After a much warmer than usual December here in East Tennessee, I decided I'd try to speed Winter along by adding a few icy touches in the dining room. I'm not a big fan of Winter (except for its beauty!), but if it will just come, we can move on to Spring sooner! I decided to keep this Winter Magic wreath. It was so much fun to make, and since it's "all about Winter", it's now found a new home. Its colors inspired today's tablescape... I just made a few simple changes to THIS centerpiece and moved on to the next season. A little faux snow sprinkled around adds a nice touch of Winter elegance to an otherwise casual ... Keep Reading...
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How a Google search extended a legacy: The stained old blanket
On New Years Eve, I received an email. The subject line: Getting stains out of an old blanket As I clicked on the email, I was sure it would be another (always welcome!) email asking for "how to" advice—but it wasn't. It was a success story! And Kim—a total stranger—wrote to say thank you. Made my day! Kim had discovered one of my posts via a Google search (thanks, Google!)—and then followed my linen care instructions all the way to CLEAN! With her permission, here's the back story... I had a baby blanket (that had never been used but had been in storage for 18 years) that was made and given to me by my grandmother to put in my hope chest. I wasn't able to have kids, so in the chest it ... Keep Reading...
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Old house reveals another secret
Happy New Year, dear friends! I wonder what lies ahead in 2016... Without a doubt, if the past is any indication, we'll look back this time next year and stand amazed at how the year played out. Today, even with all of the puzzle pieces spread out in front of us, we can be sure there are "unseens" that will join the picture. There's more influencing our lives than meets the eye... Recently while cleaning house, I spotted something on the floor. When I bent down to pick it up, I realized something was stuck under the baseboard. Something I'd never seen before. In case you're a new reader here (welcome! and I hope you'll stop by often), I should tell you that Renaissance Man and I purchased an uninhabitable old ... Keep Reading...
