Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Grateful

Sitting here with a Vanilla Dream candle burning, the mist softly falling, and the dogs sleeping, I’m contemplate a nap. 

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Okay, I actually took a nap after I wrote that and now I’m back. LOL! It’s just a dreary Thanksgiving Eve and a good day for relaxing, especially if you don’t have to prepare for visitors or dinner.

table top flowers Lately I’ve been trying to work with layers on some of my photo’s. Kate from over at Chronicles of a Country Girl has inspired me to learn. Guess you could say I’m thankful for YouTube and the great tutorials, as well as Flickr for the free textures!

Kitchen arrangement What else am I thankful for?

… a healthy and loving family, a warm and comfortable home, the fact that I’ve been out of work for almost a month and we can still pay the bills, my mothers continued good health (she’s healing very well! The doctor said ‘better than most people who have had the same surgery’), a good strong stable marriage, the animals in our family who were all adopted and whose lives could have had a much different outcome, plenty of food in the cupboard and on our table, and as always, friends and family.

Berry Mirror I have so much to be thankful for even if I don’t always know it or appreciate it. I’ll be especially thankful if my hubby ever installs that crown molding I’ve been hoping for in the living room.

Fall decor view

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So, are you ready to turn the corner from Fall decor into Christmas pizzazz? Judging by the blogs out there I’d say many of you already have! I just can’t quite do it until Friday, it just doesn’t seem right. I have to ride Autumn’s wave as long as possible. The above photos were taken this morning.

DSCF9723My December issue of Better Homes and Gardens arrived yesterday and I just love this Poinsettia idea so much that I have to share it!

DSCF9722It’s a Poinsettia Topiary!

Instructions are below. I plan on making this in the next few days but with a red velvet ribbon instead. My husband who loves flowers and plants thought it was a great idea too. We’ll see how it comes out. If you make it I’d love to see the results!

DSCF9719b Okay, I’ve gone on long enough. I wish all of you a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving Day. Please be careful driving. It’s the most dangerous holiday of the year (article).

Happy Thanksgiving.

22 comments:

Becky said...

I love poinsettias. I have a Christmas tree all decorated with burgundy poinsettias and gold ornaments and gold tingting. Beautiful if I do say so myself! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving in beautiful New Hampshire!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful post today, Sharon! Hope that winter weather stays at bay for you and that fall lasts for a few more days at least. The leaves here are gone except for a few stragglers here and there around town. It's feeling chilly tonite though.

As for the crown molding... it sure enhances a room!

Di
The Blue Ridge Gal
Just Vignettes

Anonymous said...

I too, wait until Friday to decorate. Give Thanksgiving it's due. However, it's very hard when all the holiday magazines start showing up with all the new ideas for decorating! Love the topiary idea! I might have to try it! Come over and check out my blog today, I have a little something for ya!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Lucy said...

Your photographs are awesome and I love how the colors came through. Glad your mom is doing so well.

Becky Brocato said...

Love your photos, and the textures are so wonderful! That's a pretty cool topiary, looks so easy to make. Thanks for sharing.

Happy Thanksgiving from Texas!

Country Girl said...

Your home is beautiful. And your photos are wonderful. This is your first attempt? Wow.

And thanks for the shout-out.
PS ~ The poinsettia idea rocks.

deb said...

funny i saw the idea too and tore the page out to do also. happy thanksgiving.

Kerri Farley said...

Fabulous post! Your pictures turned out wonderfully! WOW!!
I really need to learn how to work with layers!

Elaine said...

Sounds like you have a lot to be grateful for and I do too.

Lovely post.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Loree said...

I love your fall decor. Can't really do it here. It still feels like summer. Really looking forward to Christmas though.

Valerie said...

Just want to say thanks for all the time and effort you put into your blog. It is one that inspires me and I love to visit. Enjoy your holiday.

The Curious Cat said...

Sounds like a very pleasant day with lots of reflection going on there...which is good to do at times. I love the photos - will have to find out more about that. I think Autumn has pretty much left us over here - only hint that it still remains is that Jack Frost hasn't appeared yet... xxx

Jayne said...

I'm with you Sharon. I can't put up anything related to Christmas until the day after Thanksgiving! Feels blasphemous! LOL!

So glad to hear your mom is doing so well! :c) Today I am thankful for you and your presence here in this beautiful little spot on the web. Many blessings to you and yours.

Dog Trot Farm said...

Sharon Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Your home is lovely. I too try to enjoy the beauty of Autumn for as long as possible. Thanks for sharing the Poinsettia Idea, I'm sure a few of us will give it a whirl. Blessings.

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Very pretty! I need to take the time and experiment with my pictures. Have a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Mike and Nani said...

Sharon,

The photos look amazing! I am glad to here you're mom is doing great. She's tough as nails and is going to come through this better than ever. I wouldn't be surprised to hear she is wall papering again within the next 6 months!

Love,

-Mike

My name is Riet said...

Great photo's.I was trying layers the other day but that's the only thing it was: trying. But I just have to get back at it once. Glad to hear your mother is getting better. Happy Thanksgiving

Carolynn Anctil said...

The happiest of holidays to you! You have a beautiful home and a wonderful family (both two & four legged) to fill it with.

A beautiful song. Thank you for sharing it and your exquisite photos.

I just learned about photoshop layers at my course earlier in the week. Still a N.O.V.I.C.E. but it gives me something to play with.

Enjoy your day today!

Cindy said...

Great work with the textures. I like using them too. Love the Poinsettia idea. Have a Happy and safe Thanksgiving.

Cindy

deb said...

hi sharon,

thanks for stopping by my blog too.

i'll post a pic of my poinsetta topiary after i finish it....probably later next week. no time to work on it til then, as i am gonna be heading outta of town for few days. i will probably do mine with white flowers and a natural color ribbon of some sort.

can't wait to see how your's looks. i'll be checking out your blog in the meantime.

dj

Pat said...

Beautiful photos, and house, too. It reminds me of my sister's house. I call her Linda Martha Stewart! She decorates so nice, AND she cooks good too!

I love pointsettas, but aren't they poisonous to animals? I thought I read that somewhere. So be careful around your pets!

Judy said...

I love the fall photos!! I am not going to do anything about Christmas for another couple of weeks, though. It just feels too early yet.
I hope, you and all the other Americans, had a good Thanksgiving! In Canada, it was a month and a half ago! But it is always good to remember what we are thankful for!!