Seasons

Mommy, you are missed so. 

There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under the heavens:

 a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

 a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

 a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

 a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

 a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

 a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, NIV

Spring Cleaning

Taking a little break and doing some Spring Cleaning.

Coming back renewed and fresh!! xo D

'Tis The Season

Hello Friends!

And what a season! But.......it goes waaaaayyyyy too fast!

Must learn to slow it down somehow.

This year I have tried to slow it down some. I have really not gone overboard with decorating this year rather I put things up that make me feel good when I see them not just because I have them.

Here is our " broken several time over" Nut Cracker!

It just would feel the same without him and his crooked mustache

protecting all the other imperfect treasures on the mantle! 

And, here is my beloved "Merry Christmas" banner from Anthropologie.

I waited and waited for this beautifully, embellished, quilted banner to go on sale a few years ago

 only to have my Smart Son ask me

 why do I have a banner up that says "Merry CHRITmas?!"

Yes...the S was missing and I was so excited to finally get it, I had not noticed AND

hung it up!

Luckily they had another one and the exchange was easy.

 We all still laugh when we see this though!

I fell in love with some plaid blankets I purchased at the flea markets.

One lovely lady at the Wheaton Flea told me hers was all washed and ready to use!

She wasn't kidding, it was Downy fresh!

Here is what CHRISTmas is all about. This Nativity was a wedding present from my 2nd Sister.

It's hard to believe it's 20 years old already! What a terrific gift!

 

Lastly, I want to share with you my very favorite decorations.

These are some of the beautiful ways my Darling Daughter made her room ready for the season.

 She worked very hard cutting, coloring and glittering and I think her decor is the BEST of all!

Merry Christmas!



Not Too $cary...Halloween

Here is another quick, inexpensive decoration on my dining room table.

Some beaded mini pumpkins under a cloche which

sits on top of a beautiful old, hand embroidered runner

 (that should have been pressed better!)

 in lovely autumn colors.

The runner I found in a " everything is buck box"

 at the great Kane County Flea Market this month!

And last but not least,my take on scary.

The mantel with a witch, a bat and a spider under glass.

A lighted skull, some spider webs and spiders...

And, the Witches hat and her broom.

I know, I know....not so scary.

At least we have the spirit !!

Happy Halloween everyone and thanks for stopping by!!



Check out the Vintage Halloween Party at Joans great blog:

 http://thepottingshed-anythinggoeshere.blogspot.com/

Flea Market Finds

Hi Friends! I was able to sneak a hot Saturday to do some summer Flea Marketing recently with my "older" sister ;) and boy did we have fun!  We have at a great Flea Market not too far from home that happens once a month; Kane County in lovely St Charles, Illinois. As we were driving and planning our fun filled day, I realized we didn't have a camera to snap pictures of all the unique, beautiful  junk  antiques!  We met all kinds of people and can I say how refreshing it is to still meet some truly kind, nice , honest people! One dealer in particular, Burt was a joy to talk with! My big sis bought a terrific mirror from Burt at a great price too! (Hope his wife was not too angry with him for giving it away selling it so cheaply ! Anyway, even though I couldn't take pictures during our fun flea market day laughing, searching, talking, I took some after of a few of my treasures!

                                       Old, chippy architectural salvage

Blue Mason Jars with zinc lids

A pretty white lace pillow slip looks perfect on our bed!
What do you think? 
 Until next time..... savor summer and stay cool!

                I'm linking up to Nifty Thrify Tuesdays @ Coastal Charm take a look at all the great finds!

My Kind of Town....Chicago!

It all started here...an innocent little store called

AMERICAN GIRL !

Here is MY American girl!

Our family planned a day trip to one of our favorite cities...Chicago!

We live about 30 miles outside of the big city and love to visit and enjoy all it's beauty! 

What a perfect day!

This church was built in the early 1900's. The stained glass windows just glowed!

Tribune Tower....what gorgeous detail in the stone work!

More great building views!

For some reason my husband walked really fast when we walked by this one!! :)

A very HOT, sunny day on Lake Michigan Beach!

The rest of ma famille.

We had such a great day together;

 from a sunny, hot day shopping and going to the beach

 to

a stormy, windy night in China Town, eating egg rolls, soaking wet

but,

laughing together and making memories!!

A Light Change

Hi Friends!

Here is our light fixture in the eating area in the kitchen.

Cute, weathered black right up my alley!

Even better, I bought it from a home improvement store on sale.

It was only $15.00!

But, it needed a little something like all us girls know!

It's pretty but, I felt like it needed a little "jewelry".

Some cute paper shades with black birds (there I go with birds again!)

and,

Some red and clear crystals dripping down.

I like the mix of the casual shades with the chic crystals.

What do you think?

It gets even better.

I found 2 sconces on sale, different store, same design!

I topped those with black silk shades and they are on either side of our fireplace in the Family Room!

They are the same but still a little different so it's not too matchy. 

It's fun to get a bargain and still change it up to really make it your own! 

Thanks for stopping by, come back soon!