With a Grateful Heart and a Song of Praise!

THANKSGIVING! To me this special day is the kick-off to a sacred season. A time to reflect on this past year, to remember God's faithfulness, to recall family, friends and special loved ones who have made your life joyful. Thanksgiving is a great time of faith, family and favorite foods. This year we are celebrating with Prince Charming's family. We are so looking forward to seeing everyone! Since I am not entertaining at my house this holiday I thought I would share with you my Thanksgiving table from 2007. My theme was PURE GRATITUDE. As you can see the table is all dressed in white and ivory with only touches of green thanks to the clippings from my magnolia tree and ferns. I pray that you have a blessed Thanksgiving and as you and your family gather together, I pray that the light of this season shines brightly upon you and that peace and gratitude flood your hearts. I will leave you with one of my favorite Psalms.
Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy.
Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us, and we are his.
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
Psalm 100

From our house to yours
Happy Thanksgiving!

40 Years of Faithfulness

Today I turned 40. I spent my morning giving thanks for 40 years of God's faithfulness. I am spending my afternoon giving thanks for:

FAMILY

FRIENDS

MY CHURCH

MY ABUNDANT LIFE

HE is everything to me. Even when I don't have the answers, even when my heart cries for more insight, more direction, more guidance, my spirit gently reminds me that my steps are ordered by the ALMIGHTY and that I can enter into His perfect rest.

Today I will sing praise. Today I will honor His name. Today as I celebrate 40 years of God's faithful goodness I will delight myself in my God.

Praise the Lord! I will thank the Lord with all my heart as I meet with his godly people. How amazing are the deeds of the Lord! All who delight in him should ponder them. Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty. His righteousness never fails. He causes us to remember his wonderful works. How gracious and merciful is our Lord! - Psalm 111:1-4

Tasteful Decorations Can Be Cheap

Today's project started from cleaning out my cupboards. I was looking for a old platter that my Grandmother gave me before she passed away. This platter is special to me because it was used by my Granny every CHRISTmas. Well, while on the hunt for the platter, I found a collection of clear glass vessels. I thought I might be able to use them in some way so I gathered them up and set them aside. As I began to wonder what I could do with them I remembered a candy store that I used to go to when I was a child. We didn't get to go very often so it was a real treat when we were allowed to go and buy penny-candy. The store was filled with every type of candy you can imagine and on top of the glass cases that housed the cookies and fudge and brownies, sat these big glass vessels filled with hard candy - peppermint sticks, butterscotch, cinnamon rounds, lemon drops and on and on. So my inspiration formed - why not fill these vessels with CANDY!
With that mission in mind I set off yesterday in search of hard CANDY. I knew I would need a lot of candy and I wanted to play off of a PEPPERMINT TWIST theme. What better place to find loads of candy all for a great price than a SUPER WALMART? I stood in the aisle and was amazed at the amounts of candy stocked on the shelves. I came away with bags of Cinnamon Discs, Soft Peppermint Sticks, Candy Canes, and Peppermint Puffs and Peppermint Rounds. I spent about $9 - the boxes of candy canes were only 88 cents each!

I filled the various glass containers with the candy. Royal Prince Luke hung the CANDY CANES on the edge of one of the plain, round containers without a lid. Then we filled it with PEPPERMINT PUFFS and topped it off with CINNAMON DISCS. One of the vessels was actually a Hurricane style candle holder. What I love about this piece is that the candle is contained inside a glass holder positioned in the center. I filled the area around the inner candle holder with more cinnamon discs and placed a Cinnamon Apple scented candle in the center.

I wanted to use these pieces as a center piece or focal point in my kitchen so I decided to jazz them up a bit with added color. I tucked some HOLLY LEAF floral picks around the Hurricane, then I added a two velvet POINSETTIAS on either side of the holly for extra color. I really like the way this quick and easy project turned out. Now the key will be keeping Prince Charming and the Royal Princes from eating all the candy before the OPEN HOUSE.

Here is a shot of the finished project. A real sweet and tasteful decoration! The best thing of all is that it only cost me $9 bucks to assemble. Festive and fun holiday decor doesn't have to cost a fortune. Some of the best decorations are things you already have in your home but just re-purposed for CHRISTmas. Later this week I will show you what I was able to do with a grouping of old urns. I thought about putting them away until next spring but inspiration hit so they will make up part of our holiday decor this Winter. Take a look around your house and think outside of tradition. You might be surprised at what you come up with. I'd love to hear any ideas you have on using ordinary household things to make extraordinary CHRISTmas decorations. Until tomorrow...

Deck the Halls...and everything else too!

We are well on our way now! The dinning room has been readied along with the Media Room and yesterday I finished our family room. I decided to use a color scheme of Green, Gold, Silver and Ivory with brown accents. Last year the colors for this room was Bronze, Orange, Gold and Brown. I shared in an earlier post that I was having the family room painted pear-green (thanks Mel for the color suggestion) and so with that in mind I decided that our CHRISTmas decorations needed a fresh update. See the ANGELS on the mantle? Each one is 25" tall and made from tin. The angels have been painted in a fashion that makes them look "aged" and rustic. They are part of the my Home Interiors CHRISTmas line. I just love them. I had them pointed with their trumpets turned in, but Prince Charming liked them better this way so... Here (pictured above) I've created another reflections tablescape to go along with our Open House theme. I plan to add some fresh magnolia leaves to this arrangement as we get closer to the party and to CHRISTmas.
The mantle is always fun to decorate. I usually keep my mantle dressed for each season but CHRISTmas is when I can go all out. This year I started with an evergreen garland and wired it with clear twinkle lights. Next, I wired in ornament balls in green, gold, silver and white. I finished the garland by tucking in ivory velvet poinsettias and gold spray-painted elm leaves and twigs from the yard. Magnolia leaves will be tucked in as we get closer to the Open House and to CHRISTmas

Here is another close up of the coffee table-scape. I think it needs a little more gold. What do you think? I'd love to hear your input.
I collect SANTAS. Below is a picture of just a few. This started the first year Prince Charming and I were married. I usually try to get one per year. Now that family and friends know that I collect these jolly souls, I usually receive one or two as gifts. That works for me...the more the merrier. I have 9 SANTAS displayed in the family room this year. The rest will be on display throughout the house. Well, we have only 37 days to go! My goal is to have all of my CHRISTmas decorations and shopping finished by November 25th! That will give me a full month to enjoy family, friends and to reflect on the real reason we celebrate at this time of the year - JESUS! Don't forget to wish Him a Happy Birthday. I think I might bake Him a birthday cake this year. That might be a new family tradition.

Saturday Reflections

Reflections - I love reflective surfaces. Especially at CHRISTmas. The way light bounces off of shiny ornaments. The way lights twinkle on the tree. The way candles flicker and glow. The way a perfectly placed mirror reflects double beauty. With this inspiration in mind I set out to create a "reflections" vignette for the island in my kitchen. Each year we host a CHRISTmas Open House. This has been a family tradition for a long time. Usually my mom-in-law, Ann, helps me with the preparations, menu planning, baking, cooking and welcoming all the guests. This year 600+ miles separate us so I figured I better get an early start if I am to pull off this massive event on my own. (Mama - how would you like to visit NC again this CHRISTmas???) I started by planning a decorative theme. Each year the Open House has to have a theme. One year it was a "Down home CHRISTmas" complete with homemade Chili, loaded baked potato bar and homemade candies and cookies. This year I decided the theme would be "REFLECTIONS". I have A LOT to reflect up on this holiday. God has done so much. So many changes, so many new mercies, so much faithfulness. So to bring this concept to life I began to play with decorative accessories that would "reflect" light. I pulled together my collection of mercury glass - some vintage glass trees, pillars and candlestick holders.
Next, I gathered a group of shatter-proof CHRISTmas ornaments in silver, white, champagne and gold. Some were shiny, others covered in glitter. To add texture, I uncovered some Snow Flakes from last year's decor and tucked them around the base of the mercury glass. Then it was a simple task to lay the ornaments around the base in various configurations using different sized balls. The scroll-work panel in the background was added for depth and additional Snow Flakes were hung from the metal scrolls. At the last moment I tucked in a white Snow Bird (That's in honor of my pal Mel who likes birds). Lastly, I scattered some acrylic diamond shaped beads around the ornaments. This just added a little extra glitz.
(See the glitter covered ornament resting on the candle stick holder? Pictured below. There is no law that says you have to put candles in them. I turned the ornament upside down and tucked the hanger down inside the candle recess. Easy!)

I am pretty pleased with my "reflections" vignette. I might find a way to tuck in some white twinkle lights and plug them in at the end of my island. As I finished this little project I began to reflect on my week. One particular instance flashed in my mind. Thursday morning during my devotional I read Luke 10:25-37. This is Jesus teaching on the Most Important Commandment - You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind. And you must love your neighbor as yourself. Those of you familiar with this passage know that the expert in religious law stood up to question and test Jesus. He then asks Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?". Jesus goes on to tell the parable of the Good Samaritan. When Christ had finished with his parable he asks, "Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?' The religious law expert replied, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus then replies, "Yes, now go and do the same."
As I finished my study and began to pray, I asked God to help me "go and do the same". I asked for opportunities to be a good neighbor. To be used in some small way to extend Christ's hands and heart especially in this holiday season. Later that day I stood behind an older lady at the check out line. I watched as she carefully counted the items on the counter and calculated their cost. I watched as she slowly began to take things away and sit them on the side shelf. Suddenly it occurred to me that she may not have enough money to purchase all the items. Just as this thought developed, the cashier completed her order and accepted the lady's payment. Immediately the cashier started ringing up my items. Then suddenly the elderly lady noticed that one of her items was stuck on the side of the belt and the cashier didn't ring it up. Realizing that God had given me a chance to be a 'good neighbor', I quickly grabbed the item, asked the Cashier to ring it on my order and handed it to the lady. Of course she wanted to pay for it but I wouldn't let her. Why? Because when I prayed and asked God to give me opportunities to "go and do the same" I became accountable to act when those opportunities were presented. As I walked out of the store the older lady was waiting for me outside.

With gratitude she began to thank me and tell me how much she appreciated the gesture. It is so humbling to know that the Almighty God of the Universe hears and answers when we pray. It is even more humbling to know that possibly dozens or maybe even hundreds of opportunities are presented every week which go unnoticed because we are not sensitive to the Father's leading. My prayer this season is to have ears that hear and eyes that see the work of the Lord and that in some small way, I can show God's love through a "neighborly" act of kindness and that each of you will "go and do the same".

Yes, we have much to reflect up on this year. I leave you with the words of Jeremiah.

"The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, 'The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!" - Lamentations 3:22-24 NLT

A Fahionable Holiday - Part 2

I LOVE Hot Pink at CHRISTmas! Magenta, Fuchsia, or whatever you call it, this hot color really adds pizazz to the holidays. I've paired it with my favorite color duo - BLACK AND WHITE! The bold pattern of this hounds-tooth coat is just the ticket when coupled with a hot pink merino wool turtle neck sweater. The coat hits just above the knee and I am showing it here with the black wide-leg pants from A Fashionable Holiday - Part 1. I have a fetish for wraps in case you haven't figured that out yet. Pull this ensemble together with a pair of "bubble gum" pink gloves, a black patent leather clutch and a fuchsia wrap. I know it's hard to see but I used a braided black leather belt with a chunky silver buckle and silver initials that dangle from a leather strap. The belt is from Michael Kors and I found it at Marshalls for $10! This outfit has just enough holiday cheer for a CHRISTmas Open House or holiday lunch with a group of best pals.Almost everyone has at least one special occasion during the season that calls for "dressing" up! Because I am only 5 feet tall, I usually opt for separates instead of dresses. It's just easier to get the perfect fit. We have a formal CHRISTmas dinner to attend this year and I've decided to be the "lady in silver". This top is a satin and chiffon creation with sheer 3/4 length sleeves. I love the big portrait collar and the pretty bow that ties slightly off center. The top features "ruching" (sp?) which is great for "minimizing" areas that are not as toned as we would like them to be.

I will pair this shiny silvery top with a black velvet skirt. The skirt is shorter in the front and dips in the back. A great alternative for a petite lady who wants the formality of a longer length but doesn't want to feel overwhelmed with a full length gown. I found a great pair of GUESS shoes at ROSS last week. Slingbacks - my favorite. Makes my legs look longer and at 5 feet tall I need all the help I can get! The heel is 4" but because the front of the shoe sits on a 1" platform, it's like wearing 3" heels - much more wearable!!! Soft, subtle leather will ensure comfort while you circulate your holiday party or stand for long periods catching up with friends and acquaintances.

The FABULOUS thing about BLACK and WHITE is flexibility! Pair it with a punch of any bright color and you are sure to have a winning combination. This time the coat is shown with the ivory sweater from my previous post and a canary yellow wool skirt. The "wrap" is thrown around the neck of the coat in a casual way and the outfit is complete with black leather loafers and a quilted micro-fiber handbag. A perfect ensemble for attending the holiday program at your child's school.

I am sure you've noticed the absence of red and green. I truly love the traditional colors of CHRISTmas. I just don't wear them very often. This year I wanted to explore the options I have in my closet before spending money that I could invest in a more useful way. Once you have taken inventory, you may find that with a little creative pairing and a few well chosen accessories, you are ready for any and all fashionable holiday events. If you absolutely find nothing lurking in the dark recesses of your closet, don't despair! Many stores like TJ Maxx, Ross, Marshalls, and Steinmart have lovely and affordable holiday wear for a fraction of what you would spend at the mall or a department store.

A Fashionable Holiday

Parties, Cantatas, Christmas Plays and Winter Concerts, Cookie Exchanges, Open Houses, Candlelight Services and the list of special occasions just goes on and on during the holidays. My calendar in December is ALREADY filled with a plethora of events and functions. Of course, you want to look festive for each occasion but still honor the KING with your fashionable yet modest attire. As Shari Braendel (sharibraendel.blogspot.com) tell us "modest is hottest" and "skin is not in". I decided to "shop" my closet this week and take inventory. What could I put together for that festive holiday look? Hmmm.Here's my first option shopped from my own closet. Featured here is charcoal gray pencil skirt paired with a pewter satin top. The top is so versatile and the bell shaped sleeves are very "in" this season. I picked this up at ROSS for under $15. The sunny yellow wrap and yellow leather clutch with silver chain add just enough punch to make this outfit holiday worthy. Topped off with a necklace of white and clear lucite beads and finished with my beloved black slingbacks and I'm ready to attend my son's Winter Concert. Don't be afraid to break from tradition and wear colors other than red or green. I love to pull something together that is fresh and different. I buy a lot of solid colors vs. prints. I like options so mixing and matching is the name of the game.
This simple ensemble is ALL about the accessories. Using the same charcoal gray pencil skirt but paring it with an ivory fine gauge sweater and topped with a amethyst purple "swing" jacket, I've created a foundation to highlight some of my favorite Winter White accessories. All of these pieces have been "collected" through the years. Half the fun is deciding how to use them with a new color scheme for the next season. Gray is a wonderful neutral. A lot of ladies tell me they don't like to wear gray because is washes them out. I say you haven't found the "right" gray yet. Grays usually have an "undertone" of another color. I prefer a gray with a blue undertone. If you buy any single piece of clothing this winter, invest in a good quality ivory sweater. A super fine or fine gauge sweater works great as a layering piece and layers are the thing this winter. It will work great under jackets, suits or sweaters. Nothing is more classic than Winter White and pearls and silver. A wonderful choice for a Candlelight Service on Christmas Eve.

Here is that fabulous pewter top again! Featured with black, wide-leg pants (sorry you can see the entire pants), bejeweled black satin slides and a silver silk clutch. This time I topped it off with a pewter & crystal bead necklace. Add some "sparkle-y" earrings and style your hair away from your ears and you are set for any holiday party on your agenda!

My friend Adrienne hosts a Cookie Exchange each year. It's usually on a Saturday afternoon and the girls have a great time sampling homemade cookies and hot tea or cocoa and exchanging recipes. It's a very relaxed holiday occasion so I want to be comfortable but festive. I pulled together this cute little ensemble featuring a holiday sweater that welcomes the first snow fall. Again, I've used that ivory sweater, my favorite pair of dark-washed jeans and brown leather flats. The sweater has enough embellishment so I will keep my jewelry to a minimum - perhaps just a pair of silver earrings. And of course a roomy brown leather tote carries everything I need for winter - chap stick, hand lotion, a bottle of water, hand sanitizer, more chap stick...

Next week I will dedicate another post to "A Fashionable Holiday". Before you blow your budget at the mall trying to find that perfect party outfit, shop your closet. Or better yet, shop the closet of your mom or daughter or best friend for fabulous "accessories" that are new to you and will add punch to your festive attire!