The busy season....

It's been a little crazy in my life the last few weeks and I'm sure most of you have the same issues.  Why do we let it get so hectic every year.  This year is even crazier because the house is on the market.  My realtor scheduled an open house this past Sunday so I was on a deadline to get the house decorated.  I think that was a good thing....it's done!

I decided to keep my mantle simple but I may cut some greenery from the yard to add....

This is the tree in the great room...

This is the smaller living room tree that I fill with some of my vintage ornament collection....

More of my living room and dining room.....

It's so nice to have it completed so maybe I can have friends and family in and not feel overwhelmed.  My grandson, Sage, also has his 14th birthday (crazy) and all the g'kids have concerts at school and church.  That's my favorite part of the holidays.

Hope all of you will take time to enjoy the holidays.  I think this year, more then any year I can remember, we need to feel some peace in our lives.  I'm sincerely wishing this for all of us and I'm going to do my best.

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......

What a week....

What a week this has been!  I don't think I've ever been so tired.  We've all discovered the heat wraps & patches that you can wear for aches & pains and I've worn one on my back all week.  But it's almost done!  Leola's looks amazing!  We have the best group of women and everyone works together so well.  I've laughed more this week then I have in a long time.

The following pictures are of an evil looking rubber mask that Jennifer & Brooke found & they came up with the idea that they would hide the mask in some one's space & when they found it they had to do the same.  It was a great stress-reliever.

We open tonight at 5:00 and are so excited.  The weather is cooperating.  It's gotten very cool this week and that really helps to put people in the mood.  It always amazes me how it all comes together.

We hope to see all of you at Leola's tonight or during the weekend.  We may be a little bleary-eyed but the shop will look amazing.  See you there!

Christmas decorations at Jane's house...

Debra & I literally went over the river & thru the woods to Jane's house yesterday for a little visit & to see her beautiful Christmas decorations. Her home is so warm & inviting and whatever season I go to her house, I swear it's my favorite. Her house is truly amazing at Christmas. It's like she makes arrangements with Mother Nature to help with the decorating. This is Jane & Debra in front of one of the fireplaces.

This is the Star of Bethlehem flower. It was so pretty sitting on the blue ladder in front of the window.

Remember the wreath of vintage ornaments she worked on while we were at the lake? Well, this is the final result -- is it not gorgeous!!!!! It's in her entry hall & makes quite a statement.

I loved her unadorned trees all over the house. They look so real but aren't.

If you enlarge this picture, you can see the beautiful cardinal sitting in the tree.

This is her screened-in back porch. It even has a fireplace.

MERRY CHRISTMAS from Jane's house.

Vintage Ornament Wreath!

Is this gorgeous, or what!!!! Jane had purchased a round mirror to glue the ornaments to & as she placed them on the frame, she realized she really loved the colors of these together. It's like once you start placing them, they kind of tell you what to do. She didn't have all the sizes she needed so we headed out to the flea mkts. but nary a one could be found. She had purchased a box with some of these colors when we stopped in Lebanon.
Here's how it started. Quite a contrast! It really makes me want to make one but I'm not sure I'm ready to put glue on my old ornaments. We'll see!!!

This is a fraction of Jane's stash that she brought to the lake. She has an unbelievable collection but like most of us, she's been collecting for many years. Some of mine are from when I was a child. Plus, I never pass one up at a garage sale or auction.

This is the stocking I worked on for baby Maya. Maya is just over 1 yr. old & most of us have never seen her in person. Maya & her sister, Marabelle, & Mom & Dad will be home tomorrow from Colorado (they call that home now). We are all so excited! We'll probably end up with 50 people for Thanksgiving.