Twinkle, Twinkle ~ Gold and Glitter

 

Beth over at The Stories of A to Z is having a Christmas Mantel Linky Party.  She wants all of us to link-up our last year’s Christmas mantel.  I linked up and then my internet server went out lol.. so I'm back to add Beths Link.. Ya'll just have to go see all the beautiful mantles posted to this party.

They are AMAZING~!

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  I had a situation occur over the weekend that caused me heart ache and when I can't control my thoughts , I cant sleep. Suffice it to say my situation has been resolved and my living room decorated.  During stressful times, some people Bake- some people go on a cleaning frenzy, some people exercise- some eat.. I fall in the clean~decorate category.    Having talked about this with many kind folks who were willing to share their thoughts on this sort of issue, I was happy to find I am not alone.. Their kind words and support helped bring me through and back into the light of hope. This was a life lesson for which I am very grateful.  The true Christmas Spirit shone through these people and into my world.. Please allow me to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to them all, one more time.... Now lets get on to the Twinkling..

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I like to sit and look at these lights and think of them as the kindness and love that shines from one persons soul to another.. Shine brightly my friends, every chance you get, as the light in another's life may be brightened by it.....

 Merry Christmas

Its warm and cozy by the fire , so have a seat and make yourself at

home.

Does anyone else wish we could just keep these lights up all year.. I do ..

 

I hope all this twinkling has brought some light into your life and a smile to you face. I want to share all the Christmas Spirit with you that I can, in hopes it will bring you holiday happiness and maybe help carry you in the light,throughout the coming year.

Thanks so much for coming to visit me. It was wonderful to have you here.

"Brightest Blessings from Me and Mine  to  You and Yours"

Apple Green Holiday Dining~2009

~Christmas Dining 2009~
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Sharing last years holiday dining decor at Chari's Sunday favorites party..
Sunday Favorites @Happy To design
During the season we have several small groups here to enjoy the season with us and I like for them to have a pleasant visual while they enjoy their meals.

  Next week I'll be moving on to my blue holiday table but for now I am enjoying our green and I hope you do to. Thank you all so much for visiting and sharing the joy of our season with us through photos. I'll hush now and just post the eye candy, which I have read is what most folks come to see..  

 Happiest of Holidays-- Brightest of Blessings and  God Bless Us, Everyone...

Tablescape 2 starts here..

 

May all your holiday wishes come true My Dear Friends. 

~Sonny ~

"Maine " Holiday Buffet in NC

I bought this 1943 buffet last year from a lovely couple on Craigslist that were downsizing and moving to a florida condo. They had a large home in NC with many cherished furnishings that simple wouldnt fit in their new and rather modern condo.. As I always do, I promised the item they sold me would be cherished and well cared for in my home. I think it made them happy to know someone who would love it, had gotten it and I do..

 A couple of weeks ago I was talking on the forum about how much I loved to mix natural materials with the faux holiday stuff I have but that pine cones were getting more and more difficult to find.. About an hour later I got a pm from a real sweetie that lived in Maine offering to go out and gather some things for me and send them. I excitedly and gratefully accepted. Her name is Maryanne and she is my forever Pine Cone Angel..  A very large box arrived and I was amazed to see all she had carefully gathered- packed so well and sent to me. Pine cones- moss and pine branches from Maine.. I tried but truly there are no words to express my thanks to her. I will carefully pack these cones just as she sent them and every year when I use them during the holidays I will think of her, her kindness and generousity and the Christmas Spirit that lives in her soul every day of the year.. Thank you again MaryAnne, this display is dedicated to you...

 I wish I'd had a deer or pheasant to add to this display but my snow bunny worked for this year.

  

My sincere thanks again to MaryAnne and to a big thank you to all who come to see this display.

Merry Christmas to You and Yours from all the Gianetti's

Snowmen & Santas & Bears ~ Oh My ~!

 I'm participating in :: Metamorphosis Monday hosted by Between Naps on the Porch

 I guess I dont have to tell ya'll what I've been doing.. Thanksgiving and then the holiday decorating began.

 I've done every color of holiday decor through the years but rarely do I decorate with traditional red and green.

 I had planned a music theme for this room and then I went to Lowes and before my wandering eye, what did I see? Small ,chubby, oh so adorable snowmen. My eyes misted up a bit, my heart flip flopped and the child in me awoke.  I have done adult holiday themes for a very long time so this is new for me and a joy to my eyes as I sit here at my desk and work. I look over at my tree and giggle. Its good to feel this happy.  I've learned a valueable lesson this year. Its ok to enjoy my child within and to bring her out in my holiday decor. To let her dance and sing Christmas carols, LOUD:-)  My DH is like this all year so he's enjoying watching me turn loose, get out of adult mode and just enjoy life and all the joy it has to offer. 

 I wish each and every one of you a spring in your step, a twinkle in your eye and joy overflowing in your soul..

 So with no further ado. On with the show.....the lil guys that started it all...

  This is Tommy's favorite snowman so we of course named him Tommy.

  I just cant tell you how much fun I am having with these decorations. Its been a great 4 days for me, hubby and my daughter.

 Noel repainted all my snowmen so their capes and coats would be bright red. Believe me this took the patience I dont have, so thank goodness she does.

 

 these gift cards are good for 5.00 certificates at mcdonalds and since they had Noel's name on them and suited the theme, well they worked just great.

 

The Teddy Bears came out just in time to gather round the tree to save it from my 6 Pom babies.. So far they are doing a great job.

Thank you for stopping in to see our Family room.  Come back soon as I am moving to the living room next so I'll have more photos.  Hope you enjoyed this little tour....Sonny

Trayscape for my Livingroom

I'm participating in Tablescape Thursday via Between Naps on the Porch... Mine is only a Trayscape

as my table is being painted this week lol

 I'm redoing my living room yet again.  I went from multi beige/brown to red florals and plaids and now I'm working on my black~white and apple green theme.  I keep thinking any day now I'll have it all done but for some reason I never seem to have the time to get it completed.  Working keeps getting in the way of my decor time.. Does this happen to you too? annoying as all get out isn't it lol... 

I made my window treatments and about 8 pillows, so far using fabrics I was able to get for a very reasonable price. I just cant invest in expensive fabrics in this economy or for that matter any economy as I tend to change things to often.  My husband always says " If you can do the whole room for less than 200.00, go ahead" since he never fusses about how many times it changes I do TRY *wink* to stick to that budget as best I can.

 The ability to make the needed items helps alot , of course. Add to that the fact that I was blessed at birth with creativity ,the ability to do things on a frugal budget and the willingness to learn what I need to know in order to accomplish the task at hand..

My Grandfather always said, doing anything was 99% the willingness to try and 1% get off your duff and do it. :)

 His belief has served me well through the years.

I  did a trayscape for the ottoman I made. I hope you like it, I do for several reasons..

Here's a little break down of the costs for you.. I only tell this in an attempt to let you know that just because you cant spend a lot of money, you can still have something attractive for your home.

 Saving money ~ something you created ~ an attractive display for your home..

It doesnt get better than that, does it..

old tray at goodwill ~  2.00

black spray paint ~1.00

small piece of fabric for tray~ 50 cents

tea set 3.00 thrift store :: its a 4 place setting I only used a few pieces

 ceramic jar 75 cents

white spray paint 1.00

fluer de lis emblem 50 cents

greenery and pot~ free from my stash:)

cookies~ 1.50     lol

buffalo check napkin~ 20 cents worth of a 1.00 piece of fabric I got off a bargain table

 silver spoon~ from my inherited silver set

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total cost approx. ~ 12.00

I hope you enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed doing it.. Now, go forth and do yourself a trayscape:) and if you do I would love to hear about it~! and see photos ,so please let me know by writing me here in the comment section OR via email at ::SavannahsSweeties@aol.com

If you have any question, I'll gladly offer whatever answers I have or can find for you.'

If you have any ideas about how to make my display better, I would gratefully accept them. 

I'm hoping this blog can be a learning experience for me and all who enter here. We just must help each other on this journey we call, Life..

 Thanks again for taking time to come and visit my blog .. Please leave a comment and join me as a follower.

I'd love knowing I had lots of folks joining me in my decor adventures and an adventure it will surely be as I will show you the GOOD~the BAD ~the Ugly and the Beautiful as we go along together..

I have got to remember to start taking before photos so you can see where I started and where I ended up.

Lives and financial situations change , but we can always have

BEAUTY ON A BUDGET

Brightest Blessings to ALL

More Black, White and Apple green Fall Dining

I wanted to share my dining table with Ya'll. Life gets so busy and I don't get to post as much as I'd like to. I hope all is well in your life. I'm already obsessing about my holiday decor and trying to get things ready.

I hope you enjoy my NC Fall dining in non traditional colors. Thank you so much for stopping by and putting up with this infrequent poster. I promise I'll do better over the holidays.

Brightest Blessings to all who enter here..

 I hope I do this right as this is my first time participating in Susan's Tablescape Thursday. Thanks so much for being our hostess. Susan.

 Between Naps on the Porch.

Fall In Black and White and Apple Green

I love these colors and here in NC not much is yellow , orange and brown yet... I put this display together with a few items from the farmers market and some clippings from my yard.  Greenery is so expensive and that makes it tough for folks to put together the type of displays they see in magazines or other inspiration photos so folks~ get out there in your yard and look around:) You might be surprised what you find and can use. Of course it wont last forever but you can always refresh it by just tossing the dried pieces and clipping a few more.  I'm happy you stopped by and I hope you'll come and visit me again,, 

 Brightest Blessings to You and Yours

  Go forth and Decorate ~ giggle...

Fall In many Colors..

 I wanted to share my fall display with you that I did for my monthly card club. We had a great time and it felt so warm and cozy in here compared to the dreary 43 degree , rainy day we were having outside.

   I'm not much of a made from scratch baker so these pumpkin cupcakes were made with a spice cake mix, substitute 1 16 oz can of pumpkin and 2/3's cup of applesause for the oil and water called for in the box directions.  1/2 cup raisins optional:) We love them but some folks dont.

 Thanks for stopping by and Brightest Blessings to you and yours..  
 ~ Sonny ~