WISHES TO ALL
FOR A WARM, SAFE,
WONDERFUL HOLIDAY SEASON,
AND HAPPINESS THROUGH THE NEW YEAR
I’ll be back with you in mid-January
Cheryl
Bless Them, Every One
4
Category Archives: Chat
Getting That Holiday Mood
Has the Holiday Mood struck you yet?
Around here, that spirit isn’t appearing as early as usual.
Still in disbelief how Thanksgiving sneaked up us like that!
And NOW, it’s barely two weeks until Christmas.
[ “How To” BOOK COVERS PROJECT here ]
Hubs is officially retired now … this is his first full week of “no work”.
[ “How To” WINDOW VALANCE PROJECT here ]
He immediately began taking retirement very literally.
He’s spending lots of time on …
morning coffee, afternoon naps, evening news – with wine …
and hours in his workshop (sitting) in his comfy chair out there …
watching old movies … over and over and … well, you get the idea.
Anyhoo. We’ve just about decided (mainly I have) that …
the big ol’ fake tree is staying out in the garage rafters this year.
Not a great tree booster any year, Hubs much prefers
a few nice Pointsettia plants.
For 2014, I’m also aiming for simplicity so sounds good to me.
Just don’t know what else to do yet, but I better get going.
Hope you enjoy the “CHRISTMAS PAST” photos I rounded up for today
Hoping they’ll light my holiday fires too!
Lets all come back soon to see what develops.
Later – Cheryl
It’s Thanksgiving … already?
With so many “Thanksgivings Past”,
you’d think I’d have an overload of turkey tales to tell.
Well … let’s see.
Around here, we’ve had some terrifically. tasty. turkeys!
That’s probably because “thankfully” (no pun intended) …
Hubs is the bird cooker at our place … not me.
Hey now … I do make a mean green bean casserole though,
and I’m expert at finding great deli side salads!
I read once where someone well known
said “I don’t cook … I buy pretty food”.
It was probably Erma Bombeck or maybe Mary Engelbreit ?!?
I say “I don’t cook … I buy great food and serve it beautifully”!
I remember my mom worried about how her food would turn out.
Funny, no matter how much my dad grumbled about things …
he always chowed everything down quick enough.
Mom was a good cook. She needn’t have worried.
Things were always tasty.
I do remember one holiday meal.
My cousin June and I were squished together in a chair,
in the front room, plates on our laps … laughing and being silly.
Okay, I know some most of you are thinking I was goofin’ off
and dumped my plate or some stupid thing.
Nope, fooled ya! I took one big bite of mom’s mashed potatoes
with all that great gravy …
and I passed out!
NOW, there was absolutely NOTHING WRONG with ma’s potatoes …
except, I tried to eat them when they were too hot and it made me faint.
Here’s what I blogged around this time last year.
Thanksgiving for the Kids
Sometimes the little kids get lost in all the holiday hoopla.
Maybe these could help.
And This Project works for any occasion.
I used mine last year for Thanksgiving.
So there you have it. Some Thanksgiving throwbacks.
I wish for all
a Safe, Warm, Wonderful and
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Later – Cheryl
Magnolias in The Snow
The national weather reports were on this morning,
as I sat catching up on emails.
Minnesota is often featured in the worst winter weather areas.
Last week yes . . . but not today!
Things look heavenly in Minnesota compared to the snow hell out east.
Source Don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like this.
Source And what’s this poor pup gonna’ do?
Gracie Mae DOES NOT favor winter!
She DOES have a cleared outdoor spot for her “jobs”,
but has given up her many daily walks,
content to remain inside, staying warm!
Although, she does still get her exercise …
roaming the halls in search of every bit of sunshine!
She moves from room to room in the house,
as the sun repositions throughout the day.
BEFORE our snow arrived here, we had very up-and-down temperatures.
You may remember that we have a magnolia tree,
even though we live in Minnesota … some sort of hybrid.
During our first “pre-snow” cold snap, the tree lost all of its’ leaves.
But we then had an odd few days of very warm temps,
that totally confused our poor magnolia …
and she budded out again, as if it were Spring.
Now you know I love all sorts of branches and such,
especially pussy willows.
Well Mags’ buds look like giant pussy willows,
so naturally I had to cut a bunch and bring em’ in for decor!
I filled one of my big ole’ crocks with water
and put them on top of the kitchen cabinets …
where they stayed for a week or two, all cute and fuzzy.
Making coffee last Sunday morning,
I happened to look up and was elated by what I saw!
Those little fuzzies were …
BLOOMING !?!
Hubs took one look,
and said they had to come down to the table!
So the upper display was altered …
(think I’ll have to do some tweaking and raise that terra cotta piece up)
the table display was moved to the credenza …
and the crock of buds took center stage on the table.
Each day they offer more wonderful surprises.
Even the finale blooms are beautiful.
But Mags wasn’t out of surprises yet!
Her flowers have also contributed that wonderful magnolia fragrance.
Love It!
Well … this IS Wednesday, so technically I didn’t miss a Whatever Wednesday.
Stay safe and warm as we gear up for the holidays, and remember …
don’t stress too much about anything, just start something …
and see where it goes!
Later – Cheryl
VETERAN’S DAY
Many thanks to
ALL of our VETERANS
and ACTIVE Military members.
Just a thought:
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if our politicians wouldn’t fight
but instead … unite for right,
just as our Service People do everyday.
A Rustic Country Wedding
Home again, home again, jiggity jig … and it feels good.
No new news for a while, as I was away,
working on my son’s wedding.
That should say “helping” with things,
as the happy couple have spent all their time
in the six months previous, searching, shopping,
and making everything by hand.
All we helpers did was set up …
hang, assemble and arrange.
I did fresh flower bouquets, bouts and corsages.
The theme was “A Rustic Country Wedding”
There were lots of mason jars and roughed up wood …
Big jars for flowers, medium for mugs and teeny ones for tea lights.
Lots of burlap, lace and country patterns. But mostly . . .
Lots of laughter,
… and Love …
Lot’s of Love 🙂
Introducing Mr. & Mrs. Bradley Richardson, 11/1/14
More of the decorations and “How To’s” coming soon …
and better pictures of the Happy Couple!
Later – Cheryl
This Surprised Me!
Aside
A phone call,
then soon, a knock at the door
then a great big smile
wondering what this was for
I said to the lady
“What a wonderful way
to brighten up such a gloomy day.”
That seems to be what my daughter thought too!
So of course I wanted to share it with you.
Later – Cheryl
P.S. Luv you Breezer. You made me cry happy tears 🙂
Whatever … Wednesday #2
Source: United Notions
Yay! Whatever Wednesday #2
I really am trying …
to making it an ongoing thing!
Still without a camera, I’m online, a lot.
I’ve been studying Pinterest, rearranging boards and adding new ones.
You know me, always changing and rearranging.
Readers, regular or new, please note.
Artzzle’s pinning button doesn’t function right yet,
but I’m working on it!
Do you ever google something and then browse through all its’ images? Today I wanted to look at pin clipart. Not like in Pinterest, but literal pins; straight, safety, “T” and beaded pins. Those kinds of pins. In my search I found these … on this fun site. I found what I wanted for clip art, but if you love to sew, you’ll find lots more ideas there.
Moda Fabrics/United Notions
Also been busy around the house. Remember this project featured here?
Hubs and I have decided to replace it. Though a fun project, the large size and several parts of this piece can “busy up” wall space. We’re currently working for a cleaner look in our spaces, so will experiment.
It’s almost Thursday, so I’ll close for this time. Remember not to stress too much about it, just go ahead and start that project. It’ll work out, or if not, at least you’ll learn something!
Later – Cheryl
*** This original article “Whatever … Wednesday #2” appeared first on Artzzle.com. No included content or photography can be used elsewhere without specific permission and accreditation. Outside sources are marked when available.
Copyright © 2013-2014 Artzzle All Rights Reserved
Fun Fall & Halloween Ideas
Dang! The camera is still acting whonky!
What a shame too, because Autumn’s beauty is busting out everywhere.
My mailbox today is full of emails that say people are sharing many of
my Hometalk and former Artzzle posts about Fall and Halloween.
One of the favorites (mine too) seems to be my WREATH FOR ALL SEASONS. 
Though time consuming, this project is so easy to make.
At present, I’m working on a “tree” version in this process,
that I’ll share closer to Christmas.
Hometalk traffic has been good as well,
on my FREE HALLOWEEN PRINTOUTS from last year …
that can be used many ways, like THIS and THESE.
You all know that I love paper & gift projects but my talents don’t include food prep …
i.e. cooking or baking. Imagine my excitement when I recently discovered THIS BLOG.
Barb Schram not only has pretty paper ideas … but look how easy her cookies are to make! And YES, I signed up to follow … so check it out!
You know my favorite decor projects are when I can use (or reuse) things I already have.
You’ll see a little of that HERE
Enough fun for today … here at least.
I’m going to close and head over to Barb’s blog to see what I can find there!
Hey, DON’T FORGET … I love reading your comments, so feel free to leave a reply 😀
Meanwhile, try not to stress over it, just start that project.
Later – Cheryl
*** This original article “Fun Fall & Halloween Ideas” appeared first on Artzzle.com. No included content or photography can be used elsewhere without specific permission and accreditation. Outside sources are marked when available.
Copyright © 2013-2014 Artzzle All Rights Reserved
Whatever … Wednesday
Did your mom ever tell you
“When you do something, do it well.”?
Well, mine did, and I usually try my best.
Problem is, sometimes even when I screw up …
I do that well too, very well … like last weekend.
A new post was due and a good topic was developing too,
but then … oops (better make that a big OOPS) … no more story.
Hey now, don’t be quick to judge. I was working hard.
Hubs and I were doing some exterior maintenance.
He was staining the new porch
and I was re-staining the work shed.
And of course, pictures were needed,
so I could show you progress on the projects.
I got some good shots, then went back to painting.
All’s good, right? Well it was,
until the next morning, when I remembered.
I remembered … I left the camera outside.
Overnight, all alone, out in the cold.
Well it wasn’t exactly cold, but you get the idea.
Whew! Upon rescue, a few successful shots.
Then, little lines of light crept across the screen.
And more lines, and more until it wouldn’t focus at all.
Crap! Do I need a new camera … yes.
Do I have $$ for a new camera … no.
Can I do a blog without a camera?
Well, I’ll just have to, won’t I?
For a while anyway!
Today, I’m starting my camera-less era with something new.
Dear readers, say hello to …
WHATEVER WEDNESDAYS
This feature will allow me to explore random ideas with you,
and also share all kinds of cool, crazy online stuff I’ve found and enjoyed.
I did get some nice photos before the camera was abandoned.
As an adult, I’ve tried to be realistic with my children. Some of my advice to them has been that in every bad situation, if we learn from it, at least we’ve gotten something positive out of it.
I also know how easily life can overwhelm us, and seem as though there is no solution or help left. I’ve tried to encourage my kids with my belief that you have to keep going. If you feel like you’re out of options, you have to create more options. Every battle can’t be conquered, but you have to keep trying. Persevering itself, is winning.
What better way to say goodnight than with a lovely moon.
And hey, it’s still Wednesday as I push the publish button. Yay.
Remember, try not to stress, just start something.
Later – Cheryl
*** This original article “Whatever Wednesday” appeared first on Artzzle.com. No included content or photography can be used elsewhere without specific permission and accreditation. Outside sources are marked when available.
Copyright © 2013-2014 Artzzle All Rights Reserved
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