More Christmas Decorating

Here are a few more photos of my silvery decorating theme for this holiday season. I still hope to add some live greenery.

I continued my glittery theme in the dining room with this centerpiece. The lighting is great in this room, so on sunny days the reflection off the "disco ball"- as we refer to it - is really great. It creates a sparkly light show throughout the room - all over the ceiling and walls. It's beautiful. (The "disco ball" is from Hobby Lobby's Christmas decorations. There were several sizes.)

I hope you enjoy the photos. Have a great weekend.

I'm Back and with Christmas Decorating

I've been away for a while taking care of family needs. I'm glad to be back and I have some Christmas decorating to share.

I seem to like shiny, glittering things these days (and ruffles and sequins - but that's another post). This may seem a little odd for a girl who decorates with rocks, twigs, leaves and old rusty things. But I like the contrast with my earthy decor.

Here are some photos of my mantel. I love these mercury glass votives ($3 Target find).

Mercury glass votives are filled with tea lights.

Christmas Sparkle

Mercury glass candlesticks are another Target find.

Earlier in the week I had a small vase of flowers here. When I was taking these photos, I remembered the hydrangeas. (Yes, these are the ones from Lydia's garden.) I have to keep them hidden because Smudge LOVES them and will have them in the floor in no time. I sneak one or two out when she's not around. Anyway I think the hydrangea is just what is needed here.

Smudge - Hydrangea Thief

Have a great week everyone.

A Rural Point of View - Continued

My friend Maxine sent me an email commenting on my previous post saying "a good Tennessee farm in autumn - comfort pictures." I'll probably be recycling these photos during January and February - the months I refer to as my whiny months. Tennessee winters can be cold, dark and dreary. Did I mention cold, dark and dreary? I guess that is the definition of winter though. Anyway, I have a tendency to whine about the lack of sunshine. Okay, so I've got some more growing to do. :)

Here are a few more photos from Saturday.

I love the architectural elements found in barns. Again, incredibly simple and rustic yet elegant and beautiful. The sunlight filtering through the beams is spectacular.

Fence Row

I love the fact that the bent tree hasn't been cut down. It has its place even though it doesn't grow straight like trees are supposed to.

We have a spring running through our property and it supplies our water via a pump of some sort that I should probably know more about than I do. :)  I do know it supplies the best spring water I've ever had and I've been drinking it my entire life.

The Road Home

Enjoy your day.

A Rural Point of View

Yesterday Craig and I (along with my sister, one of my brothers and one of my nieces) spent the day at my mom's. My dad died a few years ago, but my mom still lives in our family home about 80 miles south of where I live. It is the most restful, peaceful place I know. Best spa in the world, as I often say. I spent a couple of hours during the afternoon just walking around by myself with my camera. It's one of my favorite things to do. The weather was sunny and warm, which made for a beautiful day to see what nature had to offer.

Here are a few photos from my walk. I never left the property, except when I was in the middle of the road.

I love how the birdhouse seems to fit in perfectly on the ground where it has fallen.  

Things are put together in a very utilitarian, shabby and yet beautiful way. Everything is weathered and patched. There's a calmness about this simple place. It reminds me not to over-complicate things.

Me

I'll have more photos throughout the week.

Enjoy your day.

My Latest Quilt

This quilt was on my design wall far too long (translation: this means well over a year and longer than I want to think about). Yesterday I finished the borders so it's ready to be quilted once I find fabric for the  back. This is the largest quilt I've made - approx. 100" x 100". 

I started this as a block of the month thing with one of the quilt shops and then added other blocks, sashing and borders so I could have a bed-size quilt. I think it will be great for layering. (I layer everything - bedding, clothes, etc. I love having different textures and patterns.) 

I love the neutral colors.

I have a hard time photographing my quilts. It's so hard to capture everything that's going on especially after they are quilted. Perhaps this is an impossible quest. Anyway, for this one I decided to just drape it across the bed in my guest bedroom. This is a full-size bed so you can see it's a good size quilt.

Have a great week.  

Scenes From My Back Yard

.......and my front porch.

October has been beautiful this year. I'm going to miss all this lovely color.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Hydrangeas and Herbs

Yesterday afternoon my friend Lydia stopped by and surprised me with a beautiful bouquet of hydrangeas and herbs from her garden. WOW! Lucky me. Both are gorgeous. I've never seen hydrangeas this color. She says she doesn't do anything to them and they are a different color every year.

I tried and tried to capture their beauty but never really succeeded. I kept moving them from room to room trying to capture the best light. Since it was afternoon, the dining room was the winner in the natural lighting department.

The herbs found a nice spot on the counter by the kitchen sink. Love them. I've seen a cat or two checking them out as well.

Enjoy your weekend.

Welcome To My Blog

I've been considering a blog for a while now, but for one reason or another just didn't quite get to it. I must be inspired by the beautiful fall day here because here it is!

I love fall. I love everything about it...the cooler weather, the pumpkins and gourds, the colors-reds, purples, yellows, oranges. This is, in fact, about the only time I use orange in my life.

I'm reminded of a quote from The Blind Side when Leigh Anne was talking to Michael about accepting a scholarship from the University of Tennessee (instead of Ole Miss). "And I promise that I will be at every game cheering for you. But I will not wear that gaudy orange, I will not. It is not my colour wheel and I'm not gonna wear it." I know exactly how she feels.

Enjoy your day.