Spring Things

This morning I had every intention of Springing into action, stripping the wallpaper from our downstairs bathroom.  But I got distracted.  I have home decor accessories for each season, and I started digging in to the Spring things.  That's a whole lot more fun than stripping wallpaper.

Here's my dining room sideboard all gussied up for Spring:

The large vintage watering can was given to me by my Dad probably about 15 years ago.  I admired it when I was home once, and he gave it to me.  He didn't understand why I loved it so, but he knew I had an appreciation for older, useful pieces.

I treasure it because my Dad is gone now.  I softened the look and provided contrast with the vintage lace hanky.

I love the spout on this, paint drip and all!

The two smaller watering cans aren't vintage, but they sure look like they are!  It's amazing how "aged" new things can look even more vintage than the real thing!

I got the small green plates and wire cloche from HomeGoods this year.  My little white Dollar Tree bird is peeking out.

The small wooden garden trug is so sweet! 

Love!  I hope to put some real hydrangeas in once they 

I turned the trug around because I thought there were too many competing "words" otherwise.

The flipside

And what is Spring without birds, eggs, and nests?!

I know that Spring has arrived when I awaken to a heavenly chorus of bird songs and when I catch a glimpse of the mourning doves on our fence.   It seems that every year we have a bird family or three building nests in our live oak trees.  It's Bird Drama.  We have had to rescue baby birds that have fallen out of the nest, baby birds that can't seem to fly, egg-laden nests that fall out of trees...

But seeing this whole drama reinforces how dependent I am on my Heavenly Father.  He provides for me, shelters me, and rescues me when I fall.  I am nothing without Him.

How priceless is your unfailing love!
  Both high and low among men find
    refuge in the shadow of your wings. (Psalm 36:7)

Hallelujah!  Now that's something to sing about! 

Snow Daze

My two children are off of school today (and I'm off of work) because of a supposed "snow day." Here is a shot from my front window.

North Texas Snow

I will be first to admit that it is bitter cold here today:  18 degrees, to be exact.  But by my standards, the little dusting of snow on the ground is almost laughable!  I was born and raised in Upper Michigan where we used to get pounded by the lake effect snow.  Winter literally lasted for 6 months, from November through April.  


Northern Michigan Snow

According to a local website there, this season's snowfall as of January 25th is 115.7 inches with 28 inches on the ground.  And it really doesn't start piling up until February.  There is a snow thermometer near my hometown that is a tourist favorite.  Record snowfall of 355.9 inches (the top of that thermometer) was recorded for the last winter I lived in Upper Michigan.

The Snow Thermometer

I do not like this cold weather one little bit, but at least we don't have to deal with much snow.  And I'm enjoying my day off!

Are you staying warm?  Do you like snow?

Countdown to Christmas -- Razzle Dazzled & Frazzled

I used to be done with my Christmas shopping by Thanksgiving and could then concentrate for almost a month on decorating and  making the Christmas treats we enjoy eating and sharing with others.  That was when I was a stay-at-home mom.  Now that I work about 25 hours a week (and my kids have a lot of activities, social and otherwise), it seems that I'm always scurrying to get things done.  Oh, and did I mention that I'm an Accountant and the busiest time of the year is coming up in January ?!

This year, I'm even more behind than usual.   I just came back from  a five-day trip to Michigan (where it was very cold and snowy).

We moved my mom into a senior apartment.  It was actually kind of sentimental to spend some time with my mom and my siblings alone, without our own families there.  We even put up a Christmas tree and decorations, which really made Mom's new digs feel homey.

So today, I actually had some time to BREATHE; I added some razzle dazzle and finished decorating the mantel (finally).  My theme: White as Snow (reminds me of what Jesus did for me):



Vintage frame and bottle brush wreath




JOY reminds me: Jesus Others Yourself
Light of the World
King of Kings



Reindeer from Dollar Tree

I also have been planning what goodies I want to make.  I spent 2 hours (yep) looking for my son's favorite recipe--Pecan Pie Bars--that I made over Thanksgiving.  I finally was able to locate it online since my "filing system" these days includes a lot of laundry baskets and plastic bins!

I plan to feature a favorite treat each day for the next several days, so check back!

Decking the Halls

I have been Christmas decorating little by little this week.  I started on Sunday afternoon in anticipation of The Lettered Cottage's Mantel Linky Party.  Let's just say, I was a no-show for that one.  My post would have to be titled Mental Mantel, because I cannot get it the way I want and it's driving me crazy!

Then I saw the Christmas Vignette party at Southern Hospitality.  Probably easier for me since I have favorite decorations that I can showcase

Case in point is this metal three-tiered stand I have on my bedroom dresser.

This stand displays some of my most treasured and meaningful decorations.  The three little angel bells in the middle were my late mother-in-law's.  They are sweet, delicate, and honest-to-goodness vintage (Nesco).  The expressions on their faces are just...heavenly.

The bottom tier displays a hand-tatted doily made by my husband's grandmother.  The gold pocket watch was my grandfather's.  I had the little gold filagree frame and used a fragment from an old Christmas card to add a little color.

The top tier has a newer resin Christmas tree to add a little silvery sparkle.

I love to decorate my dining room.  It's the least-used room (and neatest--HA!) in the house but I just love the paint color:  Palladian Blue by Benjamin Moore.  It is so soft and pretty and coordinates well with my antiqued white sideboard and fruitwood finished dining table and chairs.

This year, I found this little fellow at HomeGoods for about 10 bucks

and decided to put him under a cloche so that it looked like a snowglobe.

This snowman echoes the reproduction Victorian advertising sign on the sideboard:

My color scheme in the dining room vignette is blue, charcoal gray, and cream.  I have a bird theme, including a vintage bird cage and three white and grey birds from Dollar Tree.  Two are elevated on an ornate charcoal tray

and one is in the bird cage.  (Hmm, I think I need to add a bit of cascading ribbon.)

I also included a nest with eggs and a pinecone tree to lend texture and an organic feel.  The shimmery snowflakes are from Dollar Tree.  The plates were purchased at Walmart on clearance a couple of years ago.

Finally, I have a strange little alcove near my powder room that is very narrow.  I have a metal baker's rack that I use to stage some romantic accessories:

I found this lovely angel a couple of years ago.  It seems that I have a penchant for birds and angels!  Maybe it's a wing thing?!  HA!

Must be, because I braved the bitter cold in Canton, Texas, last year to score 50% off of this gorgeous piece to literally deck my hall.  She is dusted in mica which gives her a vintage look.

I'm off to tackle the mantel!  Merry Christmas!

Falling Back

I went to Target today and noticed that they're already closing out the Fall decor.  Really?!  I guess I just fell behind in decorating my house for Fall this year.  Lucky for me, I do have some things I reuse year-to-year, like this sign I got eons ago that hangs from an armoire in my entrance foyer.

I don't know why, but I always squeal with delight when I see these 3 little piggies.

On my foyer table are my apothecary jars.



The largest one holds faux pumpkins, pears and artichokes; the mid-sized one holds real gourds and faux artichokes; and the smallest one holds fake-corns.  I tried collecting the real ones but the little caps kept falling off.  I was too lazy to glue them all back on.

Recently, I found this awesome metal pitcher at Ikea.  It sits atop my antique icebox in the kitchen.  I filled it with some fall leaves and flowers.  

Next to it sits my prized, Mexican rooster, Rusty.  A few years ago, one of my son's little friends called it "that bombed-out rooster."  No appreciation for art, I tell ya!  I have always loved roosters in my kitchen, probably because they remind me of my mom.  She had a matching set of rooster canisters and breadbox in our kitchen for years.

Happy Fall, Y'all!