Candles & Seashells

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Sometimes I like to put candles in bowls. But there’s the problem of not having them stand up straight due to the way the bowl curves in at the bottom.

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I did this arrangement last night. And my solution was to take some flat marbles that I had and cover the bottom a few inches before I placed my candles in. You can kind of dig your candles into the marbles if they’re not wanting to stand up straight.

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Then I settled my candles in. And started adding seashells all around to keep them upright. Plus the seashells gives it dimension and texture that I like.

The vintage mason jars I painted with spray paint before it got cold. I still have specks of paint on my glasses as a reminder… (Note to self: next time wear plastic safety glasses.)

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I’m considering painting the old trunk white come spring. What do you think? I’m thinking all the scratches wouldn’t show up then.

The red truck got tired of the dining room and chugged its way into the living room…

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Here’s the end of the couch closest to the front door. I’ve pretty much stopped buying magazines. The prices are ridiculous. I put my favorites I’ve collected over time in this vintage wooden box. And told myself no more will fit in. Thus can’t buy more.

I know at some point I’ll see one that will make me positively ga-ga, but we’ll cross that path when we get to it.

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The yellow mums are filling out nicely. The buds are blooming and I find joy every time I walk through to the kitchen and view them.

Linking with Sherry’s Home Sweet Home & Debra’s Be Inspired.

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In Lieu Of Sunshine…

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I had to pick up a few groceries. I usually just bypass the floral section at my local grocery store because they’re generally just too high for my budget.

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But on an end aisle, I found some for $6.99. I paused, but finally something inside me said: You need some fresh flowers for the house. You need this.

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And since I yearn for sunshine, I chose yellow flowers. I brought them home and arranged them in this dark green pitcher. Then, on a whim, I sifted through my ribbon drawer and came up with this piece of cotton lace.

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The bow made me smile. So then I reached over to the vintage ironing board and got the chickens.

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Feeling buoyed by the fresh flowers, I put some candles on a cutting board and added some of the blooms that had fallen off while I was arranging the flowers. And the always cheerful red truck.

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Sometimes it is the smallest of things that make your vignette complete. I think for this one, it is the perky white bow.

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Oh, and of course the fresh flowers.

Check out my Poise post here and be sure to enter for your chance to win here.

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Tweak It Tuesday #25

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Last week Down To Earth Style tweaked the area above her piano in a very rustic yet picturesque way.

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A Cozy Place Called Home tweaked a table with lots of pretties to get us in the mood for Valentine’s Day.

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Itsy Bits And Pieces shows us how to take a lampshade from drab to fab.

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Knick Of Time pulled off a very unusual but very appealing candle holder.

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The Uncluttered Lifestyle had to leave her office in her old home. But she’s made the most of her new space and has created a very pleasant and creative spot in which to blog and work.

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Number Fifty-Three made a heart garland and created a vignette around it to show it off.

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Happy At Home always has creative scenarios in her home. Love this rustic center piece!

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Rooted In Thyme knows just how to package gifts elegantly. I would never want to open them!

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Notesongs has added another chicken to the coop that is her kitchen.

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Olive Out has made me green with envy over this kitchen island. I don’t have the room for even a teeny one! Isn’t hers beautiful?

I’m amazed at all the talent you ladies show each week. Just amazed!



Winter Blues

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I have to hand it to you people that live in cold climates. I don’t know how on earth you do it. This is the coldest place I’ve ever lived. The longest winters. The extended gray days tell me that I will never beat the blues till I see sunshine. How do you do it?

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I look for bright spots in small spaces.

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So it is yet again a gray damp day. I look out the window and I see bare branches and brown grass. Not even a bird in sight.

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Oh, how I yearn for warm days and sunshine and green leaves sprouting. Plants pushing gently up from the earth. I never realized till now how very much I need that to sustain me.

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I beg you winter months, please pass quickly. I just want to see butterflies and birds building nests and something green again.

How do you beat the winter blues?

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Photo Opportunities In The Countryside

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Last week Judy called me and said: “Want to go on an adventure?” This is what she always says when she’s offering to take me out with my camera to parts unknown. And you know me well enough to know I jump at the chance.

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First we happened upon these cute critters. They really wanted to be petted.

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Here’s Judy accommodating them.

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Then we happened upon these cutie pies.

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While we were busy petting and photographing them, out of the blue came this huge creature.

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I have to say, this is my first time photographing a llama.

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The various expressions had me laughing. The ears say it all.

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So if you’re looking for a bit of “excitement,” head out to the countryside. You never know what you’ll happen upon.

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Or who you might befriend.

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Welcome Wagon Friday 1/25/13

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It’s Welcome Wagon Friday time. Up for you this week, I have…

Fair Hope Supply Co

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What lovely camellias they have here.

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Simply Nordic Designs

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I love her altered work!

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Sunflower Hugs

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Someone who loves to renovate and upcycle furniture.

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Okay, you know what to do. Let’s welcome these new bloggers.

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Red & White Decor

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For the first time since I moved in here, I’ve tried something different in front of the fake fireplace. Polka dotted chairs to match the polka dotted mantel runner Judy made me. (Oops, there’s a bit of the overhead light showing in the sheep picture. It is dark and gray today, so needed some extra light. Keeping it real here.)

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She made me this Valentine pennant last year. So I think it looks pretty spiffy with all the other red and white.

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She and I were out taking photos in the Tulsa countryside the other day (I’ll show that later), and we stopped at Dollar Tree on the way back. I picked up these cute little heart picks. Didn’t know what I was going to do with them. But here they are plopped in a couple of white pitchers.

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If you have red and white, you’ve got Valentine’s Day as far as I’m concerned. So bring out the red and white! Such a cheerful color combo.

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Sharing with Be Inspired Friday at Common Ground  & Home Sweet Home at The Charm Of Home

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