Hoping You Had A Great One!

I hope you all had a great Christmas! After all the turkey, dressing, visiting with family and friends, lots of Guitar Hero, and the "After Christmas shopping" I can look back and say "It was a great holiday and a very merry Christmas!" I hope all of you had a great one as well.

I Got It Goin' On...

No I am not bragging but I happened to have a very successful week last week. We trimmed the tree...check! Hung the stockings...check! Decorated the front porch...check! And as if that weren't enough the kids sat for their Christmas card picture (taken by yours truly)...check! Whew! A friend of mine and myself took 4 giddy little "tweens" to see Twilight (yes, I have a crush on Edward too)...check! All that and I put in a 40 hr. work week at my new job! Ok so I couldn't even tell you my name but I got the list I had for myself cut in half (thanks to an incredible man I call husband). Hope you are all having a ball decorating for the holidays. Paula...that's my name...I almost forgot!

It's Coming...I Can Feel It!

The air has turned crisp here in Oklahoma, the foliage seems to have been short lived, the toy commercials have taken over, and my children have been working on their lists. That can only mean one thing, I better get prepared because Christmas will be here in a flash. I have been working on my front porch decor and have all my interior decorating done except for the tree, we will trim the tree this weekend. We make finger foods, have eggnog, and listen to holiday music while the tree gets bejeweled. When the tree is finished we toast it with a glass of "the nog" then settle in for our annual Family Christmas movie.....National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. My dad always made Christmas such an event when I was growing up and I hope that I have passed that along to my children. What kind of customs do you have when you trim your tree? I'd love to hear about them. Have a great day! Paula

A Safe Haven!!!

Ladies did you know that there was a whole blog for the married with children Twilight followers? What is this world coming to? Nevermind....count me in!!! I added the link right above my Twilight widget...and to think a few short weeks ago I had never heard of a widget. The Twilight Moms blog is a safe haven for us to go and not hear snickers or see the rolling of eyes when you try to explain the piled laundry, the fact you haven't showered in days because, well, you can't very well read in the shower and where people understand that you asked your children in the middle of chapter 8 "who are you? and why are you calling me mommy?" I feel so much better that while I may not be "normal" I am definatley not alone! Oh a safe haven! I only wish I had known of this blog while I was reading the first book. I'm off to my TAA meeting... that is Twilight Addicts Anonymous...Hello my name is Paula and I have an addiction to vampires.........I found out at my new favorite blog that if you pre-order your tickets on Oct. 31st from Fandango that you will be able to download Edward's lullaby to Bella for free!!!I know I'm sick.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Ok!I read it. The popularity of this book had me very curious. How in the world could so many women even the 30ish like myself be so addicted to this book and this story? I don't know how it happened but I read the entire book in 2 days! And I am sorry to say I am now one of those addicted women and I have already started the 2nd in the series. If you haven't read the first book yet you should and you still have time before the movie is out! Enjoy!

5 Months and Counting!

No this is not a post about an impending birth. I am here to report that I have officially gotten over my "5 month decorators block". This room was a birthday gift to my 10 year old and I am only now starting to see some progress. The black and pink were cute but I thought it needed another color for accent and after talking to a friend I decided turquoise would be a good choice. I worked this weekend on her vanity and I hope it will be moved into her room soon. It is actually only the top to a vanity. I am spray painting it black, decoupaging scrapbook paper to the drawer fronts and glazing it. I found these cute acrylic crystals at Hobby Lobby and decoupaged paper behind them and glued them to the knobs, you can't beat $3.00 for custom drawer pulls. It is so hard to find chandelier anything in my area. Then I will hang it by 2 decorative black iron brackets. I still need to find a dresser, recover the vanity chair, and hang some pictures on the wall. Oh and lets not forget new curtains, and pillows for the window seat. I think I am starting to freak myself out. Ok I can do this...baby steps Paula baby steps.

Hostess Gift...With Style!

Ok...you and your spouse are invited to a Halloween/Fall party and you want to bring the hostess something, but a plain bottle of wine just looks....well...Plain! Here is how you dress it up and show everyone your "style-ish " taste. Go to your area home improvement store and head on over to the plumbing department (stay with me here) get one of these fitters and cut it in half you don't need it to be super thick. Then find some feather trim (I get mine at Hobby Lobby but only with my 40% off coupon) hot glue it around the base of the fitter (I realize this is not the proper name). Then for the show stopper.....The Dollar Tree crow to top it off! I just twisted the metal prongs from the bird around the bottle but I suppose you could hot glue it too. (I just wanted my hostess to be able to reuse her new crow) Then if you really want the crow to look like she is a guest of this dinner party you will need to make sure she is wearing her pearls. This is were all of the broken costume jewelry you keep lying around comes in handy. I just threaded some of my daughters jewelry making beads onto some wire and twisted it onto my crows feathery little neck. The way I look at it anyone can go out and buy a wine bag or bring an "undressed" bottle but why would you want to? Have a Great Day!

Weather Predicting....

My children and I saw the neatest thing on T.V. last year and decided to give it a try. You take a persimmon off of a tree and cut open the seeds. If the shape inside the seed appears to look like a fork your winter will be mild, if the shape resembles a knife, then it will be so cold it will cut through you like a knife, if the shape is of a spoon you can expect an abundance of snow....well I'm off to buy a snow shovel. You know what they say "The early bird gets a cleared walkway" or wait..is that the worm?

Fall Organizing 101...

The infamous closet project is almost complete! I got hubby to hang my crown knobs (Hobby Lobby) for my jewelry and I got may hang tags made for my canvas totes. (still need to add rub-ons so I will know what is inside each one) I need to make my earring holder and paint my grandmothers jewelry box and I will be done! The mirror that catapulted it all was given to me by my dad. He picked it up at a garage sale and my mother told him to get rid of that ugly thing. Being the kind person I am I decided to help him out and take it off his hands. (needless to say...mom was rethinking her request to rid herself of it) Too late! I'll post finished pictures soon. I am having way fun!!! Smiles, Paula

I Heart Joe Spencer!

I love artist Joe Spencer. He is a folk artist who designs and handpaints his characters. He uses tulle and whimsy in all of his designs (with two daughters who dance we are the queens of tulle). Oh and did I mention glitter? I only have small pieces from his collection because he can be quite pricey (even at wholesale) but you can sometimes find pieces on ebay. My Halloween ornaments were pretty affordable at $8.00 a pc. My friend Amy (The Andreani Family at the left under friends...wow I really do need to learn the whole linking thing) also has a heart for ol Joe, check out her collection. I think my favorite are my witches legs..Amy has the hands too! Here's to a spooky Halloween with style...way to go Joe!

Religious Artifacts....Love Em!

I scored a giant rosary this weekend at a local shop. I have had my eye on it for some time at 30%off ...that baby was mine. I photographed it on one of my tables, but this is not where it is staying. If you guys have any ideas of how to show this treasure off let me know. Do you ever pine away for something and then you get it home and think "Now where am I going to put this?" I also photographed my Dollar Tree pumpkins on my dining room table...Thanks for the tip Susie! Gotta love the ole Dollar Tree. I am hoping to go "House Tour Hoppin' " this week ,if I make it I will take lots of pictures, it is supposed to be phenomenal! Smiles, Paula

Seeds of Kindness...

My 10yr. old daughter and I approached the cash register at the grocery store to hear the cashier tell a young man he owed $3.26. The young man who was mentally disabled said sweetly "Okay, I'm not very good at this." He proceeded to count his change one coin at a time with much difficulty. The one thing I noticed is that the young cashier was overly patient with this man who at this time was holding up the line. I thought how unique it is in this day and age for young people to show such patience and kindness. She helped him count $2.14...$2.15...$2.16...$2.17 this is where he ran out of coins and where the man in between us ran out of patience he was looking around for an empty register and showing his disgust in having to wait. The patient young cashier never faultered. The young man asked if he could put one thing back and that is when I looked to see what he was purchasing...3 kits to make necklaces out of the dollar store department. Something came over me and I imagined him threading a necklace with pride perhaps for his mother..God spoke to me and I reached past the impatient man and asked the sweet cashier if she would kindly ring all 3 things on my debit card. She accepted my card with a smile and the young man turned to me and said "Thank you, you did not have to do that." Oh but I did I thought because when God speaks to me, I do not argue. But this is where the real gift takes place, my 10yr. old daughter looks up at me with her big blue eyes filled with tears and says, "Thank you mommy, I am so proud of you, that was a wonderful thing you did." I thought to myself I have spread the seed of kindness to my child and one day she will help another who needs it. I wish I had told the cashier how proud I was of her, hopefully she knows. This post is not a boastful one, but I would love for everyone who reads this to leave me a post, I would like to see how far my seed travels. I challenge everyone to do something kind for someone else today even if it is just a smile or a kind word, it could change their life. God bless you all, Paula

Oldies First...Then We Shop!

I know this is early for fall decor but I have to get all of my oldies out before I can even think of starting any new projects or buying anything new so here is a peek at some of the oldies I have collected over the years. My favorite is my witch legs that my best friend Amy sent me last year... I love them! I had to find a use for the 3 packages of skeleton garland I had left over after my candle sticks so I "creeped out" my dining room chandelier, I can't get enough of that creepy gauze. (what is wrong with me?) I visited Cherry's Jubilee (listed under my favorites) and I have a whole arsenal of ideas for this weekend. Blessings and Smiles, Paula

"A" for effort?

I have long admired The Nester and Susie at Bienvenue (at the left under friends) and their tassel making talent. As I would never attempt a "real" everyday tassel, I thought "how could you mess up on a scary Halloween one?" So here is my first and probably last attempt at this art form of tassel finery. I found a whole bag of these skeleton heads at The Dollar Tree and had some scrap trim lying around and it matches my candle stick "jewelry". By the way I am not usually a creepy Halloween person but my 15 year old son informed me that he is a little tired of the scarecrow and pumpkin "baby theme" he has had to indure his whole life...so this is for you Trevor!

Sneek Peek at Fall...

I found this cute skeleton garland and this yummy gauzy stuff this weekend so I just had to add some Halloween spookiness to my candle sticks. I am off to get my Halloween/Fall tubs so I can get the rest of my decor out. It has been alot cooler here in Oklahoma so I am slowly getting the Fall decorating bug. Have a great day, Paula

One For The Road

My baby brother and his wife left us here in Oklahoma and ventured to Indiana to start their new careers. Since he is 10yrs younger than me I felt like I was sending off one of my own. To take my mind off of the "goodbye" for a while I made them each a "goodie bag" for the road.

1. Starbucks gift card (for the 12hr. drive)

2. Burt's lip balm (both he and his wife and myself are all addicted to this)

3. Reeses cups (the good stuff)

4.C.D. of traveling songs (On the road again, Hit the road Jack, King of the road etc. They called and said they got a kick out of it when they were stranded not once but twice on the side of the road)

5.Toilet paper (I'll just say my brother and I have the same sick sense of humor)

6.Instead of a card I wrote on the back of a family picture so they wouldn't "forget to remember me".

It was hard to see them leave but I know that they appreciated the goodie bag and that they know how much they will be missed. Have a great day, Paula

No Camera For Now

My husband has the camera at work so I cannot post pics of the Vegas shadow box yet. So I am posting a family photo of the reunion we had a couple of weeks ago. We had family in from Arizona and South Carolina with some cousins that we hadn't seen in over 8 years. We were celebrating my husband's grandmother's 80th birthday. Happy Bithday Nee Nee.

Saturday Morning Fun

I played on Flickr this morning and decided to put myself in a magazine. Have a great weekend, Paula

What Happens In Vegas...

...goes in a shadow box. I'm off to Hobby Lobby I'll be back soon with a shadow box tutorial. Can't wait to show you! Smiles, Paula

God Bless America

Here is some of my Independence Day decor. I love this picture of my grandfather in his Navy uniform, I think he is so handsome. I always put out Ole Uncle Sam to greet this visitors. My husband purchased him for me several years ago from a local aritst. I thank God everyday for the past, present and future servicemen and women who keep us free. I am so proud to be an American. Have a happy and safe holiday, Paula

Mantel Mania

My friends Kari and Kijsa are having a mantel party and although I don't have a fireplace I purchased this large shelf to stand in until I do. The stockings get hung here and it is definately the focal point of my living room. (this shelf is huge!) This is the first place I decorate for the changing seasons and it now holds the first Senior picture of the family. So it's like a scrapbook of sorts. Hope you enjoy.

Paula

Boorrrriiiinnnngggg

My master bath has been like an neglected step-child since we moved into our home. The inspiration just never hit me. I wanted a spa feel but let's be honest I had never been to a spa so this was a guessing game. It was bad, I mean no towel rack, no cute towels nothing, nada. Then I was at Marshall's one day and fell in love with these cute "french bee" towels. Talking husband into these was like pulling teeth, he just wasn't "feeling" the whole bee thing. Ok got him talked into that one, whew! Now what? I pulled the large fleur de lis from my shop, something I rarely do but always thought would be great. Ok now we have kinda a "french spa" thing going on here (I am only guessing there are elaborate spas in France...I don't know this for sure). Then there was the problem of the empty spaces on the deck of my huge tub (which husband had to have, but never uses). I wanted pictures, but was always afraid to spend the money because I wasn't sure how they would hold up admist all the steam so I went shopping...at home. I found these ivory glazed frames in my hope chest from years back and had some vacation photos copied, then I filled my apothocary jars and thought I was done, then I found these monograms on etsy but couldn't wait to order one so I was off to Hobby Lobby to make my own and $3.00 later...done! I was so excited, I found this french inspired scrapbook paper that had the word Lyon on it, so not only is it my initial but it has my whole last name on it, how cool is that? My master bath is now complete and ready for a relaxing soak.

Light At The End Of The Tunnel....

Hey everyone, I haven't posted in a while due to never ending, half finished projects around the house. But alas, my biggest project is now complete! My front walkway is done. It has been 5 years since we moved into our home and we now have the tumbled flagstone walkway I have always wanted. Maybe in 5 more years my shutters will be done. Hope everyone enjoyed Father's Day. I sure did. This picture is of my sister Lori, myself, my daddy, and my brother Dustin. Have a great day,Paula

Susie...This Post Is For You!

I received this beautiful tassel this weekend from my blog buddy Susie at Bienvenue. I have heard about these beautifully packaged gifts that blog buddies send, but had never received one myself. Susie, you did not disappoint. Thank you so much, the tassel is beautiful, and I love the rooster tags (how in the world did you know I adore roosters?). She had them packaged so sweetly with chocolate brown bows, I wish I had taken pictures before I unwrapped them but quite frankly paper was flying like Christmas morning (I guess I am just a kid at heart). Go look at her tassels they are amazing and I don't think she even realizes how talented she is. I am eyeing a tassel for my mom's new house so she will feel as spoiled as I do. Have a great day everyone, Paula

Here is wishing everyone a great Memorial Day weekend! I am off to the nursery to find a few new things to plant, I am inspired by Back Porch Musings (at the left). Smiles, Paula