It may look like the most unlikely place ever for a holiday tradition, but it's a great one! If you ever find yourself in the little town of Mineral Wells, Texas in November or December, you really should drop by The Box Factory. At first glance—and second—it's really unimpressive. But don't give up. During the holidays there's a treasure trove of goodies right under your nose. It was boxes that Sister asked Mom and me to pick up for her. She was working on a project—and lives more than two hours away from The Box Factory. But she was in luck. Mom and Dad live in Mineral Wells, and I was home for a visit... and then going to see ... Keep Reading...
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East Tennessee Voices
This isn't the post I planned to write today. I had another one running through my head, but this one crowded it out... Did you watch The Voice finale? If you did, you saw Jordan Smith and Emily Ann Roberts claim the top two spots. Those two were all the rage around here today! Every local news channel and radio station was talking about them because they both have East Tennessee ties. Emily Ann is a student at Karns High School in Knoxville, and Jordan (who hails from Harlan, Kentucky) is a student at Lee University—just down the road in Cleveland, Tennessee. We couldn't be more proud! But you know what I love most? Not only did those two amazing voices get much-deserved recognition, ... Keep Reading...
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Casual Christmas Tablescape
Happy holidays to all! Before leaving home on a recent trip, I put together a quick tablescape. It's: easy casual festive versatile (potential themes: Santa, rustic, country, woodland) uses traditional Christmas colors Wanna see? Set of Debbie Mumm salad plates—in 4 different designs! Punches of red glass: red goblets (Steinmart online sale years ago) and flocked red "velvet" votive holders (Dollar Tree years ago) Easy-peasy centerpiece: reclaimed wood tray, pinecones, vintage ornaments and sprigs of holly and pine. Seagrass placemats and wood napkin rings complement the wood tray and the slightly "rustic" vibe. Dinner anyone? Do tablescapes ... Keep Reading...
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Running in Circles: The schedule of a vintage ornament wreath artist
Hello all! Did you think I disappeared? It's been far too long since I've been here—and I've missed you!—but trust me when I say I haven't been sitting around eating bonbons. :-) Some of you will remember when I shared how to get creative with old ornaments. And when I got a little crazy making wreaths... I sold a few on eBay, but they're so fragile—and packaging/shipping costs so much—so I decided to try to find a new venue for selling them. You know... get "all in" or get out! I wanted to try once more since making these beauties brings me pure JOY—and because every wreath has a bit of a theme going on. And if you're a regular here, you know how I LOVE ... Keep Reading...
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May we never forget…
With deepest appreciation for my Favorite Fatigue Wearer, his father, and my own father ... and for all who presently or have ever served to protect my freedoms—and yours. With thanks to their families for the sacrifices they, too, have made. May we never forget! Happy Veterans Day ... Keep Reading...
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Sunday Challenge
Today is Orphan Sunday, and churches around the world pause to raise awareness. Why? Because every.single.day at least 40,000 children become orphans. There are 153 million of them in the world. OUR world. OUR problem. And the children are asking: "Where are you?" Think about the children in your life. In the eyes of God, there is no difference between them and * the 7-yr-old Cambodian boy living at the garbage dump * the 12-yr-old Brazilian girl forced to sell herself last night … and the night before ... and tonight * the 10-yr-old African boy required to fight in a war he doesn't understand * the 14-yr-old American girl living in her 6th foster home Absolutely no ... Keep Reading...
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Nowhere else to go…
This is the image that caught one reader's eye in my non-traditional Fall colors inspiration board. Obviously, it once caught my eye, too—and thus the picture. I don't recall where I saw this... but I do recall identifying with it immediately. Nowhere else to go... It's daunting, the feeling of having nowhere else to go. Nowhere... Not long ago, a family I befriended at Church Street Cafe' received an eviction notice. The circumstances were convoluted and frustrating and not entirely of the family's doing, and yet the reality was clear: they needed to find another place to live. Although the wife was working hard to get her GED and improve their situation, at the moment another reality was clear: ... Keep Reading...
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Post within a post
When last we were together, I showed you this collage of non-traditional Fall colors and asked if anything caught your eye. Thanks to those of you who responded! As suggested, today I'll give you a "behind the scenes" peek at the ones you mentioned. Rita was drawn to the bed (top right corner) and the country road (bottom left corner). The bed photo was taken several years ago when I had the long-wished-for chance to shop at Nell Hill's. It was just before Christmas, and Renaissance Man and I went to Missouri to visit Daughter the Older. When she went to work, we went to The Village at Briarcliff. If you've never been to one of Mary Carol Garrity's shops, I can attest that the experience is everything you dream it ... Keep Reading...
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Finding inspiration in non-traditional colors of Fall
Hello all! I hope this new school year—Autumn's in the air—pre-holiday season is going well at your place! It's been a little crazy-busy at mine. Honestly? I'm still trying to decide how to share some of it with you... because some of it's really good stuff. But it's not "easy" stuff, and I want to do it justice. Soon, I hope. But for now, because I desperately needed a few minutes of creative quiet time, I put together an inspiration board for you using a color palette I recently proposed for a project in the Mossy Creek historic district (aka our old downtown). These are certainly not my go-to Autumn colors, but the more time I spent with them, the more I thought they'd make a really great seasonal ... Keep Reading...
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Thinking of you…
Hello all! I've missed spending time here with you lately. Let's catch up soon, okay? Until then, I hope you'll enjoy a few pics I took out at the farm. There's nothing like a slow walk to help a fast-paced week come to a close... ... Keep Reading...
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Navy SEAL says make bed to change the world
As I stripped sheets from the bed this morning and headed to the washer, recently-heard remarks by Admiral William H. McRaven came to mind. Sharing his 36 years of experience as a Navy SEAL at a university commencement, he gave graduates ten pieces of advice for changing the world. The very first one... If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed. by Hinsdale Design-Build Firms Normandy Remodeling All those years ago, on his very first morning in basic SEAL training, his bed was inspected by instructors—Vietnam veterans looking to see if his corners were square, covers pulled tight, pillow centered under the headboard, and extra blanket folded neatly at the foot of the ... Keep Reading...
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Field Trip Friday #8: New Old House in the Country
Believe it or not, school will be in full swing again around here next week, so this is our last Field Trip Friday. I hope you've enjoyed them. Today's field trip takes us to a beautiful valley in East Tennessee—Dumplin Valley—and to one of the oldest farms in our county. Only a mile-and-a-half from the little farm Renaissance Man and I own, the Brotherton Farm is part of the land settled in 1785 by William Bradshaw and Richard Rankin of Pennsylvania. Finding two fine springs, the pair set to work building a small house each, cutting logs to sizes they could handle. They then worked a 2-acre plot for each man; clearing, fencing, and planting their crops. Only then did they return to a nearby county to ... Keep Reading...
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Field Trip Friday #7: The DeGolyer House at the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden
Welcome to the weekend! Today's field trip is actually one I took back in the Fall, but I only showed you the "Fall-ish" parts then. Today you get to peek behind that gorgeous door! Built in 1940, the 21,000 square foot DeGolyer House is an amazing example of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. Everett DeGolyer was a very successful petroleum geologist who worked extensively in Mexico, so it's understandable why he and his wife, Nell, had a love for the style. Of course, "revival" styles tend to get interpreted differently by different people. According to DeGolyer himself, his home was a Beverly Hills architect’s idea of what a Texas oilman thinks a Texas hacienda ... Keep Reading...
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Field Trip Friday #6: Downtown Aquarium (Denver, Colorado)
Friday again already? I don't know about you, but at My Place, the Summer is flying by! Kids in our neighborhood go back to school in only 2 1/2 more weeks... Hopefully you've made time for some Summer outings. If not, these brief Field Trip Friday posts are especially for you! We really have to get out of our own little worlds every now and then, don't we? On my most recent visit to Colorado to see Daughter the Older, Renaissance Man and I joined her for a day at Denver's Downtown Aquarium. There was some interesting architecture that required looking at the fish from below—as if the viewer were at the bottom of the ocean looking up toward the ... Keep Reading...
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Field Trip Friday #5: A Trip Back in Time
There's something about derelict old buildings. They call my name. It's almost as if they're begging for someone to listen to their stories—and someone to help them write new ones... One of those buildings is located in the middle of a beautiful East Tennessee valley not far from my home. In its heyday, the Jefferson County community of Mt. Horeb revolved around the church, the school, and the mercantile. But that was then... and this is now. I drive past this old beauty almost every day—and hear its pleas... The classy brick building with its arched windows and door was built in 1869. A post office consisting of 40 pigeon holes was opened ... Keep Reading...
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Field Trip Friday #4: Texas Rose Museum (Tyler, Texas)
Welcome to the weekend—and another field trip! Today we're headed back to my home state where the east Texas city of Tyler (population 96,900) is known for its roses. It's said that at one time Tyler grew half of the commercial roses in the U.S. Pretty impressive, huh? I guess it would come as no surprise, then, that there's a Texas Rose Festival. It's been in existence since 1933, and there's a wonderful museum that showcases festival memorabilia. You're gonna love it! The building isn't particularly impressive, but beyond its doors lie the very impressive Tyler Rose Garden Center (a field trip from the past) as well as the Tyler Rose Museum. Step inside—and prepare to see ... Keep Reading...
