New Year's Nails

I know it's early... but I had my nails done for the new year's celebration. They are shellac so hopefully they will hold through January 1st. If not I'll go get them redone.. because they turned out very festive!!

I found the confetti idea on www.pinterest.com where I spend a lot of my time these days! ;)

Repurposed Furntiture, Antiques and more!

I went to a sale at Good Ju Ju in Kansas City today and was truly inspired! They had tons of amazing re-purposed furniture, antiques and so much more!

I like the bright fun colors of some of the furniture pieces. Some people are much braver than I!

 

I also like the decoupage done on some of the furniture. Wallpaper, musical notes...

Some of the items put me in the Christmas spirit!

I like some their display ideas too... Check out this ladder hanging with things hanging off of it.

 

Or this twig tree with coffee/tea cups for sale..

It was fun to not only shop but be inspired by all of the creativity around!

There was a vender there that makes art from old auto tags.

This idea I love... Chalkboard platter!

There was a lot of old vintage stuff to purchase too.

Here are a few things that caught my eye.
I almost bought this table.. even called my hubbie about it. I decided however that chairs wouldn't be able to be pushed in so I passed. It was beautiful though!

Needless to say, I was in heaven at this sale. However, believe it or not I spent so much of my time looking at everything I hardly purchased anything! I ended up with a jar of buttons, some gift tags for inspiration and a Christmas tree ornament made out of an old water facet handle and buttons.

One of my favorite poems- When I say, "I am a Christian" by Carol Wimmer

When I say, "I am a Christian,"  I'm not shouting, "I've been saved!"
I'm whispering, "I get lost!  That's why I chose this way"

When I say, "I am a Christian,"  I don't speak with human pride
I'm confessing that I stumble-needing God to be my guide

When I say, "I am a Christian,"  I'm not trying to be strong
I'm professing that I'm weak and pray for strength to carry on

When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not bragging of success
I'm admitting that I've failed and cannot ever pay the debt

When I say, "I am a Christian,"  I don't think I know it all
I submit to my confusion asking humbly to be taught

When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are far too visible but God believes I'm worth it

When I say, "I am a Christian,"  I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache which is why I seek His name

When I say, "I am a Christian,"  I do not wish to judge
I have no authority--I only know I'm loved

Want to visit: Cotton Plantation

I was  blog hopping and happened upon Christine's Home and Travel Adventures blog. She wrote about a recent visit to Frogmore Plantation & Gins in Frogmore, LA. I am adding it to my bucket list. I've never been to a cotton plantation and this one seems like it has quite the history. Visit the plantation's website for tour information, Frogmore Plantation.

Odd Shoe Garden

I found this odd shoe garden in Alamo Square in San Francisco. I snapped some pictures real quick just so I could remember to look it up when I got home.  This park Alamo Square is across from the painted ladies (which appeared in the opening credits of "Full House").





I guess the story goes that the gardener for the park always picked up trash and a lot of time found shoes... so rather than throwing them out he started using them to plant with it. It was really a neat thought!

Trip to Napa Valley

Napa Valley in California is ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL! I witnessed more beauty there on a recent trip then I have seen anywhere else in the States. It is stunning and I can't wait to visit again! My pictures from my little pocket camera do not do this place justice. If you live around this area, I am soooo envious!

Daffodil Bulbs

I planted myself a spring gift! 50 Daffodil Bulbs... 25 - Ice Folies ; 25 - Tahiti

Oh how I will love myself for doing it come spring!

Planning for Thanksgiving

We are hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year and I am in the planning process.

We have a specific menu of items with have each and every Thanksgiving. They include: 

20 lb Turkey

Stuffing- I started using a friend of mine's recipe in 2009, looking forward to it again this year (thanks Helen!)

Mashed Potatoes 

Cheesy Corn Bake- hubby's recipe

Green Bean Casserole- not the usual kind, my sister in-laws recipe

Sweet Potato Casserole- my mother in-law makes this yummy side

Dinner Rolls

Deviled Eggs

Stuffed Celery- mother in-law again

Jellied Cranberry Sauce

Lime/ Pineapple Jello - my Baba's recipe (my Ukrainian grandmother)

Pumpkin Pies- I let the hubby make these

Pecan Pie- hubby again

Am I missing anything?? Just thinking about it all makes me full! And currently I am on a low carb diet so I am wondering how much of it I will even be able to eat come Thanksgiving.

I started doing some more decorating in my dining room for the occasion... One of the things I did was decorate my light fixture. I bought some fall floral picks and dressed it up a bit.

Now I am just wishing my dining room table had more seating around it. Does anyone else wish that around the holidays? The rest of the year I feel like the table is too big. We only have a family of 4 and we eat at the table each and every night. Most of the time I move 2 of the chairs away so we can all sit around the table without any chairs in between any of us. We have a breakfast nook table as well, but I think food tastes better in the dining room! ;) I love to have my extended family all together for meals.

Apples

Apple Sauce... Apple Cider... Carmel Apples... Apple Pie... Apple Crisp

Those are some of the things I am anticipating baking/ making as soon as I get my hands on some fresh locally grown apples.

I am patiently waiting for a local orchard (only 15 miles away) to announce that their apples are reading for picking! Then my husband and I are going to make an outing of it and come home and bake together.

Does anyone have apple recipe(s) they would like to share?