Chalkboard Platter

Have you missed me?  I hope so, because I have missed you ♥

I recently discovered chalkboard spray paint.

You can purchase it at Walmart, Michaels and hardware stores.

I showed you how I changed my ugly, outdated angel picture into a cute chalkboard here.

This is how it looked during the holidays.

My son wrote his favorite scripture at the top and I won't erase it until he comes home in 16 months!

I saw a silver (not genuine) tray that had chalkboard paint in the center.  I purchased a circular one at the store since I wasn't able to find any rectangle ones.  It was difficult to tape, I had to tear off pieces.

I sprayed one coat of chalkboard paint onto the surface.

I painted in the backyard, so the trees are reflected on the platter.

The paint dries really fast.  I determined that the platter needed a second coat of spray.

The blue paint tape came off really easily.  I wrote a message on the platter and the gift was ready. I really liked the message that I had written on my large chalkboard.  I just wrote it smaller :)

I was so anxious to wrap the platter up that I forgot to take a photo.

This platter could hang on the wall or sit on an easel on the counter.

You could write the daily menu, write reminders of things to do, write a love note to your husband or family member, use it as a memo board and leave notes on it, or write a seasonal message.

The possibilities are endless.

 Now go buy some chalkboard paint and have some fun!

The Spirit of Christmas

The Spirit of Christmas

By the magical light of a small Christmas candle

A little old man tries to carefully handle

The small porcelain manger which serves as a bed

For the wee Baby Jesus to lay down His head.

In wonder he brings the manger up to his view,

Smiles at the baby and whispers, "I love you!

I love you for bringing this season of joy,

I love you for growing to a man from a boy;

For being our light and leading the way,

For being the spirit which makes Christmas Day!

You've been my mentor, my model, my hero and guide,

Please continue to help me and stay by my side.

I've tried to follow your teachings and give as you gave,

Reminding all to be kind and that it's wise to behave.

Help me to serve others and bring them your light,

Especially the children, please bless them tonight!

Some have so very little, scarce food for their table,

You know how it feels - you were born in a stable!

Bless all their mothers and fathers with a knowledge that's sure,

The best gift they can give is their love, strong and pure.

That's the Spirit of Christmas when all's said and done,

God's gift of love, that came as His Son!"

Then back to His mother the child is returned

The Nativity glows as the candle is burned.

In a wink the little old man slips quietly away

Some say he goes up the chimney and climbs in a sleigh.

Whatever the case, His mission is clear -

Give unto others, bringing love and good cheer.

He flies into the night and bids us adieu

Doing for others what Jesus would do!

Greg Olsen - 2009

Christmas Decorations III

Welcome back!

These are my nativity sets.  

Two of them belonged to my mother in law.

She bought the Lladro when she visited Spain.

The wood manger scene is made from olive wood and my mother in law bought it when she visited Jerusalem.

The others were given to me by some dear friends.  

My daughter made me the tablerunner for Christmas one year, it's my favorite one!

I keep my "Thanksgiving Dinner" quilt up throughout the Christmas holidays.  Someday I will make a Christmas one.

There is a wet bar next to the dining room table.

I have this holly garland which I just drape over this clock.

This is the table behind the couch in the family room.

A close up of cute little children with Santa.

The photo in the middle is of my youngest son, Sean.

He was 7 years old at the time.  Now he is 19 and serving a two year church mission in Brazil.  This will be the first Christmas that we have spent apart.  The other photos are some of my precious grandchildren.

I bought these glass stars at Pier One Imports, years ago.

I put little tea lights in them and they glow.

Back to the dining room table.  Any excuse for sparkle!

Finally, our Christmas tree.

It is fresh from the Sierras, it's called a Silver Tip.

It's kind of different, sort of like a Snoopy tree!

I had to decorate it differently because the branches are in rows.

I added the silver beads this year, and added tinsel, or icicles.

The tree is much prettier with the pearl lights on.

I really love decorating for the holidays.  I don't even mind putting it all away, either.  Thanks for letting me share it with you.

Christmas Decorations II

This is a continuation of our Christmas decorations.

I love this little Santa head with the sparkly beard.

When I took this photo, we hadn't received one Christmas card.

People really do love us!!!

My mother made the Santa, it's ceramic and made out of clay.

The two little stockings are antique!  They were handmade in Czechoslovakia and they belonged to my brother and I when we were little kids.  My daughter bought me the snowglobe when we lived in Calgary.

I love the look of sparkly Christmas ornaments in glass jars.

I bought this little house at Home Goods.

There is a switch that turns the lights on and off.

I especially love this house, it has a pastel pink roof and the switch lets you keep the light one color, or five different colors, switching from one color to another.  It's a "Fancy Nancy" house.

My mother is really talented.  She made the stain glass lamp, and the ceramic base and also did the electrical work.

I've had this silver Santa bowl for years, and have always put candy in it.  This year I put some vintage ornaments in it and it looks sparkly.

I took all the photos at night because I think it is so cozy to have all the Christmas lights on when it is dark.

Next to that table, is this little end table.  The silver and pink ornaments are little picks that I bought at JoAnn Fabrics last year, at 75% off.  I thought they were so pretty and knew I could use them somewhere!

I made this vintage looking garland last year.

I bought an old book at the thrift store, tore out the pages and folded them accordian style.  I had to staple three pages together to make the circle. I found the idea on pinterest.

I bought cardboard letters at Hobby Lobby, covered the top of them in "tacky glue" (it doesn't drip), and immersed them in silver glitter.  It would be a cute idea for any celebration such as a wedding reception, baby shower, birthday, etc.

I bought these snowflake picks at 75% off at Joann Fabrics.

The blue bristle brush tree is from Home Goods.

The little Santa bell has lost its bell. It used to be painted in traditional Christmas colors.  I thought it was dated, so I spray painted it white.  I think it fits really well with the grouping.

Garlands are so expensive and after Christmas, all the pretty ones are sold.  I bought a cheap garland and dressed it up myself.  I added pine cones, red berry picks and sparkly aqua Christmas balls.

I think it really dresses up the banister.

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I forgot to show you this adorable kitchen towel. 

My daughter made it for me a few years ago.

I have threatened everyone's life not to wipe their hands on it!

It's for decorative purposes only...

I hope you have enjoyed the tour, I will show you the rest at the end of the week.  See you then!

My Christmas Decorations

I thought I would show you the Christmas decorations I put in my house.  As you know from experience, it is an enjoyable but strenuous job.  It is nice to have someone to share it with!  I need to mention that we lived in a different house last year, it is both

exciting and a challenge to decorate a new home.

We have a cubicle in our family room that is meant to hold our television.  It's too small for our TV, so I have a lot of fun decorating it for different holidays or seasons.  I needed something tall for this space and bought the silver tree at Hobby Lobby, it was half price.  I love the vintage village buildings.  I bought the church at Home Goods, and put some white lights in the back.  The windows shine red just like cathedral windows.

I really like the glitter!

I love how the light shines at night.  I haven't unplugged the lights since I set it up!  I wonder how long they will last before burning out.....

Last year, I hung these decorations from a chandelier.  I had to be creative this year and found a light.  I used blue painter's tape to attach the ribbons to the inside of the light frame.

I love this plate, so I use it as a decoration at Christmas and throughout the winter season.  My daughter gave me the idea to use cupcake wrappers as decorations.

This is the centerpiece on my table.

Notice the log cabin table runner?  It's not Christmasy, but I love it.

These red balls didn't fit on the Christmas tree this year, so I displayed them in a basket, under a lamp.

We have a fireplace again!  I showed you how I painted the mantel here.  It is really white and my dark colored ornaments just didn't match.  I went to TJ Maxx and Home Goods and bought some new things to add some glitter and sparkle.

I've had this jar for years and love putting sparkly gems in it at Christmas.  A good friend gave me the silver ornament.

I saw these snow globes at West Elm and they were really expensive.  I found these ones at TJ Maxx 

The candleholder pedestal was a dark metal color.  I haven't used it in a while.  I spray painted it silver and love the new look!

I had to give away all of my candles before I moved, so I bought this one with Jingle Bells music on it.

I made the red and green stocking for my husband and myself when I was pregnant with our first child.  I gave my four oldest children the felt stockings I made for them.  I still have Vanessa's, she and her husband are coming to spend Christmas with us.  Sean is in Brazil, serving a two year church mission.  This is the first Christmas that we will be apart.  The nutcrackers remind me of Sean, most of them belong to him!

This is the open space above the cubby where the TV was supposed to go.  It is a really tall space, so I leave it this way all year and just change the flowers in the trunk and the ornaments.  My daughter's parents in law gave us the bell and the Jim Shore Santa.  We have become close with them over the years.  My son in law's mom has really good taste.

Well, that concludes the sharing for today, I will post more on Wednesday and Friday.  See you then!