I'm Back

Hello Friends,

 

It's been a long time since I've posted.  Although I have continued to look at all the pretty things you are sharing on your blogs, I have missed sharing with you. 

 

We have had a lot happen in our lives and family since my last post and I just didn't have the time or the heart to blog.  God has brought us through and we know He is in control of all things.  We are thankful for health and the strength He gives us each day through His awesome power that affords us perfect peace!

 

I've done a few things around the house and plan to share with you as time allows.  (Since retirement, I've gotten really busy with volunteering and just piddling around.)

 

Stenciling, Burlap and Chalk

 

Ahh, this says it all. 

 

Hubby asked,

"Who needs a banner that announces summer?"

 

I DO!

 

Just because it's fun and I had an extra

spool of burlap ribbon in my craft supply.

I stitched it together with a jute rope.

You might notice my mantel is completely different
from my previous posts.  I've redecorated the
family room and gotten new furniture. 
I'll share my new look soon.



 

 

 

I was wanting to replace these cushions I use

in my kitchen chairs.

 

 

 

So, I went to Lowes and bought

a painters drop cloth.

 

I'm finding all sorts of things to use this fabric on.

 

 

I found this cute stencil and paint at

 

 Hobby Lobby.

 

 

Recovering the old cushions was

 

 easy and economical.

 

(Two of my favorite words!!!)

 

Just be sure to stencil before you

sew so the paint doesn't bleed through.

 

And, here's the finished project.

 

 

 

 

 

and a burlap ribbon holds my new

 

FUN

Chalkboard

 

with a reminder to always have

 

Happy Thoughts!

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Sweethearts Sharing Supper

Friends and dinner -

they just seem to go together.

We entertained eighteen friends for dinner last night.

I had fun decorating and getting ready.

I used my red and white transfer ware plates

on the mantel -

they're so romantic!!!

Individual French Silk Pies on an Angel Crust.

Yummy! 

(I've recreated the French Silk filling and do not use raw eggs.)

Dining Room Table is set for eight

for dining by candlelight.

Sweet Treats for all!

My little silver basket filled with chocolate hearts.

If you tip your head a little to the left,

this pic looks a bit better.  LOL!!!!

Candles aglow

and floating in crystal goblet candle holders.

Fresh flowers and boxwood (from my yard)

nestled in my "Fun Find" silver goblets.

Some shots with the "FLASH".

(just 'cause I like it better.)

Dinnerware waiting for dinner of

Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin

Twice Baked Potatoes

Green Beans

Salad

Rolls

The table in the breakfast nook

served six of our guests

I used the same theme on all

three tables.

(candles, candy and fresh flowers)

A table set up in the family room

seated four more guests.

The "tray" my sweetie make me

to use over my island cooktop. 

It sure is handy for

all those casserole dishes.

And as we all think about LOVE

on Valentine's Day,

remember the greatest

LOVE

of all

Jesus Christ and His love for us.

This chair is from my parent's dining room set.

The chairs have been in storage for years and not used.

With a little Old English Polish and

new seat covers - they are so pretty.

So much better than using folding chairs.

Thanks y'all for stopping by.

Happy Valentine's Day to you.

I'm linking to:

First Project of the Year

When we my husband put the crown moulding up in the living and dining rooms several months ago,

he mentioned that the walls needed to be painted. 

Well, I love a change

and welcome an opportunity or excuse to make a change. 

But, I do not love and welcome the mess!!!

This is part of the "stuff" from my server and china cabinet.

Having it emptied out gives me a

good time to reorganize my treasures.

See the diff in the old (at the bottom)

and the new color.

We're putting up chair moulding,

so there was no need to paint

the new color at the bottom of the wall.

Applesauce Cake

on the wall

chair railing

up and primed.

Trimming in the LR

See the diff.

A-h-h-h

much better!

All painted and everything back in place.

I'm still debating about putting up

picture frame moulding on the

DR wall. 
 Maybe next week,

or the week after.
Actually, I ran out of paper
(not really, but I wasted several pieces)
trying to figure how to lay it out
and make the panels pleasing to the
eye since we have different size walls.

We moved the plate rack from

the other side of the DR

to this spot.

I've had these for several years

and never gotten tired of them. 

The new color goes well with all my things.

And, after living with and looking at

the new color, I'm happy with it.

At first, I thought it was too dark.

I'm so glad we did the chair rail and white -

this really helped to "lighten up" the room.

LR all back together too!!!

YEAH!

 ~ Symmetrical ~

I decided I need to have balance,

so I am using

companion prints on

either side of the window.

These are the botanical prints
I found a while back.

And the silhouettes of the "Grands"moved in here from the DR.

A good corner for some

Quiet Time.

Bright sunshine - but cold air today.

An old oil painting that's been in the storage room

for years and years.

But, I decided to use it here even though it has blue.

But I don't know what other color I would want

God's pretty sky and water to be.

(If the "Decorator Police" come after me,

I'll just lock the door and hide!!!)

Symetrical on one side of the room,

but not here.

Decided the birds didn't need to be split up.

As you can probably tell, I don't follow any

decorator's advice - just my own eye. 

And, if I don't like it today,

I can move it around tomorrow.

I've been known to do this a few times in the past,

just ask my sweet husband and painter

who without his help, none of this would be possible.

I'm a lousy painter and this project took

six days to complete.

Now, on the the next project.

Until then,

May God Bless You and Yours!

I'm linking to