Thursday, December 25, 2008

LUCKY ME!



I have just found out that I have won a contest! The very sweet and most talented Fifi of Fifi Flowers has chosen my photo entry of my darling granddaughter as this week's winner! I am so excited because Fifi will paint my photo and place it on frameable notecards for me to enjoy. Thank you, FIFI! I just love Fifi's whimsical style of painting, so I know I will love her creation! I will post it on my blog as soon as she finishes it.
Hope everyone had a wonderful CHRISTMAS! I know I feel very blessed to have a loving family and a warm home and I will not ever take that for granted. God has blessed me over and above what I deserve. May His riches blessings be with you all in the new year, 2009!
Today, my husband and I went to see " Seven Pounds" and it is sooooooooo good! Very touching and quite thought provoking. I highly recommend it if you are looking for a good movie to see.



Tuesday, December 23, 2008

From OUR House to YOURS!! Merry Christmas!

Our FIVE little ANGELS.........Elizabeth, McCartney, Samuel, Max and Sarah Gray...........................God Bless you all now and in the New YEAR!!...............

The time draws near the birth of Christ,
The moon is hid; the night is still:
The Christmas bells from hill to hill
Answer each other in the mist........

TENNYSON

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Figurine "finds" made in Occupied Japan

While scouring one of my favorite charity shops , I came across some figurines for Fifty-cents no less that are stamped with "occupied Japan" on the bottom. I understand that these were made after the WWII ended until 1952. They are really collector's items so I was thrilled to find them. The above one is my favorite I think!














This is a beautiful duck planter which I paid a little more for but loved it!
The girl with a rabbit, china plate with basket and watering can are so cute and what about the DOG drinking from a bowl! These make me happy!


This last one is an oriental vase and also was made in Occupied Japan.



Friday, December 12, 2008

IT's Beginning to Look Like Christmas...Part TWO!

My Front door with a simple wreath with red bow....at night I have a spotlight which really shows it up from the street!
The hearth in my family room with the Nutcracker standing guard!

I love my Christmas plates that I purchased at an Estate Sale many years ago.....these are by CHASE and are embellished with 24 karat gold. I can use these all winter which makes it nice!



A corner in my kitchen......the wine glasses were sent to me by my niece as a joke of sorts, but I LOVE them......One of them says, "My Party affiliation is COCKTAIL!" Too Funny!



THe plates again......How did that happen??





This crazy INTERNET.......a repeat too!



I bring these ANGELS out each year with delight and place them on my piano..........Aren't they lovely?








For several years, I have placed FRESH garland on my mirror in the livingroom.......I just LOVE it!






Fresh garland on my mantel in the LR with Blue ribbon and gold birds that I have had for years.......added white lights since I am not having a tree this year..........







My family laughs at my Sporting Santas which I have collected, but I still put them out with pride and a laugh or two! This one is a fisherman!












Here is my GOLFING Santa .....isn't he just the cutest??









Last but not least, my CANOEING SANTA which is my fave!











LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I SNAPPED THIS PICTURE THE OTHER DAY OF A PLASTIC LIZARD MY HUSBAND USES FOR FISHING AND A REAL ONE THAT THE CAT BROUGHT IN! CAN YOU TELL WHICH IS WHICH? THIS SAME CAT HAS ALWAYS GOTTEN IN MY HUSBAND'S BOAT AND BROUGHT IN THE FISHING ONE SO WHEN SHE BROUGHT IN THE REAL ONE AND IT MOVED, I LET OUT A SCREAM AND GOT MY CAMERA! LOL!





Blessings to each one of you and Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!!




Thursday, December 4, 2008

It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas!!

My Granddaughters with some local 'Rockettes'!!
Dining Room decorations.......

With friends at the HOLIDAY DANCE......what fun!


A Christmas arrangement I did for a friend.





My diningroom table with Feather Trees and Angels........ Feather wreath on Mantel


Well, It's that time of year again!! I am getting started with few decorations and fun parties with friends and family. I do love the SEASON and wish I wouldn't let myself get FRAZZLED! Why do we let ourselves do that?? For we KNOW that the REAL REASON for the SEASON is the CELEBRATION of the BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST, our SAVIOR AND LORD! Halleluah!
Blessings to you all and MAY YOU remember the REASON FOR THE SEASON! I know I am !!!

Sunday, November 30, 2008

THANKSGIVING 08 ........FULL of THANKSGIVING!

This Thanksgiving, I was the DELIGHTED GUEST, in my sister's BEAUTIFUL home and it was sooooooooooo much fun!!..........Thanks sweet sister for making my THANKSGIVING such a BLESSING! I LOVE YOU!


Hope all of you had a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving 08 too!!
Lighting the votives for our FEAST to begin.
Sophie was at her BEST and as darling as ever!


My Sister's Elegant Table ready for a Thanksgiving FEAST!


Yes, by accident, my sister and I dressed ALIKE!!!
Purple sweaters, footless tights and black flats!


When we saw each other, we SCREAMED!

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

GIVING THANKS...............

For.........my two sons who have so BLESSED my life!
For......SMiles that brighten my DAY! My loving granddaugher

FOR ......Pets that LOVE no matter what!


For .....little girls playing dress-up ......my great niece, Sophie



For........puppy dogs




For.......Kittie Cats












For............Flowers in Bloom








For.........pretty blue eyes ......especially when those eyes belong to Lizzie, my granddaughter!







For......a loving Dad with his children. My oldest son and his three cherubs.











For.....another loving Dad with his children and beautiful wife. My youngest son and wonderful daughter-in-law.









THAT Birthdays only come ONCE a year. My 60th !!











For......a husband who loves me .......warts and all!












For........FIVE little munchkins that love me.












THAT the styles have CHANGED! THANK GOODNESS......circa 1970














For.....GOOD LONG TIME FRIENDS.















FOR......A Christian Mother who loved me! She is now in Heaven and waiting for me to join her!

















FOR.....four darling sisters and one dear Brother!




















FOR.....Christmas programs with my granddaughters.















For......my baby sister and my brother-in-law who have been there for me in a SPECIAL WAY!


Happy Thanksgiving 2008
"O Give Thanks Unto the Lord, for He is GREAT!" For without him, I am nothing and all that I have is because of Him!
May His Love and Peace with you all as you gather together on Thanksgiving Day. God BLESS!<><
















Saturday, November 15, 2008

SCOTLAND, sweet SCOTLAND.....Take me back!

St. Andrews historical cathedral and school courtyard

Castle in Edinburgh....


Loch Ness on a windy day......look closely and you might just see IT....the monster I mean........not my sweet hubby of 43 years!



One of the charming cafes in the Highlands.......flowers were always gorgeous!!!




Lovely old manor house where we stayed.......boy, if these WALLS could TALK!!!





The Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland.....awesome!






Bagpiper and friend on the streets of Edinburgh.

















The four of us having a cozy dinner in Aberdeen......








The Guys relaxing and enjoying late afternoon cocktails in our lovely hotel in Aberdeen, Scotland on our way to the Highlands.......











Castle at Edinburgh, Scotland sightseeing............. my friend Nancy with my hubby!












View from the Castle at Edinburgh, Scotland.













Cemetary and ruins in St. Andrews, Scotland
















Ruins of an old cathedral in St. Andrews

















Manor House where we stayed in Inverness, Scotland. This is me with our bagpiper friend who came at sundown each evening........very nice legs! BTW.....Prince Charles also stayed here!



It is hard for me to believe that it has been two years that we took our wonderful trip to Scotland with our friends, the Thornells!.......What a grand time we had! Scotland has to be the most beautiful country in the World!



We began our adventure in Edinburgh and traveled up the east coast (with my hubby driving the treacherous roads and doing quite well) and then down the west coast seeing many SIGHTS in between.



Our trip through this lovely country included visits to Castles and farmlands to BREWERIES of SCOTCH (with tastings!). Loch Ness and St. Andrews golf course being some of the highlights. The Highlands had to be my favorite with lots of shopping and good eats!


We left SCOTLAND and headed to LONDON which was so fabulous. I will post photos of our adventures there at a later date.


Today is my BIRTHDAY and it has been fun going down memory lane and giving you a little peek into my SCOTTISH adventure!.........There is an old Scottish saying that goes, "A Highlander by the GRACE of GOD" and now that I have been there, I certainly agree!!!.......