He does not disappoint....

I've been patiently waiting to find a wall shelf for my sun room at the cabin! 

a shelf to go along side the 16x20 canvas photo that I took last year here on the lake.

While on a little excursion to Walker a few weeks ago, I spotted this little beauty, 

a shoe shoe shelf... made from a vintage snowshoe

I asked Rick if he could duplicate it for the cabin wall, 

as I knew we already had the vintage snowshoes from his dad's garage.

I'm just gonna cut-to-the-chase....

I've got one of those husband who can pretty much do anything!

He did not disappoint.

It's perfect, I'm glad I waited

Thankful for my DIY hubby.....he's the best!!!

The Ambiance of Christmastime

I look so forward to.....and delight in the ambiance of Christmastime!

I usually have all the decorations in their appropriate places

 by the weekend after Thanksgiving.

From one of my oldest, vintage accordion santa's that Lines the staircase shelf,

 and the lighted ceramic house that my MIL made for me in our early years of marriage...

to my newest purchase....

a lighted (twinkling) Christmas scene on canvas.

I just LOVE this!!!

I also love the soft glow in the house from the
 lighted candles and decorations

and then there's the Reason for the Season.... baby Jesus (with Mary & Joseph).

Also new this year, a winter scene snow globe with a birch tree bottom, 

gifted to me from my dear friend Valerie. 

This one may end up at the cabin.

The Stockings

The tree

My desk hutch in the dining room

Chair in the corner

Tiny Tim and Scrooge, this one is also a favorite from my in-laws

Love this book, we've had it since the kids were little.

This candle is the best... Fresh Balsam from Bath and Bodyworks.
makes the house smell like "Christmas"....you know that smell  :)

Are you all decorated, do you have a favorite piece,
I would love to hear about it!!!

I have to admit I have a bathroom yet to decorate....
maybe tomorrow  :)

Christmas Mantel

For several years my mantel has been unchanged

 I don't consider myself very creative nor do I have a very keen eye for colors.

This year I decided to change it up for Christmas!

I was inspired by my friend Cheri, who has a lovely, ever-changing mantel

She recently blogged about her Christmas mantel

You can visit Cheri's blog here

This week I made a trip to Champlin, Mn to visit my sister and her family,

My favorite stop is The Bear Den,  (ha, inside joke)  The Woods

It's a store full of crafty, nick-nacky kinds of things.

I brought along some "fun money"... and I used it  :)

Showcasing my mantel

(The coloring is kind of off in the before & after photo's...

different lighting/time of day

The mirror was purchased at a consignment store for $2.00

Lighted garland, from Hobby Lobby

Everything else was an assortment from the 

TheWoods, Pier One Imports and Target

It was a fun little project

 In the daylight

 All lit up

Upside down goblets, with bulbs inside and candles on top
courtesy of Pinterest 




Like my friend Cheri, I also am joining up with The Lettered Cottage Holiday home link party! 
You can click the link below to see all the creative idea's for Christmas mantels.

The new west wall

About 3 weeks ago Rick and I ordered new furniture for our newly refurbished living room. We really have only had 2 chairs in that room. The big west wall housed 2 LARGE speakers and a gigantic shelving unit for our stereo that Rick made in the 80's. It was cool for about 20 years but I felt it really had to go so we could give the living room a new look, complete with actual seating

OUR NEW WEST WALL

New couch, chair, coffee table, lamp and wall art on the Left wall

I'm quite happy with the new look! I've never ever had a coffee table so that's an added bonus

~

Today, I bought the paint for redoing this side table, Still have to buy the new hardware. I'll be sure to post the finished product when I'm done.

View from the kitchen...I'm kinda liking it :)
~

View from way back by the stairs.

So my next question.... I need help from you guys again.

*** What should I do above the couch???***

• Should I leave it...
• Put up a big print (oil painting) that I found at Kirklands? I already have a big print above the piano...would that be too much to have two large pictures in the living room?
• Do some sort of shelf/whatever else?
• I've always wanted a bookshelf, should I pull the couch forward and have Rick build one across the back wall or maybe just get a smaller book shelf to fit on the left side of the couch ( in the corner).

I just dont know.... any bright Idea out there? Dont be shy. How about some of you that never comment, ... now's your chance (and I know there are a lot of you)...dont be shy.

I love comments.

This old table

Take it to goodwill ?

Paint it ?

Sell it ?...

I need your thoughts....opinions

~~~

About 22 yrs ago I bought this little table at an antique store in Kasson MN...

At the time I loved it....

It fit my "decor"...

But now it doesn't....

I'm almost to the point where I cant stand to look at it.

What do you call this style anyway?...

Queen anne ?...

Victorian ?

all I know is it's not my style anymore! I wonder what I can do to

"change-it-up"

It's been a good table, it has a SOLID marble top that's removable. It has a nice large drawer and it's a great place to display things such as pictures, magazines etc.

My thoughts are to paint the wood and change the hardware (handles).

I'm not sure if that'll make me like it...or not

but I want to like it... It's been a good little table.

I'm very open to suggestions...what do you think my friends

Leave me some comments and I'll let you know what I decide.

freshly remodeled and decorated for Christmas...AMEN

A look from the steps across the living room

Rick laid this lovely runner on the stairs

Dining area

Kitchen desk hutch (my dad built this for me several years ago)

This "Ethan Allen" chair sits in my kitchen.

I picked it up at a garage sale for $5.00.

Family room fireplace



My accordian santa's, they sit along the ledge over the staircase. I love them and have had them for many many years.


We all know these guys :)



The tree
I hope you all enjoy the time you have leading up to Christmas.
***

Check out my other newly published blog below....
We've had a busy weekend. ENJOY !