Three Pixie Lane

Puppy Love

2012-02-14T12:58:00.000-08:00

We picked up our new puppy on Sunday...

He is six weeks old.

He is the perfect Valentine's Gift!

We are all crazy in love with him.

He is a spirited little guy.

We named him Drayton after his dad, Drae.

Exhausted...and so am I!

Crazy is more like it. The first two nights I was up every two hours taking him out to potty. During the day, I took him outside every hour on the hour to teach him to go potty in the pine straw. He sleeps in a crate at night. I feel like I have an infant again, but his little routine is working, and he has learned so quickly! I can't wait for the weekend, so the rest of the family can take the night shift, and I can get some sleep!

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you with much love from Three Pixie Lane!

Sincerely,

P.S. The house projects are coming along. We have purchased some of our appliances and are finalizing the drawings for the new kitchen. I feel like my head is going to spin right off my neck, but I am excited to get the project complete!

A Bungalow by the Sea

2012-02-08T15:19:00.000-08:00

This little cottage is located at the Isle of Palms, SC.

...just a short skip to the beach and minutes to downtown Charleston.

This house has an open floor plan. It was built in the eighties and was remodeled in some areas. The 'Lobster' sign came from an antique mall in town. The farm table in the dining room came from Victoria & Thomas. They specialize in transforming old wood from England into beautiful farm tables. This one is similar to the one in my kitchen (here.) Chairs from the Pottery Barn Outlet surround the table.

We filled the home with nautical finds from different antique and thrift shops. We mixed some new furniture with hand-me-down pieces from family. Previous owners left behind the telescope in the dining room. Prints on the wall advertise the Wild Life Expo in Charleston, SC.

The kitchen has a nice open design, but still maintains a bit of its 'eighties' flair. What I love is that it is open to the dining room and the living room, so the cook can still visit with guests.

Our friend gave use these oars when he moved. The glider chair was the one I used to rock all my babies to sleep. The quilt came from Garnet Hill. Besides the fact that I love quilts, they have held up very well in this rental unit.

The vintage 'swimmers' came from an antique mall in Charleston, SC. I found the bird houses on top of the armoire at Marshall's. These quilts came from the Pottery Barn Outlet.

The master bedroom has two queen size beds. My family all piles in here when we host other guests. There are two full baths in the house and one outdoor shower. I recovered the seat on the chair that belonged to my grandmother with a Palmetto tree fabric. People in SC are proud of their Palmetto tree with crescent moon flag!

My mom always wore pretty straw hats, when we would go to the beach. I have her collection and have them displayed around the house. These quilts came from Pottery Barn Outlet, too.

More of her hats sit on top of the book shelf with a little sailboat. To recycle our books, we have a 'one book in, one book out' deal (feel free to take a book, but leave one behind!) It is interesting the books people have left! Nautical maps of SC and the Edisto River flank the book shelf. A sweet grass basket hangs just to the right. Charleston is famous for her lovely sweet grass baskets. If you visit, be sure to get one! The art of weaving these baskets has a long history in the Low Country.

I found some of the items on the mantel at the beach; the seaweed, the sand and a few of the starfish.

The old print of the Charleston Battery was one my parents had in storage. It is dated 1967, but was in good condition, so I framed it for this space. The 'cannon' book ends also belonged to my parents, who lived in Charleston when they first married. They look just like the real cannons just down the road at Sullivan's Island and at Fort Sumter, where the Civil War started. The little mermaid just below the mantel was a gift from a friend.

I have posted about this porch (here.) While we are a block away from the ocean, you can hear the sweet sound of the waves breaking in the evening, when all is quiet. The old shutters came from an antique store in Southport, NC.

Many of the houses in the Lowcountry display beautiful pieces of outdoor art. I found the swordfish at a local store and put some boat varnish on it to protect it from the elements. I purchased the black bench at the Goodwill store and Rob painted it with a coat of 'Charleston Green' paint. I did a post on 'Outdoor Art' (here.)

This house is meant to be a relaxed place; one to kick your feet up and make some memories. It is meant for sandy toes! However, we did add the outdoor shower to reduce some of the sand tracked in to the house. I can't think of anything better than coming off the beach and rinsing off in an outdoor shower...my favorite.

An artist named Jack Johnson of the Outer Banks, NC sculpted the whale on top of the armoire. It is another favorite of mine and reminds me of the novel, Moby Dick.

We have this little bungalow as a rental property managed by Island Realty. If you want to visit the beautiful and historical area of Charleston and want to rent this place close to the beach, click here for more details. If you are interested, let me know and I will make sure my readers get a 10% discount!

Oh, I am ready for the warmer weather! Are you?

Thanks for stopping by!

Refresh Your Room (Living Room)

2012-02-06T05:31:00.000-08:00

Seeing how my house is a total disaster right now as we prepare for the floors to be refinished, I am sharing some pictures of my mantel from spring. In another month, I will be able to show this space (and the kitchen) completely refreshed...stay tuned!

I am joining Jennifer Rizzo for Refresh Your Room Link Party!

Have a great day!

Puppy Love and Photography

2012-02-02T08:15:00.000-08:00

Rob holds a puppy from the Swift Creek Kennel

I wrote in December (Three Barks from Heaven) about losing our beloved Lab the day after Christmas. We grieved and grieved and still are. Several weeks later, we found ourselves so lonely without our dog, so I called the Swift Creek Kennel in Camden, SC to inquire about her labs.

The lady that answered couldn't speak long, because the mama Lab was delivering her pups right at that moment. It seemed like fate to us! Aren't they the cutest puppies?

Garden&Gun
I love this picture. It is so sweet of a mama and her baby. I almost feel bad taking the puppy from his mama, but we will give him a good home! Labs are very spirited and need lots of exercise. After all, they are hunting dogs. He will love the river and chasing the ducks! Labs are friendly, even tempered, trainable, loyal and affectionate. In two weeks, we can bring ours home! I cannot tell you the excitement in my children! Rob and I are crazy to get a puppy amidst the remodeling, but if you are going to live crazy, why not make it real crazy? Right? Now, if we can all just agree on a name.

I am taking a photography class. The timing of the class is horrible and I am adding more craziness to our current status, but I really wanted to take it! Our homework was to take pictures of round objects. I purchased this cruiser bike recently from Habitat for Humanity...perfect for the shot. It was a steal and the girl who originally bought it only rode it about four times before taking it to the shop. She moved from the beach to a town near the mountains and this type of bike couldn't handle the new terrain. It was very reasonable, and I have been dreaming of one for so long. Now, I just need a cute basket, a big hat, and a bikini for a stroll down the beach...okay, skip the bikini!

God's perfect objects make great photo ops.

And the perfect sunset...The winter beach is the perfect place to be alone. I spent four days in Charleston by myself. I love the winter beach; there is hardly another soul around. With the madness at our home, it was perfect to escape to the 'quietness.'

Brooke gives me the 'Okay' sign for another shot of something round! Next week, I will learn about 'aperture.' I can't wait!

See you soon!

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A Room for Valentine's

2012-01-30T18:17:00.000-08:00

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I sure do miss all of you and blogging! We are knee deep in the decision process for the kitchen remodel and packing our entire upstairs to prepare for the floors to be refinished. I have been a Pinterest fanatic looking for ideas. I came across some of the most beautiful rooms! Of course, they have nothing to do with the kitchen, but the red and white color scheme is so good looking. I love how the bold buffalo check (my favorite!) is powerful in some rooms and subdued in other rooms.

Wouldn't you love to have a space like one of these for Valentine's? I would!

Thanks for stopping by!

Life's Journey

2012-01-29T10:21:00.000-08:00

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This is what the Lord says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls." ~Jeremiah 6:16

Rob and I were asked to give our testimony to a group of people at a marriage retreat. Each time we prepare to speak, we reflect how our 'story' changes with each year, but the message stays the same. The audience was a large group of people of all ages; some young, engaged couples, some newlyweds and some couples married for fifty or more years.

Rob and I have walked very different paths on our journey to the cross. When we share our story, we are sharing what the Lord has done and continues to do in our lives. Let's face it. Marriage is hard work, and the ground is treacherous. Often God uses our spouses to bring our sins to the surface. Because we don't want to deal with our sins, we fight, struggle, whine and pout. Eighteen years have brought us through hardships, pain, tears, deaths and births. Because of God's grace, we have had joy, laughter, adventure and so many blessings.

We are on a journey.  Because we are married, our paths merge. Sometimes we walk, and other times we run. There are times when we fall down and times when we venture off the path. Sometimes we simply sit down, and we have to help each other up and back on course. The terrain is rough on the path to the cross, but one thing is certain; we want to be there.  God knows exactly what each of us needs to get to the cross. He knows what will transform our hearts.

One day, we will stand at the foot of the cross. I have this vision of standing beneath the cross covered in soot and dirt. My clothes are torn; I have dirt under my nails and bloody wounds. When I look up at the cross, I know that I have clawed and fought my way to it.  When I look at the Man standing before me, I am keenly aware that I did nothing to deserve to be in His presence. There is nothing I can do to repay Him for what He has done for me.

Rob is covered in dirt, too. But the funny thing is, when I turn to look at him, he is not filthy from the journey. When I look at him, he is dressed in garments as white as snow. He is whole. I am able to see him as God has always seen him. When I look back at myself, I am dressed in white, too. The dirt is washed away, and it all becomes clear. God was pursuing us all along. He was there...on the path as we endured the hardships.  He was there during the sweet moments, too. He was always there encouraging us to press on.

With all its bumps and bruises, marriage is a journey to the cross. Seek the Lord along the way, and you will find joy. In the end, you will find a Father waiting to pour 'joy' on you. It will come down like rain, when we see His face! Cling to that hope. Open your heart to see the changes needed in you; not your spouse. God will take care of him (or her.) God is right there beside you. He cannot wait for you to reach your destination; clean and pure...and whole.

Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. The angel said to those who were standing before him, "Take off his filthy clothes." Then he said to Joshua, "See I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you." Zechariah 3:3-4

Blessings,

P.S. Thank you to all of you with your heartfelt responses either here or via e-mail concerning my last post! I found such humor and truth in writing it, and I enjoyed reading about your own paths. God's mighty hand is always at work!

Do Not Let Your Child Marry Someone Like Me

2012-01-22T18:14:00.000-08:00

My daughter, Ashlyn dressed up as a princess.

I am a reformed spoiled child. Rob always adds, "Not quite." He thinks he is so funny.

The debilitation that I brought to the marriage wasn't intentional. In fact, I wasn't even aware that I suffered from the 'spoiled' disease. I was raised in a privileged home. Let me add, too, that I was the baby in the family, which naturally added to the spoiled-ness. As I am older, a bit wiser and reformed ('not quite’ apparently), I can see how giving so much to a child can be detrimental. I am not faulting my parents for the lavish life I was given; after all, they had us three girls in the sixties, when a generation of parents threw out Grandma’s common sense, and the new postmodern parenting/humanist ideology began. As I reflect, I count the opportunities to see the world and the material comforts as blessings. I offer this story, in relation to preparing your child for marriage.

My parents were adventurous. I learned to snow ski at the age of three and was SCUBA certified at the age of fourteen. By the age of 19, I had taken flying lessons (really just one lesson...I can't even drive a car good. My sister went on to become a pilot.) Seeing faraway places and experiencing different cultures; these are the things I am most grateful. My parents wanted to give us many of the opportunities they didn't have growing up.

Although we were given much, my parents didn't suffer to the full extent of modern day parenting. We had to work; usually it consisted of yard work; pulling weeds, planting five million plants and fruit trees, and putting out pine straw. Oddly, we didn’t have to do house chores. With three girls, it seems we should have had to learn to cook, wash dishes or clothes and clean our rooms. When I went away to college, I lived alone my freshman year. I loaded my dishwasher and put the liquid Joy soap-meant for washing dishes in the sink- in the dishwasher. Suds were everywhere on the first floor of my townhouse; what a mess. I was clueless.

What does all this have to do with marriage?

I didn’t know the Lord. And goodness, I don’t think I was willing to share my throne with Him, had I met him any sooner than I did. By the time I finally met and accepted Him into my heart, I was 21. Within that next year, I started dating and married Rob. What? Excuse me? I can’t wear my princess crown and have the ‘baby’ title anymore? Getting married certainly knocked me off of my throne and took away my tiara. And get this! He expected me to know how to cook something and share in the house chores!

Overindulged and overprotected left me underprepared to live in the real world. I had a skewed sense of values and an exaggerated sense of entitlement. I was insecure, had a low frustration tolerance and made bad choices. I could wing it in college, but marriage would not tolerate my self-proclaimed wonderfulness; God wouldn’t tolerate it either.

Needless to say, those first seven years of marriage were very difficult. Often I planned my escape to the (lonely) place where I could resume my position of ‘Queen Me.’ When I would put my running shoes on, as I often did when marriage got too hard, He gently brought me back to a husband who didn’t tolerate my royal highness, but always had open arms and walked with me, as God transformed my world where I was the center to one with Him as the center.

Modern day parenting believes that we should give our children the best of everything; the best education; the best toys, the top universities, and greatest and latest...Overindulgence frequently results in kids who have a shocking sense of entitlement; kids who expect their every whim to be fulfilled; kids who have a disregard for the value of things and even a disregard for the value of other people. Overindulged children will struggle in life and certainly in marriage. I know.
God held onto me during those early years of marriage. I was a new believer in Christ, but it would take years before I understood what that meant. There isn’t one thing I did to deserve His grace and certainly not one thing I did to deserve the forbearance Rob showed me. If you have spoiled your child, get on your knees now and pray for a spouse with the patience of the Lord Himself. He or she will need it.

When my grandparents passed away, they had been married for 64 years. I have been married for almost nineteen living under the same roof with my husband longer than I lived with my parents. I left my parent’s house and lived alone at the age of 17. Our children live with us for only a short time; yet, we have such a powerful influence in to who they will become. In a sense, we are raising them for someone else. Next time you have a desire to give in to your child’s every little desire, curb your enthusiasm. Otherwise, you might be nurturing an unappreciative, unhappy child who will likely have trouble coping with the inevitable ups and downs of life. Give it some thought: What kind of wife or husband do you want your child to be?

Through the tears, the difficulties and tragic events, God has taught me humility and a heart of appreciation. He has shown me an unbelievable amount of mercy and grace. He has helped me to see how miserable I was when my only focus was me. Had I left Rob, I would have toted my crown and throne with me. Where would I have gone? Did I really think someone else was going to tolerate me? I am grateful the Lord took back His rightful crown and throne. It was never meant for me.

God with His wonderful sense of humor gave me a frugal husband; one who had to break the news to me that money did not, in fact, grow on the trees in our backyard. Rob is the oldest of three boys and doesn’t quite have pity for ‘the baby.’ He worked hard cutting grass to earn every penny to buy his first car at 16. Lavishing me with gifts is not exactly his strongest point. Not giving in to my every whim is not on his priority list. Fortunately, loving me is. I don’t know why someone didn’t warn him about marrying someone like me. (Oh, excuse me. Rob just informed me that his parents did! Well, I guess they were on their knees a prayin’ every day!)

Maybe I am not completely reformed from my old ways, but God has transformed my heart.

My ears had heard of you, but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore, I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes. Job 42:5-6

Note: I want to teach my kids everything, but I never want them to lose sight of the cross. One day, they will grow up and write a post about me titled, “Here is What Not to do that My Parents Did.” I thank the Lord that He is in charge and that He will use my mess-ups for good in their lives.

Blessings to you!

Thank you, Pippa for the correction of 'thrown' to 'throne!' It was so funny, I almost left it!
Terry and Gayle, if you have stopped by, I hope this brings you some laughter! Miss you and so glad you visit!

This is the second post of my series on marriage. To see my first post, 'Two Lumps of Coal' click here.

The Start of a Kitchen Remodel

2012-01-17T07:51:00.000-08:00

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I like the overall feel of this kitchen...simple, not fussy, loved...

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This is just eclectically cool. It is the details and accessories that stand out; treasures collected over time and carefully placed...

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A Swedish kitchen...ahhhhh. I have one item in this kitchen; the silver food dome. I wonder how I can incorporate it into our new kitchen. I love those double vintage refrigerators, but I don't think I can talk Rob into those!

My cousin Lesslie's kitchen

We have looked at hundreds of kitchens and my husband still likes my cousin Lesslie's cabinets and counters the best. They are so beautiful with a hint of gray. The walls are painted gray, too. She completely remodeled the space in this uptown Atlanta home.

Sally Wheat via

I am hoping for this under mount apron sink with this exact faucet. I like the mix of hardware on the cabinets, too.

Sally Wheat via

I love her eclectic arrangement of plates over the bar and the color of her cabinets with the dark floors. We are refinishing the floors, too, which is why we started this process in the first place!

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I like this space; the mix-and-match chairs; the paint on the walls with the white cabinets and dark floors; the table and that chandelier. This won't work in our space, but I sure do like it and hope I can achieve the overall look.

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This is probably the closest to the 'look' I am hoping to achieve. I like several of the features; the dark floors, the white cabinets, the different drawer pulls; the apron sink and faucet; and wow, that frig! Are the counters made of concrete? I love that! Husband? No, he wants granite or quartz.
Edit: Kim from Savvy Southern Style gave me the correct link, and gave me the answer to the counters. Thank you Kim! The counters are soapstone. So lovely...

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Our ceiling looks very similar to this. This has a nice overall look. I love the center island that is probably a piece of furniture with an added, extended top. The barstools and chandelier are nice, too! Always drawn to the details, I like the use of the silver containers on the bar, as well. Silver plated bowls and vases are easy to find and relatively inexpensive.

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I would love these Swedish chairs! We will keep the French ones we currently have, but they are in need of new seats and a fresh coat of paint.

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I hope to recover some of the upholstery with a tan and off-white large check, similar to this one. This fabric is by a Swedish company. We plan to change the color scheme to a more neutral palate. The black and green has been very popular at Houzz and here at TPL. In fact, it is one of my most viewed posts.

My kitchen

When I have posted my kitchen, I have had to fight the urge to shout out all the things that need changing! There is a fine line between wanting to share the things I can't stand and also not wanting to seem ungrateful. If we never change a thing in this kitchen, it works just fine; except that the refrigerator broke and leaked water on these old floors and the garbage disposal is held together with duct tape! The appliances are about fifteen years old and need more repairs than we felt worth it. We hope to change some of the layout, as the actual prep and cook space is pretty tight. When the refrigerator door is open, it almost touches the bar! We hope to solve some of these issues.

The other side of our kitchen

Not to mention, the counters and brass knobs could stand an update! The cabinets, sadly, are falling apart and do not close adequately, so they too will get an update. I hope to install shutters around all those windows to go with the rest of the house, change the ceiling fan over the table to a pretty vintage-looking chandelier and paint the walls.

Why the neutral pallet? I actually love the black and green in our kitchen, but Rob is not big on change. For that matter, neither are my children. They are not terribly excited about changing our kitchen. We have lived here for eleven years and it is all they have known. Kitchens have such memories. Much time is spent around our table and I think it is a bit sad for them to see this space transformed. They all just need a little vision! If I keep the space neutral, I can decorate with pops of color in the small things around the kitchen; pillows, canisters, wooden containers, tarnished silver, etc...these are all easy things to change in a space. This will allow me to still 'decorate' with many different colors long after the kitchen has been completed!

Bloggers: Help!

Do you have any suggestions on appliances? I am not much of a cook, but do so out of necessity to feed my family. I don't have a clue in this area, but do want the appliances to last a long time and grow with our family. I have done some research, but the options are endless. What works in your kitchen?

Want to follow my Pinterest kitchen board? Click here!

I am sure my ability to blog will be delayed as we begin this project. We have to pack up and move everything from the upstairs into a storage unit, so the floors can be refinished first. Our powder room will also get a facelift, along with the kitchen. I will photograph along the way!

Thanks for stopping by!

Marriage - Two Lumps of Coal

2012-01-15T10:22:00.000-08:00

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A lump of coal is dirty, a product of decaying plants, a pollutant and produces soot. Some studies indicate that, through intense heat, pressure and time, a lump of coal can become a priceless gem.

The Wedding Report, a market research publication indicates that the average American wedding cost $29,000. Keep in mind, the median household income in America is around $46,000 a year.

If I asked you to board a plane that had a fifty percent chance of crashing, would you still get on that flight? The divorce rate in America hovers right around fifty percent. One in two marriages is likely to end in divorce. Why do so many people get married, spend exorbitant amounts of money on a one-day event and take lots of pictures to remember it with only a fifty percent chance of actually staying married? Why are so many young people misguided to think they will be the other fifty percent; the ones who stay married? Why are they boarding a plane with only half a chance of survival?

Through a Prepare and Enrich program at our church, Rob and I counsel young couples who are engaged to be married. Often, I think after they have left our home, we have scared them away from the altar! The program is intended to help these young people assess their beliefs about marriage, discuss issues such as careers, children, faith, finances, house chores, etc…Many of these couples have been brought up in Truth and in loving, nurturing homes. They are bright; they have good morals, good intentions and great big hopes and dreams for their marriages.

The most common problem we see is that these couples do not think they will ever have major problems. Rob and I are a part of the program to give them a different perspective. It is not our goal to scare them, but to encourage them to be prepared. Isaiah 43:2 says, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.” Notice it says “when” and not “if” you pass through the waters. We will all pass through the raging waters. We will all endure the intense heat at some point in our lives.

While we hope to give a real snapshot of marriage, we also try to remind them that God does not want to make our lives miserable with our spouses. He intends for us to have joy in our marriages. But, His ultimate goal is to see each of us at the foot of the cross with a transformed heart; a heart that can glorify Him fully. Often He will use our spouses to bring about the transformation, and often it will come out of struggles, difficulties and the pressures of life. Let’s face it; without our spouses, we like ourselves just the way we are. Walking down that aisle to get married at the seemingly invincible age of 22, I liked myself and didn’t see the need to change. God had other plans.

The truth is that we don’t grasp the concept of how depraved we are. We are all lumps of coal.

We shouldn’t discourage young couples from boarding that plane, but we should prepare our young people for what lies ahead. First, they need to recognize their natural, sinful state and understand that the heat and the pressure are necessary to transform their hearts. They should be aware of the turbulence and possible disasters that loom. They should have resources to help them deal with conflict and the names of great Christian counselors to help guide them should they not find resolution.

Through intense heat, pressure and time, a lump of coal can become a priceless gem.

The next time you have to buy a wedding gift, give a pressure cooker; maybe a crock pot. Wish the couple a happy marriage, but tell them to endure the heat, the pressure and by all means, put the setting on low and endure the time. Don’t we all want to be a diamond, instead of a lump of coal?

Twenty years later, Rob and I still experience the heat. The difference is that we expect, in this fallen world, the trials will come. We resolve conflict differently, and we know our resources if we can’t. There are times we adore each other and times when our hearts are sinfully full of contempt. Either way, we are on a journey to the cross, and the Lord has decided that we need each other to get there.

Approximately 100 tons of mud must be mined to produce one carat of diamond.

Diamonds are beautiful, light refracting gems that do more than shine and sparkle, they create optical magic. A diamond is the hardest known natural material on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, where hardness is defined as resistance to scratching. Have you ever wondered why we wear diamonds when we get married and vow to wear them the rest of our lives? Maybe, just maybe, with endurance through the heat, the pressure and the time, it is a permanent reminder of what we can become.

Blessings to all of you in your journey!

Edit (1/18/12): One reader pointed out that the divorce rate is not as high as 1 in 2 marriages. Most of the articles I read stated it was as high as 50%. This link gives a breakdown and additional information. Thank you, Michele for sharing!

Buzzle; USAToday; Wikipedia

Threads of Life

2012-01-08T07:03:00.000-08:00

God has woven each one of us

into a quilt of the world.

Each thread a uniform part,

and yet, also a unique individual.

Alone, we lack structure,

but together beauty is created.

By the way He connects us,

our lives are determined.

He is our compass needle

and we, His threads of life.

by HiddenPoet

I love to look at these quilts and think about how God has carefully and lovingly woven each of us. We are all different; and yet, He has sewn our lives together to make a beautiful quilt or tapestry. Somehow all the colors and patterns mesh beautifully together! We need each other and we need Him.
These are a few of my quilts. I do love a pretty quilt; and although mine are not old, they do seem to tell a story. If not my own childhood story, they remind me of times gone by. Quilts usually have pretty colors, soft fabrics and many times are made by loving hands. We use these quilts on our beds for extra warmth or to make pallets on the floor for the kids; we carry them on road trips; we use them for picnics and to make forts in the playroom. These quilts may not have a story from the past, but one day they will for my children.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. ~Psalm 139:13

May the colors of your life be bright and the threads in your life very strong. ~Genie Barnes

I plan to do a series on 'Marriage' each Sunday leading up to Valentine's Day as part of my 'Life Lessons' series; certainly not because I am any expert, but because of how great His mercy and grace has been during our journey to the cross. That journey to the cross, at times has been smooth walkin'; other times, there have been huge boulders in our path; and still other times, we have felt like hurling huge boulders at each other! I hope you will join me! Rob will be writing one of the posts about marriage from his perspective. That should be interesting!

353 Days Until Christmas...

2012-01-06T14:11:00.000-08:00

This is the last of my Christmas decor! I could have waited another 350 days or so to share, but I will be on to something else! Which is probably where all of you are right now with Christmas 2011...onto something else! Those of you visiting, thanks for hanging in there with me!

This is my challenge space - the dining room. It is the room where I put the (free) French country hutch (below.) The problem is the oak table and chairs don't match the hutch. I put some French chairs from around the house and the Swedish bench from my daughter's room at the table. I need a much bigger table cloth and an oval one would be nice! There are some beautiful ones on ETSY. The split oak basket is very old and holds a vintage street sign. I ran out of time to figure out where to hang it, so in the basket it went. 25th Street...Dec. 25...that is where I was going!

French Country Hutch

This mid-century reindeer is one of my favorite decorations. Many people inquired about him from last Christmas, but there are no markings on it. I purchased it at Summer Classics.

Next to my armoire is one of the oak chairs that was around the dining room table.

My friend Jenn gave me this wonderful pillow made of a coffee grain sack for my birthday. Her friend who has a sweet little business called, "High Cotton" (here) made it. She is very talented!

Here is our little Jesse tree. We all loved doing this and it really helped us to stay focused on the meaning of Christmas. I printed some of the ornaments and purchased a few others. You can check out Pinterest for lots of different ideas for your Jesse tree ornaments.

This is supposed to be our 'formal' living space, but there isn't anything formal about it. We pile into this room most nights.

I found this pillow at Belk on sale for $20. I love it and what a deal for a needlepoint pillow!

This smallish tree sat on our porch. The season has been warm enough, so I put out a few decorations to enjoy the milder Christmas! The container came from Tuesday Morning; small lights from Restoration Hardware.

Thanks for hanging in there with me!

The Playroom

2012-01-04T08:28:00.000-08:00

Here is another space that I had to snap quickly. The playroom. Rob and I added shelves in here a few years ago in an attempt to keep it organized. It looks orderly now...this minute...but don't blink!

We spend a lot of time in here. As the children are getting older, we are thinking of making it into game room. We had an old juke box growing up that my dad has in storage. I would love to add it and maybe a pinball machine or pac man and a table for chess or checkers...some good ol' timey games!

I have shown this side of the room with shelving added as you enter the playroom. The door just past this is to my laundry room.

The bead board ceiling came from a hunting lodge in Blackstock, SC. When the lodge was torn down, the previous owner of this house grabbed all that he could. It is in the kitchen, as well.

Lots and lots of books and bins fill this space. Their idea of 'clean-up' is to shove everything on the shelves. I feel like I constantly have to reorganize! Clearly, I need to get with it.

This was one of our Christmas art projects. I had the bottle caps from summer.

I shared this one earlier in the season. We used old and new blocks to make this and covered the canvas with linen.

The tray is a vintage serving tray. It has little legs that fold underneath.

If this room becomes a game room, it will have to be an art gallery, too. I can't part with all the children's art!

Funny how pictures make things so obvious. A little more organization is needed here! This cabinet houses the TV.

Isn't this funny? My friend Jenn gave it to me a couple of years ago.

The creatures came from Books-a-Million. I love this book!

I love to see the children's art. Mason painted the picture of Toby right after he came to live with us. I love it. I would love to make a wall of art for all the great projects.

This little candy cane garland came from TJMaxx. It looks like the candy canes by Maileg, which I love! I am sure many of you can make these. Mine wouldn't look like a candy cane, but might be fun to try.

Maileg

My son made the doll house in front of the closet for his sisters as a Christmas present. He loves to build! He will melt a girl's heart one day, but right now it is mine!

Thanks for visiting!

Show Off Your Stuff Thursday; Transformation Thursday; Crafty Soiree; Strut Your Stuff Thursday; Time Travel Thursday; House of Hepworths; Open House Party

A Coat Rack or Stocking Holder DIY

2012-01-03T17:01:00.001-08:00

I found these cute reindeer hooks at World Market. They came in white or red. I know many of you are done with Christmas, but I just couldn't get everything posted! Plus, if you decide to make one of these racks, you might find the hooks on clearance. I love the after Christmas sales!

I took another board from my stash of old boards found in Charleston, SC, measured the spots to drill and added the hooks.

I haven't decided where I will use this. I might figure out a way to attach it to my fireplace mantel and use it next year to hold my stockings.

These hooks were a couple of bucks each. I bought the old boards in bulk, so this one is probably less than a $1.

The little felt red bird was made by my mom. I have six. I am sharing it, because I think these would be cute to remake...so many of you are super talented in the felt/craft area. I think it is funny that the clothespins she used were orange! She used to clip this to the limbs of our tree. I love to see the little things around my house that remind me of her...she was a sweet, sweet mom.

I perched the board on the molding in my mudroom. I am not sure where I want to drill holes for it...maybe my shed until next year!

Thanks for stopping by!

Click here to see resolutions, words of wisdom and good advice I have gathered and share with me any other great bits of advice!

Links:

Show Off Your Stuff Thursday; Transformation Thursday; Crafty Soiree; Strut Your Stuff Thursday; Time Travel Thursday; House of Hepworths; Open House Party

A White Deer Head DIY

2012-01-03T17:01:00.000-08:00

I have wanted one of these white deer heads for some time. I found one in Charlotte at a cute shop, but the price wasn't cute...$100.

Here it hangs on the wall between the shutters in my daughter's room. It is hanging a bit high, but I had already put so many holes in the wall; hence, the wreath around his neck to mask the holes.

I found this silver one at TJMaxx. I know! Can you believe it? I love the Maxx. They had two, and I wish I had grabbed both! Often, I find a good deal and think I need more than one, which really eliminates the whole idea of saving money...trying to buy just one, when I see a good deal.

ZGallerie

Here is one I found online for about $50. I purchased mine for $14 and I already had the flat white paint.

I will definitely be making this one for Christmas next year! Dusty Coyote did an awesome job making it. Her display is so great, too! Pay her a visit and see the colorful one she made, too! Tell her you came over from TPL!

Here is a puzzle deer head (Books-a-Million) hanging in the tree house (here and here.) I should take it down and use it as a template to make more deer heads in different colors. Hmmmm....

Thanks for stopping by!

Links:

Show Off Your Stuff Thursday; Transformation Thursday; Crafty Soiree; Strut Your Stuff Thursday; Time Travel Thursday; House of Hepworths; Open House Party

The Only All-White Room in the House

2012-01-02T22:02:00.000-08:00

Is there anything more relaxing than sitting in a hot bath with a glass of red wine and a good book?

My tub looks out onto the porch. You can see the bistro set and hanging planter through the shutters.

I saw this idea at a shop last Christmas, but have since seen it on Pinterest...putting strips of fabric or printed material in clear ornaments. I went through some things of my grandparents and found some old bills. My grandfather kept meticulous records! I used them to make these ornaments, spray painted the caps white and used old strips of fabric to hang.

It is safe to say, that if I built this house, I would not have put carpet in the bathroom...on the to-do list that is tucked in a drawer somewhere...My husband just finished putting up sheet rock behind the medicine table. An unused door was in the space.

One of my favorite scents is that of evergreens...I tucked them in everywhere and put Balsam fir candles all over at Christmastime.

The old board is a salvage piece from a historical home in Charleston, SC. I use it across the tub to hold my things. I think an old shutter would be cool!

I purchased this old hospital table for ten bucks...what a deal! The 'tree' candles and pinecone candles were left over from Christmas' past.

The driftwood tree was an 'after Christmas' sale last year. Lights came from Restoration Hardware.

This is my little space and usually becomes a dumping ground...drives my husband crazy. I'll add that to my New Year's resolutions...the discipline to keep it neat!

Click here to see more of my resolutions and words of wisdom...

Happy New Year!

Northern Cottage has a new link party on Tuesday! Pay her a visit!

Show Off Your Stuff Thursday; Transformation Thursday; Crafty Soiree; Strut Your Stuff Thursday; Time Travel Thursday; House of Hepworths; Open House Party

Two Rooms for Christmas

2012-01-01T19:14:00.000-08:00

I will be posting the rest of Christmas this week. This is my son's room. Family spends the night on Christmas Eve, so the room gets cleaned up and a little decor! I showed a few shots in the post, Three Pixie Lane Christmas 2011.

I LOVE Charlie Brown. This book was my husband's when he was a boy.

The Noel pillowcase came from Garnet Hill several years ago. I love to decorate for Christmas!

I found the metal sign of the old Ford F-100 at Hobby Lobby. My son LOVES trucks and this sign was the perfect size for the center of the wreath.

Lots of red and white are splashed in every room. I keep much of the red out for Valentine's Day, which is just around the corner! This red and white quilt came from Pottery Barn and was a gift from my sister a few years ago.

The vintage light bulbs were my grandmother's.

The Laundry Room...oh my goodness, I wish it could stay this clean all the time! I just can't ever seem to stay on top of it! I changed some of the colors in here by adding some red. You have to walk through this room or the bathroom to get to my son's room. My granny's old ironing board is in the right corner of the picture.

I get many questions about the sink in here. It is an 'apron' sink by Kohler. We finished this basement area years ago to add the bedroom for my son. The laundry room was in a hall closet, so we created this space, added a bathroom and the mudroom.

This 'clothesline' apron came from Sur La Table. I have an apron and dish towel love.

The jars came from Hobby Lobby. I painted the lids cherry red.

Maileg dish towel...again, it's the dish towel/apron thing...I couldn't pass this one up!

Happy New Year and Happy Birthday to my husband!

Looking for some resolutions or wisdom for 2012? Click here to see some of the best advice or words of wisdom I have been given and hope to implement!

Is anyone else ready for the routine to kick in?

Links:
Between Naps on the Porch

Resolutions, Words of Wisdom and Good Advice

2012-01-01T00:27:00.000-08:00

'Living life' (one of my resolutions) with my children ice skating at Sugar Mountain, NC Christmas 2011

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day. ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce (1904)

1. "Stop plowing a field in your mind; nothing gets accomplished when you do." Mr. Walton from The Walton's.

2. "We must never apologize for living life." My dear blogging friend, Christie at Grammy's House...A Quaint Victorian Cottage sent me a message with these wise words. Often, I am apologizing to someone for something I forgot or was late doing or didn't do. My excuses stumble out of that...I am living life...life with Rob and my children and both sides of our families in town and activities, the occasional illness or interruptions will naturally cause delays! I need to stop apologizing...this is the season the Lord has me, and I need not be sorry.

3. "We all make decisions based on our past experiences, present circumstances, and future desires. None will look the same." Podcast by Andy Stanley

We need to get our judgments in check. How people make decisions is actually fascinating. We tend to judge if a decision is different than our own.

4. What is right for one person or for one family may not be right for another. We are all unique and praise God that we are, or life would be so boring!

5. "When you say, "Yes" to something, you are saying "No" to something else." Lysa Terkeurst

I am very careful what I say 'Yes' to and what I allow the children to say 'Yes' to; usually too many times saying 'Yes' to other things means saying 'No' to family time. We have to pray about what we take on and what activities we do, because each person affects the whole. Usually, a 'Yes' for one person, means a sacrifice for the rest of the family. I am very protective of our time.

6. Have grace with each other. I thank the Lord for good friends whom have an exorbitant amount of grace with me...for all those times I forgot, I didn't do or was late doing, and for loving me despite my glaring sins. After all, we get each other and we understand. We are right where we are, and life is busy raising children. I thank the Lord for the grace He gives me every day and for a husband who chooses to give me grace. I need to work on showing grace to others, because what a gift it is to me!

7. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free. ~Luke 4:18

Have you ever met someone who is free? He or she gets it. They are free and not bound by the pressures of society. They are free and not concerned with images. Freedom may not come easy and it may come with huge sacrifices, but these people get it. Have you seen it? Have you met them? I have. I know people who are free. I want it. Discover what is keeping you in bondage and pray to be set free. Are you in bondage to order and cleanliness? Are you in bondage to materialism or words of affirmation from others? Whatever it is, seek the Lord and seek freedom. Here are a few strongholds in my life: materialism, comfort, food, too consumed with my children, etc. I am seeking Him and seeking freedom!

8. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and Love your neighbor as yourself. Luke 10:27

Choose people over perfection and the relationship over the task. Really everything boils down to this verse in the Bible. Often we miss it with our lists or our tasks and trying to do good or trying to be good or thinking we are good enough. We can never do anything to earn our way into heaven. Loving Him and trying our best to love others as much as we love ourselves would probably offer the freedom in number 7!

9. Live simple. Simplicity is available to us if we choose it. We fool ourselves into thinking technological advances make our lives easier. Maybe. But we miss out on face-to face conversations and interactions. We miss out on quality time with each other. I am not sure that sending a text message qualifies as 'loving my neighbor...' I am guilty. I admit it. I am told that I must 'get with the times', because this is my children's future. I want to understand technology. I just don't want to be replaced or controlled by it. I still want my children to learn correct English and have good penmanship; in an age of texting, this is diminishing. I still want to sit on a porch swing instead of an XBox image of a swing with an avatar of me seeing how fast I can swing and beat my opponent. And this returns me to no. 1 with Mr. Walton. Oh, how desperately I want to be his daughter and live on Walton's mountain!

10. Live life. Theodore Roosevelt said, "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." Don't wait until you lose ten, twenty, thirty pounds. For many of us, this is the deal. "When I loose the weight, I will...play with my kids; run a race; go to the gym; fit into that outfit; put on a bathing suit; go out with friends; go on a date..." Live life now. "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are" and do it now.

Jesus sees me through grace-tinted lenses and He loves me! He loves you, too. I pray that you see the grace that abounds and feel it in your heart as you enter 2012!

What are your resolutions?

Happy New Year!

Christmas Around the House

2011-12-30T22:44:00.000-08:00

After my daughter was determined to make my 'Noel' into 'No Elf' on my secretary, I decided to change the word to 'grace'...so appropriate, isn't it?

Here 'grace' is written on a little chalk board in this herb box centerpiece in my kitchen.

...and again, on the tree made from old blocks for the playroom.

His grace and mercy abound...

The little lamb was placed under the tree to keep Christmas in perspective...

I purchased the typewriter stamp set from Restoration Hardware. The children made Christmas tags for our gifts.

My youngest daughter received this lovely tea set and doll (Cath Kidston) along with a stroller from Santa.

Hats and scarves seem to grow on my chairs. My daughter tied this one to the chair as a little spoof on me for all my decorating...I think it was very clever!

Thank you all for your kind words about our yellow Lab, Toby. My whole family found comfort from your kindness. He is sorely missed!

I will be posting the rest of 'Christmas Around the House' throughout the week, with a few projects I did during the holiday. Time slipped away, despite my best efforts.

(I made the 'G' in the first photo with modge podge and a wooden letter from Hobby Lobby. One of the Christmas cards we received had the polka dot liner in the envelop. I loved it, so traced and cut the letter out and glued...simple, but cute!)
Best Wishes to you in the New Year!

Three Barks from Heaven

2011-12-27T20:27:00.000-08:00

No lazy day to play with toys the day after Christmas. No meandering around in our jammies all day eating leftovers or sitting by the fire relaxing after guests had all gone home.

The day after Christmas was a sad day for us. Our beloved Toby passed away. With great big holes in all of our hearts, we grieved. For those of you who are pet owners, you understand. It is like losing a family member. It hurts. It hurts deeply. Our pets love us so much. They love unconditionally. They listen. They comfort. When you have tears, they lick the pain away. When you are happy, they rejoice with you. Our pets are faithful. Toby was the best. He was all of our best friend.

Toby had been in a great deal of pain for several weeks. We thought it was arthritis. We went to the vet three times to get more medication. By Christmas, he couldn't walk at all. He cried at night. We took him to the vet the day after Christmas hoping that maybe he had a broken leg that was misdiagnosed and could be fixed. X-rays showed bone cancer. A cancer that had caused his hip bones to completely deteriorate. We had the difficult choice to make to put him to sleep and out of the pain he was experiencing. If you have not had to confront this, it is one of the most difficult choices. And then there is explaining that to your children...

I don't think I have ever seen my children cry so hard. It pained me to watch them. It was difficult to be strong, when my own heart was hurting. Later that day, when I thought we had no more tears left, my son was cutting fruit for our dinner. He turned around with the bowl in his hand and with eyes full of tears said, "I know I am crying again, but I thought I heard three barks from heaven."

I believe him. I don't pretend to know what happens to our pets when they die. I like to think that they will be in heaven. After all, God created them, too. I can't recite it, but somewhere in the Bible it says that the animals will all live in harmony; the lion and the lamb... There are no tears in heaven. I think it would be sad not to see our pets. I choose to believe they are there, and that we will see them again.

I told my children that Toby couldn't walk anymore here on earth and that he was suffering. That day after Christmas, I pictured Jesus balancing on one knee and yelling, "Come here, boy! Come on Toby!" I like to think Toby ran into his Maker's arms at the moment he closed his eyes here on earth. I like to picture him running in the fields of flowers and swimming in the ponds in heaven. I think this picture gave my children some comfort.

Three barks from heaven...I think I hear them, too.

I have written about Toby before. We adopted him two years ago from Rob's great uncle who passed away at the age of 93. Toby didn't have anywhere to go, and we had recently lost our yellow lab of 15 years. We had known Toby and were thrilled to welcome him, but were a little unsure how he would be with the children; he hadn't been around kids much. Rob's parents drove and met family from Pennsylvania to bring Toby to us. He loved our children and played endlessly with them. After six months, Toby swallowed a McDonald's pink flamingo toy and almost died. He had surgery and survived the fifty/fifty chance that was given. We were so blessed by Toby. He will be sorely missed.

I apologize to so many of you, whom I wanted to visit and wish a Merry Christmas or to respond to questions you had. I will be back soon. Enjoy your time and hug your loved ones and your pets. As one blogger wrote to me, "Love them way more than you think possible!"

Much love to all of you,

There is No Santa Claus

2011-12-25T18:10:00.000-08:00

(bing.com)

My sister-in-law forwarded this to me and I think it is so sweet.

I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus," she jeered. "Even dummies know that!"

My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her "world-famous" cinnamon buns. I knew they were world-famous, because Grandma said so. It had to be true.

Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything. She was ready for me. "No Santa Claus?" she snorted...."Ridiculous! Don't believe it. That rumour has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad!! Now, put on your coat, and let's go."

"Go? Go where, Grandma?" I asked. I hadn't even finished my second world-famous cinnamon bun. "Where" turned out to be Kerby's General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything. As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars. That was a bundle in those days. "Take this money," she said, "and buy something for someone who needs it. I'll wait for you in the car." Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's.

I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself. The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping.

For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for.

I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbours, the kids at school, the people who went to my church.

I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobby Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock's grade-two class. Bobby Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went out to recess during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobby Decker didn't have a cough; he didn't have a good coat. I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobby Decker a coat!

I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm, and he would like that.

"Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down. "Yes, ma'am," I replied shyly. "It's for Bobby."

The nice lady smiled at me, as I told her about how Bobby really needed a good winter coat. I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag, smiled again, and wished me a Merry Christmas.

That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat (a little tag fell out of the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible) in Christmas paper and ribbons and wrote, "To Bobby, From Santa Claus" on it.

Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobby Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially, one of Santa's helpers.

Grandma parked down the street from Bobby's house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk. Then Grandma gave me a nudge. "All right, Santa Claus," she whispered, "get going."

I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded his door and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma.

Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobby.

Fifty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my Grandma, in Bobby Decker's bushes. That night, I realized that those awful rumours about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were -- ridiculous. Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team.

I still have the Bible, with the coat tag tucked inside: $19.95.

Author Unkown

Merry Christmas!

Three Pixie Lane Christmas 2011

2011-12-23T21:53:00.000-08:00

This truck in my son's room is haulin' my grandmother's vintage Christmas tree lights.

Swedish Country

From the Heart of the Home

From the Heart of the Home

Leave Your Boots Here for the Holidays (a mud room)

Leave Your Boots Here for the Holidays

The other side of the mudroom; a laundry room.

Laundry Room

Entry

A Christmas Shed

A Lakeside Porch

A Ski Lodge Christmas

French Country Hutch

Family Room

A Playroom

My son's room (ready for guests.)

Son's room

Master bath

Thanks for stopping by to see my tour! If I don't have a link to a room, it is because I haven't posted it yet. I will be showing some Christmas, even after Christmas! It sneaked up on me...so little time!

Merry Christmas !

Linking to Funky Junk Interiors for Home Tour 2011.

Swedish Country

2011-12-22T21:26:00.000-08:00

My daughter's room becomes a guest room for Christmas. It looks pretty much the same as last Christmas, except for a few changes. The red gingham heart pillow was in the 'As Is' section at IKEA for $1.99. I bought three, because if you are going to save money, save it on more than one, right? My husband says I sure do save a lot of money this way. Valentine's is coming...

I tried to simplify this space, since Swedish Country really is simple with clean lines. I love details, but sometimes I overdo it!

The deer head was a real find and I gave it a makeover. Will share soon, but for now, he hangs in this room to add some whimsy.

I love quilts. They have such personality. Antique and vintage ones are so lovely, but they cost a pretty penny. I found this one at Tuesday Morning. Quilts by Ralph Lauren are well-made and beautiful; however, I would not pay full price. These were another great find and lend to the 'country' feel of the room. My sister bought one, too!

A side view...the wreath is covering up some extra holes I put in the wall, and the nest is masking where the paint began to chip...I made the wreath last year by wrapping some stems together.

This year, I added a tiny tree to the Dutch secretary. Otherwise, nothing new here! Click the link, if you want to see this makeover.

I think it would be great to sleep in here with this little tree as your night light!

You can see the sock garland and how I made it here.

I purchased this nativity last Christmas at the Maxx. Can you tell it is one of my favorite stores?

These are a few of our favorite Christmastime reads. How the Grinch Stole Christmas belonged to my husband when he was little.

Big Betty (the bunny) has seen a lot of lovin' from my kids. She is a keeper. I just look at her and can picture one of them dragging her around. The little mouse came from IKEA.

Thanks for stopping by on the eve of Christmas Eve!

If you are still looking for gift ideas, see my post here!

Merry Christmas!

Weekend Wrap-up Party; Show and Share Day; Show and Tell Friday; Feature Yourself Friday; Frugal Friday; Frugalicious Friday; Inspiration Friday; Feathered Nest Friday; Vintage Inspiration Friday; Fridays Unfold; Potpourri Friday

Gift Ideas for Christmas

2011-12-22T07:25:00.000-08:00

This is a simple gift for a friend who loves to bake.

(Mitt- TJMaxx; timer- Sur La Table)

How about a jar of pretty ribbon and a nice pair of Martha Stewart shears for the seamstress or even just for wrapping gifts?

A basket of kitchen goodies is always a nice thing!

This 'batter pen' from Sur La Table is wonderful. While I don't love to bake, my children do! This is such an easy way for them to help fill muffin cups...no mess! It is also great for making pancakes. Extra batter? Just store the 'pen' in the frig!

One of my friends has a gingerbread party for the children every year. It is one of my favorite things to do at Christmas! Her house is so bright and inviting, and she has such a sweet, sweet family. I found a Maileg kitchen towel with the directions for making gingerbread cookies. I added some measuring spoons and a large peppermint candy cane. She had recently told me that she loved eating these large candy canes as a child. She would carry it around the entire month of December, carefully wrapping it in plastic wrap when not in use! Oh, I remember that!

(Kitchen towel-specialty shop in Charlotte; Red gingerbread measuring spoons- JoAnne's; large candy canes- Dollar Store)

My children gave these 'Movie Night Goodies' as host/hostess gifts to the children we visited for parties or dinner. We filled these with popcorn and old-fashioned candy like Milk Duds, Jr. Mints, lemon drops, etc...
(Maileg paper bags- local gift shop)

You don't always have to take a bottle of wine as a hostess gift; although some might need it this time of year! I found several cute sets of measuring spoons and attached this verse:

May you grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,

and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled

to the measure of all the fullness of God. ~Eph. 3:18-19

I found all of these measuring spoons at TJMaxx. My sweet sister grabbed some for me when she was out and about and saw some at the Maxx. We visited several stores to round them up!

Snowmen, Santa, mittens, gingerbread and the dots...I had a tough time letting these go! Do you ever do that? Buy a gift, but don't want to part with it...guess I am missing the meaning of it all! I did part with them...reluctantly.

Remember this? Our elf uses it to keep warm; however, it is intended for a bottle of wine.

Wine bottle hat and scarf- Sundance Catalog.

This wreath is made from a vintage book of 1930's music. Ashlyn has the greatest music/piano teacher, so I made this for her.

What a sweet gift! My dear friend Jenn gave me this bag of goodies with all the necessities for our family bonfires; a warm blanket, fire starters, sticks to hold the marshmallows, a large bucket with all the fixin's and some hot chocolate with a pretty scoop all packaged in this adorable bag from Land's End!

Jenn also made this precious block ornament with pictures of all three of my children. L.O.V.E. Wouldn't your friends or family love this? So cute!

I could not wait to print this freebie for the kids in Ashlyn's class. Reindeer noses! How cute is that!

I found the little tin favor boxes in a package of thirty in the wedding section at Michael's.

Here the Crafting Chicks used spice bottles from IKEA.

Candles for teachers...
(TJMaxx)

Small plants for teachers, too. I found some cute enamelware cups at Tuesday Morning and used them to hold the poinsettia. I wanted small evergreens, but couldn't find them anywhere! Love the idea of giving someone a tree to plant.

I wish I had a job arranging flowers! Flower arrangements are for my very kind neighbors.
(Basket-Tuesday Morning)

My neighbor put it on her front porch for the Christmas party with live Nativity.

Beautiful 'Star of Bethlehem' is bunched together with some evergreens and roses.

Consumable products are always a good choice to give to friends or family. I made the homemade marshmallows (recipe here.) I am so proud of myself, although I haven't tasted them yet!

I combined the marshmallows with a jar of hot chocolate mix. The felt wool mitten is to hold a note saying, "Baby, its cold outside!"

No matter what the gift, I hope we all remember the true meaning of Christmas...the ultimate gift that was given to us on Christmas day.

Merry Christmas y'all!
Are you ready?

Links and Parties:
Weekend Wrap-up Party; Show and Share Day; Show and Tell Friday; Feature Yourself Friday; Frugal Friday; Frugalicious Friday; Inspiration Friday; Feathered Nest Friday; Vintage Inspiration Friday; Fridays Unfold; Potpourri Friday

The History of the Candy Cane - The 700 Club (White Candy Cane Photo by Three Pixie Lane)

2011-12-20T07:32:00.000-08:00

I was super excited when an executive from the Christian Broadcast Network contacted me about using one of my photos for a segment on the history of the candy cane. It aired this morning on the 700 Club and here is the segment!

Thank you, Lesslie for sending this to me!

Some of you might remember this picture from last Christmas in the post, 'Three Pixie Lane at Home.' The really crazy thing is that this is the same post where Barbra Streisand found the picture for her album, What Matters Most! Crazy right?!

I hope this encourages all of you to keep up all the hard work that you pour into your DIY projects, homes, your families and your blogs! You never know who is watching!

Edit: You can find the white candy canes at Target. They come in a pack of solid red, solid green, and solid white by Gobstoppers.

Thank you CBN!

Merry Christmas!

With Love from the Heart of the Home...the Kitchen

2011-12-18T20:32:00.000-08:00

“Think this over carefully: The most charming hours of our life are all connected – by a more or less tangible hyphen – with a memory of the table."— Pierre-Charles Monselet 1874

What you can't see...

the fork holes in the table,

the autographs etched in the wood by famous little people,

...small pictures or smiley faces discriminately drawn under placemats...forever etchings to remember our time as a family around 'the table.'

Don't you just live in the kitchen? Honestly, I don't love to cook, but it is listed on my job description. This little window seat is the dumping ground for book bags, coats, etc...

My husband brought home bags and bags of paraplast embedding medium; otherwise, known as wax. Apparently, it had hardened too much for use at work, so he decided to bring it home, melt it and make candles. In addition to the candles, I used the wax to adhere small boxwood stems to this bay window.

Here is the view from outside the window. I have some small boxwood plants right out front, but not enough to make a wreath. This seems to fill the space adequately. These little sprigs might look nice on glass front kitchen cabinets or even on glass containers.

This pillow was painted by little hands and backed with some pretty fabric and trim.

My kitchen is black, green and white. Ornaments and plates by Burton + Burton and Glory Haus tie all the colors together for Christmas.

Rob bought the little nativity plate for me on our recent trip to the Billy Graham Library. It is a nice addition to my small collection of nativities.

The colors are so bright and festive!

Some of you might remember this candy jar from last year. I wanted some whimsical jars, but couldn't find what I was looking for, so I glued a snowman ornament to a glass jar for the desired effect. My sister gave me the snowmen measuring cups, which I love!

This antique highchair sits beside the bookshelf. We remove the potted plant when my niece and nephew come over for additional seating!

My 'log cabin' gingerbread house surfaced again this year. I have stored this one for three years! It is still in pretty good shape, but to keep little paws off of it, I displayed it under the large cloche. The vintage red lunch box holds a sparse tree.

Two things I love: children's and baby doll vintage furniture and old timey lunch boxes.

We will have Christmas dinner here in just a few days!

Oh, I have a thing for pretty dish towels, too!

Children's artwork is another favorite of mine. Just seeing how they are learning to express themselves with crayons and paintbrushes is so wonderful! The Rudolph masterpiece is by my five year old.

I made this little chalk board years ago. You can buy these at Michael's in natural wood. I painted the 'Days 'til Christmas' with space to change the countdown. This is a favorite around here. My kids love to climb on the counter and change the number. It hangs from our light fixture, so I am sure that is part of the fun!

These Burton ornaments are some of my favorites. I have stashed them in cups and bowls all over the kitchen; however, it would be fun to have a Christmas tree in the kitchen, since we are in here so much!

More of these sweet little ornaments hang from my canisters. The 'mitten' measuring cups came in a stack and were another gift from my sister. I put the other 'mittens' in our granola jar and mixed nuts jar.

My daughter creates some more masterpieces (hopefully, now that she is older, this is on paper!)

There is just something about the kitchen. It really is the heart of the home!
~
Have you heard the story about the father who tried relentlessly to grow grass under the swing set where his children played every day? It bothered him that no grass would grow there! One day, his wife said to him, "We are not raising grass, we are raising children." Point well taken and the dad started to enjoy the bare patches on the ground. Soon enough, grass will grow there, and it will grow tall, he thought.
For now, enjoy the bare spots in the grass created by little feet and the etchings in the table made by little hands! No, my honey does not like the pieces of artwork etched into our table! Certainly, one should teach their children not to write or draw on the table! When I see the markings, it just reminds me of when my children were all so young and learning right from wrong. It reminds me of their innocence over not knowing the difference. I treasure those marks and I think, just maybe, my neat and tidy husband does, too!

Merry Christmas to you all, as you gather around the 'table' for your celebration!

Links:
Savvy Southern Style

Metamorphosis Monday; Just Something I Whipped Up Monday; Craft-O-Maniac Monday; Making Monday Marvelous; Making the World Cuter Monday; Inspiration Friday;

Such a Strange Way to Save the World

2011-12-18T05:34:00.000-08:00

Our neighbor had a party last night. She gathered friends, family, animals, and singers to re-enact the Nativity. My three children had parts...two angels and a shepherd.

Mason wanted a 'staff,' so he found this limb to carry. Later, I had to send him outside, as he dragged this small tree through Ms. Nancy's house.

Most of the characters are played by neighbors or by the grandchildren of our neighbors. We have a large field at the entrance of our driveway, so the story begins there with shepherds watching their flock. The angel appears to tell them of the great news. A few of the smaller angels accompany him.

The angels perform to 'Hark, the Herald Angels Sing!' Clearly, the younger ones don't remember the steps, but hopefully the message of the night is taking root.

The wise men deliver gifts and are accompanied by animals like the ones that would have been present on that special night over 2000 years ago.

In addition, to the live nativity, carolers and hand bell players from Nancy's church performed. She plays the harp, so that was part of the entertainment, as well. Later, that evening, an Elvis impersonator sang all of the famous hits. We loved this! You can see my two angels sitting behind 'Elvis.' I was dying to get up and dance with him, but of course, the embarrassment to my children would have been too much!

Nancy decorates twenty live Christmas trees every year...one for every room in the house and for the porches, too. The largest tree is approximately 20 feet. It is truly like a fairytale to walk through her house. Her friends and neighbors help in the process, which begins soon after Halloween.

I took pictures of all the nativities she has collected. They are amazing; handmade by artisans from all around the world. I started my own collection of unique nativities because of these.

Here you can see some of the wild animals from faraway places. Even they are decorated for the event. The doctor's carriage belonged to her great-grandfather and hangs from her ceiling. I am guessing it is from the mid-to late 1800's...amazing. You can also see some of the masks she has collected from around the world. Each has its own cultural story.

Nancy is in the top left photo with my girls. There aren't any playmates living near us, so Mason will often go to Ms. Nancy's to play checkers. At Christmastime, she takes the children shopping to buy gifts for me! She loves my children as if they were her own grandchildren. Nancy is so gracious to share her blessings with others, and yet she does a tremendous job of keeping the real meaning of Christmas alive.

Santa Claus arrived at 8:30 pm with a gift for every child. Mason took it upon himself to share the gospel with Santa and to inform him that Christmas is really not about the gifts. However, my youngest daughter believes Christmas is all about her and all about the presents!

I took hundreds of pictures to make a book for Nancy of the party. Each year, she says it is her last one. I can't imagine what all she has to do to prepare for this event. No detail is ever spared. While I was taking pictures, the camel came and stood right over me. He didn't exactly smell good and I was worried about what might fall from him. The donkey and the sheep were present, too and as I looked into their eyes and took in the sight and the smells, it occurred to me. These were the first eyes that our Lord would have seen. These were the first smells that His little nose would have smelled...the sight and smell of animals. I like to think it was a bit of a utopia for Him in that manger, but the truth is, it was not. It was cold and smelly and probably loud. As the reality sinks in, I am reminded of the song, 'This is Such a Strange Way to Save the World.' It is not how He deserved to come, but I am incredibly grateful that He did. The humble way in which He came, humbles me. I can barely wrap my mind around that He was born to die for me...for us. I am so undeserving of this King born in a manger, and yet, He finds me worthy. He finds you worthy. Like the song, I ask, 'Why me?' I am a sinner with a wretched heart, so why me? I hope you can reflect on what it all means this season and that the truth of His birth and His surroundings will touch your heart, too.

I'm sure he must have been surprised
At where this road had taken him
Cause never in a million lives
Would he have dreamed of Bethlehem

And standing at the manger
He saw with his own eyes
The message from the angel
Come to life, and Joseph said
Why me, I'm just a simple man of trade
Why Him, with all the rulers of the world
Why here, inside this stable filled with hay
Why her, she's just an ordinary girl
Now I'm not one to second guess
What angels have to say

But, this is such a strange way to save the world
To think of how it could have been
If Jesus had come as He deserved
There would have been no Bethlehem
No lowly shepherds at His birth

But, Joseph knew the reason
Love had to reach so far
And as he held the Savior in his arms
He must have thought

Now I'm not one to second guess
What angels have to say
But, this is such a strange way
A Strange way
This is such a strange way
To save the world

Written by Dave Clark, Mark Harris and Don Koch

Merry Christmas to you all!

Leave Your Boots Here for the Holidays...

2011-12-14T10:25:00.000-08:00

We have this little mudroom off of our laundry room. It is also where our dog can come in from the cold.

The Dutch door leads to the mudroom. Wow, I can't remember the last time this room was this neat!

Our yellow lab is an outdoor dog, so he sure can bring in a mess! He loves to swim in the river. No one likes the smell of a wet dog, so we have to keep this room clean. When I walk in the laundry room, I want to smell the fresh scent of detergent, not Toby! My daughter helps by giving him a bath once a week.

Also, we will have a full house on Christmas Eve. My son's room will become a guest room and it is also off of the laundry room (we remodeled the empty basement years ago, to accommodate our growing family.) I added some bright color and greenery to the space, since it will be visible to our guest.

Yes, Toby gets a few presents for Christmas, too! He is such a good dog!

The dog food pail came from Tuesday Morning. The old enamelware pot was once my Grandmother's. Now, it holds fresh water. The red polka dot bowl came from Ross.

I made the moss covered 'T' a couple of years ago. It was on our porch upstairs. This container is the same one as the one in the picture of the laundry room above. I had grown tired of the blue lids, so painted them cherry red. The containers came from Hobby Lobby with metal lids. The red is working for me now!

The little bins above his bed are kept neat with baskets and bins. The four small baskets at the bottom came from IKEA. The red and white rug came from IKEA, too.

Not too feminine or frilly for this space...

I feel like we wash his bed all the time. I wish I had thought to snap a photo of him on his bed! He is so cute!

I pulled one of my fishing baskets from the shed to hold the fresh greenery.

Thank you for stopping by!

I will be back with more pictures, soon, as I prepare for a home tour!

Links:

Show Off Your Stuff Thursday; Transformation Thursday; Tickled Pink; Crafty Soiree; Strut Your Stuff Thursday; Open House Party

Thank you Laura at Finding Home for the feature!

My Elf on the Shelf Cute Ideas

2011-12-11T19:50:00.000-08:00

So, I have written about how this elf annoys me. The late nights are getting to me. I'm sure I will regret my annoyance. The early mornings shrill of laughter and delight, when they find what 'Zelfman' has been up to is certainly worth it.

As I was unpacking my Christmas decorations, I found this cap and scarf intended for a bottle of wine. Sure looked like the perfect size for our elf. I saw some at World Market, if you are interested in keeping your elf warm.

Apparently, our elf misses playing in the snow at the North Pole. This particular night, he brought his own sled and 'borrowed' my boots from the tree.

Just candy canes, graham crackers and hot glue and your elf can have a sled, too.

The 'boots' came from Target (Smith & Hawkins) and are surprisingly hollow so his little legs fit right in.

When Zelfman showed up with a bag of coal, my five year old was not happy. She thought it was for her...and probably it was (is.) She came and whispered in my ear, so he wouldn't hear, "Mom, can Zelfman read my mind?" I said, "Yes." She decided right then, that she does not like the elf.

Hence, came the ban on the elf. I thought this was pretty clever of her. I had the word 'Noel' spelled and she went and made the 'F' for 'No Elf.' No, she is not as excited as the others and thinks he is watching only her...which he should be.
(Bag of coal gum-Michael's)

What are some clever ways you are hiding your elf?

Thanks for stopping by!

Linking here!

Centsational Girl

One Solitary Life

2011-12-10T20:57:00.000-08:00

Billy Graham Library Live Nativity

Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another obscure village, where He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty, and then for three years He was an itinerant preacher. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never owned a home. He never had a family. He never went to college. He never put his foot inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place where He was born. He never did one of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but Himself. He had nothing to do with this world except the naked power of His divine manhood. While still a young man, the tide of public opinion turned against Him. His friends ran away. One of them denied Him. He was turned over to His enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed to a cross between two thieves. His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth while He was dying—and that was his coat. When he was dead He was taken down and laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend. Nineteen wide centuries have come and gone and today He is the centerpiece of the human race and the leader of the column of progress. I am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, and all the navies that ever were built, and all the parliaments that ever sat, all the kings that ever reigned, put together have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as has that One Solitary Life.

By James Allan Francis (1864-1928)

The Billy Graham Library is a wonderful place to visit. Live Nativity, Christmas carolers, real animals, reading time (above) and carriage rides...perfect for remembering what the season is all about.

The first time I heard 'One Solitary Life' was at the Radio City Christmas Spectacular with the Rockette's in New York City years ago. I wasn't a believer, and yet I remember being so touched by this story by James Allan Francis. It is beautiful. Now, that I know Him personally, I cannot read this story without tears.
~
Today, I am reflecting on Christmas and what it means. I look around and see all the decorations that I have had fun making or displaying. Jesus wasn't fancy. He didn't care about all the glitz and gold. He was simple and probably wouldn't have cared for all of this. I crave to be simple and to honor Him on His birthday, yet I do love to decorate and make everything cozy and warm. There is a balance and that is what I have to find. Balance is what I pray for tonight.

I pray you are able to find your 'balance' this holiday.

Blessings to all of you, and thank you from the bottom of my heart for stopping by and visiting me at Three Pixie Lane.

XOXO,

A Swedish Santa

2011-12-09T07:26:00.000-08:00

Swedish Santa...otherwise known as the Tomte or is he a Gnome?

Either way, I have seen them around shops. Target has some adorable ones for around $14. I have maxed out my Christmas budget, so decided to make one with things I already have.

Isn't he cute?

This was one of the simplest ideas and it took all of about a minute to make.

I have had the wool felt hat (here), but you could use any Santa hat.

Last year, my daughter and I made several red and green felt balls (tutorial here) for a garland. We are adding to it each year. I used one of the red felt balls for the nose. You could use any red ball or pom- pom.

I have had the wire frame hat stand (here.) Left over angel hair snow was used for the beard.

I put the hat on first and then tucked the 'beard' up under the rim of the hat. I used a small drop of hot glue to add the nose right under the hat. I took a small amount of angel hair and rolled it together to make the mustache and then used some hot glue to add it under the nose. I added a few 'curls' to the beard but simply twisting it!

He just makes me laugh...HO,HO,HO!

google.com

Some of you asked, so here is an example of some more Swedish Santas! So quirky aren't they?

Do you want some lovely Swedish inspiration? Visit Ria at It's Me. Ever since I have been in blogland, she has always stopped by with sweet words of encouragment! Thank you Ria! I love to look at the pictures on her blog, but I can't read a lick of it! Her pictures are dreamy, elegant, simply Swedish...just so lovely. If you stop by, tell her hello from Three Pixie Lane!
Edit: Ria does have the translator button. Thank you Ria!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you are finding the joy and peace that is intended for this time of year...along with it, a little bit of laughter, too!

Links and Parties:
Just a Girl
Style Feature Saturday; Saturday Nite Special; Craft Envy Saturday Spotlight; Censational Girl;
Sundae Scoop; Sunday Showcase

Maileg...Just a Few of My Favorite Things

2011-12-08T18:06:00.000-08:00

Maileg is a Danish company...I adore everything they make. This advent calendar knocks my socks off! It is so cute! Oh, but wait until you see their garland calendar...

My Sweet Muffin

I'll just take the cute little boy and the white reindeer, too.

My $10 chair goes well with this line of toys, don't you think?

I put the 'sheep' vintage vocabulary card in day '24.' After all, our sacrificial Lamb comes that night...given to us as a sweet little baby boy.

The little brown discs with red ribbon are our 'Jesse Tree' ornaments. This is our first year doing the advent tree. It has been such a blessing. This advent calendar helps me to remember our devotion each night. I should also put a note in each pocket to remind me to move 'Zelfman' our elf! The 4 am jolts are killing me!

These toys are keepsakes. I just know I will use them with my grandchildren one day.

Remember the flag on the Dutch secretary? Maileg. The little clown inside the glass doors is by them, too.

The Princess and the Pea is also by the Danish company and was a gift from Santa last year for my youngest daughter (here.)

The bunny is Maileg and can be found in the post, "A Swedish Intent."

These are just a few of my favorite things...

What are your favorites this Christmas?

Links:

Common Ground Vintage Christmas; Frugal Friday Style Feature Saturday; Saturday Nite Special; Craft Envy Saturday Spotlight

A Christmas Shed

2011-12-07T16:32:00.000-08:00

I can picture Mason when he used to push this little wheelbarrow around. Now, it totes a small tree.

I had this wood salvaged from old Charleston homes. When I saw this idea on Pinterest, I knew it was a project for Mason. He loves to build (click here.)

I have no idea what these white berries are. We went to the town's Christmas parade and I snagged them from a tree behind a bank. (Edit: Betty from Country Charm wrote and told me the white berries are from the 'Chinese Tallow Tree,' also called a 'Popcorn Tree.' The berries were used to make candles. Thank you Betty!)

This is Rob's shed.

Since it is the first thing you see when you enter our driveway, he doesn't mind that I decorate it! At least, on the outside...

Our house does not have a garage. When we moved here eleven years ago, this shed was one of the first things we added. Rob loves to do wood working (tree house) and needed a place to house his tools. Around back and below, he included a little gym.

I have a quick tutorial (here) on these copper stars...another great project to do with kids. I used copper wire knowing that it will turn a pretty green patina.

So glad you stopped by!

I have another porch to link for the party and will post it soon!

Linking here!

Thursday: Show Off Your Stuff Thursday; Transformation Thursday; Tickled Pink; Crafty Soiree; Vintage Thingy Thursday; Strut Your Stuff Thursday; House of Hepworths; Gluesticks Get Your Brag On; Catch a Glimpse Party;
Friday: Furniture Feature Friday, Show and Share Day; Show and Tell Friday; Feature Yourself Friday; Frugal Friday; Frugalicious Friday; Vintage Inspiration Friday; Flaunt it Friday; Fridays Unfold; Weekend Wrap-up Party Saturday:Style Feature Saturday; Saturday Nite Special; Craft Envy Saturday Spotlight; Sundae Scoop; Sunday Showcase

Thank you so much for the feature!

A Lakeside December Porch

2011-12-06T22:05:00.000-08:00

The weather has been unbelievably warm here in SC. I have loved being outside!

It is hard to believe, but I have some of the most beautiful roses in full bloom.

It may not feel like it, but it sure looks like its Christmas!

What a favorite spot to watch the winter fishermen.

I made the white candy cane from some foam, wire and nubby yarn. Hot glue the ends...easy, but I only managed to make one!

I wing it most of the time, so tutorials are kind of funny to me. As you can see, I am no perfectionist. I sketched out a star onto some burlap, cut, sewed, stuffed and hung...easy.

Perfectly imperfect for this outdoor tree!

I made this last year using drop cloth, full sheet labels and twine. I cut the fabric the same size as the full sheet label and ran it through my printer.

Merry Christmas! Burrr...the temperature is dropping tonight!

I am linking here:

Friday: Show and Share Day; Show and Tell Friday; Feature Yourself Friday; Furniture Feature Friday; Frugal Friday; Frugalicious Friday; Vintage Inspiration Friday; Flaunt it Friday; Friday Remodelaholic; Its a Hodgepodge Friday; Feature YOU Friday; ; Simply Designing; Thrifty Things Friday; Fridays Unfold; Watcha Got Weekend; Air Your Laundry; VIP Party; Weekend Wrap-up Party
Style Feature Saturday; Saturday Nite Special; Craft Envy Saturday Spotlight; Sundae Scoop; Sunday Showcase
Censational Girl

Salvaged Wood Tree and Copper Wire Stars

2011-12-06T18:25:00.000-08:00

This idea came from Pinterest. I have lots of salvaged wood torn from Charleston's historical homes.

Perfect 'craft' to do with my son...the builder, but don't tell him it is a craft!

To make the stars, I used a piece of wood and hammered five nails in the shape of a star. I sketched it out on the wood to note the points. This was fun to do with my five year old. We tried several different wires, including a coat hanger! The coat hanger was too difficult to work with, but seemed like a great idea for recycling!

I used some 20 gauge copper wire and that worked great. It will age nicely outside!

Wrap the ends around to hold the wires together or cut smaller pieces to bind the sections together. You could layer and layer for thicker stars. We did three layers.

See 'A Christmas Shed' here!

Thanks for stopping by!

Links:
Thursday: Show Off Your Stuff Thursday; Transformation Thursday; Tickled Pink; Everything but the Kitchen Sink; Crafty Soiree; Vintage Thingy Thursday; Strut Your Stuff Thursday; Just Junkin'; Thrifty Thursday; Thrilling Thursday; House of Hepworths; Cottage Flora Thursdays; Gluesticks Get Your Brag On; Catch a Glimpse Party; Five Minutes Just for Me Pinterest PartyFriday: Show and Share Day; Show and Tell Friday; Feature Yourself Friday; Furniture Feature Friday; Frugal Friday; Frugalicious Friday; Weekend Wrap-up Party;
Style Feature Saturday; Saturday Nite Special; Craft Envy Saturday Spotlight; Sundae Scoop; Sunday Showcase
Censational Girl

Thank you for the feature!

Whimsical Perspective

A Ski Lodge Christmas

2011-12-05T19:53:00.000-08:00

Memories can be great inspiration for decorating. When I was young, we would go skiing almost every Christmas. Often, we would be gone on Christmas day.

I purchased the Swiss Army Blanket (here) a while back as a gift for my dad. One of my favorite ski trips was to Switzerland. The alpine mantel is a reminder to me of one that might be found in a ski lodge. Of course, you will need to pretend that it sits in front of a great big stone fireplace!

I cut the limb holding our stockings from a river birch tree in our yard.

One common tradition of the small villages is the ringing of the bells. Children will go in the streets ringing bells such as these and sing carols. Often the towns will compete to see who can ring their church bells the loudest to lure people to church.

I used the snow in a can to give the look of snow covered evergreens.

White ceramic pinecones came from Target.

I placed the river birch wood on top of the mantel for some balance.

We used mostly things we found outside to decorate this mantel. Some limbs are spray painted and added to glass vases full of glittery snow. Last year, we did a Woodland mantel (here) using things we found on a nature walk.

My MIL knits beautifully. We have many, many Christmas stockings from her. The white stocking was made from an old quilt.

My grandmother's frame fits nicely into the evergreen wreath displaying the antlers. I threw handfuls of snow on the wreath to assimilate the alpine look.

I love to ski! Although my family doesn't travel to far off places, we go to the North Carolina Mountains for a few days at Christmas. My five year old daughter will finally get to ski this year! The old wooden skis were a gift from Rob for my birthday. Pottery Barn has some vintage ones just like these.

I placed some more river birch wood in this basket beside the vintage 'showshoe' chair of my mother-in-laws. I love buffalo check. This blanket was a gift from my sister!

Thanks for stopping by and Merry Christmas!

Linking here!

Southern Hospitality

Home for the Holidays

Sassy Sites; Wow Us Wednesday ; Creative Side; Show and Tell Wednesday ; Make it Yours Day ; Whatever Goes Wednesday ; Transformations & Treasures ; Lil Luna Link Party ; Restored It Wednesday ; Thursday: Show Off Your Stuff Thursday; Transformation Thursday; Strut Your Stuff Thursday; House of Hepworths;
Friday: Show and Share Day ; Show and Tell Friday ; Feature Yourself Friday ; Furniture Feature Friday ; Frugal Friday ; Frugalicious Friday ; Vintage Inspiration Friday ; Flaunt it Friday ; Friday Remodelaholic ; Its a Hodgepodge Friday ; Feature YOU Friday ; ; Simply Designing ; Thrifty Things Friday ; Fridays Unfold ; Watcha Got Weekend ; Air Your Laundry ; VIP Party ; Weekend Wrap-up Party Style Feature Saturday; Saturday Nite Special; Craft Envy Saturday Spotlight;Sundae Scoop; Sunday Showcase

Thank you for the feature!

Country Living Copycat Ornaments

2011-12-04T17:42:00.000-08:00

The December issue of Country Living magazine inspired me to make some embroidery hoop ornaments.

I made several of the ornaments with a Swedish embroidery cloth that I purchased for $8. I wish I could say that I painstakingly embroidered each hoop! It was a very small cloth, so I didn't feel so guilty cutting it into pieces.

Their creativity over at Country Living prompted some of my own! I have some vintage pins of my moms and Grandmothers, and made ornaments using them.

I wore this one to a Christmas party over the weekend, but think I like seeing it the entire month of
December on my tree! I love the little things that remind us of our loved ones long gone.

I purchased the red and white gingham fabric from IKEA and made pillow cases for my daughter's room (here) last Christmas.

The red and white gives some continuity to my tree. Last year, the Christmas tree (here) looked a little schizophrenic (some might call eclectic!)

Country Living

You can see the plaid fabric inside these embroidery hoops in the recent issue of Country Living.

Country Living

These were advertised at Country Living's website and are available at etsy. So cute!

Thanks for stopping by!

I am making the party rounds! Thanks for the invites to some new parties!

Debbie Doo's

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Sheep, an Elf and a Jesse Tree

2011-12-04T05:38:00.000-08:00

(photo taken at Earth Day last April)

I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own...and I lay down My life for the sheep. ~John 10:14-15

As Christmas approaches, I am desperate to keep focused on Him and to fix my children's gaze on Him. The world is very distracting, isn't it? All the lights, toys and merriment everywhere, it is so easy to get caught up in it all!

This year we have a Jesse Tree. If you haven't heard of it, you need only to go to Pinterest and type it in to see lots and lots of ideas. Several of my friends have had the Jesse Tree, and I am excited to make this a new family tradition!

I am all about making traditions and having fun for Christmas, but here is my advice to all you young moms: if you start a tradition, it will be hard to stop, so think carefully and choose wisely!

Our elf has been here for two days, and already I want him to go back to the North Pole for good. For two nights, I have jumped out of bed at four in the morning, because I forgot to move 'Zelfman' our elf. Okay so maybe it is fun for the kids, but it is just one more thing for mama!

The Jesse Tree teaches the wonderful stories of the Bible and has a different lesson each day leading to Christmas morning.

As I reflect on the upcoming holiday, I can't help but think of the above verse. He 'laid down His life for me.' I can hardly comprehend this. He loves us so much that He would die for us.

Yes, I am certain the Jesse Tree will be a regular family tradition. I want my children to 'get it.' I want them to know why we celebrate Christmas. It is not for the gifts or for the bright lights, and it is certainly not about an elf. It is about Jesus, who came to earth to redeem us. He came here to love us and to walk in our shoes. He left His throne and humbled himself to show us mercy and to restore us to our Father. He died a horrible death, so that we might live. There is enough mystery and wonder in His amazing story; who needs an elf?!

All that being said, I will share my Jesse Tree soon, as well as some funny things our elf did! My friend Jenn suggested having the elf bring an ornament each day for the Jesse Tree. This is a great idea, if you already have the elf and want to incorporate him into the real meaning of Christmas!

What traditions do you have?

Blessings on this 'life lesson' Sunday!

A French Country Hutch (No Paint Makeover)

2011-12-01T18:50:00.000-08:00

I got this French hutch for free...

(Let's all just assume I'm going for the wrinkled look!)

Over Thanksgiving break, I finally made this ruffled linen skirt for the base.

The grid iron work is so pretty!

Green is my favorite color!

I placed this child's highchair in front of the hutch to break up the mass amount of linen that was required to cover the bottom of the hutch. I made the little linen pillow from leftover fabric, printed one of my favorite Christmas pictures onto it, trimmed it with some brown and white ribbon and filled it with Balsam fir scented potpourri.

Rob cut a piece of wood to go on top of my old hutch base. The French hutch was about 4 inches too long. My sweet friend Tonya gave me sewing lessons one day and helped me figure out a plan to cover the base.

Straight panels were the plan with a possible monogram on the middle panel. My lack of expertise at sewing caused me to go with plan B...a ruffled skirt! It is way more forgiving with crooked lines! I cut the fabric in panels so that I could easily gain access to the cabinets.

This dining room set was the first pieces of furniture we bought when we first married some twenty years ago. In the craftsman style, it was made by an Amish man in Pennsylvania. His woodwork is divine, but the style no longer fits with the rest of our house. Instead of having to buy more furniture to accommodate the freebie, we decided to use the base and cover it. I plan to cover the dining table with a pretty cloth and change out the chairs with others from around the house to go with the new look.

So here is the deal: I went shopping to a small antique/consignment store in Charlotte, NC. I happen to be in the right place at the right time! A lady purchased the hutch and base, but didn't need the top hutch. She told the owner of the shop to 'give it away.' I said I would take it and ran home, hooked up my trailer and paid two men $10 to load it! FREE...well, except for the ten bucks!

The linen fabric came from IKEA for less than $4 a yard.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Links:

Making the World Cuter 12 Days of Holiday DIY

Friday: Miss Mustard Seed; At the Picket Fence; Fingerprints on the Fridge; The Shabby Nest; French Country Cottage; Fridays Unfold; The Nester's Favorite Things; Saturday: Funky Junk SNS; Tatertots and Jello Monday: Metamorphosis Monday; Just Something I Whipped Up Monday; Craft-O-Maniac Monday; Making Monday Marvelous; Making the World Cuter Monday; Motivate Me Monday; Your So Very Creative; Make It For Monday; Polly Want a Crafter; DIY Project Parade; Craft Catwalk; Sassy Sites; Wednesday: Wow Us Wednesday ; Creative Side; Show and Tell Wednesday ; Make it Yours Day ; Whatever Goes Wednesday ; Transformations & Treasures ; Lil Luna Link Party ; Restored It Wednesday ; Primitive and Proper Thursday: Show Off Your Stuff Thursday; Transformation Thursday; Crafty Soiree; Strut Your Stuff Thursday; House of Hepworths; Friday: Show and Share Day; Show and Tell Friday; Frugalicious Friday; Sundae Scoop; Sunday Showcase

Christmas Art for a Playroom

2011-11-30T18:35:00.000-08:00

Over Thanksgiving break, I cleaned out closets and the playroom. My kids have outgrown playing with these wooden blocks, so we made a piece of art!

We chose words that applied to Christmas.

I had the canvas from another project and covered it with some linen fabric left over from my dining room project (I'll post soon!) This was a great project to do with my five-year old daughter. While we arranged and glued, she practiced her spelling and sounded out the letters.

Supplies: various blocks, canvas, fabric to cover (optional), staple gun, and a hot glue gun.

This idea was inspired by one I saw in a magazine. No cost...just a little bit of time with my kids and we created some Christmas art! I'll write their ages on the back and will pull it out each Christmas to remember the little hands that played with these blocks!

Thanks for stopping by!

A Grandmother's Dresser Refinished

2011-11-27T20:38:00.000-08:00

This dresser belonged to my mother-in-law when she was a little girl.

She gave it to Rob and me when we were first married, almost twenty years ago. When we moved to our current home, we gave it to Rob's brother.

I sanded and painted the dresser with Sherwin Williams 'Creamy' paint. It is now going to be used in my niece's room. I did a little staging before we took it over on Thanksgiving Day! These are some little shoes both my daughters wore.

Vintage coat hanger...

...and some vintage-looking paper to line the drawers.

I found the scented paper at Tuesday Morning...so, so cute and has a baby powder scent.

I replaced the big, round wooden knobs with these from Hobby Lobby for a sweet, girly touch.

After...

Before!

Thanks for stopping by!

Linking here!
Primitive and Proper

If I Had my Child to Raise Over Again...

2011-11-27T19:12:00.000-08:00

If I had my child to raise over again

I'd build self-esteem first and the house later

I'd finger paint more and point the finger less

I would do less correcting and more connecting

I'd take my eyes off my watch and watch with my eyes

I would care to know less and know to care more

I'd take more hikes and fly more kites

I'd stop playing serious and seriously play

I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars

I'd do more hugging and less tugging

I'd see the oak tree in the acorn more often

I would be firm less often and affirm much more

I'd model less about the love of power

And more about the power of love.

~Diane Loomans

My goal this season is to 'be still' and to enjoy the mystery and wonder of the Christmas season through my children's eyes. I pray that they will be able to see Him through all the decorations and busy schedules and 'know that He is God.'

“Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.” ~Psalm 46:10

Blessings,

Ten Ways to Give Thanks

2011-11-23T21:43:00.000-08:00

Research shows people who practice gratitude feel more joy and connectedness, cope better with stress and experience less illness and depression. Here are some ways to develop a heart of gratitude:

1. Give a fall bouquet of flowers to someone you appreciate.

2. Pen a thank-you note to someone who doesn't expect it, like the bus driver, your babysitter, or your child's teacher.

3. Start a gratitude journal. List three things you're grateful for each day. Gratitude journals focus on what's right instead of what's wrong.

4. Tell your spouse "thank you for working so hard for our family" or "thank you for taking care of the household." Show appreciation for the things that can often be taken for granted.

5. Set a 'grateful' example to your children. Say "thank you" when they help with table-setting or clean up. Acknowledge and show appreciation for the little things they do, as well as, the big things.

6. Bake a 'thankful pie' using a favorite family recipe. Savor the bounty and give thanks for your family and for fond memories. Remember loved ones by sharing old photos and telling stories to your children.

7. Take a walk through the woods and notice the color of the leaves, the cooler air and God's magnificent creation. Be thankful that God shares His creation with us and gives the beauty of different seasons.

8. Remember difficult times, like frustrations, failures and losses and give thanks to the Lord for how He has brought you through with resiliency and renewal.

9. Rake leaves into a pile. Run and jump with your family and be grateful for good health and silly, spontaneous fun!

10. Write a letter of thanks to each of your children. Explain how they've changed your life and how much each means to you. Give the notes now, and then tuck them into their baby books.

Some ideas contributed by Heidi Luedtke, PhD.

I have not done all of these, but think this list is a good place to start! What are some other ways you give thanks?

Happy and warm Thanksgiving to all of you!

Thanksgiving Simple

2011-11-21T20:43:00.000-08:00

My sister, niece and nephew are coming over for Thanksgiving. I am so excited to spend the evening with them! I loved the Thanksgiving leaves for our 'Thankful Tree', so I decided to put a leaf at each place setting with a bark pencil.

Now, everyone can write what they are thankful for, and we can add these to our tree. Tip: Write the year on the back and file as a keepsake. These will be fun to read when my kids are grown!

I was inspired over at Kim's Savvy Southern Style to make this centerpiece with items I had in other displays. Our sweet friend Jesse brought me some turnips, sweet potatoes and these beans from his garden. He comes to fish for his supper and always brings me something...we have become good friends! (I wrote about Jesse here.)

(pinterest)
Where else do I get inspiration? Pinterest, of course.

I was so excited to see the tree branch 'antlers' in the picture above! I had made a small plaque for my porch out of some branches my son found. I digress...

(pinterest)

Here is another beautiful and simple table setting. That bittersweet just makes it!

(marthastewart)
So simple, yet so adorable...Martha Stewart, of course!

Bark pencils: TJMaxx
Brown & Cream towels used as napkins: Tuesday Morning
Bamboo looking flatware: Homegoods
Rattan placemats: World Market

Happy Thanksgiving!

Linking to

Thankfulness, a Gift, a Tree and the Best Birthday Present

2011-11-20T09:34:00.000-08:00

I was determined to make a 'Thankful Tree' this year for my children. The idea is to put out some 'leaves' and have the children write what they are thankful for each day leading up to Thanksgiving.

I used a jumbo leaf hole punch for the smaller leaves, and a friend cut some extra-large leaves for me at school using a Cri-cut.

We have really enjoyed this project of counting our blessings, so I made extra leaves for friends and put some simmering potpourri from Michael's in a little bag...

...from Pottery Barn Kids. Attach a little note to your friends telling why you are thankful for them!

Today, I count my blessings for the gift of children. (I hung this leaf on the tree!)

My birthday was last week, and I received the best gift any mom could ever ask for...lots of hugs and sweet, sweet notes. I am sharing this one from my son, because he has such a heart of gratitude. Mason has had some difficulties in his little life of eight years, but the beauty has been seeing him come through strife with a deeper faith!

Lest you think I will get a big head from his words, I know that I fail miserably at all the sweet things he says. Actually, I struggle to keep on top of the laundry and to read my Bible everyday, but don't tell him!

Here is my laundry room...usually, it is 'Mt. Everest!' I am thankful for a washer and a dryer and do not take this luxury lightly! (I hung that on the tree, too!) I confess that I do tend to grumble about laundry (note that it is the first thing he comments about!) but somehow, those sweet words of kindness from a child, make folding and washing a little bit easier!

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. ~1 Thessalonians 5:16-19

Teach your children to have hearts of gratitude. Our society seems to have an entitlement mentality which doesn't nurture thankful hearts. Be watchful and careful with all the things you give to your children, teaching them always to give thanks. During prayer, I give thanks and remind the children that everything we have comes from the Lord. I will often include thankfulness for our 'eyes to see, ears to hear, noses to smell, mouths to eat and hands to feel.' I thank the Lord each night for their daddy's job, reminding them how hard he works for all of us. I really believe that if they see parents with thankful hearts, they will humbly give thanks, as well. Praise Him and give thanks always!

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!

The Last of Fall

2011-11-15T12:03:00.000-08:00

I love the colors of fall, and it doesn't seem that we get to enjoy them for very long. As soon as Halloween is over, Christmas is everywhere! I am not complaining, because I love Christmas, too.

Before I do the big makeover for the holidays, here is the last of fall...

Fall is so simple and the rust, green and brown colors are my favorite. Can you tell? Most of my house is decorated in earth tones!

Simple tabletop displays add a little more color to our living room.

The marble compote belonged to my sweet, sweet granny. I used the white pumpkins left over from Halloween with the Bittersweet and some walnut colored moss to fill it.

As soon as it is cool enough to make a fire, we bring the fire logs in! Nothing else screams 'cozy' quite like a warm fire!

I found these plates a few years ago and love the colors...perfect for this space with the browns and greens.

My parents purchased the birds on the mantel in England, while my dad was stationed there. They were a gift to my grandparents. Again, I love the earthy colors.

Nothing seems to scream 'fall' like some square dancin' in a barn!

Some friends invited us to a banquet at the Dairy Barn in Fort Mill, SC. It is a beautiful, old building and the perfect place for square dancing. We watched on the sidelines, but the children were dying to give it a try! How fun!

I hope you are able to enjoy the last of fall and Thanksgiving, before all the Christmas festivities begin!

Linking here!

Gifts Given by Grace

2011-11-13T04:56:00.000-08:00

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Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. ~1 Peter 4:10

In the lyrics of the 'Little Drummer Boy' the singer relates how, as a poor young boy, he was summoned by the Magi to the nativity where, without a gift for the infant Jesus he played his drum. There are many different accounts of the little boy who played the drums for the baby Jesus. Was he the son of a shepherd in the fields nearby or was he the son of the innkeeper? It is unclear, but it is certain that he was a poor boy with a gift for playing the drums slowly and methodically with a beautiful beat and sound.

As I listened to the Christmas song on the radio, I thought about what gifts the Lord has given my children. Have I recognized their individual God-given gifts, and have I acknowledged and nurtured them? What non-monetary gifts would they give to the newborn King? What gifts from the heart could they give to others for Christmas?

Quickly, certain gifts entered my mind. My oldest daughter has the gift of organization. I try to envision her at the stable, making sure all the bowls of water are filled for the animals and that they have plenty to eat; the barn floor is neat and orderly; Mary is comfortable and has everything she needs. Mason has the gift of carpentry. I can see him repairing the barn walls with nails that he forged with the blacksmith's help, so as to keep the chill of the cold winter night out of the barn. He fixes the barn door so that it doesn't squeak in the night to wake the baby Jesus. He is quick to ask Joseph and Mary, "How can I help?" All the while, he ponders how many nights they can survive in the stable with the dropping temperatures. My youngest daughter is sitting at the feet of the sleeping baby. She wants to be right beside Him. She is sweet and settled in with big eyes as she stares at her Savior. I can picture her singing a sweet song; maybe 'Amazing Grace' or 'Jesus Loves the Little Children.'

I pondered these things and after I explained the song to them, I asked them, "What are some gifts that you would give to the King if you had no money to buy a gift?"

Ashlyn answered, "I would play 'Silent Night' on the piano for Him." My son said he would build a box to hold all the gifts brought by the Magi. My youngest daughter said she would dance. Hmmm. Now I might have guessed the first two gifts, but the gift from my youngest daughter of dance? This is not one I would have known. She is only five and has not yet taken her first ballet class.

This Christmas, I encourage you to seek out what special gifts the Lord has given to you or to your children. What gifts do you have that you could give without spending any money? God has given each of us special gifts and talents. We are to use our special gifts, provided from the Lord to serve others. Somehow, I have missed this. With consumerism at a high, maybe our society has missed it. We don't have to buy things to share gifts. I hope to teach my children (and learn a few lessons myself) about sharing gifts from the heart that don't cost a thing.

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. ~Romans 12:6

Blessings to you as we enter this holiday season!