Ramblings of a Southern Girl: December 2012

Saturday, December 29, 2012

I've shared before,

that 2012 was a tough year for my family in many ways,

but it was also a year of positive growth!

Even in difficult times, blessings are still so evident around you,

ones often taken for granted!

And, joy and reward can be found in trying new things.

"smiles"

Our biggest project of 2012 was remodeling the upper duplex of our Lake House,

and converting it into a rental property.

What we anticipated would be a 2-3 week project turned into 6!

But considering the entire duplex received a major overhaul, the timing wasn't bad.

The remodel was quite a challenge,

accomplished on a tight budget,

and involved many items being repurposed.

To read more about the journey,

{Click HERE}.

Little projects also filled the year,

two of which gained attention in the blog'osphere,

My IKEA rug makeover,

adding a monogram to an inexpensive rug.

12 months later, and I can say, ...this rug is holding up well!

And the recovering of a set of Ottomans...

I've long loved to paint....

anything!

When Ashley was a baby, as a stay-at-home mom,

and I occupied my free time (her napping), with paint projects.

Kevin's famous words for the time were,

"he feared he'd come home one day and find Ashley a different color."

This year,

I was introduced to Annie Sloan Chalk Paint,

and Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint.

I've found painting furniture to be therapeutic and a wonderful creative outlet.

And the pieces I've repaired and repainted have been given new life,

'cause most were destined for the dump.

At the end of March,

I stepped out on a new venture and rented a booth in an antique mall,

and then an additional one in the late summer at another venue.

{I'm hoping that in the early spring, I may add 1-2 more booths to my slate.}

I've been pleased with the sales,

and most of my painted furniture is stock for my booths.

I'm not getting rich by any means from my booths,

but it's a great hobby that has been paying it's way! :)

As you know from reading my blog, I'm an avid junk collector.

Nothing makes my heart race in excitement like a good yard sale or auction! :)

"The thrill of the hunt!"

This year, I shared many of my second-hand finds,

some that I kept for my home...

including the Waterford pieces found at a local Estate Tag Sale, below.

...and countless others that also went to stock my booths.

My most popular blog posts for 2012 centered around seasonal decorating!

The most viewed Post...

"Be Grateful"

A Fall Home Tour

{Click HERE} to view

The second most viewed...

My Zebra print and Burlap Decoupaged Pumpkins Project.

And the third most viewed,

My Fall Porch Post...

Other Holiday posts were popular, as well,

including several Valentines ones...

And I did quite a bit of entertaining this past year, which I shared,

along with recipes, in several posts...

{A Valentines Party, below}

It seems I'm ending this post full circle,

with a Holiday we will be focusing on soon ...Valentines!

A friend randomly texted the verse below to me yesterday

and it seems a great way to welcome in the New Year,

and a blessing hoped for all of you....

"May the God of hope fill you with all JOY and PEACE as you trust in Him,

so that you may overflow with HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Romans 15:13

Thanks to each of you who read Ramblings of a Southern Girl,

and share in my daily life and adventures!

May you all have JOY, PEACE, and HOPE in the coming year! :)

~Rhonda

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Linking Post To:
Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage
Saturday Show & Tell @ Cheerios and Lattes
Mop It Up Monday @ I should be mopping the floor
Make It Pretty Monday @ The Dedicated House
Best of 2012 Party @ Diane Rambles
Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch
Wildly Original Linky Party @ I Gotta Create
Cowgirl Up Party @ Cedar Hill Ranch
Tabletop Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life
Creatively Tuesday @ The Rustic Pig
Open House Party @ No Minimalist Here
Creative Inspirations @ Embracing Change