Fall Festivities

Over the years, Halloween has been a fun way to invite family and friends over for fun food and socializing as the kids run around the neighborhood.

Since moving to our new home we have been blessed with an amazing neighborhood with great neighbors and lots of kids around.

Spring changes 2017 and Refresh-Renew Candles

Spring is in the air!

And so are changes...

Merry Christmas visit tour-and recipe

Recently I had a chance to just sit and visit with my neighbor. . . 

. . .over a salted caramel martini....

{yummy}

Little Changes Through the Seasons

Happy Fun Night of Trick or Treaters!

This year I have taken a different approach to getting the house "ready" 

for the different seasons.

  I call it the "little-by-little" technique,  or  "5 minute holiday decorating".

Warrenton Fall Antique Show

Essentials for hard-core antiquing at the Warrenton Show:

1. Comfortable shoes-there is a lot of ground to cover!

Happy Sunday!

While enjoying a quiet cup of coffee on a lovely Spring morning...I hear an unusual sound...and imagine my surprise when I look up to see this come up over the horizon!

What a treat!

Round-Top treasures to round out March

 Spring-time and Easter in Texas...

The blue skies, fluffy clouds, cool breezes and warm sunshine 

are enough to awaken Spring fever in even the most reluctant spirits.

The weather this Easter weekend was exactly this blissful.  

And if you are a "picker" or a "junker" or a connoisseur of re-purposing vintage--

New Orleans Get-a-way! Part 1-Curb Appeal

Exhilaration....

When all your senses are on alert...and you are giddy with excitement...

When your creative adrenaline is on overdrive...

and your feet feel 2 feet off the ground....

If you are a creative-type...I know you know what I am describing.
It's awesome to feel this thrill..and that is exactly

how I felt during my recent visit to New Orleans.

Woven Paper Heart Baskets-{DIY Blast from the Past}

Old school inspiration...

Top 5 Posts of 2015

My New Year's post for 2015 was my most viewed of last year.

As I have mentioned many times, 2015 was a blur....but I am happy I was able to keep blogging during all the transition as it is fun to look back now and see how I was thinking during that phase. 

I didn't get to do much crafting, but instead focused on my photography.  

I love this photo of the coral. 

I collected this dead find more than 20 years ago 

off of the coast of Southern California, scuba-diving with my dad.  

Even though the water temperature was very cold, 

we used to try to go out a few weekends every month in the summer--

--he would hunt fresh fish, and I would treasure hunt in the rocks and sand.  

I remember this sea fan was "blowing" right across my path, 

in the currents on the sand, at the bottom of the ocean 35 feet under. 

It looks so delicate, but it is very strong and resilient.

Poetic.

Fun for 2016!

Happy New Year!!

Yes.  

I've decided that my 'new year' 

will officially begin on February 1st!

I will not apologize that I needed all of January to process all of the holidays.

And, I'm happy to say, my hubby officially put the Christmas bins up in the attic today....

there, the house is back in order...albeit no less hectic.

I am excited about this year for many reasons...

Christmas musings and tour 2015

I had grand plans.

I had grand plans...for a month of posts....with clever ideas...
yes. I. did.

Sunday Sentiments-Rainy day contentment

Things are busy around the house this weekend!

The weather literally changed overnight from 75 degrees to 40
and it feels like winter is in the air!

It is rainy and cold
but it feels cozy... 

to be home with a fire...

eating turkey leftovers...

and pecan pie for breakfast...

pulling out small bits of Christmas decorations 

while the hubby watches football.

Feeling grateful for a house full of family
and a husband who likes to put out Christmas lights!

{This is the earliest we have ever decorated for Christmas and it has been fun!}

"...for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am." Philippians 4:11
On days like today, this verse is not difficult to apply, and I am thankful.

Have a wonderful week - enjoy the transition into the holidays.

Thanksgiving heart

What is at the heart of Thanksgiving...?

There is food, family, and gratefulness...

But what else makes it truly special?

Grateful...for pumpkins on a hill....

Someone set pumpkins on the hill. 

How elegant they looked--poised against the dry, dead grass 

and leafless oaks of the field.

Sweet Savannah Curb Appeal

Historic Savannah--one of the oldest cities in America, 

and hands down one of the most beautiful.

My mom, daughter and I were able to spend a long weekend there this past month where we spent much of our time strolling the streets and parks...

Every doorway was enchanting...and each home beckoned us to come in...

 and hear the stories they had to tell...from the birth of our nation to its modern era.

Come see some of the beautiful entries for yourself...

Foyer Fall Decor

Everything has a new home in our new home.

The shutter buffet that was in my dining room in the last home,

now graces our entryway in our new home.  

Come on in...let's visit.

Simple Fall Mantle

 Sometimes less is more...

"Simplify" has continued to be a theme for us this year...

Spooky Fun!

It's been fun getting the new house ready for the Fall season.

Stops Along the Way:A Refreshing Scottsdale Remodel

One of the stops along the way as our family journeyed across the country,

was the home of my long time best friend, 

and (in my opinion), one of the most talented designers on the planet!

 Lisa Sanford co-owns Shutters Home Design and 

opened the doors of her beautiful home 

in Scottsdale to my family for a day and night of complete rest and renewal.

 She recently finished an extensive, loving remodel of the home

 she's lived in for 20 years 

and has turned it into a showpiece that is at once relaxing and refined.

 Enjoy these photos of her house tour.:)