WE BOUGHT A HOUSE (fixer upper)

It is hard to believe that we bought a house. Mr. T will be 61 this week and I am 57.
When I was young I would dream of buying a fixer upper and making it my own but as the years passed I had resigned myself to the fact that would never happen.

Our daughter, Cara, is back home living with us while her husband is out to sea with the military. They have talked about asking to come back to the east coast when Nik re-enlists. With that in mind, Cara started looking at the houses in this area. I started looking with her and saw one that was in my price range(cheap). In a short time, Mr. T and I had a house. 410 S. Raleigh Street!! And I love it even with all its flaws. So here it is....










This is the kitchen and sunroom(breakfast room) that is really the add on to the kitchen. Don't you just love the wallpaper? It was terrible getting it off the walls. We gave up in the sunroom and will put new sheetrock and wainscotting up. A door from the sunroom leads to the back porch. The porch is worth the entire price of the house. There is a wonderful breeze almost all the time. I will be spending many hours on that porch.

Springtime Tablescape

Isn't spring a wonderful time of the year?!!





Everything you see except the flatware came for thrift stores. The glasses don't show the true color. They are pink like the bottom plate. I love thrift shopping!!


This center piece cost me less than $5.00 to make. I had most of the items on hand and other items either came from Dollar Tree or the thrift store. I'm loving it!!






I don't know how many of you noticed but I forgot to put anything in my candle holders. Don't worry, it will get done but I must post this quickly or this will never get done. I am joining Between Naps on the Porch for their Tablescape Thursday. Have a WONDERFUL Easter season and remember how much you are loved by Jesus!!

It's My Birthday Tablescape

It's my birthday, I'm gonna party!!! I had a wonderful birthday. I spent the whole day at my dad and Glady's house with them, my wonderful husband, my two sisters, brother in law, Glady's two sisters and niece and Mary. They all made my day so special. They made both meat and vegetable lasagna which was DELICIOUS!!! Being with family and eating off paper plates is better than all the fancy tablescapes in the world. What a wonderful day!!

St. Patrick's Day Tablescape

Am I behind in my bloggig or what? This is my St. Patrick's Day Tablescape. It is very simple but you don't need much for potato soup and Reuben sandwiches. YUM YUM!
I just love these green bowls with their wavey edges. They are Athena by American Atelier. I bought them at a thrift store and LOVE them. I would like more but not even Replacements Ltd has them. Everyone be on the lookout for me.

Mardi Gras Tablescape

Today I will try for the first time to share my tablescape with Between Naps on the Porch blogspot. I mentioned this blog on a previous post as the site that started my love for tablescaping. If I am not successful at posting mine, please take time to view this fabulous blog. You will love it.








I don't know what image comes to your mind when you think of Mardi Gras but for me it is not a good one. The colors however do lend to a wonderful tablescape. So whatever your feelings about Mardi Gras, I am just using the theme colors and accessories. On second thought, I think I will have guest over and share with them
how some of the traditions came about, the good ones, that is.

Welcome Home Cara tablescape

Cara is home and this mom is so excited. Her husband, Nik, is out to sea for seven months and she has moved back home while he is gone. In honor of her return home I have created a tablescape with elephants. If you know Cara, you know she loves elephants. Cara, we love you and are glad you are home for a while.

Valentine's Tablescape

The Key To My Heart

When you think of February you automatically think of Valentine's Day. Since Pat and I eat together by ourselves almost every night, the thought of a romantic dinner for just the two of us was not an option this time. Beside, we love being with other couples from our church so this tablescape is set for three couples. On second thought, I'll set a few more places. The more the merrier and we can laugh and talk about funny things that have happened through the years. Isn't love grand!!

The Blessings of Children

Cara is our daughter and the youngest. She and Nik just got married a few months ago and now live in Carlsbad, California. Nik is a Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton. I can't say thank you enough to him and all our military for their service to our country. A special thank you to their wives and families for their part too, many hours, days, and months away from the ones they love. What a sacrifice for you too. They have a new puppy, Ludo, who we will soon be meeting. Oh boy!! We love you both!!





Robert is our son and oldest child. He and Nicolette are married and recently celebrated their first wedding anniversary. They live in Chicago, Illinois with their dog, Bruno and their cat, Linus. At 28 years old, he got married and went back to college. He also works full time. Nicolette works very hard as the Guest Services Manager at an upscale hotel in downtown Chicago. We are so very proud of you both and love you.

The Blessing of Family

October 28, 1978 Pat and I married and here we are 33 years later still loving each other. I can't say that there wasn't a time or two I could have killed him but thank God I had the smarts not to. And now that I look back on those times, it wasn't him, it was me. Thank God, Pat didn't kill me. (I'm talking about menopause, ladies, when you think everyone else is the problem but really it is you.)I can laugh about it now. Hopefully he can laugh now too.

I thank God so much for Pat. He is absolutely the best man you will ever know. My children are blessed to have him as their father and I'm blessed to have him as my husband.

Carriage Scenes Tablescape

I bought these plates for pennies and thought they would make a beautiful setting. Now I want more of them. I know that will cost more.

This tablescape was done in honor of my nephew and his wife, Daniel and Morgan Sprinkle. I tried to recreate their wedding day table setting but could not find the lucky bamboo they had for their center pieces. The bamboo was in individual glass containers and each guest was to take one home as a wedding favor. I loved their natural, earthy elements. Mine however is different. The reason I wanted to remember them is because they were getting ready to leave for Thailand to work with the Peace Corp for two years. I wish them the very best. They are two wonderful people.

Have a happy and prosperous New Year Tablescape.