Decorating Chaos!

I hope all of you had a good Thanksgiving!  Mine was great and the meal was yummy!  It was fun to cook for a group once again!

Now on to the decorating!

First you have to make a mess!

Bringing out all the totes with the decorations!

Charlie has already parked himself under the tree!

Now to decorate it!

I've found a few Christmas items while out thrifting the last month or so! 

Nothing was expensive and all will be used somehow!

I really love these napkins and can't wait to set a fun table using them!

Looks like someone's Elf on a Shelf got lost but I'll use him for decorating...

not 'spying' on me or Tiger!  

These adorable guys were in a falling apart centerpiece and for $5 I grabbed it.  Love the birds and I got some great pics and pinecones also.  Did I take a before photo?  no, I just tore it apart! 

Tiger started decorating his tree last night and putting out the Creche.  I love how excited he is this year for all that Christmas is! 

I can't wait to get some decorations on my tree and in my cubbies! 

Wishing you JOY, 

Linda

Joining Kathe at You're Gonna Love It

Thanksgiving 2014

The table is set for tomorrow's dinner!

I rummaged through my dish closet picking several different options but kept coming back to my favorite fall dishes...so here it is

Thanksgiving Table 2014

There will be three of us for dinner

Most of the dinner will be self serve from the kitchen with just a few items on the table

I started with a place mat in a neutral tone then used a wood charger to anchor the plate stack

I used the dinner plate and lunch plate from my vintage dishes Poppy Metlox Woodland Gold.

The small bowl is unmarked but the colors work perfectly with the plates!

The flatware is some I've had for a long time and found at a thrift shop.  The napkins were in my stash and I added these new napkin rings found at the thrift shop 4/$1

I really like the detail on them!

Vintage glasses complete the place setting

Keeping the table simple I added some flowers from the grocery store (marked down of course) in the matching pitcher

I recently found this great Pyrex divided dish for $10 and knew it would be perfect for this table

My first piece of Pyrex in this pattern which is called Town and Country

I am looking forward to tomorrow's dinner! 

Wishing all of you a wonderful Thanksgiving! 

Linda

A Look Back!

I will set my table tomorrow for Thanksgiving

It will be a small gathering but still fun and festive

I thought I'd take a look back at some previous Thanksgiving tables 

I had just started tablescaping in 2009

I was pretty darn happy with how it turned out even if I did take 'flash' photos!

2010 saw some changes on this table for two!

2011 saw another table for two!

I really loved how this plate stack turned out!

2012 I spent Thanksgiving with friends after a long visit to my Mom in Texas.

I didn't set a table but I did do this 'copycat' challenge!

Last year I had my first Thanksgiving in my new home with Ashleigh, Sara, Blake & Tiger!

It was a simple table but we had a great time together!  I tend not to put too many things where a toddler can get at them!

So tomorrow I'll start pulling out dishes, linens, flatware and glasses and set the table for 2014!

I hope you will check back on Wed to share it with me! 

Joining 

Kathe at You're Gonna Love It 

and

Brenda at Tweak It Tuesday

Wishing you JOY, 

Linda

Catching Up!

I can't believe it's almost Thanksgiving! 

I feel like I am so far behind in everything!

I've been trying to clean up my spare room and get rid of more stuff so I can relax and enjoy the holidays!  No easy task for sure!

I'm doing a couple of ornament exchanges and I've been busy working on those.  
I can't wait to show you the results soon!
I have picked up a few things at the thrift shop for Christmas...just can't help myself!

Four napkin rings, four cute little plates and two ornaments (and a Charlie paw photo bomb)

These little snowmen plates were $1 for all four
They have ribbons for hanging but I'm not sure what I'll do with them yet.  
They sure are cute!

While in Big Lots I saw this lighted Eiffel Tower and just had to take a photo!  
I don't think I'll spend $49.99 for it but it did make me smile! 
You know how much I love the Eiffel Tower!

Sara has had a bad cold and since she is also pregnant it's been pretty hard. 
She is finally feeling better. 

Tiger and I had a fun day together and since they are heading to So. Ga. to see family for Thanksgiving, it was great to spend time with him.

I've got my turkey thawing, my menu planned and now to finish cleaning up my house.
My Mom and my friend Carter are planning to join me Thursday!  I hope all of you will be counting your blessings like I will this year! 

Wishing You JOY,
Linda

Good News & Thank Yous!

Charlie had a visit to the Vet today

He tried to hide!

But had his blood drawn anyway! 

GOOD NEWS!

His thyroid function is much better (high normal range).  I will continue with the 1/4 pill twice a day.  He will get checked again in 3 months unless he isn't doing well.  So far he is eating, sleeping (in the cat cave) and being Charlie!!  I'm so thankful he is doing better and hope I can relax a little bit!

I've been the lucky winner of some giveaways and wanted to share and give thanks!

I won this gorgeous Vanity Jar from a giveaway that Diana at Adirondack Girl @ Heart

It is so pretty and I love it!

I won the 'got too much stuff giveaway' from Sally Annie Magundy Homemade....it came wrapped so cute I hated to open it, but I did!!

I can't believe all the amazing and fun items she included in this Halloween giveaway.  

I can't wait to do some crafting with Tiger next year!

And more vintage crafting items from Melissa's Antiques for her 3 year blog anniversary!

I am really blessed and lucky to have made all these wonderful blogging friends and 

to have won such fun stuff!  

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

Charlie Has A New Home and A Winner

If you are a cat parent then you know how they find a favorite 'spot' and sleep there all the time....for awhile, then they move on to another 'spot'!

Charlie has found a new 'spot'

He has moved into this cardboard box!

Really he has!  He comes out to eat and use the litter box and harass me occasionally

 but then

Back he goes!  This has lasted for several weeks now.  

Who knew all I needed was 'perfect' box for him!

Update on Charlies health:  It seems that the thyroid pills did NOT sit well with Charlie and we had several rough days of vomiting and then refusing to eat.  I consulted my vet and she reduced his pill to 1/4 a tablet twice a day.  I've made sure he has food in his stomach and I can say he is finally doing much better.  I take him back on Thur to test his thyroid function again and see if the meds are helping.  Fingers crossed he is doing better now.  

Thank you for all the sweet comments on my blog anniversary post!  You are why I blog and you all made my day!  The winner of the giveaway is

Diane from Lavender Dreams!

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

Five Year Blog Anniversary & Giveaway!

REALLY??? Five Years??

I am so happy to celebrate this great milestone!

Who knew when I started blogging in 2009 that Five years later and 900+ posts I would still be here!  And more importantly...so are you!

This was the first photo I figured out how to post...Charlie of course!  

You've stayed with me through so many ups and downs! 
I can't begin to tell you how much all of you mean to me!

This has been a pretty rough year as you know.

Moving my Mom to Georgia was one of the hardest things I've had to do in a long time.

Downsizing her and packing was hard work and emotionally hard also.  But it got done and Mom is now close by and I couldn't be happier!

My Blog suffered and I only posted about once a week, but still you hung in there with me.

I'm happy to say life is slowing down and I hope to have more time 
for blogging this coming year!

I still managed to have some adventures 
and even got to meet two of my long time blogging buddies!

Kathe with an E when I stopped in Colorado and

Betsy from My Salvaged Treasures when I was in Calif! 

I've been so blessed and can't thank all of you enough for your friendship, encouragement and support!   So it's time to give you something!
I'm going to fill a box with some of my
'Favorite Things'
mostly vintage but you never know what might be in there!  So just leave a comment letting me know some of your favorite things and I'll put your name in the giveaway!  I'll open this up to everyone anywhere!  I do appreciate you all so much! 

Leave your comment on this blog post and I'll choose a name on Monday Nov 10th!

Don't forget if you are a 'no reply' blogger to leave me an email address to contact you please!

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

Pretty Pottery

I love pottery and have been collecting it for many years.  

My latest additions are all thrifty finds!

These two were found at the same thrift shop.  Both are old and not particularly valuable, but I paid less then $1 for both of them.

Love the pink on this sweet little bird planter

and blue tickets were 1/2 price!

The condition on this one is a little rough, but that sweet decal and flower detail on the bottom make up for it

I love mini's and these two pieces are the newest additions to my small collection

The blue pitcher was $3 at an Antique Mall

The white basket was $1 at a thrift shop

Both are marked USA and are most likely Shawnee or McCoy 

I'm joining these fun parties

You're Gonna Love It

Tweak It Tuesday

Wishing You JOY,

Linda