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!

Spring Themed Shelf #2

After putting away the Easter decor and the Bunnies, I gave my shelf a little Spring do over.  

I found this cute faux wooden mirror with a removable shelf attached at the bottom, I turned it over and used it with the shelf at the top!

This thrift store find was destined for a paint job, but I haven't made up my mind on that yet.  As is, is doing nicely for now!  I figured turning it over would give me another shelf to decorate on top!  I decided to keep it simple and added some greenery and flowers.

For a fun SPRING display I changed up my "display shelf" using it and some of my other thrifty finds - the metal brackets, glass candlesticks, wreath, scrabble letters, and ceramic tray.

I enjoy finding things and being able to change their appearance or use them in different ways, this was a very easy change!  Think of ways to use an item differently, or not as it usually would be, you'll get more use out of it that way too!

Dollar Deals and Thrifty Treasures

If you haven't seen or heard of Target's dollar spot area you are missing out!  They have caught on to the dollar store idea, by adding an area with items priced at one to five dollars.  I can't pass up the area when I go there now!  I am hooked, they get me every time I'm in there.  I find something to like or that I just have to have!  I recommend checking it out!

I love flowers! Fresh flowers are wonderful and fragrant, but flowers I can keep forever are always hard to pass up.  The wooden flowers above were found at Target dollar spot for three dollars, aren't they cute?! They can be painted but I loved their simplicity as is.  And, that cute "Welcome Spring" banner was only one dollar, also found at the dollar spot.

I love finding these low cost items that I can use in decorating my home.  These items make it easy to stay on budget and be able to do my favorite thing, changing my decor with low cost decorating!

Some of the the other items here I already had before Spring, the ceramic Magnolia blossom is a thrift store find.  Magnolias are a favorite of mine.

And, Mr Owl was found last year, I fell in love with him and that sweet face! He's just so adorable!  I enjoy decorating my home with things I love!

I dressed up my Baker's Rack with a touch of Spring using just a few items for just a few dollars! That's my kind of decorating!

Happy Shopping and Happy Decorating!... 

Happy Easter!

Easter sure has come quickly, it doesn't seem as if it should be April, and yet we are half way through it!

I did just a little decorating for Easter.  Would you believe these sweet bunnies recently hopped right into my shopping cart?!  I think they knew they would be perfect for my Easter table.  Perfectly adorable!  They are pretty cute so I allowed them to come home with me.  And just as I suspected they were perfect.

This bunny was from my imagination, as I was thinking about how some bunny would be visiting on Easter, as rumor would have it!  My thrifted chalkboard/tray was on the ready for Easter, and my imagination.

I also had to make a bunny face, 'cause I think a bunny face is cute!  Don't you?  Truth be told, I just like to play around with my chalk and chalkboards, and pretend to be an artist! :)

I put together this simple and beautiful Easter tablescape.  My pretty cut-glass and crystal pieces added lots of sparkle.  We had a bright and gorgeous day with blue skies and much sunshine.

We enjoyed an Easter meal/feast all prepared on our Big Green Egg by the mister.  It was better than Easter Eggs!

I hope you had a blessed and beautiful day.

A Hoppy and Happy Easter!...

Spring in April ~Our Spring Breakfast Area~

I've been enjoying our bright sunny Spring mornings.  I love all the light in our breakfast area each bright sunny morning!  

I've kept it simple in my breakfast area with light tones and golden touches.  It feels fresh and light.  I do love all the light in here!

I also love my Baker's Rack, it's a favorite spot to restyle with different items, serveware, and things I love!

Setting a pretty table is something I truly enjoy doing! Anywhere from simple to extraordinary, using only a centerpiece, or a full traditional table setting.  

When I'm wanting something new or different, Hobby Lobby never disappoints! And, neither does a Spring sale at 50% off and a 40% off coupon! I love Hobby Lobby!!!

These items are all from Hobby Lobby.

~Table runner and matching place mats, white stand, and bronze planter with plant.

I hope your days are bright, sunny, and beautiful!...