the day after, the day

A Texas home - Christmas Eve

I wanted to share the December 26th post from Curious Girl with you. Beautifully said.

Here is a snipit.

Afterglow:

“call it whatever you wish...afterglow, drydown, linger...the purpose of the hazy time following grand moments of significance is to integrate back to normal with minimal re-entry damage.

“over time and out of necessity, I've learned that the transition is more easily accomplished when the big moment itself is tempered with reality. this is how the last few christmases have been for me. because they are not over the top full-on festivity, it becomes clearer that regular everyday life can be filled with the magic, dreaminess, togetherness, beauty and loving spirit of the holidays. like eating tuesday night tacos off the good china, everyday life becomes fuller with these moments once reserved for specific dates on the calendar. in return the actual big events become less pressured, more sweetly sedate. as celebration becomes a gentle routine practice of beauty and acknowledgement, regular life sweetly shifts from a boring midline spiked with dramatic events to an even and comfortable serendipitous journey.”

author, Lisa

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I am sure that most of you can relate to the feeling of the “day after”. Lisa’s post struck me so much, that it sparked some things I wanted to say today.

I consider myself someone who looks at the glass half full. Don’t get me wrong, (it sometimes depends on what is in the glass), but for the most part ~ I am a girl who really does see and appreciate the beauty around me each day. I rarely get blue. I guess that is why I am someone who welcomes change ~ and even seeks change. Thank goodness I married a man who goes along with me and my new and sometimes “hair-brained” ideas. Not to say that I don’t get scared of change. I do. But I would rather try and/or learn something new than not try at all. I still say….

“ I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up”

So with all that said, I want to share something that happened on Christmas Eve that touched my heart and made me smile. Me, hubby, my son and his girl were out to dinner eating our fave, Mexican food!! We ordered the exact same thing, fajitas for two, half and half (chicken & beef). At the end of our meal we were saying how good it was and Ms. Megan said “I think these are the best fajitas I have ever had”. That was when my heart smiled. That was the moment I knew why my son had fallen in love with this girl.

You see, that is MY saying. It always has been. It is how I live my life. Not intentionally. I just do. Until that moment, I had never met anyone who had said that before and meant it the way that I mean it. And those who really know me, who really love me and who have really paid attention to ME, know that about me. If you read about the sunsets on my side bar, you will see. “Every sunset I see is the most beautiful sunset I have ever seen”. I have gotten teased about this as far back as I can remember. But it is how I feel at that moment.

It probably wasn’t the BEST fajitas Megan has EVER had. It is not the MOST beautiful sunset I have EVER seen. But that is what living in the moment IS. That was why my heart smiled. My son met a girl that lives in the moment and really enjoys THAT moment. Sigh. :)

This is what I believe Curious Girl was saying: everyday life can be magical like “eating tuesday night tacos off the good china” !

Have a beautiful day!

~Cheryl

Merry Christmas: Happy Birthday Jesus!

Santa came………

and brought hubby and I the best presents EVER......

Our boy & his girl!!!!!

That's all we REALLY wanted.

Brandon & Megan

Wishing you all a merry day!!

xo

Cheryl

bittersweet.

Definitions:

1) both bitter and sweet to the taste: bittersweet chocolate.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/piperbole/3788875253/

2) both pleasant and painful or regretful: a bittersweet memory.

The Christmas season is bittersweet for me ~ as I know it can be for many.

The sweetness of twinkling lights in the night, sparkling decorations at every turn, festivities of family & friends, the hustle & bustle of gift shopping, Christmas music and movies that bring back wonderful memories of Christmases past. The anticipation of Christmas Day. The celebration of the birth of Christ.

Amongst all the sweet things that give me joy and a light heart during Christmastime ….. there is a heaviness that I carry. It slowly creeps in and builds. I lost my father 3 days after Christmas, 35 years ago. He was laid to rest on New Years Eve. The pain never leaves. I can’t even say that it lessens. Two years ago, four days after Christmas, my mother suffered a heart attack. She lived through it ~ but a call at that particular time of year was doubly difficult. Last year on New Years Eve, we got the terrible news that my husbands tumor in his lung was cancerous. He is doing just fine. No time is good for bad news, but it seems to hit especially hard during the holidays.

Yesterday, on my way to work while driving on our two lane highway, I was on the phone with my husband and all of a sudden there was a car in my lane coming towards me. What I think was a girl, was trying to pass four cars when there wasn’t even time to pass one car. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I quickly maneuvered into the shoulder while yelling to my husband that someone almost hit me head on. While in the shoulder, she passed me in my lane. I was shaken. Terribly shaken. What shook me was that it could have been over in a blink of an eye. In a blink of an eye during the Christmas season. What would that do to my family. What pain would they have to hold on to during all future Christmas seasons. And for what …. someone’s lack of judgment on a beautiful Saturday morning.

So, I want to say, please be cautious. We can’t control cancer or heart attacks, but there are things that we can control. We can drive safely and keep our eyes open for those who aren’t. We all have so much on our plates during this time of year and so little time to get it all done. But let’s remember what is most important ~ Our loved ones. Being with our loved ones. Please slow down in everyway. Be safe for those who love you and for those you love.

Merry Christmas!

Have a beautiful week!

~Cheryl

Blondes & Brunettes

Megan & Brandon

I have been looking for a frame for this picture of my boy & his girl.  Yesterday, I found this one at target and absolutely had to have it.  $4.99 !!! Are they the cutest couple EVER!!!!  xo  I am so happy – because they are so happy!!

 I ADORE VINCE VAUGHN.  Actually, if I were younger and single…..I would seek him out.  I love his expressions: he is manly and childlike all wrapped up in this large teddy bear frame.  YUMMY!!!!  This movie is HYSTERICAL.  

My sweet Aunt Winnie (click here to read about her in my Red Door Christmas post) sent me these pictures of my mom & dad from the 50’s.  My mom, a BEAUTIFUL platinum blonde and my dad – well, GORGEOUS!  and that baby in the picture …..me.  My mom was 18 and daddy was 19. Daddy passed in 1974 at the age of 38, mommy is 71 now.

And lastly, this blonde is me and the brunette, hubby.  This was a Christmas party we were attending, about 8 years ago. If only we could turn back time.

Hope you enjoyed my Blondes & Brunettes! 

Have a beautiful week! ~Cheryl

Christmas Decor Part 2

Since my last post, I have added to my “simplicity” Christmas decor.

Please come in for a tour.

I look forward to coming home at the end of the day and plugging in the Christmas lights and lighting the candles. They both add that special glow to these cold winter nights! …. and the scent of the holiday candles warm the soul (pumpkin, sugar cookie, apple & cinnamon ~ yum!) I found a cute little Santa towel and Christmas cookbook that I added to the vignette.

I also decided to add a couple of my “restaurant” Dickens Village houses to the mantle above the cook top and sat them in a cushion of “snow”.

The two restaurants are Wong’s Chinese and Italian Ristorante!

What I love about the Italian restaurant is the little side yard with the swing gate. Wouldn’t you love to sit there with a glass of Merlot?

At Wong’s, I picture myself living in the third story apartment. I have always had a fantasy of living above a restaurant in a big city! Always.

The fireplace mantle

First on the tour, are the Fire House, firemen and Spot! All knee deep in snow.

Ready for any emergency that may arise!

Fresh roasted chestnuts, anyone?

Auditions being held tonight!

This little lad is lighting the way to the Inn.

Come out of the cold.

The Innkeeper will get your bags for you!!

Another little touch that I added were these ribbons to the shades on the chandelier. It looks so lovely at night with the light on. So much so, that I am thinking of getting red shades!!

I want to thank all of you that gave your suggestions for decorating “my” vintage ice skates (from my last post). I appreciated all of your great ideas!! I decided to go with the red ribbon for the laces and add a pair of white & red fuzzy socks. Aren’t they just adorable??? LOVE THEM. I don’t know what took me so long to think of using them as my winter decor. But I just love them. I have so many wonderful memories involving my skates and now I can look at them throughout the cold months.

I am going to leave them propped on this bookstand sitting in one of the cubbies of our entertainment center right above the TV. I want to look at them ALL the time!!! Therefore, they will not be going on my front door ~ which some of you suggested. It was a great suggestion, but I want to be selfish and have them where I can see them!!

I thought I would also share the dining room. Simplicity at it’s best! A Christmas wall hanging and a sparkling tabletop tree. That’s it. Just a touch of Christmas.

And lastly, we got lucky because our neighbors across the street decorated like this ! The picture does not do it justice….but it is soooo pretty to look at! I zoomed in so you could get a better look!

Thank you for visiting, I hope you enjoyed the little Christmas tour. Please take good care of yourself during this season of hustle and bustle!

Enjoy the day.

Don’t wear yourself out.

Give yourself a special treat each day!!

suggestions: a hot bath, a cup of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream, buy a new lotion, sit in front of the fire, listen to Christmas music, buy a new warm scarf

~you get the idea~

be good to yourself

Have a beautiful week ~ Cheryl

the beginnings of Christmas decorating……

I don’t know about you, but when it is time to take out the decorations for Christmas, I get “stuck in my thoughts” about what I want to do. Of course, I would love to run out and get all "new" ~ just because I get tired of decorating with the same things each year ~ even though they bring such great memories! Over the years, I started with my Santa collection, and then moved to the Snowman collection and then to Dickens Village (it’s a girl thing, right?). So, I truly do have some great pieces to display. But my taste changes, as I am sure yours does too….. and new, beautiful styles come out in the stores each year. I love all different styles and color schemes for Christmas and that is what is so exciting about seeing everyone else’s holiday decor. I wanted to share the beginnings of my holiday decorating with you. Simplicity.

As with any seasonal change, I like to start with the kitchen island. It is the center of the house and my island is large enough to allow a good-sized grouping (vignette). This one started with a little wooden sleigh to get some height, and then I added a Santa candle holder, black wire basket, shabby crystal tea light holder, measuring spoons, bottle of wine, cookbook, kitchen towel and country living sign.

I enjoy mixing my everyday items with my Christmas items. Then I don’t have to part with my favorite things that are out all year.

I just adore these pewter spoons that my sister-in-law gave me for my birthday one year. The next little vignette is with my red Southwest cookbook, a pair of wooden ski’s and a snowman. Simple, but festive!

I love anything that has glitter on it because of the way it catches the light. One of the reasons that I bought this little green tinsel tree last year is because you don’t need the lights on for the tree to sparkle in the daytime.

And if you have things in your home (bunny rabbit or white roses) that you don’t want to put away during the holidays, just add a bow, a wreath or pinecones!

Now, I need your help with something. Last year I saw a few decorating ideas for vintage ice skates, but for the life of me ~ I can’t remember what they were. I have this pair of skates (they are mine) that I have had since I was probably 10 or 12. If you have read my “about me”, you know I grew up in Michigan. I used these skates to skate on the local ponds that froze over as well as in my own backyard. My father, every year, turned our backyard into a skating rink. He would go out every 1/2 hour or so, day after day, and spray a light coat of water on the grass until we had a thick, slick, ice rink! A cherished memory.

I don’t want to damage the skates in anyway….just adorn them! Any suggestions or links to pictures would be greatly appreciated. I am looking forward to displaying them this year! Here is a picture.

I did a lot of stopping with those toe stops~

And a lot of falling ~ proof in the scuffs!

This is the inside flannel.

I appreciate all comments and ideas ~ have a beautiful holiday weekend !

~Cheryl

halloween night

This was the first Halloween in over 30+ years that I did not stand at the front door handing out candy. When my boy was little, his daddy always took him house to house while I handed out the candy. I loved dressing up and frightening the children!
I love Halloween. As my family and friends know, it is probably my favorite holiday. It is one day a year you can dress up and be someone else besides yourself and just have fun! As a child I used to bring home two full pillowcases of candy, mom always made my costume and I just loved running around in the night getting scared by monsters behind the bushes!! I hated when there was no one home at a house handing out candy and I must confess, we didn’t let them get away with it (bars of soap & toilet paper were very popular growing up in the 60's & 70's).
I stayed true to my heart and never disappointed a child who dressed up for Halloween and walked the neighborhood looking forward to picking up their treats! And I stayed true to my mom’s efforts with my costumes, and always made my sons Halloween costumes.
I have so many fond memories of Halloween Parties hubby and I threw over the years :)
Of course, due to all the real life frightening things that happen in this world, children now go to parties, church events, malls, etc to do their “trick or treating” ! So, because of the lack of children coming to the house, hubby and I decided to go to dinner and take in a movie!
We went to see Law Abiding Citizen with Jamie Foxx. I thought it was great. Jumped out of my seat at least 4 times and the poor man sitting next to me must have thought I was a bundle of nerves. You see, as I have gotten older, I scare a lot easier than that little girl running around the dark streets at night looking for the scare!
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Now, my sweet friend Becky from Farmgirl Paints (please stop by and give her a visit), asked that I share more pictures of myself in my blog. I have always photographed terribly, and as I age it is getting worse!!! UGH!! But here it goes. I tweaked the colors of the last 3 sunsets for fun! After dinner (Mexican, of course), hubby and I went down to the harbor to the theatre. The sunset over the water was fabulous!

Have a beautiful week! ~Cheryl

Thank you!

Thank you.

I wanted to thank each of you who sent your well wishes to me. I am beginning to feel much better. The fatigue that I had is lifting and my spirits are lifting as well. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your kindness and concern.

~Cheryl

under the weather

Bless our Texas home

Been under the weather.

Brighter days are ahead.