A Newbie Linky Partay!

If there is a party for blogs, less than 6 months old and with less than 100 followers, then my name is definitely on the invite list!  I started blogging last August after faithfully reading home blogs for several months.  I was so inspired and enthused about the sharing and learning process I wanted to jump in!  I am currently in a job search which can become very frustrating and tedious.  I hoped the blogging process would give me a creative outlet and it has. 

Let me take this time to tell you a little more about me.  

I am from south Georgia.  

Although my husband says, "girl, you aren't from south Georgia,  you're from the coast"!

I really love my home and look forward to sharing more of it with you in the days ahead.  We have done a ton of renovation to it and several projects are still hanging.

I have done a fair amount of traveling and lived in Europe for a few years as a missionary.

I cannot go to sleep each night without slathering my lips with Blistex.   

(I have 4 unopened cartons just so I won't run out)

Together, my husband and I have 6 grown children and two wonderful grandchildren.

I am currently reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.  

(Anyone else?  Learned about it from The Nester.  I am certain I will blog about this) 

I have not cooked a Paula Deen recipe that my family 

didn't love and beg me to cook again.  Really! 

(maybe that is a southern thing)

We have a Pomeranian and his name is Toby.   

He is 15 years old and the sweetest dog I have ever owned!

 

I believe that Every Day is a Gift from God.  

Precious.  Priceless.  Ready to be unwrapped and lived to the fullest.

  

I hope you will join me in this blogging journey.  

I look forward to connecting and growing together.  

It is definitely a home blog, but it is about my life in my home.  

Now it is your turn!  Tell me something about you!  Libby!~ 

 

Linking up to Debbiedoos Newbie Linky Party!  

Thanks Debbie for helping us "baby bloggers" get to know each other!

    

Candice Tells All, New Show From Candice Olson!

Have you checked out Candice's new show yet, Candice Tells All?  She has always been my very #1 fave on HGTV.  

So happy when we got to see more of her as a co-host on Design Star, along with Vern Yip and Genevieve Gorder.  Last year I discovered Sarah Richardson of Sarah's House.  No doubt about it, Sara is now my second fave on HGTV.  Both of them are Canadians! In fact, a lot of great design comes out of Canada, including some wonderful blogs. 

Anyway, back to Candice. HGTV.com says, "This is Candice unplugged as she deconstructs the design process and teaches us her rules in a fun and irreverent way."   

The first photo is from her new show, episode title, Mixing Old and New. All other photos are from her previous series, Divine Design.  This episode was helping a couple mix their old and new furniture pieces for an ecclectic look.  They had furniture from their time in France as well as beloved family treasures.  Candice did a powerful lot of editing and updating.  What do you think?    

Candice always surprises her clients with a room reveal that is certain to wow.  She is unafraid of color.  Her mix of finishes and patterns are always right on.  Her liberal use of mirrors and lighting give her rooms that extra special sparkle and shine. 

I will grudgingly admit that her previous show was beginning to seem "stale" to me as I had watched it for years.  But true to Candice-form this new show shakes things up.   Remember the likable Chico, the electrician with the dark pony-tail?  Gone.  Her old team is no longer shown.  Now Candice has a new team and the show has an up-to-date stylish look.  I would admit this new show does a better job of "keeping it real" and presents more of the headaches and mistakes that can accompany the design process.  

Candice appears to have had a makeover as well.  In every scene, she looks tanned, strong, the ultimate fashionista with perfectly coiffed hair.  Very excited to see her in this hip new show.

Candice inspires me to be bolder in my decorating choices and more confident about mixing styles. 

No one can knock the ball out of the park on a basement renovation like she can.  Sure-fire examples below.  Can you say Yowza!! 

 

What about you?  What are your thoughts on her new show, Candice Tells All?  Do you have a fave on HGTV?  Do tell! Let's share!

And speaking of HGTV hosts, 2010 Design Star winner, vintage-loving Emily Henderson, will be premiering her show, Secrets From A Stylist, Feb. 26 at 9:00 PM!  Set your DVR and don't miss it!

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you leave a comment, it means so much to this baby blogger!  Libby~

all photos from HGTV.com

Candice Tells All

Divine Design

 

Need Some Pretty!

All of the nation, with the exception of two states, suffered through snow and ice this past week.  I can tell you this is not something we are accustomed to in Georgia!  Kids were happy as school was canceled for 5 days in a row.  We are currently experiencing, The Thaw.  Maybe you are like me, beginning to feel the winter blues, blahs, bleech!!

I know it is only mid-January but I am anxious for Spring!  To help us through the days ahead, I gathered the following images to enjoy.  The cheerful, organized spaces are really speaking to me right now.  So pretty, fresh and lotsa white.  Hope you like them too!

 

 

As always, thank you for stopping by.  If you have a moment, drop me a line, letting me know you were here.  Enjoy the rest of your weekend!  Libby~

Photo sources:

Better Homes & Gardens, Home Office Storage On A Dime

Southern Living, Real Life Redo, Farm Fresh Kitchen 

My Home Ideas, Home Office Pictures 

Country Living, 10 Decorating Trends To Try Right Now 

 

Our Holiday Table for 12

We had our 6 children, 1 son-in-law, two grandchildren, and my Mom for Christmas dinner this year.  Instead of separating into two groups, I decided we would all sit together.  That meant a table to seat 12!

Let me tell you how I solved a dilemma.  How would I find a tablecloth for a table to seat 12 without spending a fortune.  My solution?  A drop cloth from Home Depot!  I took it out of the package and ran an iron over it in a few places.  Perfect!  I think I paid about $10.00 for it. 

We put all the leaves in the table and gathered 6 extra chairs.  I had fun decorating in other colors than the traditional red and green.  The color story was blues, greens and metallics in gold and silver sprinkled liberally with whites.

Sadly, when I uploaded the photos to my computer, I lost some of them. :-(  Don't know how it happened and has never happened before. 

One of our daughters happened to post to facebook a few photos, so I have been able to retrieve them from there.  This was the centerpiece.   

 

Next, a close-up of a place setting.   I purchased white napkins from Target before Christmas.  I used gold napkin rings I already had.  I simply tied a light green bow around each ring and secured a place card and a bell!  I loved how they turned out. 

I used gold chargers purchased from Old Time Pottery several years ago and my everyday white dishes.
My silver was given to me by my husband for an anniversary gift.  The pattern is Enchantment by Oneida, Ltd., now discontinued.
The glasses were given to me by my Mother.  Her mother, (my grandmother) gave them to her close to 50 years ago! I don't have a close-up but they have real pretty etching around the sides.  This is the first time I have used them and I really enjoyed them.

In the center of the table I used a white platter filled with various colored and glass balls.  On each side of the table I filled tall glass vases with a little faux snow, balls and a few sprigs of greenery.  Running down the center of the table was a light green runner.  I then used votive candles for added effect.

Putting this holiday table together was a lot of fun for me.  I got a creative kick out of using different colors, (blues and greens) and pieces that I have never used before. 

My husband had smoked some turkey breast and pork loin.  My mom and I had been baking and cooking for several days.  We had mustard greens, potato casserole, green bean casserole, stuffing and desserts galore.  We had snow on Christmas Day! Our Christmas meal really was a memorable event!   

I would love to see how you decorated your Christmas table this year! 

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Libby~

I'm linking up to Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch!

Goal-Setting for 2011

Setting New Years resolutions does not work for me. Like most people, by mid-January I cannot even tell you what my resolutions were much less if I was keeping them.  In my opinion, most New Years resolutions are simply too vague. 

However, I do believe the best way to predict your future is to create it.  Thus, I regularly take time to reflect upon my life.  What do I like?  What do I not like?  How are things going with my home, my family and my work.  What about my personal development?  In the coming months, what do I want more of or less of??   I may do this several times a year, not just at the start of a new year.  

How I am most successful in creating change and growth in my life is by setting goals. 
Did you know that,  
Goals are dreams with a time frame attached to them?  

A goal destined for success is one that is realistic, measurable, and time-specific.  The more specific or measurable the goal the more likely your success for realizing that goal.  

For example, perhaps you have always dreamed of renovating your kitchen.  This is a huge undertaking and a project you wouldn't begin without serious planning.  To realize that dream you would begin by doing your research.  What type of renovation?  Cosmetic or a full-gut of existing kitchen?  Are you going to do the work yourself of hire a contractor?  You would gather prices or bids, and create a realistic budget you can live with.  You would organize pictures for inspiration and ideas, etc.     

Then you would put a time frame on it.  When would you begin the project and most importantly, when would you like to end?  Otherwise, you may be experiencing Christmas 2011 in an unfinished renovation.  You break down the project into steps then each step into a task list.  By the end of your planning you should have the big picture: a finished kitchen renovation with all the baby steps you need to take to get there.

The same is true if you want to go back to school, write a book or start a business.  First, you determine the goal, set your time frame, then you write your map to get there.  In essence, what must you do today or this week to realize that dream?  Is this making sense to you?  All I can say is that this process works for me.  

Zig Ziglar says, "With definite goals you release your own power, and things start happening."                    

Below is a link for a great worksheet I have used many times both for myself and clients in helping to set goals.  Simply click on link, then scroll down to 2011-The Power of Goals.

http://www.48days.com/48-days-worksheets/ 

On another note, as you can see from the photos we are continuing to enjoy the winter storm here in Georgia.  Although, I now understand cabin fever on a whole new level! :-) 

I would love to hear what goals you have set for the coming months.  

Has this information been helpful?  

Would you like to read more posts like this? 

Do stay safe and warm!  Thanks for stopping by!

Libby~ 

Happy Birthday Edie at Life In Grace!!

Hi Edie, although we have never met I have enjoyed reading your blog many times.  I appreciate your zest for life, your heart for your family, home and all things fun!  Also evident is your deep love for God.  

I wish to join others in wishing you a most Happy Birthday!!  May you find comfort in knowing that many are standing with you and your family in faith and prayer during this time.  I too have experienced trauma in my life and can say that Jesus makes life sweet again, as we wait upon Him.   Hope you have a truly awesome day!

Join in for a birthday linky party at Life of Grace!  

Libby

Just Can't Let It Go

This was a very different holiday season for me.  I would describe it as "close to perfection".  Maybe because it was the first in several years that I was not working full time and had opportunity to enjoy it.  My Mom always spends Christmas was us.  She was here and we had a great time cooking and baking together.  All of the children and the grandchildren were here. Lots of gifts, food and fun together celebrating Christ's birth.  

AND we had a WHITE CHRISTMAS!!  It was pretty awesome.

I did a lot of decorating but didn't share any pictures with you.  I know.  It is January 3.  What can I say???  It is late, but I just can't let it go.  Today I am making myself take it all down.  But first I wanted to post about it. 

This was the first year that I did any Christmas decorating in the basement since we just fully finished renovating the basement this year. The theme was a Rustic-Country Christmas.  I hung wreaths on an armoire we house the sound equipment in.   

This is a tea-cart I inherited from a favorite aunt.  She had it in her living room for years  We share the same birthday and have always been close.  She said I was the daughter she never had.  I use it now to hold jars of snacks and goodies.  

I took some of my Christmas vintage post cards and clothes-pinned them to twine as a fun decorative element on the windows above the electric candles. 

In the center of the eating table I used an old wooden bakers board and filled it with vintage hand-painted Christmas balls and votive candles.  It sits upon a remnant of burlap surrounded by greenery clippings; boxwood, cedar and rosemary.  We ate our Christmas breakfast there. 

 

Some close-ups of the Christmas tree.  I bought this artificial tree at a thrift store for around $13.00.  My first one ever.  We have always used only live trees. But for the downstairs family room, this one was perfect.

Under the tree I place some wooden toys.

Some Christmas pillows added to what I already use.

 

Greenery above the chalk board with a favorite Christmas song.

Thanks for allowing me to share a little of our Christmas with you.  Maybe there will be one more post to show you how I decorated in the main living areas of our home.  

Next post will hopefully be about what I want More Of and Less Of in 2011!  Thanks for stopping by!

Libby