Am I crazy yet?

Ok…don’t answer that.  I feel awful that I haven’t been around to visit with you all, but I am knee deep in boxes, and a array of odds and ends that I don’t know what to do with it. Or how to pack.

Normally at this time of year, I would be engrossed in all the festivities of the holiday season, not this year, and it has bummed me a bit.  Haven’t bought the first present and not sure when I will. Our plans are to move on the 18th into a 2 bedroom apt, however, it all depends on when our appraisal comes back..which is being done today.  UGH!  Anyway, if we can get into our apt by the 18th, I will get a chance to put my tree up for my kids, and possibly do some baking, among boxes, but that’s okay.

But right now, I am taking it day to day….

My dining room table loaded with things I don’t know how to pack.

Kitchen counters covered with “stuff” that doesn’t have a home. Several of the cabinets are already empty, however I am saving this room for last to pack.

This is the family room, and I have packed most of the things in here already, the things I haven’t packed will be moved to the apt to use there. (I am having to pack for immediate use in the apt, as well as pack to store for long term)  What a job!Another pile of “stuff” in the living room that I don’t know how to pack. But most of this room has been emptied out.

Basically I have cleaned out EVERY drawer, closet, bathroom cabinet, nook and crannies except the kitchen and packed it away.  About all that is left is our garage and my hubby’s office to go through. 

Girls if you have any tips or hints, PLEASE do share…I could use them.

Hope you all are enjoying the season, and really wish I could share more of it with you….but hoping soon things will be better for me. 

John 11:25“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Guess what came yesterday?

  If you said Country Sampler Christmas Magazine then you are right. 

However, I don’t think you said that.  I couldn’t believe my eyes when I opened my mailbox and saw this peeking out.  Christmas and I just started decorating for Fall. 

Although, even though Fall is my favorite season, Christmas is my favorite holiday.  I love EVERYTHING about Christmas.    c

Well my plans for this little magazine is to put it away for just the perfect afternoon or evening, when all is quiet (and that includes my mind), to sip a cup of tea or cocoa and sit back and dream and get inspired.  It’s like a mini vacation for me.

If you want some Christmas inspiration, stop by my Christmas blog, and become a follower so you don’t miss a thing.  Soon I will be starting to populate the site again for this upcoming season.  At the moment I am working through a organization plan that I (try) to follow each year to make my holiday more stress free. 

1 John 4:16“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.” Brought to you by BibleGateway.com. Copyright (C) . All Rights Reserved.

Happy New Year (a little late and from the cruise ship)

 

  Just wanted to say howdy and hope y0u all had a wonderful New Years Eve/Day!  I will say that I did…spent New Years Eve in Costa Maya Mexico and News Years Day in Cozumel, where the temps were a whopping 95 degrees and believe me I have the sunburn to prove it. 

At this moment I  am sitting here in my cabin on the Royal Caribbean “Voyager of the Seas” cruise line, and thought while I had a few minutes would let you all know that I am still alive, just have so busy since the holidays started.  We dock in Galveston tomorrow (Sunday) and will post this, don’t have access to the at the moment….but will post pictures soon, hopefully in the next few days….Monday will be a day of traveling from Texas, to Nashville to pick up our vehicle and then we have a nice long 12 hour drive home…so it might be middle of the week before I get them up…play to share some of fun in the sun….more to come….

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

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

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

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

Where to start?

This is what I woke up to this morning.  I'd say Winter has arrived!

That is how I feel.  I don't really know where to start. Here we are in a new year 2009, and I can't seem to get my thoughts down.  I have been taking things a bit slower and also starting a new system.  I guess you can say that is one of my new  goals for this year.  There are many things that I want to achieve and work on this year that will benefit me and my family.  Most of which are simply personal.  Here is a small portion of some of the things that are rolling around in my head.

1. One, being a better blogger buddy.  I haven't been doing all that great.  Life seems to have  a mind all it's own.
2. More quiet time with God.
3. Spend time with God daily in prayer.
   
4. Digging deeper in my study of the Word/bible study.
5. Reading more spiritual books for guidance/resources purposes that allow me to dig deeper
   
6. Focus on the simple things in my life and be grateful.
   
7. Spend more quality time with my family and friends.

This year I started reading "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren,  I am enjoying it greatly.  I am on Day 7 and I am working through th Purpose Driven  Journal too.  It is a great accompaniment to the book.  I have had this book for several years but just couldn't find the time to read it....so decided there was time like the present.  A great way to start off the new year.
As you can see most of my goals  are of spiritual nature but I feel a strong push toward this this year.  Last year my goals were oriented around organizing and even though I didn't master that, I still plan to work on it.  Believe me, there is ALWAYS something to organize at my house. I also wanted to start journaling my simple pleasures so I joined Peggy at the Simple Woman's   Daybook. You can check out my new blog for my Journal. I think it makes it easier to just recognize the simple things that we are grateful for.  This is a just a fun way to remember.

I am running a bit short on time at the moment, but wanted to let you know that I hope to get my blogging pattern down soon.  Since the holidays and getting the Christmas Decorations down, I have kinda like that "sparse" feeling....so I have carried that over to my computer time as well.  I am decluttering my blogs, making some changes, and cleaning and better organizing my computer files.  My inboxes look better than they ever have, and I set myself up a system on responding to emails that I need too, so that things don't get lost.   One of my other helpers, and it is a big one for me is my day planner, I couldn't do anything without it. Everything goes in there, from appts, what's going on with Tori and with whom, dinner ideas, shopping ideas, even blog ideas,  I use it for everything.  I also use one on the computer so if I need to, I can print it out and go.

Possibly soon, I will blog about some of the resources I like to use to keep me on task...but until then, I should go.  I didn't mean to write a book, but it has been awhile since I have posted.  I will try to get around to visit with you all soon.

Hugs!
Cindy
BTW, I still haven't gotten Christmas pictures off my camera, but once I do...I will post them.  Most likely I will post them to my Christmas Blog and then direct you there to see them if you want. 

Another holiday week and back to work

Happy Monday everybody.  Hope everyone had a wonderful blessed Christmas.  I know that I did, and believe me I got way more than I deserved. (Thank you honey!)
I didn't intend on taking time off from blogging but I guess I did.  :)  I have been so busy enjoying my time off and  being with family that I  haven't had much computer time.  I hope to get back into the swing of things soon.  I am in the middle of making my list and goals for the new year. Do you make new years resolutions?  I sometimes do.  Last year I made one that I really wanted to do and I stuck to it.  I wanted to read my bible in a year and so I went to a online source www.bibleinayear.org and signed up. It made it easy to stick to it, and it was motivating. As of now I have today's reading and tomorrow's and I will have completed my last years resolution. Not sure what I want to do this year. But thinking it should most likely include fitness and getting healthy. There is also some new things I want to learn to do, I also want to update my web page and try to figure out what direction that should go in.

I am back at work this week, having the last five days off was nice, but I have Wednesday and Thursday off this week, and then the weekend will be coming shortly right after so I feel like it should be a good,short week. I am going to concentrate on putting away my Christmas decorations this week too.  Most likely any spare minute will be putting it all away.  Although I know it is going to take me a while to do it. Do you still have your decorations up?  If you have taken them down, when do you take them down.  Do you have to do it alone? or do you have help?  I seem to have to take most of mine down alone, although hubby is great about helping me get the boxes together and put back in place in the garage.  :)  But over the course of the next few days, I will start gathering my decorations around the house and make piles and then it is easier for me to pack back up. Plus it doesn't seem to take as long that way.  Not sure why, but it doesn't.  Guess when you break that big job up into little jobs it goes faster.

Over the next several days I am going to get back to my list making  and try to get my mind organized and cleared out for the new year. Is this a "me" thing or do you all do this too? 

Plan to get around for visits soon, but please let me say thanks for hanging in there with me over the last several months as I know my post have been sporadic.  One thing I plan to do in the new year is be a better blogger buddy. 

Gonna scoot, because as you can tell, my mind is jumbled and I feel as though I am just rambling.  Have a great afternoon!

Hugs!

House Tour Continues

I hope you all enjoyed having a glimpse of our family room, now I want to show you my Living Room and our tree. In my family room, as you could see, I have a primitive country tree that has ornies, and homemade ornaments, I love the simplicity of that tree. Meanwhile, in my Living Room, I have my traditional tree. This is the tree that I have all my children's ornaments on, things they have given/made for me and ornaments from vacations, places we have lived. My sentimental ornaments are on this tree. I also always use multi colored lights on it, because that is what my kids prefer on this tree. As I have mentioned before, I didn't do as much decorating, and you will notice that my kids kinda skimped on the ornaments. Believe me when I say, I have at least triple the amount of ornaments that you see on here. But that is okay.



Can you see me little sled, I picked this us this summer at a auction for pennies, and knew that I would use it to put under my Christmas tree with my Victorian Boyd's Bear. Love it.

Here is the table that sits at the entrance of the foyer, looking into the living room.

Some of my bear collection in the little cradle.

A little close up of the sleigh. I will have to get a better one before we have Christmas.

Stop by tomorrow for the Dining Room. K?

Hugs!

Luke 1:68-70“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),”