First White Wednesday

It's still snowing.....

Well, at least Tuffy is having some fun in it! She actually does like to play in this wet, cold stuff.

I tried to make a little snowman for you, but the snow is to powdery. Great for skiing, not so much for making snow people.  So I got busy with the camera to take pictures so I could play along with Kathleen's White Wednesday party.  After yesterdays rather lengthy post, I'm a bit talked out so today I'll be your quiet tour guide and let you just browse. 

 This frame is purposely empty. Isn't it gorgeous!! It has stunning Austrian Crystals and pearls all around and even in the clips on the back. It's waiting to be filled with the picture of my new Grandbaby due in March !!! Nana is trying to contain herself as she writes this, really!!

 Speaking of Grandbabies, the new Baby's Big Brother, Jackson (1 year old at the time), painted this picture for my birthday last year. See the creative talent he has!! It runs in the family I tell ya'.

And just for fun, how about a look back to last spring and summer to remember what is yet to come...

ah, can't you just feel that fragrant spring breeze..... 

The End! 

xoxo,

Ellen

Linking up for Linky parties with Frugalicious Friday and Vintage Inspiration Friday, Show and Tell Friday and Feathered Nest Friday. So be sure to go and mingle with these other creative ladies as well!

Spring Fever and More!

Good Day my Best-est Girls! I pray ya'll had a great weekend. I've much to tell today and could hardly wait for Mr. to leave and go back to work so I could have the computer back... anyway, I've much to show.
First off, here is one of the projects I tinkered with over the weekend. As Marty so accurately put it recently, I've got cabin fever, spring fever, some kind-of-get-me-outta-here fever! So I've been daydreaming of spring days. Remember those days?
I found some left over silk flowers from another project that I'll show you on another day and played around with them trying to figure out something useful to do with them.

Just so happened to be an empty paper towel roll ready for the recycle bin, so I snagged that and cut it to size around the way to skinny stems of the flowers. Something to really grab a hold of, ya' know?

Then I hot glued burlap fabric to the very end of the tube to cover the opening.

To the very top of the tube, I added a strip of lace to cover the not so pretty plastic holder things for the leaves and to cover the little gaps at the top of the tube.

Then I covered the entire tube with burlap and added another strip of lace around the middle.

I also added some of the decorative filler ( that was part of the floral bunch) to the top of the tube to fill in there as it looked kinda' missing something. Looked ok, but overall kinda "blah". So I added a few lengths of lace and 3 rhinestones to the front top.

Once I was done, I was almost content with it, but something about it just did not set well with me and thee against my decor. The flowers were to white. Now, around here, everything is aged,  old, classic and timeless. This newbie was too new. Sooooo....

Tea Bath Time...  What do you think about it now?!! Huh - Huh?? Yeah, mucho' better!! 

Who'd uh thought Dollar Tree silk flowers could look so lovely?

This little beaut is going on display over at  Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays and the Happy Happy Housewife  and Trash to Treasure Tuesday linky parties. 

Now for the news to be shared, (I'm so excited and blushing too) -

See this award:  

Sweet and thoughtful Heather over at The Other White House gave this to me! I almost fell out when I received this from her!  What an honor! Thank you Sweet Girl!

 Now I am to pass it along to some more stylish bloggers as well.  Rules to play along.. 

1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you this award.

2. Share 7 things about yourself.

3. Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers.

4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award.

Ok, 7 things about me-self....hummm...here goes:

1.) I'm an organizational spaz - gotta have everything in place or else my world is out of order. I think it goes back to my corporate days as a VP of my company and had to  juggle, juggle and juggle and juggle my staffs stuff too... so don't miss that.

2.) I can not sit still- my poor Mother! in looking back at my childhood, it's no wonder she kept me busy with soooo many extracurricular activities when I was little. 

3.) don't tell anyone, but I thrive on change - I get really bored with the same-as-as-same- does routine. I have to have foundational routine, but in the grand scheme of life, I actually like "planned, purposeful, positive change". I detest negative, unplanned life changes. I really like "new". Maybe that's why I'm always moving stuff around in my decor, giving things away and bringing stuff in.....

4.) Speaking of bringing in - my "new" desire is less is more. I am really tired of living under the weight of stuff, so I've let go of lots and lots of things - and I LIKE it!

5.) I love meeting new people and keeping up with old friends - not so easy these days, but you Girls make it easier through Blogworld - thank you , thank you  and thank you!!

6.)  I'm an old black and white movie addict - Katherine Hepburn, Spencer Tracey, love them!

7.) Last but not least - I'm not and I actually refuse to give way to being on a strict schedule. I'm not a set in stone kinda person. I'll get there when I get there, know what I mean? Sure I abide by appointments and the time that Church starts, but otherwise, unless it's life or death -forget it, if I don't feel like blogging, cleaning, going - it ain't happen'. Life's a journey, not a race, mean't to be enjoyed and appreciated.

Now, for the Passing of the Award. This was REALLY challenging as I've met so MANY awesome and amazing Blog Girls out there and you all deserve an award just for being you!

Ok, Blog Roll please....

Karen at Glass of Sweet Tea -  Karen has been an unquestionable confirming word direct from Daddy every time I've needed to hear from Him. She's my real life Bloggy Friend too, who has lifted many peoples spirits with her realness and humor.

Laura Lynn at Enjoying the Simple Things - Laura Lynn makes me wish I was related to her just so I could hang out with her family 'cause they're always up to something. Humor and her real life self = her way of combining the two is endearing. She has an amazing photogenic eye too!

Sandi at Wayside Treasures - Sandi has this incredible way of giving the warmest hugs over the web... I dunno' how she does it, but she does! I love, love, love her decorating style of mixing the old much loved with the functional everyday pieces.

Kay Ellen at Kay Ellen Design - You've heard me talk about this amazing, decorating multi-talented woman before, but I have to nominate her as well. She has that perfected balance of mixing the mediums in the homes of her clients. And she is so generous, she lets us in on her family life too!

Marty at A Stroll Thru Life - Marty has such unique and inspiring decorating tips and how to's. Her home is soooo warm and inviting the way that she has it all pulled together. Not only does she invite you into her home, but her life happenings too. 

Sandy at Farmhouse Chicks - Sandy is another woman of faith that keeps me encouraged as she takes us all on her journey of life whether it be the inspiring book she is reading or the healthy food plan she is on. She's also got humor!

Kim at Cheap Chic Home - What can I say about Kim?! She literally stole my heart when I found her blog back before Christmas with her realness and humor. She lets us in on everything from what's for dinner to what the glue gun has she done now!

Rondell at Something Nice and Pretty - Rondell is alive with enthusiasm and creativity all throughout her home and life. She'll take you on the journey of her home in its transformation and her amazing thrifty finds.

Julie at Saltbox Treasures - Julie has a beautiful family and home of whom I just discovered a few weeks ago as well. She too, lets you know whats for dinner and keeps you in the know of her decorating achievements and thrifty smart craftiness. 

Ok, that's it! Wow what a post! Thanks for hanging in there with me. Now Go Visit These Amazing People and have a Wonderful day!!

xoxo,

Ellen

Watcha' doin?

Seriously ya'll, watcha' doin'? 

I am just a little wound up now that I've drank a whole pot of coffee almost finished the upstairs purging and well I just don't wanna do any more cleaning right now.

Sooooo, I tried to get Tuffy to play with me. You know a simple game of hide and seek can be really fun!

But somehow she just kept finding me or could not get the whole concept of "hiding" even though she has perfected hiding some of my shoes.  ( Note to self: must move couch in family room)

Needless to say, this idea did not last to long. So I had a brilliant idea of working on some more creative fun projects cause I'm like getting waaaaay behind in that. 

But somehow that seems to have lost its luster lately as well. Must be because it's so depressing outside. We're supposed to have more white wet stuff flaking out of the sky at some point today. yeah

Well, I guess I'll just go and do a little of this now

 So I'll leave you with a joke and you leave me a comment - ok? Ok, here goes:

A man was driving down the road with twenty penguins in the back seat. The police stop him and say that he can't drive around with the penguins in the car and should take them to the zoo. The man agrees and drives off.

The next day the same man is driving down the road with twenty penguins in the back and again. He is stopped by the same police officer who says, "Hey! I though I told you to take those to the zoo."

The man replies "I did. Today I'm taking them to the movies."

xoxox, 

Ellen

Photo Credit to FreeDigitalPhotos.net

My word for 2011

My goodness, this is the first day I've stopped long enough to even think seriously about posting. I've been slightly busy. I could hardly wait to have the house back to myself and get on with the business of purging. 

I have cleaned and organized virtually every space in my house. Tossing, bagging for others and GW, cleaning and rearranging anything and everything, and boy, don't it feel GOOOOD !!

During the purging and cleaning process I noticed that in my spirit, I seem to be getting ready for something, something very different, something new. Something that is not yet ready to manifest, but is very close to being complete for presentation. I seem to be lightening my load so to speak. I was also thinking about the number of blogs I had noticed were talking about their "word" for 2011. 

I had zero plans of joining in and am not - exactly, however.... 

Every January I participate in the Daniel Fast and this year, my church started the Daniel Fast on January 2. I however, started preparing to fast a week earlier. Not so much by choice as my health has dictated that I have to, once again, make a life long dietary change which, funny thing, is actually like living on a Daniel Fast. Coincidence? Ok, so you're asking what does this have to do with the "word" choice of 2011. Just this. As I was asking Daddy a direct question about my mission for Him for this year, my eyes lifted to the plaque hanging above my door and this is what I saw - 

What I heard in spirit though is to take a closer look at the word Bless. Being one who has for years entertained myself with the mental game of trying to make new words out of one word, this was appealing to me. Here is what I saw. 

Bless = BlEss (be) 

bLESS   (less)

BLESs = (drop the bottom of the "b" and open the top to make an "f", spell backwards and you have "self "

Bless = Be Less Self

Following this was the verse 2 Corinthians 9:7

 ⁷ Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Yes, this is a highly referenced verse for tithing, but Giving is all inclusive of your inner most being; your heart and motive = blessed to be a blessing. Everyday you can tithe / give your smile, encouragement, positive outlook, a much needed hug. Bless others by Giving your best for their best benefit. 

So this is literally my word - my promise,  my 2011 focus, mission, and purpose.

With that having been said, consider yourself hugely hugged and may you have a greatly blessed day!

xoxo, 

Ellen

Last post of 2010

Can you believe the last hours of 2010 are upon us? Where has this year gone?? Before this year ends, allow me a moment to express my thankfulness and gratitude for each and every one of you. Without you, I don't think I would have been so encouraged and brave to have gotten through the year. It's been rather difficult to say the least and I for one can not wait for 2011!!

I am so excited to see what everyone does in this new year as I know that in this past year of getting to know you all, that you are going to do great things. Thank you so very much for sharing so much of yourself with me and the rest of blog world. Thank you for your visits, humor, and comments. I so appreciate each and every one of you.

I pray for Daddy's best upon each and everyone of you. That you will experience His love and peace in a greater way and in a deeper and newer sense in 2011. I hope that all of your dreams are realized in the year to come. 

Just to back up for a moment, we here in Middle Tennessee had a white Christmas. That is not very common for us so it was actually a very magical touch to the entire setting of Christmas. I have to admit that I rather enjoyed seeing everything covered in a soft white blanket of snow. Changed everything, ya' know what I mean? Made the ordinary look rather special.

I am very much looking forward to the new year. I am soooo ready to put behind me the "old" and get on with the new. Guess I'm like my Daddy in that way. He's always up to the new stuff of life and reminding me, at least, to get over the "old". Maybe that is partly why I'm so anxious to pack up the Christmas decorations (although I LOVE them being out). But I realllllly want to scale back and "simplify", find balance, focus on the priorities of life and just appreciate all that life has to offer.

No matter what my dearest Friends, May this new year bring much love, peace, joy and everyday be Christmas somehow for each of you. 

Happy New Year!!

xoxox,

Ellen