New Dining Chairs

 I'm so excited.  After almost 35 years of marriage, I finally have my first dining room chairs.  My husband and I both love them and they are comfortable too.  (My husband also recently replaced the old 80's brass fan with these two chandeliers.  Not my favorite but they were inexpensive and blend with the lights in the addition and kitchen area.)

They blend with the table, french doors, and linen draperies.  Where did I finally find chairs I could afford?  You will probably never guess.



Costco.  they were in the latest Costco magazine.

My Husband

He will be embarrassed that I'm posting this.  I love how he is always learning something new.  He decided he wanted to learn to play the ukelele and is teaching himself.  He's bought DVD's, and watches utube clips.  He practices on a regular basis.  One of these days, he will be a pro.

His latest adventure...learning to weld.  It is wonderful to always be learning something new.  What is your latest adventure?

Valentine's Mantle

 I didn't post my finished Valentine's mantle.  It's a little over the top but Valentine's Day is a little bit cheesy anyway...you know cupid's, hearts, bows and arrows.

Valentine's Party

 I had my traditional Valentine exchange party February 7.  Here are a few of the potluck goodies everyone brought.  I made Stephanie's slider sandwiches.  They are so good.

 I snapped pictures of everyone as they ate...you know candid shots...don't shot me guys. 

 We had so much fun visiting as we ate.  I found many interesting things about everyone that we are not supposed to be revealed to others.  Needless to say, it was good for a lot of laughs.

 Here is my little Brenna and what she made for all of us.

 Cari made lip gloss and lotion for everyone.  Isn't she adorable?

 Corene made velvet cake in a jar.  It was yummy.

 She also added a tablet and pen so after the cake is gone, you can add your favorite sayings from your kids.

 Dana made these cute heart frames with hearts cute from Pride and Prejudice.

 I even had a heart that has Pemberley and Mr. Darcy on it.

 Emily made these "bird on a wire" pillows. 

 A couple of close up pictures.

 And, look at the cute material on the back.

 Heidi made these balls out of crepe paper.  She said it takes a large roll of crepe paper to make one.

 Brenna is going to make a little Valentine tree by adding a dowel and putting it in a pot.  I am going to add ribbon and use it as a kissing ball.

 Jill gave us decorated notebooks and encouraged us to write love notes to a spouse or one of our children and present it to them next year.  She also added fresh scented body wash.

 I used vintage sheet music (1926) and added a heart in an Ikea frame.

 Leslee had Eli cut some metal at the machine shop and made recipe holders and magnets for each of us.

 Her presentation is always amazing so I thought I'd take pictures so you could see for yourself.

 It came complete with a Salsa recipe that she brought for us to sample.  Yum.

 My birthday was the next day for everyone surprised me with a gift card to Hobby Lobby, a home made cake, a delectable cupcake, and these book full of Eli and Brenna's wedding pictures.  I love it.

We had so much fun and went home with lots of decorations and memories.  You should have one of your own.

Valentine Decor 2012

 I don't have any place to put these off season so just added some red things to make the apothecary jars work for Valentine's Day.

 A mini garland that Candice made for me using some of Stephanie's graphics and a little love sign from JoAnn's.

 The left half of the bookcase.

 The right half.  I pretty much use dishes and things that I already have.  It's fun to try and reuse the things I already have.

A few close ups.

The red branch things I use in my Christmas tree.  Hey, they are red.

 a love garland I made up.  The letters are glittered with German glass glitter.  I'll try and do a tutorial since I am making 12 more for Stephanie's Valentine exchange.  Shhh, don't tell anyone who is coming.

 Good Valentine decorations are hard to find so I taped a heart to the top of my dome and added little red jewels and glittered birds.

 Some beaded garland and hearts make the chandelier festive too.

Brenna made my "love" pillow and I bought the red covers from Ikea.

 Hobby Lobby had these glittered foam wreaths this year.  I added them to my doors from France along with the "key to my heart" tied with black silk ribbon.  It just kicks things up a notch.

 It's starting to look like a Valentine's celebration around here.

 I bought inexpensive frames from Ikea and added real vintage sheet music and a foil heart.  Easy, fast, and festive.

I have two hanging on the wall.

 A simple centerpiece.

 The mantel in process.  I'm still tweaking it.

A few close ups.

I'm doing lots of pinning on Pinterest trying to decide what to make for my Valentine Exchange.  Anyone have any good ideas?