Some Holiday Table Inspiration

I attended a candlelight women's dinner at a friend's church and this is my 4th year decorating a table. Each hostess brings their own dishes, glasses, etc. and a centerpiece. It is a fun way to start the holiday season with a dynamic speaker, some laughs, music, and great conversation. But my favorite part is seeing all the tables decorated and lit up. I also enjoy getting to use my pretty dishes and take a break from those paper plates we use way too much. I thought I would take you on a tour of some of the tables....

This is the centerpiece on my table. I used a lantern in the middle of a sparkly, square, pine cone wreath on top of a pedestal and tray.

This was the first time I used my vintage sugar and creamer. I love the color and pattern on them. I am really digging blue and orange these days...

The place setting... I made the runners for a fall table at church and wanted to use them again. I used iron on fusing tape and hot glue to make them...did not feel like sewing.

My friend Kristie's table. That cathedral is an awesome centerpiece and she had huge snowflakes tied on the backs of the chairs from the dollar store. They were so sparkly and pretty!

Here is what I want to do to my Thanksgiving table.

Those are live pansies in the pumpkins and some raffia at the bottom. I have seen these pumpkins at Kirklands and Hobby Lobby I think.

I just love the little corn on the napkins!

A very classic black, white, and red. You will never believe where she got her dishes...

At the DOLLAR STORE of all places along with the mugs and black glasses! I need to shop there more often!

I just love the word "enough" amidst the sparkles.

A sweet soda shop table. She used vintage records as chargers. The ice cream is white carnations.

This tablecloth was my favorite! She used tuille and wire at the bottom.

Another classic black, red, and white. I just love that fabric!

What a cool centerpiece...a dressform with roses! Very inventive.

This centerpiece was so cool. She used a live (but half dead) branch and it looked very "Harvesty"

These chargers are my favorite.



Which table is your favorite? Does this help get you in the mood for some holiday entertaining?

Makenna's Baptism

My little girl, Makenna, who is 4 was saved on Aug. 20 2009. She came to me in the kitchen the next evening and wanted to whisper something in my ear. I knelt down and she wispered, "I asked Jesus into my heart." She said she prayed the night before that in her bed. We had talked about how to be saved, but I did not know she was ready. We talked and prayed in the bedroom afterwards so I knew she understood and I was amazed at her understanding of what Jesus did for her on the cross. We hopped on the golf cart and went to tell everyone. She was very excited and so was I! When our pastor sent out a letter that they were doing baptism, she said, "I want to do it because I am clean and a new person." I have been so inspired by her boldness and obedience to Christ. We practiced and talked about it and when the day came, she was ready to go.

Here she is a little nervous but her daddy baptized her, so that helped her nerves. She said the water was kinda hot!

Bryan shared her story and asked her to give her testimony of faith before he "dunked" her.

Both of their faces are full of joy. Such a precious picture of the childlike faith that Jesus talks about. I need to have more of this!

I had to work in the nursery that day, so she stayed and helped with the babies. It was a special day that God used in our family and extended family's lives. I know that God is going to use Makenna is a mighty way. I look forward to seeing what He has in store for her. Makenna, your bold faith inspires me and I strive to be more like you. Never take for granted what Jesus did for you. He loves you even more than I do. Live for Him; He will never let you down!

Easy Circle garland and more Autumn goodness

The lighting is not good in my kitchen this time of day, so this picture came out really bad...sorry! I wanted to show you this very cute and simple garland. I can't take credit for making it. I bought it for $7.50 at an antique store. I could make it, but would have spent more than that buying all this yummy fabric that this talented lady used. I also found these brown paper leaves there too and hung them from the garland with a brown gingham ribbon.

Here is a closer look. She just cut the fabric into circles and sewed them all together with a simple stitch.

She did two layers of fabric and put wrong sides together. The fabric on the other side was a different fabric.

Very simple! Even I could do this one and I love the variety of fabrics!

Here is a fun touch of fall outside my front door. My kids just love scrarecrows and they each like to have one that is "them". This is Bryce and Makenna and the baby one is on the porch. I got this cart last year for $10 at my favorite store. Not bad huh! It usually lives out back under the tree by the patio. I just set some mums on it and two little scarecrows. I would love to do an old box piled high with pumpkins and bittersweet, but pumpkins can be expensive!

I just got this "R" flag at Kirklands on sale for $9.99. I have been eyeing them for awhile. I love the simplicity of it. It adds some "cottage" character to our home. I don't love garden flags usually, but I love this one!

Here is one of my favorite things dressed up for fall on top of my entertainment center....my bunny weathervane. She is sitting on top of the bread box I used as a kid. I painted it red and use it for display now. I also just adore white pumpkins! They are my favorite!

Just One Year Ago...

we brought home "our little pumpkin" Brayden. He was born on Sept. 30th 2008 and was
8 lbs.3 oz. of sheer sweet smelling baby.

One year later, he is a healthy, very active, bundle of fun and we all have enjoyed watching him grow and learn new things this year. He has been my most active, least sleeping baby, but a blessing just the same! He is starting to walk now, but still prefers to crawl because it is faster. He just started coming and grabbing my hand so he can walk around with me, then he points to this grocery cart we have and he wants to walk behind it while I steer him clear of walls, furniture and doorways. He says mama, dada, and loves waving night night and bye. He loves to play with my hair and does it when he is ready for bed. I love it! His biggest goal is to get into the sunroom if the door is not closed and empty out the dog bowls. Mama does not like this game! He now is starting to give out slobbery kisses. Those just melt my heart!

The Birthday Boy...

His big brother and sister still think he is really neat and fun. Mommy LOVES that they love him so much. It does my heart good. They help me so much with him.

After some trial and lots of error, here is the cake. It was two layers all done and iced until it started to slide off. I then had to remove the top layer (icing and all), take off the bottom layer and replace the top layer as it began to crack....nothing a little (or a lot) of icing couldn't fix. Here is the pumpkin cake for our "little pumpkin". It's far from perfect, but that is my style (thank goodness)!
I use this website for all my birthday cakes. They have such neat ideas and they are "easy" for amateur cake makers. Check it out.

http://www.coolest-birthday-cakes.com/

I made these spiders with baby food jars, large black pom poms, pipe cleaners, googly eyes and some hot glue. Then I wrote the kids names with a paint pen on the outside of the jar and filled it with candy pumpkins and candy corn. I got this idea from my friend Elise. They were a big hit!

Brayden with his brother, sister, and two cousins...his party guests for the evening. Don't you just love when they don't have an opinion??! (the one year old that is)

His first taste of chocolate icing. "Hmmm, this is nothing like my usual meal choices."

Brayden's Great Grandma Jean was here all the way from Texas for the big event. She is 81 years old. It made the day even more special! My sweet hubs is holding the little guy. I think he was about done partying.

Our little baby is growing up...so bittersweet! Thank you Brayden for blessing our lives so much this year! We look forward to many more fun birthdays with you and I promise I will let you help me plan your parties in the future!

To Paint or not to Paint?

I have been debating about this front door for a year now. I told myself that I was going to think on it before I did anything drastic where I can't go back to wood. I love the wood door on one hand, and I feel it's not me on the other. My house has no shutters so there is no color on the outside. The door is looking worn so it needs something... The question is, do I paint it? (I was thinking of an earthy green color) or do I restain it possibly with a darker stain? ( I don't know if that would work or not).

I could use some ideas and advice! Anyone out there with some expertise or just an opinion???

Fall is in the Air!

It's actually a little muggy and sticky from all the rain we have been having, but I could not wait any longer to make the trek up to the attic to pull out my fall bins. Having some crows and pumpkins around makes it seem a little cooler in my mind anyway. I have this bucket on my front porch sitting on a old wooden crate. Elise made the shutter sign for me. I love it!

I made this pumpkin sign and it is hanging out by the sidewalk. When I get some real pumpkins, I am going to put about 5 of them out here and make our own little "pumpkin patch".

This is a peek at my mantle. I painted one of my windows black and added some touches of orange.

A grapevine pumpkin under the willow tree. I have never put a picture in that frame and I have had it for years. I might put one in it soon...who knows.

This shutter is propped in my foyer. I added some fall color to it and I just love that saying on the little sign.


I had to throw in some pics of my three munchkins.

This is them waving their flags honoring a soldier who was killed in battle. The streets were lined with people in support of the soldier's family as they drove to his funeral. It reminded me...don't forget those who are putting their life on the line daily for MY freedom. We have been praying for the soldiers every night since this day. To our fallen hero, thank you for your awesome sacrifice! You will not be forgotten.

My little pumpkin is almost one! I can't believe it! It's meal time again...

Here he is sleeping on his grandma at church. The nursery wore him out. Grandma was loving every minute.

Brayden is on the move like he is most of the time. He always likes to crawl with something in his hand. Many times, it is a door stop like he has here. Other times, he has a toy, the phone, or the remote. Whatever he can find that makes a good clanking sound.

A Q-U-I-E-T getaway just for two

Last weekend, the hubby and I were able to get away for a night just the two of us. We visited a little town called Madison. It is a very small, quaint town with cute hotels, bed and breakfasts, antique shops, and unique restaurants. We stayed at this hotel called the James Madison Inn. It was the most friendly, clean, and beautiful hotel I have ever stayed in. We ate breakfast out on our porch. The food was awesome!

The hotel is only two years old, but this is a very historic town, so they built it to match the surrounding buildings. The columns were taken off of an old house in St. Simons Island that was going to be torn down.

The details in the room were awesome. Here is the bathroom. As usual, I did not get a very good picture.

This was a rain shower head. I have to get one of those at home!

Some shops across the street...



Isn't this staircase beautiful?

This is the cute little garden out front. The guy was so nice to take pictures of us. They made us feel like we were the only ones staying there. Best of all, they had a British accent. I love that! We decided we need to get away at least one of month (HA!) Maybe once a year is more realistic. Thanks hubs for planning a trip for us!