Halloween Mantel

I have been inspired by so many of you wonderful ladies that

I did something that I have never done before.....

I put together a Halloween Mantel!

My very first Halloween Mantel!

It's always difficult to get pictures of my mantel because of the

reflections in the mirror, so please bear with me.

I wanted the mantel to have a vintage feel to it.

I know you've most likely seen these fellas on my blog in the past.

My Dee Foust pumpkinhead people along with a few bottle brush trees.

I love them!

Mercury glass is a favorite of mine.

It adds to the vintage feel,

and gives alot of sparkle too!

Did you decorate your mantel for Halloween this year?

Linking to:

Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Share it One More Time at One More Time
Vintage Inspiration Fridat at Common Ground

The Kindness of a Friend

I think we have all experienced kindness in one form or another.   Would you mind if I shared a post about kindness with you?

We meet so many wonderful people in the blogging world.  I really love it when I chance upon a blogger that I know, without a doubt, I would be great friends with if I could interact with them "in real life."

Michele at The Nest at Finch Rest is one of those people.   I visit her blog & she visits mine.  She always leaves sweet, thoughtful and inspiring comments.  You know, the kind of comments that make you feel special. 

A few weeks ago, a package arrived at my door.  I questioned myself, wondering what I ordered that I had forgotten about.  When I opened the package, I found this pretty wire dress form:

 

Enclosed was a sweet card from Michele.  She had read my sewing machine post and was so pleased that I was learning how to sew, she wanted to send me a gift to give me encouragement as I take on this challenge. 

Isn't that the most thoughtful thing ever?  See what I mean about how she makes a person feel special? 

This thoughtful gift and the words she wrote in her card have made my heart sing!  I am so fortunate to have crossed paths with Michele and am happy to call her a friend.

Aren't bloggy friends the best?    

Rich Colors of Autumn tablescape

Tablescape time!

This tablescape was inspired by the centerpieces from my niece's wedding.

My sister told me to go ahead & take a centerpiece

after the reception.

She didn't have to tell me twice!  lol

I let the centerpiece dictate the colors in my place settings.

•Wicker placemats from Pier 1.

•Napkins from Urban Style Stitches on Etsy.  I love these!

They are reversible...betcha can't guess what's on the other side?

•Red silverware was an engagement gift some 21 years ago.

•Purple dinner plates are Better Homes & Gardens,

found at Walmart a few years back.

•Red salad plates from Oneida Outlet.

•Pumpkin bowls from Michaels, I believe.

•Purple glasses from Pier 1.

Oh yes, the centerpiece that started it all!

I cannot take credit for the beautiful flowers.

It was our idea to have the florist use the

pumpkin baskets, but the rest is all her talent. 

My sister stopped over the day after the wedding.

She was so surprised to see I created a tablescape

with the centerpiece.

With rich colored flowers that are soooo beautiful,

it was a cinch!

Linking to:

Let's Dish at Cuisine Kathleen

Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch

Halloween is Coming

Just a short & sweet post today.

I wanted to share with you the dining room blackboard

and the Halloween sentiment that I added to it.

I am having alot of fun with this blackboard.

Thanks for stopping by today. 

Enjoy the day!

A little of this, a little of that

Well hello everyone!

It's so nice to return to the world of blogging.

I feel as though I've been away and out of touch for ages,

even it has only been 5 days or so!

First,  my niece's wedding was beautiful.

I wasn't very diligent about taking photos,

(you know, too much fun & all)

but I'd like to share a few.

One of the Bride....

and one of the Bride & Groom...

It was truly a special day filled

with love, family, fun & happy memories!

♥♥♥ 

Second, do you remember my Farmer's Market Tablescape?

The tablecloth I used was from Kohl's.

A representative from Kohl's saw my tablescape and asked if I

would consider adding their link to my post. 

Sure! Why not?

I added the link for you here as well. 

Kohls' would also like to give all my readers

a 10% discount to their online site, kohls.com.

This discount is good until

October 24, 2012. 

Discount code is UBLOGTEN.

Isn't that awesome?

Last, I wanted to say that I have missed visiting

with all of you.  I don't know that I'll be able

to completely catch up on all I missed,

but rest assured that I will be back to making

my usual rounds to your blogs.

Here's to a great new week ahead! 

 

The Wedding

Thank you all so much for your kind Anniversary wishes for my husband & I!    I really appreciated it!
______________________________________________________

Now, for a different wedding...........
My niece is getting married on Saturday!   

I wanted to share a few things I've been working on over the past month or so.  My niece wants a candy buffet & no candy buffet is complete without a sign....

...so using an old frame from a garage sale, that I paid $1.00 for, I painted this Love is Sweet sign.  I then added a little fall prettiness to the corner.  Did I mention all the candy will be in shades of orange, brown or yellow/gold?

Now for the card holder...what to do?  Funny, this is my old birdcage that I was selling in my garage sale a few years ago.  At the time, my oldest sister pulled it out, told me I was crazy, & took it home with her!  Now that I see it again, I'm not so sure my sister is getting this back!  lol  Why would I want to sell this in the first place?  What was I thinking?

The bridesmaids are wearing gowns in a deep purple...eggplant actually.  My niece really wanted to play up the Fall theme.  So deep purple ribbon & some orange flowers are all this birdcage took to look pretty.  Still wondering about adding a tiny pumpkin...

Next, we have the place cards.  Round & round we went trying to find something we liked.  Nothing that a little crafting & a spray of glitter paint couldn't cure. 

So there you have my wedding projects.  I can't believe the day is almost here!!  Hopefully I can get some decent wedding photos to share with you next week. 

Have a great weekend & see you soon!     

 

20 years

Some days I have to ask myself  just how old I really am. 

I find that I'm alot older than I often think I am.

Do you have that problem too?

Here I am (with my high school sweetheart),
at our Junior Prom, May 31, 1985.
I am all of 16 years old here.

No snickering allowed.

Now take today, for instance.   

Am I really old enough to have been married for 20 years?

October 10, 1992~October 10, 2012

20 years is such a looooong time.

The answer is yes.  Apparently I am old enough. 

Oh good heavens...I'm old!

And yes, I am married to that high school sweetheart above.

 

♥ Happy 20th Anniversary! ♥

In the words of Gladys Knight,

(who I just saw in concert...she was phenomenal)

"You're the best thing that ever happened to me."