A Very Lucky Blogger

I am a very lucky blogger!

I am also a little late but finally I am sharing some amazing gifts I've received in the last few months

I had just returned from Texas and a very emotional time spent with my brother when I received word that I had won a giveaway from from 

Sue's News, Views 'n Muse

She had a giveaway for her Blog anniversary in November and wanted to thank her followers with a hug and so the closest thing she could send was this

A beautiful quilt!  I was so amazed to win, and I must say this lovely quilt has given me many hugs

It stays on my bed and keeps me warm at night!

Thank you so much Sue! 

Then Debbie at Debbiedoos had a giveaway to celebrate the opening of a new Etsy shop

not her's but the wonderful Ginger of 

Savannah Granny.   I was so thrilled to win her giveaway!  

A nice teapot, an amazing Savannah tea cozy and a fun book about Southern Women!

Thanks so much Debbie & Ginger!

Oh but we aren't done yet....

Tami at High Street Cottage had a fantastic giveaway for three followers in December and I was so lucky to be one of them!  She sent me this wonderful burlap table runner.

I can't wait to use this in a tablescape! 

Thanks Tami!!

 and last but not least was a wonderful giveaway from Gail at Faithfulness Farm

Gail is an amazing cook and reviews cookbooks for Gooseberry Patch.  I was so lucky to win this awesome 'Rush-Hour Recipes' cookbook and included was a homemade Faithfulness farm apron and matching towel.  Love the apron and the colors are great in my kitchen!  The recipes are awesome and quick!   Thanks so much Gail!

Yes I am a very lucky blogger! 

I will be announcing a giveaway this week so be sure to check back! 

Hugs,

Linda

A Thrifty Winter Table

I wanted a little change from the red and green of Christmas but still keep the winter theme

The soft blue and green of this snowman was perfect!

I started with these round place mats that I got on clearance at Kohl's for 79 cents each

These dinner plates were found for 50 cents each and they are made by Pfaltzgraff.  I had trouble finding the pattern but it was called Blue Snowflake several places.  The plate is a soft cream color with the blue snowflake and green border design.

 I added a candlewick glass plate found at a thrift for $1 each, the blue depression glass bought from ebay (a set with lots of pieces) for a great price and cream handled flatware bought on clearance at Ross 

I added a napkin that is leafy and somewhat springy but the colors are perfect (napkins and napkin rings both found at thrift shops)

These pretty glasses were found at a Goodwill in Texas and the colors are a bright touch to the table

A simple centerpiece...Blue Ball jar with dried hydrangeas from my yard, snowman candle holder and a snowflake tealight 

I centered each place setting with a snowflake tea light to add a little sparkle

I love the edges of this place setting

A winter table for two!

I'm joining Diann at The Thrifty Groove for her monthly 

Thrifty Tablescape Party

Check out all the wonderful tables done a thrifty budget!  I'm guessing my table for two cost $15 and everything can be used in several ways.

Hugs,

Linda

Giving Thirfty Gifts

Now that all the gifts have been unwrapped and the stockings emptied I can share with you some of the thrifty gifts I gave this Christmas

If you are family or a friend of mine, then you know I thrift and give gifts that I find there.  No one complains (well so far none have to my face LOL) and I think I give more unique and interesting gifts then I could find at one of the big box stores.  Also on my limited income they get a much better gift this way! 

My son in law Blake loves trains...I was lucky enough to find a yard sale with lots of train items

These two went to Blake and he loved them both
(the train is made out of Georgia marble)

Books are always an awesome and welcome gift in my family.  This book 'The Ocean Realm' was a gift to Blake.  The Sesame Street Number Cards are going to be used in some crafts but sneaked into this photo

Books for Sara....Seasonal/Holiday books with recipes, crafts and fun ideas for the family

I couldn't resist this cute cookbook for Sara also

These books for Tiger are awesome and cost a fraction of their retail price

Friends get books also and this fun 'Best Friend' candle.....because you know too much about me..for my friend Terry

My friend Dennis recently got a bread machine so these cookbooks seemed appropriate and 'The Flag We Love' he loved

This gorgeous glass bottle stopper was a favorite gift for my friend Terry~every year I find her something beautiful in glass

These amazing hand made glasses still had tags on them saying made in Okinawa where my friends were stationed when they were in the Marines

This was a fun find for Dennis and Terry

I'm not listing prices but you can bet these were wonderful bargains.  I also like being able to find gifts perfectly suited to each person.  I shop all year long.  Mr ALC received several thrifted gifts also but I haven't photographed them yet. 

I'm joining these parties

Suzanne for Vintage Thingy Thursday

 Diann for Thrifty Things Friday

Honey at 2805 for Potpourri Friday

Do you give thrifty gifts?

Linda

My Word for 2012

Happy 2012!

This is the third time I've chosen a word to guide my blogging year.  First year of blogging my word was 'Growth' and it happened not only for my blog but for me personally.  Last year my word was 'Organization' and I made great progress in that aspect.  My 'hoarder' house is much closer to being a home! 

This year I had to think a lot about my word!  I had many come to mind and I would ponder them but none seemed quite right...then it came to me...

My Word For 2012 Is

(awesome that the points add up to 12...I know!)

change  (chnj)

v. changed, chang·ing, chang·es

v.tr.

1.

a. To cause to be different: change the spelling of a word.

b. To give a completely different form or appearance to; transform: changed the yard into a garden.

2. To give or receive the equivalent of (money) in lower denominations or in foreign currency.

3. To put a fresh covering on: change a bed; change the baby.

v.intr.

1. To become different or undergo alteration: He changed as he matured.

2. To undergo transformation or transition: The music changed to a slow waltz.

3. To go from one phase to another, as the moon or the seasons.

---

[Middle English changen, from Norman French chaunger, from Latin cambire, cambre, to exchange, probably of Celtic origin.]

So the word change has many uses and meanings..this year I am embracing

and hoping that it will be good!

So what kind of 

am I looking at?  Well financially I am hoping to trim my budget a little as I live on a limited income.  I am trying to continue to organize all that comes into this house and also to reduce some of my stuff and concentrate more on listing items in my Etsy shop.

Another

will be to my blog.  I will continue with my thrifty finds and tablescaping, but hope to explore more crafts and other areas of creativity.  Since the birth of my Grandson I've let more and more of my personal life into my blog and I see this continuing.  I hope this is a change that you approve of. 

I am not sure exactly where this year will lead

but I know personally there will be challenges and

I need to take care of my self.  Eat right and move more.  I know I want to be around for many years for my children and grandchild so taking care of me is important!

I hope you will join me on this journey I call

Who knows where it will lead!


I'm joining in One Little Word, Word of the year Linky party at The Lettered Cottage

Hugs,

Linda

Happy New Year

I hope you all had a wonderful New Year's Eve and Day!  

Mine was pretty great!

I spent the weekend with my daughter Sara, Son In Law Blake and Grandson Tiger!

First we opened our Christmas gifts

Tiger loved the paper and all his fun gifts!

Books, puzzles and blocks!

Grandma reading Tiger his new book

"Tails"

Love this little face!  He has two bottom teeth and one top tooth with another top tooth coming soon!

The next morning Tiger played some more under the tree.  He loves the lights.

Grandma are you taking my picture again?

That flash is bright Grandma!

I'll just close my eyes this time....

It was a beautiful day so we headed to the park

Down the slide with a little lot of help from Daddy

Down the slide together this time!

Playing with the wheel

A kiss from Daddy

Swinging

Crawling and playing in the dirt and leaves

We all had such a good time!

Watching the other kids at the park was also fun

We headed home and had a quiet night waiting for midnight!  It came with a sleeping Tiger in his Mama's arms sitting next to me.  I am so blessed!  I know that 2012 will bring so much Joy as we watch this little guy grow!

New Year's Day we shared a traditional Southern meal to welcome the new year and bring us good luck!

Grilled pork chops, black eyed peas, collard greens, mac & cheese, cornbread and sweet tea!

I hope your New Year started out as wonderful as mine! 

hugs,

Linda