Happy New Year, I'm Home Again.....

So, the New Year has rolled in once again, can you believe that? And I've got some new and exciting things in store for me this year. I'm officially home again....as in, I quit my job right before Christmas. Yep, that's right. That wonderful, cushy, good fit for me job is no longer. You see, it seems my dear sweet hubby would much rather have me home again than to have another paycheck, so home is where I'll be. He values my time at home more than money. At first, I was reluctant (kicking & screaming is more like it!). It was a great job, really decent paycheck, & I enjoyed the people. But, I had to make the decision that was going to be best for my family, so I gave my notice. They were very sorry to see me go and I was a good fit for that position. After all, I had only been there a short time, but all in all, they were very understanding. And now, I'm excited about the new year ahead.

My hubby has been very supportive of me trying to do something at home, using my talents and abilities, so I do very much appreciate him encouraging me with this venture. I know a lot of women are prodded to go out & get jobs by their husbands (I have witnessed that firsthand), & I'm thankful that mine is old-fashioned when it comes to that and he loves me being home and having the time to do what I want to do, as well as being a homemaker. I was momentarily blinded by a nice, steady paycheck & would have probably stayed there several years just to keep that going & give us extra income. My hubby works at home and is very entreprenurial in spirit, whereas I go the safe route. We are an interesting mix, to say the least. It might be time for me to get out of my box. Did I mention that I have worked 30 years in corporate jobs, in large corporations and small companies as an Administrative Assistant? I've always done pretty well with it, but he also hated to see me getting up at 5:30 every morning to get to the office by 7:30, just so I could leave at 4:30 & rush to do all I needed to do at home too. And I was too tired to get it all done. I know all of you who work full-time know exactly what I'm talking about. I can't even imagine how you working moms handle all of this. You girls have my utmost respect.

So, it's time for a change....again.

I'm now excited about what the New Year might hold for me. I've loved decorating for a long time now and have always wanted to do something with that. So, I think that now might be the time for me to really explore that in more depth and figure out how to launch myself in a decorating business from home. I'm not quite sure how to do that yet. I'm asking lots of questions from other friends who are in this business and starting to do some research, so I'm very excited about the possibilities. I know there are a lot of people out there who love decorating too and it's not that easy to start a business up from scratch, but that's where my interests lie and that's what I'd love to do. I'll never know if I don't give it a try. I'm going to look at taking some courses, where that will be online or here at a local college, I'm not sure yet. I will have to do some research on what will be the best course of action for me. I do have 3 months of some good, in-depth training from Ethan Allen when I was a design consultant for them for a few short months back in 2003/04. Retail, I discovered, was not my thing. It was way too much "sales pressure" and way too hard to making a living like that, so I know that is not the direction for me to go. I don't claim to be an interior designer, I didn't go to school for that. But, I think I can decorate pretty well, and I think I can help the average woman with putting her home together, so we'll see where that leads me. I'd like to focus on redesigning & helping women rearrange rooms, using things they have in different ways, color consultations, shopping for something special & maybe even redoing some furniture. I love taking something that is not that great & turning it into a treasure.

I've got plenty to keep me busy for awhile at home. I'm looking forward to not having to get up at the crack of dawn, getting to the gym several mornings for workouts (instead of having to fit it in after work in the afternoons), having time to plan & prepare meals, getting my cleaning done during the week, & having some girl time with some of my friends too. I've got closets & drawers that need cleaning out & reorganizing...funny, we just moved in here 2 years ago & that already needs doing! I've also always wanted to have some time to give to volunteer/ministry opportunities & because of working fulltime, have never been able to do much of that. So, I'm trusting the Lord to lead me in all of this. I know He has a plan & he will take care of us, all I have to do is trust Him. That's been so hard for me at times over the years, as I tend to jump in & try to control things by doing it MY way. I can figure this out & I will fix it, by golly! Any one else relate to that? That is something that the Lord has been teaching me this past year...to rest in Him. How hard that is sometimes. I think I'm finally learning that one, but it's taking me long enough.

I'd love to hear from all of you too! I know many of you work fulltime or part-time. Do you like what you do & if money were no object, would you quit work & stay at home or pursue something else that you love? I've heard a lot of women make the comment that they could not stay home, they just feel like they have to work for their own well being & satisfaction. I have never felt that way. I have always worked too & looked enviously at the women I saw who did stay home. For those who do stay at home, do you feel totally fulfilled by being a homemaker and/or mother? I know homemaking is almost a lost art these days, as most couples are struggling to stay afloat & most of the time it means 2 paychecks are needed. Finding that balance is hard sometimes.

Y'all will be on this journey with me too, so you can hear all the ups & downs as I figure this all out! Thanks for all the support from each and every one of you this year. This time last year, I barely knew what a blog was, much less thought about starting one. Blogging has really opened up a lot of doors for me too and I'm very excited to see what is ahead of me this coming new year. Thanks for tagging along with me and thanks for all the support I've felt from this wonderful blogging community. That's one thing I'm really grateful for this past year. Moving to a new city two years ago was more challenging than I had imagined. Making new friends was difficult at times, but 2007 brought some wonderful new friends into my life, all of you included. Hope y'all have a very Happy New Year! I'm geared up for some decluttering & hopefully some fun projects this year, so I hope you'll all stick around! (signs from Art.com)

Tiny Christmas Village

(click all pics to enlarge for details)

I don't know about you, but the day after Christmas, I'm always ready to pack all the boxes away & get ready for a new year, clutter free & clean. This year, as usual, has been a whirlwind with visiting all the family. We spent Thursday & Friday with my family in Atlanta. Me & mama popped over to my sister's house to see her decorations before we all got together for a good chili meal that night at my parent's house. So, before everything is put away again & you are totally out of the Christmas spirit, I thought I'd share my sister's village with you. I wanted to see her Christmas village all set up one last time. She said this is the last year she's going to put it up like this, as she is going to give the majority of it to my niece, Lauren, to take with her when she moves out & then use a small portion of them on her foyer table next year.

My sister has been collecting her village for several years now & it has grown....and grown....and grown! I have about 20 houses myself, which I decided not to put up this year, but I always enjoy seeing her village. It's so quaint & cute & these little villages always draw me in. I'd love to live here, wouldn't you?
It's one of the best Christmas villages I've ever seen assembled. My brother-in-law built a huge platform which wraps around the tree in the livingroom and holds all the tiers of mountains & village. On the left side of the tree is country life & then it meanders around to the right side of the tree which is city.
I haven't counted all the houses she has, but I'd say it's at least 50 or so. I love all the little people, with the windows all lit up, welcoming you into this small scale town.
There are all sorts of businesses, as well as houses, a skating rink in the middle of town & a large town tree which rotates too.
Isn't it pretty?

I love all the little horse drawn carriages & the people going about their business.
Here's the tiny skating rink, with actual skaters moving.
And the rotating town Christmas tree with lights aglow & an angel on top.
Here's the town fountain close up. It actually sprays water, but it wasn't on this time.
I just love it!

This is a good close-up of the country side of the village, where the hillbillies live. :)
And here's my sister's foyer tree, which is always pretty too, in white, gold, & bronze.
The back deck sports a cute outdoor themed tree with birds & old fashioned ornaments.
Frosty lights up the back yard. They have a beautiful backyard, which I posted about here when we were all over there for Mother's Day last year. It's gorgeous, with a pond and lots of pretty plants, if you'd like to see what it looks like in the Spring.
They are covered up with babies this year in the pond. You can see the 2 large koi over on the far side of the pond.

Hope you enjoyed the tour! I'll be spending the weekend taking down all the Christmas decor. I am more than ready to get it all packed up again. Funny how that happens. I enjoy it so much when it's up, but once Christmas is over...I'm over it! Ready for the New Year & a clutter-free house. I hope y'all have a safe & Happy New Year's celebration!

Winding down from Christmas & an award

Another new award was just given to me by Sher. Thank you SO much, Sher. I'm really trying to figure out what this one means. Less than 3, so that means pass it on to 3 blogs or less, or what? I think it means that someone loves your blog, but I can't really tell from this. Anyway, I do appreciate it & thank you so very much. I have made so many new friends in blogland that I'm finding it so hard to pass these awards on, so I think I will not try to do that this time. I just have a hard time trying to play favorites, that just doesn't feel right to me.

Some time ago, I found these oh, so pretty trashcans in Homewood at the neatest store called The Royal Standard. You might remember me showing you pics from this store of all the paper mache stuff, trash cans & trays. I went back & bought these three, one for me, and the others for a friend here in B'ham (they didn't have her initial, so she got a fleur de lis) & my sister. The "M" is mine & the "S" is for my sister for Christmas, which she will get today when we go over to celebrate with my family. I thought these were the coolest trashcans, great concept & design. We really needed a new trashcan in our bathroom & this one looks great in there, so I treated myself to a December birthday present for myself. And, I waited long enough that they were marked down on Sale, which is my best kind of find!
I trust you are all enjoying this wonderful week of Christmas with lots of food, time with family, and a sincere reflection on what this time of year really means, aside from all the presents and hoopla. We spent Christmas Day with my hubby's dad and stepmother down in Montgomery. His 3 kids have all been with us for a short time this week & it's been good to catch up with them & have them with us too. We had a wonderful brunch with lots of good (and fattening) food that filled us with happiness & calories. What a way to end the year. I think it's time to cut back on all this heavy fat-inducing food really soon! I can see some extra workouts in my future in January.

This is Peter's stepmom and the newest addition to the family, baby T, who is 6 mos. old & belongs to Peter's sister. She was enjoying lots of kisses from the family dog, Peaches, which I was trying to capture, but missed. Peaches and Peter's son, Ben were having some playtime.
Peaches is a really sweet dog & loves to play & cuddle.

Wednesday a.m. was a good time to hit the after Christmas sales & I found a few things to add to my stash for next year (see post below). Love to find everything 1/2 price to add to my collection. It's always fun to pull out a few new things the next year. As you can probably tell, I'm in relax mode this week. Looking forward to a New Year & lots of new & exciting things. Can't wait to catch up with all of you too to see how your Christmas went. Enjoy your last weekend of 2007!

After Christmas Shopping

Do y'all enjoy shopping at the after Christmas sales as much as I do? I really love to get out there & find some neat Christmas ornaments to put back for the next year. I usually have my eye on something that I've seen & hope that I can get back & snag it for a good deal. I did pretty good this year & got an early start on Wednesday at 7:00 am at Target. It seems lots of other folks had the same idea I did. I mainly went to check out the lights and ornaments. Hubby only requested one thing...he wanted twinkling colored net lights to put outside next year, so I found those at Target & he was happy. I would have liked white better, but I didn't argue with him, just got them. He doesn't ask for much. The glass balls above came from Target & the cute green & red mittens were deeply discounted at Pikes (a local nursery). I think I'll use them next year on my kitchen tree, since I have red & green in there.
And I've really become enamoured with mercury glass lately & found some pieces of it on clearance from Kohls & Target.
What's Christmas without a little sparkly & pretty birds? The ornaments & birds were found at Target. I think I'll have fun with these next year too.
Finally, stopped at Homegoods, where everything was 50% off & scored the large sparkly pinecones and the cute vintage sign that says it all....Christmas spirit.

Enjoy your weekend! Can you believe it's almost the New Year?! Where did the time go?

O Holy Night

"O Holy Night"

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.
The thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees, Oh, hear the angel voices
O night divine, O night when Christ was born
O night divine, O night, O night divine,
The thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees, Oh, hear the angel voices
O night divine, O night when Christ was born
O night divine, O night, O night divine,
O holy night

This is one of my favorite Christmas carols. I love to hear it strongly & passionately sung. If traditional Christmas carols proclaiming Christ's birth are ever done away with, it will be a sad day indeed.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas this season. May the peace that passes all understanding fill your hearts this Christmas. For this Holy Night changed the world and we can all believe and accept the gift that this tiny baby brought to the world...the gift of eternal life.

John 3:16 & 17: For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God did not send his son to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

Do you believe? Beautiful Christmas card that Kari (Just Livin' Large) sent me

Quick & Easy Artichoke Dip Appetizer

Are ya'll running around as crazy as I am?! It's just been one of those Christmas seasons for us, with work, as well as all the parties, gatherings, & shopping, I'm about pooped. It seems that this time of year we are all looking for those quick & easy dishes to serve up to guests or to take to a potluck or party. So, if you're looking for one more thing to make, here's a great tried & true hot dip that is always a hit with my friends. It's got 3 ingredients...my kind of recipe, quick & easy!

Hot Artichoke Dip Appetizer

2 large cans/jars artichoke hearts (drained)
1 cup mayo (I may use slightly less than this, as I don't measure & I used Light Mayo)
1 cup Parmesean cheese

Put artichoke hearts in flat baking dish, mash with fork or potato masher until flatted & softened. Add 1 cup mayo. Add 1 cup Parmesean cheese. Blend all together, flatten out in baking dish, bake for approx. 45 min. on 350*. Serve with Triskets or your favorite cracker.

It's yummy and you probably won't have any of it left. Everytime I take this somewhere, it is GONE. Have you tried the Cracked Pepper & Olive Oil Triskets yet? Those are great! So, try this if you need to make a quick dish that will have everyone begging for more! Much better than a plain ole cold spinach dip that everyone makes. Actually, I think this would be great with some spinach added in too. I will have to try that sometime. This dish came back home empty! I am looking forward to slowing down this week and relaxing a lot. Our parties are almost over (one more tonight) and then my hubby's 3 kids will all be in on Sunday to spend a few days with us. We'll do the usual hopping around to see all our family, but what I can't wait to do is to turn on the Christmas lights, play those Christmas CD's, and chill out awhile. Hope you can all do the same! Merry, Merry Christmas to all my friends! I'm so blessed to have met all of you this year & I'm very thankful for that.

Lighted Glass Block of Christmas Cheer

Have you seen these lighted glass blocks yet? They were all the rage about 2 or 3 years ago & I have always wanted one & now I do! My sweet friend, Cheryl, surprised me last week when she stopped by my office holding this beautiful glass block Christmas present that she made for me all ready to go. Click on that link & you can see in the first pic of us all in front of her tree, scroll down & see Cheryl's pretty glass block on her bench in the foyer.

I was so surprised & so excited to get it! I had long admired the one at her house when I saw it last week during our Christmas tour, so she decided to make one for me & drop it off. It's the perfect little touch of Christmas cheer & can go anywhere there is a plug-in. I found a set of instructions on how to make them here so if you'd like to talk your hubby (or if you're brave yourself, go for it!) into drilling a hole in a simple glass block, you can make your own. I heard you need a special glass drill bit, but other than that, it's pretty simple. Once you get the hole made, you slide in a small strand of white lights leaving the plug hanging out. Wrap it up pretty & you've got yourself a lighted Christmas present.

What a wonderful gift! I'm really enjoying having this little light in our bedroom to add a bit of Christmas cheer & I'll treasure it always! Thanks again, Cheryl. I so appreciate you thinking of me since I don't have a drill or a handy hubby!
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I have just been awarded 2 more blogger awards...and am quickly running out of room. I'll have to find a good place to put all these icons. I am so honored to keep getting these things & you girls are sweet to think of me.

Julie, at Fabulous Finds Studio, awarded me the Amazing Blogger award & I'm to share 7 things about myself. I have done this awhile back & totally don't remember what I shared, so I'm going to try to come up with something unique, maybe I'll throw in Christmas things:

1. I am the youngest of 2 girls in my family. I grew up not liking dolls, but was a big tomboy. I can only remember getting one babydoll for Christmas one year, but later when I got my Barbie doll, that was a real memory. I still have my Barbie doll & posted about her here, if you'd like to see Vintage Barbie.

2. I love mysteries & anything suspenseful. Scary movies are fun, but I don't love sci-fi stuff.

3. Pizza is one of my favorite foods. And I have a sweet tooth that will not quit. It's especially bad at this time of year.

4. I did not get involved in any extra curricular activities in highschool. Looking back, I wish I had, but all of my free time was spent with church activities. I secretly wanted to be a cheerleader, but I was a little too gawky for that to ever happen.

5. I was an ugly duckling and didn't blossom until after I graduated from high school. One of my good high school friends came to see me after I was away at college for a few years & when I opened the door, she asked if I was home. I died laughing!

6. I hate English peas.

7. I took piano lessons for about 5 years when I was young, but don't ask me to play anything now. It's all about gone.

Sher, at Sher's Creative Expressions, awarded me the Blogging Treasure & Bodacious Blogger awards. Thank you SO much, Sher! I'm not even sure what these are all about, but I feel honored to get them. I'll pass these on Just a Beach Kat, Maureen, and Rosemary. Have fun ladies!

And, there's another Holiday tour for this year at Tracey's, Notes from a Cottage Industry. Go on over for even more Christmas cheer!

Merry Christmas from our house to yours.....

Welcome to our home tour for Christmas. BooMama is sponsoring a huge house tour for everyone to share their Christmas decorations, so I'm sharing a few more of mine here, as well as going back to other posts where I've shared too, so hope you enjoy & don't get too tired of seeing it all! If you'd like to see even more Christmas decor, go over to her blog & see all the links. You can OD on Christmas right now!


Fresh greens on the mailbox. I love to find things outside to put together for a mailbox swag. Add a bow & it's done!
The faux frontdoor wreath that I picked up from Target a couple of years ago has a very natural look, so all I did was add a bow to it too. Cause I'm all into natural this year. The sun was coming in the windows so prettily when I took this pic & I love how it looks when you come in our frontdoor.
Closer shot of the natural greens, pinecones & pretty sparkly balls.
Closer look at the Christmas Tree...
And the tree topper, ribbon and feathers.

Sparkly pinecone wreath on the backdoor.
Sideboard in the diningroom.
A cloche covers my yardsale glass pedestal, with some tiny people, trees & faux snow a little vignette is born.

At the top of the stairs, a golden basket holds some fresh greens, pinecones, grapevine ball & shiny Rudolf.
Merry Christmas pillow in the Livingroom.
Pair of gold trees & an angel on the sofa table.
Ballards stockings hang by the fireplace.
Pretty hand blown glass heart. Got this in a gift exchange this year.

As well as the vintage Santa.
White wreaths and bottlebrush trees hang out in the breakfast room window.
Tabletop tree in the kitchen adds a bit of cheer with its shot of lime green & toile ribbon.
More of the mantel and fresh greens.
Draped with ribbons, beads & pretty ornaments.
Simplicity is wonderful.
Again, I love the contrast of fresh & natural with golden & glitzy and I think I always will have to have both! Hope you enjoyed the tour...please scroll down to the very next post for more pics and also go here and here and here to see a few things posted earlier. I think I've shared everything I can possibly share about Christmas now!

Have a great week before Christmas...hope you get all your shopping done & get to relax a little bit this week..although my shopping is not done yet! That's what I plan to do!