Winter Mantel/Thrifty Find

Hi there!

While everyone else in blog land is posting their Valentines mantel.

I just finally finished my winter mantel! 
Yeah!! 
Go Me!!

You see God delivered me a little gift...via an early morning (or late night) thunderstorm...including full on tornado warning in the middle of January. This storm was so fierce that during one lightening strike our house shook like a tornado...it vibrated the entire house...the next thing we hear...is glass breaking!! Hubby jumps out of bed...and checks every room in the house, including the basement...and we could not figure out what broke...I decided to investigate a little deeper...come to find out...a whole bunch of seashells that were nestled in a GIANT heavy glass flower bowl...that was sitting atop 2 silver plate trays...shimmied and shook right off the shelf in my storage closet...otherwise known as the hoarders den...once known as the exercise room.  If you're ever in need of sound effects...and need to recreate the sound of breaking glass...you now are equipped with the know how! 
Let me just say...
this sceered the bejeebers out of me! 

Anyway...the next day we realized that we had lost a tree outback. A Poplar tree. This was the gift from God part I was talking about... for 2 reasons, first being, I wanted branches...had looked at Hobbly Lobby for some...but did not find what I was looking for...and I knew I could find real ones for free, and secondly I did not like where this tree was planted...and am happy to have it down.  

So, I grabbed up some of the branches...and rearranged the mantel a bit. Remember the sweater candle/vase covers, I showed you  here. I had not put them away...because I thought they were just to cute...and could be left out for the winter. I did have candles in them...but I took those out, and put the branches in instead. It is so gray and blah outside...we are just not getting any snow...not any that will stick around anyway...so bare branches on the mantel is very fitting! 

 

  Gotta have a little sparkle...and a little dust and grime on your mirror apparently, since I can see it now in the picture and can't with my bare eyeballs!  

I love these birds I had picked up at Michael's during Christmas...so they, and the mercury glass candleholder add the sparkle...and the promise of spring!

I guess I should tell you about this mirror too. I picked this up at a yard sale a couple of years ago for a measly $3.00! 

This is not plastic or lightweight! 

This is SOLID heavy wood! 

It originally was blonde wood, and I spray painted it black. The only problem with the mirror...is that I have about 10 different places I would like to put it...and can only put it in one place at a time!

Sorry no pictures of the before...since it was long before my blogging days!

 

So there you have it...very plain and simple...not much color...just like the great outdoors right now!

This is where we spend out winter evenings...here cozy-ed up next to a roaring fire!!

why can't I seem to quit talking and end this post?

I have 2 questions...

1.  Should I paint my fireplace white? My trim is white...but my kitchen cabinets that are opposite this fireplace are not...I am seriously considering it. What do you think...PLEASE give me your opinion and your advice...not that I will take it...ask the hubby...he always wonders why I bother to ask his opinion, and never do it his way. I don't understand why he doesn't get it.

2.  This mantel is extremely long...almost 7 1/2 feet long, only 7 1/2" deep and the room is only a normal 8' tall so there is only 35" from the top of the mantel to the ceiling.

Anyone have any ideas? I hate when everything looks like it's squatty and lined up in a row, like a bunch of soldiers!

I just happened to think why possibly I can't quit talking...not to long ago...I drank a bottle of 5 hour energy....

I think it works!

I hope you have a lovely cozy evening!

Goodbye till next time!

Sharon

Linking to:

The Shabby Creek Cottage 

The Shabby Nest 
Thrifty Decorating  
French Country Cottage 
funky junk interiors 
 

The Simple Things...

I was holding out for snow...though all of my other Christmas decorations were long gone...my wreaths remained on the windows outside. I was acting like a stubborn child who isn't getting what they want I suppose! I love snow...lots of snow...especially at Christmas...but we didn't get it this year...or least while I was here. I think Indiana did get some right after Christmas...but by this time I was in Michigan...with no snow...go figure!  I love the way the house looks with the wreaths and the snow...so I was gonna wait it out!  We have had major snow storms here in March...and by golly if I had to leave my wreaths up until March...dagonit...I was gonna do it!  Finally we got just a bit, not much...but some.  I was halfway down the driveway on my way to work when I figured, I best go take a picture...because the way it has been around here...snow today...gone tomorrow. So I ran in quickly to get the camera and snapped the picture.

Then...to make it even more exciting...a surprise visit!

Thank goodness I had my 2.00 yard sale find...the little blue sled!

We bundled Sweet Tator up in his camo snowsuit...added the non matching...but warmer hat and mittens...and off we went out back.  

  We looked all over until we found the smallest hill we could find for the little guy...oh yeah...we only have one hill...but boy it's the perfect size for a 2 year old Sweet Tator!

So off to do a little sledding...

 

 
One of the Simple Things...

Oh by the way...Tator Tot was here too...he wasn't feeling up to par...a bit of a cold...so he stayed inside...but here's a peek at him...I cropped out the boogers!

Still Counting my Blessings…

50-55

Having the opportunity  to know Richard. Who I know I will see again one day.

A Heavenly Father who comforts us

Freshly fallen snow

Sledding with a grandson

A delicious bowl of white bean chicken chilli

Linking to:

Peace, I leave with you

Richard has been sick for many years.

He was diagnosed with Leukemia about 10 years ago

He had a bone marrow transplant

The cancer was gone...but his body rejected the transplant

what he has had to go through and endure these 10 years has been horrible!

Through it all, I never heard him complain one single time

Through it all he loved the Lord

Through it all he praised the Lord

Tonight he's home and with the Lord!

Please lift his family up in prayer!

Sharon

Monday...enough said!

Source: Uploaded by user via Melanie on Pinterest

It's Monday...

I don't like the word "hate"...but I dislike Mondays!

This was how my day started...
first...

While getting ready for work...I realize that while showering...I put conditioner in my hair that should have been rinsed out before getting out of the shower...but did I rinse?

...no

So...no time to rewash my hair before work...I fixed it the best I could...have you ever tried to use a curling iron on hair that is coated in conditioner??
Can you say...bad hair day!

Source: google.ca via Tracy on Pinteres

Next... 

where are my favorite gray pants? 

How do you spell gray anyway...is it gray or grey??

Truth be told...they are were my only pair of grey/gray pants

they are no where to be found

I searched everywhere...and they are no where! PERIOD!
How do you lose grey/gray pants?  

Next...
due to hair and clothing malfunctions...add to that a clock that is not set quite right...or batteries are running low...or someone is just plain out to get me...who knows...but I suddenly realize...
I'm late for work...
...out the door I run...
it only takes me about 5 minutes to get to work...
today...
I'm out to make it in 3!
Not gonna happen...
Before I realized...lights were a flashin!

Source: dekrullevaar.be via Soonhwa on Pinterest

Don't judge me....

Source: amazon.com via Lindsay on Pinterest

Police officer: "Where you headed in such a hurry"?
Me: "I'm headed to work at the hospital...and I'm late"
Police officer: "Don't you think 20 over is a bit excessive"?
Me: "Yes"
...what else could I say
...he was right...
off he went to his car with my license...
I'm shakin in my boots...
I live in a small town...
and all I can think about is the fact that this little encounter 
is going to show up in our local newspaper for all the world town to see
I hang my head...
call work...
tell them I'll be late...
...cause I'm getting a ticket!



Police Officer returns...
after what seems like 30 minutes...
Police Officer...while handing back my license  "slow down"
Me: "Are you kidding"??
Police Officer: "just slow down...take it easy"
Me: ...with tears in my eyes.. "Thank you so much!"
I think my day just turned around

Source: smashingmagazine.com via Vivi on Pinterest

I hope you had a wonderful Monday!

Happy New Year! 2012

How can I use the New Year
To better serve my Lord?
I’ll read my Bible every day,
And be more in accord. I’ll find new ways to serve others;
I’ll love my neighbor, too.
I’ll focus on "give" instead of "get"
In everything I do. I’ll forgive the people I’m mad at;
Angry feelings I’ll discard;
I’ll try to love my enemies,
Even though it’s hard. In the new year, I’ll lift people up,
Instead of putting them down.
I’ll fill my heart with love and joy,
And never wear a frown. I’ll let go of my worries;
I’ll put it all in His hands;
I’ll repent and try to sin less,
And obey all His commands. These new year’s resolutions
Are difficult, at best,
But there’s something I can do each day
That will put my soul at rest: I’ll love my Lord with all my heart,
With all my mind and soul,
And if I do that essential thing,
All the rest will be in control. By Joanna Fuchs