Wordless Wednesday!

Christmas Past!

2011 Holiday Home Tour

The Ice Skates on the mantel were given
to me by a Dallas friend.  They were his
 mother's.  The vintage handkerchief
 and gloves were my grandmother's.

I'm participating in a couple of online home tours later this week.  I'll be linking up with The Nester this Thursday and then with Kelly from Kelly's Korner on Friday for Show Us Your Life. 

It's been kind of fun decorating my new apartment.  I lucked out in the fact that my old decorations fit nicely in my new place.  I pretty much used all my old decorations and didn't have to buy anything new. 
If you know me, you know that I love sentimental pieces.  I've collected some special family pieces that I put out each year.  I may not fit them all in this post, but I'll try add another post about some of my favorite ornaments later this month. 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. . . . . .

My tiny tree.

Living Room

Finally, a mantel to decorate!

Dining Room

Snow Village

Dining Room Niche - The blue, star tree topper
on the top shelf belonged to my maternal
grandparents, Mama Thelma and Daddy Red. 
I used Christmas scrapbook paper as wallpaper in the niche.

My great grandmother, Mama Pat's glass
ornaments in my vintage milk glass.

Thanks for stopping by.

Have a very Merry Christmas!

Christmas Cookies!

I had some friends over tonight for a cookie party.  As mentioned before, I feel really blessed to have made a great little group of friends in Tyler in such a short time.  Tonight we gathered to celebrate the season, with dinner and cookie making.  I recently bought a Kitchen Aid stand mixer and was able to use if for the first time tonight.  I plan on using it quite a bit this week to make some goodies/gifts. 

Here are a few pictures from our little get together this evening. 

Ellen, Chad, Jenni, Christy

Cozy!

My new Duraflame electric heater fit's nicely inside my faux fireplace. 

It's cozy.
 Obviously, I'm only using the "Flame - No heat" setting for now. 

Come on cool weather - I'm ready. 

Everybody Cut Footloose!

I made it to Dallas this weekend.  I was glad to have the chance to see my Dallas peeps since I got sick last weekend and had to cancel my trip.  I met up with Nick for an afternoon movie.  We say Footloose.  In my opinion it wasn't nearly as good as the original and we were both disappointed that Kevin Bacon didn't even make a cameo appearance.  That would have been cool - just sayin'.

Nick gave me my belated birthday and house warming gifts.  I'm glad I could benefit from his new online shopping habit.  

For my B-Day I got the official William and Kate china cup in celebration of the royal wedding.  You may recall this post where I followed along with the festivities. 

A few years ago, Nick gave me the Jenna and Henry Cup or should I say Mug? It's not as fancy as the the British Version - after all, the wedding was in Texas.  I  Love them both.  Thanks Nick.

Nick also gave me this cool Butterfly Jar  and a spooky picture for my new apartment.  They are both pretty awesome.  Beau was also really impressed my the butterfly. 

Note:  This is not a real butterfly - it's battery operated. 

Here is the spooky picture.  The creepy woman only appears as you walk past the print.  I haven't decided just where I'll hang this yet. 



As always, I felt sad leaving Dallas.  But it's also good to be home. 

I have to give a shout out to the Baylor Bears for another win this weekend! 

Sic'em Bears!



The Haunted Hat

I was supposed to go to Dallas this weekend for my friend Tom's annual Halloween Party.  Every year Tom throws a great shindig.  It always starts with a creative theme and hand made invitations. This years theme was "The  Haunted Hat."  I purchased this fabulous little black number that reminds me of the Duchess of Cambridge, aka Kate Middleton.  I've been super pumped about wearing it. 

However, this past Wednesday evening, I came down with my annual Fall sinus infection - Ugh.  I missed school on Thursday and saw the ENT in hopes of nipping it early.  I did make it to school Friday for the Red Ribbon Week Storybook Character Parade - but struggled to make it through the day.  By the time I got home Friday afternoon I had a bad sinus headache.  I knew the trip to Dallas was out of the question.  I stayed in all day yesterday and I'm feeling better today.  Now I have this seriously posh hat and nowhere to wear it - bummer. 

I also had this creepy spider clip that I was going to wear to school on Thursday (the day I missed) because it was "Say Boo to Drugs" day and everyone could wear their Halloween shirts.  I may wear  my spider tomorrow anyway. 

Here is a blast from Halloween past just for fun.  The photo wasn't dated but I think it's from 1979 or 1980. 

Steffi/Bat Girl - Me/Witch

After All Tomorrow is Another Day

Y'all know I'm a huge fan of Gone with the Wind - like any true Southern Belle.  I started collecting GWTW Christmas ornaments after visiting the Margaret Mitchell House in Atlanta a few years ago.

I got the 2011 Gone With the Wind Hallmark Christmas ornament this week.  It almost always sells out before the end of October.  I waited too late a couple of years ago - so now I try to remember to get it early.

It has the recorded audio from the "almost a kiss" scene which the figurine depicts.  I love it when they include the sound.  Last years was just a plain ornament of Scarlett alone.  I really like this one. 

Beau and Pumpkins!

Steffi got some really good pics of my nephew Beau at the pumpkin farm on Saturday.  They went to Yesterland Farm in Canton.  How did he get so big?

This one's my favorite - because Beau calls me Honey-B, instead of Aunt Betsy. 

Weekend Update!

It's been a good yet busy weekend.  On Friday night I hosted a little get-together at my place for some new friends.  It was the first time I've had friends over in Tyler. (Not including family and my Dallas peeps.)

After dinner we broke out the youth addition of Trivial Pursuit which  is a little more challenging than you might think. 

I feel really blessed to have made this little group of friends so fast.  I know I've mentioned this before, but as a single girl who has lived away from family for over 10 years, having a strong support system is really important.  In fact, losing that support was my biggest fear when leaving Dallas.  Just like with every other detail of this move - God has worked it out.  During the months of prayer leading up to the decision to leave Dallas, I prayed about all the details.  I prayed about finances, living arrangements, a new church home. I even prayed about Zoe being able to adjust well.  He kept saying, "I've got this, just go."  It hasn't all been sunshine and roses, but I'm working more each day to let go - and let Him work out the details of my life.

Famous Friends

 My Friends

New friends are great, but I miss these friends - I'm glad I'll see them soon. 

 Nick and me

 Cheryl, Me, Steffi, Christa

Me and Amy

 The whole gang



Zoe and Nick

Saturday morning I attended the Fall Carnival at my school for a couple of hours before heading to Gilmer to meet up with Steffi and Beau.  In case you didn't know - Gilmer is the home of the East Texas Yamboree.  It was kind of hot and crowded so we ended up and the Dairy Queen - ha. 

Steffi and Beau met up with Tad at a Pumpkin Patch in Canton on the way home.  I hear that got some really good pics.  I'll have to post some soon.