Thanksgiving Blessings

"Fall Leaves 1"
B.E. Photography

"Fall Leaves II"
B.E. Photography

Did you have a great Thanksgiving yesterday? Ours was wonderful although a little bittersweet. We had so much fun just catching up and hanging out with family we've not seen in a while, but were acutely aware of a certain missing couple. All of us had so hoped that hubby's grandfather would be able to join us, but instead he was readmitted to the hospital for a massive blood clot on Tuesday. Hubby's grandmother spent the day with him there having what he called a "Silent Thanksgiving". We really do have so much to thank the good Lord for. I know she was counting her blessings for having another day with him.

So, what did you do? Did all the family get together and cousins all play football/baseball/tag, etc while the grown-ups chatted away? That's what happened here! After a wonderful meal and even better fellowship, we all packed up and made our rounds to the hospital. It was truely a wonderful day that could only have been better if the grandparents could have joined us. Even my nearly 94 year old grandmother joined us! Amazing!

Life events have just not allowed me to blog much over the last month, and I have really missed it. Hubby has taken the three boys hiking for the day and I'm enjoying some much needed time alone. So, I though I would start catching you up by sharing photos of my dining room all ready for guests yesterday. The sun was shining, temperatures were in the 70's and it simply couldn't have been more beautiful! With the sun streaming through, I had a little trouble getting some shots in before everyone arrived.

My "new" dining room!

I wasn't sure about putting the love seat in the foyer, but everyone seems to love it there, so it'll stay. It's a nice extra seating area now. Scottie Dog obviously approves!

I bought these placemats a couple of years ago and have been waiting to use them somehow. I love the form and organic quality of them. They fit perfect in the "new" space.

I found these gorgeous little gold mercury glass votive holders and they made the perfect table "runner".

They just glitter when the tea lights are lit!

Like my last minute brainstorm for a buffet?! The palms had to be moved in from the screened porch as it's finally hitting below 40º at night...thus no pretty urns. I need to get some if they're going to sit in here for the winter.

It's three pine beadboard, tongue -n-groove  planks (samples hubby was just going to toss!)
laid over some storage cubbies.  Linen fabric was stapled around and black/gold Greek key ribbon was adhered with super sticky hemming tape to hide the staples and add a touch of black to tie in with the lamp/accessories.

See?! Just cheap old storage cubbies turned on end underneath! It's actually a good place to hide kids shoes:)

Black ribbon with a gold Greek key pattern was added to the lampshade.

See my new draperies and side chairs? Aren't they just gorgeous? The drapes add the much needed drama in this room.

The back of the side chairs was done in a black fabric with gold & copper embroidered dots. Then a soft gold cording was added to both front and back of all chairs.

The head chairs were done in the reverse... black on fronts and plaid on the back.

I couldn't find a third coordinating fabric until I stumbled upon these 95" curtain panels in a faux silk plaid on clearance for about $12 each. They were perfect, so I just cut them up and used them on the chairs! Wha-la!

I fell in love with these large candelabra sconces and waited until
Hobby Lobby ran their 50% sale. Two for the price of one!

Gotta have some magnolia branches!

I was captivated by the flickering mercury glass!

Loving the way the light plays around in here with the chandelier dimmed and candles all lit:)

There's only a few more things to do and I can call this room a wrap! I'm not sure I'm leaving the ceiling blue, but it'll stay for now and a painting may or may not get done at some point. Regardless a rustic gold frame is being made for the boys current art as soon as I can get to it.

The four slipcovered chairs need to be reupholstered, but the slipcovers will stay on unless we're entertaining. The boys have been informed those are the only chairs they are allowed to TOUCH! I ended up with quite the headache when I realized (AFTER tearing off all the upholstery on the back of a head chair) that the back was not made as I thought. It was all one solid piece with a 3/8" groove for a staple gun to fit into! I don't have a gun with a nose for grooves, couldn't rent one, and couldn't install upholstery tacks in such a tiny space!!!!! UGH! What's a girl to do? Hot glue, baby! I decided if it could hold the piping on for ten years with three boys, it was good enough to hold on more fabric as well. So, I only pulled off the piping and just installed new fabric over the old with hot glue. That way it was glued to old staples that were going nowhere, added cording and called it a day.

To sum up all that has happened in this room over the last three months:

1. ceiling was painted,
2. chandelier was refurbished,
3. chairs were upholstered,
4. buffet was created,
5. rug was bought,
6. draperies were made (2x!),
7. slipcovers were made,
8. walls were painted (3 colors - 2 coats each)!)
9. wainscoting and trim was painted (2 colors - 2 coats each!),
10. lamp shade was trimmed,
11. front door was painted,
12. new wall sconces were purchased and hung, 
13. furniture was repositioned (multiple times!),
14. and several nervous breakdowns/tantrums were had!

Whew! Whoever thinks designers don't earn their pay, just hasn't walked in their shoes:) 

"Fall Leaves III"
B.E. Photography

Happy Belated Thanksgiving, Ya'll!

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