September Acres

I think it's safe to say that 2011 wasn't a banner reading year for Debra.  I'm not sure why but I hope that I can read more in 2012 as I have a list of books I want to read.  I did read the following books, which really stood out as the best in my mind: The Help by Kathryn Stockett Who didn't read and love "The Help"?  If you didn't, you are missing out.     by Holly Chamberlin "The Summer of Us" was a quick, beachy-type read.  Entertaining for sure & my first book of Holly Chamberlin's.  She has others that I will put on my 2012 list.   One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp "One Thousand Gifts" was another book I think most of us read.  While I enjoyed the book I have to admit it took me a while to get through it - I found her writing style a bit difficult for me but there are post-it notes and highlights throughout the book reminding me of some of the phrases I really liked or paragraphs I want to look back on.  I th...

As I take a look back on 2011, I am linking up to Rhoda's party, where lots of others are doing the same.  I don't know about you, but so often I don't think I get alot accomplished.  As I looked back over what I did in 2011 I realized it was actually quite a bit and I had to narrow down my fun projects to 11 when I originally thought I might struggle to find 11 that were worthy of showing again! Here you go, in no particular order (because what fun would that be?)  If you want to see the original post just click on the caption below each picture.  Enjoy! Kitchen Backsplash Guest Bath Reveal A Little Bit of Glitter DIY Mercury Glass Easter Table Those Really Old Paperbacks Get Framed How Do You Like Me Now? Fresh Towels Ballet Shoes Sprucing up the Entryway Don't forget to head over the Southern Hospitality for more reminiscing! Also Linking up to Tatertots & Jello ...

It's time for Melissa's Favorite Things Party  over at 320 Sycamore.  It's one of my favorite things! Here's my list of my other favorite things: The Kitchen Aid Mixer.  L O V E  It is the first Christmas gift my husband bought me 15 or so years ago and it's still one of my favorite things in my kitchen.  Mine is white and the basic model.  Nothing fancy here but it can take all the attachments and is a whiz in the kitchen!  Can't imagine not having it. Pan Am, the series.  I really look forward to Sunday nights.  This is the only hour long drama I watch and I am hooked.  I hear a rumor that the show may not be here for the long haul (& I hope it's just a rumor) but there are still a few more episodes that are supposed to be aired and I am going to enjoy them and ignore the nasty rumors. The pomegranate.  I love a good pomegranate.  In it's pure state, eaten raw.  Just like you see here....

~ Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?~  Clarence Oddbody, 'It's a Wonderful Life'

Here are a few glimpses of Christmas at September Acres. The Tree.  The wreath by the front door. The stockings hung just inside of the front door.  Not our 'Santa' stockings, just something fun. A bit of our new Christmas Village.  LM has been asking for one for a couple of years.  We spotted this 'starter' set at Lowes for $79 so I caved!  I am enjoying it and can't wait to see what additions I can find at the after Christmas sales! Our coffee table and the Christmas card 'bucket'. A side table in the living room.  My mom gave me the print in the frame.  I have no idea where it came from so if it's yours or you know who created it please let me know so I can give credit where credit is due.  It's cute though, isn't it? Everyday dining room table.  You can see my formal one here .  I love the blue with the red.  Love. The Christmas tree in LM's room.  She picked out a pink one at Hobby Lobby but I ...

The lights are twinkling on my master bedroom mantel this year.  I wanted this to be simple, serene, relaxing.  And blue.  I like to incorporate my year 'round decor into my Christmas decor when I can - saves on the need for extra storage space - even for just a few weeks it's sometimes hard to find room to store some of the bigger things.  Plus, it's fun to give the everyday a different look. This bowl of shells gives the mantel a 'beachy' or coastal look which I love.  The blue vase on the right was a summer purchase this year. Another view of the shells and vase.  The little white stocking on the right is metal.  It's one of my favorite Christmas pieces. The little tree has the only pop of red on the mantel.  Shells lay around the tree like little gifts from the sea.  The greenery is faux but works nicely here. I was thrilled I could use the blue candle stick (below) here.  The big frame i...

The Christmas decorations are out and the first area I have totally completed is the dining area.  My idea was to create a 'winter wonderland' - neutral, clean, simple.  I am loving how it turned out and loving how little I spent to create the look even more!  The pictures were taken at night so the lighting isn't the very best but I kind of like the wintry feeling the nighttime photos capture. The picture above is the whole table including the stars (75 cents each from Michaels) hanging from the ceiling fan, which I LOVE.  I hung them with 'tinsel' ribbon from Stampin Up which I already had and it is so perfect for this project. I used a drop cloth (6' X 9') which I already had for the table cloth.  I topped that with a cream damask runner that I have had forever - I thought that added a little bit of texture and was a contrast to the rough drop cloth.  I considered cutting the drop cloth to fit the table a little better but in the end I figured...

 I wanted to frame my pink and green advent calendar  using something fun.  I thought the Krylon Glitter Blast in Citrus Dream would be just the ticket.  I got a simple white frame from Michaels.  It was 50% off - I think I ended up paying $5 or $6 for it but this is the kind of project that is perfect for a dollar store or goodwill frame, so you could spend less. Due to my super fabulous photography skills (is it me or the camera?) I am not sure you can really see how spectacular this turned out.  I hope I did it a bit of justice anyway.  I would use the Glitter blast again - it is so sparkly!  And the color is really fun! I think this will end up in LM's room with her new lime green mini Christmas tree.  Photos to come really soon. I'm linking up to Tuesday's Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia.

  I am a lover of advent calendars.  So when I saw this Stampin' Up stamp set I know I had to have it.  Not that I need to make or buy another advent calendar.  This set has a stamp for each day of December so instead of making a traditional advent calendar I decided to make more of a Christmas wall hanging using each day.  The one above is the first one I made.  I love the pink and green and the plan is that those will be my 'colors' for this year.  I still need a frame for that one - my idea is to get a frame (a cheap one) and spray paint it with my Krylon Glitter Blast in Citrus Dream (a bright green).  I'll definitely be sharing that and I hope it turns our pretty! The hanging below is framed and ready for gift giving.  I Love the simplicity of this.  Basic Christmas colors and lots of white.  I got a bit more creative with this one - some embellishments, embossing, etc. For a more rustic or down to earth lo...