Porch Progress & a Few Fun Finds

Hello friends! Happy 2017! 

I hope this finds you well and happy and enjoying the new year.

Oh my...there's been so much going on around here. I'll fill you in as we go.

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 If you are a regular reader (friend), then you might remember that I have been waiting to begin my front porch project for quite some time. I mentioned in December that we were finally starting on it. It's not a fast project but that's ok. We just work on it as time permits and I am good with that. I'm a kindergqarten teacher so patience is one of my strongest virtues. LOL!

Here's a picture of the deck boards...it took two carts to load them all and talk about a workout trying to push one!

The deck portion of the porch is complete! It is so nice...and so big! It's 10' wide and 32' long. I am beyond thrilled with it! Next up will be the roof which we hope to begin soon. We would have started it this weekend but rain and freezing temps permitted us from doing so. Also, Joey's mom was admitted into the hospital for some tests. We are waiting for pathology reports to come back next week so we know exactly what we are dealing with. Thoughts and prayers are welcomed and appreciated. Some of you may remember we lost his dad to cancer just over 5 years ago. This is hitting him very hard and we are just praying it is not cancer.

I thoroughly enjoyed my two weeks off for winter break. I actually returned to work this past Thursday for two teacher workdays. I worked Thursday but ended up taking Friday off to stay with my mother-in-law in the hospital. She had just been told she most likely has cancer and I could not leave her alone. Joey or her boyfriend couldn't stay since she was in a semi-private room, so I stayed with her Thursday and Friday nights. She (we) got to come home yesterday and I am enjoying being home until I have to go to work in the morning. I am exctied to see my kinder babies. I missed them!

I did some shopping over the break...mostly clearance shopping. I found some great deals!

At Michael's I bought mostly scrapbooking supplies. I have been working on a December Daily album and am also doing Project Life this year. I have been enjoying it so much. I have been using an app called Collect and it makes it so easy to document a special memory from each day. I can share more about that in a future post if anyone is interested. Just leave me a comment and let me know.

I order from Peachy Cheap occasionally and love this kit! Isn't is fun? The colors make me happy!

Of course we have made several trips to Lowe's to purchase porch suipplies and I had to check out their Christmas clearance as well. I got the Allen & Roth copper colored mercury glass balls there and the hooks. The galvanized and copper wire snowflakes came from Michael's, I am LOVING copper these days and I especially love galvanized and copper mixed. They will be used to decorate in my kitchen next Christmas.

I ran into Pier 1 to look at this tray last week. I want it for my coffee cart (which we have yet to build) but I didn't buy it because it is too big. I might go back and buy it anyway though because I love it! Copper trimmed galvanized metal....gorgeous!

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 Anywho, while I was there, I of course spotted the Christmas clearance and found these things. 

Copper colored jingle bells!!!

And this ornament is trimmed in copper paint too.

That same day, I ran into Target to use a gift card and purchased a few Valentine's Day items in the dollar spot as well as some planner stickers and some kraft cards.

Yesterday after we left the hospital, I needed to stop by JoAnne's to look for something and of course hit up their Christmas clearance. They had a lot left but I only purchased some sticker books for my class as well as a couple large bottle brush trees and some thick baker's twine.

This is what I went in for though. It was on sale and I got an additional 20% off for being a teacher. It ended up costing less than $9. It was originally $30! I was so happy about that. I have been wanting one for a while now. It is a fuse tool and will be used for scrapbooking.

I also received an order from Amazon containing my album for my December Daily and several packs of pages, as well as some tabs and Gelly Roll pens to write directly on top of photos. 

And here's a little snapshot of my desk where I have been working on it. I have a few pages done and will share when I finish it. It has been a fun project!

So, what have you been up to? 

Have a wonderful day!

Christmas Happenings

Hello friends and welcome back. Can you believe it? I am actually posting again after just a week!

I'm trying to get back to it, even when there isn't much to blog about. For instance...this post. It's just a few random pictures from life over the past week or so. 

I took this photo for Instagram and thought it turned out really pretty. I am a new coffee drinker and am enjoying trying all kinds of creamers. I love this thrifted Pier One mug I've had for a few years now.

This is the view of my tree from the kitchen. I love how it can easily be seen from the living room, kitchen, and dining room. 

I also love the reflection of the tree in this mirror by my front door.

Over the weekend, my friend, Jeana, my sister, Nancy, and I went to a delightful show at a church in Gainesville. It was amazing....so much goes into this production. This was the display in the lobby. 

Here we are...me on the far left, Jeana in the middle, and Nancy on the right.

I only took a couple pictures because I was too busy enjoying the show to take pictures. This one shows snow falling from the ceiling.

And this one shows one of the live animals used in the production. During the third part of the show, the story of the birth and life of Jesus, when the three kings came in, one came on horse, one on a camel, and one with alpacas. It was awesome...I wish I had pictures to share!

I wanted to introduce you to my new grand dog....Babybel aka Bell. If you follow me on Instagram then you may have seen her already. Miranda and her boyfriend, Slade adopted her. She is absolutely precious!

I mean...look at that face! Isn't she precious in her new Christmas collar?

I wanted to share a picture that is very exciting to me! This load of lumber is the beginning of my soon to be new porch. It's going to be 10' x 32' and I can hardly wait to get started! Sadie was making a silly face in this picture...lol!

Joey and I went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast over the weekend and I had the stuffed French toast...oh my was it divine!

And while I'm on the subject of yummy stuff, I was thrilled to find a new peppermint ice cream this year. I love peppermint and look forward to the ice cream every Christmas. This one is the best I have had! I am about to have a bowl of it when I finish typing this post. I would share if I could!

Since my last post, a few things have happened around here. My mama had surgery on her rotator cuff and is doing very well. It is a slow recovery surgery as the shoulder only heals about 10% each month and the success rate is low, meaning it doesn't always help. We are praying that it will heal completely and she will not be in pain with it anymore.  My Aunt Loretta's (mama's sister) house caught on fire, but my uncle was able to get the fire out. Unfortunately, in the process, he slipped and fell and broke his hip. He had to have surgery and has two huge pins in place and is in a lot of pain. On a brighter note, I attended a fun Christmas party at my sister's house over the weekend. This week at school will be filled with lots of fun. Our Christmas program is Thursday night. The kiddos are always so cute singing  the songs we have been practicing. Sunday, the hubby, Miranda, Slade, and I are going to see Trans Siberian Orchestra in Tampa. I loved it so much last year and can hardly wait! I know Miranda is going to love it too!

I hope all is well with you. Hopefully I will be back soon!

Until next time.....

Christmas On Willie Mae Lane

Can you believe November is over and December is here? This year has flown by! 

Looks like my Sadie Lou is saying goodbye doesn't it. She is actually looking forlornly out at her pop (the hubby) and wishing she was outside with him. She is pop's girl.

And silly Rooster couldn't figure out why he couldn't get to this kitty on the TV. I was listening to music on Hallmark several days ago. They had this yule log programming on which was just music with cats and dogs wondering on and off screen. He was so confused by it and so cute trying to look behind the TV and smell it like it was real.

Last weekend I had fun decorating the house for Christmas. I kept it pretty simple again this year. I was proud of myself for going through all my Christmas stuff and getting rid of several items, including my artificial tree. I'll share what I did with you now.

In the kitchen, I used a variety of objects I had on hand. I didn't purchase anything except a real tree this year.

I think the shelves turned out super cute. 

The windowsill had a little decor added as well. 

I kept things very simple in the kitchen. I am really enjoying it. 

This is a living room vignette.

And another one. All I added was the plaid runner and the ornaments. I recently repainted my mirror from coral to copper and I love it!

The coffee table got a runner and a cute red lantern. I love the cute pillow I got for free at Target. They were $5 in the dollar spot but I had a coupon for $5 off $10 or more, so I bought a couple of things I needed and got the pillow for free!

The clipboard got a new print for the season.

This table has a few Christmas books, some fresh cedar, and a tiny lantern.

My little area is cozy with my plaid blanket scarf draped over the back. Excuse the laptop cord.

The dining room chalkboard got a new saying. Beneath it is where my little coffee cart will be housed when we finish it. We're still waiting for the pipe to come in.

The top of the china cabinet is where my snow teacher and students reside.

The table houses a copper painted tray filled with my Christmas Carol book collection and bowl. Some balls and fresh cedar finish it off. This will change throughout the season.

I love this adorable little snow family tea light holder. I've had it for years. It was a gift from a Secret Santa at school 7 or 8 years ago.

The rest of my snowman collection is scattered around the bookcase.

I placed a few deer themed items on this rustic charger and sat it on the plant stand in the hall.

My nativity collection is on the buffet. I love this area.

I especially love this little one Miranda picked up for me in Bratislava, Slovakia before I visited her in Prague last year.

I used a set of copper wire twinkle lights from my bedroom around the picture. It is so pretty at night.

On Monday evening, Joey and I went to Home Depot and purchased a real tree. I love it!

I finally got it decorated Thursday. I had a busy week and was gone both Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, but Thursday I came home from school early because I wasn't feeling well and later that evening, I decided to decorate the tree. It turned out really pretty. I love all the memories hanging on the tree....things the kids made when they were little, ornaments I bought for them when they were growing up, ornaments from vacations and special events, some from the ornament exchanges I hosted, a few from my childhood, and so on. So many wonderful memories.

While we're on the subject of Christmas, check out the adorable Rudolph drawings my kinders completed with me earlier this week. SO stinkin' cute. Directed drawings are one of my favorite things to do with them. They are all similar but each one is unique. LOVE! They were so excited about the red glitter noses too!

And one last thing for today. Have you ever heard of Pentatonix? I discovered them a couple years ago and they are an amazing A cappella group. If you like A cappella and Christmas music, order their CD! Little Drummer Boy is my absolute favorite! I have listened to it several times already this year!

Here's the YouTube video...you have to listen. I promise it's worth the few minutes it takes. 

And speaking of music...guess who we are going to see again this year? Yep...Trans Siberian Orchestra. Miranda and Slade are going with us this year. I am so excited! This is hopefully going to be an annual tradition for Joey and I. And I know Miranda and Slade are going to love it as well! I can hardly wait! 

I am so happy you stopped by to visit. I am really trying to get back to posting and visiting more often. I am always so thrilled to hear for all of you and think about you often. If you have an Instagram, come follow me. Just click on the link on the right in the side bar. I would love to follow you and keep up with you there! 

Until next time.....