By the back door

At the back door of the house, I hung my Santa apron and hat.

And right below it in the corner....evidence that Santa decided to just take off his boots and
get comfy.

We're hoping this doesn't cause Lily Kate any distress. She's not a big fan of "Ho,ho,ho", as
she refers to Santa. She's already told her mama that he can leave presents on the porch,
but CAN NOT come in the house.

When I told Dana about the Santa clothes by the back door, she said "uh oh. Lily Kate may
decide that not only is Santa IN the house....but he's naked."




The back porch tree is another mesquite branch, set in an old bucket and strung
with white lights. It looks very festive at night.


Right as you walk in from the back door ---- the coffee/spiced tea/hot chocolate bar
and the peppermint tree.

Grab a cup and let's go sit by the fire,

Gwynie Pie

Welcome

Every year we "harvest" a couple of West Texas Christmas trees (bare mesquite trees). In years past, before we went artificial because of allergies to most real trees, our main tree in the living room would be one of these beauties. Usually spray painted white. And then decorated with tons of white lights and ornaments -- looks really nice.

This year we have one at the front door -- it sits in an old metal milk can wrapped with burlap. And then that all sits in my mother's old metal wagon.

I've had the scripture snowman sign for years. It always gets a special place.




Lovely old garden gate, given me by a sweet friend. Don't you love it?

Double grapevine wreath with a few real evergreen branches wired on and a big natural burlap bow.



















As is my "habit", I can't leave well enough alone.

So I "tweaked" the mantle just a bit and added two huge white serving platters. It added just that right something ????

Of course, the roaring fire pretty much says it all

"Welcome. Come on in here. Sit. What would you like to drink?
Coffee with eggnog creamer? or a cup of Sugar Cookie hot tea?
ummmmm --- okay, let's visit......................"

Gwynie Pie

A tree in every room

My Christmas decorating philosophy is this -- I don't want "over the top" decorating all over the place, in every nook and cranny and corner. But, when someone steps into a room I want them to know that it's Christmas. Therefore ........a tree in every room.


One guest bedroom has a simple lighted tree. The brand-new, yet old-looking little sign was purchased at Cheapo Depot for $2. It says "Season of Joy".

The folk Santa was made by William, probably 30 or more years ago, out of a 2 by 6 chunk of wood.

Lily Kate's little table all set for having a tea party with the teddy bears.
Adornments decorate the little tree, each one telling about a part of Christ's life, who He is, why He came to earth.
And our main tree in the living room. I used old pictures, along with our traditional ornaments -- one of the silver bells the "little angels" rang as my daughter walked down the aisle,
first ballet slippers,
my tiara from high school days,
an antique bookmark with the ten commandments, from my grandmother's Bible,
mine and William's first Christmas stockings, homemade by a mom or grandmom,
special glass ornaments from my grandparents tree,
there is even a cute little plastic cowboy hat bowl that was Williams when he was
a little guy -- it's so cute!,

at the top -- the cake topper from our wedding....two white doves inside a white heart.


I used yards of burlap this year. Everywhere. On the trees. Under the trees. I hope to finish the burlap stockings by Christmas. If not -- there's always next year.

Sooooo -- that's the tour of trees, part1. I think I showed you our bedroom tree a couple days ago. Then there's the peppermint tree in the kitchen. And the trees on the porches.

Oh, I'll be back later with those.

We are totally decked out and dolled up and enjoying every moment of this season.

Enjoy your CHRISTmas season day. Okay?

Gwynie Pie

.....and it goes on....

The armoire --- laden with evergreen boughs and twinkly white lights.

St. Francis and the basket of songbooks.







It's Never Too Late to Live Happily Ever After,

Gwynie Pie

Decorating continues......

On top of the tv armoire -- my favorite little stone angel sits watch. I made the red "This House Believes" sign a couple years ago. It moves around the house and is almost always on display. This house believes --- in Jesus.


Old!!! red toolbox lined with a scrap of burlap holds our collection of children's Christmas books. Some are mine, some are my kids. That Christmas Stories book was given as a gift to William's great-grandmother in 1903. So sweet.
The Santa is from my childhood -- he always stood on my folks mantle with his hand in a candy dish. I'm not a big Santa fan, ya know? but I do love him.


Stack of family bibles. Some are quite ancient. The nativity we've had since we were first married.
Part of the collection of Santa and Christmas pictures through the years. That black and white one is me and my Daddy, my first Christmas.


The house is looking like Christmas now. I'm ready to sit back, drink some hot tea and enjoy the season.

Enjoy!

Gwynie Pie

Christmas Decorating

Just wanted to show you some of what I've been up to lately.

Starting with the bedroom --

I used the colors in the comforter and pillows and pulled those
into the Christmas decorations for the room -- muted turquoise and chocolate brown.

The glass bottle in the Eiffel Tower shape was found years ago in a Bryan junk shop. It originally was a bottle of French dressing. Isn't that cute?
Cost a whole 25 cents. And I just love its uniqueness.


The set of books was found at the College Station Friends of Library sale for a couple dollars. I love the colors, especially of the title labels.



When all the decorating is finished, there are always areas I want to leave up for a while, even after Christmas.

This is one of those areas. I just love the textures and colors in this room so much.

It may all just stay "as is" for a good long while.

I'll be back later with the rest of the house.


Happy decorating,

Gwynie Pie

White Pumpkin

I am so in love with this white pumpkin.

As many of you know, I went on a search around town for a white pumpkin because I had seen the most wonderful project that involved using a regular round paper doily and brown craft paint.

You cut a hole out in the middle of the doily and it becomes a template for stenciling a beautiful lacy collar on the top of the pumpkin. Just lay the doily over the top and with a paint sponge, dab the color on filling in the holes of the doily. Absolutely breath-taking. I loved the look.

However........after an thorough search for the white pumpkin ---- I realized none of them were as pretty as I wanted them to be --- I'm picky that way.

The white pumpkins were really more greenish. And bumpy and bruised. AND they cost twice as much as your basic orange pumpkin.

Soooooo - I decided to just make my own. Found this big beauty at a farm stand for FREE !!!! Then, using painters tape, I taped off the stem. Got out my can of Harvest White spray paint and in just moments, I had a very beautiful white pumpkin.

THEN, I decided it was just too pretty to mess with. So the doily and paint craft project will just have to wait til another day.

As Thanksgiving draws near, I may get tired of the white pumpkin look and see what else I can do.

Right now, I'm just loving it sitting right here on my big dining table, in the middle of my New York leaves, perched on top of my "Oh taste and see that the LORD is good" cakestand.

It really doesn't take much to dazzle me. 'Cause every time I walk past and notice this pumpkin, I smile. Simple. Beauty.

Dana and Lily Kate coming for the weekend and will be here in just a few hours. And then we're all off to the ranch country south of here to visit Colin and Ronnie. I have much to do before they arrive, so I'd better get crack-a-lackin'.

Have a beautiful day everyone ! Blessings on your weekend.

Gwynie Pie

I saw this decorating idea using old books a couple years ago. And since I have an abundance of old books, I tried it. Loved it. Use it every year. Each year is very different in look and feel, as I have to start "from scratch" every year crafting the pile of books just right. Just so. It takes a little time. But so satisfying to my eyes.


Buffet holds my Grandparents mantle clock. It always sat above the fireplace in their home. I loved spending time at my Grandparents and can still "feel" the warmth there, whatever the season.

Still keeps perfect time. I think of it as the "heartbeat" of the home. Chiming out the hours. Beautiful.

Living !!!! Room --- ahhhhhh

What a beautiful morning ! It was 51 degrees here last night. We've been sleeping with the A/C off and the windows open for a while now. But last night --- there was definitely some pulling of covers going on. Mmmmmm - perfect sleeping weather ! I have the kitchen French doors flung open this morning, doing a little catch-up on the laundry and putting the finishing touches on a "fancy" candlelier that will hang in the back yard from the big old ash tree, over the cupcake table, for Lily Kate's birthday party on Sunday.

I finished up the painting in the living room and finally got to the really good part --- decorating, of course. Here's a look at the new wall color - called Hot Chocolate -- which I absolutely love!

The beautiful framed picture above the armoire, which hides the tv and all the little black boxes, is from William's mother. Sadly, we know nothing about its history. We found it in an ancient trunk, along with all manner of other curious items. This picture is painted on black velvet. There was a back piece to it, so I suspect it was at one time a pillow.

The words say When Autumn Leaves Are Falling.

Just perfect ! It fits perfectly in this old frame I spruced up with a little flat black spray paint.

Stay tuned for pictures from the rest of the room.

Finally, after two weeks of picking paint colors, trying out paint colors, disliking those colors, choosing new ones......I am done !!! Yea!


I chose a color called Vanilla Creme to cover the formerly Lobster red walls in the dining room. Should you attempt a similar feat -- I have one word for you, just four little letters --- K I L Z . I didn't. Lesson learned.

Did you know it takes 5 coats of Vanilla Creme to cover over Lobster red? Now you do.



I LOVE decorating for Fall. Very fitting that on this first full day of Fall.

These pictures are in no real order -- the first ones are just shots of Fall decor in the kitchen.

Our dining table with a burlap runner. I literally bought the very cheapest burlap I could find. It's called utility burlap and cost less than $2 a yard.

I've used this burlap throughout the house as runners on tabletops.
I also used it on the armoire doors to hide the television and technical boxes that go with that.

I also have a project planned to stencil on the burlap and make throw pillows.....stayed tuned.


I love using my scripture dinner plates. Each plate has a different scripture that is a promise. I used the rocks in the middle of each plate as the "place card" and it is really neat how when you read the first part of the scripture, then the person's name, and then the last part of the scripture -- it really is sweet and personal.

"No one can imagine what God has prepared, Lily Kate, for those who love Him." Sweet!


I finished up the entire living room painting this morning. The total project took only about 3 1/2 hrs. I wasn't covering up a dark red, so it was a snap to get it finished.

I am putting the final decorating touches on that room and will post the living room pictures next.


Whew !!! I'm also getting ready for a huge weekend of fun stuff. My Daddy's family reunion will be here on Saturday. Everyone comes mid-morning, we eat and visit all day long.

Then on Sunday after church, we will have a birthday party for Lily Kate. She is 3 ! Such a big girl. I'm working on making a chandelier to hang out in the tree in the backyard over the table.

We are all going to dress up a little crazy --- and have an Alice in Wonderland kind of experience. I'll be sure to take lots of pictures of that as well.

Well ----- Happy Fall everyone.

Gwynie Pie

HAPPY FALL Y'ALL

Now that Labor Day is over, marking the official start of Fall,
I can begin the fun of decorating for the season.

This wreath is super simple to put together. Here is what you need to
make one for your front door or above a fireplace.

Two grapevine wreaths, one larger than the other
Two garlands of leaves
The little sign is metal, bought at Hobby Lobby
The little garden rake was mine when I was a child

Line up the two wreaths, smaller one on top and secure them together.
I used small jute twine to secure everything on this wreath. When I want
to change out for the next season, I can just snip the twine with scissors
and it's ready to be something different.

The first garland I put around the wreath was just Fall leaves, cheaper
than the top garland. The purpose is to add lots of layers and depth to
the wreath. Then, the next wreath was a lot fuller with leaves and acorns and pinecones. Also a little pricer. However, I will
be using these decorations for years and years. When I find something I love.....I stick with it.

Then I attached the sign and rake. If you are talented with paints and such -- you could definitely paint a cute message on a
piece of board. Cute!

And......that's it ! Hang it up and enjoy !

Happy beginning of Fall, y'all --

Gwynie Pie

Mmmmm -- Cool

I felt it !!! This morning when I stepped out onto the back porch at 7-something I could feel just the barest hint

of Fall in the air.

Not full-blown, time to get out the Fall decor yet.

But, the air has changed a bit -- there is a slight coolness

that tell's me Summer is drawing to a close.

I'm always sad at the end of Summer -

cause I'm a Summer kind of girl

and I love it so.

But, ahhhh Fall -- delicious smells,

falling leaves, back-to-school,

family holidays, football --

I love Fall too !

And because I am in

such a Fall kind of mood today, I wanted to share

these Fall vignettes to get you in

Fall kind of mood too.

These are from last year -- I won't decorate for Fall

until after Labor Day.

Then it'll be full-tilt decorating

and of course,

I'll take pictures.

I decorated the dining table

first and then when I realized that as pretty as it was and as much as I loved it

there --- there was no room for the really important stuff ---

like FOOD !

Sooooo- I moved it all over to the buffet.

I love all those rich, warm colors.

I especially love the family picture

in the middle of it all 'cause

that is what life is all about --

whatever season it happens to be.

And now -- back to reality.

It's going to be about 100 here today.

That wonderful, cool Fall feeling will be gone

by 9:00.

And I'm planning on spending the last few afternoons

of Summer in the pool, soaking up the sun.

Hope you are having a spectacular Monday!

Gwynie Pie