Tablescape Thursday Tales of Christmas Past

Welcome to my Tale of Christmas Past Tablescape . . .
I thought I would share with you today a little luncheon table I set up for Cowboy and our daughter and the grandbaby last Christmas.

I chose the simple, cute & whimsical really, really cheap grocery store dinnerware . . .



It is a little hard to see but the dinner plates and the salad plates and the mugs were markdowns from Kroger. They were marked down because the handle of one mug was broken. But that worked fine for me because I set an even cheaper plastic cup on that place setting and planned if for the baby!

• I added some old little fruit dishes and juice glasses that were cheap too in their day they came out of oat meal. (I wish they still did that) If you look closely again the baby's is slightly different. I got these from my mother and she only had three matching bowls. (We didn't eat much oatmeal) The fourth I found at a shop.
• The green leaf plates are some of my favorites. I only have 4 they are Vintage Pier One! I say Vintage because I bought them over 20 years ago. Vintage sounds snazzier than old! Love them. I used to have a platter but I broke it. Darn it.

I thought the little candy canes added a little more fun so I put some in the mugs then tossed a couple on the table.

BTW I really didn't have a plan I just pulled together pieces that I love that were in the same color them. And, the meal was Taco Beuno!

I didn't really plan this table for a post but since I had this photo I thought I would share it.

I am at a little of a stand still in making tablescapes. I have run out of ideas with the few dishes that I currently have in our little apartment. (The rest are in boxes in storage)

I actually realized when I found this photo that this dishes are here. Maybe I'll drag them out this week and do a different tablescape for next week. Hmm.

We'll see come on by anyway I'll have something to share even if it is only a 'Dream'.

And don't forget to visit Mary for lots of inspiration! Have fun setting your table.

Home Sanctuary Simple Things

Yesterday I joined Rachel Anne over at Home Sanctuary for the first time in months. I think my life is finally settled down a little and I can think about making my Home a Sanctuary. Yesterday Rachel suggested saying "Yes" to God. I posted about it yesterday but I want to follow up here. You see what I am saying yes to is actually two things. It starts with my other blog My Journey Back. I have felt for a long time that I should make some changes to there. I would love you to come by there and visit. It isn't a homemaking blog and I post very little about decorating. I do join a few weekly meme's. On Monday's I always try to write about our ministry or another ministry or post a book review. On Tuesday I have been writing my thoughts about being a Titus 2 woman. There are a few other meme's I join but mostly I write about My Journey to getting closer to God. It was actually a few months ago that I said 'yes' to God and began a blog dedicated to book reviews. And I posted a photo illustration of where I want My Journey to go and what I want it to be about. Simply said it's theme is explained like this WIJIT which means Where Is Jesus In This.
I haven't been keeping up over here at My Home Sanctuary but yesterday I made a commitment to say 'yes' and be much more regular about posting here. I hope you like what you see and read and I hope you will decide to follow.
I love to decorate. I love to visit other blogs for ideas. Every Monday I join Sandra for Happy Homemaker Monday. And I usually try to post something in Blue too and join Smiling Sally.
And I also try to visit Rachel and get some inspiration. Today she inspired me to take stock in my cleaning supplies. And so I did. I was out of comet. One of my old stand by's. And I needed windex. I use a lot of windex. One of my must have's is pop up wipes. Love them.
Rachel asked everyone to share one of their favorite bathroom cleaners. Here's a photo to illustrate mine.
Opp's well no that is my little happy house. Isn't it cute? Here's my favorite tool.

My trusty mop. I have a mop for floors and a mop I use to clean the toilet and the tub. They are they kind you take apart. I have a different mop head for each use. I know it sounds a little weird but it sure does save the back. I do my tub and my toilets regularly so they are pretty easy to scrub and believe me the mop makes it so much easier no bendin' a stooping!

This month I am trying to keep track of points because I want to enter Rachel's give away. And so after yesterday and today I have logged a big 'ole 90 points. Woohoo! Watch out girls I am sayin' yes and givin' you a run for your money this month!

Christmas Storybook--Book Review

What an adorable book.

I received a copy from B&B Media Group.

I think you will love this book it would make a great gift.

The story is really sweet and it is interactive.....

Here's part of one of the pages

Mary will have a baby.

Point to Mary in the picture.

The baby will be God's son.

Pretend to rock a baby.

Mary was glad to be a mommy to Jesus.

Smile a big smile.

Each page is so sweet and ends with a little prayer.

This book is recommended for children up to 3 yrs.

This book is part of a series of 7.

You can go to David C. Cook for more info. about the others.

Many thanks to Karen at B&B Media for offering this book for review.

Say yes . . .

Yes Lord . . . Yes Lord . . . Yes Yes Lord . . . today I was challenged by Rachel over at Home Sanctuary. It has been a really, really long time since I have participated in her suggestions to make your Home a Sanctuary one small thing at a time.

In fact you probably don't even know that this blog is here because of Rachel. The name of this blog was inspired by Rachel. There was a time that I was posting fairly regularly here and following her suggestions. But the last few months have been so crazy for me that I have neglected my time here.

And so, today at Rachel's suggestion I am hoping that I can say 'Yes' and make a commitment to spend my time here with you.

My desire for My Home Sanctuary is to share with you my home and how I am trying to make it a sanctuary. I love decorating. I love cooking. I love reading. I love getting inspiration from other bloggers. And I love learning new things.

I love being a Happy Homemaker on Monday and everyday. And I hope that you'll begin to come here often.

I want to share with your what I am learning. Even though I am a more 'mature' woman. That means I am over 50 I know that there are still many things I have to learn. Mostly because I know that God is continually doing a makeover on me. Just about the time I think everything is running smoothly I realize because he has brought to my attention that there is an area of my life I need to work on. And over at My Journey Back I try to share what God is teaching me. So, I would love it if you dropped in over there and maybe leave me a comment and let me know you've come by.

And I hope you'll become a regular visitor here and join me in saying "Yes Lord". And if you need inspiration or encouragement to work harder at making your home more of a sanctuary then join me over at Rachel's for some encouragement and inspiration.

Happy Homemaker Monday Oct.4, 2010

Sorry there is so much space between photo's blogger has been giving me fits! Please stay around and enjoy!

The weather in my neck of the woods: We are being blessed with wonderful fall weather. Almost even a little chilly but beautiful.

Things that make me happy: My Blog

Book I'm reading: Maverick Heart by Loree Lough


What's on my TV today: Music

On the menu for dinner: Well it was gumbo but no okra. So cooking up some Steak and Potato Soup, Caesar Salad

On my To Do List:Finish put away last weeks Laundry (shhh. Please don’t tell!)

New Recipe I tried or want to try soon: Gratin Onion

Does this not look so yummy? I found it at Closet Cooking his kitchen is like a closet; I love his blog name.


In the craft basket: Aprons and quilts to finish.

Looking forward to this week: Tatooed Hearts on Wednesday and maybe lunch with my daughter, the grand baby and my mother on Friday.

Tips and Tricks:Fold and put away each load of laundry when it is out of the dryer. Otherwise you end up like me having some to put away the next time!

My favorite blog post this week: Monica hosted her daughters group Little Keepers group and shared it here.

Blog Hopping (a new discovered blog you would like to share with the readers): This is a really great cooking blog I found a while back each month they post a photo to share for your desk top. Go over and check out Chocolate & Zucchini.

No words needed (favorite photo or picture, yours or others you want to share):

Lesson learned the past few days: That sometimes with some people now matter how hard you to try to get along it doesn’t matter or make a difference. Sometimes you have to give up and move on.

On my mind: A really bad situation that I have to get out of.

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses: We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only The gospel of God but our lives as well . . . 1 Thessalonians 2:8

Sandra is the wonderful hostess and creator of Happy Homemaker Monday stop over and visit for more posts.

Blue Monday

A different kind of Blue Monday . . . Enjoy!

First a Blue backpack to carry a few books that I have read lately and they are all our Monday color of the day Blue!

First a new Max Lucado book. This one was great filled with stories about people that changed another persons life. It is a small little gift book and quick and easy to read. It would definitely make a great gift!

Nest I loved this novel. The dog on the cover looks just like my dog. If you want a fun read I would suggest this one. I am keeping my copy but I am buying one for my sister who is a novel reader and dog lover.

And my last little Blue book was a fun children's book. It is a great little story about a dog that wants to be a 'helping dog' for a handicapped person. I know when my little grandson is older he will love this little story book.

Thanks for coming by and visiting. And if your interested go over here to my other blog to read the reviews. There is a tab at the top of the page that will take you to the reviews.

And don't forget to go over and see Smiling Sally for more Blue.

Enjoy your Blue Monday.

Homemaker Challenge

I found the most fun new idea over at Amy's

Each Friday she is going to suggest a challenge and she gives us a week to complete it. Then we post about it. I cannot believe how she has started this. See below.

Oh my word the girl wants us to bake! So I am off to turn on the oven. Dust off the cookbook. Dust of the kitchen aide and make something delicious. Photo's to follow.

Wanna join the fun? Go back up to the top and click on Amy's name and you'll end up at her really cool blog.