MarytheKaytheBlog

Happy Summer to you!!

When we were in my hometown last weekend, I snapped a few pictures at my brother's house.  Their home is everything I LOVE about a house--bright and cheerful, with a huge front porch with white wicker furniture that just says, "Come sit, and let's have a cold glass of sweet tea while we watch the kids run around!" 

Their front porch and yard beckon you to come and sit a spell.  

See! I wasn't kidding about the inviting part, was I?  Doesn't this make you want an icy glass of sweet tea?  Bring your kids--we'll watch them while we chat.

And look!  If the kids get tired of swinging, they can run around back to the koi pond.  

Sorry I didn't take a picture of the huge goldfish.  Guess I was a little too lazy to walk down to the bottom to snap a picture.

But, can you blame me?  LOOK what caught my attention...

I just wanted to put up my feet a moment.

Now, if this picture doesn't say "Happy Summer" to you, I don't know what does! 

 What's your favorite part about your house in the summertime?

Please help me pick out a lamp

I don't know if you noticed how sneaky I was the other day...when I asked what was on everyone's wish list--and just-so-happened to mention what was on MY LIST.  

I just figure ye have not, because ye ask not.

Do you agree?

Anyway, I need to amend that list.  After looking with my mom at the table that I wanted to put the orchid on, she wondered what a lamp would look like, instead of the orchid? She was worried the orchid might not get enough sunlight in that spot.

So, today, I tried out a lamp that I already had, and I also walked through the lamp aisles at Target.  But, I'm no good at this decorating stuff.  My decorating style is called "Hand-Me-Down Decorating."  Nearly everything in my house is from family.  I LOVE having furniture that was my grandparents' and my parents', but when it's time to purchase something new and different, I am at a total loss.

Which is why I am coming to you, dearest readers.  I know that many of YOU are fabulous at decorating.  I've taken a couple of pictures, and I really hope you will help me figure out what to do with 2 tables in my living room.

Ready?  Let's get started!!!

This first picture is how I've had this corner table for years.  I originally loved the silk plant with pomegranates, but now I can't stand it another second.  It is a terrible dust collector, and I just don't like the look of it anymore.

I am open to changing anything on the walls, and anything on the table. Please don't tell me you don't like the tablecloth--I really love the fabric, and love the way my curtains bring out the red tones in it.  The shelf was my grandmother's, with several angels from her collection.  The pictures I bought years ago when we visited the Smithsonian American Art Museum. 

Oh, and in case you can't tell from my lame photo-taking skills, the walls are a buttery yellow.

 

Here's the next table I need help with. Again, this is the way I've had it for years:

Ya'll, these pretty chairs were my great Aunt Mae's  I can just see her tiny self perched in one of these, as we'd visit in her living room.  That needlepoint footstool was made by my grandmother, and sat in her living room. I can remember my uncle's gigantic feet propped on it, as he'd con me into giving him a foot rub.  The tiered table was also my grandmother's, and probably sat very near the footstool in her room, too.

I know you don't need all of these sentimental details.  But, I just can't help myself.  I just love furniture that tells a story.

 

Okay, next picture.  Here is the first table as a blank slate.  What would YOU put on it?

And here is this table with the dark red lamp (from the other tiered table).  What do you think?  Is it too much red?  (The light makes the lamp look funny--but it is the same deep red as the curtains.)  Would a darker color lamp look better?  Black?  Rubbed bronze? Or a different lampshade?

 

Here is the tiered table with nothing on it.  Except for a doily.  I know, I know.  People haven't decorated with doilies since the early 1990s.

 

 

As I walked the lamp aisles at Target today, I snapped a few pictures.  Do you think any of these lamps/lampshades would work on either of these tables?

 

The pictures don't do these lamps justice.  I just love the gold (glass) lamp!  Also, anything mercury glass makes me swoon, and this "antiqued" mercury glass lamp is no exception.

 Please don't tell me to use the Eiffel Tower lamp.  My favorite lamp here is the dark rubbed bronze twisted lamp on the right.

 

Oh, how I love this golden yellow lampshade.  I realize it has more of a modern flair than my very traditional living room.  However, I'd love to transition it slowly into a slightly more modern space.  (Emphasis on "slightly.")   What would this lampshade look like on a dark lamp--on the 2-tiered table?

Okay, there ya have it!  Please please just make out a plan for me, and tell me what I need!  Oh, and could you do it soon, please?  I need to tell my daughters what they need to "suggest" to their dad for Mother's Day.  *grin*

THANK YOU for your help!!!!  I promise to post pictures after you guys tell me what do do!

Sometimes it's the little things that make me happy...

Yesterday, I bought myself a little present.  At the time, I knew I should wait, and tell my husband or daughters that I would love this item for Mother's Day.  Dave loves when I give him good ideas for gifts.  Especially inexpensive ideas--like this one.

But, did I wait?

No, I did not.  I picked it right up and put it into my shopping cart before I could change my mind.

And I have to tell you--I could NOT WAIT to get home and try it out!  I was just like a little kid with a new toy!

So...what did I buy?

Here, I'll show you!

 
No, no, no.  Not the apples or bananas.  Look closer!

I bought a ScentSationals Scented  Wax Warmer Plugin!  Isn't it the cutest little thing?  Plus--double score--because it covers up my awkward plug in the middle of the wall.

I have wanted a Scentsy warmer for a long time, but Santa did not catch my hint the past couple of years.  Yesterday in Walmart, I saw the ScentSationals products nestled in between all the candles. When I saw their new line of plugins, I knew I had to have one!  Plus, it was only $10!  (Walmart is not showing the plugins online, but I bought mine in the store.)

I know this is only a little thing...but walking into my pretty-smelling kitchen sure did make me happy today!  Also, there is just something cozy feeling about the sweet little light.

Sometimes, it's just the little things...

Do you have a scented wax warmer?  What's your favorite flavor?  So far, I've only tried the Tranquil Spa.

What little things have made you happy recently?

Set a Spring Table and 2 Refreshing Spring Desserts

Well, if that title doesn't make ya want to eat a marshmallow Peep, I don't know what will.  I figured since Easter is this weekend, I'd better get this post up...or else I'll be trying to post these delightful Spring ideas this summer when I'm so sweaty and grumpy I want to punch somebody.

And punching somebody just doesn't fit in with this lovely post, now does it?

So--pinkies out, everybody!  We're talking Spring and pretty and dainty today!

I know I mentioned this post a couple of weeks ago, when I gave you a sneak peek at at my easy and inexpensive place cards idea.  I decorated this Spring table and made the 2 refreshing Spring desserts for a cooking show our church held.

My  mom and daughters helped me get everything set up the day before

Pop of color: Fabric.   I fell in love with the bright tablecloth topper (simply a fabric remnant on sale at Hobby Lobby), and knew it would add just the color pop I was looking for.  Because of the many bright colors in the fabric, I knew I needed to use white or clear dishes on the rest of the table.  I also bought the cheerful yellow with tiny white polka dots fabric at Hobby Lobby--and simply cut them into rectangles, and folded them into napkins.  (Shh!  Don't tell--I didn't even sew them!)

Everything borrowed: Inexpensive and easy.  Since the point of our table settings was to be easy and inexpensive entertaining, I mostly "shopped" for my table in my basement, my friend's basement, and my mom's storage closet.  I borrowed the darling bunnies and Easter egg tree from my mom, the votive candles from a friend, and the mason jars from my canning jar bin in the basement. 

Mason jars: Make me happy.  I wanted my Spring table to have a laid-back and fun feel, and the mason jar candles sure helped set the mood!  I used plain glass votives (from Walmart...Well, from my friend's basement...but I've seen them at Walmart), and slipped them into different sizes of mason jars.  I loved the way they looked grouped together in 3's.

Unique place cards: Fun.  I already told you how I made my jelly bean place cards here.  I bought the silicone cupcake cups at Hobby Lobby (on sale!), and filled them with jelly beans.  The only bad thing was I had to keep re-filling the jelly beans because a certain little person with a sweet tooth kept squirrelling them out. 

Want to see the whole table?  Here 'tis!

Sorry, I just couldn't grab a picture before people started taking the Mini Lemonade Cupcakes.  The plates are looking a little sparse here...  If you look real hard, you can see the White Chocolate Lemon Truffles hiding behind that bunny on the right.

Prettiest dessert winner: Smile.  Oh, there they are!  Y'all, these Truffles just make me smile.  Aren't they they prettiest little sparkling things?  (My camera skills don't do them justice.) The recipe said to roll them in powdered sugar.  But, I had seen some pretty ones rolled in regular (granulated) sugar and did that, instead.  I also placed each one inside a mini cupcake paper--which made them look all the more special.  Click here for the easy, no-bake recipe I used from Kitchen Simplicity.

Lemonade and cupcakes: Lovely words.  When I saw the Lemonade Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting recipe on Pinterest, I knew I had to make it into mini cupcakes for my Spring table.  I will say that the mini cupcakes were more labor intensive than I planned--and next time I would prefer making a whole cake of this recipe.  However, the flavor is perfectly lemony, perfectly springtime!

Table centerpieces: Easy and meaningful.  My mom has the most adorable miniature ornaments for her Easter tree, but I wanted something simpler, and more meaningful.  I decided to use coordinating scrapbook paper and my beloved oval cutter (from Creative Memories).  My daughter helped me make these--I cut the ovals, while she hole-punched the tops, and slid in the yellow ribbon.  My mom wrote Easter Bible verses on several of the "eggs"--which brought a spiritual emphasis to my Spring table.  Up close, you might be able to see a couple of the Bible verses my mom used: John 13:8 and John 1:29

Does all of this Spring talk get you in the Easter mood? 

What are your Easter plans?  Will you attend church?  Cook?  Visit relatives? 

Spring Table Preview: Place Cards

I'm working on a longer post full of happy springy photos and ideas, but I thought I'd give you a little preview today...

Recently, I decorated a pretty Spring Table for a cooking class event at our church.  For my table, I focused on ideas that were EASY to do, INEXPENSIVE, yet PRETTY.  Ahh--3 of my favorite words!

The place cards hit all 3 of those wonderful words!  Want to know how easy they were?  I only did 4 things to create these Spring Place Cards...

1 - I bought a package of 8 yellow silicone baking cups at Hobby Lobby.  (They were $3.99--but 40% off!!)

2 - I filled each cup with jelly beans (after eating...quite a few!)

3 - I used a toothpick, and stuck it into 1 jelly bean.  Sometimes, I used my fingernail to "pierce" the jelly bean, if it was being stubborn.  I did break a couple of toothpicks before figuring out the fingernail piercing method.  (A highly technical process, as you can see!  Ha!)

4- I cut little rectangles out of plain notecards, wrote on the names, and taped to the toothpick.

That's it!  4 easy steps to creating darling little Spring Place Cards!  And won't your guests just love nibbling on the jelly beans?

What's your most recent EASY, INEXPENSIVE, and PRETTY idea??

A 70th Birthday Celebration: In Pictures!

Hello, dearest readers. I'm still here. It's been quite a BUSY week, which is why I've been a little quiet. You'll see from the pictures below just what our family has been up to!

Dave's mom turned 70 this week, and we wanted to surprise her with a big celebration! It's wasn't easy planning a surprise party--and executing it from over 600 miles away, but I have to say it was WORTH IT to plan something special from one of the most giving, and serving people I know. My mother-in-law is always doing for others. She's usually the one planning special events for others, the one behind the counter quietly serving and cleaning for others. So, it was fun to do something totally for HER for a change. We did laugh a little during the party--because she didn't quite know what to do with herself when it was time to clean up. We absolutely would not let her help!

Here are a few peeks from her party. I have to say--the spring colors sure fit in with the gorgeous weather that day!

We asked friends and family to send special greetings, old pictures, or words of encouragement of what Betty has meant to them through the years. I'll write more about this scrapbook soon... But, it turned out great, and was such a fun gift to give Betty at the party.

We held the party at Dave's parent's church.  We kept things simple with the long tables and folding chairs, using blue and yellow to brighten things up a bit. Rebecca and Sara Beth helped place some pretty silk daisies and pink cherry blossoms down the tables. We didn't even use vases--we pulled the flowers from their stems, and scattered the flower heads in little groups.

Mmm, my favorite part of every good party--the cake table!  We decided to have a selection of cakes.  There was a chocolate birthday cake with buttercream frosting, a very yummy coconut cream, and the most popular choice of the night, a carrot cake.
Look at these amazing sugar gum paste flowers on the birthday cake.  Can you imagine someone hand-making these?  Beautiful, beautiful.  (Psst!  Wanna know a secret?  These delightful cakes are all from a Sam's Bakery, oh yes they are!)

The cake table gets a thumbs up from the granddaughters!  One (little) granddaughter in particular visited the table more than once...  She has a sweet tooth like her mama, I'm afraid.

There she is!  There's the birthday girl!!!  The one with the pretty corsage, of course!  With her sisters-in-law, who were all a part of the super secret surprise conspiracy! (Try to say that 3 times in a row)

The party was truly a family effort.  We all pitched in to pull it off.  I know parties like this are always a lot of work--but it sure is FUN working together!

Even the granddaughters pitched in!  They helped clear away the dishes, and offered more cake.

 

This may be my favorite picture of the night.  THIS is what a birthday party is all about--dear friends and family sharing in a happy celebration.

Also?  I love this picture because the ladies are at the center chatting...and the men are looking on.  That's my Uncle Bob way in the background checking things out--from a safe distance.  That Uncle Bob--he makes me laugh EVERY single time I'm around him.  He's a keeper, for sure!

You know a party is successful when the people sit and sit and don't want to leave.  That's what happened at this party.  Finally, we had to start cleaning up around them.  And like dear friends and family do--they continued chatting and laughing and helping us carry stuff out...all the way to our cars...before they said goodnight.

It was a good night.  A night to celebrate 70 years of living well.

Making Silhouettes (an oldie but goodie)

Since the management is being lazy this week and hanging out with all her family...we thought it would be fun to re-post some past posts.  Last Christmas I made silhouettes of the cousin kids in our family.  Just in case your family is still together...HURRY! and go take all the kids' pictures.  Because--seriously--is there anything sweeter than a silhouette?

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I know that I kind of whined recently about how much I had to do to finish a huge Christmas craft project.  I couldn't tell you at the time what that project was, because I still had to give it.

Well, this weekend and last weekend, I was able to give these gifts--to my mother-in-law, and to my mom.  I gave them both framed silhouettes of their grandkids.  I sure hope you don't think I'm tooting my own horn, because when you see the finished product...well, you'll see they are certainly not perfect!  But, every tiny little cut with my scissors was done with love.  And I'm proud of them!

So--you wanna see them?

I.  Can't.  Hear.  Youuuuu!!

Seriously?  Just show the dang silhouettes, already.

Okay, okay, simmer down.  Here they are.

 

Please ooh and aah.  I know it's shameless to ask... 
 
Want to know how I made them?  Well, I sure hope so--cause I'm showing you either way!!  And, I am pretty positive, in much greater detail and chattiness than you need.  But, who wants a bland tutorial when you can have a CHATTY! one?  You do?  Well, see ya later, grumpy person.  For all you nice people, here is how I made them, step by step.

(OR...Click Here to read what I learned about mothering, by cutting silhouettes!)

Step 1 - Take a picture of your cutie pie(s).  Have him/her stand sideways in a well lit area in front of a wall, chin parallel to the floor, with closed-mouth slight smile.  (Open-mouth smiles look funny when cut out...in my experience.)  Make sure his/her head takes up almost 50% of the viewfinder frame.  Helpful hint:  I realized when I started cutting out the silhouettes, that the neck was easier to cut out when the cutie pie was wearing a t-shirt, and not a collared shirt/sweater.

 
 Step 2 - Download photo onto computer, and print out onto card stock.  I printed both black and white and color...both worked fine for me.  You may need to re-size the photos a bit--especially if you are doing more than 1.  You'll want your silhouettes to be similar size. 

 Step 3 - Using very small scissors, carefully cut out card stock photos.   I actually bought a new pair at Michael's to do my project.  Small, sharp scissors are KEY to achieving a crisp edge on your silhouette.  At this point, you will determine if there are any details you want to include--stray hairs you want cut out, or eyelashes to include... 

 
 Step 4 - Place cut-out card stock  onto black card stock, and carefully trace with a sharpened pencil.  You'll want to decide which direction you want the silhouette to face before tracing.  Finished side is the back-side of your tracing.

Step 5 - Using very small scissors, carefully cut out black silhouette.  Cut exactly on the pencil line.  Make very tiny adjustments, if needed.

 
 Step 6 - Pick out frames.  I thought the square ones were a perfect size for my project!  And...bought them using coupons I printed off from Michael's--score!

Step 7 - Cut white card stock to fit the desired frame, and paste black silhouette in the middle.  I used a double-sided scrapbook tape around entire perimeter of my silhouettes, to ensure a uniform seal.

 
 Step 8 - For added whimsy, I had my daughters and their cousins sign below their silhouettes (Actually, I had them sign the faint rulered-pencil line first, and then I pasted down the silhouette.  This ain't my first rodeo, ya know!)

 
 Step 9 - Frame it, baby!  Didn't they turn out?!  I have to say, I am a little proud.  I have wanted to try my hand at silhouettes for so long, and to have them turn out was very satisfying.  I will admit that they were tedious work.  But, certainly achievable--especially if I took my time!

Step 10 - Hang those puppies, er, silhouettes on the wall!  Helpful hint:  Please do not attempt if you and your mom and sister are exhausted from a busy weekend.  Your brain will not be able to figure out the math measurements for fitting 7 frames into a wall space.  And, please, dear soul, do not attempt to hang them in a straight row.  Nearly impossible for human perfectionists.  Instead, stagger them.  Staggering is a beautiful attribute in the world of framing.  Can I get an amen?

These are hanging in the Kids' Room at my parent's house.  I didn't get a picture at my mother-in-law's house--sorry!!   Already, the cousins have enjoyed spotting each other, comparing signatures and upper lips.  (It's a family thing.)

I am SURE there are silhouette pros out there that are cringing at my efforts--and my tutorial.  For you silhouette smarties--are there helpful hints I am forgetting?  I am definitely a Trial and Error Girl, and this project was no exception!  C'mon--any helpful hinters out there?  Have you ever tried silhouettes?

And while you're at the helpful hinting, I might as well ask...  My next big project with silhouettes is to enlarge them (our 2 daughters') at least 200% and put them on 16"x 20" canvases over our Master bedroom bed.  Remember, a looooong time ago (nearly a year) I was lamenting over what to hang over the bed?  Well, welcome to MarytheKay World:  Where many projects sit unfinished, for lack of decisiveness. 

So, suggestions?  Do I have them printed at at copy shop onto black card stock (colored card stock??)....or onto vinyl at a sign shop?  And then, do I Modge Podge onto the canvas?  Brush some color onto the canvas, or leave it white?

Goodness, with this many decisions, it may be another year before I get around to it! 

What Christmas Looks Like at our House (and oldie, but goodie)

Since the management at www.marythekay.com is being all lazy this week and enjoying Christmas break with her family, we thought it would be fun to post some of our favorite old posts--some oldies, but goodies.

This post from Christmas 2010 was originally titled, "Oh, the silent majesty of a winter's morn...the clean, cool chill of the holiday air."  Can anybody tell me what MOVIE that is a quote from???  Anybody?  DOUBLE POINTS if you can name the SCENE.  And, let me tell you--is is QUITE the SCENE!!

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While you're scratching your head over the Christmas movie quote in the title, I thought I'd show you around our house at Christmas!  Amanda over at Serenity Now (love her blog!) is hosting a little Christmas link-up.  Earlier today while I was eating a quiet lunch at Chick-Fil-A, I looked at every single link up so far.  (Now, I need to go back and leave some comment love...you can't leave comment love when you have a chicken strip in one hand, and Polynesian sauce in the other!  Hello?  Priorities.)  I really LOVED seeing everyone's favorite decorations, and reading about their favorite traditions.  I thought it would be fun to join in!

Come on inside!  It's cold out there!!  Hurry, don't let the cats in...  The cool old sled and skis are compliments of my husband!  I love 'em.  (my husband, too!)

Oh, but first...while you're out there--did you see who's peeking out the front window?  My girls have loved posing Jake the Snowman all around the house.  I think this spot is my favorite!

 Friendly little fella, isn't he?  He's like an indoor scarecrow...  Only I think he's beckoning the mean dog from next door.  (Maybe Jake needs to hold a shotgun.  Do you think that would help?)

 Oh, I do love our tree.  (I'm pretending like I don't see the string of lights that went out...a week ago.)  Yes, the tree is real, and it's a Frasier Fir--my absolute favorite, don't ever want another kind, thank you!!  It is not one bit fancy, but it is filled with cherished ornaments from our childhoods, and ornaments our daughters have made.  The only thing missing this year, are my treasured Christmas baby ornaments, which were ruined in our basement this summer.

Our house is decorated much like our tree--not one bit fancy, but filled with decorations that mean something to us...and some slightly whimsical--just because they make us smile. 

Like my Grammy's gold foil reindeer.  When we cleaned out her house for the last time, I couldn't bear to sell the reindeer.  These were the reindeer that graced her mantle every Christmas...the mantle that my mom and sisters and I always decorated.  And now, I smile every time I look up at them.  And appropriately, they are standing on top of my Grammy's maple hutch.   (Okay, I guess you can tell...I'm kind of sentimental!)

 Here's the big guy, up close:

 Isn't he handsome?  As fragile as they are, it's amazing to me they have lasted all these years.  I'm guessing they are 50 years old?

 

Here are some cheerful elves, also from my Grammy's house.  Their friends, the green guys, now live at my sister's and brother's.  Our Rebecca has claimed these guys for a shelf in her bedroom.  I guess my grandmother was way ahead of the times...She had Elves on shelves about 50 years before they were cool!

Speaking of shelves, this "shelf" just makes me SMILE.  I have had these guys since they lived on another shelf in my high school bedroom at Christmas.  If I remember correctly, these cutie pie reindeer were offered as a special deal at Pizza Hut. Okay, so maybe I'm losing my mind?  I just checked their tags, and they say "Hallmark."  The girl says "Rhonda Reindeer, Hallmark, 1984."  Why do I remember Pizza Hut for the little guy?  Can ANYBODY help me think I'm not cRaZy???

Last shelf...I promise...  Here is my snowman collection.  These little guys sit atop our computer desk.  In fact, I'm looking at their friendly smiles right now!  See that fat little guy on the far right holding the tiny wreath?  Yeah, he looks small, but he's a chunk...I think he weighs 450 lbs.  When I was putting him in place a couple of weeks ago, he fell onto my big toe.  Oh. My. Word.  I thought I was going to die.  My mouth couldn't stop saying, "AAAHHH!!!" for about 10 minutes, over and over.  I've forgiven the fat little guy now.  Mostly.

 My sisters and I have snowman collections--with many of the  same little guys!  (My mom gave nearly all of them to us.)  It always makes me smile to see my little sister's collection, just to see how similarly we have them displayed.  We are so similar (in SOOO many ways--sorry, Sis!) in that I am sure we're NOT good collectors.  When we get enough of a collection (like our snowmen) to fill a certain space, we're done.  No more.  Please don't give us any more snowmen--our snowman collection space is filled.  The end.  Seriously--if you give us another snowman, we'll just have to re-gift it, and that would be embarrassing for both of us, now wouldn't it? 

Okay, sorry.  I think you got the point.  Maybe 4 sentences ago.

Because I have now talked your ear off, I'll stop for now.  I still have some of our favorite childhood ornaments to show you.  But, I'll save them for another day.

But, before I close out, I thought it would be fun to answer a couple of the questions Amanda asked, for this link-up.  I'd LOVE to hear your answers, too!!

1.  Your favorite Christmas treat?  Oh, this one is hard to answer...I like them all?  Okay, I love the gingerbread men my mom gets from the Magnolia Bakery.  Also, I am obviously very addicted to peppermint everything this year.  I also have a soft spot in my heart for iced cut-out sugar cookies.

2. Favorite Christmas movie?  I am a traditional kind of girl.  I love decorating my tree to It's a Wonderful Life every year.  I also really love Miracle on 34th Street (both old and new versions) and Holiday Inn.  For newer movies, Elf makes me laugh every single time.  Also, I have fond memories of laughing until I was practially on the floor of the movie theatre while watching Christmas Vacation with my big sister.  Remember the scene where Cousin Eddie has a black dickie under his white sweater?  That's the scene that had me on the floor.

3.  Best Christmas gift you've ever received?  Wow, that's a tough one.  I have favorites every single year.  I will say, that having a baby in December sure is a special memory.  I never wanted a December baby.  Well, I wanted the BABY, just not one in December.  I had a neighbor friend who told me when I was big and pregnant, that I would look at Christmas differently, having a December baby.  She was right.  That year I thought a lot about Mary, and how she would have felt back then...delivering her baby in a barn...holding the Savior of the world in her arms for the first time...stroking his cheek with tender love, but not really understanding everything that was going on...how overwhelming everything must have felt for her--delivering her first baby as a virgin girl...having shepherds visit her newborn baby...and later the wise men with the precious gifts.

My special Christmas, 6 years ago, with my sweet Sara Beth in my arms, I often thought about the verse that says, "And Mary pondered all these things in her heart."  Many times, in the quiet hours of the night, as I would snuggle and rock my baby girl, I tucked my own little memories away in my heart.

What about you?  What memories have you tucked away?  What traditions and decorations are special in your family?

Pre-Thanksgiving Linky Dinks

Well, would ya look at that--it's the WEEKEND!!  Here are a few links to entertain you, as you kick back and relax...

 

Man, Jamie's done it again.  Her words cut through the crap, and zing straight to the heart.  Here's one sentence that did just that for me in her post One Jesus, "But if you really want to get crazy, let's talk about what your average weeknight looks like, because the Sunday morning Jesus-fest bores me."    The Very Worst Missionary

 

Okay, okay, I know that I read People.com more than I read the national news.  So, when I say this, please understand that I don't have a very educated grasp.  But, the Occupy movements bug me.  I felt like Occupy Whatever put into words what it is that bugs me.   My Message to You

 

And...on a lighter note...because that's where I'd much rather reside *grin*...Organizer eye candy alert!!  Boxes, bins, and baskets-OH MY!   Delightful Order

 

Need some Thanksgiving inspiration?  How about a fun baking project with your kids?  This Puff Pastry Cornucopia would be darling on your Thanksgiving buffet!  This would be a  FUN and EASY Christmas decoration craft project to create over Thanksgiving weekend.  Love.    CleverlyInspired

 

I just LOVE checking out what's on peoples' Black Friday shopping lists.  I think I just added that immersion blender to my Christmas list...  What's on YOUR list?  Serenity Now

 

Another weekend craft idea?  Christmas ornament wreath - swoon.  I'd even like to make a smaller version, for gifts.    House of Hepworths

 

 That's all, folks.  I sure hope your weekend is wonderful.  I'll see you back here on Monday, when I have some Thanksgiving-ish fun planned!!

What were some interesting links that YOU'VE discovered this week?

My Favorite Finds on Pinterest Lately

 Has the Pinterest craze bug bitten you yet?  Well, why not?

(What IS Pinterest?  Megan at SortaCrunchy blog wrote a great tutorial.  Read, and find out about this little gem of a site!)

You should go right now and sign up.  I'll wait on ya!  Then, you should go follow ME on Pinterest.  I'll follow you back!

I thought it would be fun to show you (especially you non-Pinterest lads and ladies) some of my favorite finds lately.  There are TONS of  wonderful ideas on Pinterest.  These are actually ones that I would do, or use.

(Note:  Click on the link below each picture to find out more...or to re-pin to your own Pinterest board!)

 Necklace Holder - towel rack and shower hooks 

 What a brilliant way to hang a picture!

 

 Ooh!  This just makes my fingers itch to find an old toy, and some glossy spray paint! 

  I just LOVE these Candy Corn Pumpkins!!

 

 One of my favorite things about Fall?  Pumpkin bread!  I really want to try these EASY pumpkin muffins!

 

 My thoughts, exactly!!! 

 

 And this?  This just made me GIGGLE. 

What have YOU found on Pinterest lately, that you actually WILL USE? 

Or, what have you tried that was successful?

Happy weekend, ya'll!  See you good folks back here on Monday!