Dollhouse Update

I thought I would show you some changes I made to my little dollhouse.  I can't believe it's been 2 years since my Dad finished assembling it and gave it to me.  It became very clear to me early on this was going to be a longterm project.    It wasn't going to be decorated and furnished overnight.  A lot like decorating my own home.  There are so many options to weigh.  But, I had no trouble picking out the paint color for the 2nd level bedroom:  pink!! 

Hanging the curtains added the right level of softness and I just love how the little spaniel looks right at home in the soft feminine bedroom.  He reminds me of my childhood dog, Sparky, a cocker spaniel.  I loved petting his silky black ears with wavy fur.

I found this vintage sewing machine at Hobby Lobby and knew it had to go in my home.

I added a pick chenille bedspread to the bed and teddy looks right at home.  Pretty and feminine, just the place to escape from the troubles of this life and to dream.

That completes my little tour of the bedroom.  I hope you enjoyed it!

Blessings,

Decorating for Valentine's Day

I dressed up my front porch a wee bit for Valentine's Day.   I've been noticing lots of burlap on blogs as of late.  At first I wasn't so smitten because the texture seemed too coarse for my taste. 

But, I decided it was just the right texture and color to match the beige on my outdoor chairs.  To it I added a small yarn flower and felt heart.   It kind of reminds me of a package. 

The clouds seem to have camped out for good in Indiana so the bright red is just the pick me up my outdoor space needs.  I guess it's my way of combating the winter doldrums. 

Happy Valentine's Day my friends!
 

Kitchen Love

I completed a little project for my kitchen.  Just a little something special to brighten the mood during these long days of winter.  How has your weather been?  We've had anything from warm rainy days to windy cold days. 

Today, we are getting some snow.  The ground is becoming quite white and it is pretty to watch coming down.  So these little towels with snowflake print go perfectly with our weather!

After sewing on the ruffle I decided to add a monogram - it could match your name or could correspond to the days of the week.

I think these would make lovely housewarming, hostess or bridal shower gifts.  Easy to do and easy to personalize.

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend and are staying warm!!

Love to you my friends,

Kathy

Saige: Girl of the Year

It's always a good day when an American Girl catalog arrives in my mailbox.  This was my first time seeing Saige: girl of the year for 2013.  She didn't disappoint.

Isn't she beautiful?  Her eyes are a gorgeous vivid blue-green and she has long auburn hair (and freckles, too!)  Her hair is plenty long to style into braids.  Isn't it cute off to the side twirled into a long ponytail?  Oh, the possibilities!  She comes with an indigo dress featuring a flared tiered skirt paired with brown riding boots.  The dress's beaded waist is true to her New Mexico heritage.  So what kind of a girl is she?  Well, naturally she loves to ride horses and paint.  Wouldn't you?

I don't know why but I still get an excitement over dolls even though I'm all grown up and have children of my own.  I remember pouring over thick catalogs dreaming about all of the things I wanted for Christmas for my baby doll: strollers, blankets, bottles, clothes, etc.  They were all pink of course!  It was so fun to look at the photos and dream.  

How about you?  Do you like to pour over catalogs and dream?  If so, which ones cause that stir in your heart?

BlesSings!

Kathy

Happy New Year!

A new beginning dawned today as our calendars flipped to 2013.  Wow!  2012 has come and gone and we are on our way into the new year.  A new year full of hope and expectation.

I thought I would share several photos from our Christmas.  As usual, we loaded up our minivan and traveled to Minnesota to be with our families.  With Christmas music playing, movies to watch, and cookies to munch the trip went by quickly.

We had such a lovely time being together with our loved ones.  It really is what Christmas is all about.

My children were excited to play in Minnesota's snow.  They didn't have as much as previous years but they had fun anyway.   I love to watch them from inside :)

My boys exchanged gifts with one another.

And my foodie son enjoying a "bite" out of his new piggy bank.

Even though December can be so busy with all of the shopping, wrapping and baking I still found time to sew.   My sister asked me to make a doll dress and she selected this sweet pink dress.  The sheer skirt overlay has these tiny sequins that look like bubbles. 

And my biggest project was completing this quilt I started over 2 years ago!

My dear mom was the happy recipient of it.

Those are my silly boys in the background:)

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and I pray God's blessings in the New Year for you.

May you have loving relationships, great health and a close walk with the Lord in 2013.

Blessings!

Getting Cozy

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving altogether as a family.  My husband did a lot of the Thanksgiving cooking and he found this potato shaped like a heart.  Isn't it amazing?  In all my years of peeling potatoes I'd never seen one quite like this!  My oldest son was home from college and our parents were here, too.  It felt so cozy to have everyone together.  My boys cheerfully pulled out the sleeping bags and had a great time sleeping together in the same room.  The floor didn't bother them in the least.  After our day of feasting we trimmed the tree and made our home all pretty for Christmas.  Then my boys wanted to climb onto the roof to hang icicle lights at night; a task their Dad was all too happy to give up! The twinkling lights are just the thing to chase away the darkness which comes all too early in the evening now.

With the focus now on Christmas I keep thinking about making room for Jesus.  Mary made room in her womb for the Messiah.  The inn keeper made room for Mary and Joseph in his barn.  Will "I" make room for Jesus this season?  With the decorating, baking, card writing and giving I want to keep the reason for the season in my heart.  It was with a very generous heart God gave his very best to us through His one and only Son.  Will we receive Him? 

This season I intend to get cozy with Him :)

Praying you have a blessed start to your Christmas season.

fall musings and a recipe

 Fall is such a beautiful time of year.  But, if you're not careful it can pass so quickly without noticing the changing leaves.  Taking a walk or a drive at this time of year is a wonderful way to enjoy the beauty of the season. 

Two of my boys have their birthdays in the fall, so it is a season for family celebration, too.  With each passing birthday it is a time for me to reflect back on the past, reminisce and look forward to the future.  I remember when I was young I always looked forward to the next birthday, because growing older was fun.  The next "number" sounded so much older, wiser and more exciting!  Now, not so much.  Ha ha!  But, with grace I believe we can accept where we are at and have joy no matter the season or age.

 

I tried a new recipe, one just perfect for this time of year.  It is simply delicious.  It uses crunchy tart apples and candy (Snickers.)  A great combination I think!  I once heard a chef say a good dish was one that includes all of our taste buds.  I had never thought of it like that before.  Well, this recipe comes very close with it's sweet, salty and crunchy nature.   The original recipe is found here and all credit goes to Nikki from Chef in Training.

Have a blessed day.