A Summer Wreath & a Little Patriotism

It's been quite a while since I posted anything here on my blog. I've decided to just post occasionally and not worry about page views and being featured. 

I am extremely grateful to all of the wonderful bloggers who have featured my posts in the past, but the time involved and not making money just isn't for me.

I started this blog mostly as a way to have a "keepsake" of memories for my family to see and look back on and share when I am long gone. 

So, let's move on and you can see my summer wreath and a little bit of patriotism outside our house.

Just in time for Memorial Day...some red, white and blue. An, old black, chippy grapevine wreath is now covered with geraniums and giant ladybugs. It's just right for our house and for a summer look. The flag banner is the perfect touch for honoring the holiday!

 This was it's first look....I like the ragged banner so much more!

The ladybugs are just so darn cute!

 They're a bigger version of the ones that were on our front door basket at this time last year.

Some tiny ones are crawling on a bird house.

 Nothing elaborate, just a little touch of decorating for the day.

Summer is in bloom!

I took a few minutes to paint an old plank board. It's the backside of the JOY board that I made for Christmas!

I made my own star stencil out of plain old paper. Masking tape was the perfect width to make the red and white stripes.

 

I made this denim banner a few years ago. It's now really tattered and worn...time to make a new one! 

Wishing you all a safe and Happy Memorial Day!

Love, Hugs and Kisses,
JP

and Gucci, too!

   

 

 

Merry Christmas, Neighbors!

I'm the first in the neighborhood to be able to say...

Merry Christmas, Neighbors!

I know it's on the early side for Christmas decorating, however, I wanted to be able to get my pics ready and posts written in time to share some ideas for your own decor.

Each change of season our mailbox gets a new look to welcome neighbors and passers by.

 Last year's mailbox was red and rusty and had to be replaced.

In the spring we bought a new one and I painted it grey and added a sentimental touch.

This year, for Christmas, I wanted it to be white....so, I wrapped it with two, plastic, table covers from the dollar store.

 I cut each one, in half, length wise and started with a knot tied like this.

With the length I began to wrap it over and under

and tucked it in

each time it came to an end.

A bit of white, duct tape keeps the next attachment nice and secure.

A little slit makes the flag accessible.

  I tied on a large white bow which holds the end of the wrap tightly in place, then finished it with a swag of greens, red poinsettias and a golden sled on top.

Tie wraps hold the sled securely on the top.

A glittered bird in a golden nest sits snuggly inside.

Now, maybe you'll add a little something festive to your mailbox this year!

All of our Christmas decorating is done, so I'll be back soon to share this up-cycled wreath that's on our front door!

  Love, Hugs and Kisses,
JP

and Gucci, too!

Can you see him? He's playing "peek-a-boo!

I LOVE your sweet comments, but my reply's won't always get to you. 

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A Sunday Dinner Tablescape for Fall with Friends

A few weeks back we invited friends over for a Sunday dinner. It turned out to be an old fashioned, Italian feast!

  

I love an opportunity to set a pretty table....did you know?

So, the night before, I came up with this. Red, white and green with accents of black.

A mix of white ironstone and Pfaltzgraff dishes set for a gathering of six.

Tiny, white, pumpkins with initials painted on faux leaves for place tags were added where each person would sit... then given to take home as little fall gifts.

I managed to "fallify" our bay window, too!

I always like to add a li'l something to the chandy with a seasonal do...Christmas and Valentine's day are past favorites of mine. If you have time you could do a holiday chandelier search!

The following day I decided to give the pumpkin a bit of a lift. I did it by using an ironstone compote, turned upside down, with one of the luncheon plates as a colorful accent underneath.

I think that it made it a bit more impressive!

 The window decor, in case you missed it....it's here!

 Love, Hugs and Kisses,
JP

and Gucci, too!

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Glossy White Pumpkins & Touches of Gold on Our Fall Mantel & Coffee Table Centerpiece

 A few weeks back my honey helped me paint two walls in our living room with a fresh, new, soft green. I chose to leave the other two in the existing, neutral, cream color because we live in a heavily wooded area and we need the lightness to keep the room bright.

  I may still opt to paint the other walls in another shade of neutral and convince my honey to install a new light fixture and change out the plaid valances....it's just that our home is a rental and we'll have to change it back should we decide to ever leave.

This year I followed through with my staying light theme. 

  My treasured, vintage clock sits on a ladder shelf.

White hydrangeas, from summer, stayed mixed in with the decor.

Pine cones and acorns dipped in white paint and tipped, heavily, in gold.

As always country touches and glam.

And rustic, chippy, chippy love that makes my heart go pitter patter!

Plastic pumpkins sprayed in glossy white and highlighted with some "rub and buff" in gold add a bit of elegance to compliment the old.

A complimentary vignette on the hearth below.

A painted bushel basket filled with a harvest of whites.

 We added an extension for our mantel that was made with love by my brother in-law...he's such a gem!

I told him that I missed the size of our old one which had more space for display and voila...he made my dream come true!

Another glossy pumpkin is featured on our coffee table on a shiney brass tray.

An amber, glass bead, necklace adds my favorite touch of glam.

A scarf, from my wardrobe, adds an interesting twist as an accent and runner that's wrapped through the tray's handles...
 like this.

A pair of amber votives and glittered falls leaves complete the coffee table centerpiece.

Fall, last year had more rusty tones.

This was from fall in our New York home

Now, I'm off to spend the rest of my day, poolside, with friends....84 and sunny is something that I simply cannot resist!

   Love, Hugs and Kisses,
JP

and Gucci, too!

Thank you, Kathy for featuring this post!
lifeonlakeshoredrive


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