THE BOTTLE BRUSH TREE EXPERIENCE

I'm in love with the IDEA of crafting, but I'm just not very good at it. Give me thread and fabric and I can create; but glitter, glue, and I have never learned how to play together very well. But, I was so intrigued with Manuela of The Pleasures of Homemaking
and her bottle-brush bleaching project that I just had to try it.

I didn't take any pictures of the bleaching process, because Manuela's tutorial is so good - you can click here
to follow her instructions. Basically you buy those little non-plastic bottle-brush trees that are made to accessorize villages. Then you put them in a combination of bleach and water until they turn white. Rinse them in water, and let them dry. From this point on, they can be dyed with Rit dye and/or decorated any way you want.

I chose to leave mine white and glitter them. The thing that I did different was to remove their little white plastic bases, and replace them with wooden blocks that I decoupaged with scrapbook paper. I then covered the blocks with two coats of Mod Podge to seal. We predrilled holes in the blocks and reinserted the wire stems in with a dab of Elmer's glue.

I am enjoying my finished trees, and have given some away as gifts.

I'm still not too fond of the glittering and gluing process, but had lots of fun choosing the scrapbook papers.

Since Susan of A Southern Daydreamer is allowing indoor decorations during the month of December, I'm linking to Outdoor Wednesday
for this week's party.
Be sure to check out Susan's blog for a list of the other participants.

TOUR OF HOMES

Today I thought I would take you on a tour of our living room all decked out for the Christmas season. But first, let's look at Bob's and my very first Christmas tree. The year was 1958, we had been married 3 months and we were poor college students. We probably paid $1 for the fresh tree, and then bought one red ball to write the date on. We strung popcorn and cranberries and called it good. Those red blobs are some red net doodads I made.

Now, 51 years later the tree is basically the same - just more loaded and bigger. There are now 52 red balls with the year written on them, plus other ornaments with meaning that have been added over the years. I guess I don't decorate, I accumulate. That pretty well sums up my whole decorating philosophy - Christmas or anytime.

In the mosaic below on the upper right, you can see that 1958 ball.

We have been putting up a second tree for about 20 years now after we inherited Christmas ornaments from our families. This tree contains only blown glass ornaments - some old, and some new from travels and friends.

The huge (about 8" in diameter) green mercury glass ball below was made in Belgium and belonged to my parents.

Bob started the Hummel Nativity set for me 41 years ago. That Christmas he gave me Mary and Baby Jesus. He then added to the set piece by piece as finances allowed.

The Hummel Madonna and Child belonged to my mother.

The grandkids came home with us after church on Sunday. They were so quiet after lunch, I thought I should check on them. They were busy decorating the doll house!

I was happy to see that they considered the whole family around the table as part of the Christmas celebration.

What a joy it is to celebrate the Christmas season.

I'm linking this post to The Nester's Tour of Homes
and to the Deck the Halls Tuesday party at Thoughts from over the Rainbow.
Also, I'm linking to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch
for Metamorphosis Monday and to Mary's Mosaic Monday at
Little Red House,

So many parties to attend, but be sure to stop by these blogs for a whole lot of Christmas joy.

SUSIE Q HAD A GIVEAWAY

Long, long ago and far, far away (from Colorado at any rate),
Susie Q at Rabbit Run Cottage
had a giveaway. And I won! Well her ditsy friend (that would be me) didn't even know she had won, so dear Sue had to contact me to tell me that she needed my address to mail me the book.
She mailed it out, and I received it Thanksgiving week; which was the most opportune time. I had been cooking up a storm and on my feet all day when the doorbell rang, and there was my gift from Sue.
Now there is nothing I enjoy more than sitting down to peruse a good decorating book. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, "Waterside Cottages" by Barbara Jacksier.

But then, of course, I had to finish up Thanksgiving and move right into the Christmas season. Now, Sue's friend is not only ditsy, but negligent also in thanking Sue for this great giveaway.

Be sure to go by Rabbit Run Cottage
and meet Sue if you don't already know her. She is the best - the type of person you wished you lived next door to.

Thanks, Sue!!

MY EARLY CHRISTMAS PRESENT

I have been looking at these four antique apothecary jars for about two years. They have been at a local antique mall for so long, but NOW they are at home with us. I told Bob that I knew what I wanted for Christmas, but I wanted my present early. So, last week we went shopping. I remember these types of candy jars in the ice cream/ bakery/candy stores of my youth. I loved them then, and doubly love them now!

Three of the jars are matching with the tallest one about 12 inches with the smallest at 7 inches. For now, I have filled them with old, special ornaments from my parents. There is one orange ball that reminds me so much of my mother, as she loved anything orange. There also are a couple of balls that have cardboard hangers from the WWII era when all metal was going to the war effort.

The fourth jar is very similar to the others - just a little different. I put one of my vintage bottle-brush trees in it.

I just know that I'm going to enjoy this present on every holiday. What should I put in them for Valentine's Day?

There are so many parties going on, and I hate to miss a good party; so I'm linking to the following blogs. Be sure to stop by to check them out. You won't be disappointed with all of the wonderful ideas being displayed.


Home for the Holidays, hosted by Rhoda at SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY

Vintage Thingies Thursday, hosted by Suzanne at COLORADO LADY

Show and Tell Friday, hosted by Cindy at ROMANTIC HOME

MOSAIC MONDAY & DECK THE HALLS TUESDAY

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here!

I'm joining Mary at Little Red House
for her weekly Mosaic Monday party. Stop by her wonderful blog to see what she has going, plus there will be a list of participants of the mosaic party.

Also, please check out Thoughts from over the Rainbow
for the Deck the Halls Tuesday get together.

THE LONG-AWAITED CLOCHE PARTY

Thanks to Marty of A Stroll Thru Life
for hosting this event. Be sure to check out her blog for a list of all of the participants. I'm sure there will be so many creative ideas for using cloches and apothecary jars in Christmas decorating. I can't wait to view every one's posts.

ALMOST A NEVER ENDING PROJECT

I've been thinking about this project for at least ten years - pondering it, dreading it, avoiding it!!!

We have eight dining room chairs that are old, but very sturdy. They are comfortable except they do not have upholstered seats. They desperately needed cushions but I never could find any that I liked in my price range. So, in September I decided I just needed to bite the bullet and make them myself with a deadline by Thanksgiving. In my frugal mode, I needed to use some of the various fabrics that I had in my stash. There are five different versions using a total of seven different fabrics.

I made 32 yards of cording, inserted 8 zippers, made 16 velcro tabs, used 2 spools of thread and 8 yards of fabric, and used up about all of my patience. It seems that the older I get, the shorter my attention span is.

I had a hard time deciding what to use for the inner cushions. Locally, foam was VERY expensive. I finally found a place online that cut the foam, then wrapped and secured the batting over the foam. All eight inner cushions with postage only cost $48. If I had done the inner cushions myself, it would have cost almost three times as much. I was very pleased with the quality, too.

After I received the inner cushions, it was very intimidating to see the stack on the left knowing the work that was coming. But, here they are all done. I prewashed all of the fabrics and inserted zippers in the back boxing, so they can be removed for the laundry. The cushions on the six chairs that are always around our table can be flipped over so that they all match. The other two chairs are used elsewhere, and only brought to the table when needed.

I'm joining a couple of parties today. Please check out Susan at
Between Naps on the Porch.
Susan is hosting Metamorphosis Monday where there is always so much inspiration.
Also, I'm joining Cielo at The House in the Roses.
Cielo is hosting Show Off Your Cottage Monday. Here you will find cottage lovers with ideas to make a cottage more comfortable and charming.
Edited to add: At the suggestion of Miss Mustard Seed, I'm also linking to her Furniture Feature Friday. Be sure to check out her blog for the most amazing painted furniture and accessories. She will also have a list of the participants of this week's FFF.

LET THE CHRISTMAS SEASON BEGIN!

I hope you all had a joyous and bountiful Thanksgiving. I know I'm stuffed! And as soon as I finish attacking this mess, it will be time to start the Christmas decorating.

The first thing I usually do is get out our Hummel nativity scene to remind us the reason for all of the Christmas hoopla.

Enjoy your weekend.

THANKSGIVING

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOURS.

MY PERSONAL PILGRIM

Granted, it is a stretch during this Thanksgiving season to call him a pilgrim, but he definitely was my personal pioneer. This is my great, great Uncle Asa.

Uncle Asa was a logger in Parkman, Maine in the 1860s. He was involved in a logging accident and lost his leg. They told him that there was no place in the logging business for a one-legged logger; so he should go West where he could ride a horse.

So, with $100 loaned to him by the local Masonic Lodge and only the possessions he could carry; he headed West on the train to Denver. Once in Denver, he then walked to southeastern Colorado to homestead to farm and ranch. The year was 1876.

After Asa's brother, my great-grandfather, was widowed he soon was lured to Colorado by the promise of free land. He came to farm, ranch and raise his sons alone. And that is how I became a Colorado native.

I've been fortunate to inherit what few possessions Uncle Asa had. Among them was this walking stick. With a peg-leg, I'm sure this was a very important belonging.

We don't know the story behind this sampler, but evidently it was brought from Maine on his journey and was important to him. Was it made by his mother, or perhaps made by a lost love? He was a life-long bachelor.

The kitchen tools of a pioneer were simple. Most of these were hand-made.

And probably the most special is this bible. It is only 3x5 inches in size, and the print is so tiny. The inscription indicates that it was given to Uncle Asa's mother, Nancy, by a friend in 1846. And, she passed it on to Asa for his journey in 1876.

I never look at these few material things without thinking about the hardships endured by the pilgrims and/or pioneers in their efforts to establish America. How blessed we all are to live here and celebrate Thanksgiving.

Cindy at My Romantic Home is hosting show and tell Friday. Please check out her blog for a list of the other participants.

I'm also linking to the weekly party hosted by Mary of Little Red House.
She will have a list of participants showing off their creative mosaics.

Be sure to check out Cindy's and Mary's blogs for a special treat.

THREE THANKSGIVING VIGNETTES

I don't do a lot of Fall, Halloween, or Thanksgiving decorating, but thought I would show you the few things I put out for Thanksgiving this week.

My pilgrims were from Hobby Lobby a couple of years ago; and, of course, the famous pumpkins from The Dollar Tree. The cloche was a present from my friend, Marsha, for my birthday last week - love it!!!

Marsha also gave me this turkey. I think it looks great with the rustic side of my house.

This time of year I really enjoy using my Johnson Bros. "His Majesty" turkey dessert plates.

I'm glad that this week is clear on my calendar, which gives me a chance to psych myself up for Thanksgiving week. The grandkids are out of school all next week, and I know they will want to come over to our house often. Our son, Mike, will be home for a few days; and then there is all of the cooking to be done. What about you? Do you thrive on all of the people around and the commotion on holidays? Or, are you like me and really cherish time alone? I imagine most people enjoy a combination of the two.

I just know that I am thankful everyday for the life I'm privileged to live.

I am linking up my three Thanksgiving vignettes to Tam at The Gypsy's Corner
for Three or More Tuesday. Be sure to go by her blog to check out the other participants.

BIRTHDAY WEEKEND PLUS A SUNDAY FAVORITE

It's our miracle child's birthday today. Our daughter, Jennifer, was adopted by us at the age of 3 weeks thirty-seven years ago. It has always been amazing to me that her biological mother loved her so much that she gave her baby to us so that we could love, care for, and cherish her, too. It is such a blessing that she is with us to celebrate another birthday. I've blogged about her struggle with brain cancer before, but if you are new to my blog and would like to read about it; please click here.

Happy Birthday, Jenni!! Thanks for the joy you have given us, and the special gift of making us the grandparents of your adorable children.

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I seem to have a bit of wanderlust recently, so thought I would join Chari of Happy to Design's

Sunday Favorites this week with a trip to the Eiffel Tower previously posted on October 8, 2008.

Please go by Chari's to find a list of other Sunday Favorites.

My husband, Bob, is retired from a 44-year career as a civil engineer. Consequently, when we travel, engineering marvels are always at the top of our "must see" list.

There are many engineering feats I have not witnessed such as the pyramids of Egypt and the Great Wall of China.

But, I have seen the underside of the Golden Gate Bridge, and viewed the Royal Gorge Bridge of Colorado from a tram 1100 feet above the river.

I've been claustrophobic at the top of the St. Louis Arch, and have ridden 13 miles across the Confederation Bridge to Prince Edward Island in Canada.

I've been in the bowels and seen the inner workings of the Tower Bridge in London, and traveled 180 miles an hour under the water of the English Channel through a tunnel.

BUT, in my opinion, the absolute best, best, best engineering marvel is the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

It combines the structure and strength of engineering and the beauty and form of art.

I know that there are professional photos that capture that beauty better than our amateur pictures, but these are ours and remind me that I was actually there!

A view from the top!!!!

Ooooooo, I so want to go back and see it again!!!!

HERITAGE TABLESCAPE

Once again it is Tablescape Thursday hosted by Susan of
Between Naps on the Porch.
Please check out her blog for a list of this week's participants.

Recently, my 95-year-old Mother in law downsized to move to assisted care. Among her belongings were 40 pieces of Heisey crystal in the Moonglo pattern. She announced that my husband, Bob, was to have the Heisey because in the 1950s as a teenager he gave it to her for Christmas one year. Now, didn't he exhibit infinite wisdom in choosing that wonderful Christmas gift? He had no idea that he would marry someone who cherishes china and crystal, even though we were dating at the time. The set includes goblets, sherbets, cups & saucers and a relish plate. It is engraved, etched, and has a wonderful ring to it.

So, I believe a tablescape is in order.

I've combined the Heisey with my grandmother's green glass plates, my great-grandmother's Austrian china, and my mother's 1847 Rogers silver plate.

The white linen napkins with the crocheted edging were a wedding gift to us 51 years ago from my 5th grade teacher.

It was so enjoyable to set this table with things and memories from both sides of our family.

Sally

MEETING CHARI!!

I'm home from pretending to be a nurse and housekeeper after my son's elbow surgery. The surgery went well, so I was not going to miss the opportunity to meet a fellow blogging friend, Chari of Happy to Design.

Both my son and Chari live in the 'boonies' of northern Colorado, so we picked a town in between the two little hamlets for Chari and I to meet. Chari chose a great restaurant for us to have lunch, and we met there. I didn't have any trouble recognizing her - she has this beautiful, long blond hair and such a twinkle in her eye.

We had a great lunch of sandwiches and the best onion rings in the universe. We didn't even think to take pictures of our food until it was too late, as we were so engrossed in conversation. For three hours, we sat there discussing our European travels, our families, the blogging experience, dishes, and decorating our homes among other things.

By the way, if you follow Chari's blog you know she is in the process of redoing a wall in her living room to add a fireplace. There has been a lot of discussion about whether to remove the decorative molding on the wall. Well, I know what the final decision was; but you will have to wait until she does her final reveal on her blog!!

Chari was so kind to bring me a great goodie bag with yummy chocolate (which we sampled after lunch), cute apple kitchen towels (which match my kitchen perfectly), and this cute teapot pincushion. The lid of the pincushion is hiding a place to store thread and thimbles.

What a special experience it was to meet Chari and spend some time together. We hope to do it again.

HALLOWEEN COSTUMES THROUGH THE YEARS

I've had so much fun the last couple of hours going through Halloween pictures from years past dating from 1970 to 2008. I've always sewn so the majority of these costumes I made. We have always maintained a costume box, so that they could be recycled. That's why you see the same costume on two different kids; or in the case of Daniel Boone three different kids (2 different generations dating from 1975 to 2007). Have I ever told you how FRUGAL I am?

The second generation!

I see where a gypsy blouse has become a pioneer girl's blouse 23 years later.

Hope you enjoy this look back as much as I have.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

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I will be away for a week while my son has surgery on a shattered elbow. I'm not much of a nurse (the kids discovered that early on), but I can drive, cook and iron a couple of weeks of shirts for him.

See you soon.

Sally

I'm linking to Mary's blog, Little Red House, for mosaic Monday. Be sure to stop by her beautiful blog to see all of the mosaics.

MOTHER NATURE

Mother Nature paid us a visit Sunday night. When we went to bed, we knew it was snowing; but didn't think too much about it. But, at 2:30 am we were awaken with a bang! In the upper right picture below, that is our bedroom window hiding behind that fallen branch. Our shed also took a hit from another big branch.

The willow tree is always the last to lose its leaves. It couldn't support the weight as there were just too many leaves left in combination with the snow.

The entire tree will have to come down. It was our grandkid's climbing tree and the one that held their swing - they are devastated. We're thankful that the house and shed didn't sustain any damage.

Below was the tree in its kid-loving days. It served all of us well.

Please stop by Susan's at A Southern Daydreamer
for more views of Mother Nature's wonders.

COLOR IN COLORADO

Mary at Little Red House

is hosting Mosaic Monday. Please check out her blog for her beautiful mosaics and a list of those participating today.

A WONDERFUL VISIT

Yes, that is our smoke detector. It played a part in a great visit we had today.

You see -- Bob and I had invited Mary of Mary's Meanderings and her husband, Bill, to come for lunch. We also had invited some friends of ours that serve as prison missionaries for Mary and Bill to meet, as Bill does prison missionary work. Everyone had assembled and were ready to eat lunch. We were having the best time visiting; I got distracted, and you guessed it -- the smoke alarm went off telling me I had forgotten the garlic bread that was browning in the oven. Bob calmly announced, "Guess lunch is ready!"

How embarrassing, but I cut around the really burnt part and lunch continued.

Not only did the bread get a little toasty, but I was having such a good time that I completely forgot to take any pictures to blog about.

Mary brought me a set of her white pumpkins made from old sweaters. Aren't they wonderful? If you haven't become a reader of Mary's blog, please stop by here and introduce yourself. Her heart of gold shines through her blog.

It was a great day of fellowship.

OUTDOOR WEDNESDAY

On almost every Sunday afternoon we go for a little drive. It was such a beautiful, Fall day this past Sunday that we decided to do something a little different.

We took a helicopter ride over our town that sits at the base of the Rocky Mountains.

Here I am all strapped in with a headset taking in the gorgeous views.

This is our neighborhood on a bluff overlooking the river.

In the far background is the Sangre de Cristo mountain range.

The river!

Coming into the landing on the Abbey grounds.

What a fun excursion that was!!

Please go by Susan's blog, A Southern Daydreamer. There you will find our gracious hostess plus a list of the other participants.

VINTAGE THINGIES THURSDAY

As a child I was so thrilled when I learned to read. My Mother always read a lot; so I figured you were all grown up when you could read by yourself!

We went to the local library every week, plus my parents always gave me books as presents for my birthday and Christmas. Below are three of my favorites from my childhood. They all have copyright dates from the early 1940s, and two of them still have the price of $1.25 written in pencil on the inside cover.

Hansel and Gretel was a favorite not necessarily because of the story, but because the illustrations were so colorful and they had moving parts - an early pop-up book.

I loved my "The Story of Jesus" book because my Grandmother was always reading her bible and telling me stories from it. This way I could read about Jesus all by myself.

And finally -- "Sally Goes Shopping Alone"! I loved shopping with my Mother, so what little girl named Sally wouldn't have loved a book that seemed to be written just for her. I was definitely a 'shopper-in-training'!!

Suzanne at Colorado Lady is hosting Vintage Thingies Thursday today. Please check out her blog for a list of the participants showing off their vintage things.

And finally, we have had our heavy freeze in Colorado and the flowers are all gone for another season. I rushed out the night before in the dark and picked these. "The last roses of summer" are always so intense in color and as huge as a dinner plate.