MAGPIES

When most people think of Magpies - they think of a chatterbox. This is true - they are noisy - but they also LOVE shiny, sparkly things and will steal jewelry and like to keep their gems in their nests....I've always thought I'm a bit of a magpie. And though I am usually a bit more restrained, when it comes to Christmas I fully subscribe to the "Pirate's Booty School of Decorating" . The china cabinets are dripping with sparkle and the tree looks more and more like a chandelier. Tomorrow, while I watch college football I will take everything down - so one last look - good bye 'til next year.

I learned last year that I have to decorate the top of the tree from the loft - so here we go......... as you know, the ceiling is an issue and the paint is literally falling off. But it wasn't until I took these photos that I saw the perfect angel flying along with my angel on top of the tree. Do you see her? Very special. So now I think I want to keep that one tin white with her always there........



Then it's slowly moved across the room and finished. This year - the angel fell off the tree - her wings are heavy and I was trying to straighten her - whatever........I let it go for a day and then couldn't stand it so I pulled this 15 foot , fully decorated tree back to the loft - went upstairs and tied her on with a ribbon - and dragged the whole thing back. Didn't lose a thing


As you can see I have begun plastering. I had first repaired the bead board wainscot and the chair rail and had planned on posting photos of all this but lost everything in a hard drive meltdown. I started in this corner because I SO, SO, SO wanted to get this dear antique off the floor. I'm still experimenting with color as it changes all day when the sun moves and shines through the different colors of the windows. I have said that when it comes to Christmas I love to revisit the scene in Goonies when they finally find One Eye Willie and all his treasures....jewels just dripping from everything. YEP I'm a secret pirate.

SMITTEN

The following post is from my darling daughter on her blog "C Stands for Carrie" It's about one of our adventures when I visited her in Montana last September. If you like crafty, party things - read her blog. She's been building quite a reputation - in a good way ! The kind of reputation that makes a mother proud !!



C stands for... CARRIE: Smitten for My Mittens: "When my mom came to visit me a few weeks ago she gave me a pair of adorable mittens. She then informed me that not only did she make them, b..."

STILL THERE ?

Many have given up on me , I am certain. Some will find me again. I have had a rough couple of years and seem to be re-inventing myself once again.

I have this angel - I'm sure you have seen them.....she was given to me when I was going through chemo. She is so triumphant ! However, over the last few years she has been dropped, glued together, dropped again ....well, you get the picture. Her head snapped off, both arms were broken (one has never been found) and her hands are gone. My friend Barbara laughed when I was telling her about it and she said - "She sounds like you. No matter how many times she is knocked down - she's back together....you should blog about her - as you !"

That is a bit how I am feeling....I've been knocked around and broken - but I'm still here. I'm picking up the pieces and putting myself back together and you'll hear from me again. I won't be doing give-a-ways and contests and awards - but I'll be in the 'hood.

see you soon

SEASONS

Well, I said I missed the change of seasons...be careful what you wish for

BABY STEPS

Baby steps with a HUGE impact........

This will really be appreciated by my friends and family who have visited me. As most of you know - I am currently living in the lower level of the church while I s l o w l y finish the upper level. This will eventually be a guest suite - but for now it's my full-time living quarters. It will be wonderful for guests but is a bit crowded for my all day, everyday life.

Yesterday I put together a new bookcase - and cleared the table.........the table where I kept everything, and worked, ate , blogged, scanned, printed, read, ...need I go on ? Everything ( and more!) in that bookcase was on this kitchen table .

I have always planned for this bookcase - but never had the opportunity to pick one up until now. The placement faces the seating area of the suite and hides the side of the refrigerator - and we always love to do that !

AHHHH - it's a good day.

SMALL WORLD

I live in a little, tiny, drive-thru town of about two hundred - a town that is known by very few people. I was born and raised in a city some 55 miles away. Surprisingly, one of my best friends since high school produced this photo for me ........ a picture of her mom- age 2 -sitting on the lawn in front of her grandma and grandpa's house..... circa 1932. This is the little bungalow across the street from my church - and you can see St. Mary's in the background. Amazing !!