The Week After

With our family all having children with children and in laws, we (Jeannie, Rita and I) decided to do our Christmas celebration with our families the weekend after Christmas.  So, Sunday was that day.  

Despite the pouring down rain (we got approximately 10" on Sunday and Monday with the addition of snow on Monday), Tiffany and I drove to Pryor to visit the family.  The entire family was not there due to various reasons but we had a delightful time.

We decided last year to order pizza and just have time to visit rather than cook and clean up.  It worked perfectly!

The first photo is Jeannie, me and Rita.  I am the oldest, then Jeannie and then Rita.  

These are the four granddaughters of my folks that were there.

We had the pleasure of meeting our newest member of the family - Cade.  He was precious. It was the first time for some of us to get to play with him.

I am so grateful for my family - both the ones who were there and the ones who weren't able to attend.  My family has always been very close and we are so supportive of each other.  When I hear of family members not getting along, it breaks my heart.  Family is so precious and we should enjoy every minute we have the chance to spend with them.

Hope your holidays were happy and blessed.  Mine definitely was.

Enjoy!

Judy

Thrilled With Experimental DIY

Do you remember all of the curly-q trim on the kitchen cabinets in my newly acquired home?

Well, I decided I would try to do something with them because the kitchen had been redone with new glass backsplash, granite and all new SS appliances.  So, I thought if I could just get rid of the curly-q trim, I could live with the painted cabinets.

Idea!!

I found a trim at Lowe's and brought a piece of it home and it would just fit over the wavy edge.  So, I went back and got more.  $20.00 worth of it.

I cut it with a miter saw and then used Gorilla Glue and tape and clamps to adhere the trim to the cabinets over the wavy edge.

Ta - Da!

It hasn't been painted yet, but I am thrilled with the new look!

I still have the vent over the cook top and the valances over the sink to deal with.  But, on Christmas Day and today, I got all of the kitchen done.  Now, I just have to paint the trim.  It is whiter than the cabinets but I have paint that matches the cabinets.

What a difference it has made!  I am so proud of myself.

Enjoy!

Judy

A Good Christmas Day and Night

It's been a good Christmas day.  Bella and I spent most of it at the new home working.  I conned her into posing for this photo this evening out on the back porch.  She'll do anything for a piece of bacon. But, it seemed a little odd having a stocking cap and scarf on in 60+ degree weather.  We are suppose to get winter weather starting tomorrow  It was great that it was so nice today.

Hope you got to view the beautiful Christmas moon.  I understand it won't be a full moon on Christmas for several more years.  It was gorgeous.

Hope each and every one of you had a wonderful day with family and friends.  

Bella and I wish each of you a Happy New Year.  Can't believe it's going to be 2016.

Enjoy!

Judy

Merry Christmas!

What a year this has been.  I can hardly believe Christmas is here again.  Last year I barely remember the holidays.  John had just passed and the first several months were just a fog for me.

Precious little Bentley was born,

the twins turned two - remember, they were born four months early, and have progressed so wonderfully,

Laynee turned four and is so grown up and such a good big sister.  She still "talks" to John on a regular basis. We go to Braums at least once a week for ice cream.  She always wants to sit in the same booth because that's where she sit with Poppy.  She says every week that Poppy needs to be with her when she eats ice cream. Little ones tell it like it is.

Got to go see my favorite performer GARTH!

My sisters have been such a source of strength to me this year.

Winter turned into Spring and then Summer, Fall and now we are starting all over with Winter again.

I did a major remodeling job on my home of 47 years.  Redid the kitchen, both bathrooms and this beautiful screened in back porch.  Fun project.

Then, suddenly God opened the door to this new home for me.  Tiffany and girls will be moving into my home of 47 years.  It will still be in the family.  I have a whole year of remodeling to do on the new home.  It will be exciting.

Had fun doing a Christmas Home Tour with Cathy @ My 1929 Charmer and some very talented bloggers.

This has been a year of storms and rainbows.  I don't know that anyone can explain to you the grief you go thru after losing your beloved of 47 years.  I have good days and I have bad days.  The precious little girls along with Tiffany keep me as busy as they can and now I have to new home to work on so I really don't have alot of spare time to think.

But, when I do, I remember how blessed John and I were to have the years together we did.  We had alot of wonderful trips and did some really fun things together.  I miss him so much and just have to remind myself that he is well and in no pain any longer.  But, it still hurts so bad.

I am dreading the next few days but have decided that being with the little ones to watch them open their gifts and then spend some time by myself for a day or so.  I have had all kinds of invitations but, I just want some time to reflect on John and I and the times and events we were so blessed with.

Here's hoping you and your family have a very Merry Christmas.  Enjoy each and every minute you have with your loved ones. Bella and I wish you a very Merry Christmas.

Always remember the reason for the season!!

Love,

Judy and Bella

Have you heard of Pocket Letter Swaps?  They are so much fun.  Deb @Garage Sale Gal arranges these and picks a blogging partner for you to share a page with.  Then, you do a pocket page with the theme and needless to say this one was Christmas.

My dear blogging partner was Linda @ A La Carte.  She and I have been friends for several years so I was delighted to have her as a partner.

The top photo shows her creative page.  I've only done two of these so mine is not nearly as cute as her.

The back pages are just as cute and the pockets contain all kinds of goodies - stickers, etc.

She also gifted me with a darling Christmas hand towel and a cute little owl ornament.

Thank you so much Linda and Deb for arranging the swap.

Days are getting short leading up to the big holiday.  Mine will be rather quiet this year.  I have decided that I'm going to paint all of the insides of my closets at the new house on Christmas Day.  Tiff and family go to her other granddad's for the day and have invited me.  I decided I would stay home with Bella and get some work done.  We will have our gift exchange on Thursday.

On Sunday, my entire family will meet for lunch and to visit.  It's quite a crew!  

Hope you are enjoying this blessed season and remember the reason for the season.

Enjoy!

Judy

Lighting, Colors and a New Piece

Most of the lighting fixtures in my new home are quite old.  The majority of them will be replaced.  However, the "stained glass" beauty is at Home Depot for well over $100.?????

Most of them are just not my style.  So, I am on the lookout for new lighting fixtures.

This room will become my workroom and the girls' playroom.  I'm leaving the tile floor so I can paint, etc. in there.

There is a really nice commercially made Roman blind in this room.  I am going to completely recover it.

This is the fabric I will use and the colors I'm using in that room.

Have you ever tried to put one of those desks together from Office Depot?  There were two huge boxes and thousands of pieces and screws.  (Well, maybe not thousands, but alot.)  This will be an ongoing project for a few weeks.  I can hardly read the tiny instructions let alone put them together.  Tiffany is doing an amazing job.

Bless her heart!

Was in Lowe's this week and they had the gorgeous screen doors on sale for the screened in porch.  I decided since they were on sale, I should get one to fit the back door on the new house.  I got the last one they had in the size I needed.  YEA!

The painting is all done and was well worth hiring the painter.  He did an amazing job and was done in five days.  I love the crisp white trim.

Cannot wait to show you the ingenious idea I came up with for the curly-que trim in the kitchen.  

The aqua tile in the Master Bed Room and the Dressing Room is leaving this Friday.  The carpet will be laid then.  I was just afraid the tile would be too cold.  Also, concerned about Bella slipping on it when she jumped into bed.

Had this gorgeous vintage piece delivered today.  I just love it.  It will go into the MBR but couldn't go there today because of the carpet going in on Friday.  Now, I just hope I can find some strong people to help me move the big piece.  It's really pretty tho.

So, there you have the most recent update on what's going on.  It's just an every day at a time process.  Hopefully, after the carpet is laid and now that the painting is done, I can start moving in some of the larger furniture.  Can't wait.

Enjoy and thanks for all of the sweet comments on this crazy venture of mine!

Judy

Tidings Holiday House Walk Day Two

Another fun day of Christmas home tours.  Don't miss a one.  We had so many great decorating ideas yesterday and more today.

Cathy @ My 1929 Charmer and I are so thrilled with all of the wonderful bloggers who joined us on this tour.

Bella says "Merry Christmas and Enjoy The Tour

Today's Tour Includes:

Kathy's Cottage

Anne's Attic Design

Cherry Hill Cottage

On Crooked Creek

Sweet Cottage Dreams

If you missed any yesterday

My 1929 Charmer

20 North Ora

Ash Tree Cottage

Art and Sand

Junk Chic Cottage

Enjoy!

Judy 

Tidings Holiday Housewalk

Welcome to the Tidings Holiday Housewalk. My co-host Cathy and I are thrilled that you are here. You are about to get to visit these special homes and get all kinds of inspiration and ideas for Christmas. 

As most of you know, I am in the midst of packing up my home and moving into a new one.  So, my tour is going to be some highlights of Christmas past.

The top photo is on a section of my front porch between the front door and the garage.  I used the big letters and a wreath of live greenery for the O in JOY.

One of my all time favorite wreaths is this simple artificial greenery wreath with a red transferware plate wired to the center and a big red bow.

In the entry inside, I love this wreath made out of cut outs of vintage Christmas cards and mounted on a round cardboard wreath.

Another JOY with a large bell in the center.

A vintage window frame tied with bells and all off white items mixed with mercury glass items.

I love this Happy Holidays sign painted in candy cane stripes.  The poinsettias are in a large wicker snowman's hat and an assortment of Santas adorn the other side.

I love garlands anytime of the year....

and Christmas pillows...

and runners....

and Christmas houses in jars....

and handmade ornaments....

decor made with vintage spools and tart tins...

and a Coca Cola bottle painted like Santa.

This arrangement is in honor of my Mom who loved pink - so I have this little vignette of pink items I know she would have loved....

always love my red crocheted flower garland made by the talented Claudia at Mockingbird Hill Cottage

little vintage red truck hauling the tree....

adorning my lampshades....

and my precious Bella.

But, the most important part of this blessed season is to celebrate the birth of our Lord.

Merry Christmas!

I promised next year I'll have a tree up and I'll do better at home decor for the holidays.

Be sure and visit each of the blogs on the tour.

Tuesday, December 15

My 1929 Charmer

20 North Ora

Ash Tree Cottage

Art and Sand

Junk Chic Cottage

Wednesday, December 16

Kathy's Cottage

Anne's Attic Design

Cherry Hill Cottage

On Crooked Creek

Sweet Cottage Dreams

Enjoy each and every beautiful home.

Thanks for visiting.

Enjoy this blessed season.

Judy