One day at a time.

First of all, I'd like to thank Diana (from Nana Diana Takes a Break) for her post about the feature in Romantic Country Magazine.

That was very kind of you, dear friend.

Second, for the suggestion from Tessa to make the images a little smaller to fit in with the format of my blog.

I am open to any suggestions that will improve the overall appearance of the blog. So....please let me know if this looks better.....I appreciate your honesty dear lady.

The flowers from the garden that have been drying were ready to finish the wreath hanging over the mantle.

I showed you the partially finished version.

This is how it looks now.

I am happy with the way it turned out.

The lack of sunshine has me in a melancholy mood these days.

With the holidays approaching, reminders of my niece have been creeping in my mind.

My sister is going through some difficult days....missing her daughter.

We talk on the phone (she lives in Washington state) many times for encouragement.

I cannot imagine being in her position.

Needing some connection, a word, a photo, any little detail to keep that person alive in your heart.

We try to capture memories, and hold them tight....not wanting them to escape our minds eye.

If we could just keep them from fading away.......

I think that's why we talk about our loved ones so much.

To keep those memories alive in our hearts and minds.

So they don't become lost.

We hold on tight to the funny things, and let go of the sadness.....slowly.

There is no time limit on grief.

Until we've grieved, we will muddle through the sadness with the freshness of our loss. Yet laugh about the silly times we remember. The times that seem like yesterday. We will reinforce the fun, and hold those days captive in our hearts, until they take over the grief......one day at a time.
My love to my sister, Denise.
Debbie
xo

Sissie and JDL

Good Sunday morning to you.

It's bright and sunny here at the lake this morning.

The Nuthatches and Chickadees are busy at the feeders, filling up on seed, getting ready for the cold weather ahead.

I know I've shared my angel wings with you before, but I wanted to let you know about the blogger that I bought them from.

I'm sure you know her.....Sissie, from Sissie's Shabby Cottage.

She's one of the first bloggers that I started following when I joined the blogging community.

Sissie is a very talented a creative lady.

Her home is gorgeous!

She is kind beyond words....and I just love her style.....not just decor wise, but as a person, too!

Sissie sells items from the Jeanne d' Arc Living line.

The pieces for your home are beautiful!

I ordered this lovely pillow slip, with it's wonderful detailing, and was recently gifted with another (from Sissie) with another. The workmanship in the product is amazing!

I LOVE the lace angel wings I ordered from her, too!

They will definitely be a part of my Christmas decor this year.

I'm using an idea that I saw on Sissie's blog for the wings...using a rosary made by Kerrie at Seawashed....another talented artist met through blogging.

You can see a scarf from JDL with the wings, and rosary as part of the vignette.

Part of the JDL clothing line.

I've ordered three tunics from the clothing line, and LOVE them all!

The shoulder bag is a stunner, and I've received many compliments on that.

Sissie sells her JDL pieces through her etsy store. 
It's a quick and easy process, and I personally guarantee you will be pleased with your purchase.
I have not been asked, or compensated to do this post. I am doing it because I LOVE this classy lady, and am so pleased with the line of merchandise she sells.
Enjoy your day!!!
xoxoxo

Happy Halloween!!!

Happy Halloween to you!

My email has been down for quite a bit, so I had to switch from hotmail to gmail.

My new address is in my profile if you need it.

The weather here is very nasty for the poor trick or treaters. 

Cold, windy and raining....and  some flakes here and there.

A good night to stay inside and sit by the fire.

My stomach has been feeling a little off the past week....symptomatic of Crohn's Disease.

I doubt I will be doing much in the way of partying tonight.

The white chalky brand of liquid relief for the stomach will be my drink of choice for the evening.

No ice....just straight up for me, thank you.

It should clear up in a couple of more days.

It's kind of like the tide....some days you have high tide, then it rolls back out. There have been times when a tsunami came crashing in....those days you need more than the chalky liquid drinks.

Things could always be worse.

It could rain on Halloween!!!

Hopefully the weather will let up long enough for the kids to get out and have some fun.

They look forward to this all year long.

I'd hate for them to get colds and flu because of the bad weather.

Ahem.....have you had your flu shot???

Just a plug from your friendly pharmacy tech.

AND don't forget about setting your clock back if you live anywhere around me......I deplore daylight savings time, by the way.  Does Hallmark make a card for that?

I sincerely hope that the weather is nice where you are, so the kids can enjoy their evening.
Have a HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!
Debbie
xo

Spider Legs and Eye of Newt.

If I wasn't ready for Fall before, I am now!

We woke up to our cars covered with snow yesterday morning.

I finally caved, and broke into the totes filled with the Fall decorations yesterday afternoon.

I was using dried flowers for my decorating....but with Halloween fast approaching, I decided it was time to bring out the few things I have that really say "Fall".

I don't do the traditional browns and oranges much here at the Lakehouse, except for two particular spots. Over the television, and over the kitchen sink. I even use mini-multi-colored lights....yellow, green, and orange that come in the softer hues in clusters of three on the string.

Maybe it's the kid in me that still likes the glow at night..... with the pumpkins, scarecrows, witch hats, black cats, bittersweet, and gourds.

The rest of the house is burlap sunflowers, dried flowers, and an occasional bottle of witches brew.

And don't forget the candles......LOTS of candles!!!!
Debbie
xoxoxoxoxoxo

Stoke up the fire!!!

There's a stiff north wind blowing here in Northern/lower Michigan. 

The cold air comes down from Canada, and crosses over the Great Lakes, bringing with it cooler temperatures for our region.

The leaves haven't reached their peak colors as of yet, but with these harsh winds, they might not hang on long enough for the color tour this season.

We had a long warm spell that caused things to run a little later than usual this year.

Colder weather is moving in quickly the past few days, along with the winds.

Everyone was busy getting the boats out of the water recently, and cleaning up what was left out for those warm Autumn days we were enjoying.

We will be using the pellet stove for added heat for the colder months ahead.

That meant it was time to re-arrange the living room to make better use of the stove.

It does seem cozier this time of year with the fire going, and throws on the sofas.

Our cottage has a huge room that we divide in the winter.

Half is used for sitting by the fire, and the other half is for tv watching.

The room is open, so both sides get the benefit of the fire.

This side is the one with the pellet stove...I cozy it all up, and make it as romantic as I can.

There are lots of candles, and the faux fireplace is here, too.

There is a vintage dressing screen that kind of gives it a little more coziness, as well.

The other side of the room is all white..slip covered sofa and chair, tv cupboard, side table, etc. Not very romantic....just a place to kick back and relax.
We are ready for some warm fires, and candle light here at the Lakehouse. The wine cabinet is stocked, and I just found some pretty vintage wine glassed at one of my favorite shops in town.
I am finally ready for Autumn!! *wink.
Debbie
xoxoxoxoxoxo

A couple of changes.

Moving things around again.

My house is like a giant game board...pieces are being moved around constantly!

My poor husband never knows where it's safe to sit.

He never enters a room with the lights off!

I got this French door but the trim was a little wonky in the middle section.

The supplier didn't have a replacement, so the company told me to keep the door, but graciously refunded my money. 

Hubby couldn't remove the trim, because it's nailed, AND glued in place. He was worried he would tear the veneer if he tried pulling the trim off.

I debated on how I could use the door without the trim drawing my eye to the flawed piece.

First, I repainted the door to match my decor. It went from green to French blue, sanded, then washed with French grey.

I hung the door, and made sure the trim was tucked behind my desk (in the corner).

Ta..da.....unless you walk over to the desk, and look behind it, you can't tell there's a problem!!!

If I ever move the door, the desk will have to go with it!!!!! lol.

Something else I changed were the chair pads in the dining room.

Earlier this year I had made toile covers.

With the "darker" months coming, I decided to change out the black print covers for these grain sack covers .

They brighten up the dining room for the coming winter months.

I really like the way they look!

Have a terrific Saturday!
Debbie
xoxoxo

My Fall Mantel.

I brought in some things from the garden to decorate the mantel.

Gorgeous roses, and porcelain berries.

I might have waited a bit too long to bring in the berries.

The birds got to them before I did.

Who could resist these beautiful colors?

I love the blues, purples, and greens.

Maybe not your traditional fall colors....but combined with the dried roses, and hydrangea....the late blooming roses, and berries speak to my heart.

My fall mantel....steeped high in seasonal berries, dried flowers, and late season roses.

Happy Saturday to you!
Debbie
xo