My Heart's All Aflutter...

I adore hearts and have collected many over the years.  One type of heart in particular catches my attention and totally intrigues me.  Not that I believe this inanimate object has any healing power of its own, but  I just adore these milagro hearts! They are simply stunning!

Let The Sun Shine In

I love all types of glass bottles....but none more than pretty colored ones....and in particular....transparent ones in a window with the light streaming through.

Snow Day Project

Everyone . . . . ok, most everyone . . . . likes a Snow Day!  Am I right?  I thought so!  However when Snow Day 2 arrives, you . . . meaning I . . . . get a little stir crazy.  So let's back up a little . . . this is how it went down . . .

A Sweet Writing Desk & Feminine Touches

I am a girly-girl.  There is no doubt in that!  I love pink, lace, ruffles, and frills.  However, that's not my decorating style.  But in my bedroom, I have many feminine touches.  Today, I'm sharing my writing desk.  Everything here makes me smile and happy!

That Small Town Feeling

I've always lived in a small town.  It's the life for me.  I have been fortunate to travel some awesome places...many large cities...but my heart belongs to "small town living". 

For 52 years, I lived in the same small town...I grew up here and raised my boys here.  Just this past August, I found my cottage in a neighboring town...and yes, it is a small town too!

Every where I turn, there's a small town, and I like it that way.  I love the fact that I'm only around an hour from Nashville, TN, Chattanooga, TN, and Huntsville, AL for shopping and restaurants.  However, I am only minutes in all directions from quaint little towns like Tullahoma, Lynchburg, and Manchester.

Today after work, I needed to run an errand in Manchester...about 15 min. from work.  Luckily, this was one of my early days that I don't tutor after school.  So I decided to treat myself to a little small town fun...

Come with me, and let me show you what I mean...

Love Came Down at Christmastime

Love did, indeed, come down at Christmastime.  The CHRISTmas story brings tears to my eyes every time!  I think of Mary in her "predicament" and how hard it was for her...engaged to be married , still a virgin but "with child"  and I think of her trust in God through it all!  Then I think of Joseph and his "predicament" and truly see him  as a Hero with very little credit.  He could have bowed out but he didn't!  Thank goodness for his faithfulness.  Then comes baby Jesus...King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the Prince of Peace...Emmanuel...

Glory to God in the Highest!

Tom and Jerry

I adore Tom and Jerry!

No...I'm not talking about the cartoon characters, Tom and Jerry...although I have to admit they are pretty cute too!

I mean the 19th century Tom and Jerry Christmas drink.

Christmas Dessert Table

source

Traditions have always been important to me...we had many traditions when I was a young child, especially at Christmas, that I hold dear to my heart today!  When I had a family, I started Christmas traditions of my own.  However, when your children grow up and have families of their own, those traditions can change.  And now at this season in my life, I am starting new traditions once again...and that's ok.

This year, my kids will arrive Christmas night.  We will have our "Christmas" on the 26th.  We will all gather at my oldest son's home for an early dinner and gift exchange.  That evening we will gather at my new home for dessert, light hors d'oeuvres and drinks.  So, my quest for inspiration began.  In my previous post, I shared Christmas goodies that are a must for my dessert/hors d'oeuvre table.  I wanted to share some new ideas that I have found that have inspired me.  I hope something will jump out and grab you for a little Christmas inspiration!

So let's get started...

My Christmas Home Tour

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!  Oh how I have waited and anticipated decorating my cottage for Christmas.  I can't even begin to put into words the feeling I have for the first Christmas in my cottage!  I am beyond giddy.  It's been a long two years after the divorce, but I am stronger and happier than I have ever been!  I've hung in there when times got tough, relied on God, and here I am...in my very own home that I got all by myself...with God's hand in it all the way.  Boy, it feels GOOD!

This was the first thing I put up this year....the vintage ornament wreath that I made a couple of years ago.  It makes me *HAPPY*

And I even have one on the inside of the same door.  :)

So without further delay, let's get to the tour of my cottage all decked out for Christmas!

A "Two Seater" Spruced Up For Spring

So the other day, my bestie and I did lunch and then prowled around some antique shops.  We chose to do both in a small neighboring town.  It was a nice little outing...even though we had to drive back home in a torrential rainstorm!

Egg Roll In A Bowl

Photo by Chippy White Cottage

The holidays are long gone, and I need to get back on track!  I've got to rid my pantry of any junk and get back to eating clean again!  I put back on several pounds over Thanksgiving and Christmas, and I'm feeling sluggish again.  I hate when I do that to myself!

A Ride Through The Countryside

Even though I don't live in a big city, there is still a hustle and bustle of everyday life.  You don't have long to drive from my town to be in the countryside, whichever way that you travel.  For me, there is a sense of peace...a light feeling...as if a weight (that I didn't realize was there) is lifted. 

Treat Her to a Tea Party

Tea Parties and Little Girl (and Big Girls) always go together!

Ring In The New Year

It's a new year...new beginnings...fresh start...clean slate...

Let's Celebrate!

For the first time, I was going to be alone for New Year's Eve.  Not that we ever did anything terribly exciting, but we always had a nice dinner, watched a movie or played games, watched "the ball" drop, and had a celebratory drink at midnight.  So this year, I decided I would not be alone, and  invited my bestie for a girl's night pajama party.  We watched all the Twilight movies (can you believe I had never seen any of them??) and ate!  I decided that I would make party hats for us ahead of time.  So, into my craft supplies I went...and this is what I came up with...

  They were FUN to make and very easy!  So if you want to make your own for New Year's or birthday...here's how to do it...

Pink Christmas...Santa, Angel, and More!

Who says Santa has to be dressed in red?  I think Santa looks positively perfect in PINK!  Don't ya think?  I'm sure Mrs. Claus would agree too....because after all, REAL men wear PINK!  And why can't trees be pink too...like this little cutie!

PINK angels are precious...I adore this little one that I found at Belk a few years ago.  I wish I could find more similar to her.  Speaking of PINK trees...This cute tinsel tree came as a set of 3 (pink, aqua, gold).  I found them on Etsy a few hears back.  

This little Christmas book isn't pink but it sure is cute!  I bought 4 of these from The Curly Willow, a nearby sweet little vintage shop.  ADORABLE!

 Bottle brush trees are so darling!  This little aqua one has been decorated in the sweetest pink mini ornies and topped with a PINK bird that has an incredible PINK tail!!!  And on the strand of Mercury beads, there are a few PINK ones hear and there.

These were the kind of ornaments we had on our tree when I was young.  There is nothing like these colorful ball ornaments.  I adore these even today...placed in a bowl, in an apothecary jars, and even on the tree.  So delicate, so fragile, so beautiful!

Happy Pink Saturday, everyone!  Head over to Beverly's for your Saturday PINK fix!  You'll be glad you did!

Cottage Blessings,

Happy Halloween!

I love decorating for Halloween.  I have always loved Halloween since I was a kid.