I've sure missed spending time with all of you, but for the past couple of weeks, Renaissance Man and I have been hanging out here ... coming and going through the door on the left ... and doing a lot of DIY projects. The building was built in the 1890s and was once home to the Mossy Creek Bank. It's located on Main Street in the old downtown section of Jefferson City, Tennessee ... an easy walk from My Place. According to the Mossy Creek Historic District website,Jefferson City's downtown area was chosen in 2010 as one of only four locations in East Tennessee to participate in the state's inaugural Tennessee Downtowns Program, a community improvement program for cities and counties seeking to revitalize traditional ... Keep Reading...
What A Difference A Day Makes …
Hello all! The last time we were together, I was Thinking of Snow. Guess what? By the next afternoon, My Place was a winter wonderland. The snow came quickly late yesterday afternoon, its wet, huge 2"-diameter flakes falling to the tune of thunder. I certainly do prefer this view from my kitchen window rather than the one I showed you HERE. And what a different look this is from the Simple Pleasures tablescape I did on the patio last Spring ... How thankful I was for a warm house! I hope you have a wonderful weekend, friends! Thanks for stopping by. Warm a child's heart this winter! Join the Thrive Team. ... Keep Reading...
Thinking of snow …
Hello all! It's a crazy-busy week at My Place, so I haven't been around here much. Renaissance Man and I are in the middle of a big project involving lots of DIY. I'll show you pics soon, but this morning I'm preparing to join the January Notecard Party at A Haven for Vee. Since it's January, I'm thinking s.n.o.w. -- even though all we've been getting lately is r.a.i.n. Click HERE to see entire tablescape. Click HERE for peek inside the house on this property. This is My Place. I wish you were here. We'd sit down on this snowy rainy day and have a cup of something warm ... then perhaps write a few notes to friends. I'd like that. Thanks for stopping by! ... Keep Reading...
Would you? COULD you?
I would not. I COULD NOT. This gal did. What do you think? I'll be joining Beverly for Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound. Drop by and take a peek at all the pinks! ... Keep Reading...
Epiphany!
Have you ever seen Cypress knees? They're the exposed cone-shaped growths attached to the roots of Bald Cypress trees. Years ago, while in high school, Daughter the Younger took a field trip to a nearby Louisiana swamp. While there, she and her friends went into a store where cypress knees were sold. Months later, on Christmas morning, I learned that she and her friend Kristen had both looked at one particular cypress knee ... and had an epiphany. They saw the three kings. On the spot, my daughter commissioned her artist-friend to paint them as a gift for me. It was such an unexpected surprise coming from two teenage girls, and I loved it! Today, I cherish the gift even more; Kristen died in an icy-roads car ... Keep Reading...
When I Was Young …
I'm beginning to settle into the fact that there are many joys and sorrows that exist in life at the same time. Learning to balance those is going to be an essential challenge for the future, but I have hope that it can happen. I'm pretty sure I have been way too spoiled by a lack of sorrows until the past couple of years ... or maybe as we get older the sorrows absorb into the crevices of our wrinkles and stick around longer - as do the joys. Who knows, but I recognize a definite change in me, and yet it's okay. I'm calling it the "peace that passes understanding" phase of my life. --Received from a dear friend who I haven't seen enough of lately... and used with permission When I was young, there was something innocent ... Keep Reading...
No Time for Hoopla …
New Years Eve 2012 We were blessed to have Daughter the Older with us this year ... ... and she likes the simplicity of black, white, and silver. After a delicious early dinner, we called it an early night. We'd all been on the road a lot lately. Somehow, the new year managed to arrive without our hoopla. What a relief. My shape of the year: the circle How about you? Are you as boring well-rested at your house? I'll be joining the fun here: Let's Dish! at Cuisine Kathleen Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch ... Keep Reading...
FACING FORWARD in 2013
It's a new year ... one milestone we all have in common no matter where we live in the world. Happy New Year to all! I've enjoyed the online retrospectives some of you bloggers have posted here in Blogland as 2012 turned to 2013. Maybe I'll do one sometime ... but this year I'll just say that my 2012 "word of the year" (declutter) kept me focused as I worked to organize both my surroundings and my mind. I wish I could tell you it was a total success, but I'm afraid I'll be using 2013 for Declutter: Part 2; it just won't be my focus. Instead, as I find myself facing forward on this first day of 2013, two random words keep coming to mind.I wonder if they offer any clues to what lies ahead ... Keep Reading...
Because There’s Still Time …
Did you know? Many non-profits have to raise 40% of their entire year's budget in the last quarter of the year. It's the last day ... of the last quarter of the year. Please consider giving today to a reputable charity of your choice. I'll be giving to this one ... Click HERE to learn more. ... because there's still time. If you'd like to join me, together we can give Hope ... and a happy new year ... to children who desperately need it. All gifts postmarked by midnight December 31 will qualify for 2012 Tax Deductions. Happy New Year! May God's richest blessings be yours in the year ahead. I'm joining: Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper Spiritual Sunday at Blogger ... Keep Reading...
Sweet Sights Of The Season …
Christmas 2012 I hope yours was sweet like mine! In case I don't meet you here before the New Year arrives, be sure yours is safe ...and celebratory! ... Keep Reading...
An Angel’s Perspective on Christmas
Characters: Finney - new resident in Heaven Zyor - Finney's guardian angel Elyon - Creator of the universe, God Gabriel - angel who visited the virgin Mary and foretold of Jesus' birth Michael - archangel Finney could see the luminous wonder in the deep-set eyes of the mighty warrior, who seemed at times tutor, philosopher, bard, and poet. Suddenly he realized Zyor was gazing deep into his own eyes, as if he saw something equally remarkable within Finney. "I long to understand what it means that you, my master, were created in his image. There is something of his very essence in you. Something that permits you to see things that elude my grasp. For now, at least." Zyor's voice took on a wistful tone as he added, ... Keep Reading...
Last-minute Gift Makes Greatest Impact!
Still looking for the perfect gift for someone? For as little as $10 or as much as $6,000, why not give HOPE to a child in "someone's" honor? A life transformed is the ultimate metamorphosis! Clockwise from top left: Christmas Set printable, stack of packages, gifts w/ candy, 2011 Christmas set Of course, if your Christmas shopping is finished, you can still Unwrap Hope for a child this Christmas ... I hope yours is merry! I'm joining Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch. ... Keep Reading...
Jesus as Super Hero (Kids and the Nativity)
Two days 'til Christmas. I hope you're smiling! It's been a quiet Christmas season so far at our house, and I've had lots of time for reflection. I always find it interesting how seemingly unrelated thoughts converge ... My recently-passed mother-in-law's legalistic understanding of the Bible and her fear of letting others see the "real" in her life; her fear of dying. Our friend who lost her battle with brain cancer just last week; the one who saw hearts everywhere she went. A woman who chose to embrace death "and do it well," blessing those around her even as her body drew closer to eternity. A "kids and the nativity" story I remembered reading last Christmas at the blog Sit A Spell. Here's ... Keep Reading...
No Practical Purpose …
It's time for the December Notecard Party at A Haven for Vee. The guidelines: choose four pics previously used on your blog that might make good notecards. Here are my choices ... Go HERE to see entire tablescape. Go HERE to see entire tablescape. Go HERE to see entire tablescape. Go HERE to see entire tablescape. or·na·ment /ˈôrnəmənt/ Noun A thing used to adorn something but usually having no practical purpose. No practical purpose other than to make us smile ... and pause ... and reflect. I think that's enough this year. Do you? During this busy time of year, I am especially honored that you've chosen to stop by for ... Keep Reading...
QUIRKY Christmas Revealed …
I recently asked this question: Do you do QUIRKY at Christmas? I told you I was using colors I'd never used before ... all because of this handpainted tablecloth I once found at a thrift store in Brazil. The cloth is a light pink fabric with all of this color painted on it. The first time I showed you this cloth, I said it was unsigned. I was wrong. Check out the artist's signature in the bottom right corner. I pulled out vintage ornaments ... picked some in hot pink, turquoise, and gold ... and put together a quick tabletop tree in the dining room. Then I used a couple of pine swags down the center of the tablecloth and added vintage ornaments and a trio of flutes-turned candleholders. ... Keep Reading...
Thank you, Friends!
Happy Monday everyone! I hope you're having as much fun as I am with Christmas preparations. There's something about "going simple" that keeps all the excitement and reverence in the season. Last week I pulled out my Sally List and got busy. If you haven't yet made your own Sally List, I hope you'll do that ... in January! Read about it HERE. You readers were a big help! Remember when I did the 31 Days of Creative Caring series -- and asked you for ideas for items to put in a send-off surprise for a local woman who'll be working as a florist at the Tournament of Roses Parade? Well, I started with your great ideas ... and transformed them into a finished product. I delivered "our" box this week. A cabbage rose-embellished box ... Keep Reading...
