November 30, 2009

Serene Dining Room at Christmas

I spent hours this past weekend getting boxes and bags down from the attic, then more hours getting stuff out, and trying to get a “vision” of what I was going to do this year for Christmas.    One thing I learned was this:    I’ve got w-a-a-a-y too much stuff and I’m hoping I can make myself go through all of it after Christmas and “down-size” a lot of this stuff.     Hubby had a fit when he had to put all the things I didn’t use back up in the attic, knowing he’ll have to pack it back up in about a month and store it again.     I think I got the message loud and clear that something’s gotta give…..

Anyway, I am really happy with the results in the dining room.    Let me tell ya, having that neutral palette makes it so simple to decorate, just add some greenery and some white ornaments and call it a day.      But it is so soothing and classy.    Here’s a  peek at how it turned out.

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I’ll being joining in for some of the Christmas parties throughout blogland in a few weeks so be sure to come back to see everything then.   I’m not doing a lot this year, just a few touches in the den, kitchen and dining room.

Have a great week!

Judy

November 27, 2009

It’s Been A Long Day!

I still can’t believe I got up at 3:00 a.m. today to go shopping with Shannon!     Good grief!!!    Here’s the time I got on the road to meet up with her at a McDonald’s…

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We stood in line at Wal Mart for 2 1/2 hours  for one thing for Taylor….met some interesting people and saw fashion no-nos.   Do some people forget to look in the mirror before they leave home?

Got back home around 12:00 noon and went to pick up my Birmingham granddaughter from her other grandparents house.     Then rushed back home to head to Shannon’s house for the Auburn-Alabama game.    As we say here in Alabama, she lives in a house divided….she and Taylor are for Auburn and Don and Jackson are for Alabama, makes for a VERY INTERESTING game indeed!     

Lots of food!

 

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Stepped outside and it was so funny….the teams had formed their own cheering sections….Auburn on one side and Alabama on the other

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And while Auburn didn’t win THIS YEAR I am so proud of our team!

November 26, 2009

IT’S IRON BOWL TIME!

Here in Alabama we wait all year for THE biggest game of the year –Auburn vs. Alabama!      And just so you know, I bleed orange and blue…..

IRON BOWL

W-A-A-A-A-R EAGLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

November 24, 2009

November 19, 2009

Small Town America Tour

We had the best time on our little back road tour.     This was planned as a very relaxing trip, no special places to stop unless we saw something interesting.    Of course, food was always at the top of our itinerary!     

We started out around 9:00 a.m. on Thursday morning  hitting I-65 heading north.     We planned on getting off in Clanton and traveling on Highway 31 as far as we could.

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Just outside of Montgomery looking toward Prattville

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Sons of the Confederacy flag

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Heading into downtown Clanton and some pretty scenery along the way

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This old antebellum home was behind a fast food place where we stopped.   Unfortunately, it was in pretty bad shape.

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From Clanton we arrived in Birmingham on Highway 31.    Hwy. 31 is also known as the Old Montgomery Highway or the Birmingham Highway.    It just happens to run by the Riverchase Galleria (as well as Old Time Pottery – and yes, we stopped there for a little Christmas shopping).

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Skyline of downtown Birmingham

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Just outside of Birmingham we next came to Warrior, Alabama where I snapped this old car.     My dad and mom had one just like it when I was a little girl!

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This looked like a great place to stop to eat some good old fashioned barbeque and it was soooo good!

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Here’s Big Daddy himself!

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Continuing on Hwy. 31 we headed to Cullman, Alabama.

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Cullman is home to the Ava Maria Grotto.    A monk who lived on the grounds of  a Catholic mission carved all of this work at the Grotto!    It is stunning to see his work!

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Looking down the path at the beginning of the tour of the grotto.

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Back to the town on Friday we discovered that Cullman was going to host their annual Christmas tour the next day.     All the shops were decked out for Christmas.

 

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Years ago when my mom and I visited relatives in Cullman, I discovered this place called Southern Architecture and Accents.    Outside the shop was this huge urn planed with a fern.   Let’s go inside and check it out….

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This place is unbelievable!    It stretches on forever with one-of-a-kind architectural pieces.    Most would be for a big home and a large pocketbook!

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Way out of my price range but just gorgeous….

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I actually saw this piece in their workshop.    Loved the color and I got a little sample of the wood to bring home to use in the future.

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We saw this store around the corner and it turned out to be my favorite place.    

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Lots of hand painted harlequins throughout the store.     One of the rooms was full of nothing but lamps and lamp shades.     I can’t believe I didn’t take a picture of all those lamps…

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This large picture was so pretty

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I would love to have a cozy spot like this to read or watch TV.     Again, more harlequins!

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These were paper maiche (sp?) Christmas ornaments and only about $12 each!

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More pretties…

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Another wall painted with creme and gold

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Then we started driving around the historical home district.     This was just a little building next to the one below

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According to the sign outside of this cute little cottage, this was the first home built in Cullman

 

cullman and decatur trip 152  I had to take this of these chairs in the side yard of this home.    I just got two chairs and a table like this from the lady who held my mom’s estate sale.    She had them painted red but I’m going to paint them white next spring

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Look at that tree in the yard with the chairs….took my breath away!

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I loved this little house and especially the front door.    This is the door I want on the front of my home which looks a lot like this one (painted brick, etc)

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There were lots of planted window boxes which made me want to come home and plant something in mine

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Moving on the next day to Decatur, Alabama.    This first house I fell in love with.    It’s hard to tell from the pictures but it was so darling.     I’m sure the lady living here thought we were stalking her…she was working in her yard and I made hubby go around the block several times so I could just drool over this cottage.    Wait till you see what I spotted around back on her porch!

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Look at her pumpkins and gourds all piled up here..so cute.

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And her windowbox….to die for!

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But look here!    Drop cloths on her porch!     I had already planned to do a drop cloth treatment on the frame of my gazebo in the back next year but isn’t this stunning?

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  Cotton fields of Alabama!

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Our hotel was in the downtown historic district, right across the street from antique and speciality shops

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Pretty little tablescape in this window

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Looking down the street at the shopping area.    You can see the hotel where we stayed in the far right corner

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Lobby in our hotel 

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  More windowboxes!

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We had a wonderful time.     We even stopped at a yard sale Saturday morning in Decatur where I scooped up a rusty-looking candlestick for $1.00 and a huge rattan thing-y for my front door for 5.00.    

Yesterday (Wednesday) I had the pleasure of meeting a lady who had made a comment on my blog when I posted about Taylor and the Christmas on the Coosa pageant.     She works downtown close to me so we met for lunch.     I think it’s the beginning of a great friendship!    Hi Michelle!

Also, on Monday I’ll be giving ya’ll some great recipes using Bryan sausages and Little Smokies.      More on that soon……until then, stay safe!

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