Hello, my name is Debra and I am addicted to books

                           Yes, it's true.  I just ordered 8 more this morning. I enjoy looking at them over and over again.  I love the wealth of information, the stories and of course the photos. I love the way they look,feel and even smell:) I read every night before I go to sleep. I have a stack of them by my bed and am always reading at least 3 at a time. I love the different sizes they come in and they way they look in my book shelves and around the house. 

White books.

 

Hundreds of decorating books. I love them all. Every one of them.

Garden books, I have two shelves dedicated to gardening.  Ya never know when you'll need to put in yet another garden bed:)

Big 'ole books

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Books on 'junk'. These are a staple. Do you have these?

Romantic Vintage love books.

Really old books on the smallest, cutest paper cutter. love

Vintage books with my aviator glasses.

There is even a big bowl of books for my grandchildren. Plus a book case in the nursery.

They look at them every time they stop by.

Oh, look! Here's  one now. The little cherub who calls me 'Bob'.

How about you? Do you have the same addiction? It could be worse......right? Can we ever have too many books? And I don't plan on quiting any time soon. I have even been known to order the same one twice and now Nicole has a collection started. Because I am a giver...and I am running out of precious room. 

Happy reading!!!

'Till next time....

~Debra

HANDBOOK 2010

HANDBOOK 2010
A friend sent this to me and liked it so much that I wanted to share it with you. Thanks Kris!

Health
1.Drink plenty of water.

2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.

3. Eat more foods that grow on trees
and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

4. Live with the 3 E's Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy

5. Make time to pray

6. Play more games

7. Read more books than you did in 2009

8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day


9 Sleep for 7 hours..


10.Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk,smile.


Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.


12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.


13. Don't over do.Keep your limits.


14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.


15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip


.16. Dream more while you are awake


17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..


18.Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past.


That will ruin your present happiness.


19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.


20.Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.


21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.


22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.


23. Smile and laugh more.


24. You don't have towin every argument. Agree to disagree...


 Society:
25. Call your family often.


26. Each day give something good to others.


27. Forgive everyone for everything.


28. Spend time w/people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.


29. Try to make atleast three people smile each day.


30. What other people think of you is none of your business.


31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay
in touch.


Life:
32. Do the right thing!


33.Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.


34. GOD heals everything.


35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change..


36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.


37. The best is yet to come..


38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.


39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

FISHY FRIDAY

Our home is never quiet.  There are delightful sounds of visiting grandchildren, birds, the radio or water trickling from the waterfall in our pond.

I have always loved animals and used to own a pet shop so it wouldn't be unusual for us to have a stone pond inside. Koi and a cat fish reside in it. They are so much fun to watch and the water sounds so soothing.

It is especially nice in the winter when there is snow outside.

This is another reason why it is never quiet.  Meet Sunnee. He always has something to say, whether it be words or meowing like a cat or laughing at me in the morning calling me baby.  Yes, he is quite the talker. He seems to contribute to all of our conversations.

Sunnee likes to watch the fish. And I think the plants make him happy too.

Hope you enjoyed my Fishy Friday.  Have a great weekend!

'Till next time...
~Debra

WHITE WEDNESDAY MASTER BATH

Hello,

I thought I would share some pictures of my master bathroom aka my bathroom with you today.  Don't worry Don has his bathroom own too:)

I keep needful things like q-tips, make up brushes... in vintage silver creamers and sugar bowls. I love their patina.

     A old piano stool holds flowers in a painted watering can.

I took this picture through the mirror.  How clever am I:)

Now, I know this may look like a jumble of stuff but let me tell you that in 'my world' its perfect:). You would have to be here to actually see it since I am not a photographer and I am sure you don't want to stop by to visit my bathroom.....but you are welcome if you do:)

Check out Kathleen over at FADED CHARM for more lovely whiteness. I will be by to see yours as well.

'Till next time...
~Debra

PARTY GIRL

Remember her?  Well, now she looks like a party girl.  There were so many ways I could have gone with this piece but I decided to be a free spirit and just go with it. I am not sure you would actually call it reupholstery  so I am just going to call it 'Maison Couture' so as not to insult the professionals:)

I used new fabric and antique and vintage lace. I layered it until I got the look I was looking for.

This is the side.  I used almost 20 yards of tulle gathered to make it look like a party skirt and then added vintage lace on top. The tulle is gathered throughout the back of the settee. Chocolate brown burlap covers the entire outside of the piece along with layers of lace and hand made roses.

Layers of lace from antique curtains and handmade roses with pearls and ribbon.

I pleated the arms instead of tufting them because the original buttons just fell apart, but I like the way they came out.

This would have looked so pretty in white but with grandchildren and it not being slipcovered I decided on the darker.  And it works perfectly with my white slipcovered sofa and other things.

One project down, 387 more to go..............

'Till next time...
~Debra

WHITE WEDNESDAY 2010

Happy 2010     WhiteWednesday.

This is my very fragile hoosier. I would love to move it but if I do, it will be the last time. So I will have to enjoy it in this spot until I can't take it any more:)

My son and his girlfriend Marci gave me two gorgeous pieces of pottery for Christmas.  This is one of them.  It looks so pretty with white flowers in it.

I have a collection of alarm clocks.  First I collected all white but then I found  some that were were very ornate and so pretty so I added them to the collection.

Some vintage dresses in my granddaughter's guest bedroom. Their room is decorated with vintage toys and furniture.

This old hutch top just spoke to me at Brimfield Flea Market.  The paper on the windows is original and so worn but I love the look so it will stay.  I don't think it would have the charm it does with out it.

I also have a collection of strainers - all sizes.  Do you ever wonder why we collect the things we collect?

This isn't white but it is another collection of mine, wire potato mashers. I love the different styles.  They are in an old tool box that I painted.  That is an old stained glass window behind it in the window.  I have about 10 more in my windows.  I love how the sun brings the colors into the house.

Thank you to Kathleen for White Wednesday.  Check out her blog 'Faded Charm' for more white fun!!!

'Till next time.....
~Debra

P.S.
Check back tomorrow for "Maison Couture"!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!!!

It is 2010!  Can you believe it? There is something so refreshing about a new year.  A new fresh start, a new beginning filled with dreams of doing things differently, maybe doing them a little better. I like to look at each day like that, not just a 'new year'.  Every day I wake up is a new beginning of new adventures just waiting for me to jump in and try. We really don't need a new date to start over, do we? Each day we wake up and live it to the absolute fullest is what it is all about. Start that new excercise program today or how about that project that you were waiting to do 'someday'. I say jump right in and at least start it. I'll bet that you get lost in it and get more done that you thought you would. It doesn't have to be monumental to anyone but you. For me it could be cleaning off my office desk - completely. Or taking that walk to visit the grandchildren and breathing in the fresh air while getting some well needed excercise. Visiting an old friend or making a call to a friend who moved away to catch up on what has been going on in their lives. Or starting to redo my settee (which I did start:) that has been on my list of things to do.  It felt so good to finally just do it. I already have a list of things that I am going to do this year.  For me if that means that I get up an hour earlier to do them, then so be it.  I like to rise early in the a.m. in Spring to photograph the sun coming up.  It is always so beautiful.  And walking through the garden with my morning tea starts my day like nothing else can.  The wet dew, the birds chirping and exploring what plants are coming up is heavenly.

What will you do this year that you have been putting off?  Something you really really want to do, something creative maybe, fun, healthy?  What ever it is I wish you nothing but tons of happiness and the best of health in 2010 and hope that everyday is the treasure is was meant to be.

'Till next time....
~Debra

                            " The actress"

THE SWEETEST CHRISTMAS EVER

We had a wonderful Christmas this year.  Spending time with loved ones always makes me happy. There was yummy food, a fire in the fireplace,  silly games, kids running around, lots of pictures taken and the most fabulous Christmas gifts given.

This one made me cry.

A calendar of Basset Hounds from Don.  As some of you may know, our 'Barklee' past away this past June.  It is amazing to me how an animal can touch ones heart and become part of the family. His sense of humor always kept me laughing and his barking drove me crazy, but I loved him. He was my 'B'.

On the  paper that the calendar was wrapped in was a little note telling me to go out and find another Basset Hound to touch my heart once again.  While I know another one will not take his place it will be fun to have those long floppy ears and huge feet scampering throughout the house with Fergee. And one can never have too much fur in their home can one?   And have I said that I have the sweetest husband ever:)

I hope your Christmas was fabulous too. Did you get any surprises?

'Till next time....

~Debra

MY WISH TO ALL OF YOU

I wanted to take this time on Christmas Eve to wish everyone of you and your family and loved ones a BLESSED AND VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS. 

You have no idea how much I have enjoyed meeting you all and  exchanging  thoughts and ideas with you. . It has meant sooo much to me! You are my very special Christmas present:)

~Debra XXX

A PROJECT FOR THE NEW YEAR - YES ALREADY

Call me crazy, but when I saw this Victorian settee, I fell in love!  While some of you may see a hunk of junk I simply see beauty. Does anyone else see beauty or is it just me. It's ok if its just me, just wait until I am done with it. I have been collecting just the right fabrics, laces and trims to redo it in. (Some of the runners up in recovering it are on the floor beside it on the floor)

.
Believe it or not, I was going to start it tonight. But I thought how silly to stress myself out over the holidays. I mean Christmas is in 3 more days and I have a ton of things to do yet. OK...maybe it was  my husband who said "Are you crazy?" I thought for a moment and said " maybe I am" (insert big crazy laugh here!!!) and remembered that I am the impulsive one in the family and  sometimes he keeps me grounded......this time;)

As I was saying, it needs only cosmetic work. The bones of it are great. I am going to redo it in dark chocolate and cream colors because I think it will look pretty juxtaposing the white slipcovered sofa. Then I will add some pretty white pillows to bring it all together.

    It is very old, filled with excelsior and is very prickly.  

I am going to trim it in antique lace.  I can't wait to start it! I started to rip the top fabric off of it which is very uncomfortable and hard and found a blue floral print underneath.
(Wish me luck, I might sneak in at least ripping the fabric off tomorrow. He'll never know;)
Do you have any projects planned for 2010 yet?  Or am I just jumping the gun here:) I'd love to hear.

'Till next time......
~Debra

WHITE WEDNESDAY IN THE LIBRARY AND COLLECTING VINTAGE PHOTOS

Hello!!! Hope you are all doing fine. Just 9 more days left until Christmas. It  seems like we just put the tree up.

This is our library. I have tons of books.  They are stacks everywhere but mostly here. We were given an old door and I asked Don to make me a library table.  I painted it a patina green, placed some vintage photos on top and then added  glass. It is long like the library tables I remember in grammer  school. I found 8 different chairs and painted them all the same color white and didn't pay more than $5.00 for any of them. I love this table. It turned out to be exactly what I envisioned. Because, Don is just that good:)

This is our loveseat in the library that faces the fireplace. So if we are not doing something at the table we can curl up and read a book on here. Fergee thought it was hers.  One day I came down stairs and the feather/down pillows were all over the room and she was laying on the loveseat. I swear she was smiling. I was so happy that she didn't rip open the pillows (can you imagine the mess) that I didn't even yell.  But I did have a little discussion with her and now we are on the same page.

I have always enjoyed collecting vintage photos. There is just something about having a photo of a gorgeous child, a happy couple wondering what story it may hold. I love to pick out certain expressions, clothing, backgrounds. And then find the perfect frame or other use for it. These are on the walls of our 1st floor foyer.

This WONDERFUL woman is my grandmother on her wedding day. I cherish this picture and am so happy that she gave it to me.  She was a mother to me when I was a child.  She taught me how to sew, cook, crochet. You name it she could do it.  She even said to me one day "Honey, it is time to stand up straight and suck in your tummy" lol. She was the kindest woman I have ever known.  I know she is an angel right now - no doubt in my mind. I LOVE memories don't you? Do you ever wonder how lucky you are to have or have had certain people in your life?

This pretty lady in being held by a florists frog.  Do you collect vintage photos? How do you display them? I would love to hear.

Don't forget to visit Kathleen at Faded Charm, Hi Kathleen, for more White Wednesday.

'Till next time......
~Debra

DON'T LET THESE TWO FOOL YOU

                         They are partners in trouble.

"Hey Fergee, I have a great idea!"

"Let me whisper it in your ear so that no one can hear us"

"Oh this is going to be so much fun."

"UH Oh Hi Grammie.... er Bob (yes my granddaughter calls me Bob) we were just sitting here being good".

"And don't think for one minute that we were going to eat cat food......again."

"I mean, do we look hungry?"

"Seriously, Bob, I don't even like cat food."

       "Wow, that was close. I hope Bob bought it. Any way, I only ate the red ones."