Things that are White

This time of year I don't know why but I love things that are white. I love to decorate with alot of white, have fresh white flowers in the house, use white dishes and table linens,white bedding, dream of white gardens, etc., etc. I think to me white in the new year represents starting fresh again, a sort of renewal! I started thinking of all the white things I love and here is a collection of things I found and thought I would share them with you!



When I was a little girl I always wanted a vanity when I grew up. Well I don't have one but I found this picture of one. Wouldn't any woman feel special putting her makeup or jewelry on at this one! I know I would!


I took this picture in the Fall when I was up in Asheville. I could just write letters for hours at a desk like this.


If I had this bed, I would feel like a Queen! I always feel white bed linens are so calming and soothing. I think I get this thought from my Nana, she always had beautiful white bed linens.


White bed linens very similar to the ones Nana had.



I have an antique stepback cupboard in my Dining Room, maybe a display of white dishes similar to this would look beautiful! Something to think about.


When I saw this picture of this white living room, my first thought was how comfy it looked! I could just see myself knitting or reading in that room for hours!

White tea sets and white table settings have always been a favorite of mine! I would love to have the things in the next two pictures:






You could add these beautiful white cupcakes to your white tea set too! These creations are just gorgeous!


This Victorian white fence piece was in an antique shop in Asheville. White I was photographing it and looking at it, I thought what a wonderful piece to use in a sun room or even a victorian white garden. There are so many things you could do with this piece of the past!

Well I hope I haven't bored you with my "white" obsession. I just think there are so many beautiful white things in the world. Color is wonderful, but sometimes white is just magical! Off to think of some new ways to add white into my home decorating!

HaPpY NeW YeAr EvErYoNe!

I hope everyone has a very Happy New Year! Goodbye 2010 and welcome 2011!!

As I reflect about my 2010, I realize 2010 wasn't a bad year overall for our family. We had some things that were not so great but overall it was pretty good! I think the not so great things were outweighed by the good things and that in itself is a good thing!

I always try on New Year's Eve to think about all the good things the New Year will be bringing and I have to say the impending birth of our grandbaby in July has to top the list!! I just cannot wait to hold my grandbaby and love it so much! I am going to be called Nana, after my paternal grandmother. That is alot of shoe to fill but I'm up to the challenge!!

I plan on reading alot more in 2011 also. I love to read and I have gotten so caught up in so many other things. I joined a reading challenge to read books off my shelves and I'm going to clear alot of them off there!!

I also plan on losing some of this unwanted weight I have gained. I need to exercise more and by gosh I will!!

John and I would also like to take a small trip somewhere, even if it for a few days or overnight-we haven't done that in so long. We have taken trips up North to my parents, but we want to get away just the two of us!

Mind you these are not resolutions. I don't make resolutions, these are just things I want to work on in the next year.

As far as reflections of the past year, I have spent some really great times with my family, I have met and made some new wonderful friends, learned to knit more detailed patterns, mastered some more things at work, created some different jewelry, learned to crochet and read some awesome books! All of these have made me grow as a person and I'm lovin' it!!

So Happy New Year to all my friends and I hope you all have a joyous and wonderful New Year!!

2010 Best Loved Books!

I was looking at the list of books I read for this year and I was remembering every one. I really think my best books for this year were The French Gardner by Santa Montefiore and The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King. For some reason these two books really stuck out in my mind. They were both very different from each other but both were in other countries. There was mystery in both of them and a touch of love. If you haven't read either one of these, you might want to put them on your list for 2011.

I haven't made a list of books I would like to read in 2011 but I did join the reading books from your shelf challenge! I have so many, many books on my shelves and I would love to read a good portion of them and pass them on to someone else!

Happy Reading in 2011 everyone!

Feeling a little under the weather today.

I feel like I'm getting a cold-ugghhhh! I just had one not too long ago. I am probably run down from the holiday. I will be working and then going home and chilling out under a nice warm blanket with my tea warming me up!

Now that Christmas has past.....

Well with Christmas now in the rear view mirror, what is everyone planning for New Years? John and I are just going to spend a quiet evening at home. I will be making a special meal (which I need to get planning) just for the two of us. We will probably play Scrabble or some other board game and then we will stay up and watch the ball drop in Times Square from the comfort of our warm home.

Years ago we went out with my middle sister, Sue and her husband Chuck (I think it was the first New Years after their marriage). We went to a local ski area that was having a lovely formal party in the ski lodge. We danced, had dinner and had a great time! But as we have gotten older and we moved away from NJ, we just seem to have quiet celebrations with each other. I actually like that the best!

What is everyone planning?

It is really cold here but I really feel for all my feathered friends!

Yesterday while it was snowing John went out and filled the bird feeders in our courtyard. There was a steady stream of birds flying in and out. The poor little things were all puffed up so they could stay warm. I have to remember to put the suet out for them too. You can really see the colors of all the birds against the snow-they are just beautiful. Here are some birds I think look exceptional pretty against the snow:


This little bluebird's coloring is so vivid in the winter sunlight! I love these little birds all year round but against the snow they are just gorgeous!


The color of the cardinal as always is a show stopper but against the snow that crimson red just stands out and is enhanced. We have alot of cardinals in Charlotte, which I love! We had 5 male cardinals in a cedar tree the other day, right before Christmas. They looked like red bows all of nature's Christmas tree!


Blue Jays are really bossy and loud birds but I have to say they are just gorgeous against the snow. You can certainly see them from far away(and hear them too!).



This is a slate-colored junco. They are not a colorful bird, but these little birds are so cute! I watch them for hours hopping along the ground,going unnoticed. They are sweet little birds, they don't bother anyone and they aren't agressive at all.

I found this picture online of a fairy with birds. I love it! I like to think this fairy takes care of all the birds in this cold weather we are having!





Everyone have a great day and stay warm!!

Wonderful Christmas and Winter Wonderland Surprise!

We all had a wonderful Christmas!! Everyone in our family gave and got such nice gifts! The girls and their men arrived at about 9 and we started opening gifts while drinking tea and coffee. About half way through I made the traditional Pillsbury Orange Danish (the girls still insist on this breakfast delight!). When the presents were done we took a break before we started opening the stockings. I put the roast beef in the oven and everyone got coffee/tea refills. Everyone gave very thoughtful gifts this year. It was all wonderful!!

Here are some pictures of our Christmas:


Our Christmas tree with all the presents under it!


I created this centerpiece for the Dining Room Table.


John was watching everyone open their gifts. I think he was still half asleep!


This is Megan showing off her new Kindle from her hubby, Ken. She is also wearing a capelet Jenny and Kevin gave her for Christmas.


Megan, Jenny and I on Christmas morning.


Here is Jenny wearing the shawl I made for her. I'm so glad she loved it!


Megan and Ken


Jenny and Kevin being silly!


Jenny and Kevin not wanting their pictures taken.


This morning I woke up to a winter wonderland!! The weather fibbers were finally right for a change. It is still snowing here and everything looks like a sugary confection! It is absolutely beautiful!! Teddy didn't know what to make of it when John took him out-he just wanted to play instead of taking care of business, if you know what I mean! It does look beautiful and we don't have any place we need to go to today-so it is just perfect!!!

Here are some pictures of our winter wonderland here in Charlotte, NC:


This is what it looked like when I opened the front door this morning! It is a winter wonderland for sure!! Very beautiful and quiet.


Our courtyard looked like a winter wonderland too!


Our garage is after our courtyard and when I looked at the garage roof this morning this lovely pine tree was all covered in snow and looked so beautiful! This almost looks like it was taken in a field not over our garage roof!


We have alot of cardinals here in Charlotte and they were taking advantage of the sunflower seed we put in the feeder. They have been very busy here this morning!

The past few days have been great here at our house and today will be a chillin' out kind of day. This kind of day is much needed after all the Christmas preparation. It was all well worth it though-what a wonderful Christmas! I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas too!