Three things I said I'd NEVER do again: Buy more Christmas ornaments Downsizing means you haul things OUT of your house, not bring more in! Have another "real" Christmas tree. No more needles in the carpet! Decorate for Christmas before Thanksgiving Really, people, at least wait until after the Turkey Day dishes are done! Before leaving town to spend Thanksgiving with family, I did not one, not two, but ALL THREE of those things. Oh, brother... My proverbial downhill slide (which I happen to think isn't so bad after all) began when I started decluttering my vintage ornament stash by making a mercury glass wreath. It was so much fun that I made a few more wreaths. And that was so much fun that I made the ... Keep Reading...
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My newest obsession: Vintage Ornament Wreaths
The secret is out: For the past two weeks, I've been obsessed with making wreaths from vintage ornaments. I think I knew it would happen. That's probably why I waited so many years to make the first wreath... Some of you love the old orbs, too—and you love them in wreath form. I know. You told me right here at My Place, at Hometalk, and via email when I told you my secret for creating this beauty. You see, after I worked my magic on the chippy-paint "useless" ornaments, I still had waaaay too many just the right amount of vintage pretties to turn into wreaths. Isn't that a creative way to declutter my stash? :-) I started by separating them into color families and possible ... Keep Reading...
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How to make a MERCURY GLASS WREATH from old ornaments
It was last January when I took a bunch of "someday I'd like to make a wreath" vintage ornaments... and actually completed the project. I didn't particularly want a wreath in these colors, but I was downsizing and wanted to play with the great old ornaments I'd been hauling around for years—so play I did! A few weeks ago the wreath was a silent auction item at our church's mission yard sale. Time for someone else to enjoy its vintage vibe! Ever since making the wreath, though, there's been another one I've been wanting to make—to keep... year-round. Last week, after months of dreaming, I finally set aside some time to play in the ornaments again... If you like the look of old mercury ... Keep Reading...
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Holidays don’t require starting from scratch!
Last week brought an expected treat. I was contacted by a gentleman from the Dallas Morning News. His email read: I work for The Dallas Morning News' HomeCenter section. Our writer has written a story about adapting decorations for more than one holiday. Our designer found your website and would like to use a couple of the photos from the site that show using decorations for more than one holiday. May we have your permission to use a few photos? Well, yes, you may! (Which photos? I probably have a higher resolution.) Seriously? Li'l ol' me amateur photographer/Texas transplant with a photo in THE Dallas Morning News? What a hoot! Since none of my Texas family has easy access to the Dallas ... Keep Reading...
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Veterans: Stewards of Freedom
Yesterday, as I sat in church, my thoughts were on stewardship. For several weeks we'd been discussing what it means to return to God a portion of what is already His anyway. To be good stewards of the gifts with which He's so lavishly blessed us. In the service were two veterans of WWII. The local Quilts of Valor group presented the gentlemen with handmade expressions of appreciation for their service to our country. Please forgive the poor picture quality, but when I realized the moment was about to pass without anyone taking a picture, the phone camera just had to be okay! This presentation followed a "children's moment" that spoke of these two men being stewards of our freedom. steward: One ... Keep Reading...
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Heirlooms in Hiding? Perhaps it’s time to think about re-gifting…
She stopped by my house to borrow a few tablecloths for her wedding. She's a young woman who appreciates pretty housewares but has had little chance to own any. Earlier in the week I'd spent time downsizing my china cabinet, so I showed her the box of items I planned to give away, saying offhandedly, There are some glass trays and cake plates—and a Lazy Susan. Nothing particularly valuable, but I've used and enjoyed them for years. It's just time to pass them along. You're welcome to any or all. It was as if time stood still as she slowly turned to look at me, eyes wide... You have a Lazy Susan ... that you're getting rid of? ... Keep Reading...
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(Still) Inspired by Caramel & Cream
It's November... How did it get here so quickly? Some of you may remember this tablescape from a couple of years ago, but it's one of my Autumn favorites, so I'm reprising it this week. Enjoy! This week I added the tiniest hint of Fall to my indoor decor. My little vignette started with the beautiful old linen table square ... because I was inspired by the Caramel & Cream inspiration board I showed you last week. Source I also promised you an "inspired" tablescape ... The cream and muted caramel pottery centerpiece bowl was my anchor. It's a favorite piece to decorate with at this time of year. Obviously, the inspiration board dictated that I include pears ... A ... Keep Reading...
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For the love of pumpkins…
Hello all! I just have to ask... Was your weekend weather as gorgeous as mine? Warm sunshine and cool breezes. Leaves falling like golden rain. This is my favorite time of the year! I wonder if it's because I was an October baby? On my recent trip to Texas, the Oscar de la Renta exhibit wasn't my only field trip. Nope. The parents, sister, and I also went to the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden—another "first" for me. Since this is my favorite time of the year (Did I tell you?), I was all smiles when I saw the pumpkins. I smiled A LOT! Are you as intrigued by these as I was? From a distance, I couldn't imagine how those heavy pumpkins were "attached" to the structures—so I decided to find ... Keep Reading...
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My hour with Oscar de la Renta
A few weeks ago while in Texas visiting family, my parents, sister, and I went to The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum. I'd wanted to make the trip ever since I wrote about Pride and Presidents, but this was my first chance. Little did I know—and to the delight of the females in our group—the gallery that houses traveling exhibits was featuring five decades of the artistry of Oscar de la Renta. I've been wanting to share it with you. Today seems like an appropriate time... even as my thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Mr. de la Renta. As you probably know, Oscar de la Renta was a favorite designer of Laura Bush and designed many of the dresses she wore as First ... Keep Reading...
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Six Autumn tablescape inspiration boards
Wow... It's been such a (too) long time since I played in the dishes, but I have enjoyed some Autumn pretties over the past few weeks. I think you'll like them, too, so I combined a few of my field trips into some seasonal inspiration boards—just for you. Elegant Traditional Strictly Casual Touches of Blue Earth Tones Neutrals—with a splash of Lime Bring on the Pumpkins! ... Keep Reading...
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Why I love Southern Lady magazine… and why I canceled my subscription
Southern Lady magazine... I remember the first time I encountered her over a decade ago—and how I slowly devoured her content. Page after page of feminine beauty and elegance. Her stories appealed to the "hopeless romantic" in me... and the fact that they were well-written passed muster with my inner writer. I was hooked. Over the years, the love affair grew stronger—and my spirit noticeably quieter—each time I sat in her presence. To this day, I cannot imagine ever discarding a single issue of the restorative glossy. You see, I'm a gal raised in the South. I own the requisite string of pearls, monogrammed stationery, and set of "good silver" albeit one acquired from someone else's ancestors. I ... Keep Reading...
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Top 10 Autumn Icons
These are mine . . . Pumpkins Leaves Pansies Hay fields Acorns Squirrels Scarecrows Gourds Pinecones Mums What are yours? ... Keep Reading...
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If you think prayer matters, YOU’RE INVITED
My life experience has told me: PRAYER MATTERS. If your experience is the same, I invite you to join me, Renaissance Man, and a whole host of others to pray for the children I often mention here. Children who once knew no hope... but now do. Here's the invitation directly from Renaissance Man... Dear Friends: Last year we at Hope Unlimited for Children invited our friends, supporters, and partner churches to join us for 30 Days of Prayer for Hope. The response was overwhelming. Without any question, we received more positive feedback from that simple request than anything we had done previously. We quickly realized that we needed annually to set aside a time to pray together. ... Keep Reading...
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How about a FREE trip to a museum near you?
Looking for something fun and "easy on the wallet" this weekend? You can thank my sister for this heads up! Just click on the image to find a participating museum near you—wherever you'll be this weekend! You can get two FREE tickets per household. Isn't that nice? If your Saturday is already full... I did notice that some museums closed on Saturdays are observing Museum Day on Sunday, September 28. I've got my tickets! When you get yours, leave a comment and tell me where you're headed. What kind of museum is your favorite? What's the last museum you visited? ... Keep Reading...
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Starting over…
It's Monday—and the first day of Fall. A brand new week—and season—stretches out before us like a blank canvas... What project will I start—or finish? What reset button do I need to hit? What neighbor will I love? What picture will I paint on this blank canvas? What will I do today—this week, this season—to change a trajectory? To make a new ending... for myself—or someone else. What will you do? ... Keep Reading...
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Weekend Wondering: Can you barter with a pinecone?
Well, can you? Barter with a pinecone? I honestly don't know. I've never tried. Have you? I've filled baskets with pinecones, used them in tablescapes, hung them from Christmas trees... I've even shown you how to clean them! I haven't ever tried to bleach them, but some of you have. In fact, it's quite the craze here in Blogland in case you haven't noticed. For me, pinecones signal a change of seasons, bringing thoughts of steamy-hot soup, snuggly-warm throws, and early-dark nights. They've always held happy memories; serving as an unexpected symbol of security. Until ... The investigation began when the child showed up at a ... Keep Reading...
