Back to the Dining Room

We have postponed the dining room project for a looooong time! We just had too much on our plates to get enough time to work! But, it is a new year and we are committed to get back to work! The Hubby is working on his masterpiece X 2. The vision I have had since we moved in includes 2 matching built in corner cabinets to store my china. I wanted a drawer, shelves with a glass front door and bottom shelves with solid doors. He has planned and measured twice, started buying wood, run the electricity, and framed one. What have I done? I have done consulting, helped move wood and gone on most of the supply runs with him......mostly nothing! We work better this way! My time will come later and he knows if he needs manual labor I am just a yell away....still trying to organize the attic!

Brrrrrrrr! It's Cold Here!

I got some paper mache snowmen out today in anticipation of snow! We have a 70% chance of snow tonight! It has been really cold for Alabama this week, but the skies have been blue. Today the clouds moved in!

My house looked so empty after I took down the Christmas decorations. After reading how Kristie left out her "Snowy" decorations up, I decided to pack my snowmen in a different box so I could use them in January.

I didn't even have these guys out this Christmas- so I enjoyed seeing their silly faces! I made them several years ago. I made the heads from styrofoam balls and paper mache. The hats are made from silver mesh fabric dipped in wallpaper glue and draped over plastic lids (from spray paint). Then I added more silver ribbon to stiffen them up. They have collars made of white fringe and I collected thrift store silver candle sticks to perch them on.

More thrift store balls are in the cloche. This will cheer me up until I can put out some Valentine goodies!

Meanwhile upstairs I have a big mess...

I took all the Christmas decorations into the guest room to sort and organize. I'm bringing all of the stuff I didn't use out of the attic and downsizing. My goal is to get rid of cardboard boxes and label all of the plastic bins.

I took some pictures of my neighbor's fountain. It has looked like this all week! Very pretty!!!

Thrifty Thursday

Happy New Year! The last month of 2009 was not very "thrifty" for me!! I was just too busy to spend the time to watch for sales and use coupons! So, in the spirit of New Year's Resolutions, I am determined to get my coupons organized and return to my frugal ways. I made a good start this week with a sale at Winn-Dixie! I needed dishwasher soap, my stockpile was gone. I try not to get this low on staples because then you have to pay the price! So buy 5 P&G items get $5 off came in handy! Normal price for 2 large Cascade = $11 with the sales and some good coupons.....I got all of these P&G items for $11!!! A savings of about $18!

My shopping trip ended up being $28 but I saved $52!!!

We still have a lot of food in the pantry and freezer that I need to use up so I am going to try to plan meals with what we have on hand as much as possible for the month of January! If I can save money at the grocery store then I have more to play with at the thrift stores!

Don't forget to go by Leigh's place to see other 2010 Thrifty Goodness!

Random Christmas Recap

It was a Puggy Christmas at the Swamp! Pug pillows,statues,ornaments, necklaces and a Webkinz! After the excitement of the wedding, we had a quiet and calm Christmas! Christmas Eve service at church, sausage balls for breakfast, Santa came, lunch at Nana's and "It's a Wonderful Life"!

Porch Tour ended up with a soggy, rainy mess - there will be lots of repairs this year! This deer and the remains of its brother are on the surgery table with fans drying them out!

My wedding bouquet continued to grow after the wedding!!

My camera met with a unfortunate accident (my fault!) so my pictures are now from my phone until the lens can be repaired or replaced!

I got a surprise box of goodies from Leigh of Bloggeritaville! Funny how well a person can get to know what you love over the Internet!! A "burlapy" tag....A Victorian Santa....

A gingerbread plate for my Christmas table.....

A vintage Santa light cover....

And my boy, Eli, on an ornament....

Thank you so much Leigh- I was a squealing kid opening up everything!

I also got a mystery gift on Christmas Day....some hand knit socks were on my porch!

I can not think of any of my friends that knit! I have tried twice in the last few years to knit socks and have failed both times! I hope that I can figure out who can teach me how to do this!!!! It could be on my New Year's Resolution List!!

Wedding Day

The Wedding was just beautiful!! I may not be very objective, but enough people had agreed with me to make it official!!!

Getting ready to leave for the church. DH had a surprise waiting outside for us!

In the 2 hours before the ceremony- I never took my camera out of the bag! I'll get some of those professional photos for that special time!

Daddy/Daughter dance "My Girl"

Bride's cake.....no pictures of the Groom's cake... but it sure was good!

Dancing with the oldest son....no pictures of dancing with husband or other sons... hope to get them from other cameras!

DH had to take a little break!!

The band was terrific!

Saying goodbye!

Still partying on the way home!!!!

Rehearsal and Dinner

Friday night was the rehearsal. I took a few pictures because I knew I would not take any Saturday.

The Groom and Mom going into the dinner.

Tables -before the crowd came in-

Favors- youngest son ate 8 of the chocolate covered strawberries! We had a buffet dinner - roast, mini shis-ka-bobs, potato bites, some kind of cones with a Mexican filling and rolls. The Bride and Groom made all the decorating and food choices. It was casual and "woodsy" -much like the Groom!!

After the party got going I totally forgot to take any pictures! I just enjoyed myself....and shed a few tears!!!! Wedding pics next.....

Pre-wedding Fun

Tomorrow this little boy becomes a husband! My baby, Son #2, will walk down the aisle with his bride! Where did the time go?

Today we attended the Bridesmaid Luncheon, helped decorate for the reception, had a rehearsal and rehearsal dinner! The luncheon was held in a beautiful mansion called Fountainview. It was raining/pouring so I didn't get pictures outside. This is a gingerbread house, which was on display in the parlor , that is a replica of the house!

It was decorated from floor to ceiling- there were 73 trees!

The bride (in the center) with some of the bridesmaids.....

It was beautiful!!!! Let the tears begin.......