HOME...be inspired everyday

this year {2009} Snowman Tree

Some of my favorite snowmen ornaments on the tree...

 

I added the Upholstery trim with the red to the tree this year.  I saw it done with the black stripe somewhere on blogland, can't remember where.  If it was you please tell me.  I had intentions to make {boy does that record seem to be getting old} this...with it...

I didn't buy enough.  I kept hemming and hawing about buying it all year at my Joann's but the funny thing the red color was off at my Joann's, it was more like an orange-red then a red-red so I kept putting it back on the shelf.  Then when I finally say, Ok I'll just buy this one, it was all gone, someone nabbed it before me.  So I went to another Joanne's and they had it and the color was red-red so I bought a couple of yards.  Enough to go around the tree but not enough to make two wreaths.  The story of my life..eh?  

We had a wonderful Christmas despite all my less then stellar attempts of setting up the house "perfectly".  The the girls enjoyed all their gifts.  Madison got a flute which she was so happy about.  Look at that face?

 
MacKenzie also enjoyed the many gifts she got.  One being the Ipod Boom Box...

Even Daddy-O....

some things from American Girl...

Even Snickers wants to get in on the unwrapping hoopla action.  She is the best present of all.  We love her so very much. What a nice addition to the Mader family.  Hope you all have had a great Holiday so far...tomorrow I'll show you what were my gifts and the things I gave the neighbors.....  

Belated Merry Christmas

I had the best of attentions on making a post either Christmas Eve or Day...well it just seems like the days came and went so fast.  I wanted to show you a bit more of the Holiday Decorations around Our Home this year, as I always add things that I bought this year or mix it up with what I got already.  You can see up above that the Snow Village is set up and instead of putting the Glittered Merry Christmas on our Tannenbaum this year I stuck it up inside my constant empty frame.   You can't see it in this picture but there are lights glowing under the snow when they are turned on, it looks very pretty in the evening and I moved it to the longer sideboard instead of the sofa table like last year. 

 

I know the tinsel tree up on the corner shelf looks bare..I had the best intentions of getting it done but this year seemed to come at a rapid pace and then I with my diagnosis seemed to have slowed me down even further.  We didn't even get the lights up outside this year or my garland up outside the windows or my Silverware Wreath   made for my front door..there is always next year, right?

I got the cute little snow covered trees at Anthro  and the silvery Noel and Joy ornaments from Michaels.  I love decorating with silver and glitter.  
 

 

Up above you can see the Village all aglow with the lights under the snow..does it not look pretty like that?  I got the idea from Alicia Paulson...at Rosy Little Things . 

In the next few days I will show you the Snowman Tree that we put up this year.....

It's therapeutic, is it not?

To get a dog?

to be more specific....A JACK RUSSELL TERRIER PUPPY!!! yep, those dogs who are known for their hyper activity!!! A puppy who needs potty training!!  AW...yep you think I have lost my mind!  That's Ok...it wouldn't be the first time I have been accused of that and I'm sure not the last. 

The only thing this year on MacKenzie's Dear Santa letter was a puppy.   As you recall from a couple of years ago..My Dear Santa letter there was a puppy on my list.  So finally we got one....I'm still holding out for my Antique looking ring...maybe in the next two years it will happen! 

`````````````````````````````Price is Right`````````````````````````````` 

Sorry to leave you hangin.  The Christmas decorations that I got at the Expensive but beautiful fairy land Roger's Gardens was the Tinsel Garland with lights in the Champagne color..I have never seen anything with that color before so I thought that was so unique I had to get it.  It was afforable as compared to some of the items, it cost $34.99  The Chenille Santas were also from there and they only had two left so I picked them up at $9.99, not a bargain but again unique.  They also had Snowmen, which I love but I didn't think these ones were that cute so I passed.   The rest of the item in that post were from TJMaxx/ Marshalls.  I love the snowmen and only found 3 but I did search high and low for more.  Here are the Three Amigos on the top shelf of my hutch.

 

The above Blue Church and House reminded me of the German Glass Glittered houses that I saw at Roger's Gardens but even though they are blue and not silvery they were a bargain at $6.99 versus the $100.00 version.  {see below post}

Here they are in their glass homes.   As I look at this picture the Wendy Addison Noel and Dream words look wonky there...note to self...move to another spot.  Well, if not having a puppy at this time is NOT therapeutic then shopping is!  As any women surely knows...

thank you!!!

 The past several weeks when finding out my "situation" I have gotten the most heartfelt support from all my friends, colleagues and family.  From the bottom of my heart I want to say THANK YOU!!  I appreciate all of you in this very unsettling time of my life.  I would be lost with out you all my dear and wonderful friends....my heart is filled with happiness and love as I type this.  Friends are definitely the flowers in the garden of life!!  
  

Let's Play the Price is Right...

You know I need Christmas stuff like a whole in my head...but sometimes when you see something that you just have to have well........you get it and when it is at a great price well that seals the deal.  Here are a few things I picked up at Roger's Gardens and Marshall's/TJ Maxx.  Can you guess which items I got where?  Kind of like playing The Price is Right, have you ever seen that show.  I'm not even sure if it is on the air anymore.   Ok here goes.....

 
Bethany Lowe Tinsel Garland......how much?

 
Vintage Postcard tinsel garland......

 
Chenille Santa Ornaments.......

 Chocolate wrapped in Vintage Santa Images.......

Champagne Colored Garland....

 
  Bethany Lowe Glittered Snowman.....

Have you guessed how much? 

Go on be brave.see if you can guess which items I got at the fancy schmancy store Roger's Gardens or TJMaxx {which is part of Homegoods or Homesense}..just like the price is right.  I'll post this week which items came from where and the prices.  I got some good deals...

Christmas Magic

I know with my last post some of you were shocked to hear the news by the many emails I have received.  I say this  maybe my diagnosis but this disease will NOT define who I am.  I'm strong and with the love of my family and friends.....

I say................

I'm going to think happy thoughts {the reason for the new Black Eyed Peas song on my play-list}.....I will kick this bad boys okole {you know what}.....I have several appointments with Oncologists and Radiation Oncologists and Surgeons so IF my posts are spotty you know why....but before I got consumed with this "bump in the road"...I spent a few days doing some Holiday shopping and I wanted to share with you some of the Christmas Magic I shot with my trusty ole camera....

First off, right after the Turkey was digested my Li'l One and I headed to a spectacular place called Rogers Gardens ...you might of remembered this post from 2007 .

 
 
 {we just left her Turkey Shoot tournament, didn't have time to change into festive attire please excuse the dirty knees}

the place is like an Outdoor Garden Nursery...and they go crazy with the white lights..

I love the succulent wreaths and the unique topiaries that they do...

 Love this little piggy...they had more like Reindeer's and stockings..but my battery died in my camera...Sheesh...

They have a whole area of faux trees that look so real you have to touch them to be sure.  Lots of nooks and crannies are decorated outside BUT when you go INSIDE Wowza that's where I can spend hours....

  Need a red and white stocking?  Which is your favorite?

They have many designers that they showcase...these are Steinbach Nutcrackers

Another favorite that they always have there...

Wendy Addison............Nicol Sayre.....Debbie Thibult......Bethany Lowe......

this sweet li'l glittered bird was so adorable..I'm sorry the picture came out blurry..

The following pictures are not from The Wendy Addison Collections....but German Glass Glitter could be found everywhere, some where Nicol Sayre, some Bethany Lowe, Radko was here. 

 
Wouldn't it be grand to wear this crown for New Years?  The glittered was poured on THICK...

One of my favorite items where these sparkly houses...but at 100 bucks a pop, needless to say I didn't take one home.  Here is what the website says about these beauties..

Margaret Larkin Jewelry Trees

Each tree is handmade and one-of-a-kind, as individual as the pieces that comprise it. Every piece of jewelry on the tree has a unique history, and now is passed on in a new way to be treasured again. These beautiful trees are offered in a wide array of color combinations and should be displayed year round to enjoy!

  Now IF I thought that the Sparkly houses where too much, do you know how much this Spectacular Vintage Findings Tree was?  It wasn't that big, maybe 3 Feet tall.  I thought it was uniquely gorgeous but the price was $4,000 big ones. Can you see the price tag up in the right lower corner. Yep, you read that right....I did come home with a few things from Rogers Gardens and I'll share that on my next post.  It really is a beautiful place....I love going there and getting ideas, that IS the best part and that's free!

 

I'm a talker...

That is kind of how I deal with things, when life gives me a bump in the road...I talk,  I talk to anyone who will listen.   So it's no surprise that I would want to talk to you my bloggy friends, it's comforting to be able to get things "off my chest".   I wish that I could sit with you in real life and have a cupcake or a glass of wine.   I believe there is a good reason why wine and cupcakes were invented, especially the wine.  It just seems to calm you down. The Monday before last I finally scheduled my mammogram, it was due in October, but I wasn't so concerned about it, there is no breast cancer on either side of my family that I'm aware of.  They called on Monday to schedule a second Mammogram which was done on Tuesday.  I went and thought I'd be in and out so I didn't have lunch before I went, {the appt. was at 11 :45.}  After the Mammogram they sent me to have an Ultrasound, they took pictures for over an hour.  Ok I'm thinking to myself that is weird, that seems to be a long time for ultrasound pictures.  Then the doctor came in and said, "We need to do a Biopsy".  That's when the brakes inside my head start screetching....that involves needles.  I can handle the smashing of my breasts into a plastic vice until my size F cup breasts look like a pancake...that doesn't bother me at all, BUT NEEDLES, not a big fan.  Seriously NOT a big fan!!  I remember when I was in grade school that they were giving the Polio vaccine and two nurses {one of the nurses looked like she played as a linebacker for the LA Rams} were dragging me down the school hallway as I was kicking and screaming, and I was about seven years old.  Thats kind of how I looked whent he did my biopsy, I know I know I'm 45...Another time I had to give blood and fainted as I watched the blood go in the syringe.  I even told my doctor in childbirth that I DID NOT want the epidural I would have the baby naturally.  Yep..just the vision of the needle stopped me dead in my tracks.  So the biopsy part...was the part that scared me, not the idea of having cancer, well that too.  But I told myself I 'll worry about that when I come to that bridge.  I kicked and squirmed like I was seven all over again.  I had to apologize to the TWO nurses that had to hold me down before I bolted out the door.  I'm a baby, I know.  I went home with a bandage on my boobs and was told they would know the results of the biopsy today.  My doctor called this afternoon with the news every women dreads to hear.  "Unfortunately, it's cancer".   Yes, I have breast cancer in my left breast.  So I'll call tomorrow and make arrangements to line up a surgeon to take the next step.  But as I take one step at a time I'll just remember to keep Calm and maybe once in awhile have a cupcake too!!  or a bottle glass of wine.

If anyone that has gone through this or knows of someone, I would love to hear about it either in the comment section or an email.  Thanks for letting me vent my concerns on this very open forum, you guys are the best, I wish I could have you over for some wine or a cupcake or two. 

Thanksgiving Table

   Well, this is as far as I got with my Burlap Tablecloth...I know I know...I'm the queen of unfinished projects!!!! But, But, But....

 

You see I was using the edge of the material as the ruffle {on a count of I was too lazy to hem} so I ran out of the edgy part to finish the ruffle.  I knew I had some more burlap but it ended up being a different color of Burlap than I started the tablecloth with.  Drats!!  Since I bought the rest of that color on the roll at my Joann's and the next closest Joann's  had other colors of Burlap but NOT my color. So...I never was able to finish this one for this Thanksgiving.  I had to revert to the old stand by tablecloth that is too short for my table.  To try and camouflage "the coming up short" I hung butternut colored napkins off the side at each place setting.  I think that worked. 

 
These embroidered linen napkins were my mothers , now that lady was a collector of linens.  You know what they say, "mother like daughter".   The china is Noritake in Heather, that my Mr. Incrediblepicked up at a yard-sale for five dollars.  Can you believe that?  Yep...we scored.  It is only a set of four, which is perfect cause that's all we got at the dinner table.  The glittered pumpkins could of been used as place settings markers but since I know all four people in my family I skipped that small detail.  

I still used the burlap in the floating candle bowl that holds dried Straw Flowers,, I think the colors they behold are so fall like.  Inside are floating pumpkin candles.  Hope you all had a wonderful Turkey Day and are stuffed.  I tried Kim over at Dear Daisy Cottage  Sweet Potatoe Casserole and it was very, very good. 

 

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

Rustic Burlap

When I went touring nosing around one of the model homes in my area , one of the homes had a cute burlap pillow in the master bedroom, at that moment, began my love affair with burlap  {Wish I would of taken a picture}.   The bedding was in soft white maltese and the textural burlap was very unexpected that I found interesting. That was two summers ago but still to this day I have not actually made anything with burlap. Since then I  have downloaded many images on the internet that have continued to intrigue me to actually begin using this cheap and rustic material in home decor.  The following pictures are some favorites of mine that I have had in my inspiration folder.  See if you too find yourself dreaming up ways to use burlap in a new and unexpected way.  The first photo I love because of the contrast of the white linen ruffle with the nubby texture of the burlap. 

Is it not sweet on this ottoman?  I have a itty bitty ottoman, Ok well it's a stool that has a cross-stitch in black which  I bought at a flea market that would look very cute done up like this.  What do you think?  I'm also thinking I may do a drum lamp shade up like this to.

 

 
This round burlap table cloth gives a rustic element to the elegance of the damask wallpaper.  {from Ballard}

 
{B, H and Gardens picture}

A  burlap Table runner displayed with a fall harvest theme just in time for the Thanksgiving Holiday. 

 
     {Better, Homes and Gardens}
Revamped on and old chair with some nail head trim....so cute.  Loving those pillow with the ribbons it looks like a corset.  And you know I love upholstery trim...I have several images with ideas to use with that multi purpose item. 

 
   {Cottage Living}

In a garden setting as a simple tablecloth.  Which brings me to my current project and finally doing something with burlap.  When I saw these two tablecloths, one rectangular and the other round, both on Tina's Blog I know I had to try and replicate this for my Thanksgiving Table.

I thought this would make a perfect backdrop for a Fall Harvest Colors....Pumpkin, Creme, butternut and deep reds.  

Here is another blogger, Rose from Rose Vignettes  who made one too this month for her Thanksgiving table.  You can check out another link on her blog to see some other bloggers who have done it. 

Hopefully I will be able to pull it off and able to show you it for Show and Tell Friday over at Cindy's Romantic Home.