Mosaic/Met. Monday - Deck The Halls Tues.

Today I am joining three parties. Mary @ Little Red House for Mosaic Monday and Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch for Metamorphosis Monday and Susan @ Thoughts From Over The Rainbow for Deck the Halls Tuesday.

I am shamelessly doing a mosaic of several different arrangements in my various cloches to remind you of the upcoming "Holiday Cloche Party" on this coming Friday, Dec. 4th. So get your pictures all ready and show us what all you have created. I can't wait to see them all.



Using the same cloches, I am showing several arrangements that I have put together. Just take what you have and have fun. I am also showing an apothecary jar and a chicken wire lantern that I've used as a cloche. So get your imagination going and join us for the party.







Grab the button below and display it on your blog to let all of your friends know about the party on Friday. I can't wait to see all the fabulous creations and to be inspired. Last time we had over 120 participants, so tons of eye candy.



Thanks for stopping by, I always look forward to your visits. I'll see you on Friday.

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Mosaic/Met. Monday - Deck The Halls Tues.

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Meeting A Special Blogger Friend

Friday afternoon Ceekay @ Thinkin of Home and I had the thrill of getting to meet Mary @ Mary's Meanderings while she was here visiting her in-laws for the Thanksgiving Holiday. She and her husband came down from Colorado. I was so happy when she notified me that she was going to be in the area and possibly we could get to meet. We were able to get a time set up for Friday afternoon and Ceekay was able to join us. (In the above picture Ceekay is on the left and Mary is on the right.)

Mary and her husband have begun a new Ministry in Colorado. It was so interesting to hear how they were led to this new adventure. She is just as gorgeous and gracious as she is in her blog. They bought this wonderful huge old home and they're in the process of bringing it back to life. If you don't know either one of these ladies, then you definitely need to check out their blogs. They are both so creative and such truly lovely women. Ceekay and I both had the best time. It's always like you are meeting a very old friend when you get the chance to meet a fellow blogger.

As usual, whenever bloggers get together there are always gifts. I can't even begin to tell you how thrilled I was when I opened my beautiful gift bag and found this beautiful cloche. Isn't this the most wonderful cloche you have ever seen. MARY MADE THIS!!! I am so impressed. She took a candle holder and glued it to a beautiful little dish and then she took a glass container and attached the gorgeous finial and now I have the most fabulous cloche. I can't wait to decorate it for the upcoming "Holiday Cloche Party". Now does Mary know how to give the most perfect gifts in the whole world or what.





Mary thank you so much for making the time for us to get together. I had the best time and it was so wonderful to get to meet you in person. I really look forward to seeing you when you come back.



Hugs, Marty

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Meeting A Special Blogger Friend

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Natural and Rustic Wreath and a peek at our Cowboy Christmas Tree

Bringing the rustic and natural colours from our living room at the front of the house, out onto our front porch/entry, has been my goal this week. These are the colours I used on our tree in the living room visible from the front porch window (to the left of the door and not seen in this photo.) The tree is almost finished, but I'm having trouble finding the burlap ribbon that some of you suggested in the comments here. In case I don't find it, I made garland ribbon out of drop cloth fabric, 4 " wide simple cut with no hems, and seamed together to make one continuous piece.



I sewed a bow out of the drop cloth fabric for the wreath on our front door. I wanted to go for a more simple look, and yet have the bow large enough to make a statement. Do ya think it's too big or droopy? I've gotten used to the wired sheer ribbons that take shape so easily and this is a big change from that. I may add one or two of the rusty stars from the tree, still thinking on that one.



I still have more front of the house decorating to do, including changing out the ribbon in the three sap bucket holders on the porch light and garage lights to drop cloth. I may just tear strips for those bows 'cause the pair on the garage lights may not hold up in the rain and snow. I will walk the woods and add some natural elements too. 



It's tough to get a good photo of the nubbiness and flecks of colour of the drop cloth. I've got a lousy camera and we have had fog even into the afternoons for the past five days and not a peek of sun all week. Dark and dreary.



Before, snowmen and snowflakes. This is how I did our door last year, but I was looking for a change this year. 





Below is a peek at our Cowboy Christmas tree in the living room this year. Much less red and with the torn drop cloth ribbon. Rusty stars and large bells, some smaller copper coloured bells and raffia, along with a few cowboy ornaments. And white lights. I love white lights. I also sewed a drop cloth tree skirt, simple but sweet, and a new table runner for the front hall cabinet. And the best part, it was very reasonable to make the changes as my friend gave me several metres of fabric and I had all the decorations except one package of the smallest sleigh bells and 10 more rusty stars at $1.29 each.

Not perfect, but perfectly us.



I'll be linking to Shabby Chic Cottage's Transformation Thursday party. Thank's Gina, for hosting yet another great party!



Also linking up to Fireflies and Jellybeans Show off Your Stuff party. Thanks Fawnda and Jeannine.







I'm loving all these parties! Melissa at The Inspired Room's Holiday Linky Friday Party is one I'm joining for sure.







And of course, Funky Junk Interior's Saturday Nite Special party. Thanks Donna!

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Natural and Rustic Wreath and a peek at our Cowboy Christmas Tree

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Tablescape Thrus. - Tables Thru The Year

Thank you Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch for hosting this fabulous event. Be sure to check out her blog and all the other participants to see some of the most beautiful tablescapes you could possibly imagine.

For this Thanksgiving Thursday I have done a mosaic of some of the tablescapes I have done throughout the year. The tablescape in the center is my Thanksgiving Table. It's fun to look back at some of the tablescapes from the past year.


I hope all of you have a Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving with family and friends. May the Lord show His Grace to you all. I am so thankful for all of your Friendships and your kind comments throughout this past year. God Bless you all.

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Confetti Squares Recipe

This is a favourite recipe of our family that I make for almost all holidays and get togethers. They are always in demand and usually the first dessert item to go. They look great on platters with Christmas cookies and squares, and are super easy to make for a cookie/square exchange (as long as peanut-free is not a concern.)

I'm linking to The Recipe Party at The Shabby Chic Cottage.




Confetti Squares





1/4 cup butter

1/2 cup smooth peanutbutter

1 package butterscotch chips

3 cups coloured miniature marshmallows



Place butter, peanutbutter and butterscotch chips in a pan on medium-low heat. Stir CONSTANTLY until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and let cool 20 minutes. After cooling, stir in miniature marshmallows. Pour into a butter greased 8 inch square pan, plastic, or glass container. Chill in fridge until firm (a few hours.) Cut into squares (not too big as they are quite sweet) and serve. They freeze quite well.

I always make a double batch by doubling all ingredients and chilling in a 9x13 glass baking dish.



The photo is not mine, I found it on the internet. photographer unknown, as I keep forgetting to take photos when I make them and they are eaten so quickly. 

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Sunday Fav - Met Monday - Laundry Room

Thanks to the gracious Chari @ Happy To Design for hosting this wonderful meme. She has so much to share and a list of all the other wonderful participants that will show you some past favorite posts. Be sure to go by her blog and see them all.



Thanks to the lovely Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch for hosting these fabulous metamorphosis mondays. It is always such fun to see everyone's projects and transformations. Be sure to check out her blog to find a list of all the wonderful participants.

Today I am joining both Sunday Favorites and Met. Monday. I am showing a post I did on April 27th. Hope you enjoy.

Today I am featuring my laundry room. I don't have a before picture, but it doesn't take much imagination to picture a white room with nothing. I have been busy trying to find a place for all the collectibles and treasures that didn't previously have a home. I found the perfect place in the very stark laundry room, and now I love to go in there. This turned out to be the perfect place for a lot of my primitive antiques and a lot of needlework that I did many years ago.





Standing in the doorway, this is the view that you have. I put my craft and sewing cabinet against the right hand wall, and now I can really use it. Everything is within easy reach. The room is long, so there is plenty of room for the door to the garage to open against the wall.




There's room for the second refrigerator next to the washer and dryer and I love the cabinets above for lots of extra storage for cleaning supplies and laundry stuff. I did the applique quilt block years ago and framed it to use as wall art.



The top of the refrigerator was the perfect place to put my antique American Flyer wagon. This piece is very old and very unique being wood. On top of the cabinets I put my dad's old wooden tool box filled with flowers and an antique child's toy horse.



A better view of the wagon. You can see part of the lettering that says American Flyer. I have a plant and an antique tin sitting inside.



Above the washer and dryer I hung this old side panel of a wooden box that held Ivory soap. Yes I know, the appliances are old, but they work great and I'm used to them.



This is another view to show an overall view of all the things I have hanging on the walls.



This is the wall space between the garage door and the craft/sewing cabinet. My Mother painted the poppy plaque (a fabulous treasure) and I did the quilt block that's again framed. The washboard and other items are things I collected years ago.




More quilt blocks and collectibles above and on the craft cabinet.



An applique needlework piece I did years ago, framed in an embroidery hoop, an old painting of kitties, a 1929 calendar and on top of the wine cabinet my 1902 Sears catalog, bee hive and tin.




A cross stitch sampler I did years ago hangs above the garage door.




A crewel "Welcome" that I did and a Log Cabin quilt block that my Mother did. She also made the frame.



My grandmother's two flat irons. The small pointed one was used for all those ruffles that she wore. She heated these on a wood stove. The blue butane iron was one my Mother used when she was young. The wood plane was my fathers. He used that when he built his first house. The tricycle holds a plant in the basket.



A closer view of the quilt block and other items hanging above the craft cabinet.



As a grandmother of 12, I have to have my bragging wall. The refrigerator door is the perfect place to give me a smile every time I walk into the laundry room.


Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you enjoyed all my old things. I appreciate it every time you visit.

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Tablescape Thurs. - Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanks to Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch for hosting this fun event. I love playing with dishes and creating tablescapes, and she does the most amazing ones you have ever seen. Be sure to visit her blog and see her beautiful tablescape and a list of all the other participants.

I've set the table today for Thanksgiving Dinner. I wanted the table to have a little elegance and I always think gold and candles evoke a sense of elegance.


The floral centerpiece is made up of all kinds of dried and silk flowers that I had, plus a few pheasant feathers and gold ribbon loops for a bit of shine and drama. It's placed on a bronze and gold pedestal.


The gold banded crystal stem is a set that I found at GW. I don't know the pattern, but I love the detail and the shape. The small crystal stems came from my MIL. She got them for a wedding gift 70 yrs. ago. They are a prized possession.


Each placesetting is set with a gold charger and a dinner and salad plate that is Noritake Marigold Japan. It was made between 1921 - 1924. I found this gorgeous china at GW. It has the softest yellow border with a very detailed band and swag, with beautiful florals between the swags. Definitely one of my better finds.


Along with 7 plates and 6 salad plates there were several serving pieces. I love the graceful detail on this bowl and the very heavy gold banding.


The gravy boat has an attached saucer. Every one of the pieces were in perfect condition. Even all the gold was perfect.


The platter is the perfect size. Not too small or too large. I really thing they are all so pretty.


The table is set with a dark peach tablerunner made from leftover fabric from the LR sofa pillows. I used a lot of candles in different sizes and placed some more gold ribbon loops in amongst the berry garland.


I used a mix of candlesticks that are antique and newer. All of the brass candlesticks are antique ones that I've had for many years. The bronze and gold ones are the newer ones.


This gives you a look at the floral pedestal. When it's time to eat the floral arrangement will be removed from the pedestal and a large bowl of fruit salad will be placed in it. This will not obstruct the view of everyone at the table so the conversation can be shared by everyone. I love it when everyone talks all at once and the laughter is continuous. To me that's the perfect meal.


This side of the table also has a mix of old and new candlesticks. I think they work well together.


A final view of the entire table.


Thanks so much for stopping by, I wish you all the Happiest of Thanksgivings and pray that you can spend the day with all the ones you love. God Bless.

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Tablescape Thurs. - Thanksgiving Dinner

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