Tablescape Thursday

Thank you so much to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for hosting Tablescape Thursday.  Be sure to take a peek at all of the lovely tablescapes featured. I'm sure everyone that posts is like me and loves comments. 


This is the table setting I prepared for our small dinner party we held Wednesday evening. Both of my children were at home and we had Mr. Paramedic's mother and step father over for supper. 

I can't wait until next week's tablescape because I hit the after Christmas sales and got some new dishes.  Don't forget to drop by Between Naps on the Porch to see more eye candy. 


Take care and God Bless.

Who we are--A look at our Family.

I decided to share a few pictures to give you an idea of who we are. All of these pictures were taken on Christmas Eve.

This photo is actually of my Mom and Dad and all 9 of us kids. It took quite awhile to get to get all of us together and not looking totally goofy. 

Wait!!!  Did you say act "GOOFY"?

Here we are with my parents. 

Mr. Paramedic has a thing about wearing bows. I guess it's his Christmas signature. He does this every year.

 

Here I am with my latest toy. Can't wait to play.

 

 Son, Craig, is totally into video games. 

 

Craig's girlfriend, Becca.

 

 Daughter, Kelsey, with her new GPS so WE don't lose her. You know those college students.

 Kelsey's boyfriend, Ismael. 

Take care and God Bless.

Basking in Our Lord's Presence

I have found this week that the Lord works in mysterious ways to pull us in and ask us to take the time to praise Him, ask for His forgiveness, and just generally cause us to think about Him and all He has given us.


Yesterday morning, as I was golfing (on the WII), was one of those moments and I experienced one of those little pulls he often gives me. 

I looked up and the sun was streaming through my window focusing on this . . .

And the message  . . .

Take care and God Bless.

Blue Monday and an Awesome Sight

It's not really a blue Monday for me I just happened upon Smiling Sally's blog and decided to participate in Blue Monday.


These are the blue slippers I got from my daughter, Kelsey, for Christmas. Thanks Kelsey. They are very soft and warm. (They are much brighter than they photographed and I did not use the flash.)

When I walked into the kitchen for good light to take this picture, I noticed this blue gift box that I received an ornament in sitting beside my snowman holding a blue tea towel. 

Then I looked out of my kitchen window and saw the most awesome sight.  A one of a kind sunset that will never be repeated. 

Is that not gorgeous?  Thank you, Lord. 

This picture was also taken from my back yard after making about a 90 degree turn. You can see that we got a smidgen of snow. It has been so cold that the snow hasn't melted in the low valley areas.

This picture was taken from the same spot but pointing the camera further up into the sky. Notice the position of the lamp post. I didn't notice the birds flying around as I was taking the picture. We have a lot of vultures that fly around looking for prey. Sometimes they come very close to us and land in the trees just over the edge of our rock wall ledge. They are very ugly up close but paint a beautiful picture as the fly around. 


Hope you enjoyed the wonderful view. 


Take care and God Bless.

Metamorphosis Monday

Sometimes the simplest of ideas pop into my mind. They are new ideas for me but others have probably been using them forever. I have the simplest project for Metamorphosis Monday hosted by Susan at Between Naps on the Porch.   

You know how we get Christmas cards each year from loved ones. This year I received a few that I just fell in love with. So I went through my stack of cards.

And picked out some favorites. Then I visited the nearest Dollar Tree Store and purchased some of these . . .

Now I have  Christmas Memories that will last for years.

 

Sunday -- A Day for Reflection and Relaxation

I started the day by attending Mass in my Parish. I always love to see the Christmas lights and decorations. We only use Christmas trees with lights, poinsettias, and greenery strung between the columns but it is beautiful. The Nativity stands out due to the massive display that the volunteer church members have created.  I wish I would have taken my camera so I could share it with all of you.


I really planned to start on Bonnie Hunter's "Carolina's Christmas" quilt today, but I was too lazy to get fabric yesterday.  Maybe I'll venture out today to do that. But then again, I still have my "Orange Crush" quilt top that I need to put together and get quilted. My husband has claimed it.  So . . . maybe that will be my project for today.


Here is the finished picture of the quilt I made for my niece for Christmas. I forgot to put a label on it so I need to make one and have her bring it back to me so I can do that. I named the quilt "Scattered Hearts".  This also gave me an idea to make a "Shattered Hearts" quilt. I'll have to think about a design. Maybe that will be my Valentine's Day project.

Until tomorrow . . .


Take care and God Bless.

It's the Day After Christmas and the House is Quiet

It is a beautiful, crisp, sunny morning here on Pine Ridge. This is a picture of the sun filtering in through the window on one of my Holiday displays.

 I hope everyone had a wonderfully, relaxing Christmas. I know many are grateful that Christmas was on a Friday because that gives them a 3 or 4 day holiday. I think we all need that.


My husband worked so I spent the day with my two children. Funny though, not really at the same time. I made breakfast/brunch for my daughter and her boyfriend around 10 in the morning. We then piddled around playing with new Christmas gifts and a WII we borrowed from my son's girlfriend. I made a delicious lunch/dinner consisting of fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, and corn. We ate around 4 p.m. That's when my son and his girlfriend got back from her family's celebrations. My daughter and her boyfriend then went to his house to visit. It was a great relaxing day for me and my family, except Mr. Paramedic. I'm not sure how busy he was but I hope he wasn't--which means most people are well.


I had hoped I would need to borrow this sled and . . .

spend part of the day outside with the kids building one of these . . .

 

but, we only got a dusting of snow--enough to make the roads slick.


Until tomorrow . . .


Take care and God Bless.

Christmas Wishes!

Traditions. We visit both my parent's house and my in-law's on Christmas Eve. Even though we sometimes feel rushed, it is a wonderfully festive time and very satisfying for myself and my family. Then on Christmas day, we usually spend the day at home, doing a whole lot of relaxing, playing games, etc. 

I'd love to hear from you. What are some traditions in your home for Christmas Eve and/or Christmas day?  Please leave a comment to share your traditions. Your traditions may become a new tradition for others.

Merry Christmas to you and Your Family!

Tablescape Thursday

The table is all set. The snowman are gazing into each other's eyes wishing for snow.  


Won't you come in and have a seat. See, I have already pulled out a chair for you. My daughter has gone out for pizza and will return any minute. I'll get you an ice cold Sprite and we can enjoy each other's company. I'll even share a little gift with you.

 

Please head over to Between Naps on the Porch to see other wonderful tables decorated for the holidays.


If I do not see you before Christmas, please spend the time with your loved ones and remember to take time to bow your heads and meditate on the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Merry Christmas.

How Many of You Decorate Your Bathroom for Christmas?

Greetings from Pine Ridge!

I spent the day working on the quilt for my niece. I completed it except for the binding. I think that will wait until the morning. And I can't show the completed quilt until after I give it away.  As I was walking through the house I realized I didn't finish my home tour.


So I thought I would show you some pics of my bathroom decorated with holiday cheer.

This quilt was actually made to be a wall hanging. It was going to go in my kitchen during the Christams season.  But, then I had a friend suggest I go ahead and put this shelf up in the bathroom and put the quilt there. She then added a few Christmas decorations and what a great wallscape!

This birdhouse was made by my dad for my daugher when she was 6 or 7 years old. We added a few blue poinsettias and a winter sign to make a great grouping. I have a picture hanging above the toilet that has birdhouses in it. I think I'll trade out the flowers and sign and leave this up year round. Thank you Ruthie for this creation.

This is another bird house I have had for years. I had flowers in it for awhile and then got tired of it. So I took the flowers out, put it in a closet and forgot about it. It resurfaced when I got out my Christmas decorations out. We added blue poinsettias and sat it on a winter tablecloth I made a few years ago. This is covering an old chair that my husband's grandma had in her bathroom for years. It is rusty, white wrought iron with a seat that needs to be recovered.  The tablecloth helps disguise it.

If you are ever in Paris, Arkansas, stop by the town square and visit with Ruthie at Ruthie's Extra Room. This quaint shop offers a wide range of primitives, country, shabby chic, and western Arkansas decor. Also lots of glassware, linens, pottery, and jewelry. The Store also offers a book section with new and used books, bibles, Christian books, music, and other gift ideas. Ruthie helped me get the house ready for the "Tour of Homes" we were involved in. Thanks Ruthie.



For those of you that collect old sewing machines, she had 2 in her shop on Monday. One was a Singer. Not that I would want to feed anyone's addictive habits.

I will show you pictures of our bathroom remodel in another post. Until tomorrow . . .


Take care and God Bless.

Design Wall at the end of the Day

Good Morning Everyone!!!!

This is my design wall late Monday night. I am up early waiting for Wal-mart to open so I can get some backing fabric and batting. I live in a town with NO other fabric but Wal-mart. I usually hit Hancocks in Fort Smith (an hour away), but this is an emergency. Finding a quilt shop is such a luxury for me and I am often overwhelmed.


I told my husband if we ever move, I need a fabric shop and a big front porch on the house. Oh, maybe a wrap around porch would be even better.  Isn't it great to dream.

Take care and God Bless.