Inside Halloween

In looking back at old posts, it occurred to me that I never photographed any Halloween decorations. I have quite a collection. This post will show my inside stuff and the next my outside.

 I still remember the first store bought item - a small ceramic carved pumpkin purchased in Tallahassee when Kristin was a baby. Still use it today! Have it displayed on my pie safe with the cute witch my mom bought me several years ago. Candy corn lights complete the look!

The black cat and ghost on the fence was given to me by a neighbor. Love it. Put it with my black spider bowl and fabric pumpkin I made ages ago. Stuffed a leaf garland into the spider bowl and finished with orange pumpkin lights.

Of course, I have a haunted birdhouse!

Only new thing I bought - on sale at Joanne's for $15. It's hanging over the piano!

Jewelry Box

Moving right along in my Get It Organized Now plan ... is my jewelry. So many little boxes stuck in so many little drawers and cases all over the house. Never could find it or never knew what I had.

Saw this terrific jewelry armoire on line at a great price with free shipping. It got here in four days. It was well packed and all I had to do was attach the four legs and the mirrored top.

I Love It! All my favorite jewelry is all together in one organized place. I love the side panels that allow my necklaces to hang - no more knotted chains! The drawers and panels are all felt lined, too.

I plan on donating all the stuff I no longer wear to the CCW rummage sale at our church in January!

On a roll ...

The clean up your act bug has me organizing yet another space - my home office! I found a great storage cabinet with woven baskets at Pier 1 today. Now instead of everything piling up on my desk, I have a drawer to put it in until I can deal with it. I love the new look and will enjoy my newly designed space!

Rainy day project

Nothing like a rainy day project - especially a closet organization project. Found this shoe cubby at Lowe's for under $50. Brought it home, put it together, and voila! It corralled 25 pairs of my favorite casual shoes. Freed up some floor space for some big tote and duffel bags. No more shoes lying around and empty boxes piling up! Plus, I can see at a glance what I've got to choose from!

The Art of Autumn

Here in Florida, fall is still months away. But the colors, shapes, smells, and textures have been on my mind. Yesterday I finally gave in and got busy. I dragged out my beautiful, dark colored oriental rug and laid it down in the entry. I cleared off the top of the hand-painted chest. Next, Mom and I took off down 4th Street.

It's too early for Halloween, I was focusing more on fall harvest items. I love pumpkins, fall leaves, spicy scents, dried berries, and nuts.  Found almost everything at the neighborhood Pier 1.

It might be 90 degrees outside, but fall is showing its brilliant colors inside our home!

From Nebraska to Wisconsin

Melanie and Adam and the four boys are living and thriving in Milwaukee now. They have a new home and a big new church. They have lots of new friends and neighbors, and even family living nearby. There is lots to do and see. They are far away from remote Gordon!

The boys like to run, jump, throw things, and climb trees. They like toy guns, super heroes,  and any kind of ball. They eat all day, play hard, and go to bed early.

We enjoyed our visit. We have a new love of frozen custard. I need to practice up on Scrabble. And Allan liked Milwaukee beer!

Family Gathering 2012

 

We Are Family

After over a years worth of planning, our family came together on an island on the Atlantic side of Florida to celebrate our parents sixtieth wedding anniversary.

We came from near and far. All of us.

 It was the biggest family reunion our family had ever had. We were 53 strong.

There were new babies and spouses to meet. Stories to share. More memories to make.

Big family meals. Group picture session in matching t-shirts. Afternoons on the beach and pool. Even a family video.

Nobody wanted to leave and go home.