Tea time and an ice storm!

What a combination! I just have realized that I never shared my Christmas Tea with you! I was going through pictures on my camera and found them and thought I would share! I also found some beautiful pictures of the ice storm we had in January. Just thought I'd share!

I hosted a table at our Christmas Tea at our church. Each hostess had to be in charge of inviting 5-6 other guests, decorating the table (right up MY alley!), using your own china, decor and a favor for each guest. I invited my sister Dana, my sister Lisa and her daughter Talia, my friend Deanna and her mom Crystal and my good friend Anna. Oh and the hostesses also had to serve their guests tea and their lunch as well! We had appetizers, sandwiches, and then scones with our tea! There was Christian singer who performed for us. Paula Dunn, she was absolutely amazing! She had sung at our church before and she is this teeny tiny thing and what a VOICE comes out of her! She's cute as a button as well!

For the favors, I was at Michael's one day and THANKFULLY knew who was coming,lol. I found these ADORABLE pearl monogram ornaments for a $1, and Ballard Design sells a set of 3 for $19,lol! And I got each guest a little bar of Mary Engelbreight (I know I am spelling her name wrong, lol) soap and tied them both together with ribbon. Just a little something for a favor. It really was alot of fun putting it all together. I hope we do it again next year!

Ok, so I'm 3 months late with the pics, better late than never right??? :)

Why I love Goodwill!

I can't describe the rush when I find some little treasure I find at Goodwill! It's like hitting the lottery. Sometimes I will go there and get lost for at least an hour or two! I found this beauty and grabbed it fast! I can't wait to bring it home and clean it all up and get it back to it's original glory!!! That's part of my sickness, the clean up. That's an entirely different post or therapy session.

As I type I am listening to it perk away. I won't lie, part of me was waiting to be electricuted as I plugged it in, LOL. And was thinking maybe it wouldn't work, which then sparked me into thinking it would make a great lamp (even though I already have one, yes I'm sick, lol!). But then I smell delicious COFFEE being brewed right now! And I'm so happy about little find!
My sister and I went last night and did some thrifty shopping therapy. Where else can you find infant Ralph Lauren dresses for $1.99? Do I have to keep myself from squealing with delight OUT LOUD? Yes! I try to make a rule that I can't go shopping there, unless of course I am donating as well. Which is no problem the way these kids grow out of clothing and we seem to be always in some sort of "cleaning out mode". But I always have to stop in and see what is new. I always find some new little treasure that makes me so happy. Especially when I get 10 outfits (for a child that has more clothes than any 7 & 1/2 month old should have, but for 99 cents and 1.99 an outfit, whose counting?) , a very shabby chic comfy robe, a lampshade, a new spongebob connect four game for my boys , an easter egg kit, a stainless steel pot for melting chocolate and etc and a picture frame for $34. Seriously, how much more exciting can it get?
What is your favorite find at your favorite shop? I'd love to hear about it!

Progress........

Yes, progress! Can you imagine the wallpaper is ALL down and the walls are painted a lovely shade of Laura Ashley Olive #4. I had 382 paint chips and still went with choice number one. I'm glad I did though because I am loving the result. The wood looks so warm next to it. Now I can start obsessing on window treatments, how many panels, hang them straight or swag them, on rings or through the rod pocket. It snowballs, as you can see, lol. But it's DONE which makes me SO happy. I figured I'd show a sneak peek of the walls the fabric I'm thinking about covering the chairs with. Decisions, decisions!

Now you see it............Now you don't!

Yup, it's that time. It's time the dining room wallpaper comes down! I was glad the lady who put it up signed the wall because I couldn't remember how long it had been up! It's been up 4 1/2 yrs!!! That's an ETERNITY for me!

I'm ready for something new. I'm not sure what, but the paint chips are out! I can't decide between a nice olive green or maybe even a light gold? Jen, I even have your Bronzed Beige sample out! I can't decide though! Anyone have any ideas??? I'd love to hear them!!

Halloween, an Election and a Dedication!

WOW, what a few weeks it's been! Halloween was alot of fun here. We had a party with family and a few friends. Pizza and then trick or treating. My aunt brought the most SCRUMPTIOUS chocolate cake! The boys had a blast and John and I dressed up too! Madelyn's costume was so HOT she only had it on for about 5 mins and we didn't even get a picture of her in it! Oh well, next year!

The Election, my candidate didn't win. I thought he would have been a fine president and helped our country. But I realize that we do have a president-elect and I'm praying that he makes the right decisions for our country and that even though he wasn't my choice, I hope I'm pleasantly surprised! :)

It was Madelyn's Dedication ceremony at church this past Sunday. It was a very special day for our family. She is such a blessing to all of us. We had our family and friends celebrating with us. It's amazing how much joy this little girl has brought to all of us. I thank God everyday for giving me this beautiful family. I know my purpose in life was to be a mother and I'm so enjoying every moment of it. It goes by entirely too fast! I feel like the boys were born yesterday and they will be EIGHT in January!!!

Busy, busy!

WOW, it's been a week since I have posted and it seems like I haven't sat down since my last post!!! Last week my cousin came to visit me. She lives in Alabama but was in Virginia visiting her friend so she came up here to spend almost a week with me. We had a blast, like we always do when she's here! We shopped, ate and organized my spare bedroom. It was a MESS and poor Lori had to sleep in there, lol! We went thrifting and found some great sweaters and clothes! I found a dress for her daughter that I know was around $150 new, we got it for $3.50!! Now that is what I call fun!

Of course all good things come to an end, she had to leave to go home on Saturday. It's always such an empty feeling when company leaves. The house is quieter and just not the same for a few days. The bright side is that she will probably come back in December, I hope she can!

My nephew's baptism was on Saturday. So I thought I would share a picture of the kids and I. It's RARE that I'm actually IN the picture since I'm always the one taking them! I really love black and white pics. I change alot of my pics to B&W. :)

I can't believe Halloween is in 3 days! Just doesn't seem possible! Where does the time go??? I haven't decorated that much inside. I need to put a couple more things out since we are having people over for Halloween. We usually do pizza and then go trick or treating. And I'm thrilled it's on a Friday so no school the next day! Johnny is going to be Indiana Jones, Kris is going to be Captain Jack Sparrow and Madelyn is going to be a bunny! My husband is dressing up as a 70's disco guy, this should be funny! I still need to throw something together. I'm usually a witch every year, NO PUN INTENDED, LOL LOL LOL! Happy Halloween!

Tag'd!!!

I have been tag'd!! Carol over at paintergal's little cottage, tag'd me and I'm supposed to list 6 quirky things about myself or 6 things I collect. Now I'm SURE I'm VERY quirky, I just can't think of 6 things right now, so I'll list 6 things I collect! ;)

1. Tole anything
2. Vintage prints
3. Old lamps
4. Wexford glass
5. French country furniture (almost ALL from garage sales, thrift stores, consignment shops and hand me downs!)
6. Just about anything with a fleur de lis on it!

Ok, now it's MY turn to TAG a few! Again, rules are to either list 6 quirky things or 6 things you collect! And then tag 6 more people! Can't wait to read about you!

1. Cherry at cherry'sjubilee
2. Kat at Kats Whimsy
3. Debra at ~the Bunnies' Bungalow~
4. Des at Peeking thru The Sunflowers
5. Jen at The Cottage Nest
6. Rhoda at Southern Hospitality

See you soon!!