Christmas 2012 and a Twin Update

 Merry Christmas to all!  I thought I'd throw these pics onto my blog and let you know that my daughter made it to December and is scheduled for a C-section this Saturday.   I'll be back next time with photos of the identical little girls.  : )

 I did my snowflakes again this year.  Plus, added wings to my Santos figurine (just for Christmas).

 My daughter, Sara, made this fun collage from the photos she took over here the other day.  : )

 I'm hoping to get to my "Candyland" half-tree on the landing again this year. 

If you'd like to see my Christmas decorating from years past (above photo)...go to my "labels" on the right side of the blog and click on "Christmas Decorating".
Have a Merry Christmas!

Halloween 2012 AND... a Thank You!

First, a heartfelt thank you to all the well wishes expressed in my last Post regarding my recent marriage. I could feel your genuine happiness for me and it meant a great deal. I know I've been so out of touch in the blogging community for the last few months. After my daughter's twins are born (Hopefully in December rather than November), and we get through the holidays with all the big changes in our lives, I'll become more consistent again. 

Below: a few of the things I put out this year... Enjoy! : )

And last, but not least ... my cutest Halloween decoration by far this year...Mr. HoW (House of Whimsy)!  : )
I Hope you're all doing well.  Again, thank you!
ML

Another Wedding......MINE!

Several years ago I lost my husband and son in the same year. My husband died suddenly at work one day from a heart defect. Six months later my son, Preston, died of cancer at the age of 18. Because of our faith in God and trusting in His infinite wisdom, my three remaining children and I were able to go on. It wasn't easy, but we knew He would watch over us and help us get through this most difficult trial that was required of us. Little by little we picked up the pieces and went forward with faith. We continued to be blessed with more precious grandchildren and Sara's wedding to her sweet William. This past Summer a mutual friend (and God, in my opinion) found a way for the new "Mr. House of Whimsy" and I to meet. He had also lost his wife. We immediately felt very comfortable visiting with one another.  We dated all Summer......and married in September. : )

Of Course I had to put a pair of my birds on the wedding cake.  Everyone told me so.  : )

Below, immediately following the Wedding.

Below, a little later at the Reception Hall.

I chose champagne and cream for the colors...very traditional.

Below, we used a few of the white trees w/ lights from Sara and William's reception.

Right after cutting the cake:

This cute photo below was the very first time my granddaughters met Mr. H. o W. (House of Whimsy).  They kept bringing little wind up toys over to him.  It melted my heart.  : )

I'm very grateful to all of our combined adult children for being so gracious about this shift in their lives.  I'm sure it has been challenging at times, but they have all been completely amazing.  I'll always love them for that. 

So now you know who to blame for my lack of blogging all Summer.  What a handsome distraction.  : )

How to Paint Your Dining Room Chairs in an Afternoon...

...so your dinner guests won't know what a slob you really are.  Ha!!!

I've done this routine SO MANY times over the years, that I have it down to a system.  You only have to make this "template" once and then use it on every chair after that.  It works like a charm and saves a ton of time. 

After the chair was covered with the newspaper template, I then hung it with strong wire from this A-frame you see below (which had a huge tarp under it the day I did this project).  While it was hanging, I sprayed the legs of the chair.  Next, the chair came down onto the tarp and I sprayed the back.  No matter... that since I procrastinated, I had to do it the afternoon before the occasion in 125 degree weather (kidding)...but it felt like it!  However, SO WORTH IT!!

Just look at what a neat and tidy homemaker I appear to be.  Notice I didn't have the guts to take any "before" pics.  Umm...Wow!  Why do we ignore things like this until we're forced to see just how bad it really is???  Or am I the only one?  : (     Hope not!

The dinner was a total success!   What a wonderful evening... with wonderful company.  : )