2011 in review

Going backward over the past year, I realize it has been a very inspiring and very busy year. I really enjoyed blogland and visiting so many creative woman.
Even though my kids are mostly grown we still really enjoy our Christmas, and this year  Santa bought his big burlap bag of surprises.

Everyone came over to open presents.

The Duke was patient and good as gold while we opened our gifts

and he got his own little ornament from a neighborhood friend!

And grand baby had the best-est time.

December Merry Christmas... was a blast, I love to decorate, and even got help from the dog!

Duke help create this vignette below when I worked on the Dining room, here

 I decorated the mantle for a challenge here

November ...went to Denver for a girls weekend

 came home to prepare a great Thanksgiving

October...Early pumpkin picking

and gourd gathering, I found this awesome black gourd, that looked just like a ball and claw foot.

 In Oct I also opened a booth in Cape May NJ at North End garage

in Late October I went to New Orleans where I took a zillion pictures of houses, It is a pretty neat city.

and came home to pumpkin carving on Halloween!

September... my youngest went off to college, I missed her as I dressed the shore cottage for Fall

Painted some furniture with my sis

August... my son bought a house and moved out, so I began to re-decorate his room.
And 2 puppies came home with us, well one for us, one for my grown daughter.

July... was spent at the shore house, lazy days on the beach,

 also saw Ringo Starr at the Casino, and re-decorated one of my daughter's rooms, here
We beachified it.

June ..A wonderful prom and fun High School graduation party

and went back to Florida and visited hot springs

May... Opened the pool, lots of  gardening,

redid the patio

spruced up the shore cottage here

April...went on a trip to the Florida Keys with my sis.

March...Went to Florida and Beachified the dining room, posted about the table intervention here

This Florida dining room was my favorite transformation this past year... I had wanted to do something for a long time. the before was hideous!!

.....scratch that .....
THIS was my favorite.. the kitchen redo

February... finished renovation of my kitchen... complete tour here...

January ...started renovation of my kitchen

That's 2011 in a nutshell, backwards! All good stuff.
In between all this, lots of tables got painted, chairs got re-made, and crafty things got done.
I had a ton of fun, looking back, hope you enjoyed it too!
sharing at these linky parties
White Wednesday
Wow us Wednesdays
Vintage Inspiration Fridays
Show and Tell Friday
Feathered Nest Friday
Saturday Night Special

The countdown to Turkey Day begins

I finally got my butt in gear and started getting the dining room buffet and table ready for Thanksgiving day.
I really just moved around things I had. Put bowls and pitchers I will use in an easy to reach spot on the buffet. streamlined my centerpiece so we can fit place settings.

I still have to add another table and many more chairs,  We are having 11 I think....so I will be moving more things around tomorrow!!
But I wanted to at least get started. I was going to get a folding table but I remembered I actually have a small drop leaf in the garage that needs some work, so I am hoping to use that.
Crazy me started last night at 12 when all went to bed!
Do you do that too?
Sometimes it's the only peaceful moments I can find.

These candles are the flameless ones I picked up at dollar tree and when I tried peeling the labels off the didn't completely come off so I wrapped them in leaves and twine!!

Moved a few things from the entry,

 and pulled some out of the China closet for the buffet decor.

I will use these things. the soup tureen will hold the stuffing, chicken holds the butter..

And how do you like my little white leaf plate? I just picked that up out junkin!! I love it and wish I'd have gotten the other. There were two.

I added a few more old Ball  and Atlas jars to my corner cabinet this week.

 I think I may need a whole shelf going across the ding room wall just under the molding,

 if I don't stop buying them!! It's an addiction.

I just couldn't resist adding a few sand dollars and starfish

Just a few more tweeks

Got all the food this morning, and making coleslaw tonight.
I got all the extra chairs up from the basement, and added a folding table so we can seat 10 or 11
Moved things around again.
 I guess I should really consider painting the wood chairs white!!
What do you think?

Oh gees... I still I have to get my Turkey platter up from the basement!!

My favorite tweek is the addition of my daughter, Mary's 24 pink roses,

 her honey bought them for their 2 yr anniversary of dating. One rose for each month. Isn't that so sweet?
and what a joy to put them in my Mom's old ironstone pitcher from the early 1900's that Mom found in my grandmom's attic, it came with the house.

I'm excited for Thanksgiving Dinner!! It's our first Thanksgiving in our new kitchen, we started the kitchen in January!!
If you stayed this long, I hope I havent' bored you with my rambling on!!

 Thank you for stopping by my blog. Happy Turkey Day!
It's time to set up those dishes...

Some fun linkies parties:
Metamorphisis Monday @ Susan's
Primp your stuff Wednesdays
White Wednesdays
Wow us Wednesday
Whatever Wednesdays
Good Life Wednesdays
Share the Love Wednesday @ Very Merry Vintage Style
Transformation Thursdays
Feathered Nest Fridays  
Vintage Inspiration Friday
Farmhouse Friday

Vintage and Pumpkins and Lace, Oh My

I recently opened a booth at the North End Antiques and collectibles in Cape May NJ.
I love crossing over the bridge into Cape May and seeing all the boats!
 I also love the colors that the beach grasses change to this time of year!

I know I have to hunker down at home and get myself ready for Thanksgiving Day,

 and I will really get on the ball  tomorow... 

After all, pumpkin pies must be made for this little cutie pie.. my grand daughter.

But I have to tell you, I have really been enjoying setting up my little shop down on the Cape.
 I especially love the shore when it is quiet.

I did a redo on this old desk with some Annie Sloan paint. I love how easy it distresses.

It used to look like this....

back to the finished product,... quick.

And this cute little french vanity below got a coat of one of my favorite white paints by Behr, Cottage White.
 I slightly distressed the edges.

Sorry these aren't the best pics. It was rainy and dark out that day.
That little vanity's look before I slapped it senseless with some cottage white ..

She is much better now,
but I do want to pair it with a small mirror. and I recently found the perfect one to work on. You can see the one in my booth is too large for her.
Peek to the right and you will see a pair of vintage barkcloth drapes from the forties in the background,

these were always a favorite romantic shabby pair of drapes,
 and some
gorgeous vintage French lace which fits nicely on a twin bed.

I hope you'll follow me as I have fun in this new adventure.
Here's wishing everyone in blogville have a healthy and Happy Thanksgiving!!

Thanks a million for stopping by!

Partying with these lovely ladies..

Sunday showcase

creative me Monday

Amaze me Monday

Metamorphisis Monday

Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays

Wicked Awesome Wednesday