Happy New Year Everyone!!!...We're enjoying staying home and watching Shrek with Luke...I think the excitement was too much for Taylor, so instead of staying home she decided to go out with friends..HA!...Today was alot more calmer than this time last week on Christmas Eve..

So to continue from my last post I will finally get to our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day...We had gotten home the night before from visiting family...Every Christmas Eve we go to Cracker Barrel for breakfast/lunch and always pick out a new ornament or two or three...HA!.

But before we went I got packages in the mail..This is the crock that I won on ebay for .99 cents...Can you believe it????...I think it is perfect for putting a primitive tree in next Christmas...I love crocks!!

And then these surprise gifts were from my new friend, Judy Poulos from Maryland...It was so thoughtful of her...Candles, a punch tin plate, dough fixins, and a new addition to our Christmas books...Thank you so much Judy!!...I value our new friendship!!

Tim and Luke at Cracker Barrel....

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That evening was spent at church at the candle light service and then home for a light dinner of sandwiches and sweets....I still needed to get Christmas gifts wrapped and stockings made so Luke would have one to match ours...Yes, I hate to wrap!!!...I confess!....I say every year that I'm going to do better...Well, there is always next year!!...HA!

So I was going to just stiched up some plain blue flannel stockings....But Taylor wanted to have the names on them and a cuff...And I was all for it if she was going to help because I had to get to wrapping...

So a simple project took hours, but it was time we spent together and we will always have the stockings to remember...

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Christmas day was spent with children's excitement...Luke awoke to a 2 foot Mickey Mouse awaiting him under the tree..At 2 years old he wasn't sure about all this Christmas stuff...But in years to come he will know exactly what it is!!

We didn't take any pics during the gift giving because we were busy videotaping everything, but Taylor was most excited when she got her IPOD NANO...But we really surprised her when she opened her argyle sweater...She has pointed them out a hundred times...It 's hard to surprise 18 year olds when they make out their Christmas list....

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Some items Taylor got me...She has learned to love antiquing and found me this bottle...PERFECT!!!...She also got me room sprays from Bath and Body....Along with my omega necklace from Tim....I have been wanting one forever!!!...I love my gifts!!!!

For breakfast we had a breakfast casserole and french toast casserole....YUM!!

The rest of the day was spent relaxing with the kids and watching movies together...It was a good Christmas spent at home....

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I hope everyone has a warm and safe New Year!!!!..The fireworks have been going off here in the neighborhood for hours!!!....hugs,Jen

Hi everyone!...I hope you had a good Monday!!...I love Mondays!!..It's the start of a new week!!...Leaving off on my last post~Last Monday was filled with some outlet mall shopping...No big purchases were made for me...I just got me 5 new shirts....We were on our way to Cartersville, Ga {above Atlanta} from Chattanooga...My parents and siblings all live there...We had a good time and it was good to see everyone!!!

The next day {Tuesday} before we left to come home my sister, Heather, and I went to the antique store we always go to...It's not very big, but I always find a treasure to bring home....There was no room in the car with Luke's stroller and all our luggage, so I knew I had to keep my purchases small...One of the booths that is one of our favorites wasn't there anymore..UGH!! But the other one was having a 40% off sale as she usually does right before Christmas when I'm visiting....

The first items I picked out were some reproduction pantry jars...Priced at $15, $12, and $9...before 40% taken off...

I'm always drawn to sconces...She only had one of these at $8 before 40% was taken off!!!

And this crock for $12.00 before the 40% was taken off also.....

Then I passed a crate in another booth for $7...She apologized that it wasn't on sale also, but at $7 I didn't care...It held all my goodies perfectly with some little silicone bulbs thrown in...

And some how I didn't get a picture of my little red punch tin lantern taken that i got also...I will have to show you next time...It is so cute!!...

So at about 2:30 we headed home...Traffic was really bad and we didn't get home til 6:00...The funny thng was that as we got home it got warmer and warmer....While we had been on our trip the temps were extremely cold and the wind was strong...When we left on Sunday morning{to begin our trip} at 6:30 am it was already 65 degrees at home...Amazing that only a few hours away that there can be such a change in temps...And it was good to get back home...Nothing better than sleeping in your own bed!!!...

Next time I will show you my goodies that were waiting for me when the mail was delivered on Christmas Eve!!...So until then....hugs,Jen

I brought some goodies home with me!!!

Hey everyone!...I hope you had a great Christmas!!...It has been non-stop and I have tried many times to get on here to blog, but with all the Christmas celebrating and cleanup afterwards I just didn't get to it...I left off last weekend with our trip home to visit family so we could be home for Christmas this year...Sunday we spent the day with Tim's family in Trenton,GA...This is a pic of Lookout Mtn that is at the back of my in-law's house...









These two are of Sand Mtn...Trenton is nestled inbetween the two mountains...It is quite breathtaking when the season's change in the Spring and Fall...










Leaving Trenton....And I would have loved to have gone to the left toward Nashville for a visit....I grew up in Nashville, Murfressboro, but mostly in Smyrna,TN....Hopefully I can go for a visit this year...No matter where I live Middle Tennessee holds my heart for HOME....
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Sunday night we went to the Homegoods store in Chattanooga...We don't have one near us and I've always wanted to go...Just let me say that we will DEFINITELY be going there everytime we go back....I got me some goodies for sure...








The first things that went in my cart were these two dough bowl/trenchers.....I couldn't pick them up fast enough especially when I saw that they were $16.99 a piece...YEAH!!!



And next I grabbed these two bowls for $7.99 a piece...

And this box for $9.99....







Needless to say when I left there I was VERY happy!!!...I have lots to share with you and pics, but it is past bedtime for Luke and I have to go rock him to sleep..It's 10:45 already....He has mastered climbing out of his bed, so I have to make sure he's fully asleep....HA!...Have a good Monday and I hope to put more on tomorrow.......Jen

So much to do and so little time left!!...Do you feel that way??..I do...I have cleaned, shopped,done laundry, and packed today...We're heading out in the morning to Northwest Georgia, actually Trenton, GA....It is in the fartherest corner of the state as you can get...You go too far one way and you're in Tennessee and too far the other and you are in Alabama...It is nestled between two mountains...Sand Mountain and Lookout Mountain...Tim grew up there and I spent my summers and holidays there visiting my grandparents, aunt, and uncles,and cousins,etc...We will spend time with Tim's side tomorrow and then head back to my parent's in Cartersville, GA tomorrow night...Then on Monday we will be heading back to Chattanooga,TN for some shopping and Calhoun,GA for outlet mall shopping...Monday night we will be getting together with my side of the family at my parent's...Tuesday we will hang out with my family and head back home probably that afternoon or evening...

This will be our 2nd Christmas Day in our home since moving away from family 13 years ago...Our first was 2 years ago when Luke was born the month before and I think we slept through that one because it is a blurr..HA!...Taylor always wants to be at home, so this year we will be...On Christmas Eve we always go to Cracker Barrell for breakfast/lunch...That is our tradition we started years back when Taylor was small...And if we're with family then whoever can get off to go goes with us...But if we're back home this year then it will just be us...

I have to get the gifts all wrapped...I haven't done that yet this year...I sooo wanted to wrap them and put them under the tree, but I didn't want Luke unwrapping them 2 minutes after I put them there..HA!...And I still have to get some stockings sewed...UGH!!!...Luke doesn't have a x-stitched one like the ones we've used since Taylor was a baby, so I want new ones so his will match,too...Actually I want primitive ones anyway..HA!

I also went grocery shopping today...It was crazy out there!!...I usually go on Monday, so I went and got everything so I won't have to go back til the Monday after Christmas...I got ingredients for our special Christmas breakfast ....I'm so excited!!...I've wanted to make special things for Christmas Day, but we're never here!...

So I will be off the computer and I won't be able to blog til we get back...I feel the withdrawals already!!...But I will take pictures and maybe I will bring some goodies back with me to share with you...I want to go to the antique store my sister and I always go to..I always find something there...So I will miss you all and I will catch up when I get back....I'm not sure what just happend that my letters got fancy...ha!..But I like it!!

UPDATE!!!...Oh and I just want to let everyone know I have rerouted my emails to my aol addy...When you click on the little house on the left side of my blog they no longer go to my Knology addy...For some reason I'd email back and some of the emails weren't being received or I was getting emails saying they were having trouble getting their emails to go through...So if you emailed me and you haven't received a response back then email me again please....I would never want to offend someone or hurt your feelings by not responding to your emails...I sooooo appreciate all the emails with compliments, questions about my x-stitch, orders, and just to chat...I have met so many new friends!!

So Merry Christmas my friends!!...I hope you have a blessed week and I will hopefully post as soon as we get back on maybe Tuesday or Christmas Eve...hugs,Jen

CHRISTMAS PICTURES ARE FNALLY ON!!!

My Christmas pictures are finally on...Just click on the picture of the long johns with the santa hat on the right hand side..None of Luke's room this year...He has been enjoying himself redecorating everything I decorate!!!...UGH!!..I had my tree in my bedroom all decorated and he has pulled it down 4 times on himself...So, off came the little boy and girl ornaments after 4 were broken...I'm off to get some stuff done...It has been a WARM week here in GA!...Where has our cold weather gone??..We've been wearing shorts..But I've sure been enjoying all the snow pictures on alot of the blogs...Have a great day!!..And I hope you enjoy the pictures...hugs,Jen

Good Tuesday Morning!!

Good morning everyone!...I'm sorry it has been so long since I've been on here...I have been feeling bad and been busy with the kids and getting ready for Christmas...My siser emailed me and told me I was slacking on my blog!!..HA!...I haven't really been on the computer much at all other than to purchase some goodies...Don't you just love getting new stuff for Christmas either for the holiday or for everyday use?!?!?...This is a pic of my first primitive santa...Hummm!!!....A new collection...Isn't he wonderful?!!...And then I also got the two tahoe trees,too...I've been wanting some and then Cheryl posted them for sale on P&R...So I had her toss them in with the santa....Which meant when they got here I had some redecorating to do...HA!...

Then I got these great bowls from primitives-by-pam on ebay...I had been eyeing them for a while and when I saw that this was her last set of black ones then I knew I had to go ahead and get them...They have straps on them so they can hang...

I have a weakness for textiles...I also got this one from Pam..It is the Orange Peel pattern..

Along with the Rings and Chain pattern in the red and greens for Christmas...

And yesterday I went to Michael's to get more greenery while it was on markdown...The past couple of years I have been buying greenery that has a more realistic look to it...Don't we all wish we had woods to go out in and have fresh greens??...Well, at least we can have the look!!...

And nothing is better than Cookies hot out of the oven...

Well, I'm off to work on finishing up my curtains today...My no sew curtains...Just some nails, osnaburg, and fabric ripping...Have a blessed day!!..The temp is in the 70's today and the rest of the week, so it feels more like Spring here..And I will I will be anxiously awaiting the postman because I have 3 more trees coming...SHHH!!...Don't tell my dh!!!.....hugs,Jen

It's Beginning To Look Alot Like Christmas!!!

Hi Everyone!!...I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving...We had lunch with friends/neighbors that live across the street from our old house....We spend every Thanksgiving with them only this is the first year that we haven't been across the street..We're across town now!...But is was a great dinner with friends....An early lunch meant I could come home and get Luke to sleep for a nap and work on Christmas...I see a end in sight!!

Ok..Did you venture out today??..If , so, what time??...We went out around 1:30...We use to go out when we moved here 10 years ago..I mean we would go out at 4 or 5....But we always went out just to spend time together and enjoy shopping...I always had to go to Michael's and JoAnn's with my coupons....Well, either it's an older age or something, but I'm NOT waking Luke and dragging him out in the morning...I still had to stand in line at JoAnn's and Michael's, but not for long and Luke was enjoying himself thoroughly just being out while Tim watched him...Taylor had to work....

And believe it or not I came home from Michael's with more Christmas greenery to put up....But I have been weeding out Christmas the past several years...I've been willing to spend a little more for items that I know I will have around for a long time and greenery that looks more realistic....I emptied out the container of greenery I was looking for....At JoAnn's I bought elastic, fabric pens, and some buttons...Everything was half off....

I'm doing a swap with a friend, Vivian, on Webshots where we have our pics...These are the items I had picked out....I've really been enjoying deciding where to place them....I have finally put each one in a new home..Thanks Vivian!

Have you noticed that alot of red is mixing in with my blues?!?

And Oh! NO!...I had to call in my Mr. Fix-it man...My cradle was broke!!!..ha!

And what good work he does!!...All fixed!!

Well, off to do some more decorating..I finally got my tree up in the bedroom tonight...It is one of my favorites!!...I thought I'd share a couple Christmas pics...

Have a great weekend!!!...hugs,Jen

HAPPY THANKSGIVING & WHATCHA WORKING ON WEDNESDAY

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!...Sorry I've sort of been MIA since last Thursday...My emails have piled up and I've not been on the computer reading blogs or messages...I took Luke to the doctor on Thursday to have 4 shots....Tim came home early to go, too...When we got home he asked for the pic of the cabinet I'd been wanting...I ran like the wind to get it!!!....I've been wanting one for many many years...One to put all my supplies away in and out of sight when not using...Especially since Luke gets into everything....Well, Tim spent several hours drawing a sketch and figuring up how much wood to get....I told him how I was going to do the sides when I got the wood to do it and that it could have one door or two...We then went for wood and supplies....We were gone several hours that night....Then on Friday night when he got home he said he was going to start on the cabinet....I was in the middle of still decorating for Christmas, keeping Luke occupied, and doing laundry....By about midnight he had the entire cabinet made except for the doors put on...WOW!!!!....DID I TELL YOU THAT I JUST LOVE MY HUSBAND!!????!!!.......On Saturday he finished it up while I was doing Christmas decorating, keeping Luke occupied, and laundry!!..LOL.....Later in the day I went out to put a coat of paint on it...His question was "What's the rush?"....Did I tell you I had wanted one FOREVER??...DUD!...Why not??!!!...So the blue was on drying by that evening....Then on Sunday it was church, lunch, get Luke down for nap, and then out to stain the cabinet....Sadly the cool weather was hindering the drying

process.....But on Monday evening it was ready to be brought in...YEAH!!!!!....

So from this mess to this......

I kept telling her I didn't need a Price Is Right model!!!!...ha!

By all means ignore that white trim and light fixture...It has been there since we bought the house 7 months ago...I'm ordering a new light fixture and the trim is going to be painted after the first of the year!!!...And I'm starting on curtains as soon as I get Luke to sleep tonight.....OH and by the way....Two weeks later I'm still working on Christmas!!!!.....

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I signed up for a secret santa swap over on the blog "Bittersweet Prims"....I got my wonderful package from Mary from Temecula, California...Thank you Mary!!!

As soon as I showed Luke the snowman he walked over and put it on the tree and it has been there every since..The candle smells soooo good!!!...Thank you so much, Mary!!!!....

Also today I got my ebay items in the mail...I ordered some personalized letters to santa with our names on them....TIMMY, JENNY, TAYLOR and LUKE...They smell so good and I think they are made out of muslin....

Well, that is what I've been up to..I'm off to get Luke to bed and make some curtains....HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS!!!!....hugs,Jen

Whatcha Working On Wednesday!!!

Hi everyone!!...It's been a busy day and I haven't gotten to blog til now...I just got Luke to bed and I hope to get some more decorating done while everyone is asleep..Yes, I'm still at it..It's a slower pace when you're decorating a new house...I have totes labeled for each room and always knew where everything went from year to year...And just when I see an end I start emptying another tote and it starts all over again..

I went to get Taylor today over at the campus after her morning classes...As I was pulling in I saw a sign that read "POTTERY SALE"....Oh, now I was going to ignore that, but when Taylor got in the car she told me the ceramic class was having a sale and she thought I might like some of it...Oh, now why did she have to say that!?!?!?....That meant that I HAD to go check it out and especially since she said they had a $5 section....So I go over to the big tent and the first big piece I pick up was $2.00....Oh my goodness!!..I had to double check that price...The girl said there was a crack in the bottom...Well, yes there was, but the piece was beautiful and very sturdy...When she asked me if I wanted her to put it back I said "YES" quite quickly...Then the second blue piece I picked up was $2.00 also...I saw some dark brown pieces that were shaped like old crocks, but they had a shine to them...But I looked on down the many tables..Taylor called me twice to see if I was getting any..HA!...I found many pieces that I liked, but I had only $15 dollars with me....So in the end I got two more pieces that were $5.00 each...One of the $5 pieces is a good size piece also and I like the shape... Instead of it being perfectly round two sides had turned in some..So that made it go in the $5 section....I also found a small brown/mustard colored one...It looked like an antique piece with it's rough texture and color....So I guess what they considered imperfect was my gain today....I got all 4 pieces for $14....I think they will fit in with my Beaumont, Saltglaze, and Bennington pottery just fine...And they have the sale at the end of every semester!!!..Aren't they pretty!

The $2 pieces are on the right...I'm thinking they will be really pretty with some greenery for Christmas..And they will still be there on Friday,too...Might have to check some more out!!

So it's Watcha Working on Wednesday...As you already know I'm working on my Christmas decorating...I would like to have it completed by Thanksgiving...Usually I don't get it out and start til the day after Thanksgiving, but I have been so busy since school started in August with running Taylor between school, sorority stuff, orthodonist appts., and her work schedule that I want to relax some during the Thanksgiving weekend since Tim is off all week using vacation days...Well, as much as us mothers are allowed to rest..HA!...And I sure don't want the house tore apart with Christmas stuff....

I've also been working on getting some swaps and some personal pieces finished..I stacked them all together by my chair to get the backs stitched up and finished...

Then I pulled out a bunch of my boxes that I wasn't using to see how many sets I have....

So it's been a full day and it's not over yet...It's only 12:12 and I have plenty more to do before bedtime...Luke has a docotor appt tomorrow and has to have 4 shots, so I hope he does ok and doesn't run any fever like he has some in the past...So everyone have a blessed Thursday!!!...hugs,Jen