Project 365-2010 Dewreathing the Lions

Finally got around to taking the Christmas wreaths off the lions that are at the entrance to our driveway:

They are now NAKED!

Beautiful Sunset

Just wanted to brag on the fantastic sunset this evening.  

This photo does it no justice, the colors were much more vibrant and full.  

Enjoy:

 

A Few of My Favorite Things

I heart my Longaberger dishes.

I have been growing my collection for quite some time.
I began with the Classic Blue and mostly had some serving pieces.



I considered getting the dinnerware but just couldn't seem to make the jump.

That is until we visited Bass and Baskets Bed and Breakfast on Lake of the Ozarks for our 29th anniversary:(Click on the above photo to get to the B&B site)
Deb is a Longaberger dealer and has decorated the entire establishment with Longaberger baskets and pottery!
She used the multi-color pottery for her table service and I went home with inspiration.


(click on the above photo to read about her in the Longaberger magazine)
So here is my Longaberger dinnerware.
I really love to use the luncheon plates, but sometimes we need the dinner size.
Tonite I will use both because I am attempting to duplicate a bruschetta recipe from a local restaurant.
Believe me, it is AWESOME bruschetta! When I get it right, I will post the recipe.

I also just bought some new flatware!
I was inspired by Gollum.
She has many tablescapes and many sets of dinnerware and flatware.
So I searched and found the Avalon flatware.

And they even had spreader knives, cocktail forks and mini spoons.
H thinks they are for her and Baby J!

And the little Longaberger plates are part of the Children's Tea Set.
Cute, huh?

And one more of my favorite things... My friend Stephanie!!

Stephanie came up from Arkansas, Greers Ferry Lake area for a very quick one overnighter turnaround visit.
Steph and I go way back.
We both lived in El Cajon back in Cali days.
We met in Sunday School, used to go to the Mission Beach Monday nights at the beach.
And we were humongo preggers together, she with her second, me with my Baby.
Since we both moved from Cali, we've both gone back to school: she's now an RN and I'm teaching.
Our kids are all grown up and we both have grandgirlees!
The visit was way too short, but I was happy to get even a little one in!
Come back Stephanie... and bring Gary with you next time!

P.S. I've gotten rid of most of my Classic Blue and am slowly replacing the serving pieces.

Bloomers

Today is the first day of my 79 day weekend!
Yep, school is out for Summer!
Yipppppeeeee!

As I was coming in the driveway I was struck with the huge blooms of the clematis and also contrasted with the roses next to them.
Gorgeous!

Up close and beautiful!

As I stepped in to take the above shot, a Momma Cardinal came flying out of the rosebush as she sassed me.
Look closely at the little nest.
She sure picked a pretty spot!

And then at the head of the driveway this lone peony. On my to-do list... find more bloomers for my garden. Off to plant the flower boxes.

Spring Friend

We finally got around to hanging the hummingbird feeders and within 15 minutes old friends showed up.

Hope you are enjoying the beautiful warm weather!

Youngest daughter snapped the above shot.

Cake Decorating 101

Just a little clip.
We made Carrot Cake for Easter Dinner.
We haven't eaten it yet, but preparing it may have been the best part anyhow!!!
More Easter photos to follow.

Yes, I know she was licking the spatula.
But why spoil her fun??!?!?!

Still Home

Okay, okay, so there is nothing else going on except the weather!
Once the sun came out yesterday the snow just glistened like glitter.
Gorgeous! Wish I had a star filter to put on this digi.

Woke up this morning to freezing fog warnings.
It is soooo beautiful!

Kinda Fairylandish!

There's still ice on the lake and the snow is now frozen and crunchy.

I'm not going anywhere!

What's On Your Wall Wednesday

I've been out of the loop, I've not participated in What's On Your Wall Wednesday. Probably because usually it's crunch time mid-week for teaching, getting ready for Bible Study, etc. But today, I'm home due to the ice on the roads and decided to join in. I'm late to the party so not on the Mr. Linky, but that's okay.

By our front door is a round mirror above the treadle sewing machine I bought probably 20+ years ago. It really works and I used to sew dresses for my girls on this beauty!

This wall has the thermostat control on it
and not much wider than you see here,
so this is my solution.
An initial and an angel watching over us.

After my Nana H passed away, my dad brought back a few little things for me.
This mirror is plaster cast gold leaf.
And my kids were none too gentle on it over the years.
It needs a little attention, but I still LOVE it!
I saw the original painting (at the top) in the Louvre.
But the photo of it is on
35mm film & I haven't scanned it to show today.

The label says "LEBRUN Élisabeth, Louise, Vigee (Mme)
Peint_ _ (1755-1842) par elle même

"Blue Nude"
My mom painted this when I was about 6.
My mother was very artistic but as a single mom didn't have a whole lot of time & opportunity to express her talent.
I remember being dragged to art supply stores and having my own sets of charcoals and watercolor supplies.
This is the only remaining art item I have found in her stuff so far and cherish it.

What's on YOUR wall?

Edit: I never knew that my Nana's mirror is a trumeau. I love it when I learn something! I googled a few and some are $$$!
And I also was unaware that this was the very first WOYWW! Dumb luck is my mantra. As for my mom's painting, we have over 100 pieces of various artwork from my mom's and stepfather's place... we still haven't unwrapped most of it but I am hoping to find more of my mom's work. My stepfather's first wife was an artist, but he loved to collect unknown work that pleased him.

Exterior Experimentation

Here's the STAR that Sweet Hubby built. This year it is an experiment. We decided it needs to be angled a little. No one can see the star except the neighbor directly to the south. Cant's see it from the road, can't see it from the valley, can't see it from across the lake, only the neighbor. We have 4 lit trees on the bank and dock.
You can see them from our bedroom windows,
from the dam,
from the neighbor's,
from across the lake.
We hope to add to the lights each year.
Have any suggestions?

Charlie can never figure out what I am doing when I pull out my camera.
I had the white rockers nicely flanking each side of the porch
when Sweet Hubby pulled the dog igloo up onto the porch for the pooches.
Ah, well, now they are warm at last.

Happy Christmas

Holiday Decorating!!! as if

Christmas Blessings to All!!!
I know, I'm late to the party.
Too much going on and house too messy to do much.
I have wreaths on the front windows and the front door.
This is obviously the wreath on the front door from inside.

Entertainment center in the living room.

Cloche inside near my front door:

A little cloche detail:

Umm, this is where the Christmas Tree will go...
when we get around to getting it.
Usually the 10th is the day.
Right now there is
snow and ice on the ground
and I'm not venturing out
and risking my life just for a tree.

My dining room:

Wreaths on the kitchen windows:

Outside the kitchen, a little Holiday Spirit!:

This is just a little computer rendering
I did to show Sweet Hubby what I wanted for outside
lighting this year.
There's also a tree on the dock.
We didn't quite get any up on the roofline
but did get a star on the chimney.
See it below when Sweet Hubby was constructing it.

Isn't he just the epitome of Holiday Joy?

That's it for now!!!!
Go to these gals for
more Holiday Home Tours:
Julia
http://hookedonhouses.net/2008/12/14/hooked-on-holiday-house-tours-let-the-party-begin/
Kimba
http://asoftplacetoland-kimba.blogspot.com/2008/12/kimbas-open-house-party.html
&
Rhoda
http://southernhospitality-rhoda.blogspot.com/2008/12/deck-halls-2008.html
(sorry, couldn't get the links to redo or whatever it's called)