Ch ch ch changes......

I've switched a few things around in the foyer and living room recently.  I love doing that, makes everything feel "new" !


I've been wanting a hall tree for ages - found one at a GREAT price right before the holidays:

So, I put it on the only wall it fit in the foyer - 

where the old dresser was.

But then, the dresser needed to find a new home:

And it found a new home  -

where the bookcase had been in the living room.  

LOVE the mirror here !  

We'd had a mirror there originally - a gorgeous antique one - 

but it feel during construction and smashed to bits.

I love being able to put little vignettes on the dresser !  

The guys miss the convenience of the buckets for keys and mail . 

I moved all that to the back door, 

maybe now they'll actually STOP coming in the front -

I moved the coat rack back there too - hint, hint !

Ok, now the book shelf needed a new home.  

I moved it to the foyer corner.

I like having the small lamp on there and

I am enjoying a "new" spot to fuss with !

Phew... the wing chair needed a new spot next !  

I angled it in the dining room.  

It's such a comfy chair and now I can read AND enjoy the fire !

See that metal tin ?  I got it for FREE at Home Depot !  

I had seen them in the summer and asked if they still had any.  The store manager said they only had one left because they'd been discontinued and this one had been "forgotten" when they sent them all back.  She said I could just have it  and then she wouldn't have to do the paper work to send it back !

I'm using it for wood and even the HUGE chunks fit !

I've linked my switcheroo to 

Metamorphosis Monday @ 

Between Naps on the Porch

Baby Steps....

I was born in 1962.  My mother was in the hospital for a full week and received lots of flowers and gifts.  She kept all the ceramic plant and flower containers and passed the last one to "survive" on to me.  It's a pink bassinet and I keep it in my craftroom shelf with pencils and pens.

It's so cute !

Twenty five years later, I had Matt Matt.  I had a C-section and was also in the hospital one full week.  First baby, first grandbaby = lots of flowers and goodies sent to the hospital !   This little blue block was one of my favorite plant ceramics.  It's on the shelf near the "antique" one of mine and holds my paint brushes...

When I had the twinsies three and a half years later I had another C-section - but this time I went home THE NEXT DAY !!!!  Lots changed in three years I guess and No flowers this time either !

I do love these two ceramic containers - they make me smile and remember that new mommy feeling.  I wonder if they even make things like this anymore ?

I'm linking to:

 PINK SATURDAY @

 How Sweet the Sound

 Oh, and my camera battery is pooped out and Mo hasn't had a chance to get me a new one.  So, my cruddy pictures are from my cell phone !  I've been holding out on posting and I have lots of fun stuff to show you .... hopefully tomorrow he'll get me the new one and I'll be clicking away !

Happy Pink Saturday !

PUPPY Power !!!!!

Debbie, over at Debbie Doos  is having a LINKY Party all about our fur babies !


We have two furry things running around Lavender Hill... well not counting Mo and Monster that is !


BISQUIT is our 14 year old Bichon Frise.  She's blind now and a bit disoriented at times, but gosh we love her to pieces.  She's such a sweet girl !  She's learning how to use the elevator now because the stairs are just too much for her these days.  BUT, if someone rings the door, she'll still attempt to run and greet them - but sometimes finds herself in the wrong room - like the kitchen pantry.... ooops !

Trixie just turned 7.  We've had her since she was 8 weeks old and got her for Matt Matt as a "roommate" when he moved up to our condo to attend the CIA when he was 17.  She came home with him on weekends and vacations and when Monster got sick, they both came home for good.  Since the Princess is allergic, Trixie became the twins' roomie.  She is VERY attached to those boys, especially Monster - they're buddies !   She knows how to climb stairs, but has no clue how to go down them - so she takes the elevator !  She's spoiled rotten, hates just about everyone but the Rodsan 6 and we love her anyway !

Thanks for indulging this Fur Mommy and ooh and ahhing at my girls.  

When your done admiring the beauty here, click on over to 

DEBBIE's !

Pink Snowmen for a Pink Saturday !

Trixie loves nothing more than a freshly made bed to park her cute, little tushy on !  

These are my favorite flannel sheets - 

PINK SNOWMEN !!!! 

 Cozy flannels + a purple stinker  + an adorable fluffy pup  = perfection

I'm linking up to:
 PINK SATURDAY @ How Sweet the Sound


Be sure to click over to Beverly's to see all the PINK goodness !

Happy PINK Saturday !!!!

Why I Love Winter .......

We got about 7 or 8 inches over night...

Perfection.

well.... even though this was taken on Wednesday, I'm linking it to PINK SATURDAY !   Those gorgeous pinky, snow covered chairs are just too perfect !

Happy Pink Saturday !

Go on over to:

Pink Saturday @

 How Sweet the Sound

and check out all the 

Pink Goodness !

Pink Stinkers for a Pink Saturday !

It's a snowy weekend here in jersey and I've decided to cuddle up with my yarn and hook and stitch up a new stinker - or two !

While I'm stitching, I'll share a few pink stinkers I've already finished:

This one went to the new granddaughter of one of Monster's favorite nurses:

 This one is for sale !

 and this one is ready for a dear friends grandbaby:

I'm working on a lavender one right now - I know - 

you're shocked, right ?

I'm linked to 

Pink Saturday 

@ How Sweet the Sound

So, be sure to visit Beverly and check out all the Pink goodness !

Happy Pink Saturday !!!!

Ideas in the dining room.....

Many years ago - like 20ish years ago, actually - I had a 

Lincrusta

frieze put up in the living and dining rooms.  

It is a VERY heavy, decorative and paintable type of wall covering. 

 You can read more about this cool stuff here:  

Originally I had it painted white, but then one day I got ambitious and

 did the whole living room perimeter in gold leaf  !

It was a ton of work, but I really loved it.  

A few months later I started the dining room:

But one thing led to another and it was never finished.

Over the years my style has changed.  I still LOVE Victorian decor,

 but I'm much more laid back now and have tried blending in a more casual feel.  

It's not easy because most of my things in the 

living room and dining room are formal styled.  

But, I've been sneaking in more cottagey things over time.   

Mo grew up in a very formal, French Provincial styled home.  

Lots of froo froo and fancy schmancy.  

He's always liked the formal rooms on Lavender Hill, 

but I think I'm slowly starting to win him over !

I'm thinking of finally finishing up the

 Lincrusta Frieze in the dining room.  

But, in an effort to keep things lighter, 

I'm thinking of doing it in paint instead of gold leaf - 

sort of like I did the ceiling medallion in the living room:

Any suggestions or ideas ?  

I'm linking to:

Metamorphosis Monday @ 

Between Naps on the Porch

Snowmen on Lavender Hill !

I untrimmed this weekend... cleaned, organized and put away all the Christmas goodies.  I also put out all my Snowmen and wintery fun stuff !




I made a snow flake banner for the gym:

Re-did the mantle in the living room:

The gingham mitten garland was $1 at the Christmas Tree Shop !

I puttered in the dining room and on the porch a bit too.... 

still need to tweak and then I'll share !

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday

 and are ready for 

LIVING in 2011 

because:

 I sure am !

I've linked my fresh start to:

Metamorphosis Monday

 @ Between Naps on the Porch

2011

For the last five years,  my word has been BELIEVE.  I have it all over the house, I wear a diamond bracelet that spells it out and it has been my guiding force.  I do BELIEVE -  in miracles, in the love that grants them and the God that enables them to be a part of our lives.

But, now it is time to LIVE..... to take that miracle that I so BELIEVE and USE it !   So, I have declared this: