Summer Decor - Our Dining Room

With it being summer I like to keep my decor simple, light and bright!

The sunlight pours in through our tall foyer window and it shines into our dining room on my pretty dishes and our beautiful chandelier.

I love all of the sparkle!

I enjoy a mix of pretty things. Things that make me smile. This makes me smile!!!

Here I've used a bit of bronze, some gold, white flowers, and lots of sparkle! Definitely things I love!

I enjoy finding/collecting cut glass and crystal, I'm always on the hunt for more. It's the jewelry to my home.

My family has gotten in on this and they find items I'll love too! My husband gave me the beautiful crystal bowl, most of the other items here were thrifted!

Decorate with what you love, what makes you happy, and what makes you smile!!!

Patriotic Decor~Tiered Tray Makeover~

Well Hello July!  It seems to have arrived so quickly.  Summer is definitely in full swing!

Tomorrow we celebrate America's Independence Day!

***Happy Fourth of July!***

I recently painted this tied tray, using chalk paint. I'm loving the way it looks now!

I found a few fun and patriotic items at target's dollar spot to dress it up for the holiday! - The painted red, white & blue wooden Stars, U S A, and Flag scarf.  A few dollars and just a few minutes of my time, and I had created a cute display for our patriotic holiday!

***Enjoy a safe and happy Fourth of July!***

~God Bless America~

Summer Decor Refresh

Summer solstice has begun, it's officially the start of SUMMER!!!  Now I'm hoping for the time to slow down!  And, it's a good time for a little decor refresh.

I love neutral decor, and I like how adding color can create a whole new look!

For me, one of the advantages of a neutral space is being able to change your mind without changing everything!

Gold curtains and gold pillows pair well with the gold of the artwork frame.

My love for gold, and pillows, added a nice change to this neutral room.  I love new pillows and can't resist a sale!  Low cost decorating is my favorite way to refesh my decor.

Happy Decorating!...

My DIY Table Runner

I had some interest and questions inquiring about my table runner, after posting an image of my Spring table decor.  A few asked where I'd gotten it, or purchased it.  I was happy to share a post about it. 

This was a very simple DIY project that took me only a matter of minutes.  The runner was once a curtain valance!  I found it at the thrift store and immediately saw it as a table runner instead.

Pictured here is how the curtain valance looked when I found it.  I loved all the lace detail, and the hearts and flowers within it.  I figured I could do some trimming on it and it would work as a table runner.

I began by cutting the bottom edge off, trimming closely and carefully.  You can see it taking shape now.

Next, I cut the top portion in the same manner as I had cut the bottom portion.

The sides of the curtain valance were now the ends of the table runner.  Having already had the finished edges I didn't need to do anything to them!

It made a nice long table runner with enough length to hang over both ends of the table.  I chose to use it on our breakfast table which it smaller than our dining room table.  It turned out well.  The once curtain valance now looked great as a table runner!  

With my ever changing desire to change my decor, and do it in an inexpensive way, I really love my unique one of kind table runner.  Not a bad find for just a buck and a little craftiness!

Happy Decorating!...

It's a whole new kind of LOVE!

We have a new family member...

This little bundle of joy arrived over a week ago...

Spring on the Back Porch and Patio

I hadn't shared any photos lately of our outdoor spaces.  We added on the covered porch and patio a few years ago, and they have become two of our favorite places to spend time.

We are fortunate to have good weather most of the year here in Georgia. We get some cold throughout the winter, but a fireplace and gas heater add warmth on those chilly evenings.

I added just a few Spring touches out here, a bit of greenery and lots of candles for night time ambiance.  In all honesty, I have a love/hate relationship with the TV out here.  I could have done without it, but the Hubby really wanted it and I do enjoy it part of the time.

I really enjoy being out here early mornings listening to the birds in the quiet.  It's especially nice on a bright and beautiful day!  I love a slow and easy morning out here on our back porch.

It's my "happy place" to begin and end each day!

This patio area next to our covered porch is a great spot for sunny mornings! It's also a great spot for planting pretty flowers, and attracting hummingbirds!

It's often a work in progress, because just like decorating inside, I like to make changes outside too!

My coffee mornings out here are a wonderful start to my day with the sights, scents, and sounds of nature.

This is just after I planted some new annuals. My clematis vine was just beginning to bloom its pretty purple flowers, and the grass greening up beautifully after dormancy.

I created the iron trellis wall as a blockage for our precious golden retriever who thinks he is suppose to cut through the planting area.(insert *eyeroll* here)  Well, not so fast boy, I've found a way to put a stop to that and make it pretty at the same time!  I like the way it turned out and it surely does the job!

It's a beautiful sunny day today so I feel the need to go enjoy it outdoors, I'll be out here doing just that!

Have a great day!

~Happy Mother's Day Wishes~

...nobody loves you like your MOM!

It's one of the hardest and most rewarding jobs you'll ever have! You learn after you become a Mom, many things that you and your own Mom have or will similarly experience, all the joy, the giving and sacrifice, things you may worry over or cry about, things you celebrate, all the proud moments, the many tears of joy, the laughter, the happiness, the love! I'm so thankful for my Mom for everything, and most especially the love! 

Here's to all the Moms for all you do! 

*** *** ***

~Me and my babies, my heart, my loves!~ 

My oldest daughter {on the left} and her two babies, my first and second grandbabies.

My youngest daughter {in the middle}, she's a Mom-to-be any day now expecting her first baby, my third grandbaby girl.

I'm so happy and very proud to be Mother and Grandmother to these precious and beautiful girls! Two daughters, two granddaughters, and another granddaughter expected any day!

My heart is full!  Wishing all Moms a wonderful and very Happy Mother's Day!

A very special Happy Mother's Day wish to my Mother, my Mother-in-law, my Daughters, my Sister, Sisters-in-law, and my Friends!

My Collected Treasures ~Cut-Glass and Crystal~

I adore all of my cut-glass and crystal items!  I've been collecting pieces over the years.  It all started with a gift of a beautiful set of crystal wine glasses from my sweet Mother-in-law. I've been hooked and collecting ever since, and love them all!

Almost everything here was found at an antique market or thrift store.  I think I screamed out loud with excitement the day I found the pitcher!  I often say "it's the thrill of the hunt!"  I love finding thrifty treasures.  I'm always on the lookout for more beautiful pieces like these.

I had a another good treasure hunting day when I found these beauties.

A few of my lovely finds were these cut glass pieces to add to my collection-a butter dish[$4] and six small plates[$7.5].  Also six beautiful hand embroidered linen napkins[$3].

They're all perfect for my dining room. I'm pattin' myself on the back because I almost didn't go looking/treasure hunting yesterday!

I enjoy finding items that I adore, and like using them in my home.  Using those special things and displaying them makes me happy, and they are a reflection of me and my style.

Use what makes you happy when decorating your home!

Happy treasure hunting, and decorating!

May has arrived!

Hello May!  As the saying goes...

April Showers Bring May FLOWERS 

I love my pretty chalkboard from Hobby Lobby it's so perfectly me, and I love to write fun things on it!
*Though "artist" I am NOT!*

Here is where it's on display in our breakfast area.  It has been so nice to open up the doors and windows again to let in some fresh air!   The pollen has subsided, somewhat, and the April showers have helped greatly with that!

The April showers have been doing a nice job of watering the trees, plants and flowers outside.  I've been adding some spring flowers to my planting area around the patio next to our covered porch.  Our covered porch is a wonderful extension to our home, it's another room, one we enjoy most of the year round!  I'm so happy it's May, we look forward to many good things this month!

Happy May!