Lots of pictures!!!

Finally....I am getting the house ready for the holidays!

The first things that came out were the cute birds I received from Kris at Junk Chic Cottage, last year.

I think the mantle is finally finished!! I have changed it a few times...lol.

I don't know about you....but this blogger "print" thing is driving me crazy! I cannot get my original print anymore....and the size is all wonky.

I have way more bottle brush trees than I thought! That's quite alright, however, because I love decorating with them.

I am smitten with the Tilda reindeer I made. Will be making another soon!

I am working on another pop-up card from Kerryanne at Shabby Art Boutique.  She has so many beautiful projects to put together.

I still like miniatures! 

Here is one of the angels I made with my grandgirls last year.

They spent a few days here last week, and I taught them how to knit.

The joy in my heart today is overflowing.

Decorating, and planning for Christmas always makes me happy.

Most of all....the reason for the season...Jesus brings me the most joy of all!!!

Enjoy each moment!!!!

xxoo

Holiday time....

I am slowly bringing out the Christmas decorations.

The bottlebrush trees are one of the first things I put out.

I took these pictures at night, so they are dark....but cozy.

Our Thanksgiving was wonderful!

We went downstate to spend time with kids, and grandkids.

The roads were good for traveling there and back.

We all brought food, and it was one of the best Thanksgiving dinners we have ever had!!

After watching the football game, we played the video version of Pictionary. Lots of laughter, and fun!

I am waiting for the new Christmas tree to arrive.  We have a pretty flocked tree that I will be taking to the church this year.

The tree I ordered looks like a jack-pine. We used to get them when we lived in the farmhouse.

I hope your Thanksgiving was a time of good food, and grand company.

xo

Saturday....

What a gorgeous day!

It's a little chilly, but the sun is shining, and we have a light wind.

The water is clear,  and the ducks are bobbing up and down as the water flows beneath them.

With the threat of another shut down looming in our future, I decided to pick up a few things at the grocery store.....some canned goods, and boxed items.

The grocery store where I shop was loading up their shelves, possibly getting ready for the upcoming holiday.  I was able to get some items that weren't available in previous trips to the store.

With the time change, and the early sunsets, the house is cozy in the evenings.  Fall colored lights, and candles flickering give the house a warm glow.

Working on Christmas projects, puts me in the mood to slowly transition the decor to Christmas.

Our tree usually goes up Thanksgiving weekend.

My bff, Sue, and I worked on reindeer last night. After finishing this one up, I didn't want to put him away until next week, so here he sits.....

Our women's Bible study this morning was wonderful!!

Everyone is becoming more comfortable sharing, and it's such a blessing to see people encouraging one an other.

Our prayer time is becoming more intense.

It amazes me how God orchestrates every meeting to meet the need, or needs of each person there.

I look forward to meeting every Saturday morning, and experiencing His presence among us.

Enjoy every moment of each day, and realize even the smallest blessings.....have a great Saturday evening. xo

My cousin, Lisa.

 We've experienced  Indian Summer these past few days. How glorious to see all the sunshine, and feel the warmth. in the air.

Even in this time of confusion for so many, God's presence has been like a breath of fresh air!

My dear cousin, Lisa, and I have been talking back and forth over the past few days.

Memories have been flooding our hearts and minds. Some fun, and some not so wonderful.

Our childhoods were extremely difficult. 

Things happened that left scars, and pain.

God did, however, bring into our thoughts some times of fun, and laughter as we grew up. Lisa and I spent a lot of time together as young children....and into our teens.

She was more like a sister, then a cousin to me.

Even as young mom's, we spent time together. Lisa lived just one block away from me, and what a blessing that was!!

The hardships of the past, affect who we are today.

I am grateful that God has taken all the circumstances, and situations from my past and has used them for His Glory.

Jesus helps us move beyond the painful memories, and brings us hope and healing to the deepest wounds of our hearts.

The two of us, Lisa and I, cherish our families, and are stronger because of the obstacles we faced.

We learned what NOT to be, and are so blessed to have people in our lives that love and appreciate us for who we are.

I thank God for His love and grace. 

My relationship with Him has grown more intimate over time. 

"And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." 1 Peter 5:10

"
Joel 2:22 tells us that God restores to us the years the locust have eaten.

Whatever we have experienced, Jesus loves us and will restore us.

I am so glad to have my cousin, Lisa.

She understands my past, and loves me through all of it.

She is a kind and gentle soul.....put in my life to encourage, and accept me as I am.

Some of us choose to learn from our past, and some choose to remain victims.  

Having Jesus in my heart has had a profound affect on who I have become....in spite of the past.

In Christ Jesus.

Debbie xo

Enjoying life.

We had a snowstorm for Halloween this year!

Thank goodness the temps came back up, and the white stuff has all melted..

We are still adding Fall decor here at the lakehouse....getting ready for Thanksgiving.

We worked on this cute scarecrow, trying to get it done on time for Fall.

I had one a few years ago, and used it outside.. The wind smashed it to the ground, and I have wanted to "remake" him for a long time.

I think we will be keeping this one inside for this season.

The sun is shining, and the temps should reach almost 70.

Our normal for this time of year is the mid 40's.

A friend of mine, Pat, is helping me accomplish something that I have wanted to do for years.

Being inside because of the weather/season, and the covid issue, I have the time to work on water colors. I have worked with acrylics for years, but water color is a different technique.

I bought ALOT of supplies to get started, and work on projects to learn this art. 

Another thing I have picked up again is knitting. I don't do any fancy stitches...mostly straight knit and pearl.. 

There are many things you can do with just the two stitches that I know, so I am starting to look for projects that will work with "what I know".

I am enjoying so many of the things that I used to do, and new things, as well.  

God blesses us with talents, and gifts. If we can use those talents to bless others, how wonderful!! If we use our gifts to minister to others, even better!!!

I am loving life....yet know that what is to come is even a greater experience to be had!!!!

I am consciously determined 

to go on, inspite of all of the negative situations happening in these days. I trust that God is in control, and that He has a plan.  I am determined to trust Him!

As life unfolds, there are many things to be grateful for.....living joyfully is the key. 

Do the things that you enjoy doing. Live life to the fullest. Find joy in everything. 

and know beyond any doubt, that you are assured eternity IN CHRIST JESUS.

Debbie xxxooo

Adding color.

Fall was not my favorite season.

Probably because I would dread what came afterwards....Winter.

This year my idea of "life" has changed.

It's only taken 66 years to figure it out.....learning to enjoy each moment of life, in any season.

The weather here has been cold, and dreary. We don't see much of the sun, compared to Summer.

It would always make me sad, because I am such a Summer person.

I was outside yesterday, and found these gorgeous roses on the arbor.

If something this beautiful can bloom in the most dreary weather.....than so can I.

Even for Fall decor, I chose white.

Seeing all of the warm colors of Fall, outside, made me realize I could have that same warm, cozy feeling on the inside of the house.

There are so many interesting things in nature that are worth enjoying each and every day.

Not trying to take away from those that prefer neutrals, and whites. I have decorated that way for YEARS.

This "change" began last year.....transitioning to...and adding more color to the palette. 

I will, probably, always lean more toward white in decorating...but am developing a taste for more.

It started when we bought the sectional for the living room.

It was more for comfort, and durability that I chose the sofa that we have now.

We have a large family, and my husband loves to stretch out while watching television.

I ended up choosing a charcoal/green color, instead of white slipcovers. And the style is more "modern" looking than I have chosen in the past.

It took me about a year to stop covering the sofa with white sheets, and quilts to brighten it up.

Now, I leave it as is.

The entire house had to be "in order", and follow a theme as far as decor goes.

Maybe it's because I am really old now, or I just don't care????

Or maybe, I realized that living doesn't need so much, as far as being extremely structured, is concerned.

It feels good to relax, and enjoy being free of restraints.

I don't have a craft room.

Every time I worked on a project, I would pull all the things I needed out, and put it all away at the end of the day.

I am now using my desk to do "whatever" it is I decide to do at a given moment. I keep it orderly, but NOT "sterile" any more.

If I choose to paint, draw, write a letter, etc. everything is there at the ready.

I am choosing to be less rigid, and it feels nice.  Living is not meant to be such a "chore".....it's to be enjoyed~

No one else lives here, except Jim and I.  So why do I worry about what everything looks like to someone else?

As long as things don't turn into a "blight" situation, I will not become a slave to "appearances" anymore. lol.

If I add color, it's okay.

I used to be strictly Shabby Chic. Now I consider myself to be "eclectic". Or maybe early American garage sale....it's all good.

I have always been "a work in progress".....

Jesus loves us as unique individuals. Thank God above for that!!!!

Smooches,

Debbie

xo

p.s. I may need a bigger desk for my sewing machine, and supplies.

Seasons of Hope.

Fall here at the lake has been very rainy, windy, and cold.

I am so grateful that Summer was filled with sunshine and warm temperatures.

The leaves have been falling, with the help of the wind, at a steady pace.

Each passing day brings us closer to the season of Winter.

The water levels have gone down dramatically this year, so all the rain we are getting will, hopefully, help with that issue.

We live on one of the canals that go out to the lake. It is quieter, for the most part, than being right on the lake. Except on the days that are too windy to be out on the water....we get a lot of boat traffic in the canals with people that want to enjoy their boats, and the sunshine.

We have our own beach for the kids. Most homes have a full seawall across their property. I think we are one of two homes that have a beach in our subdivision. 

We love it!

Having the boat right out our door is wonderful!!

We have two docks built into the seawall, as well.

It's a perfect spot for outdoor living.

We really LOVE Summer here.

After all of the boats are stored for the winter, the canal looks pretty empty.

There are a lot of colorful trees to enjoy in the early months of Fall.

Plus, the changes in the gardens add interest to the landscape.

What few flowers are left are drenched with the rain.

I will miss the pretty colors of the flowers over the long Winter months.

But with each season, there is always hope.

There is beauty all around with each change.

The excitement of the Fall colors. That first snowfall brings delight, because we know the holidays are approaching.

Every Spring brings new life into the gardens. 

Summer is filled with laughter, and people enjoying the outdoors.

Even the long season of Winter has activities to enjoy.

Hopefully, I will have days to get out and snowshoe.

I actually love a good old Michigan blizzard!  Being snowed in with the house all decorated for the holidays. Baking cookies, and making soup. Sipping on a latte as I read my Bible, and pray.

Life is filled with so much hope.....most importantly.....the hope of spending eternity with the Creator of all things.

Look for the smallest blessing in each day, of every season.

God is good!!!

All the time!!

xxoo

 

Catching up....

What has happened to blogger?

I am having an awful time with it!!

I guess the loss of the use of my computer set me back a little.

Hopefully things will improve as I work out the bugs.

Since I have been away for a while, I thought I would share some of the things that I did these past few weeks.

I dried quite a few flowers over the summer, and put together some bouquets.

I've had this nest for a long time. Adding dried roses made it look a lot different.

Using sea glass, and shells from Sanibel Island, this old window sash got a make over. The photo isn't the best because of too much back lighting from outside. Even the crab shells were used.

The Hydrangea bushes gave me LOTS of blossoms to dry this year!

I plan to put together a couple of wreaths with some of them.

(notice the string of orange lights in the doorway) 

I used warm Fall colors for this years decorating, and the lights give a wonderful glow in the evenings.

The days of decorating with all "white", for me, have passed.

Not saying that I have abandoned all use of white....it seems that adding a little color the past couple of years, turned into a "thing" for me.

The cottage seems to have a MORE eclectic look nowadays....or maybe a more "old lady" look???

xxoo

Finally....I am back!!

It's been quite a while since I've posted! My computer has not been working for months.

When I came back to blogger, things have changed!!

I had to check out my last post, and it was full of weird comments!!

Hopefully, I will be able to start blogging again...if I can keep this computer running.

We are ready for Fall here at the lake. 

Boats are out of the water, and things are put away, and covered up.

I've decorated the house in warm Autumn colors.

These cuties were found at my favorite local shop....Morning Glory Mercantile.

I had so many hydrangeas this year. LOVE the colors!

Instead of the more popular velvet pumpkins, I tried knitting some. They turned out okay.

I also put together a small garland.  Cute for Halloween.

My photos are not the best. I took these tonight....because I just got this crazy computer back this evening.  

Happy to finally be back. 

Happy Fall!

Debbie

xxoo