The updating continues... I have been fortunate to have many visits with this sweet boy!

My word for 2012

Do you have a word yet? I have been thinking about my word for over a month now! But, before I tell you my word for this year... I didn't talk too much about my word for 2011. GIVE. Edited: Oops! Guess it was actually Content after reading last years post! I shouldn't have changed it at the last minute. Give is the word that kept speaking to me... I won't make that mistake again!)

It's one of those words you don't need to "talk" about, you just do it. The word GIVE inspired me all 2011. I gave to many organizations that are close to my heart and will continue to give my support and donations in the years ahead. I am so pleased I chose GIVE last year. In years past I have also chosen BALANCE (2010) and COMPLETE (2009). If you haven't done this before I encourage you to do it this year! You would be surprised how often that one little word can pop into your head, and encourage or inspire you for a whole year!

I usually frame my word to help me to keep inspired... that post will be coming soon. My word for 2012?        BLISS
Have a wonderful evening!

Dollar store pedestals and a gift for Liam

 I have been having a ball creating the pedestals made from dollar store glass candle holders that are all over blogland.  This one was made from a dessert plate I purchased at Walmart.

 This one I used a Dollar store plate!

 This one I used a square dessert plate I found at TJ Maxx. I am going to give them to my neighbors with homemade candy and cookies on them =)

 I thought I would share a few of these cute snowman ornaments I made a few years ago... they are hanging from the chandelier in the craft cottage this year. The year I made these, I made a set of six for family and friends, several dozen =)

 They are so cute, and so easy to make!

Sunday the hubby and I met some friends down in Mt. Vernon for lunch, since we were so close we decided to go to a couple antique stores I had been wanting to take a peek inside. I found this children's table and chair set for $35.00! Perfect for Liam, someday. For now it is in "storage" in the media room.

Speaking of Liam... he has 2 teeth already and he isn't even 5 months old yet!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Fall Cottage Crafts Class

 Last month we had a fun fall craft class in the cottage. We each brought a brunch item (the class was on a Saturday morning from 10-12). I supplied coffee, tea, cocoa and hot spiced cider.
Our crafts for the morning were Homemade Vanilla, a tissue pompom and Fall wreaths made from fabric, felt, silk sunflowers and ribbon. Each wreath turned out so different! It was a great morning with great friends!

We've scheduled our next class already and it's full! Next week we are doing Christmas gift tags and a glittered tin to keep them in or give as a gift. We will also do a Christmas ornament. We are each bringing an appetizer to share since this class will be a weeknight after work.  I've got almost everything ready for the gift tags and tin, just need to finalize the ornament. These little classes have been so fun to do with my friends!

We've already planned a few more classes too! We are doing 20 Christmas Cards for one class, we are doing an ALL day Christmas present class (when the day is done we will each have 5 completed gifts to give or keep for ourselves *wink*). We will do a candy/cookie swap with recipes and have a recipe book to take home along with our goodies, and I think we are going to do a Chocolate Covered Cherry class too! This Spring we have some friends that will do some fun classes too! We will be doing hypertuffa pots and a floral decorating class.

I couldn't end my post without including Liam in his Halloween costume! 

Thanks for stopping by and have a lovely fun filled day!

Home sweet home!

Liam 2 days old

I am home! Wow, what a wonderful 4 weeks! It is so good to be home, sure am missing my little Liam though ;)

Came home to a jungle of a yard! The hubby snapped this picture in the courtyard of a hummingbird taking a little rest!

The grape vine in the courtyard is taking over the fireplace!

Flowers and vines are blooming everywhere!

Grape vine, wisteria vine and I think some virginia creeper all on one fence... I need to pull some of it up, it is just too much!

The hydrangias are blooming, the flowers are so heavy it is drooping over the walkway...

The kitchen courtyard is out of control as well!

Sweat Peas

Roses

More hydrangeas

Not sure what these are, but the hummingbirds love them and they are all around the house!

The wisteria is taking over the front walkway into the house!

Not sure what these are either, but I love them!

The area around the main pond is being taken over by wild raspberries/strawberries.

Okay enough complaining, guess I better go get some work done! It's good to be home!

Liam 3 days old

One more picture of Liam before I go! 

Thanks for visiting today! Have an awesome day!

Liam Edward is here!

 On Friday July 1 my hubby and I hopped into the airplane and flew to Bend Oregon to spend the night on our way to Reno Nevada to be present for the birth of our first grandchild. On Saturday July 2 we arrived in Reno. Genna wasn't due until July 5 so we thought we had plenty of time for pictures, luckily Justin asked me to take a few that afternoon =)

At 3:00 am July 3 my daughter knocked on our door to say "we are on our way to the airport, my water just broke"! I woke up and snapped a couple more pictures before they walked out the door.

 It was an extremely long day for everyone!

 Liam Edward was born at 9:44 pm July 3! 8 lbs. 2 oz 22 in. This picture and the one below were taken about 10:20 pm that night.

 Mommy and baby are doing great!

So happy to have Liam here! 

Hope you had a wonderfully exciting 4th of July too!