Happy New Year.....

It's that time of year again......resolutions, diets, decluttering, etc.!  I've been giving this a lot of thought.  I have so many changes ahead of me that it sometimes makes me dizzy.  My goal is to take it one day at a time.  Today will be the day I take the rest of my Christmas decorations down and hopefully, get to the grocery store (I'm getting hungry).

This was on one of the blogs I read this morning and loved it.

It's been sort of a strange week for me.  In so many ways I feel such a relief and then there's also a sadness to be leaving something that's been such a huge part of my life for the last 8 years.  We closed Leola's.  There were multiple reasons but when it came right down to it it was just time.  There was little said about it but I still feel bad about not giving proper "thanks" to all those who worked beside us for all that time.  Kenda and Kristi had been with us since the beginning and Brenda came shortly thereafter.  We were a good group for a long time and I'll miss all of them.  Not certain what I will do now but, first and foremost, will be looking for a new house.

How about this one?

I had a wonderful Christmas.  Kind of low-key but that's the way I like it.  I realized several years ago that it was the season and the meaning of the day that brought the true joy.....not necessarily the actual day.  Takes a lot of pressure off and makes it so much more enjoyable.  Christmas brunch.....

Stella got a selfie stick for Christmas so Zoe put my big iphone in it.  Not the greatest but we still have a record.

I couldn't let the season go by without posting a few photos from my sister, Judy's, beautiful home.  She does such a wonderful job of both decorating and sharing it during the holidays.  She has a large family and many friends and she loves to entertain..... 

Well, guess I'd better get serious about this day.  Hoping that all who read this know that I am wishing all of us a wonderful 2016.  With everything going on in this crazy world today it will truly be a difficult thing but I sincerely pray that God will see us through this terrible period and help us to find PEACE.

Rainy day and Mondays.....

It's a rainy ole day and haven't managed to accomplish much.   I did change my beds and put the flannel sheets on.  It's been chilly here at night and I love turning the furnace off and snuggling into my warm, flannel sheets.  My grandkids love their flannels, too.  That's been about it so thought it would be a good day to write a blog post.

It's been such a busy couple of weeks trying to get everything ready for Leola's Holiday Open House.  Think sometimes we make it more work then we need to but we always want to stand out in the crowd.  Sister, Linda, and I have almost decided we're to old for this kind of work.  Don't think I'd ever felt as tired in my life as I did this time.  Our sister, Judy, has already retired from the business so more work has been shifted to our shoulders.  Oh, well, we made it and it was a huge success.

 

These are some of the candy canes that I make and also make the fabric balls for bowl fillers.

 

And the pillows are some of my wool applique....

 

 

We're so grateful to all those who have been our loyal customers and always show up for our open houses.  They make it worth it.

Have a wonderful week.

It's that time of year....

I've been working hard the last few days trying to get the house finished (along with raking the yard, working at Leola's, grocery shopping and generally trying to catch up after a very busy Thanksgiving week. Slowly, it's shaping up......

 

This is one of several Santa's that I have made by Debbie Bridges from West Plains, Mo.  I was so sad to find out that Debbie died last winter and I didn't know.  She was a dear, sweet lady and a most talented artist.  These Santa's are even more special to me this year.

Hopefully, I will complete the house decorating today except for the big tree.  Grandkids are coming tonight so I'm hoping to have their help bringing it upstairs and decorating it.  Hope all of you have a wonderful weekend.

 

Cold and blustery day......

It's a cold, blustery day in our neck of the woods and since I lack any urgency in getting up out of my chair and doing anything productive, I was thinking it would be a perfect time to do a little catch-up blogging.  It's been a real struggle lately finding the time to post (as I'm sure you have noticed).  Since my kids have started doing Thanksgiving and I'm pretty well stocked at Leola's, it's time to post a little.

Love these molasses cookies and since I bought some really great molasses in Tennessee, think I'll try this recipe.....

This picture & recipe came from Doreen Frost's Facebook page.

Finally finished my wool pillow that was cut from an old wool blanket.

 ....and the small wool appliqued candy cane.

Took those to Leola's yesterday along with some vintage Shiny Brites I found.  For some reason my furniture isn't selling so have to keep lots of other things stocked.  It takes lots more "smalls" to pay the rent.

I love this picture......it puts me in the holiday spirit.

This one, too......

 

The weatherman is saying we're to have a cold weekend with the possibility of a little snow.  I stocked up on groceries so I can stay home all weekend and, hopefully, get some decorating done.  Thanksgiving is late this year so it gives us less time to deck the halls.  Anybody know a good Christmas movie?

 



Have a great weekend......

Jane's Christmas party......



I love going to Christmas parties.  Especially when someone entertains in their home.  Jane not only has a beautiful home but she's an amazing cook and a gracious hostess.  Her home was decked out for the holidays in all its finery and so welcoming.  Makes you wish you had brought your jammies and a good book and spent the weekend.  It didn't hurt that she had invited my sisters and some of my very best friends.

Welcome to Jane's house......

The entry......





The great room......

The beautiful dining room.......



There are lots more pictures but I'll have to do another post.  Too much on the agenda for today so must go.  Hope you're having a great weekend.  It's bright and sunny with temps in the 50's in the Ozarks.  Can't beat that!





My house at Christmas......

We had our first snow this morning.  It's not much to brag about but it doesn't take much for me to feel a little more in the Christmas spirit.  Thanks to the baby shower I had on Saturday, the house is decorated.  I've even done a little baking-- unfortunately, I've also done a little eating.  There are very few edibles that I have no control over.  One is my mom's wedding cake cookies and the other is white chocolate covered star pretzels.  Would you believe I have both in the house......but, I'm afraid, not for long.  I had white chocolate covered pretzels for breakfast.

Here's what it looked like in front of my house this morning.

It's so nice to have a day when I have nothing on the calendar so thought it would be a good day to post some pictures. 

This is my tree I do in the front window with all vintage ornaments.  The Santa is made by Debbie Bridges who made Santa's for us at our previous store in Galloway Village called Eli McGee Mercantile.  I have several of her Santa's and ornaments that I treasure.

Hope you've enjoyed the tour.  Perhaps now that it's decorated I can concentrate on making some gifts.  There are lots of ideas floating around in my head so we'll see if I get anything accomplished.  Stay tuned!