THANKSGIVING DECOR - Part II

Thanksgiving at our House:

Here's my sofa table that I decorate for all special holidays. I just changed out a little of my Harvest decor and added Thanksgiving. You can click on the photo to enlarge if you wish. The picture on the left is of the first Thanksgiving. I picked it up at a garage sale a few years ago. It was cheap, I'm sure, or I wouldn't have purchased it. I have pumpkins placed on urns to vary the height of the display. I love urns and purchase everyone I come across while thrifting!! The little brown Thanksgiving transfer ware plate was a TJ Maxx find.

I had this fall wreath displayed with my Harvest decor. I added just three little items to update for Thanksgiving. Two are the metal pilgrims that I purchased recently while shopping with my sister-in-law on the other side of town (her side of town) and the little sign at the top of the wreath that says "Give Thanks With A Grateful Heart" ~ it's a cute little hinged ornament made to look a little bit vintage. I purchased this great little Fleur de lis table top wreath holder at the Country Living Fair in Columbus, OH that I went to in September. I like being able to display a wreath someplace else besides just the door.

The mantle I just removed some of the fall leaves, left my pumpkins (love those burgundy ones) and placed a little Hallmark Thanksgiving Screen Scene in the background. I love Thanksgiving. It's just about thankfulness, food and family. Not all the craziness of gifts.

That's about it for my Thanksgiving decorating. . . but watch out for Christmas!!!

Blessings. . . until next time,

THANKSGIVING DECOR

Give thanks to the Lord. . . .




For the next few posts I'll be sharing my little bit of Thanksgiving decor with you. It's not too hard to decorate for Thanksgiving because I just change out a few of my Harvest items and. . . I'm done.

I want to start by showing you this pumpkin I purchased last year at a store called the "Flower Factory." It's my favorite Thanksgiving item.

Give thanks to the Lord for He is Good His love endures forever.
1 Chronicles 16:34

About says it all now, doesn't it?

Blessings. . . until next time,

HAPPY HALLOWEEEN!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Have a safe Halloween. Are you doing anything special tonight?

My hubby and I are going to move our portable fire~pit to the driveway tonight, sit around the fire and pass out candy. The temperature should be just perfect for this. My b-i-l and s-i-l are going to join us while our girls go out begging for candy. Then our neighbors are having a little get-together so we'll certainly stop in.

But, you know what I'm most excited about???? Getting to sleep in an extra hour on Saturday night!!!! Yeaaahhhhh, don't forget to turn your clocks back one-hour!! We all could use that extra hour of zzzzzz's!!

See you in November. . . then we'll all be thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas!

Blessings. . . until next time,

THANK YOU ~ I'm Feeling Better!!

Thank you to all of my wonderful blogland friends who sent prayers, cards and well wishes my way. I'm feeling so much better now thank you very much!!!

My hubby took me to the doctor again today and I was told that I need to start physical therapy next week 2x a week for 6 weeks. AND ~ today ~ I decided to stopped taking those darn pain meds. that hubby kept giving me (as he was instructed to do at the hospital). I do not like that loopy, light-headed feeling at all. That's not for me. I will take some pain meds. before I go to sleep tonight to help me rest painlessly, but no more during the day time. My doctor told me I could try stopping them if the pain was tolerable. Believe me, I'd rather have a little pain than a loopy, light headed buzz going on. I mean, I like to function properly, know what I mean? Not like, "Oh, whatever, life is but a dream :) "

We do have a wedding to attend tomorrow night and naturally, I was told "no dancing at all" by my doctor :) " That's OK, I'm a lousy dancer anyways!




Since my bedroom is still torn apart (and driving this AAA personality, take charge, creative type absolutely crazy), I cannot post pictures of my new improved bedroom yet. It will be painted this Saturday, if I have to do it myself (just kidding ~ the doctor and hubby said they will roll me if I even think about touching a paint roller right now.) Hubby said he will roll the walls for me Saturday and I will oh, so do my very best not to give my two bits to him while he paints (pray for me folks!) Did I happen to ever mention I'm also a control freak and like to do everything myself? Yeah, another problem of mine.



Anyway, I thought I'd post pictures of our Harvest Decor that I took before my little mishap :) I mean, what fun is a post without pictures anyway? The first few are of the outside of our home ~ Welcome and come on in!


Now that I'm looking at these pictures I realize I've even changed some of these things around a bit since snapping them. Some of the pumpkins are now sitting in urns, some items moved. Oh whatever!! You can get the overall idea. This is a shot of the Great Room.

Close up of the mantle with staggered pumpkins and fall foliage tucked in here and there. Love, love, love those burgundy pumpkins!!

Close up of our sofa table (This is the table I always use to decorate with our holiday decor).

Our little glass block light on the kitchen counter. I think this is sooo cozy with the gold lights inside. Doesn't it just make you want a warm cup of cider?

And finally, our little "Happy Harvest" pumpkin on our kitchen table. The little squirrel is a salt and pepper holder I found at Cracker Barrel a few years back. I think it's so cute. I don't decorate for Halloween, only Harvest/Fall. I'm not into all that celebration of glorifying gore, death, devils, witches, ghosts, etc. That's just my personal feeling. I like to celebrate God's Fall Harvest. I mean, don't get me wrong, I DO give out candy on Halloween LOL!!! I'm not the mean lady in the hood who doesn't turn her lights on or anything :)

I hope and pray that soon I can post our finished bedroom. The walls need painting, the new sleigh bed moved in and the old one out, new decor hung on the walls, drapery made, oh I do hope my back gets back to normal soon. All this to do and not being able to do it is causing me a great deal of FRUSTRATION and ANXIETY!!!!! I like to move, I like to keep active, I live for projects and being and keeping busy. In time, in time, I know.

Blessings. . . until next time,

Bedroom Project Started ~ Interrupted for Hospital Stay!!!

Well, my weekend started out with the very best of intentions!!

I had planned on knocking out the painting of our master bedroom. I finished the master bathroom's painting last week. . . so the next step was our attached bedroom. . . naturally!

Things were going along wonderfully. My hubby helped by taking down the recessed lights and the ceiling fan for me. I cleared off all the dressers, took down all the pictures and patched the holes in the walls.

So far, so good. I was on a roll applying that white ceiling paint, Then I had a "bright" (tongue-in-cheek) idea. If I had to paint the tallest part of this pan ceiling, and I couldn't reach it with the bed in the way (and it was too heavy to move), why not stand on the bed, which was covered with a plastic drop cloth and paint the ceiling with the roller on the extension pole? I stepped from the ladder to the bed and SLIPPED, and almost FELL and CAUGHT myself from falling into the headboard. I jerked and felt a little something snap in my back :)

Oh, I can just work it out I thought. I've done stupid things like this before. So I normally take some Naproxen or Motrin and just keep going. I did.

We finished the ceiling, and had plans for painting the walls on Sunday after church. We stopped, showered, got ready and my husband took me out for my birthday dinner, which is Wednesday the 8th. Hubby travels during the week so we celebrate occasions on the weekends. We traveled about an hour away to the St. Clair River to a very quaint little restaurant called the "St. Clair Inn." The view along the water with the Michigan fall/autumn colors was spectacular and the dinner was wonderful.

We came home, showered and went to bed. I got up (tried to get up I should say) got ready for church and went with my family. I could hardly get into the car my back was hurting so bad. Oh, I'll just work it out as I always do. Sit, stand, sing, greet, sit some more, stand some more. I thought I was going to D I E!!!

I came home from church and got out the heating pad, the ice and tried to lay down. Come on, I always work this out. I decided I needed to take a walk. I went around the block. Pain was shooting down my legs to my knees and I thought I was going to pass-out. Home I came and told hubby to take me to the hospital.

So, that's where I've been for two days. I had a MRI, which shows inflammation in the sacrolites(sp?), the last disc injured and perhaps some infection in this area too was told. So, the physical therapy doctor called for the spine doctor. The physical therapy doctor said I would need to stay for a few more days and take antibiotics intravenously to rid this infection. Oh man tomorrow is our oldest daughter's 21st birthday and Wednesday is mine. GREAT. I didn't want to stay. Thankfully, the spine doctor told me he would take more blood and run more tests and call me tomorrow if I needed to come back. GREAT, GET ME OUT OF HERE!!

So, now I'm home ~ resting in my lovely 1/2 painted bedroom. The ceiling looks great. The walls, not so good yet. After I heal, we'll tackle them. Hubby isn't traveling this week after all. I'm so dopey from all this medication sent home with me; i.e., muscle relaxers, pain medication that I'm rather loopy.

Note to self. . . don't stand on sliding plastic and expect a sure footing with arms extended overhead holding an extension painting pole and roller :)

I may be getting older, but not smarter. . . that's for sure!!

Blessings. . . until next time,

COUNTRY LIVING 2008 FAIR!!!

This time next week, I'm planning on attending the Country Living 2008 Fair in Columbus, Ohio
This is a picture from the Country Living web site. I guess it's the line waiting to get into the Fair. Don't you think they would post a picture more exciting than this? I'm guessing the photo was really about capturing the banner. What do you think? Don't the people look bored? I think I would have posted some lovely Fall pictures, some wonderful vendors maybe, a work shop or two. I love the ad in their magazine. That looks exciting and made me want to attend. It states:

Bigger and Better Than Last Year

And In A New Ohio Location

Join us in Columbus at the Historic Ohio Village, September 12-14,

for the 3rd annual Country Living Fair. Shop the more than 100

exhibitor booths for antiques, vintage furnishings, gifts, crafts, and

collectibles. Enjoy cooking demonstrations in the Country

Living kitchen designed by the Workshops of David t. Smith.

Attend free decorating and crafting seminars, including pumpkin

carving and floral arranging. And join Editor-in-Chief Nancy Soriano

for three days of shopping and fun family activities!

Anyways, I have my tickets to attend all three days, got my hotel reservations for two nights and I have my directions ~ from Michigan to Ohio. My mom wants to attend with me so she and Dad will drive down on Thursday, spend the night with us and Mom and I will take off in the AM.

Oh, I think it will be. . . so. . . much. . . fun!! If not, I'll be heading home early. Especially, if I'm standing in a line like that most of the day :)

Are any of you planning on attending? This will be the first time I've attended this Fair.

I have some projects I want to share with you all. Yes, I've been working hard around here. Hopefully, I'll get a chance to post these projects for you within the next few days.

Hope to see you at the Fair!

Blessings. . . until next time,

My New Find

Don't you love when you find just the right little accessory? Last week while scanning Marshall's (yes I love Marshall's and TJ Maxx) ~ I came across this absolutely ~ must ~ have ~ wreath holder. It has an aged ivory crackle paint ~ and a little nest with three baby birds (they are waiting for their momma to feed them) The little nest of baby birds is removable to accommodate placing on a wreath. The momma (also removable) is a little farther up the wreath holder lovingly feeding her babes.

When the wreath is placed on the holder. . . it looks like it is part of the wreath ~ adorable little birdies on top of the wreath. . . waiting to be feed. *sigh* Don't you just love when you find just the perfect little accessory? And all for only $12.99 too!

Blessings. . . until next time,

Visitors at the Cottage VIA the Water

Cottage Visitors. . . VIA the water!!

Last week while at the cottage we looked out our doorwalls and saw we had visitors. Kayakers down our canal. We are about two lots over from the main lake on the canal. Someday we'll be on the main Lake!!!

Have you ever gone kayaking? It's great fun. We normally like to go on the Rifle River in the fall. The color changes in Michigan are just absolutely breathtaking in the fall and this makes for a wonderful family adventure.

We never thought about kayaking in our own lake though. . . hhmmmm. . . something to think about maybe. And then again, with the boat and jet ski wake. . . maybe kayaking on the lake wouldn't be sure a great idea. . . we'll just stick to river kayaking.

Blessings. . . until next time,

Well, There May Be HOPE of SPRING SPRINGING!!

Remember wwaaayyyyy back in the fall when I planted, gee I can't even remember now how many spring bulbs? Here's the link to my Fall post. Well, I was outside today, checking out "things" and what do my eyes behold? Sprouting Hyacinths coming up from the earth!! Oh Sweet Joy!! Could it actually be? Is Spring finally coming to Michigan? I sure hope so. *Yes, that's a little icy/snow pile at the top right of the photo.

If you click on the picture above it should enlarge and you will see even more sprouting flowers! I know those of you who live in a warmer climate must think we crazy northern people are pathetic. But then, when you have a dang nabit pile (following picture) STILL at the end of your driveway it can seem like forever till Spring!

Oh, yes, I did hear we are in for a little fresh snow fall on Friday. Makes a person want to pull their hair out!!!! Oh well, at least the dirty snow will be covered with a fresh white blanket. . . I'm trying here folks, I'm trying :)

Well, on the brighter side, I should be able to post within a day or so some of my embroidery machine projects. I'm having so much fun. So, I guess that's the good thing about the lingering winter. . . I can stay in my basement workroom and don't think about being outside in the beautiful weather. Yeah, there we go.

Blessings. . . until next time,

One Project Down. . . One to Go

The stools in the Junior High Youth Room are complete, as you saw from my earlier post. Next, we are changing out the Yee-Haw knotty pine paneled counter. Yesterday, my wonderful friends, Kathy & Lori, helped me sand (vacuum & then wipe down) the counter. We caulked the knots and gaps and primed the counter. It will end up being painted a Pottery Barn Espresso Brown when the final paint is added. This is just the lightly tinted brown primer. The finished product will be much, much darker, followed by 2-3 coats of Poly-acrylic for protection.

We all agree it looks better now with just the primer added than it did to begin with. Much, much more contemporary to match the current decor of the room. The kids who have stopped in to see the chairs and counter are thrilled with the changes!!

We think it will look marvelous when completed!

Happy Halloween!!

Blessings. . . until next time,

Harvest Blessings!

God's Blessings on your Fall Harvest!!

Thursday. . . Dishing Out Some Dirt

Well, it may not look like much right now. . . but just you wait and see!! Come Spring, I'm hoping to have the most beautiful display of hyacinths you have ever seen!! Sunday, after church, I had planned to plant my fall bulbs. . . but our plans changed and it didn't work out for me to plant that day. So I planted them yesterday instead.

Hyacinths are one of the most beautiful and fragrant spring bulbs (my opinion). I planted 80 bulbs in white and a variety of purple. Costco has pretty good prices on these if you are interested. I purchased some (Daffodils and Crocus) from Costco last year for the back yard and they came up beautifully this past Spring.

After the cold, dreary gray of winter, and dumping of snow, we'll all be looking forward to our spring flowers peeking out their little heads. I know, I know, who's thinking spring? We're still into Fall! But hey, one must plan ahead sometimes. . . things don't "just happen" sometimes we have to make "them happen!"

Blessings. . . until next time,

. . . "To Everything There Is A Season."

Today, I put my flower garden to rest. . . I cut down the perennials and pulled out the annuals. After about 3 hours of cutting, pruning, transplanting, raking and digging - I'm getting into a hot bath. I'm planning on soaking until I turn into a prune.

. . . Tomorrow, after church, I have some new bulbs to plant for spring. THEN I will be finished outside - - at least here. In a few weeks I will go to the cottage. . . and. . . do it. . . all. . . over. . . again!

Excuse me please, I have a date with "Mr. Bubbles." : )

Blessings. . . until next time,

Slower Cooker. . .

Fall. Cooler weather. . . shorter days. . . fire in the fireplace. . . spiced cider. . . ALL THOSE KID'S ACTIVITIES WE RUN AROUND DOING!!!

Do you use a crock pot? I do. I love mine. I use it all year round actually, but especially in the fall when the running around with the activities starts. It's nice to set it and go. Here's a recipe I just found and can't wait to try. My kind of recipe. E-A-S-Y Peasy!!

German Potato Soup

1 pound cooked smoked sausage, halved lengthwise and cut into 1/2-inch slices

1/2 of a 28-ounce package frozen loose-pack diced hash brown potatoes with onion and peppers (about 4 cups)

1 16-ounce jar sauerkraut, rinsed and drained

2 tablespoons stone ground mustard

3 14-ounce cans chicken broth (5-1/4 cups)

In a 4- to 5-1/2-quart slow cooker place sausage, frozen potatoes, sauerkraut, and mustard. Pour broth over all.

Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 7 to 9 hours or on high-heat setting for 3-1/2 to 4-1/2 hours.

Makes 6 to 8 main-dish servings (about 9-2/3 cups).

Here's the link to sign up for slow cooker recipes delivered daily to your e-mail account. http://slow-cooker-recipes.blogspot.com/

Soup is great in the fall. Served with a tossed salad and a roll or homemade bread . . . ummm, doesn't get much better than that (unless, of course, someone else is doing the cooking!!) .

Blessings. . . until next time,

Happy Birthday and a Temporary Change to Blog

Friday night we had a "small" birthday gathering for our oldest daughter. She's turning 20 today, Sunday, the 7th. Both sets of grandparents came over as well as my daughter's boyfriend and his parents. I'm so glad everyone was able to come help us celebrate! Both my daughter and I love the fall, so we were so looking forward to an indoor tailgate party. We planned to serve "hot" mulled cider, chili, grilled sausage and hot dogs and watching the game on hub's big screen TV in the basement "man-cave." However, it was 87 degrees here in Michigan!! It was more like a summer heat-wave than a fall tailgate party. I had the A/C on and we went ahead with the gathering, minus the hot cider. We drank the cider it ice cold instead.

This has been a year of big birthdays in our house. My hubby turned 50, our oldest turned 20 and our youngest turned 13. One daughter went into the teen years while the other left them and my hubs is now eligible for the AARP!!

. . . then speaking of birthdays, I have one myself on Monday. Aaaaauuuuuugggggggghhhhhh!! Since my husband travels, we celebrated Saturday night. He took me to a great restaurant that I have been wanting to go to. Afterwards, we walked around downtown and had the best time. Just together. No kids. Wonderful. Aaaaaahhhhhhh.

I also want to mention that I have deleted, temporarily, the Bible Snippets of the day. I'm looking for one in the NIV, not the KJV. Just a preference of mine. I find it easier to understand.

By the way, I am younger than my hubby. I'm not turning 50 (and won't be for a few years.) . . . just wanted to get that straight : )

Blessings. . . until next time!

Things I LOVE about Michigan

We went to the cottage this weekend to pull the boats out of the lake. We are on a man-made lake and the lake level is controlled by a dam (run and operated by our cottage association maintenance department). The lake is lowered in the fall to give home/cottage owners the opportunity to work on their seawalls and docks, if need be. So, we actually HAD to go to the cottage this weekend because the lake will be lowered before we have an opportunity to get back up north. We are fortunate enough to have a little cottage on the canal, in which we are only two properties away from the main lake. We don't hear the noise off the big lake and have all the privacy we need. When we retire, we'll probably sell our main house and the cottage then build a house on the lake. At least, that's the "plan" for now.

Hubs and I took the boats out and made one last trip around the lake. I'm not sad when the boats come out. . . it's nice to step back a little and not be at that fast paced summer schedule. The fall color is just starting to show, but it is still breathtaking to us.

Here are some pictures to share with you. . .

This is a picture at the boat launch. We are just pulling out Hub's boat . He likes to ski and tube with the kids, so he likes a boat for speed - I have a "very little" pontoon that I like for cruising. I'm not into whipping around the lake anymore. . . hurts my back. . . neck. . . just getting old I guess. This is a big step down for hubs, who had a jet boat when we started dating . . . way back when.

This is another picture of the boat launch. This side has a bath house, picnic pavilions, a beach and a play area for kids. You can just see the color starting to change on the tree tops.

This is our association clubhouse (at the other end of the lake). It can be rented to members, or outside guests. We use it for association gatherings; i.e; Dinners, New Year's Eve parties, Ox Roast, Holiday parties, Craft Shows, Coffee & Donuts , and the different clubs, Computer, Exercise, Crafts, and on and on. Always something going on if you want to keep busy and active. This is also the "main beach" area. It's to the right of the Club House. I didn't photograph that area. Forgot. Behind the Club House is our campground. It's for property owners who have not yet built, or for property owners to allow their guest to camp on the grounds. I love all the pine trees surrounding our lake. Mmmmmm - peaceful and relaxing.

Here's my hubs bringing my "little pontoon" down the canal to pull it out of the lake for the winter. He pulls his boat out first because it takes longer to winterize. It's nice to get the biggest job done first!!

Looking down the lake.

This is a shot down from the lake into our canal opening.

And our beautiful Michigan fall color! My favorite time in Michigan!

Blessings!