J is for JOY!!!

Good Morning Miss Jenny!  How are you today?  Did you have a nice Thanksgiving?  I surely did!  It was quite different over at cousin Mary's this year but we had a great time anyway.  Mam?  What do I mean different?  Well, different cause we had a very busy hectic day and a lot less people to celebrate with then usual.  Yes mam, I do realize that does not sound very enjoyable to you.  But, I  ain't,not lying, it was quite an enjoyable day regardless.  We have so much to be thankful for!  Yes mam, I do remember ain't ain't a word.  Haaha!

Why yes, I am feeling quite lively today.  Why?  Cause of the Holidays of course!  What?  Yes mam, I am ternin my homework in, you just hold your horsies ok?  Ooops!  NO Mam, I did not mean to be sassy.   I am getting around to my homework, ya see?  Our letter was J wasn't it?   That's right!  I'm sorry some folks don't get it, or feel it, but the holidays came and reminded me of  "JOY"!!!  That's my J word for Alphabet Thursday Miss Jenny!  JOY!

I know it's hard to believe you can have JOY when so many crappy...yes mam, I meant "unfortunate" (that's a fancy schmancy word) things are going on around you.   But it's true, ya can ya know!  Like my wise old cousin Mary explained to me sometimes you got to just look for it!  So, that's just what I did, I went looking for it and here's what I found.

Look, cousin Mary put out her Christmas books again this year...have you ever read these?

I know you've read these!   She ain't got no little ones around right now, but cousin Mary ain't about to let go of these, cause they bring her lot's of joy!

Then I really got on a roll, and I found JOY on a plate in the kitchen.

I also found JOY on this pillow in her dining room.

I really got excited when I first spotted the J on this here plate because...

Look at that!  It says... JOY!!!

Then cousin Mary asked what I was doing taking pictures all over her house and squealing like a Lil piggy.  After I told her about my homework, she said, that's easy, let me show you some "joy".  She said, let's start over here at the Christmas tree in the dining room.

Hey!  I didn't see that one cousin Mary!  I see it, it says JOY alright!

Then she started squealing like a piggy and said here's another one!

And look here's another one!  I was looking at these real hard cause I wasn't seeing no JOY, do you?  Then she said, lets go look at the Christmas tree in the den.

She said this is one of her very favorite old ornaments from when she was a child.  She said that when she was a little girl she went to a church that made these and they were called Chrismons.  I told cousin Mary it's really pretty and all, but I still don't see no JOY.  She sighed heavily and said, follow me back to the dining room then.

Cousin Mary took my camera and said, "Here, don't you eva forget this girl, here's your JOY!"  Then she focused and snapped that camera right on the baby Jesus.  She said, you been too busy looking for joy that you almost missed the obvious, didn't you?  OH!  I get it!  She had me there!

Then cousin Mary gave me a big old hug and started humming a little tune that sounded something like this.  Well, she tried too anyway.  LOL!   

I sure am thankful for my family and friends and all those things around me that remind me of the reason for the season.  I hope all of you find JOY this season too!

"Little Missy"

Leafy Fall Tablescape

OK, so like the other day last week (Monday to be exact) before all my world went into a tailspin, I was sitting in the kitchen on my counter stool trying to catch up on my emails on my laptop.  However, I kept gazing dreamily outside.  For those of you who email me, I do appreciate it, please know I am not ignoring you I am just such a dreamer at times.

I was sitting there looking at how beautiful everything looked outside.  I was also remembering how one of my old friends had commented she could not wait to see a fall tablescape done outside from me.  I knew that soon the beautiful fall foliage and the remaining leaves that were clinging to the trees would soon be gone.  I also realized it was a now or never moment.   So, like all good bloggers do I scurried about and created one more setting, this ones for you my sweet outdoorsy friend, I hope you enjoy!  I also hope all the rest of you bloggers over at Tablescape Thursday enjoy this setting too.

The leaves are falling and I haven't even picked up the rake once yet!  I am getting so mellow!

I've set a table for two, wish you were here!

I put out my newest Lenox dinner plates to start with.

Next, I added my green wheat plates for a very festive touch.

Then, I added my black and white toile plates.   Look how the scenes shows the man and lady gathering wheat on here too.  How appropriate for this time of year!

I really like this color combination together, don't you?

I also brought out the good silver!

Would you care for a glass of wine with your tea?

I love looking out in my yard this time of year, I hope you are enjoying it too?

My old black shawl makes a wonderful table throw.

I am really glad I did this and captured such warm Autumn colors.

Thanks for the encouragement to set this table, it was so fun thinking of what I would do if you were here.

Now I really should get back to those emails!   Speaking of emails, let me tell you about one of those emails I opened last week.  Would you believe the nice folks over at CSN Stores sent me a fantastic opportunity to do a review on one of their products.  I am going to have quite a decision on my hands, as there are literally thousands of items to choose from.  You may want to even check out all the wonderful products over at CSN Stores for your holiday shopping.  You won't be dissappointed.  Also, be sure to stay in touch and see what I choose to review so you can hear all about it too!

Thanks for visiting with me today!  Be sure and let me know if you were here. 

Happy Holidays!

Mary

Tabletop Santas

Hi Yall!  Since it's Tabletop Tuesday I thought I'd show a few of my Santa's.  Yes indeedy, I am one of those crazy Santa collectors.  I have actually given away some of my Santa's after moving into this house where there was less rooms to display them all.  I like having them scattered about and not all clustered together.  Since this house does not have a formal living room it was too much.   Not to worry though, I still have waaay too many!  I'm just showing you a few today that I have set up in the den. 

I am still knee deep in decorating for Christmas after taking a much needed break after Friday's tree and mantle decorating.  It literally took me all morning long Saturday to clean up before I could even begin to think of how to proceed with the rest of my decorating.  I was feeling quite overwhelmed from the clutter and all the recent events of the holidays and my sons accident, so I took a break from it all.

My son is continually doing quite well and actually drove himself to school today.  Yikes!  I know you have to let them get back in the saddle, so to speak, but I really did not want too. 

Here he is last night after going back to school yesterday.  His injured leg is his left leg so he can drive and we even practice drove with him on Sunday, well actually the Mr. did, but point is he's ready even though I'm not.  It's a good thing it's the holidays so I have other things to think of, and we can all keep moving forward.  God's perfect timing! 

On my coffee table I kept the candle in the tray but changed out a few things.  Not sure I am totally liking this look but it does fit the candy decor.  I have had this trio of ceramic gingerbread men for years.  They usually live in the kitchen at Christmas but have made their way into the den this year.

I only did a simple bow tied here but may redo this, I'm not really digging it.

Love this little star jar?  It's ceramic too, but sooo sweet looking!

This corner is kind of a mess, but I like it!

I really like the way this Santa looks next to my carriage cage.   I think they go together well, don't you?  Look there to the right and you'll see my paper whites are finally starting to shoot up.  I cannot wait for them to bloom!

Isn't he wonderful?

On top of my stand I moved the lamp from the other side of the room where the Christmas tree is now and added this Hunting Santa.

He came complete with his own hunting dog too.

On one of the end tables beside my sofa I added my Woodland Santa.

He came with the reindeer too.  These are two of my very favorite Santa's.

Oh, and these are two more of my very favorite Santa's!  I mean, Mr. and Mrs. Claus!

They are such a whimsical pair, just look at those details.  I always put them in this rocker because I don't have stands and they will not stand up on their own.

I just adore how old and wrinkly they are!  I just love em!

Well, I'd better stop playing on this computer and try to get some more accomplished around here today.

Thanks for visiting!  Be sure and stop by the party link above for more holiday visions and interesting vignettes.

Have a great Day!

Mary