PUTTING CHRISTMAS A WAY AND A FEW CHANGES

We had a wonderful Christmas with our family.  Everyone came to our home on Christmas Eve for lots of good food and our family gift exchange. There are 17 of us in our family, plus this year we also had 4 new guests  – our teenage granddaughters brought boyfriends.  They were all adorable and fit right in.  Two of the girls and their boyfriends came early and helped get everything ready – it was great to have extra help.  On Christmas Day we all went to my parents’ home for dinner.  Not all of my siblings and their families were able to be there, but we did have a nice time with the 29 that came.

All of my Christmas decorations have been put away and I am working on changing some of my every day displays.  I still have a lot to do, but wanted to share what I have done so far.

Since I didn’t get around to posting any of my Christmas decorating, I thought I would show a few Christmas photos, as the before pictures, and then show you some changes I have made.

I didn’t get a picture of the entire TV cabinet so I will show the three areas I photographed – before.


 

After - I removed the pewter and rearranged my crocks – this is what I came up with.


 

Santa Display on old book case – before.

  

I like to use these shelves to display my Santas,  but I have not been able to come up with an everyday display that I liked for these shelves until this one.  I asked my hubby to cut some plate grooves in the shelving and it turned out just as I wanted. 

After - I moved my pewter collection from the TV cabinet to these shelves and I love it.

  


The top of my green dry sink – before.

After. 


 Pegboard and bench in entry – before.

After.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and are enjoying these last few days of 2011.

Blessings,
Sue

BURLAP STOCKINGS & TREES AND PRIM CANDY CANES

I was a little late decorating for Christmas this year. I just don’t seem to have the energy this year to do as much as I have in the past, so I am simplifying.  I did, however, make time to do a couple of craft projects.

I had seen some simple table top trees made from printed burlap and wanted to try making them.  I found the printed burlap at JoAnn’s Fabrics.  After making the trees I decided to make some stockings to hang on my entryway hat rack. I am pleased with how they all turned out.





I bought enough of the burlap to make some throw pillows, but they probably won’t get made until after the holidays.

Another project that I had seen in a shop a while back is prim candy canes.  I found plastic candy canes at Hobby Lobby.

I tore strips of homespun to wrap around the candy canes.



After wrapping the candy canes, I dipped my fingers in liquid fabric softener and smoothed the fabric down.  Then I sprinkled them with cinnamon and laid them on paper towels to dry.



All dry and ready to hang on the tree.



Here is a candy cane hanging on our tree.



I still have a few more things I need to set out, but I am about ready to call it done.

Tomorrow is our city’s annual Christmas Parade.  My BF and I go out early and set up chairs to save our spot, then our kids and grandkids join us for the parade.  We have a great time watching the kids enjoy all the sights and sounds.

I hope you all are having a blessed holiday season and taking the time to enjoy family and friends.

Sue

TPP HOMESTEAD OF THE MONTH

I was asked to share photos of my home for The Primitive Pantry Homestead of the Month feature.  This is such an honor and Libby did a wonderful job putting together a slide show with my photos.  Since I don’t have a picture trail I thought I would share the link with you in case you are interested in taking a look.


Click on the picture to visit the slide show.

I am a follower of The Primitive Pantry Blog and a member of The Primitive Pantry Forum and I invite you to visit and join others for prim encouragement and inspiration.

I just realized that I didn’t even post in October – the month just got away from me.  And now it is hard to believe that it is November.  Where does the time go?   I apologize for not visiting your blogs and leaving comments, but I will try to get back on track – I have missed y’all and want to catch up.

GRATITUDE: I am grateful for each of you – for your friendship, encouragement, and inspiration.

Gratitude is the music of the heart, when its chords are swept by the breeze of kindness.  Author Unknown

Blessings,
Sue

ARCADIA ANTIQUE FAIR

Today was the day for the monthly Arcadia Antique Fair in Arcadia, Florida.  As I’ve shared in a previous post, the Antique Fair is held on the fourth Saturday of each month.  In addition to the 24 Shops in this delightful town, vendors set up on the sidewalks, parking lots and in the park.  We have not been for three months because it is just too hot in the summer.  So I was really looking forward to going today.

When we arrived we checked out the outside booths first, hoping to beat the mid-day heat, but it was already too hot to shop.  I only found one treasure outside – a small stoneware bottle to add to my collection.  (It is the one on the right, in this wooden cubby that sits on the Kitchen counter.)



My two prim friends and favorite vendors, Judi and Karen, always set up on the sidewalk in front of Maddy’s Antiques,  but they were not there today.  I was so disappointed, because they always have something I want to bring home with me.  Well, after we had made the rounds outside we headed to my favorite shop, Maddy’s, and as we walked up the sidewalk hubby said, “there is Judi.”  She was set up inside Maddy’s today, so I got to shop in my favorite store and with my favorite monthly vendor at the same place.
 
Flo, from Maddy’s, had recently returned from a trip to Ohio and had brought some bittersweet back with her.  I had never seen real bittersweet, since it doesn’t grow down here, and I just had to have some.  I hung it on my rolling pin dough bowl cubby for the picture, but I don’t plan to keep it there – not sure where I want to use it yet.

 
Maddy’s has beautiful prim greeting cards and I always have to pick up a few of those when I am there.  I also bought the 2011 Fall issue of A Simple Life magazine.  Somehow I missed getting the 2010 Fall issue, so I asked Flo if she had a copy.  When she looked through her back issues she found one and I was able to complete my collection.

I love this small pumpkin gourd (from Maddy’s)  and the pop of color it brings to this shelf.



Maddy’s has some of the most beautiful, primitive antiques you will find in Central Florida.  To visit Maddy’s website click here and check out the featured items for a sampling of what you will find in the shop.

I got some awesome treasures from my friend Judi!

A set of stacking boxes, in Fall colors. (I need to find a home for these.)

 

This fabulous old basket.  (I need to find a home for it too.)



And the buy of the day (from Judi) was this coverlet!  It is navy, red and cream and looks great in our “red” guest room.



After lunch, we met up with some friends and spent the afternoon visiting the shops with them.  I found one more treasure – the small pewter pitcher on the left.  I needed it to balance out the other small pitcher on this shelf, don’t you think.



What started out is a hot, somewhat disappointing day, turned into a wonderful day of finding treasures and spending time with friends.  A great way to spend a Saturday!

I hope you had a wonderful Saturday.

Autumn Blessings,
Sue

A BIT OF FALL AND A BLOG ANNIVERSARY

It’s hard to believe that it has been a year since I started blogging.  What a journey it has been!  When I began I had no idea what to expect, but it has been a blessed and fulfilling experience.  I have received so much encouragement, and made many friendships that I will cherish forever.  Thank you to all of my wonderful followers.  And welcome to my new followers – I look forward to getting to know you.


I haven’t been as active lately as I would like to be.  My surgery set me back a little more than I expected it to, and after doing what has to be done I just haven’t felt like spending much time on the computer.   When I’ve been able to I have visited my favorite blogs, but have not always left comments – I apologize and plan to do better as I continue to feel better.  I enjoy visiting with all of you and love for you to visit with me. 


Last week my DH got out my Fall decorations and moved the boxes around from room to room as I put things in place.  It took me several days – a little at a time – but by Saturday I had finally finished and we are enjoying Fall around our home.  Fall is definitely my favorite season – I love the rich, warm colors and the spicy scents.


I tried to keep it simple this year by just adding a touch here and there.  So here is what Fall looks like at our house.


Entry Way





Front Sitting Room

Side Table


Top of Cupboard


Coffee Table


Great Room

Drysink behind sofa


Coffee Table


Little bits of Fall tucked on a shelf here and there








I love this faux bittersweet – I have had it for years


Pillows I made last year


Kitchen and Dining Room

Stove Board


I made these salt dough pumpkins last year


Cubby on counter top


Hoosier Cabinet


Centerpiece on Dining table


Old chocolate box under Dining Room window


Hall Bathroom – Wash Stand





This may seem like a lot, but it really isn’t.  I only did a few touches here and there in the main rooms.  I hope you have enjoyed my indoor Fall tour.  We haven’t finished the outside yet, so I will share that in another post.  Just wish we had some Fall weather to go along with the décor. 


Wishing each of you a fabulous weekend!

Blessings,
Sue