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A former middle school principal, I am blissfully enjoying retirement with the Headmaster! Thank you for visiting, commenting, and following!

25 November 2012

If The House Was On Fire...



...one of the first things I would grab would be this wreath which will be placed on the mantel.


Why?  Let's look a little closer:



The macaroni angel (this is what's left of its skirtt);


The vintage angels that my mother always used to decorate our house;




Unique ornaments that might be broken, but too pretty to throw away;





Tiny letter blocks with the Headmaster and the Headmistress' initials;





A Christmas wagon and a Santa baseball bat;




And the baby Jesus in a matchbox. (Can you see him with his yellow pipe cleaner halo and the green Easter grass for hay?)

The macaroni angel and the baby Jesus in the matchbox are creations by the precious hands of my boys when they were in pre-school and elementary school (they are now in their mid-thirties!).  Since added are various (broken) ornaments and embellishments.  I used a plain grapevine wreath as the base, and glued everything with hot glue.  However, I always have to re-glue many of the items, so this year I'll be looking for another product that has more 'staying' power!




Christmas decorating has not officially begun in this house, but I've been dying to share this for months!  Have a great week, everyone!

I'll be sharing this with some of these lovely hostesses:

Inspire Me Monday ~ Create With Joy
Masterpiece Monday ~ Boogieboard Cottage
Mop It Up Monday ~ I Should Be Mopping The Floor
Debbiedoo's Newbie Party ~ Debbiedoo's
Mosaic Monday ~ The Little Red House
Show Me What You Got ~ Our Delightful Home
Metamorphosis Monday ~ Between Naps on the Porch
A Return to Lovliness ~A Delightsome Life


Nifty Thrifty Tuesday  Coastal Charm 
Knick of Time
Time to Shine ~ A Diamond in the Stuff 
Table Top Tuesday ~ A Stroll Thru Life 
One Project at a Time ~ A Bowl Full of Lemons
Tuesday's Treasures ~ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Show Me What Ya Got ~ Not JUST a Housewife
Be Inspired ~ Elizabeth & Co.

Welcome Home Wednesday ~ Vintage on a Dime
Wordless Wednesday ~ Create With Joy
What's It Wednesday ~ Ivy and Elephants
Primp Your Stuff Wednesday ~ Primp
Wow Us Wednesday ~ Savvy Southern Style 
Show & Share ~ Southern Lovely


Home Sweet Home ~ The Charm of Home
Home and Garden Thursday ~ A Delightsome Life
Tips and Tutorials ~ Stone Gable

Saturday Nite Special ~ Funky Junk Interiors

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23 November 2012

Thanksgiving Recap and R&R




It's the day after Thanksgiving, and I feel like at least 40 trucks have run over me, backed up, and run over me again!!  We haven't been home a week yet, and we've produced two Thanksgiving meals in the last eleven days!  But...it was fun, and everyone was able to attend!


Here are a few pictures of our 'latest' endeavor:  


A sweet visitor, Nana Diana  clued me in on how to hang this wreath using a 3M hook; worked like a charm!



Drop cloth for a table cloth; woven chargers from Julie's; pumpkin tureens that I've had forever; Johnson Brothers' 'His Majesty' china; stems from the Dollar Tree.  Original post here.



I am NOT a baker and I never make desserts (sweets aren't my thing).  However, I found a recipe for these fabulous, easy, delicious, and RICH individual pumpkin trifles.  I highly recommend it!



For the centerpiece, I centered a smaller vase into a large vase from HL, and filled the perimeter with assorted dried beans in various colors:  red beans, white beans, split peas, black beans, and red lentils.  Very colorful!  In the smaller vase I used grocery store flowers and faux leaves.  Two smaller vases on either side held nuts and candles!



Vases were placed on a large galvanized tray which was filled with small pumpkins and assorted faux garlands I've had for years!



If you ask me, THIS is the best part of the dinner!


I hope that all had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends!

My Christmas decorations don't go up until December 1 and stay up until Twelfth Night, so I have a little time for some serious R&R!  I'm also hoping that some of the parties will allow this guest in with her tardy autumn decor!

Inspire Me Monday ~ Create With Joy
Masterpiece Monday ~ Boogieboard Cottage
Mop It Up Monday ~ I Should Be Mopping The Floor
Debbiedoo's Newbie Party ~ Debbiedoo's
Mosaic Monday ~ The Little Red House
Show Me What You Got ~ Our Delightful Home
Metamorphosis Monday ~ Between Naps on the Porch
A Return to Lovliness ~A Delightsome Life


Nifty Thrifty Tuesday  Coastal Charm 
Time to Shine ~ A Diamond in the Stuff 
Table Top Tuesday ~ A Stroll Thru Life 
One Project at a Time ~ A Bowl Full of Lemons
Tuesday's Treasures ~ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Show Me What Ya Got ~ Not JUST a Housewife
Be Inspired ~ Elizabeth & Co.

Welcome Home Wednesday ~ Vintage on a Dime
Wordless Wednesday ~ Create With Joy
What's It Wednesday ~ Ivy and Elephants
Primp Your Stuff Wednesday ~ Primp
Wow Us Wednesday ~ Savvy Southern Style 
Show & Share ~ Southern Lovely


Home Sweet Home ~ The Charm of Home
Home and Garden Thursday ~ A Delightsome Life
Tips and Tutorials ~ Stone Gable

Potpourri Friday ~ 2805
Vintage Inspiration ~ Common Ground

It's Fall, Y'all~ Thrifty Decor Chick

Furniture Feature Friday ~ Miss Mustard Seed

Saturday Nite Special ~ Funky Junk Interiors


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21 November 2012

Thankfulness



Just a note to all of you who read this blog:

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your families and friends.  I am so grateful to so many of you who have inspired me this year; so many things have been learned and I would like you to know how appreciative I am for all that I follow and for all who follow me.

Enjoy the day, enjoy the weekend, enjoy the weather!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM THE HEADMASTER AND THE HEADMISTRESS!


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11 November 2012

A Little Thanksgiving Take-Home

(Original post for this picture here)


This weekend, the Headmaster and I will host his children and grandchildren in Wisconsin for an early Thanksgiving before we return to Louisiana for the winter.  We have a very small 'cottage', but we manage to squeeze a number of folks in for dinner!  Instead of the usual turkey, which they will all have Thanksgiving week, we'll do a typical southern 'Sunday dinner' of roast, stuffed potatoes (atypical), and green beans.

We will also gift them with their Christmas presents, but I've also prepared a couple of little 'extras' to take home.  I found these on Pinterest and couldn't resist duplicating!

First:  Rosemary Salt (Martha Stewart)

This is soooo simple!  Simply take kosher salt (you could probably use sea salt as well),



 and place in a sauce pot.  Add some sprigs of rosemary (I had to use store bought as mine has bitten the proverbial dust in the garden),



 and heat for a little while, until the salt is quite warm.  The heat allows the rosemary to release its fragrance and smells so nice!



Let it cool for a while, then cover overnight. That's it!  And I can tell you that it smells wonderful!



I will use these cute little containers from HL (50%, so they cost just $1).



 When ready to fill, remove the rosemary sprigs, fill the containers, add a fresh sprig of the herb,






and add a little bow (I used some twine I had on hand). What could be easier?
Note #1:  I had about a half a box of salt on hand; it filled five of these baby jars.


The next treat I also found on Pinterest; it's an autumn mix of some really yummy and fun stuff; the little ones (and the big ones) are sure to like it!



Ingredients:  mini pretzels, sunflower seeds, Reese's pieces, Autumn Mix, and Indian Corn.  



Mix it all up,



 then ladle into jars (also from HL, 50%); add a ribbon and you're done!
Note #2:  I used one bag of each and it filled three of these large jars (with a little leftover for the Headmaster; and...a little bit of the sunflower seeds goes a long way!)

We are still praying, and will continue to do so, for all of those affected by Hurricane Sandy.  We wish all of you Godspeed.


These little goodies will find their way to some of these parties this week:




Inspire Me Monday ~ Create With Joy
Masterpiece Monday ~ Boogieboard Cottage
Mop It Up Monday ~ I Should Be Mopping The Floor
Debbiedoo's Newbie Party ~ Debbiedoo's
Mosaic Monday ~ The Little Red House
Show Me What You Got ~ Our Delightful Home
Metamorphosis Monday ~ Between Naps on the Porch
A Return to Lovliness ~A Delightsome Life
On the Menu Monday ~ Stone Gable


Nifty Thrifty Tuesday  Coastal Charm 
Time to Shine ~ A Diamond in the Stuff 
Table Top Tuesday ~ A Stroll Thru Life 
One Project at a Time ~ A Bowl Full of Lemons
Tuesday's Treasures ~ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Show Me What Ya Got ~ Not JUST a Housewife
Be Inspired ~ Elizabeth & Co.
Let's Dish ~ Cuisine Kathleen

Welcome Home Wednesday ~ Vintage on a Dime
Wordless Wednesday ~ Create With Joy
What's It Wednesday ~ Ivy and Elephants
Primp Your Stuff Wednesday ~ Primp
Wow Us Wednesday ~ Savvy Southern Style 
Show & Share ~ Southern Lovely


Home Sweet Home ~ The Charm of Home
Home and Garden Thursday ~ A Delightsome Life
Tips and Tutorials ~ Stone Gable

Potpourri Friday ~ 2805
Vintage Inspiration ~ Common Ground

It's Fall, Y'all~ Thrifty Decor Chick

Furniture Feature Friday ~ Miss Mustard Seed

Saturday Nite Special ~ Funky Junk Interiors

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10 November 2012

ElevenElevenEleven






We have had quite a twenty-four hours here.  Last night, after a fabulous dinner out, the Headmaster ended up at the hospital after some dizziness and disorientation.  Thankfully, after an evening in the hospital, and after and MRI, CAT scan, and Echocardiogram, all of which came back negative, we were released to go home, little worse for wear.  Much for which to be thankful.

We were treated so well by the staff at Bellin Hospital, and I intend to write the hospital and let them know.  I believe that folks in this kind of service deserve to be acknowledged, and as we are close to Thanksgiving, their service is a little more meaningful just right now.  Much for which to be thankful.

While sitting here watching LSU football, it occurred to me (probably most of you have already noted this) that Veterans' Day is set during Thanksgiving month.  Much for which to be thankful.



On the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month, this give us all an opportunity to be thankful for those who gave much or all in defending our country.  My brother, son, and daughter-in-law fit this category, but one who is of primary importance is my Dad, a retired Lt. Colonel in the Air Force, Purple Heart recipient, who was a Glider Pilot in WWII. Much for which to be thankful.






 He just had his 96th (!!!) birthday!  I hope that you will indulge me this opportunity to say to a true American hero, Happy Birthday, Daddy, and thanks to you and all your buddies on this Veterans' Day.  Your service, and those of American's 'greatest generation' should never go unnoticed.  I'm so proud of you!  God Bless America!  Much for which to be thankful.
Love,

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02 November 2012

Another Blank Slate and A Spinning Head!


The Headmaster and I returned on Monday from Louisiana, where we attended my godson's wedding.  It was a whirlwind trip!


I tried, really tried, to do some fall decorating, but didn't get very far.  So...when we return AGAIN in a couple of weeks, I've got my work cut out for me!  We'll be having an early Thanksgiving up here (WI) for the children here, and Thanksgiving down there (Louisiana) for family there.  Are you keeping up with this?  My head is spinning; in fact, I've awakened a couple of times recently not quite knowing where I was!


Here's what I have so far:

I literally threw some stuff up on the mantel, but am not happy with it, so I will be adding/subtracting.  Here is the blank slate:


I added a piece of autumn leaf garland and a Royal Worchestershire Palissy plate (I love those designs).  A couple of candlesticks are currently there as well, with some little sprigs of fall attached.



The table is kind of set, but I won't get to the centerpiece or finish until we get back.  The table is covered with a drop cloth (as I don't have a table pad, I took two pieces of foam core board and duct taped them together; will also add additional for the leaves!), and my centerpiece will involve a galvanized tray and some tall glass vases which will be filled with colorful dried beans and nuts...maybe some twigs, greenery, fresh flowers, candles.  Oops!  There's the new mirror fresh from Kirkland's!


Chargers are from my favorite resale shop, Julie's; china will be Johnson Brothers' His Majesty.


I've had these cute white pumpkin soup tureens forever, but seldom use them;


I'll use faux antler knives and carving set, combined with Wallace Grand Baroque.




I took my favorite faux bittersweet and wound it through the chandelier.  









The sideboard has a new mirror, and buffet lamps on each side.  I took some old candle rings and slid them over the base of the lamps.



I have this wreath, and want to hang it in front, but the mirror sits almost flush against the wall.  Does anyone have any ideas as to how I can hang this?


Another smaller sideboard on one side of the fireplace also awaits finishing.

I did manage to do most of the shopping for the Thanksgiving dinner, so I can concentrate on the decorating, which will, of course, come down on December 1 so that the Christmas decor can go up!  Head still spinning!!

I truly hope all had a great week, and please know that we are constantly thinking of and praying for all of those in the northeast.  We know only too well your plight.  Godspeed to all of you.


Sharing with some of these fine parties this week:


Masterpiece Monday ~ Boogieboard Cottage
Mop It Up Monday ~ I Should Be Mopping The Floor
Debbiedoo's Newbie Party ~ Debbiedoo's
Mosaic Monday ~ The Little Red House
Show Me What You Got ~ Our Delightful Home
Metamorphosis Monday ~ Between Naps on the Porch
A Return to Lovlieness ~A Delightsome Life
Inspire Me Monday ~ Create With Joy


Nifty Thrifty Tuesday  Coastal Charm 
Time to Shine ~ A Diamond in the Stuff 
Table Top Tuesday ~ A Stroll Thru Life 
One Project at a Time ~ A Bowl Full of Lemons
Tuesday's Treasures ~ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Show Me What Ya Got ~ Not JUST a Housewife
Be Inspired ~ Elizabeth & Co.

Welcome Home Wednesday ~ Vintage on a Dime
Wordless Wednesday ~ Create With Joy
What's It Wednesday ~ Ivy and Elephants
Primp Your Stuff Wednesday ~ Primp
Wow Us Wednesday ~ Savvy Southern Style 
Show & Share ~ Southern Lovely

Home Sweet Home ~ The Charm of Home
Home and Garden Thursday ~ A Delightsome Life
Tips and Tutorials ~ Stone Gable
Share Your Creations~Kristen's Creations

Potpourri Friday ~ 2805
Vintage Inspiration ~ Common Ground
It's Fall, Y'all~ Thrifty Decor Chick

Furniture Feature Friday ~ Miss Mustard Seed


Saturday Nite Special ~ Funky Junk Interiors
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