Brrrrr... in Missouri

A beautiful Christmas Day shot in Kansas City, MO. Taken by Shane at
Wunderphotos:Weather Underground

This site is a wonderland of great photos! A shout out to Sister Jane, who winters down at the Texas/Mexico border --- look at what you're missing! LOL

Just one of my "very cool" Christmas presents....

I am loving my new cooler! This was passed to me from my mom, who had a little store on her farm that sold beer, soda and snacks, plus thrift items. This was the cooler that contained soda and candy bars. When the shop closed this year, mom started to remove all the items and asked if we girls wanted any of the coolers. "Heck yeah!" said I. This is a 6'2" Frigidaire Commercial cooler with stainless steel and on wheels. Thank you, mom!!! (That white square on the wall is where we had to remove an upper cabinet to make it fit into this recessed area by the food pantry.)

Hope you're keeping warm....

I had to laugh when I came across this pic. Is that a sleeve over her head??

Quiet reflection

Christmas in our home this year will be one of quiet reflection. We have lost family members this year and have shouldered our share of illnesses. There will be no brightly colored lights, no cheerful decorations or Christmas music here. Maybe next year. Until then, we will quietly gain strength and try to allow joy back into our lives. But I hope YOU, dear reader, have a very merry Christmas. Peace be with you.

Just for fun - some christmas kitties to spread good cheer

From the LOLcats site (http://icanhascheezburger.com)

Just moving things around a bit....

Wow, it's been a while since I last posted! Guess life got too busy in the last few months, but I'll try to get back on track to let you know what I'm up to. This is the hallway bath that I wallpapered earlier this year. (I know - gasp! - wallpaper!) I finally got around to adding a few decorative items to the blank space above the toilet. I didn't need a cabinet, since this room has plenty of storage space, with the pantry. (Don't hate me...)

The adorable boy and dog statuette was a gift from sister kk. I've had this wood shelf made from scrap trim for a long time. Included are vintage books, a cork buoy and a stone with "peace" engraved on it.

I've been moving a few things around and wanted to show you the hallway. With the white beadboard up, I placed the secretary in front and added a nightlight lamp and some vintage metal boxes.

Sorry for the bad lighting in this pic. This is where I keep my greeting cards and medical records. It's my own little space.

Not a big change, but making the ole home more comfortable for our casual living style.

Hey, some giveaways from my bloggy friends...

Susan at Between Naps on the Porch is having a giveaway for 3 of Lisa Leonard ornaments!!
Barb's Good life is celebrating her 200th post with a giveaway
Blue Creek home is having a giveaway in celebration of her new boutique
Applestone Cottage is having a Pay it Forward

Sofa pillows from Goodwill....

Amy loves to get in front of the camera to check out what is holding my interest....


Today, it's the cute pillows that I picked up at GW for just $2 each. This is the green fringed one. As you can tell from the mantle scarf, I do like my fringe.


This is in my parlor room, which is in the deep fall colors of greens and oranges. And the sweetest decor is Amy.....


The other pillow I got was in the deep russet colors. The fringe has some reflective quality, it seems.


What a deal and they fit flawlessly onto my vintage sofas....

A day at the pumpkin farm with family

This was the funnel cakes and lemonade stand. The bees were liking very much the lemonade and swarmed around the yellow container. I stayed away....far away.

Lots of spooky displays..... This was a gorilla wedding scene.

Painted gourds.....

A mad scientist's lab..... More funny than anything. Even the rat in the lower right bottom looks a little crazed.... Click pic to see more of this - up close!

One of the loves of my life: Ian, my middle grandchild.

Ha! My hubby, running with the shadow kids!

Looks like someone needed just 1 white pumpkin....

There were many creative, Halloween displays. My DD is having fun with this one, pretending that the "thing" was leaning on her.....

At the teepee display, a horse made entirely from bamboo and old mops...

Isn't this a lovely fall display? Looks like a row of perfect teeth...with one missing in front.

There were so many displays that I'm sure we didn't see all of them.

And there were pony rides. This is my oldest gs, Jacob.

Turban squash, I believe......

This couple just got engaged. The guy had the pumpkins to say: "Will you marry me Kristen" You can see the family taping the event.... I turned to my hubby and joked that that was what romance is...... hint-hint..... yeah, he didn't get it.....

And me. With my new, crazy hat and big shirt to keep out the sun. They are both rated 50+.



We had so much fun!!!! I love fall and I welcome the coming snow! (Should I say that in a hushed tone??)

Mantle fall decor

Okay, so I don't have a real fireplace (my hubby, the fireman, has gone to too many house fires that started with fireplaces, and so we don't have one), but I do have an old, wooden mantle that I can dress up for fall. I found a small bookshelf that fits in the opening and I decoupaged it in old sheet music and stain.

A piece of old sheet music is also in the vintage picture frame. ( It's tea-stained, but I don't think it shows up that way in the flash of the camera.)

The candles are handmade and still have the long wicks. These were a gift from my sister-n-law. The candles are in old bronze candle sticks that are dolphins blowing a water stream. (love dophins!)

The violin was recently bought off Craiglist and though I had planned to learn how to play..... I just haven't found the time, so until then, it will be a decor item. I like the look of the polished wood, don't you?

The old mirror is nice above the mantle, but I'm not one for mirrors by themselves. They seem kind of cold that way. But an old wreath helps with that.

The lamps are vintage and a gift from my mom. I added the updated shades and glued on some yummy trim that matched the trim on the drapes.

A garland of silk fall leaves rounds out my fall decor for this year. I do plan on making a Thanksgiving garland for my dinner company - coming soon!

Crazy!

skillet cherry pie....

This is my FIRST homemade pie crust! I only had whole wheat flour, so I'm not expecting a flaky crust, but more of a rustic bite. An iron skillet will also provide more iron to this to increase the healthiness. Ahhh, I can have my pie and know I'm getting some good stuff. (Ignore the lard in the crust....if I don't see it, it isn't there....)