I've been tagged!

Well.. howdy!.... I've been tagged by Rhonda over at http://farmhousestyle.blogspot.com/

This is a fun little trivia game... Thanks for taggin me! =)

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper... Thanks to DH..we have to wrap EVERYTHING!LOL...

2. Tree- Real or Artificial? Real..love the smell..

3. When do you put up your Christmas tree? Absolutely after Thanksgiving and any time we can...DH has a busy work schedule!

4. When do you take your tree down? New Years day...but now I'm thinkin' that's the reason for all our bad luck!!lol and not eatin' enough black-eyed peas and collards on NewYears Day!LOL!

5. Like EggNog? Oh yes.. both versions..LOL (adult and regular)

6. Do You have a Nativity scene? Several

7. Favorite gift received as a child? Barbie Dream House

8. Hardest person to buy for? #1 son

9. Easiest person to buy for? My husband

10. Worst Christmas gift? Haven't gotten that yet.

11. Mail or Email Christmas Cards? Mail

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? The Nativity

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Waaay toooo late..

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No.. that's just tacky...

15. Favorite food to eat on Christmas? Ham..with cloves..

16. Clear or Colored tree Lights? Clear.

17. Favorite Christmas Song? Angels we have heard on high..

18. Travel during Christmas or stay home? Oh no! Tried that once..won't do that again till the boys are much older!!lol!

19. Can you name Santa's reindeer? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer,Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blixen...and of course Rudolf...

20. Angel or Star on Tree top? Star..

21. Open Christmas presents on Christmas Eve or Morning? Christmas morning.. when the sun comes up. LOl..no one is allowed up till the sun comes up..

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? The fact that it's about everything else but Jesus!

Well..now that I've bored you to tears..I tag: RuthAnn of http://warmpiehappyhome.blogspot.com/ Aannnddd... Sherry or http://prairiehome.typepad.com/prairie_home/ sisters...

Hope your week was good!

hugs..

Gratitude

I am feeling soo 'Thankful' tonight! For so many reasons...
I recieved an unexpected lovely necklace in the mail today! I don't know who it's from..but whom ever sent it..Thank you.
You guys who have voted for my other blog!! You guys rock! Thank you!! I don't feel like such a "0" zero any more!
I am soo thankful for the privilege of being able to get/make Christmas gifts! I am officially done! There is a family right in my own wee church that it was questionable if they were going to be able to purchase gifts for their small children...and keep their lights on... God provided. He always does!
That is where I'm at tonight... Thankful for God's gift! Jesus!
That is the meaning.. Christmas.. Christ..our gift from our amazing Heavenly Father!
That's right..a gift to you! You don't have to do anything but accept it...
Romans 5 : 15
But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man's offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.

Hugs....

Thank you Bellas!

Hi! gifts are a goin' around here... some from ...some to!
Amazing how life kicks into high gear this time of year..well, I went to my mail box and I finally received my 'Silver Bella' hoodie! http://www.teresamcfayden.typepad.com/silverbella/
Silver Bella was an event of amazing talent gathering to enjoy some 'Silver' goodness..amazing talents like Teresa Mcfayden..Kim Kwan...Corrine Ayers..lots and lots more..Hope Wallace..oh gosh, the list goes on. The event took place in November, well, I found about the event and this amazing group waay too late to purchase tickets. I was able to order a sweatshirt that commemorated the event... it went on sale waay before ..me, being the wanna be that I am.. I ordered and I was informed that there would be a wait..okay. It's a month later and I still didn't receive the hoodie.

That's me though..the nerd..lookin' in and it would be MY order that was forgotten..oh well..the wall flower..

But I did email the ladies..boy, everyone I spoke with via email were sooo nice and soo genuine! Put it this way... there were circumstances that prevented orders from being filled...I am soo the bug for eva!! So, to make up for the mishap... My hoodie was mailed and then some!! OH MY GOSH!!

the hoodie.. aand an amazingly large bag! Some ephemera.. and then some..
The below..cutest 'bling' crown...

Your generosity ladies is overwhelming!! Thank you!!

There is a new focus now..Paper Bella! http://paperbellastudio.com/kits.html I have signed up for the fun!! You should too!! What an inspiring way to spend the 'Winter blaahs..'

Ready for Christmas? The day to remember Christ's Birth? Almost here...

Hugs.

Something Random

Hi...hmm.. stairway to no where?Random stuff for this Tuesday ..
I'm pooped! DH and I have been Christmas shopping all day and well... This is the best I can come up with!LOL! Stairs... up there...Yawwwn... to my bed....

I've been known to paint just about anything...and for some reason the corners of my stairs where calling me one day.. Each side has a building the other side has a tree...
Or..a ship...
Or a lighthouse...
Anyone ever just have this kinda random acts of embellishment? I get these kinda things in my head sometimes and it's just gotta come out!!LOL!

Oh, my... my stairs are truly calling again... "Come...climb me... YOur soooO sleepy..."

Well, I hope your week is grand! Lets remember the "Reason for The Season"...

hugs....YaaaWWaann...

Happy Birthday Cicero!

Happy Happy Birthday to You! #2 is now 11.. Gosh, dosen't he look like Dennis the Menace?!LOL..He's my little man..my athlete...all boy...full of life! First one to give me a hug...
I just want to say I thank God for the privilege of being your mom James! May you be blessed with wisdom and strength..and many many more years!! When God looks at you, may He be well pleased..
This young man already has a relationship with Christ... loving and kind hearted..
Sniff...sniff... Happy Birthday... We, your family, love you..
Hugs and kisses.

Busy..Before Birthday

Hi! Busy...Busy day..busy week! I'm sure all you guys are... As always I've waited to the last min. to finally tackle Christmas shopping. Every year I vow I wont and sure enough...
Anyway..It's #2's birthday today! James is 11.
I have some errands to run.. cake to bake. Just thought I'd share a bit real quick. I was so inspired with some of your pink Christmas trees, well I just had to have one! Found this one and it fits perfectly in the bedroom.
I finally finished our Christmas cards! Couldn't find ones I liked so I pickup a few stamps and went to town!lol! Add some glitter and there you have 'em.
Will post more later.
Have a fabulous day!
hugs.

European Inspiration

European style.. I know you have heard of it! What does it evoke in your mind? I remember traveling to the southern coast of France, Italy and Spain...There is soo much history in the buildings and the food.. As you see in this picture, the little ally has soo many textures and colors. According to http://interiordesign.lovetoknow.com/Mediterranean_Style_Interior_Design Unlike formal Parisian drawing room style or dark Florentine or Madrileno design, Mediterranean design is carefree and casual, emphasizing the colors and textures found in the surrounding landscape.
I love the fact that there is a 'history' to the pieces used..Great Great Grandmas Armoir used with another inherited piece say a oriental rug... I love the textures.. and colors! (This is my hallway)
Color isn't sparse! Patterns are equally vibrant, we all know of Toile which actually translates to cloth in French...Which I have seen in almost every color of the rainbow.
This dinning room photo is from a home in Mas de la Vit in Lot, France. I love the transparency of the drapes! And the color is warm and sunny.
You see here an example of a more 'airy' approach to European design. This room was designed by Simone Dumont. The designer mixed period pieces and I think the room has the casual elegance I just love!
Here is a corner of my living room... The walls are the faintest of pinks and I used stencils around the top to add interest to the already beautiful textured walls! (Never mind the mic... and piano..LOL)
So, when I hear someone speak of European Inspired.. I think of the timelessness and beauty of loved furniture... beautiful linens.. and the eclectics of it all! I think it all boils down to using what you love! What inspires you?

hugs...

(Photos courtesy of Country French decorating fall/winter..and my house..)