"My Newest Member"

As you already know,

 I am a lover of fine china, crystal and silver.  

With that being said let me introduce you 

to my newest member of...

 "The Dining Room"

Isn't she lovely?

  I found this beauty at an antique mall south of Nashville in Franklin,Tennessee.

Solid mahogany, made in 1946.

I decided to dress her up in with some crystal pieces 

I had collected over the years.

A perfect Traditional addition!

Oh how I would love to know her story.

For some unknown reason,

she reminds me of my grandmother.

My dad, born and raised in South Carolina, 

tells me the story of his father

 taking my grandmother to Hickory, North Carolina 

and purchasing furniture for their new home.

 My grandmother selected all the furniture, 

her dining room was solid mahogany.  

I guess that's where I inherited my love

for traditional cherry and mahogany decor.

My fall addition this year...

very simple :)

and the picture front and center...

my precious girls.

 It's my most treasured piece in my home.

Every time I take a glance...

it truly makes my heart smile!

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Matthew 5:8

A Fall Welcome

One of the best things about Fall and Christmas is dressing up my front entrance :) 

I look so forward to seeing all the stores put out their mums, pumpkins and gourds...

then I know it's time!!!

This year I added some old corn crates that I found at our local farmers market, "Sunny Side".

I just LOVE lanterns!

and this road...

it always makes my heart smile :)

 why might you ask..

 it leads me back to my favorite place.

 There's No Place Like Home!!!

"Satisfy us in the morning 
with your unfailing love,

that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days."

Psalms 90:14

Blessed

I love decorating my home for the different seasons.  

Fall has to be my favorite.  

The simple touches of fall brought indoors

 brings such a warm and cozy feel.

So excited to introduce the newest addition...

My Fall Mantel

Some branches from outdoors fill my urn...

a simple fall touch

Can you say "pumpkin love" 

Yep!  At least one on every table :)

And lets not forget the breakfast room!

My Mantel...

Just another simple reminder of how truly Blessed I am 

in so MANY areas of my life.

Blessed are those who observe justice and who do right and are in right standing with God at all times.

Psalm 106:3

Happy Halloween!

Fall Back Porch View

Fall....

leaves, pumpkins and cooler weather 

ALL come to mind for me!

Another beautiful season from our creator....

and the view from my back porch...

well...I'd say it speaks for itself!

Fall just wouldn't be complete 

without adding a few pumpkins...

Porch time is the best time 

especially with the cooler weather of fall!

Just sittng back and taking in all the beauty around me.

Once again...

Counting my blessing and thanking HIM!

Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for HE is good!  

For HIS mercy endures forever...

1 Chronicles 16:34

Goodbye Summer!

It's been a great summer……

kind of sad to say goodbye!

Especially to multiple baskets of goodies like this one.

Our garden was very plentiful this year.

We were very blessed despite having record high temperatures with little rain…….

Bell peppers, tomatoes, banana peppers, green beans, purple hull peas, okra, squash,
egg plant, cucumbers and cantaloupes.
We did a lot of sharing with friends and family.
I also had some time for canning with mom,
another post to come.

Dinners like this will surely be missed……
fresh veggies are so much better!

….and these little guys

I'm really gonna miss them hanging around.

Goodbye humming birds, see you come spring!

He made the moon to mark the seasons; 
the sun knows its time for setting.
Psalm 104:19

30 Days and Counting!

Anna Maria Island.............
 

My husband grew up on this beautiful island 

and our family has vacationed here for the past 24 years.

So thankful that his parents decided to buy a place there many years ago.

It's simply a small piece of Heaven,

 one of those chairs is waiting for me!

Lots of rest and relaxation.
The tranquility of this stretch of sand is exceptional for the mind and for the soul.

We love eating at our favorite local restaurants.

The City Pier has the best grouper sandwich around, delicious!

and the atmosphere at the Sand Bar Restaurant......

it's incredible.

Having dinner sitting on the beach overlooking the gulf, 

waiting for another beautiful sunset!

 The day is not complete without stopping by Dips

and getting a scoop of ice cream 

or their amazing Mango Gelato,

it's so yummy!

and.......

Taking one of these in, is the only way to end the day!

...another canvas from our Amazing Creator.

There are no two sunsets ever the same.

This little island definitely makes my heart smile!

Where are you guys headed this summer?

The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.
Psalm 29:11