Pocketful of Blue

"TAKE A LEAP OF FAITH AND BEGIN THIS  WONDROUS NEW YEAR BY BELIEVING.  BELIEVE IN YOURSELF. AND BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A LOVING SOURCE ~   A SOWER OF DREAMS ~ JUST WAITING TO BE ASKED  TO HELP YOU MAKE YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE." Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach HAPPY 2014 EVERYONE!!

I have always loved Sarah Richardson's designs, especially the farmhouse she renovated for her family . . . and even more when it's decorated for Christmas. These photos are from a couple years ago but I love looking at them every year and being inspired all over again. Those red doors are perfect any time of the year but of course, especially at Christmas. Her little girl is the cutest touch of all! That tree is HUGE and so beautiful! I've always adored her use of soft yellows and gray in the kitchen. I wouldn't mind having Christmas dinner  in this dining room : ) Now we can head upstairs on this gorgeous stairway. Wouldn't you love to stay in this guest room? C'mon, Sarah ~ just one night is all I ask ~ pretty   please ? I might have to slip that red and white quilt into my overnight bag! More yellow and gray in the bathroom ~ sooo pretty. And here it is, all lit up at nig

My kitchen is ready for Christmas ~ would you like to see? Pretty simple but just enough, I think. Here we go . . . Love this old cabinet door that I found at a barn sale a while  back and I just added my Santa picture for Christmas. These snowmen are salt and pepper shakers from Target a few years ago. I always think these little stubby candy canes are so cute. One of my favorite things ~ this sweet angel ornament.  A simple tree in a bucket on the table. I keep this lamp on most of the time during the winter. I love the coziness it adds . . . . . . and how it shines up on this simple wooden star. I've had this duck for a long time. He was a bright green and now I like him so much better painted blue. He's feeling very proud with his Christmas wreath : ) I recently shared my Wintry Mantel and now here it is with just a few changes for the season. I

Are you always looking for inexpensive gift ideas like I am? So many people to buy for like teachers, neighbors, friends or even hostess gifts. But we don't want the gift to look cheap or tacky, right? We want the it to convey that we appreciate and care about them. Here are some ideas I've run across that would make a very nice gift but won't break the Christmas budget. The Republic of Tea Downton Abbey Tea Tin   $11.99 World Market White Hobnail Ramekin, Set of 4 $7.96 World Market Small Slate Cheese Board  $9.99 World Market Pin Cushion Tart    $8.00 ea Cottage Industry Heirloom Pantry Cake Mixes  $12.00 ea beekman1802.com Seed Keeper $19.00 Uncommon Goods Orange & Spice Handmade Soap  $5.00 ($6 flat rate shipping) Ellie's Handmade Soap Rustic Christmas Beeswax Candle $15.00 Prodigal Pieces Christmas Blue Mangle Cloth Heart Ornament $6.00 Sutton Place Designs I think any of these wo

Sadly, I don't have any Christmas decorating to share yet so I thought I would show you how  I changed up our mantel to give it a wintry feel. I used natural elements with a little blue mixed in. I liked these branches from our yard since they have little buds on them - plus they are free so I definitely like that! It needed something more, so I just made this simple little garland  out of twine and string - things I already had on hand.  Next to the fireplace is my blue chair and this little stool  that I got for $12 at a barn sale recently. { i would like to paint both items a more subtle shade of blue but that's for another day - someday - maybe - when I finally get around to it } For Christmas, I will probably just add a couple things for the season -  keeping it simple. I hope to have some holiday decorating to share with you - hopefully sometime before Easter : ) My daughter's birthday is this month