Just A Note to Say....

Happy New Year!

Oh my! 
It's about that time to say so long and farewell to 2011.

It's so hard for me to believe that the year has 
come and is almost gone.

We had a wonderful and blessed year and I am ready to ring in 
{{{{{{{{{2012}}}}}}}}
(See my excitement?)

It will be with horns, confetti and champagne...
in my dreams~

Midnight? When's that?
I've not seen that time in forever and a day!

We will not paint the town red this year, maybe next year!
The Mr. is under the weather...darn sniffles. 

Oh not to worry! We will miss the fun, but 
 I'll hear all about the different gatherings and in great detail!

Really, you won't believe it, but the folks where we live-

So VERY Social! 
Get this, Groundhog day, there's a party somewhere!

Anyhow, a nice quiet evening will be perfect.
 Dinner will be scrumptious~

Okay, this afternoon or tomorrow-
I'll try to carve out some quiet time for myself.
With pen in hand I'll write out some resolutions.
The one day at a time kind, if not, I know, you know...
They won't happen.

I'm really looking forward to a new beginning. 
A blank slate, a new start, to me, that is very exciting. 

365 days ahead to wake up to beautiful morning.
Then quickly live life to it's fullest.
Then close the day 
with wonderful starlit nights. 

It's quite possible-

I'm a planner!

What a fun year 2012 will be!
Oh my...
All the blogging parties... 
(Now really? Who can make all of them? 
If you do, what's your secret?)

Wishing you all a new year filled with 
joy, happiness, great blogging ideas, good health, love
and many, many blessings.


Off to take a nap.

Maybe I'll see midnight in our neck of the woods! 
Byeeeeeeee- 

See y'all next year!

A Treasure

 I have always been fascinated with cookbooks, the older, the better.

Believe me, It's not because all I ever want to do is cook!

It's a bit of love for food, love for books and love for history.

I'd like to share one of my favorite cookbooks with you~

It's the amazing...

The Congressional Club Cookbook

12th Edition

It's a collection of National and International Recipes from those women who have
graced our country as

First Lady of the Land.

This cookbook was donated by a Texas State Representative's wife and was auctioned off at a charity event back in April- 2003. I was the lucky one that took it home that night.

It's a regal cookbook!

There are so many wonderful recipes from the entire Congressional Club in this fabulous cookbook.

By the way, the Congressional Club introduced their first cookbook in 1927!

I just read that you can purchase the newest edition, the 14th Edition from the Club.

http://www.thecongressionalclub.com/


Joining these parties!


Wow Us Wednesday! 



Vintage Fridays

My Romantic Home  for Show and Tell Friday!

Blooming Like Crazy...

Oh my heavens, I was not planning on posting on my blog today...

but it's a must!

I was out and about with my trusty little camera yesterday morning...
what a find!

Okay, it's my hibiscus plant~

She's showing off again. 
Oh, she's so proud and not a bit shy about blooming! 

Take a look~

Just blooming like crazy!

It's just sad that their blooms appear and last for only one day.

This one is pure...

 PERFECTION~

She's let me know that she'll keep blooming until a killing frost, I know I'll feast my eyes on hundreds of blooms this season! 

Now, you must remember this, Hibiscus flowers appear on the ends of branches, so do not pinch off late in the growing season, or the hibiscus flower will be delayed into late summer.

Ta Ta~

Little Clown

I was thinking back to when I made this little clown costume, I still love it!

She's so adorable! 

Nana at it again....

I can't for the life of me get this photo right side up!

I have not sewn in quite some time. 

Wonder why...

Hope you are having a great weekend! 

Happy-Happy...Beyond Happy

The forecast for tomorrow morning...

57!!!

Fall is in the air...

Shhh...I've been feeling it early in the mornings for the past few days 

and

I did not want to mention! 

Did not want to scare it away! 

I'm so 

HAPPY!

I mean...

CRAZY HAPPY!

NANCY

A Touch of Autumn...

For those who may have missed my guest post yesterday at A Stroll Thru Life, I thought I'd post it here as well...
 

Autumn is starting to come alive in our home...

It's my little slice of the universe. It's where I do what I want, when I want and how I want!

I relish changing things around and adding seasonal touches to our home.

I'm taking my time with this autumn look-
Our summer is still in it's long stretch, in the 90's in our neck of the woods.

Follow along and I'll show you of some of my touches of autumn...

  I decided to keep the mantel simple.

I just added a fall arrangement and the bird.
The Mr. said it was a chucker! Guess he would know.
I'm still thinking about what I want to add to the look.

I've seen some pretty awesome looking pumpkins around in blogland, some are truly gorgeous.
A shopping trip may be called for soon.

No big reason to show you this other than it's one of my favorite chairs.

I'll be changing out the pillow for my fall one.

 These large candles have had their share of lighting up the room and adding the best ambiance ever.

I love them and have had them for many years.

 I'm looking for large red ones for the holidays. I've looked and looked and looked!
They are never tall enough.
If you have an idea of where to get them, please let me know.

Fresh potpourri is a must on this rustic looking sofa table.

 

I'm waiting for inspiration for this end table...may decide to just leave it this way.

The three pieces of pottery were purchased in Arcosanti.

A bit of history of where we purchased them.

Arcosanti is an experimental town that began construction in 1970 in central Arizona. ( It's out in the boonies!) Arcosanti is primarily an education center, with students from around the world visiting to attend workshops, classes, and continue construction. It is also a tourist attraction with 50,000 visitors a year. An interesting place, to say the least!

I treasure these antique boxes! The bottom one if full of antique architectural tools-

Added some fall colored candles, another antique box, another bird. He says,it's another chucker.

They are the Mr's Pheasants-

Added rustic colored candles to my Nambe candle holders.

A small touch of fall, some simple touches to come-

This look is here to stay, don't touch the Mr's hat!

One end of the foyer, no doubt, this corner needs color-

I don't believe I'm going to change this arrangement, I love the roses.

Well, maybe I will.

Decisions, decisions!

Screaming for some rich colors-a work in progress-

 This fireplace is ready for a fall look! I will make it happen. 

I've got an idea swirling around in my head~

I do love this fall arrangement on our dining room table. I'll be adding a fall table runner.

This is definitely a work in progress, still playing with different pieces.

Oh, the fun of decorating!

Time to get out my fall pillows.

Then again, I may leave these.

I do love the pop of color that the turquoise brings out in my favorite cowboy, see him up on that wall?

What do you think?

Well, I'm off to continue to work on my fall look. I know the best schemes develop slowly...
 Oh, yes indeed.

I do enjoy adding touches of Autumn...oh my, I can't wait till Christmas!
I'm in total glory then!

Thank you Marty for asking me to provide a guest post for you. 

It was an honor and so much fun!

I'm Over At- A Stroll Thru Life

Today I'm guest posting over at Marty's ...

@ A Stroll Thru Life~

http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/ 

Please drop in for a visit~

Fall Touches Our Sunroom!

 I decided that it was time for fall to touch our sunroom~ 

Shh, don't remind me that the high today is to be 98.
Boo hiss

Will just make it happen where and when I want...
Humph. 

When I first created the sun room, I chose brown as my main color.

It really is nice for seasons. 

 Evening look~ I've always loved the warm colors of fall.

I wanted to get some rhythm going.

A parade of fall colors seem brisk and lively.
Pretty without being too prim-

I took this in the middle of the day-

That little pillow was picked up at Hobby Lobby along with the florals.

The sunflowers make this one of my favorite arrangements.
Again, Hobby Lobby.

Our furniture came from Pier One...again choose the brown.

 A closer look of this vignette~

My little vintage rocker, it's precious to me.
I can picture each one of the grandchildren sitting in it, proud as can be.
  I've had it recovered three times.

 I've always liked this framed picture and this big old vase.
 It's always filled with either fresh or silk flowers.

This is the view from the sunroom out to the pool area.

I completely love fall.  

It is the best time of the year for me. 

I absolutely love the colors of fall and the crisp air that comes in.  

Oh I can't wait for this weather to be here.

I'm being trying patient.  


Joining my friend~
Kim

Savvy Southern Style

Well, I've got to scoot!

Happy fall~