Fortunately . . . Unfortunately

If you are familiar with the childrens' book, Fortunately Unfortunately by Remy Charlip, you will understand my life lately.

There has been a series of good things,

bad things,

good things . . .

Fortunately, we will be having some family members stay with us off and on over the next few months . . .

Unfortunately, that means I have to dissolve my creative space . . .

Fortunately, I can move it back to the garage . . .

Unfortunately, I am not finished with organizing the space . . .

Fortunately, we had a painter in to update the room and he painted the entry and dining room at the same time . . .

Unfortunately, the fumes from the paint triggered an asthmatic reaction in me so not a lot of work got done while I struggled with breathing . . .

Fortunately, I am on meds, feeling better, and got out of the house to visit a few of my favorite shops yesterday.

And, fortunately, I found a bunch of fun things.

Light blue tapers and a small olive green candle finished off a new mantel display with Steve's latest painting, Sentinels.

I didn't need the #2 jar, but it looks right at home with my glass bottle display in the entry way.

I didn't get around to planting the sweet peas so they are just grouped with some roses on the patio table and hopefully I will get to the planting today.

I have no idea what the big yellow dried flowers are, but I like the touch of color they add to the olive bucket display.

The patina on the blue ball is wonderful, but  I think I need to go back and pick up the red and green balls today.

The zinc hearts, numbers and Days of the Week clothes pins will end up in the Advent Calendar I am planning in my head - can't believe I am thinking about Christmas.

And, fortunately, I was able to turn lemons into lemonade to use my down time with asthma

to create 3 books on Shutterfly for Steve & me, KC & boyfriend and JP & girlfriend.

Fortunately, the rest of the living room is coming together and

the garage is organized enough that I was able to make a couple of banners for friends.

And now, I am headed to the beach because fortunately, it is a gorgeous day.

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I am joining

Cottage Style Party at Lavender Garden Cottage

Wow Us Wednesdays at Southern Savvy Style

Share Your Cup at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

Last minute projects . . .

Lately, my mornings begin with a look at blogs and Pinterest for Christmas inspiration followed by some sort of "tweaking".

 Yesterday I came across a fun ladder at Sweet Inspirations by JP Designs.

Nostalgic Holiday Ladder

After seeing the sweet ladder, I knew that, despite the cold, my garden ladder needed to be dressed for Christmas

I found a few stockings I made over 25 years ago hiding in the attic.

A Believe sign, wooden stars and jingle bells completed the ladder decor.

At the same time, I came across the old wooden N O E L  blocks and added them to my garden vignette.

When it came to setting the table, I decided to use one of the tea towels I ordered from H & M Home.

I love the Santa postage stamp tea towel and had hoped to make a pillow from it, but the shape is all wrong.

To showcase the great vintage Santa, I went with a really simple table setting.

Felt stockings I found at Michael's a few years ago hold the flatware.

A centerpiece would have covered up Santa so I simply added a little greenery and ornaments to the candlesticks.

I have a confession to make in these 2 photos - the Christmas pillows on the bench are not pillows at all.

I laid the tea towels on the pillows to get photographs.

There won't be a table setting tonight because we will be on a friend's dock watching the Parade of Lights and enjoying all the beautifully decorated boats as they make a slow crawl through The Keys.

My day will be occupied with crafts - JP has promised to teach me how to silk screen to make KC an apron.

And, I will be making the tea towels into pillows.

With just a few days left until Christmas, what are you doing with your time?

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I am joining these parties

Shabby Art Boutique - Shabbilicious Friday

The Shabby Nest - Frugal Friday

Common Ground - Be Inspired

Redoux - Weekend Link Party

Jennifer Rizzo - Fabulously Creative Friday

Sunny Simple Life - From the Farm Blog Hop

French Country Cottage - Feathered Nest Friday

My Romantic Home - Show and Tell Friday

The Golden Sycamore - Inspiration Gallery

The Thrifty Groove - Thrifty Things Friday

Random Happiness

It doesn't take much to make me happy . . . 

planting pansies in a pot on the porch . . . 

a walk on the beach on this glorious fall day . . . 

playing on the beach with Little Lulu even though I gave her a bath yesterday . . . 

 time to make my favorite cookies (1 cup peanut butter, 1 cup sugar, 1 egg) for JP . . .

looking at the goodies I made in a 3 hour craft workshop yesterday

a Christmas card hanger with decorated clothes pins . . . 

a little stamped muslin bag and Christmas cards . . .

a Thanksgiving candle and a bag to carry all my goodies home.

The Virginia House

I am headed downtown to my favorite antique store, American Home & Garden now and I will be really happy if I can find a little desk like this beautiful desk I saw at The Virginia House.

What is making you happy today?

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Hop on over to these parties with me to see what others are up to this week:

Art @ Home - My Happy List

The Little Red House - Mosaic Monday

The Dedicated House - Make It Pretty Monday

Catalogue Crazed

I have been catalogue crazed for as long as I can remember.

I think it began when I was a stay-at-home mom and couldn't get out all the time to shop.

I was into Americana and there was no place locally I could find fun things so I ordered from catalogues.

When the internet opened up I was introduced to a whole new world of shopping.

I receive this new catalogue in the mail the other day.

.....AWE.....

AT WEST END

I can't believe that I have never seen this catalogue before.

I found so many things that I want -

none that I need.

But, I have a final "extra duty" check arriving on tomorrow.

Here are the things I am contemplating :

 I REALLY want this set of 3 Round Baskets.

I can picture them in our front yard holding clay pots of flowers.

The trouble is, the set is $129 - not gonna happen!

But, those colors are beautiful.

My love of letters is spilling over to numbers also.

The Metal Numbers are 6" and $15 each.

 This Giant Paper Clip - on a stand is $19 - the price is right.

I have a thing for oversized office supplies.

I picture it in the living room on a side table holding different words or letters.



I would love to have this recycled kite because of the colors.

Since our home is also Steve's studio, I don't have wall space, but I am thinking of a space outside.

But, at $59, I think it will have to remain on the list.

The a to z Ceramic Bookends are high on my list mainly because I am into letters.

They are 11" high and are $39.

I have to think this one over, because as much as I love them, I'm not sure where I can put them to show them off.

Ignore the cigar -

I would use it to hold jewelry on my dresser.

I have to really think about this one.

I haven't had a new hand for my collection in quite awhile, but if I want to buy the paper clip and the metal heart box, than I don't think I can justify $39 for the hand.

Lately I have been into vases holding individual flowers.

I can picture this Fleur de Lis Bud Vase in three different spots in my living room.

Should I or shouldn't I?

Numbers, balls, and primary colors - this Pool Ball Candle Holder hits three of my favorites.

  I know just where I would put it, but at $59, I think this is just a wish

or

I will save the catalogue and ask for it for my birthday.

This Woven Wire Heart Box is only $12.

So, what did I end up ordering?

Just 2 things

They should arrive just about the time school ends so I will have time to play around with them to find the perfect resting place.

After I order something, I love the anticipation and knowing that any day there will be a package waiting for me.

And if there isn't a package, maybe there will be another catalogue waiting for me.