Leola's Open House and Jan's Having a GiveAway!

SPRING...

It's arrived at Leola's in Ozark, Missouri!

If you live anywhere near Southwest MO,

there's still time to make it to the

Spring Open House at Leola's!

This is my good friend

 Jan from Summer Sundays

and her sister Judy, they are two of four family members

who own Leola's.

Jan is having a Blog Giveaway at the store

and on her own blog, Summer Sundays.

Run over and visit Jan

and sign up for the giveaway!

She always has what's new at the store.

You'll love taking junkin' juants

with her and her sisters.

She's one great gal!

Leola's was voted #1 store for Best In-store displays

in 417 Magazine.

Me and the ever feisty and talented Kristi.

so get to the store if posssible,

but for sure check out Jan's blog

say Hi, and enter to win her giveaway!

And if you haven't entered my

Celebration Giveback

nows your chance.

Scroll down to Monday's post

on the giveback and

leave a comment to be entered!

Hope the sun is shining where you are today!

squeezy hugs,

Debra

p.s. be sure and come back for White Wednesday

When I'll show the rest of the open house photos!

Vintage Black Friday: Give Back Week and Black As an Accent Color

I'm so glad that Vintage Black Friday has returned. This is the 2nd installment of the monthly party to be found the first Friday of each month.

I'm not a decorator by trade, but I've learned a few things over the years about decorating. Having moved to several houses in my adult married life, I've learned that it's important to have furniture and accessories that are "mix and match". I call them "Garanimal Furniture". Going back to finding clothes for my girls as toddlers, there was a brand carried at Sears that was completely interchangeable. Each piece fit nicely with any other item in the line. That has been an idea that I have adapted to decorating. Keeping a few "colors" and accent pieces that are totally interchangeable. I get bored with my surroundings and like to change things up frequently. If I can't move or change out furniture, then I like to seasonally mix up accessories and vignettes.

Print and vintage frame found in the powder room,

but in the Dining room for better natural light.

I keep a color palette of varying hues of khaki, sage green, and gold, with hints of dark red. Gold or brass is my accent metal, and I also use black in healthy doses as an accent. Some of these items you've seen before, but today I'm using them to show how accent colors can unify and bring continuity to a home. I love white and neutrals and having white woodwork, I am bringing in more white painted furniture, but I also love color. I guess I would say I lean toward English and French Country. Vintage and antique pieces add to the foundation.

Lampshades and a clock on the Living Room mantel.

Decorative painted French box on my black writing desk

Old rustic church pew

Hat boxes in the Entry on a French gilt table.

Kitchen print with black frame

And a variety of black tole trays on the kitchen counter

A tiny print in the powder room

And a new black distressed clock

 that is usually found in the family room

These are just a few of the black accessories

 I have used in my home to help bring it all together.

Please run over to The French Cupboard

and check the McLinky to see the other

Vintage Black Friday participants.

If you haven't yet entered my

Celebration Give Back

please click and leave a comment

on the post from March 1.

Thank you for all the sweet and funny Birthday Wishes!

Each one warmed my heart,

 and so many made me laugh.

And thank you to all those

who posted about my Give Back

and joined as a follower.

I'll be over for a visit soon!

Have a wonderful Weekend!

Debra

White Wednesday, It's My BirthDay!

Today is White Wednesday

 but it's also my

Birthday!

So I'm Celebrating!

Kathleen is always so nice to let us

play outside the "White" box.

SO...

Even though I am an avowed Chocoholic,

my favorite cake is White cake

with White Mountain Frosting

...and coconut.

(yummy, yum)

(care to join in on my big indulgence? Let me get you a slice)

And then, just as a lead-in to the rest of this post...

 

white frilly panties...

on the head...

Don't you just love it when your parent's

 made you the "butt" of their jokes

just for a great photo op?

I was going to title this post

"White cake and panties"

but I thought there might be some confusion

out there with that title...?

OK, get a load of those jowls,

can you blame me for now considering

a face lift?

If you haven't entered the

Celebration Give-Back

Please click HERE and leave a comment,

to be part of a fun "Thank You"!

Thank you, Kathleen for hosting White Wednesday.
Now go visit Faded Charm for the rest of the
White Wednesday crew.

Big hugs and Birthday kisses!
Debra

March Celebration Give-Back

March will be a big month for me.

A Birthday, My new Spring Creek booth,

celebrating 350 followers,

(yeah! I love you all, AND new followers)

my 200th post, and SPRING!

(blog Give-Back button designed by Jill)

I haven't had a give-away since early last fall

so I felt the time was way overdue

to say "Thank You" with some fun!

Last week I shared with you Jill's talent.

from Gypsy Brocante,

when I purchased a gorgeous hand made

Paris Rosette from her amazing store.

Jill has some of the most

 romantic jewelry and offerings

you could possibly hope to find.

So I wanted to team up with her

for a "Celebration Giveback"

this first week of March.

Jill is being incredibly generous

by adding an extra Rosette,

so there will be 3 Winners!

I will be holding the "Give-Back"
until Tuesday, March 9,

so leave a comment on this post

until midnight on March 9,

and you will be entered to win.

If you are or become a follower,

let me know for 3 extra chances,

and if you post about the give-back

 on your own blog,

(be sure and let me know)

I'll really get crazy

 and give you 3 more chances to win.

WOW!!

possible 7,

count em'

7

chances to win

one of these 3 beautiful

Paris Rosettes!

(and a few of you guessed my grandmother,
from Saturday's post.)

OK, enough for all the Celebration Hoopla!

Just be sure to take the
cutie pie Celebration Button

of all the kiddos with hats...

and link back to this post.

Then Go visit Jill at Gypsy Brocante

and browse all her wonderful creations.

Big Birthday Hugs and Kisses!

love,

Debra

My Favorite Teacup

A day or two ago I found

  a truly lovely blog,
 Belle Blanc.

 Mira is hosting an "action giveaway" party

and I just had to attend!

She is encouraging us

to show our favorite teacup.

Today it has been planted

 with some paperwhite bulbs for spring.

Now, if I can just keep Mr. Rabbit

 from being tempted for lunch.

This little brown transferware teacup

 that I found several years ago

is chipped and well loved,

but still my favorite.

I think it is probably the oldest of any I own,

"Made in Germany" is the only marking it has.

Please go visit Belle Blanc

Check her comment form,

 for other teacup friends.

Be sure and check back Monday,

here, as I will start my

March Celebration Give-Back.

I think you'll love it!

Debra

"Partnering Up" for a Give-Back

Just a little advance notice
comin' to you for a

"Celebration Give-Back"

I'm saving the details until 

Monday March 1,

but I'll be "partnering up"

with one of my favorite creative people

to pick 3 winners.

So if you haven't joined as a follower

now's the time.

Photo from my private collection

of my grandmother.

(no cigars involved)

If you guess which one she is,
there's an extra chance to win!
leave your guess on this post.

(left, middle,right)

See ya Monday!

love,

Debra

Tribute

I'm not a sports fan, but for a few days every four years in the winter, I love to watch the Olympics. I think what interests me is the personal side of these young people who are representing their countries. The winter sports of ice skating singles and ice dancing are my favorite. Strength, grace, and beauty in a powerful art form.

If you've been following, you will have heard about the young Canadian skater, Joannie Rochette, whose mother passed away just two days before she was to skate. Joannie's mom, had just arrived in Vancouver to watch her daughter, when she had a massive heart attack.

This story really hit home with me. I cried for Joannie as she skated for her Mother that day; a lovely gift and tribute. Her grief was overshadowed by her love and admiration for her mom, who had been her biggest supporter during her ice skating career...and life.

I have two grown daughters, and how grateful I am that I have had the years with them that I have; seeing both of them married and with loving husbands. I know it all could have been so very different, that week 7 years ago, when I was in the same place as Joannie's, mother, Therese.

I thank God everyday that I am still here with my family, and I want to make each day count for good. To be a blessing, a friend, and a companion; not only for my family, but for others that I encounter on the journey. So for all the Joannie's that will be missing their mothers as they move forward in life, and for all the wonderful loving mothers who have left this life and their loved ones too soon, I say "I feel your heart and know your great love".


As a mom who has been given so much, I give thanks to God daily, for whatever He has for me to do here.

blessings to all of you,

 my friends,

Debra