Wishing you a Happy and Blessed New Year!!

P.S. Thank you for the kind expressions of sympathy on my previous post; they are all very much appreciated. The family is doing as well as could be expected.

Today is a Gift ~ that's why they call it "The Present"I'm feeling even more sentimental than usual today..... we received the very sad news yesterday that my stepbrother was found passed away in his home. He was my age (aka very young ;)

I am not one to take life for granted... I have lost a husband, children, father, cousins, and too many other friends and relatives. But each loss makes me stop and reflect anew on what really matters.
Life is such a gift. Family and friends are such gifts. Yes, they can rub us the wrong way sometimes (and I'm sure we do the same to them!) Let's make sure we tell them how much we love them, how much they mean to us. Often.

And, just for the record, YOU mean a lot to me too. You inspire me, you make me smile with your kind words and compliments. You brighten my life.

You are gifts. And I thank you.

Happy 21st Birthday, Brad!

Wishing you a Beautiful Christmas and Many Blessings in the New Year!

Mexico Nativity
Our first port was in Mexico (was to be Key West, but the seas were too rough). It was kind of a nice surprise to get to visit Mexico, as I had never been. This was a giant nativity in Cozumel that you could take a photograph with. Brad thought this shepherd looked so sad, that it almost made him sad too.....

But.... everyone can use a hug! :)

Happy Christmas Eve EVE to you all!

Cruisin'

Sorry for the extended absence, but my youngest and I went on a Caribbean Cruise! It was awesome! This is a photo of us from one of the Elegant Nights. I'll have pictures and stories to share, but right now I'm getting back in the swing of Christmas prep, so first things first! Hope you are enjoying this beautiful holiday season! :)

Antique Christmas Museum

A friend and I went to the Taft Museum in Cincinnati recently, as they feature an Antique Christmas display this time of year.One of my favorites was this feather tree, featuring flowers and butterflies.It also had vintage floral Christmas postcards arranged around the base.The butterfly wings were made of painted spun glass!This is exactly how my table looks on Christmas Day -- LOL - not! But if it did, I think this is how I would be dressed...... I wish you could see the lace detail on this painting.... it was so beautiful! I was only photographing the Christmas trees, when one of the workers told me I wasn't supposed to be doing that -- even though I asked for permission on the way in -- whoops! So I had to "sneak" in these last two trees, therefore, the color isn't as good on them. I'll share more of the other trees next time I post! :)

P.S. I bought the little glitter house from the previous post, in the museum gift shoppe, as a momento of our visit.

Did I ever mention I LOVE Christmas???!!!!!!

Pink Glitter Cottage and Vintage Angels

Welcome, Christmas!!

Little Christmas tree I "made" by putting a bottle brush tree in a vintage rose teapot and then adding vintage pastel ornaments, vintage mica flakes, and a vintage netted angel on top.

Also, I have started a new Christmas blog (was having problems with my old one). You can find the new one here:

Vintage Cottage Christmas

It's Beginning to Look a Little Like Christmas

Small touches of Christmas decor are popping up here and there throughout the cottage.
:)

Roses are Pink.....
That's What I Think!

A friend brought me these beautiful pink roses last week, and now I am drying them. Thought they looked so pretty hanging like this too, so of course I took a couple of pictures. :)

November is Here!!

~ Vintage Autumn Corsage~

Orange really isn't my color, but I thought this vintage corsage with roses and gold leafs was so pretty. I just might have to pin it on my jacket and wear it this week!

Hope you had a lovely weekend! :)

I'm Dreaming of a White... Autumn?

White Pumpkins, lace, pearls, and dried flowers, make a romantic autumn display in the cottage.

~ A Basket of Love~
A little goodie basket I put together for my mom, who has had a rough couple of weeks. Her brother (my Uncle Don) was seriously injured in a lawn tractor accident and has been in ICU. She has been wearing herself out, going to visit him every single day.

I thought she could use a little "pick-me-up", so I put together this basket of autumn goodies for her......

Have you smelled the "Creamy Pumpkin" scent from Bath & Body Works? The liquid soap is in that scent. They supposedly have a candle in that fragrance, but they tell me they sell out of it as soon as they get it in! I can believe it, as it smells wonderful!

Hope your autumn is "smelling wonderfully" too! :)

My Little October Angel ~ just arrived today ~ a gift from a dear friend who knew I'd been searching for one in memory of my own little October angel, Levi.

The boy angels are harder to find than the girls.

Isn't it so sweet, love his expression! He even has pink flowers on the base :)

Thank you to my friend, and thanks to all of you for stopping by! Hope you are having a lovely October!!

Close to Home..... Autumn in the Country.....

This farm stand is down the road just a bit. I love the way they set up their displays, and how they have a little lockbox using the honor system for their customers to buy their pumpkins, gourds, and hay bales.

These are the views I get to see every day, these barns are across the road from our home. I think they are especially pretty this time of year.

I hope you are enjoying this beautiful Autumn!

~More Traditional Autumn Colors~

Our "October Glory" Maple Tree, with the sun gleaming through the leaves.....

A piece of my Autumn light-up village on my mantle......

Rusty Orange Mums in the front flower bed.....

I LOVE Autumn!