Weekend Blessings...

My youngest son made his reconciliation at church this weekend (his first confession). There were about 70 or so children, so they had 7 priests there to help out. It was a very touching moment and he was so brave and poised. And as I took the picture of the father blessing him...I was all choked up behind the camera. My sweet little angel is growing up. Without even asking...he leaned over and whispered when he returned to the pew...and said, "Mom...I had to tell him that I don't always obey my parents." - a gentle reminder that no matter how much we think our kids don't listen...they really do...Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!

All of the pictures I took of him were this dark...must have been where I was standing. Sorry.

Bird Prints...

If you read my previous post, you already know that I'm on the hunt for some bird prints. Nan (who is a complete sweetheart by the way, and her posts will certainly make you chuckle!) sent me a link to some prints she found online, and they are just BEAUTIFUL - great job Nan! While those bird prints are really lovely....they don't quite go with the style I'm going for in the family room, and so Nan got me to thinking...what exactly am I looking for, and what would look best in my room with my furniture and backdrop. So, I thought I'd share what I have in mind, these nature inspired bird prints would be perfect. Isn't it amazing that a bird print would have it's own style?? Who knew!

I just LOVE this set of 4

all of the above prints may be found at http://www.art.com/

Bird Flu...

Don't panic, I don't have bird flu, nor have I been reading about it either - you're safe! I have been home sick from work, with what I believe is the flu, though I had a flu shot, go figure. But it's in my joints and I'm walking like a very old woman these days. Reason I named this post bird flu (heee....) is because I found the cutest little birdies, which have inspired me to add some bird prints to my family room for spring and summer this year. I also need to find some pretty floral or soft green pillows to freshen up my couch in there. The larger plaid is my sofa fabric, and the small check is my club chair...the one that I like to call "mine." When we went shopping for family room furniture, my husband and I both spotted this set at the furniture store, and instantly knew we had to have it! I love the colors...brown, olive, and cream. Our family room has dark wood paneling that came with the house...it's nice paneling that was actually stained by the original owner who was also the builder. And well...we don't even consider taking it down, it's what makes the room feel so warm and cozy, especially on a cold winter's day. We spend a lot of time in there. It's right off of the kitchen. I also thought I'd share before and after photos of our fireplace upgrade that we had done last year in that room, and since then we've also had cabinets built for the side of the fireplace. It's really made the room even more special. The stone used for the fireplace is from http://www.culturedstone.com/ feel free to look around there, it's hard not to fall in love...

These are the birdies...and they were only $1 each at Marshall's

Before

During

After

I'm a winner....

Ok, I think I'd better buy a lottery ticket here soon - ha! Can you believe I won the giveaway at Yellow Farmhouse?! How lucky am I??? And...I've already found a spot for my wonderful prizes. The candle smells amazing, and the jar lid is just adorable. Take a look at the braded placemat...it's soooo cute!

If you have not met Karen from Yellow Farmhouse, well I'd like you to head on over there, and take a look around. Karen is a warm, funny, and caring person, not to mention very talented, along with her friends. You can sense her warmth in her posts...and her home is just lovely! Thank you Karen for my wonderful gifts. Hubby's confused about the packages that have arrived full of goodies...he's not sure how this works - ha!!!!!

This candle smells amazing....I LOVE it!

I put this display together on the bay window in my family room,

ok is this

placemat adorable or what! See it under the candles?

And I have the candle on my mantle in the family room. I like to burn candles when I'm watching tv, or relaxing on my favorite easy chair.

Decisions...decisions...

For a while now I've been doing some browsing...for wallpaper that is. Yes...I know that I probably shouldn't put too much wallpaper in the house, but I can't help it. I love wallpaper, and I love the way I feel when I spy that certain one. Yes...you know what I mean..the one that gives you a sense of warmth, welcome, cozy, and HOME. I would find a paper, get all excited...sleep on it, then realize that no it's not "the one." But, my search has ended...yes I placed my order, and I can't wait to get started. I haven't quite yet decided where exactly I'll put it in the kitchen...but I know for sure it's going on the wall with the french doors. I'll be posting pictures...but don't hold your breath...not sure how quickly I'll get the project done - ha! I had originally picked out the red rooster paper that I have pictured on my blog, and don't get me wrong...I LOVE that paper...but I thought I'd be too confined with my prints and window treatments...which I like to change often. So, I really needed a "backdrop" - something to add character...but not confine me too much. And here is a picture of the paper. I hope you like it as much as I do. It's a gold and cream check pattern.

Ok, items number two - heee......I always go through the "plate" aisle at any store I visit. It's hard to find nice plates to hang on the wall...you have to find just the right ones to group over a picture or display on a wall....and yesterday was my lucky day. I found these lovely red plates...the colors match with my colors...olive green, red, golds...that's what's in my living room, dining room, and kitchen. Sooooo I came home with this set of three....and I have about four different places I can hang them....I can't decide, they look so pretty everywhere I put them - ha! I originally thought I'd hang them in the foyer not too far from the bench....but then I had them setting on the counter in my kitchen...and they look so pretty there too on the soffit. Agh...Anyway, take a look at these pretty plates. I took a close up so you could see the detail a little better, and the red is just perfect!

do you see the butterfly?

Pray for Aaron...

I hope Sue from Life at Home doesn't mind me sending you over to her blog for some prayers...and support. I just found Sue's blog a few days ago...and have had her and Aaron on my mind since then. Aaron had an allergic reaction to penicillin, and he's fighting it as we speak. Please stop over and pray for their family. As a wife and mother of boys...I feel her anguish...

I'm also a believer in the power of prayer.

Happy Thursday!

Milk...

Remember I told you that the New Year always makes me want to "RE" - renew...decorate...redo...and anything else that starts with "re" - ha! Well...the new year always makes me want to change something. This year was no exception, but it's probably the most change I've made in quite a while. I've been doing a lot of reading about "green" and what I can do to become more aware. Some of the articles I've read are downright scary. And if you know anything about me....well, it doesn't take much to freak me out, especially when it's health related - ha!

So...in an effort to improve upon the way I run my household, and make a healthier home for all of us, I started purchasing more green friendly products...and now that I've been using them for a little while, I'm really sorry I didn't start sooner. Why didn't I start sooner? Because I guess I hadn't really thought about it. And after talking to a few folks and reading...I realized that the products I was using containing a lot of toxic chemicals may be the cause of my son's allergies and bouts of asthma he's had for several years...besides his allergies to pet dander, but we don't have any pets and we try to keep him away from them too.

Anyhoo, "Method" products from Target are non-toxic and biodegradable...and I just read that Walmart may start carrying them as well. I also found that they have their own website too. I've pretty much used most of their line, and I can report I am perfectly happy with everything, and I feel good about using it. Feel free to click on my link here.

Well...along with this change...I also started buying milk that does not contain any BST's, and was shocked to know that we are the only industrialized country in the world to allow our cows to be injected with growth hormones (BST') - every other country has BANNED this. What???

So, I started getting milk from a local dairy here in town that carries milk without the use of these hormones....and there are other brands at the grocery store too, but it's convenient as I don't live very far from this dairy shop. I did go through "sticker shock," as it's double the price of a gallon of milk...and I hid the receipts from hubby, until I fessed up - ha! But now I'm used to it so it doesn't seem as bad, and again makes me feel a little better about my kids drinking it. My sister in law tells me I read too much - ha! I guess I do...and then I freak my self out - I'm such a nut sometimes. My hubby was pretty resistant with this change...his theory was we all grew up drinking regular milk and we're fine...and I guess that's true...until I found out that BST's have only been used in the U.S. since 1994 - ugh...then it was back to being paranoid....HAA! I'm not telling you this because I'm preaching for anyone to change...just sharing what I've been doing since the beginning of the year. There is plenty of research out there that says there is no difference in the milk...so you can make your own choices. But there was enough research of the effects of BST's to make me think twice....and now I wish someone would have told me about this a long time ago.... There are a lot of articles on Google about this if your interested. And many large diary farmers are jumping on the ban wagon because of consumer demand. So, BST's may be banned if the demand continues.

Happy Wednesday everyone, this week has been hectic for me at my job, and once again, I'm ready for the weekend...heee......not surprised are you?

Thanks all for stopping in to see me this week...I have so much fun with my blog, and I've met some of the most talented, witty, and charming friends! THANK YOU.