Tablescape Thursdays

This is my first time posting a Tablescape and I thought I would share

my combination thanksgiving/birthday table. 

Started off with a new fall tablecloth that I found at Wal-Mart.

I loved the pattern.

I added a lace runner that was given to me a few years ago.

Then came the centerpiece I made a few weeks ago. 

Followed by some leaves and candles.

and of course, a few pumpkins to complete the look.

Then I added the dishes.

I kept it fairly simple with simple white and added color from the napkin.

I added a special birthday decoration for those of us who were celebrating birthdays.

And used pumpkins with our names written on them for name places.

And a decoration hanging from the fan for fun :)

It was time to light the candles and set the mood.

Candles always make things prettier.

I hope you enjoyed my first tablescape, thanksgiving with a splash of birthday.  I'm participating in Tablescape Thursdays at Between Naps on the Porch.  Go check it out to see some amazing tablescapes.

Building A Home

They've been building a new home across the street.  Watching them put it up has made me think about how I am to "build my home".  In order to begin, I need a stong, firm foundation - Christ.  With that firm foundation the house will stand tall and strong through the storms.  I watched as they put in the foundation.  It took time, effort and plain old hard work.  It didn't happen all in one day.  Am I putting time, effort and work into my foundation?

Next came the building.  I again watched as day after day, wind, rain or shine, hot or cold, the men worked diligently and faithfully to build the house.  They were there at the crack of dawn and stayed until late at night.  Am I being that diligent in building my own home?  Am I up in the morning and working throughout the day into the evening?  Do I work no matter what the the mood of the moment is?  Am I being faithful in my building?

Then came the windows, doors and shingles to protect the home not only from the elements but intruders as well.  Am I sepnding time teaching and training my children?  Am I diligent in keeping my own thoughts and actions pure?  Do I protect my family and take care of what intrudes into our home through books, TV, computers and conversations?  Windows and doors are a big investment.  Am I investing in mine?

Finally, the house was built and then came the interior work.  Interesting thought that the interior work can't begin until the foundation is poured and the walls, roof and windows are done.  Do I try to do interior work while there are holes in my walls or cracks in my foundation?  I need to be diligent and faithful in my time with God. 

Unfortunately, I don't get to see the interior of thise house - maybe at some time in the future, but not right now.  However, the planning that went into it - types of floors, cabinets, lighting, paint, floor layout, etc.obviously was planned for in detail and ahead of time.  Can you image the painter showing up and the colors still hadn't been decided upon?  I may not see the inside of the home but I do see the results of the time they took in planning and preparing.  The busyness of the people coming and going gives evidence to their preparation beforehand, everything organized and planned.  What about me?  Am I organized and have I planned ahead?  What does the evidence show about my interior work?  Does my family benefit from my planning?

Now, the house is built and the interior is completed and the family has moved in.  They could stop there.  They could enjoy their new home.  But they continue on to the finishing details, the siding, the landscaping, etc. It's all those final details that make the house a home.  Am I putting on the finishing details?  Am I reaching out to others and sharing God's love .  Am I using my home, built on a firm foundation to share God's love with those around me?

As I look at the new home across the street may I daily be reminded of the lessons I've learned on home building.

"Every wise woman builds her house."

(Proverbs 14:1a)



Juggling

What a day it is turning out to be.  It seems that just as things are running smoothly and you're getting into a comfortable routine, things change.  Even with hubby on shifts we do get into a rhythm, but now with my son going from full-time to part-time work and our daughter starting a part-time job that rhythm has been disrupted.  I seriously think there should be a mandatory juggling course for mothers because I am going to have to become a master juggler of our schedule as we will be schooling around my daughter's work and activity schedule as well as juggling hubby and sons schedule.  To make it just a tad more interesting, hubby has been called in alot because of the many problems they're having at his job.  Like this morning, he ended getting called into work because of problems and they just have too many inexperienced guys who can't fix the problems.  They're learning but it is a process.  In order to handle all the changes to my rhythm I need to be diligent with my schedule but flexible in juggling things around.  It may mean moving things around, changing things from one day to another, and saying no to some other things.  This is not my natural bent, not at all.  It is going to be a challenge, a challenge that will make me a better wife, mother and person. 



Hearts for Home

Today I am joining in with Gae from Cherished Hearts at Home . She has a weekly post called Hearts for Home which is open for others to link up with and share some thoughts on home-centred ways. She encourages us to think of 4-6 things to commit to each week to make homelife special and to bless us as keepers at home.

Well, I did get a lot done in the garden this week although it is not yet completely finished.  Everything else I did accomplish except the apple juice.  Unfortunately, due to the time spent getting ready for Thanksgiving/Birthday celebrations I just didn't have time to get it done.
This week I commit to:-

1. Well, after sitting down with my schedule for the week I realized it is actually a very busy week for me so my one goal is to just keep up with the basics.

2. Despite the busyness of the week to keep my focus and heart on the home.

3. Staying focused on the school work that needs to be done.
4. Spend some time with hubby.
5. Our schedule needs some tweeks so I want to get that worked out this week.
               ~Home, the spot of earth supremely blest, A dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest~
                                                                                    (Maricar Macalincag)

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For today... Saturday, October 9, 2010


Outside my window... It is a sunny day with a brisk breeze and not too warm and not too cold.


I am thinking... of the birthday/thanksgiving supper we are going to have tonight with my parents, of where I've been, where I am and where I am going - birthday's make me do that, how much my son has grown, of getting the table ready for tonight, yup, I got a lot going on in there LOL

I am thankful for... celebrations with family.


From the learning rooms... No school Monday, both the teacher and the student are looking forward to the day off ;)


From the kitchen... Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, homemade buns, tossed salad, glazed carrots, corn, and a Smartie Blizzard Cake for the birthday boy.

I am wearing... black jeans and a turquoise shirt.  One of my favorite outfits.  I also have matching opal necklace and earrings that go with the turquoise beautifully and hubby bought for me when we were first married.


I am creating... working on a x-stitch picture and maybe one more fall item.


I am going...to open presents tonight :) (It is both my birthday and my son's birthday today)

I am reading... Life Management for Busy Woman by Elizabeth George.


I am praying for... family and the upcoming year with its many changes.


Pondering these words... It's not the years in your life that count, but the life in your years. (unknown)


I am STILL hoping... I can go to the mountains this fall.


I am hearing... computers running, daughter typing, music from the radio.


Around the house... I have finished cleaning it for this evening, still need to sweep the back door, get the table ready and finish the cooking, and then I can relax and enjoy the food, company and celebrating.


One of my favorite things... spending time with family.


A few plans for the rest of the week...  shopping with daughter for a few things she needs before she starts her new job, school, lunch out with my mom at our favorite tea room - I think it's going to be a fun week.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

My daughter said it looked like the tree was wrapped in a blanket. 

It reminds me of how God surrounds us with his love.

                                 

Thank you Peggy for the The Simple Woman's Daybook {follow links to read more}.

Show and Tell Friday

Friends are always welcome at the back door.  In fact, I think the only people who actually use the front door are the delivery guys, and some of them even use the back door so I thought I should decorate it fall and make it more welcoming.  I got so engrossed in my project that I forgot to take a before picture, but you're not missing much since all there was before was the purple petunias and the BBQ.  So, welcome friends, to my back door :)

Similar to the front porch idea, I took a pot and added corn tops, ornamental apple brances and some stems from a shrub to balance out the look.  The petunias were given to me in the early summer by my mother-in-law and they have such a beautiful fragrance as you come in or out the door.

I don't think we're going to be doing much BBQ'ng ;)

I found this lamp at a garage sale for a steal and when I saw it I knew I wanted it for the back door.  The vine of leaves I got at Dollarama.

I found these Mums at Wal-Mart and they were the only ones in that color, so of course I went for it.  I just love their brilliance.

You've seen this from a previous project and he looks so cute out here.

Some beans and tealights to make it look for like fall.

I love the owls.  I found them when I helped hubby clean out the garage and they were the perfect addition for my back door look.

My three foot sunflowers grew to over nine feet.  I think the wrong seed got into the package but they are beautiful.

I added the table and chairs to complete the warm, inviting look. 

As you can see, our pup feels right at home.

Again, I found this at a garage sale.

And, the evening glow.

Thank you for visiting my back door.  I am joining in with Cindy at My Romatic Home for Show and Tell Friday.

Hearts for Home

Today I am joining in with Gae from Cherished Hearts at Home . She has a weekly post called Hearts for Home which is open for others to link up with and share some thoughts on home-centred ways. She encourages us to think of 4-6 things to commit to each week to make homelife special and to bless us as keepers at home.

Well, I did finally get our next semester planned out.  I have to admit I did end up leaving it to the end of the week and was finishing it Monday morning, but I got it done.  I still have a lot to do in the garden as I didn't get much done this last week.  I did get the verandah decorated and I am happy with the results and I had so much fun doing it.

This week I commit to:-

1. Garden.  Since I didn't get it finished last week it is definately a priority this week.

2. Back entry.  I want the back door to look as nice as the front so I hope to get that decorated for fall as well.  I found a few items on the weekend for it and it will be simple so its just finding the time to do it.
3. We have a chair being delivered this week so I want to make sure that the spot for the chair is ready which means I need to do a bit of rearranging in the living room.  I probably won't be home for the delivery which means hubby will have to get up (he's working nights so he's sleeping during the day) and take the delivery so I want to make it as quick and easy for them as possible.

4. Plan the birthday/Thanksgiving Day menu.  I think we will combine the celebrations, my son and my birthday is Saturday and Thanksgiving is Monday but hubby is off Saturday and working both Sunday and Monday so it makes sense to combine the celebration.  Now, to plan the menu and the cake.

5. Make some apple juice.  I have some apples still sitting in the fridge and I need to get them made into juice.  Homemade apple juice is one of my family's favorites.

               ~Home, the spot of earth supremely blest, A dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest~
                                                                                    (Maricar Macalincag)