm not so crazy about any more, or even 5 years ago; how my ideas and concepts have evolved. What started out as a home with lots of extra space has become a little crowded, but filled with things I love and enjoy, and that hopefully reflect who I am.

I love "pretty", but I also love comfort, functionality, and simplicity. I love a good "trend" but you won't find me being a slave to it. I'm a mesh of a lot of decor styles, but "vintage" will always be the fundamental and basic premise of my style. I find myself, with each new season or holiday coming up, going back through my archives of posts to see what I did last year, or the year before. Let's change it up a little, I don't want to get into a rut. Some things are basically the same, but just tweaked a little. Other things are retired and sent the way of the antique mall space, but each loved and enjoyed for the time that it's part of my world.

I guess I'm going over all this to say that sometimes, I just like to have a place to peek back at, and then form a new plan for what's ahead. One of my favorite things to do is to go back through your blog archives and see what you all did last year. We really are an everchanging, growing, and inspirational bunch!

(my new plaid wool throw from Leola's, 

which brings in a little "Christmas Color")

Each season on the sunporch I start with a different quilt. 

Then layer on the pillows.

It's my place to have some fun.

I told you I had a couple more turkeys up my sleeve...

Now that it's cold outside,

 I enjoy the visual warmth of the Fall inspired woolens.

The kitties love their snuggle spots out here.

almost like being outdoors.

I'm pretty sure I enjoy this space more than any other in my home.

A lot of wind and a hard freeze a few nights ago,

took down most of the maple leaves.

Love the golden hue this casts.

In a week it will be time to put away "Fall" and Thanksgiving,

then bring out "Christmas".

Time to turn another page in the book.

I don't want this blog to ever be thought of 

as a place that is "show-offy".

I hope when you come to visit 

it's like coming by for a cup of tea

and a warm muffin...

put up your feet,

and tell me about your day.

Hope you're savoring the moment.

Enjoy life and the small pleasures.

thanks for always being here.

...for being a friend.

Thank you for being part of my life.

xoxo,

oops a p.s. here
If you haven't entered Dee's Give Away
CLICK HERE