Snowflakes

How cute are these snowflakes?   I think they are so lovely?  Not to say SIMPLE.  I am all about simple these days.

This project calls for textile, paper, and glassine doilies. You can find them at crafts stores and flea markets. As is the case with snowflakes, variety is welcome.

Stiffened Doilies How-To
1. Lay textile doilies on a covered surface. With a foam brush or roller, coat both sides of doilies with undiluted fabric stiffener until just saturated. Let dry overnight.

2. Press with an iron. Hang from thread or monofilament.

 

Give it a try….

A giveaway

Karen at The Bearly There Primitive Bear is having a giveaway, and if you like kitcheny gadgets and Christmas goodies, then you will like this giveaway, it’s all rolled up into one.  Take a peek at what the winner will get.  Is this the cutest little arrangement for your country kitchen.  Simply adorable. 

Now scoot on over to see the rules to enter and the deadline. 

Go on now, skidaddle on over to visit with Karen.

 

Christmas hugs,

Cindy

Another giveaway

Karen at The Bearly There Primitive Bear is having a giveaway, and if you like kitcheny gadgets and Christmas goodies, then you will like this giveaway, it’s all rolled up into one.  Take a peek at what the winner will get.  Is this the cutest little arrangement for your country kitchen.  Simply adorable. 

Now scoot on over to see the rules to enter and the deadline. 

Go on now, skidaddle on over to visit with Karen.

 

Christmas hugs,

Cindy

A wonderful giveaway

Oh my, I have just seen the cutest apron that Melissa Marie is giving away.  You have to take a peek and get entered. 

Could you imagine baking in this little cutie.  I would love too.  She has a adorable site as well…check it out.  

Entries will be closed on Sunday, December 13th at midnight PST.

Christmas Hugs,

Cindy

How to decorate Sugar Cookies

"I sure do like those Christmas cookies, Sugar!
I sure do like those Christmas cookies, Babe!
The ones that look like Santa Claus,
Christmas trees, bells, and stars;
I sure do like those Christmas cookies, Babe."

 

 Christmas Hugs,
Cindy

A sneak peek at our Country Christmas

Thought I would share some of my holiday decorating in my family room today.  I hope you enjoy your little peek.

This is a little cabinet that I purchase last year at a Antique Shop in town, for Christmas I added some vintage tin toys and trees.  I wish I had a better shot of this cabinet because it is so adorable.  And I didn’t have to purchase one thing to put it together.

This cabinet is one of my favorite country pieces, and it’s alot of fun to decorate.  But since this picture I have made several changes to it. (Note: update this picture with the latest addition)

This is my grapevine tree that I purchased this summer.  I love it.  I have clear lights on it with my popcorn and cranberry garland.  It’s simple but so pretty.  The little snowman tree skirt, I won as a door prize at a antique shop Christmas open house, it is quilted in old tattered fabric and it’s adorable.  It couldn’t be more perfect since I collect snowmen…

 

This is one of my newest additions this year.  I usually have this window frame out in my herb garden throughout the year, but decided to bring it in and clean it up and add my wreath.  Just added a few of my rusty jingle bells and created a window sill scene and this sits atop my little cabinet with the vintage toys.

Sitting on my coffee table I have a tray nestled with some greenery and such.  Nothing fancy about it, but I have a “thing” for pitchers…..and love displaying them throughout the house.  Added a few candy kisses in a antique mason jar.

Wooden candy canes stuffed in another antique mason jar.

 

Atop my TV cabinet, I have sprinkled it with a few snowmen from my collection.  Don’t you love my Christmas sign with the snowman.  It was a gift from my son several years ago.  The frame is trimmed in a plaid fabric with a felt  tattered snowman appliquéd to it. Another favorite!

 

Now for my tree….I wish I had a better shot, to depict just how pretty it is….but I am not a photographer, I would like to get a shot at night when it is all light.  My tree is all aglow with gold lights, as they put the illusion of old-fashioned candles on the tree.  I get LOTS of compliments on it.  Buried deep in the limbs I have placed my handmade Santa Claus’ from my collection as well as my bears.  The ornaments on my tree are all hand sewn, or wooden, sprinkled with some old antique Brite balls.

Well these are a few of the vignettes' that I have sprinkled around the room.  What do you think?  If you missed the earlier post on my decorations in the kitchen, scross down a couple of post.

Warmest holiday

hugs,

Cindy

Visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads

Christmas has come to my kitchen….it dances with candy canes, gumdrops, and gingerbread men…….and it just cozy to me. 

Just a few of the vignettes that I have throughout my kitchen….this isn’t a great picture, but I put my little four foot tree in a antique red wooden bucket.  My garland on this tree is a hard candy garland, and I have accented the tree with little gingerbread men, and little kitchen goodies.  Although it isn’t very visible it is sprinkled with multi colored lights and it is placed next to my sink. 

 

How cute is this next picture….my mom loved this while she was here.  It was so simple and you probably have everything you need to do it.  Note my tray, it is a yard sale find from this summer, a old cabinet door panel or something that they placed handles on.  Grabbed it for a whopping $1.  Don’t let anyone say I am NOT a big spender.  ( I digress) Anyway, added tons of color by adding a candy garland, candy canes, and glass balls into different style and types of clear jars.  Love them…and with my brown jar lamp shining on them it puts off the perfect effect.  I added my little gingerbread house that I have had for many years…would love to have a bigger one….guess I will be on the lookout during yard sale season for that.  Aren’t my little cinnamon candles the cutest thing you ever saw”?  Not to mention “Sprinkles” my bear.  Silly bear has batter on him…

This is what I look at when I clean my kitchen and do the dishes.  It makes washing up the kitchen not a bad thing.  I just tied some simple gingham/plaid fabric that I ripped to make pretty bows for my glass canisters.  So simple, but oh so country looking. 

Did you see my little prim tree with the gingerbread goodies on it with the rag bows.  It is placed in a ANTIQUE Maxwell house coffee can.   See you can use anything you already have to put together.

Next, we have my stove area,   I just have my bread board sitting on top with my dough tray filled with greens and cranberry  garland.  I have tucked some of my gingerbread men in the greens and added another antique green handled small hand sifter.  I think it looks sweet.  I decided to add my little Cookie Cutter sign that I bought from Gooseberry patch years ago.   Tied a ripped and ragged bow to my antique white pitcher.  One of my favorite pieces.  Last but not least, I added my Paula Deen candle on my little bread board.

Just a thought, I have found you can add a few springs to your shelves and  crocks, etc, and add a instant holiday touch.

 

Now for the centerpiece on my table in the kitchen.   I love old crates and have a ton of them….so I decided to fill one with greens and sprigs of snow-covered  pine,and sprigs with candy ,  accented with snowballs, and wooden candy canes.  And after everything was in the crate, I added “Ginger”, she is simply adorable with her little bow on her head.

So now you have gotten a peek into my kitchen.  What did you think?  

Our craft session

Here we are making our coasters that I had on my “to do” list…

Traci shows you a wonderful tutorial over at “Beneath My Heart”. Check out her blog, it is great!

Mom and I getting our tiles ready.

Tori and Steph (my future DIL) working on getting their tiles ready.

And of course, silly me forgot to take pictures of the finished product.  Actually they weren’t ready to be put together when I went to bed, and the girls were gone and so were their coasters then the next morning.  I will try to get some pictures.  I think Tori or Steph has some and then I will post them.  There’s turned our very pretty. 

Today we planned on having another crafting session today, but the girls didn’t make it over so guess I will try my hand at the Christmas wreath sometime this week.  I spoke about it on my Christmas blog, you can find it here.  Eddie Ross offers a tutorial here for the wreath.

Until next time,

Cindy

Pictures as promised over Thanksgiving

 

I’m finally back…wow what a week…I spent the first part of the week finishing up my decorating for Christmas.  That took me two days, but I had lots of things that I decided at the last minute that I was going to do.  Originally I had decided I was only going to put  out a few things, since the house was on the market, but I decided that I still wanted more out.  Granted, I still have over 1/2 to 3/4 still in the garage…but I am now pleased.   But before I get into my Christmas pictures…I decided to share  some of my folks visit when they were  here for Thanksgiving.

Tori and Mark

Derek just hanging out!

This is my sick boy Wesley.  He had the swine flue and he didn’t feel all that well during Thanksgiving.  Thank Goodness he is much better now.

My parents with the kids.  Love this picture of them all.

 

While my mom and dad are here of course Mema and PopPop have to take care of their grandchildren and their needs…Right?

Well here is my mom making my son Derek, his favorite….Biscuits and gravy for breakfast….although in here she is actually making sausage.

 

 

 

And no trip to visit would be complete without my parents making my kids several batches of Sausage Balls…he is my dad working up the batch.  

 

We truly had a wonderful visit with my parents and it was awesome having all my kids at home for 4 days instead of overnight.  I loved every minute of it. 

Pictures as promised over Thanksgiving

 

I’m finally back…wow what a week…I spent the first part of the week finishing up my decorating for Christmas.  That took me two days, but I had lots of things that I decided at the last minute that I was going to do.  Originally I had decided I was only going to put  out a few things, since the house was on the market, but I decided that I still wanted more out.  Granted, I still have over 1/2 to 3/4 still in the garage…but I am now pleased.   But before I get into my Christmas pictures…I decided to share  some of my folks visit when they were  here for Thanksgiving.

Tori and Mark

Derek just hanging out!

This is my sick boy Wesley.  He had the swine flue and he didn’t feel all that well during Thanksgiving.  Thank Goodness he is much better now.

My parents with the kids.  Love this picture of them all.

 

While my mom and dad are here of course Mema and PopPop have to take care of their grandchildren and their needs…Right?

Well here is my mom making my son Derek, his favorite….Biscuits and gravy for breakfast….although in here she is actually making sausage.

 

 

 

And no trip to visit would be complete without my parents making my kids several batches of Sausage Balls…he is my dad working up the batch.  

 

We truly had a wonderful visit with my parents and it was awesome having all my kids at home for 4 days instead of overnight.  I loved every minute of it. 

No Pictures Tuesday!

Sitting here taking a break from cleaning my house.....you wouldn't believe the list I have for myself this week. Got lots that I need to do. But this morning, I got up and cleaned my kitchen and swept my floors, I really need to mop and vaccum but think I will wait until tomorrow to do that, because the weather is telling me that we are in for two days of rain. Anyway, I finally got caught up on some blog hopping and it was great to see what everyone is doing to ready themselves for Christmas. Giving me more ideas for projects to make and do...does it ever end.


As of yesterday I was laid off, with the prospect of going back to work sometime in January, but nothing for sure. Anyway, so I am enjoying this time at home. This is my favorite time of the year, when you have to be cooped up at home, watching Christmas movies, playing Christmas carols, and wrapping presents, plus adorning the house with the smells of Christmas.

I did take alot of pictures over the Thanksgiving holiday and will try to post some throughout the next several days/weeks. I decked most of house out for Christmas before Thanksgiving (which I usually never do) but this year things were going to be tight as far as time went...so thought it best to get ahead of the game. Did anyone go shopping on Black Friday? I did with my mom, but I didn't get much, nor did she....but we had a good time. I really don't like spending alot of time in lines. I love to go out during the season,because I just love the atmosphere but don't want to have to get anything. So looks like most of my shopping is going to be done via the computer. How bout you?

This past Sunday night, me and my mom and daughter and future dil worked on a little project and I will have to post some pictures of our time creating....so easy and we had a blast. We are planning another crafting session again this Sunday afternoon....so be on the lookout of our projects pics.



Hope you all have a blessed Tuesday!
Christmas Blessings to you!!!
Hugs,
Me

No pictures, sorry!

Sitting here taking a break from cleaning my house.....you wouldn't believe the list I have for myself this week.  Got lots that I need to do.  But this morning, I got up and cleaned my kitchen and swept my floors, I really need to mop and vaccum but think I will wait until tomorrow to do that, because the weather is telling me that we are in for two days of rain.  Anyway, I finally got caught up on some blog hopping and it was great to see what everyone is doing to ready themselves for Christmas.  Giving me more ideas for projects to make and do...does it ever end.

As of yesterday I was laid off, with the prospect of going back to work sometime in January, but nothing for sure.  Anyway, so I am enjoying this time at home.  This is my favorite time of the year, when you have to be cooped up at home, watching Christmas movies, playing Christmas carols, and wrapping presents, plus adorning the house with the smells of Christmas. 

I did take alot of pictures over the Thanksgiving holiday and will try to post some throughout the next several days/weeks.  I decked most of house out for Christmas before Thanksgiving (which I usually never do) but this year things were going to be tight as far as time went...so thought it best to get ahead of the game.  Did anyone go shopping on Black Friday?  I did with my mom, but I didn't get much, nor did she....but we had a good time.  I really don't like spending alot of time in lines.  I love to go out during the season,because I just love the atmosphere but don't want to have to get anything.  So looks like most of my shopping is going to be done via the computer.  How bout you?

This past Sunday night, me and my mom and daughter and future dil worked on a little project and I will have to post some pictures of our time creating....so easy and we had a blast.  We are planning another crafting session again this Sunday afternoon....so be on the lookout of our projects pics.

Hope you all have a blessed Tuesday!
Christmas Blessings to you!!!
Hugs,
Me

Kitchen Saga

Happy Day before Thanksgiving!!! Hopefully it isn't as dreary where you are as it is here. This is the third day in a row of rain, and it is suppose to rain again tomorrow. The temps aren't all that bad, but with the rain it makes them feel much colder than it is. Can I say I am ready for warmer weather, even before we start hearing Christmas music?


My broken refrigerator saga continues, last night we went and purchased a new refrigerator and it can't be delivered until Friday, so that means we will be having Thanksgiving without my fridge. We have coolers sitting everwhere to house our food....plus my son is bringing some more over for any leftovers that will need to be kept cold. I feel like I am living in a episode of " Little House on the Praire" But through all this disturbance I am feeling very blessed. My parents are coming in today to share the holiday with us. I am looking forward to it. Should be a good time. Who knows we may even tackle some Black Friday sales. We are brave souls or silly some may say.

Just wanted to pop on and say hi and wish all my friends and their families a Very Happy Thanksgiving. Most likely I will not be posting until next week.

Many Blessings to you all!
Me

Saga continues

Happy Day before Thanksgiving!!! Hopefully it isn't as dreary where you are as it is here. This is the third day in a row of rain, and it is suppose to rain again tomorrow. The temps aren't all that bad, but with the rain it makes them feel much colder than it is. Can I say I am ready for warmer weather, even before we start hearing Christmas music?


My broken refrigerator saga continues, last night we went and purchased a new refrigerator and it can't be delivered until Friday, so that means we will be having Thanksgiving without my fridge. We have coolers sitting everwhere to house our food....plus my son is bringing some more over for any leftovers that will need to be kept cold. I feel like I am living in a episode of " Little House on the Praire" But through all this disturbance I am feeling very blessed. My parents are coming in today to share the holiday with us. I am looking forward to it. Should be a good time. Who knows we may even tackle some Black Friday sales. We are brave souls or silly some may say.

Just wanted to pop on and say hi and wish all my friends and their families a Very Happy Thanksgiving. Most likely I will not be posting until next week.

Many Blessings to you all!
Me

Problems in the kitchen....

Tuesday already... I hope everyone is having another great day and are getting ready for Thanksgiving. I would like to say that I am, but late last night I heard my refrigerator making some wierd and unusal noises, so long story short, we decided to move everything to our basement freezer.....so guess you know what that means, I think my refrigerator is going out.....thing is it is only 5 years old...if that. Oh well, hopefully its just the compressor and a service man can fix it today, but if not....guess I am going to be shopping for a new refigerator. My folks arrive tomorrow so I need to get it squared away today if I can. It always seems to happen at the most unopportune time, but I am thankful that we can replace if we have too.


Got some last minute shopping to do for my holiday menu...and then I should be set to start my cooking tomorrow evening. Tomorrow night I will be making my desserts so that I will have those out of the way on Thursday. I'm torn about what to make....definitely a pumpkin pie, but not sure what else....Everything I want to make has pumpkin in it and hubby wants a variety....so maybe a fruit pie of some sort...possibly apple. Ummmm yummy!

Last night I spent the evening in a whirlwind...there was laundry to do for the guest beds, and a shower for me, so I had time to do my hair...it takes so long for it to dry, and all the little things to catch up when your not at home during the day. Dishes to unload, and reload, dinner to make, etc....needless to say I didn't have much free time. Getting readjusted to my schedule is going to take me some time. Oh how I hate not having that relaxing time in the AM with my coffee and my computer time. :) This morning heading into work, it rained the entire way which makes a long commute even longer. But would rather take my time and get where I am going without any problems.

First Thanksgiving Poem
If I had been a Pilgrim child
Among the fields and forests wild
Where deer and turkey used to roam,
A cabin would have been my home

With fireplace and earthen floor
And bearskins hanging at the door.
I would have gathered berries bright
For candles fragrantly alight,
And dug for clams and picked the corn
And laid the table smooth and worn.

Or hunted nuts hard-shelled and good
And helped in any way I could,
With time to laugh and play and run
When Indian children came for fun.

And on the first Thanksgiving Day
I would have met with friends to pray
And thank the Lord for all his care
In keeping us together there.

By Margaret Hillert
So what are you doing today? Do you have everything ready for Thanksgiving? Tell me about it....
Have a blessed day!

Me

Busy Weekend

Happy Monday!  What a cold and dreary day it is here today, but the weekend was wonderful weather and we got lots done around the house, which needed it.  :)  I didn't get here last week to post to my blog, it was busy with various activities going on.  Anyhow, maybe I  can get here for at least a few days this week.    This week is going to be a very busy week, as I have started back to work after being off since the first of Oct. .  OUCH!  My first day back since the surgery my knee surgery.  I did well for the most part, but had to remind myself to get up and move around so that my knee and leg didn't get painfully sore.   

I didn't sleep all that well last night, maybe because I was in a great deal of pain from being on my legs all day Saturday and Sunday, or if it was just thinking about coming back to work.  Most likely both were a contributing factor. Either way, I know when I got up this morning I didn't want too. 

Saturday I spent most the day decorating for Christmas, I know...there is always alot of controversy about rushing Thanksgiving, but that wasn't my intent.  I LOVE Thanksgiving, this year it was more about time allowances.  So I decorated most of my house on Saturday and finished up on Sunday. (Need to make some pictures so that I can post them)  Although I probably only used about 1/4 of the decorations that I own because with the house on the market, I didn't want to OVERDO it, plus most of my table surfaces are in storage so there wasn't alot of places to put things out. Anyhow it is done, and now I can focus on getting everything ready for my Thanksgiving feast.  I plan to do some things each night to get me ready so that on Thursday morning I can enjoy in family and watch some of the Macy's parade.  Plus my folks are coming up on Wednesday so it will be great to have them here and also for mom and I to get a chance to cook up some goodies.  So what is going to be on your Thanksgiving table? 
Well my autumn spice tea cup is about empty so gotta get another refill....talk to you tomorrow...

Have a blessed evening,
Me

A Giveway

Who doesn't love a giveaway, I know I do. Check out this great blog and wonderful lady, Traci, you'll fall in love with her. Her blog is just great, and full of crafty inspiration. If you stop in to sign up for the giveaway which the winner is drawn tomorrow the 16th...tell her I sent ya.

Hugs, and Blessing!
Cindy

in reference to:

"I am also celebrating becausethis is my 100th post!"
- Beneath My Heart: Let’s celebrate!!! Guest blogging and 100th post Giveaway! (view on Google Sidewiki)

A Giveway

Who doesn't love a giveaway, I know I do. Check out this great blog and wonderful lady, Traci, you'll fall in love with her. Her blog is just great, and full of crafty inspiration. If you stop in to sign up for the giveaway which the winner is drawn tomorrow the 16th...tell her I sent ya.

Hugs, and Blessing!
Cindy

in reference to:

"I am also celebrating becausethis is my 100th post!"
- Beneath My Heart: Let’s celebrate!!! Guest blogging and 100th post Giveaway! (view on Google Sidewiki)

Need a laugh

She cracks me up.  You will love her. 

Hugs,

Cindy

I gotta see this

how ‘bout you?

I just know it is going to be one of those feel good movies.  Sandra Bullock looks awesome in this movie.  Love her!  Release date is 11/20.

Now here is chick flick…gotta see this one too. 

Release date is 12/04.  I love anything that Meg Ryan is in. 

Happy Viewing,

Me

Christmas time is coming…..

To our house this weekend, and I am so excited.
I am really in the mood to get started on decorating for the holidays.  I don’t have as much time this year with all the family and traveling that we are doing, so I am going to break my own tradition of decorating the weekend after Thanksgiving. 
I hope to get lots of pictures to post to share with you, but until then I will share some that I got inspiration from, and I hope they inspire you to.  Courtesy  from Country Living.  (you will note the country flair)  I always do a primitive tree at Christmas.
 

This picture (below) is my favorite, something about the glow of the tree and the stocking hung….Love it!!  Just the simplicity of it.

Aren’t these packages fun.  They look to good to open.   This is something I do every year on my front porch. 

What are some of your decorating styles, tips, etc.  I would love to hear them. 
Don’t forget to jump over to my Country Christmas blog and follow me there this season.
Love and hugs,
Me