Be Grateful - Fall Home Tour 2012

Only three weeks until Thanksgiving.

Seems like Fall has come and is leaving, quickly!

I'm so grateful

to Welcome family and friends into my home

for Thanksgiving.

I'm busy making preparations,

as I'm sure many are!

Beautiful Pillow Purchased From Ann of Sutton Place

Come on in...

My Home

Fall 2012

Foyer

Just a Simple Gathering of Candleholders for the Dining Room 

Mantel

Autumn Wreath on Pantry Door

1 Chronicles 16:34 
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

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Linking Post To:

"Better Late Than Never!" Thanksgiving Inspiration
Linky Party

Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage
Mop It Up Monday  @ I should be mopping the floor
Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch
Make It Pretty @ The Dedicated House
Tabletop Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm
Cowgirl Up Party @ Cedarhill Ranch
Gettin' Krafty with It @ Krafty Kat
Creatively Tuesday @ The Rusty Pig
Wow Us Wednesdays @ Savvy Southern Style
Fall Harvest Link Party @ Fresh Eggs Daily
Open House Party @ No Minimalist Here
Share Your Creations @ Kristen's Creations Online
Inspiration Friday @ At the Picket Fence

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On another note,
my prayers continue for those suffering from the aftermath of Sandy.

Living on the Carolina Coast,
we are no strangers to the devastation of hurricanes.

Going through a storm in the heat, 
without of power for days, is tough.
It's uncomfortable, to say the least!

But for the poor folks who are without heat,
more than 1 million in New Jersey
and 650,000 in NYC, the Northern Suburbs, and Long Island
that is unthinkable, beyond misery!
My heart breaks for those homeless and suffering in the cold!

There are two great ways to help....

One, by gathering up some warmth to share by collecting socks, gloves and winter hats - for men, women and children of all ages - and sending them to:

Socks for Sandy

P.O. Box 520

Little Egg Harbor, NJ  08087

Please mail by Friday, November 9, since the need is urgent. 

Laura a fellow Blogger at Pet Scribbles and Hometalk member (you can read her story on her blog) will receive all packages and immediately take them to the local hurricane shelter for distribution. Any excess will be given to the other hurricane shelters up and down New Jersey's coastline. 

Another option to help, click the graphic below if you'd like to make monetary donations...

Not so scary Spiders

Did you know...

There are around 40,000 different species of spiders.

A "daddy-long-legs"

isn't really a spider.

Some spiders can live up to 30 years.

Spiders cannot die of natural causes.

Are present on an American Dollar Bill!

Where?
Hidden in the front upper right hand corner.

Spiders are found on every continent,
...except Antarctica.

While Spiders are usually known for their webs,
they can also weave a wind-sailing "parachute,"
capable of taking them high above the world below.

And abandoned spider webs are called cobwebs,
which are usually pretty spooky.

But not these super cute glittered spiders!
Not so scary at all, huh?!?


Materials List For Gift Buckets Project:
Buckets - Target
Spider Cut-outs - Hobby Lobby
Martha Stewart Glitter - TJ Maxx
Aleene's Tacky Glue - Walmart
Ribbon For Bows - Hobby Lobby
Clear Plastic Liners - Dollar Tree


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Linking Post To:
Wow Us Wednesdays @ Savvy Southern Style
Share Your Creations @ Kristen's Creations
Friday's Unfolded @ Stuff and Nonsense
Inspiration Friday @ At the Picket Fence
Happy Hour Friday @ Happy Hour Projects
Pretty Things Thursday @ Scissors and Spatulas
Saturday Show and Tell @ Cheerios and Lattes

Power of a Little Bling - Southern Bloggers Conference 2012

Power in a little bling???

You bet there is!

And I'm thinking

little girls learn that at a very 

early age.

The sparkle, alone, can turn the ordinary...

...into a state of fabulous'ness!

Or for the already fabulous,

it can boost confidence... 

..to be extraordinary!

Like, Karianne, from Thistlewood Farms,

and the other ladies who spoke this past weekend at 

the first Southern Bloggers Conference!

With the joy and positive energy this lady exuded,
I'm thinking I may need a pair of those awesome earrings! "smiles"

Go {HERE} to read about "her story!"

Karianne - Thistlewood Farms

This was my first blogging conference,

and can I just say...WOW!

Barb, from The Everyday Home -- Chair of the SBC

First thing,

and something one of the very talented speakers pointed out,

it was so refreshing to be in a room with ladies (& a few guys)

that GOT YOU!

Sweet, sweet "1st Lady of Blogging,"  - Rhoda from Southern Hospitality

I recently went to lunch with an otherwise open and creative friend,

who ...when I took out my camera and started taking photos of 

the most amazing presentation of chicken salad,

{right after I asked "grace" for my meal, course},

had the strangest look on her face.

When I replied,

"it's for my blog,"

I got the even more confounded look, 

the one that makes you wonder if you've sprouted two heads! 

I get this a lot ...how about you???

Can I just say how wonderful it was,

to be with those that "got you --- got the blogging thing!"

Rhoda - Southern Hospitality Blog

Barb Garrett (Everyday Home), Chair, Amy Buchanan (Atta Girl),

 Shirley Stankus (Hospitality Designs), Suzy Handgraaf (Worthing Court),

Kristen Dobson (Sophias Decor), Brittany (Pretty Handy Girl),

and Cindy Miller ( Living on the Bliss)...

You ladies did a stand-up, A+ job planning the conference!
Many accolades to you all!

Annie Omar - Maison Blanche Paints - www.maisonblanchepaints.com

Every one of speakers were wonderful!

Very informative and inspirational,

whether they were speaking on their personal blogging journey,

giving tips on improving, growing, and making money with your blog,

or presenting amazing painting techniques!

(I unfortunately didn't get a picture of all the speakers)

Paint Demonstration from Maison Blanche Paint

The SWAG bags given to each attendee were awesome,

so thankful for all the sponsors that donated so graciously.

And as for me, I won a door prize!!!

One that couldn't have suited me better,

...a sampler pack from Maison Blanche Paint!

Kristen -- Sophia's Decor

Amy -- Atta Girl

Heather -- At The Picket Fence

Brittany -- Pretty Handy Girl

  

So looking forward to next year!

...but for now, 

I've returned home with valuable checklists...

...and a notebook overflowing with tips to improve my blog,

maybe even support my habit on some level,

great techniques and products

for painting furniture,

and, with aspirations to fix a broken toilet handle.

...by myself,

...cause I'm 95% sure I can! "smiles"

and most importantly,

many new friends!