2013 christmas tour - 12 days of christmas

Today is the day my friends. I'm thrilled to be able to play with 11 other great bloggers for the 12 Days of Christmas Holiday Tour and today is my turn to show you around.<br /><br />But it's too cold to stand outside yapping, let's go inside and get warm with some <strike>gin</strike> hot chocolate.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHNezHG_uHE-o8-efrImEB4um9CoSWOxw_4aBK-zYYMzQTqOBxDpNTVj8sd1WWjje617DyOGdXH7_Dd0oZjSYyEEdVfHxBjnYzrzSw9nkCxaoLNrMfudWL66eSpq_Wm30syyPNI85j9t1r/s1600/LBDDoorChristmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHNezHG_uHE-o8-efrImEB4um9CoSWOxw_4aBK-zYYMzQTqOBxDpNTVj8sd1WWjje617DyOGdXH7_Dd0oZjSYyEEdVfHxBjnYzrzSw9nkCxaoLNrMfudWL66eSpq_Wm30syyPNI85j9t1r/s1600/LBDDoorChristmas.jpg" width="331" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG57Jb_5mnkMP0HbOP5p-teKCuOjoI-6O3Y-6VlnY2ybLCATpyQpXFwx8smV1LmMeAB2HFOWrmPv7cC_Yy7a4YOZJ0ZCukcZ9qmd9TB_b6upVQHcCOcm9BY8LF0aeBa2AnIGnq1eKVI2zG/s1600/LBDChristmasEntry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG57Jb_5mnkMP0HbOP5p-teKCuOjoI-6O3Y-6VlnY2ybLCATpyQpXFwx8smV1LmMeAB2HFOWrmPv7cC_Yy7a4YOZJ0ZCukcZ9qmd9TB_b6upVQHcCOcm9BY8LF0aeBa2AnIGnq1eKVI2zG/s1600/LBDChristmasEntry.jpg" width="580" /></a></div><br />Everyone in my family has a Christmas collection and mine is snowflakes. So you will see them all over the house, on lamps, doorknobs, wreaths and of course, the tree. Keep an eye out for them. It's kind of like a holiday where's waldo.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-nBDIee36Ua3N6mNxwJ9h-LWlV-xyQi1YoTlCIRQk_UMKc_U4IifieLqW1ySlvubM7BcptiVQ8SB2ngAgJSo5R6HX9KEGUF5jzacaIOK5Alkyp5qXkj3Nt96nQpiq4wtCc8oO5pes5zS/s1600/LBDChristmasDetail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-nBDIee36Ua3N6mNxwJ9h-LWlV-xyQi1YoTlCIRQk_UMKc_U4IifieLqW1ySlvubM7BcptiVQ8SB2ngAgJSo5R6HX9KEGUF5jzacaIOK5Alkyp5qXkj3Nt96nQpiq4wtCc8oO5pes5zS/s1600/LBDChristmasDetail.jpg" width="476" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaF6TJj9FpBw7iwHSrBsXWn_V2N9PeXqkUbeO_DhNO0RLjEYYxruky581DMXYZVz0lpaE7pnZ09ouo_RMyPIqjTJ2mNPjMjWBmqA2PJ0hZnBfFXPbTO44WxYjrpChtULvz3CpW62QGAgtR/s1600/LBDChristmasCloseUp2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaF6TJj9FpBw7iwHSrBsXWn_V2N9PeXqkUbeO_DhNO0RLjEYYxruky581DMXYZVz0lpaE7pnZ09ouo_RMyPIqjTJ2mNPjMjWBmqA2PJ0hZnBfFXPbTO44WxYjrpChtULvz3CpW62QGAgtR/s1600/LBDChristmasCloseUp2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5oeONMpzpaH9LM91xN5rLnpDZub0meJ8iGh6vQ4AW5JQtEzCDtsk-hmejjQNxC4HE_tbKwlYL6Rc8a47GwuYO48I9en6vdQ2si9_pvlVOzrzuRU4Tj6bNL2RHHXgKHVYmgTWJhq9qKNc1/s1600/LBDSnowflakeSwag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5oeONMpzpaH9LM91xN5rLnpDZub0meJ8iGh6vQ4AW5JQtEzCDtsk-hmejjQNxC4HE_tbKwlYL6Rc8a47GwuYO48I9en6vdQ2si9_pvlVOzrzuRU4Tj6bNL2RHHXgKHVYmgTWJhq9qKNc1/s1600/LBDSnowflakeSwag.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCzTIaOR-d6j3JCADzSJ0vWwoPD0qqsy8m7lGAZmiWKozTV7wmaH_2cGg_kFvw_bNA3l3EpA_0XpqxqmIoVt5LqBHmagpH7IRgevn2KsY7NJLYtu6QZwf1l8MOMCO9OTKq0MxJdO6XjJM/s1600/LBDChristmasMantel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCzTIaOR-d6j3JCADzSJ0vWwoPD0qqsy8m7lGAZmiWKozTV7wmaH_2cGg_kFvw_bNA3l3EpA_0XpqxqmIoVt5LqBHmagpH7IRgevn2KsY7NJLYtu6QZwf1l8MOMCO9OTKq0MxJdO6XjJM/s1600/LBDChristmasMantel.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><br />Each year the mantel gets something different (check out <a href="http://thelittleblackdoor.blogspot.com/2012/12/childs-play-christmas-mantel.html" target="_blank">2012</a> and <a href="http://thelittleblackdoor.blogspot.com/2011/12/tied-up-with-bow.html" target="_blank">2011</a>) and this year it told me it was feeling pink. So pink it is, with a little red and white thrown in. Can one ever get enough of ribbon at Christmas? (the answer to that question is no by the way)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQdP3OkNoet047yXIQxoR7XqKOqm9Lrq0MuJ4gXSyYCdg6a7OKgFSpIh62Cb_9oROmGPQthJQBFRtcJRUcRYAhyphenhyphenDyHHxhnITdt01dqm5pGmADnNK4MjTEWJsLXtkl2fClZx0ZC4p9z72aF/s1600/LBDGingerbreadHouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="604" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQdP3OkNoet047yXIQxoR7XqKOqm9Lrq0MuJ4gXSyYCdg6a7OKgFSpIh62Cb_9oROmGPQthJQBFRtcJRUcRYAhyphenhyphenDyHHxhnITdt01dqm5pGmADnNK4MjTEWJsLXtkl2fClZx0ZC4p9z72aF/s1600/LBDGingerbreadHouse.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />My girls and I decorate a gingerbread house every year and this year's estate was extra sweet.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92wNHWALQEqmoiIS_7Oe9CEOlU6GX9QoMAViBfFgrGHNyA8LabXD_2EhrEldb2uJttnm3w-g2VZp8TC_olFbaihBHD5qzFgeH1ayfTK2IvPBowE_l0kh2IMGpbyRfW9xMnJZVEIcAgDnh/s1600/LBDOrnaments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="606" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92wNHWALQEqmoiIS_7Oe9CEOlU6GX9QoMAViBfFgrGHNyA8LabXD_2EhrEldb2uJttnm3w-g2VZp8TC_olFbaihBHD5qzFgeH1ayfTK2IvPBowE_l0kh2IMGpbyRfW9xMnJZVEIcAgDnh/s1600/LBDOrnaments.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGW2XR7eZYg78my4tXWRunTMmrxReh10vHnq1Wwk3HTrKRLZ0q2d1ltwXV7ePXoBjxhorZYOAMg_AJa-vpGq4XxmzVB6PczxRPePGEZegzj7TQFDCuIwicS7oLJfw-yp9KuvGecBOTgdC/s1600/LBDGirlsChristmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGW2XR7eZYg78my4tXWRunTMmrxReh10vHnq1Wwk3HTrKRLZ0q2d1ltwXV7ePXoBjxhorZYOAMg_AJa-vpGq4XxmzVB6PczxRPePGEZegzj7TQFDCuIwicS7oLJfw-yp9KuvGecBOTgdC/s1600/LBDGirlsChristmas.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://thelittleblackdoor.blogspot.com/2013/03/anatomy-of-gallery-wall.html" target="_blank">Herbie</a> loves the holidays as much as the next guy so he pulls out his festive antlers for the season.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSef-88UrW9M3ES_R2F3ivGblcOFNf2axEIIa91XqsjwZJbD4gkUE-JhoNJaAdnyU1JTrzVkG0Oo9T13BUPgm7dLzXHF3_U1331JdrLvYFFrKMzhZ-zol-BYRNN8MO5LyJwfp7uQBGMxAt/s1600/LBDNutcrackerTree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSef-88UrW9M3ES_R2F3ivGblcOFNf2axEIIa91XqsjwZJbD4gkUE-JhoNJaAdnyU1JTrzVkG0Oo9T13BUPgm7dLzXHF3_U1331JdrLvYFFrKMzhZ-zol-BYRNN8MO5LyJwfp7uQBGMxAt/s1600/LBDNutcrackerTree.jpg" width="387" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCJxLoL3Er4hFwaXmtJZxS0JACq9E4L5SSeEcmobc7E7qAjlvWahTv7_mIkwO9TE056Y7Xep4BVQBItsbGij4Iud9LBNCqg1NdRiKWAj8dRTopJf-dMQrXPzUCFGHZN4-SPO8UruONp4E/s1600/LBDChristmasNutcracker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCJxLoL3Er4hFwaXmtJZxS0JACq9E4L5SSeEcmobc7E7qAjlvWahTv7_mIkwO9TE056Y7Xep4BVQBItsbGij4Iud9LBNCqg1NdRiKWAj8dRTopJf-dMQrXPzUCFGHZN4-SPO8UruONp4E/s1600/LBDChristmasNutcracker.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Amelia has already started her Christmas collection - nutcrackers - and she's off to a good start. Santa just might have a few other in store for her this year as well.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1L7Oy_UxLDsVTMa_ISB0lQhtd48EPtWnpP2QzT5CetFo-6IvZO73BRt78sz3rgKoPicabWGDs-lNXbiiICrVdrr1C3Q_wJyEF4-OiQ3mhRdWfJKXMXNmxrE9pdUs7s8uieZBj9RiDCVsJ/s1600/LBDDiningRoomChristmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1L7Oy_UxLDsVTMa_ISB0lQhtd48EPtWnpP2QzT5CetFo-6IvZO73BRt78sz3rgKoPicabWGDs-lNXbiiICrVdrr1C3Q_wJyEF4-OiQ3mhRdWfJKXMXNmxrE9pdUs7s8uieZBj9RiDCVsJ/s1600/LBDDiningRoomChristmas.jpg" width="596" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1eyS8KEhSbumLdDYW5oGzdtv-LZ6ec7hCQWUQ7wT4bKtNqggeFyAUre7AxfnpTwESp0x-ZeuKJ7mEdQaFuMKv13L07DEqspPpmZfo5615fOzAaHpSBp9UJY_wjafoLYVXiAz_gW_IwoXx/s1600/PC175600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1eyS8KEhSbumLdDYW5oGzdtv-LZ6ec7hCQWUQ7wT4bKtNqggeFyAUre7AxfnpTwESp0x-ZeuKJ7mEdQaFuMKv13L07DEqspPpmZfo5615fOzAaHpSBp9UJY_wjafoLYVXiAz_gW_IwoXx/s1600/PC175600.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxK7T4xmB8JEY-jKeBYtq49-u4ZZoWi9wsqsEuE1dkreu0bgWGNz4LAKzDLvEnEfe5YMymCtXjv-AL6hYEvK3sPRFMaQ8Cdtiz5GruUnRaNXperbZ-IJg0aJPy6KHLW0BG-t3OennahQ1k/s1600/PC175604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxK7T4xmB8JEY-jKeBYtq49-u4ZZoWi9wsqsEuE1dkreu0bgWGNz4LAKzDLvEnEfe5YMymCtXjv-AL6hYEvK3sPRFMaQ8Cdtiz5GruUnRaNXperbZ-IJg0aJPy6KHLW0BG-t3OennahQ1k/s1600/PC175604.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQ0W9LZN-DwAnDiAKwJl8dzyM_MVFS1e7sMjZCNjlGWckSvnh4xK20AabWXCAm_Tb0qDO4Zb2Y99TiAP8FVCSful-C6aVuX_Hc65Jpk9ykElWVU0lIywdjS6X32JZwPaDtKQiL89wSINT/s1600/PC175605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQ0W9LZN-DwAnDiAKwJl8dzyM_MVFS1e7sMjZCNjlGWckSvnh4xK20AabWXCAm_Tb0qDO4Zb2Y99TiAP8FVCSful-C6aVuX_Hc65Jpk9ykElWVU0lIywdjS6X32JZwPaDtKQiL89wSINT/s1600/PC175605.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />I can't wait for Christmas dinner this year so that I can put my fab new plates from <a href="http://bbybrandie.com/" target="_blank">B by Brandie</a> to use. They really are beautiful plates and their colors pop right off the table. The patterns reminded me of snowflakes and you know I'm a sucker for mixing patterns, so these plates fit right in.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSy2KMO3_xryAiIbwxhkO7MHvZr7xDWQ4IIKpmnsdoRSsO1bNrFqz8xm5YBWSIP3U78QFOlGiqdjsg-XLHYV8qi2hDP9ZjcVazY1AE2JKwa7e4K0nzl3xvbotgGJOiOA7NYU8YjcrEqkF2/s1600/PC175592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSy2KMO3_xryAiIbwxhkO7MHvZr7xDWQ4IIKpmnsdoRSsO1bNrFqz8xm5YBWSIP3U78QFOlGiqdjsg-XLHYV8qi2hDP9ZjcVazY1AE2JKwa7e4K0nzl3xvbotgGJOiOA7NYU8YjcrEqkF2/s1600/PC175592.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTR7qAKGu7hpeyyRagYBJqrgMq6jVhQ4p4NIEQsqVX9-AfLPE_3omVW-1ebfXwEMrqVFKFzYHEuFDAteBqf0k2quZOv02_Adt64Ch96wyk0r8dbl2GSYakow43IUx7cNEIUClu6RSpd5b8/s1600/PC175606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTR7qAKGu7hpeyyRagYBJqrgMq6jVhQ4p4NIEQsqVX9-AfLPE_3omVW-1ebfXwEMrqVFKFzYHEuFDAteBqf0k2quZOv02_Adt64Ch96wyk0r8dbl2GSYakow43IUx7cNEIUClu6RSpd5b8/s1600/PC175606.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwijdYsG6A0ykhqQO_VxSLcGoItHX54US-kMA17smKwK2QBaX-zm3uzrZEUmOtwf9CYSv9kZOTlDiZVbpKuoiDPlBACI2Du57J8ZhoY1GavF9L08WXZB9RELb4nYvSL1T__qDuCzfpGdY/s1600/PC175610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwijdYsG6A0ykhqQO_VxSLcGoItHX54US-kMA17smKwK2QBaX-zm3uzrZEUmOtwf9CYSv9kZOTlDiZVbpKuoiDPlBACI2Du57J8ZhoY1GavF9L08WXZB9RELb4nYvSL1T__qDuCzfpGdY/s1600/PC175610.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYCxwsdH5AFcxoZmYN5WKpodr4-bDvIdo0XeaCog1dI0pgroLD1bu9-6pJFDWudi7Srx7mMCh0TqON_TYRt5Y7BkNY6ZRaUtQJtXKQ6fE9QTflhBQXWrk69B6ef-uTklqCCGLbuz9kUDim/s1600/PC175613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYCxwsdH5AFcxoZmYN5WKpodr4-bDvIdo0XeaCog1dI0pgroLD1bu9-6pJFDWudi7Srx7mMCh0TqON_TYRt5Y7BkNY6ZRaUtQJtXKQ6fE9QTflhBQXWrk69B6ef-uTklqCCGLbuz9kUDim/s1600/PC175613.JPG" width="606" /></a></div><br />We spend just as much time feasting in the dining room as we do tearing into presents in the living room on Christmas, so we like to have the tree right where we can see them from both spots.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVEkQVJNaq0jSIEpAxly3Rpt0Vin2dHE-mfh7DFjuYZV9XE_lezimzJHvwlfkiEyEwX8Qe6o54r2gCCXoDZSw4Xv42N9KSy0KbZR9i5TR7kZi5bcbQ1jhQXbdKQ5t4nDrjsT1MkX2U3lwT/s1600/PC175616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVEkQVJNaq0jSIEpAxly3Rpt0Vin2dHE-mfh7DFjuYZV9XE_lezimzJHvwlfkiEyEwX8Qe6o54r2gCCXoDZSw4Xv42N9KSy0KbZR9i5TR7kZi5bcbQ1jhQXbdKQ5t4nDrjsT1MkX2U3lwT/s1600/PC175616.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvdZrkO9ZXUbfQHQwtstG5IilKSnXQWbV8vky4y6Qaf8fTPJwTGLYjlZwI0w33Uh_mlWazhyphenhyphenm72oQ10rLZ8lYXTi4WqgHo5-b_4t2gAB6HGEXU3i7G0TUX4Jn8xTXCBtdQbKXpqTSjJz1W/s1600/LBDMantelDetail3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvdZrkO9ZXUbfQHQwtstG5IilKSnXQWbV8vky4y6Qaf8fTPJwTGLYjlZwI0w33Uh_mlWazhyphenhyphenm72oQ10rLZ8lYXTi4WqgHo5-b_4t2gAB6HGEXU3i7G0TUX4Jn8xTXCBtdQbKXpqTSjJz1W/s1600/LBDMantelDetail3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Christmas is about the lights, right? And what better time to appreciate the lights than at night. I know, I'm a regular Sherlock. So I give you... nighttime pictures.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRhcNK7V7s6kH2-EqPtjgR29aUVY5NP7iieb3pbz_Bf3PEQ_srOjJZ9RseJYsMtDRmk1K7Z5JO_y80vzguqcHi2xbFQ0Js3rG7HYUqh0xM7GiO9gGCzgkKdXc9suPAupDpqxKm_kJGgvSq/s1600/ChristmasMantelClose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRhcNK7V7s6kH2-EqPtjgR29aUVY5NP7iieb3pbz_Bf3PEQ_srOjJZ9RseJYsMtDRmk1K7Z5JO_y80vzguqcHi2xbFQ0Js3rG7HYUqh0xM7GiO9gGCzgkKdXc9suPAupDpqxKm_kJGgvSq/s1600/ChristmasMantelClose.jpg" width="612" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEDGr48na3YiCSnpX94bIK5m4BhOOuSPhcUuKO1V6anQDUbx3PnOT0fzjr0Ti5_ZLLuRXY-PLpbI2mnnVFR-KvO5_efzOqjoZkDjYleiD41D0_cVWkMSG3Nn5kfpTVAazZfKrKfQod_Fy/s1600/LBDChristmasTree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEDGr48na3YiCSnpX94bIK5m4BhOOuSPhcUuKO1V6anQDUbx3PnOT0fzjr0Ti5_ZLLuRXY-PLpbI2mnnVFR-KvO5_efzOqjoZkDjYleiD41D0_cVWkMSG3Nn5kfpTVAazZfKrKfQod_Fy/s1600/LBDChristmasTree.jpg" width="526" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6UVlIrp3D_HVFxvEQ1hXchEyr4QtRwwJcoTNNMEQEGIXJFMrf9umaCnD70P3o5W_H-PkmEghOvnD8hpGUzi8lPHIUh4cvihxX9bqrQE4mtAsb_qMFNJ4vEp5Lt6Szxz4INsX6dxRKk4mZ/s1600/LBDChristmasDining2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6UVlIrp3D_HVFxvEQ1hXchEyr4QtRwwJcoTNNMEQEGIXJFMrf9umaCnD70P3o5W_H-PkmEghOvnD8hpGUzi8lPHIUh4cvihxX9bqrQE4mtAsb_qMFNJ4vEp5Lt6Szxz4INsX6dxRKk4mZ/s1600/LBDChristmasDining2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWXaIV3kjTlpps2s63spsqY0kQ_CcCy6QHsuEmHffq-pdi8cOedIB8H_-hrxK_qQ_SaVYiHh5XLgeBbvc2wBoMixjQJBfnDNCvK1Zaka3Pgh23CANAF5U2PJo-QVobqaXc1THjhHwBn17/s1600/PC165557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWXaIV3kjTlpps2s63spsqY0kQ_CcCy6QHsuEmHffq-pdi8cOedIB8H_-hrxK_qQ_SaVYiHh5XLgeBbvc2wBoMixjQJBfnDNCvK1Zaka3Pgh23CANAF5U2PJo-QVobqaXc1THjhHwBn17/s1600/PC165557.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcpJBRFPeRCwU6BzdC0G0O154bRXwADWSj-n1Neycy0F7cVmSGK9lqJ28h7CbPWUmWea8Wo9IRLaP_7Qw_pmWtrgdZywVEurCESklo7NILkRGo8O5TYqQvvsQCC6jUbOdeJZXq73sDcbN/s1600/LBDChristmasDining.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcpJBRFPeRCwU6BzdC0G0O154bRXwADWSj-n1Neycy0F7cVmSGK9lqJ28h7CbPWUmWea8Wo9IRLaP_7Qw_pmWtrgdZywVEurCESklo7NILkRGo8O5TYqQvvsQCC6jUbOdeJZXq73sDcbN/s1600/LBDChristmasDining.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK8Ej8XzxMvSDvmutvhFrBhmBU5Wa8zryQ2iu_v_QEnBa-RtJEzAt9skMOpbSGfIfshH-6mf97sIrw-pn-ZnW8oL34UkpIh1STQNqBp7liiVCnOTSknGA5ni_RPl-bBVzDs8-_g6xgOqsR/s1600/LBDChristmasCollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK8Ej8XzxMvSDvmutvhFrBhmBU5Wa8zryQ2iu_v_QEnBa-RtJEzAt9skMOpbSGfIfshH-6mf97sIrw-pn-ZnW8oL34UkpIh1STQNqBp7liiVCnOTSknGA5ni_RPl-bBVzDs8-_g6xgOqsR/s1600/LBDChristmasCollage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMn4tU4erraoXUau2b_HhsGN3TYkvWa14MMDB6fulrTVZg6gxgbwwHQtEAlDX4H5SGgZU2cqJbCyBUUjLku-m5TOXJ2AHkES2kd2ocDOJh1J2EGu55NyX0DyAL0QpZdHXcDZ75pH7Xurup/s1600/Blogger+Tour+Announcement+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMn4tU4erraoXUau2b_HhsGN3TYkvWa14MMDB6fulrTVZg6gxgbwwHQtEAlDX4H5SGgZU2cqJbCyBUUjLku-m5TOXJ2AHkES2kd2ocDOJh1J2EGu55NyX0DyAL0QpZdHXcDZ75pH7Xurup/s1600/Blogger+Tour+Announcement+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Thanks so much for coming over. Anyone over the age of 12 knows what a crazy time of year this is, and I really appreciate you taking time out of your busy day to stop over and say hi. Be sure to check out all the other great homes that have been featured so far on the tour.<br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">Day 1 - </span><a href="http://evolutionofstyleblog.blogspot.com/2013/12/day-1-12-days-of-christmas-holiday-tour.html" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Evolution of Style</a><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">Day 2 - </span><a href="http://www.shineyourlightblog.com/2013/12/12-days-of-christmas-our-home.html" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Shine Your Light</a><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">Day 3 - </span><a href="http://dixiedelights.blogspot.com/2013/12/12-days-of-christmas-tour-of-homes-day-3.html" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Dixie Delights</a></span><br />Day 4 - <a href="http://www.thecreativityexchange.com/2013/12/my-christmas-home-tour-christmas-tour-of-homes.html" target="_blank">The Creativity Exchange</a><br />Day 5 - <a href="http://dimplesandtangles.blogspot.com/2013/12/12-days-of-christmas-home-tour.html" target="_blank">Dimples and Tangles</a><br />Day 6 - <a href="http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/christmas-house-tour-part-ii/" target="_blank">My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia</a><br />Day 7 -  <a href="http://www.drivenbydecor.com/2013/12/our-christmas-home-tour.html" target="_blank">Driven By Decor</a><br />Day 8 - <a href="http://simpledetailsblog.blogspot.com/2013/12/christmas-2013home-tour_16.html" target="_blank">Simple Details</a><br /><br />And tomorrow <a href="http://oakridgerevival.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Oak Ridge Revival</a> is hosting!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitivd7kF60SMgwdQe6RTudKy-nCyq0eTQ6nxHdlYuDp3GgbprjyBSy5L0NmBOY9Ba6EKcOQ9HsnHrGdv7mZnvHYUKys0WG4MywnCMf81mr4KivGjZKMEFfgtN4nw4Mt420O5PBZydLuiqG/s1600/oakridgerevival.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitivd7kF60SMgwdQe6RTudKy-nCyq0eTQ6nxHdlYuDp3GgbprjyBSy5L0NmBOY9Ba6EKcOQ9HsnHrGdv7mZnvHYUKys0WG4MywnCMf81mr4KivGjZKMEFfgtN4nw4Mt420O5PBZydLuiqG/s1600/oakridgerevival.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Now who's ready for more hot chocolate?

2013 christmas tour - 12 days of christmas

Today is the day my friends. I'm thrilled to be able to play with 11 other great bloggers for the 12 Days of Christmas Holiday Tour and ...

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ribbon trim pillow diy

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>So last week I was all about bathrooms and this week it appears that pillows are the flavor of the day. But then again, when <i>aren't</i> pillows my jam? Never. The answer to that question is never.<br /><br />My <a href="http://pinterest.com/ladybaum/fabric-pillows/" target="_blank">pillows pinterest board</a> (say that five times fast) is full of wish list pillows and fabrics to make into more pillows. But since my Publishers Clearing House check still has not arrived, I need to get...creative on how to make these pillows happen.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Ic7zkqW3OKVPKkZJ1FSu_ADCYAugsj_WygVf0vJpFTwULgaH1F7-jbwCDb_SScnyQWQNGPqKI7qxjwX3oBI7WKHFQJ7Kuhub4wJeSleooH66APzclHdKiEPdpDbA4gaASEpSUcscj-Je/s1600/pillowcollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Ic7zkqW3OKVPKkZJ1FSu_ADCYAugsj_WygVf0vJpFTwULgaH1F7-jbwCDb_SScnyQWQNGPqKI7qxjwX3oBI7WKHFQJ7Kuhub4wJeSleooH66APzclHdKiEPdpDbA4gaASEpSUcscj-Je/s640/pillowcollage.jpg" width="458" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lacefielddesigns.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.pbv.v1.tpl&product_id=2406&category_id=705&vmcchk=1&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=161" target="_blank">1</a> // <a href="http://madcapcottage.com/storefront/lolling-about-hyde-ark/" target="_blank">2</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Case in point.<br /><br />I love these pillows long time. But they are a bit out of budget. So one day while drooling I thought, "I've got pillow cases and I've got ribbon, how hard can this be?"<br /><br />The answer - it was so easy I almost feel foolish to share the step by step. Almost.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8eIfkQvbR1YZJB_vXqTjhFitkhNLilGtWzPPnViAjT9zI1wKWGs4t6vDaZN7hZa0lgsYansWN6eKWjg68KXZhIokqV5pj9dHl3gMnhBLpkseaQQZZDmOkYI1yjusbrRkxSvc61l6DplH/s1600/ritva-cushion-cover__74178_PE190923_S4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8eIfkQvbR1YZJB_vXqTjhFitkhNLilGtWzPPnViAjT9zI1wKWGs4t6vDaZN7hZa0lgsYansWN6eKWjg68KXZhIokqV5pj9dHl3gMnhBLpkseaQQZZDmOkYI1yjusbrRkxSvc61l6DplH/s400/ritva-cushion-cover__74178_PE190923_S4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I started with a simple white pillow cover from IKEA (<a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70114159/" target="_blank">the Ritva</a>, for only $7). I love the Ritva because its cheap (duh), it has great texture and a nice boarder.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllBkThSFb8FhSh6itCTZ3qZOcn9F_MHF-MTxxxzXChURMHf9HJd0O9Lb60RPbilYp_rZz-4uvXB4Cs4xHzlZhVbQieB_60VptTYk0OoDz5ZoNXmZe4kbEATn22Lg4VKEKzfKxH4TLi7vB/s1600/PA079422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllBkThSFb8FhSh6itCTZ3qZOcn9F_MHF-MTxxxzXChURMHf9HJd0O9Lb60RPbilYp_rZz-4uvXB4Cs4xHzlZhVbQieB_60VptTYk0OoDz5ZoNXmZe4kbEATn22Lg4VKEKzfKxH4TLi7vB/s1600/PA079422.JPG" /></a></div><br />Next was the ribbon - I sifted thru my stash and decided on <a href="http://thelittleblackdoor.blogspot.com/2011/11/i-cant-sleep-with-you-staring-at-me.html" target="_blank">this navy and white ribbon I used way back when</a>. And if you remember that post you must be my mom as I'm pretty sure my mom was the only one reading this thing back then.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtHlpbZs0-Ua0fv9W_g_0DO1luO0QgZ2UbSoLLxp9NYBQFXwW2xD0_LOEj8SscQtF4WsXmb-gMg29LVmOfR3WmXNKshGqMFp5kQFsIJNs6c_d-OLQ10w1JOh-qUfyVejhNBCJbHKrr-auH/s1600/makingtrimpillowstep1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtHlpbZs0-Ua0fv9W_g_0DO1luO0QgZ2UbSoLLxp9NYBQFXwW2xD0_LOEj8SscQtF4WsXmb-gMg29LVmOfR3WmXNKshGqMFp5kQFsIJNs6c_d-OLQ10w1JOh-qUfyVejhNBCJbHKrr-auH/s640/makingtrimpillowstep1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />First step - layout your base lines and cut the ribbon/trim to size. I decided to use the natural boarder on the pillow as my 'end' which allowed me to get nice straight edges.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsPhvRIxDh2miaz3BMwepzgz5t39LEpTiyAhL5r47zGvmQ2EJie3IuTnggqL4UbiiGJY5xxqU_dkWdt-JeGhBrGJNwZ4jg9Ejpp2kR5CyL0_fW7M8LJBobsG5j6AXeCuMRTzYqrsjn5am/s1600/makingatrimpillow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsPhvRIxDh2miaz3BMwepzgz5t39LEpTiyAhL5r47zGvmQ2EJie3IuTnggqL4UbiiGJY5xxqU_dkWdt-JeGhBrGJNwZ4jg9Ejpp2kR5CyL0_fW7M8LJBobsG5j6AXeCuMRTzYqrsjn5am/s640/makingatrimpillow.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Second step - balance. What is that weird thing in the bottom of the picture? It's a tape measure. I know, weird and very uncharacteristic of me. But I wanted this to be as pretty as I imagined it in my head and for the design to work properly it does need to be accurate. Never a favorite word of mine, but I did it. The measurements themselves are totally arbitrary but once I decided on one side what looked best, I made sure to measure that same spacing out everywhere else.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7x8fkPKTIIFpdMu_fP2xqNmZNHqoONmPz3_TeqgsPnxw9fqb2QSfgIhVy4SBRyIxrTGKn1vCA_-zP_aH29AD-WLnr-Zi113QtksqKGlENfov7TBDuK411SJ8ar6ZWR6z6h0b6vu3jkdja/s1600/makingtrimpillowstep3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7x8fkPKTIIFpdMu_fP2xqNmZNHqoONmPz3_TeqgsPnxw9fqb2QSfgIhVy4SBRyIxrTGKn1vCA_-zP_aH29AD-WLnr-Zi113QtksqKGlENfov7TBDuK411SJ8ar6ZWR6z6h0b6vu3jkdja/s640/makingtrimpillowstep3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Step three - add your diamond pieces. You will want to make sure that they meet precisely in the middle of the pillow on each of the four sides to ensure your pattern isn't lopsided. I'm not a fan of lopsided pillows.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_P9UIyOe5avG9IU-r8IclvEygUxIAQDMLg-CdDL8OeN_XdA2cv5s6lzKS4Ea3Jnz9WsHmYZnB8NSPNU1dg6uxOzXeqq10uz_bebrroq839hzvk07dDhW5A8aFnjXrRie7GBtdkMDQhpa/s1600/makingtrimpillowstep4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_P9UIyOe5avG9IU-r8IclvEygUxIAQDMLg-CdDL8OeN_XdA2cv5s6lzKS4Ea3Jnz9WsHmYZnB8NSPNU1dg6uxOzXeqq10uz_bebrroq839hzvk07dDhW5A8aFnjXrRie7GBtdkMDQhpa/s640/makingtrimpillowstep4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Once everything is in place, grab that trusty fabric glue and go to town. Oh, and I did cut down each end and then iron the end of the ribbon to the underside of said ribbon in order to prevent fraying and give it that 'perfect' edge.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEKmJhVDkCIpcWGNc_ay3cyrmbRGDicDTUmi9JpNStzl5TxIcj3xVjvY4wuL3WOtapPfT_bE8SYtkZtDEtQfn4Si8g0ol7c2Itl1RmOiLGzmjn0LodYeHqWbU0-wJmzR2f39Lc9Xe2nbh/s1600/trimpillowdiy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEKmJhVDkCIpcWGNc_ay3cyrmbRGDicDTUmi9JpNStzl5TxIcj3xVjvY4wuL3WOtapPfT_bE8SYtkZtDEtQfn4Si8g0ol7c2Itl1RmOiLGzmjn0LodYeHqWbU0-wJmzR2f39Lc9Xe2nbh/s640/trimpillowdiy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />And it's (say it with me) just that easy!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSNHEQYjOUAm_ADxZGVnJu4b71FY0LkN5QmZ05pFJt4yn8G57w1mZPxVdQLEpl1SJSL6QeD7VPd1omWFzfiMPHQSroumXJjEkkJZKMLtLxqXNhCXQXbwpEFtAsire9mrsyevSX1UFGD0tM/s1600/trimpillowdiydetail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSNHEQYjOUAm_ADxZGVnJu4b71FY0LkN5QmZ05pFJt4yn8G57w1mZPxVdQLEpl1SJSL6QeD7VPd1omWFzfiMPHQSroumXJjEkkJZKMLtLxqXNhCXQXbwpEFtAsire9mrsyevSX1UFGD0tM/s640/trimpillowdiydetail.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPehSht2UA1q3HqdDX9SrdISi7CzjJOkSc6tw6q2wbPQ5AYDKsHxm6b4SaFhveBDNCmt5pYSDPm6y-vF2vjdM6WRQQu5R86WDQz7D9CpCTj_UtwtzAWCk-7NFCvHMfYB1mlMztRy1CAFM-/s1600/DIYpillows1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPehSht2UA1q3HqdDX9SrdISi7CzjJOkSc6tw6q2wbPQ5AYDKsHxm6b4SaFhveBDNCmt5pYSDPm6y-vF2vjdM6WRQQu5R86WDQz7D9CpCTj_UtwtzAWCk-7NFCvHMfYB1mlMztRy1CAFM-/s640/DIYpillows1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBghEdOP6kshVlJOpptaQaWAgLPpdkGe2o2KOASH8iw-Y1cxtZ9LHu6nbHy5nsiFXEBChAKzZNCVWAgNK43dQqENbp044kw2Xb2EdzPj1LduunQ3A-RhUqSGUuo_6peL65Pn8TAv5Th0wf/s1600/DIYpillowwide3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBghEdOP6kshVlJOpptaQaWAgLPpdkGe2o2KOASH8iw-Y1cxtZ9LHu6nbHy5nsiFXEBChAKzZNCVWAgNK43dQqENbp044kw2Xb2EdzPj1LduunQ3A-RhUqSGUuo_6peL65Pn8TAv5Th0wf/s640/DIYpillowwide3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Zoey is photo bombing my beauty shot. Don't focus on the dog, look at the pretty pillows. Ooohh. Ahhhh.<br /><br />Very little work for very big impact. And so fast. I was done in 20 minutes. Give it a go, you know you wanna.<br /><br />So I've used the words preciously, exact and measurements all in the same post. Doesn't sound like me at all. I must be growing, or hallucinating.<br /><br />Are you precise with your DIY projects? Ever try a different path for your projects?

ribbon trim pillow diy

So last week I was all about bathrooms and this week it appears that pillows are the flavor of the day. But then again, when aren't pil...

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party like its 1963 - 50th wedding anniversary

Happy Monday to all! Anything exciting to report? We had rain, with a side of rain and large helping of humidity. Summer in St. Louis y'all.<br /><br />So I blabbed long enough about this anniversary party I thought I should at least share a few pictures with you. My parents celebrated 50 years of marriage and in my book, 50 years of anything deserves a party. And party we did.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94VAPN7nA2vkKz3nd-QKTWik8BOCwW10cIPg2W-oPf6s9WRSRewCpXW7uRBkdcVAg5LXqAc46ctd3hq_W9WJDV4AujGXid8_gSw6ix3g3TiK4M_-ic3l6_qNNC4UAiBzGIbW7OIA_lyNp/s1600/johnson-1000(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94VAPN7nA2vkKz3nd-QKTWik8BOCwW10cIPg2W-oPf6s9WRSRewCpXW7uRBkdcVAg5LXqAc46ctd3hq_W9WJDV4AujGXid8_gSw6ix3g3TiK4M_-ic3l6_qNNC4UAiBzGIbW7OIA_lyNp/s400/johnson-1000(1).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Now a (long) side note - I have had lists upon lists over the past few months to keep things organized for this shindig and we were on schedule. The hubs was on board and the weekend before the party he and I sat down and made a list of what we needed to get done each day that week to be ready for the party on Saturday. Teamwork is our middle name.<br /><br />Then Monday night the hubs got sick. Tuesday morning I had to take him to the ER and by Tuesday night he had an emergency appendectomy. Which was kind of weird because I didn't remember 'surgery' anywhere on our to-do list. <br /><br />Que increased stress level.<br /><br />And to add to the fun, surgery was followed by an infection which kept him in the hospital until late Friday. Coupled with a mystery plumbing leak, a surprise tree removal and a daily increased threat of rain, my stress level runneth over. <br /><br />I will save all of the gory details for cocktail hour, but needless to say by the time Saturday arrived I was just happy to have showered and brushed my hair. I didn't get as many pictures taken as I would have liked, and some are with my iPhone so they aren't the best quality but you'll get the idea. And we were lucky enough to have the talented <a href="http://www.ysstudios.com/" target="_blank">Jeremy Keltner</a> there during the party and he got some great shots as well.<br /><br />Lesson learned. As my great-grandfather always said - don't bother worrying because you will always be worrying about the wrong thing.<br /><br />So with all of that said, a great time was had by all and the party was a success. We did end up with a downpour shortly after the cake was cut but the fun just moved inside and we didn't skip a beat.<br /><br />Now enough talk, let's look at some pictures.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELGk43fEW4Gq4yOouvfrWvPuRUdhlKyfTNOiMNgnrsAbNUnZUhtS-oXf9fF4TQJK-Cp07NexVcgc2Blagi9XEA8DtPFS9mYGQNEuqVjaPp60pfwRUPkqO6AVYMwKewU7ARhlRRevp4ysW/s1600/gardenparty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELGk43fEW4Gq4yOouvfrWvPuRUdhlKyfTNOiMNgnrsAbNUnZUhtS-oXf9fF4TQJK-Cp07NexVcgc2Blagi9XEA8DtPFS9mYGQNEuqVjaPp60pfwRUPkqO6AVYMwKewU7ARhlRRevp4ysW/s400/gardenparty.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Almost ready to go.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtmkYuXeN9ga1woY8VwoKRyx4ouqECGDHvsiFBqHnAefTuTkjUIkvFv8tDvzefNLmTAe-aan4uhQIgCU8BBzCFI84UB6lHukiPdoal1BeHndAuwbIbqTIehKBMDhMVrFma1MXRkKuMXpk/s1600/welcomewreath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtmkYuXeN9ga1woY8VwoKRyx4ouqECGDHvsiFBqHnAefTuTkjUIkvFv8tDvzefNLmTAe-aan4uhQIgCU8BBzCFI84UB6lHukiPdoal1BeHndAuwbIbqTIehKBMDhMVrFma1MXRkKuMXpk/s400/welcomewreath.jpg" width="351" /></a></div><br />The welcome wreath that greeted everyone at the gate as they entered.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrVYJFZl7jr_EMDL15TZPFdyK0nHX6nh3Cp6bEBpTNGVLTxdrzVT9noHViNkKZv-hg1GeLtvHCGwdGZeJ4N7X0GmjqXiEKJQyJ1kIgrAWB0moMdl0edP0ysE-rclDiLOSW0dzHIFawhxY5/s1600/drinklabels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrVYJFZl7jr_EMDL15TZPFdyK0nHX6nh3Cp6bEBpTNGVLTxdrzVT9noHViNkKZv-hg1GeLtvHCGwdGZeJ4N7X0GmjqXiEKJQyJ1kIgrAWB0moMdl0edP0ysE-rclDiLOSW0dzHIFawhxY5/s400/drinklabels.jpg" width="336" /></a></div><br />Would have been awesome if I had gotten a picture of these things filled out with the drink labels filled in but this will have to do.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0_iE8WXGNfsnhrEq0XMHb0DJEKVrzcoOZePDHDoDQZX00_hQDCKGUma-qWrxpWHqd4MNYF4hwnURSdqN89FYjCHk7q5-yxuIvweSKB9dv7VBEgFCfjlg0b7k7MIm4qxtbf-DwooDFXTB/s1600/anniversarymenuyes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0_iE8WXGNfsnhrEq0XMHb0DJEKVrzcoOZePDHDoDQZX00_hQDCKGUma-qWrxpWHqd4MNYF4hwnURSdqN89FYjCHk7q5-yxuIvweSKB9dv7VBEgFCfjlg0b7k7MIm4qxtbf-DwooDFXTB/s400/anniversarymenuyes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I made the menu using the same monogram that appeared on the invitation and the cake.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgotPhuoxbuHaUqyfUs7mHb0WMurj6afZkWpKh2fH9IWMIV49TYK-QGQ1KqjiiT-dJ2_eqGG04jOlPoNv3mTFGndRj38ZvBMzPultBl6bsRtQWemvwzh9dC5jQO59zk88RYMtAA_izo3DSg/s1600/tablesetting2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgotPhuoxbuHaUqyfUs7mHb0WMurj6afZkWpKh2fH9IWMIV49TYK-QGQ1KqjiiT-dJ2_eqGG04jOlPoNv3mTFGndRj38ZvBMzPultBl6bsRtQWemvwzh9dC5jQO59zk88RYMtAA_izo3DSg/s400/tablesetting2.jpg" width="386" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03PYB5LGWLqgsbCGj3FuARMN2ZqsaqCsG3ZGf4IowfygK_Vt-5Ne-aHU0aDPa_43wovCn6nN9GBsRdYG-5vj20nfD5ka95EURXeWstH73-6gxmQWjXThchKalht4JEO1RPl2XcwBIDtjv/s1600/ribbontables.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03PYB5LGWLqgsbCGj3FuARMN2ZqsaqCsG3ZGf4IowfygK_Vt-5Ne-aHU0aDPa_43wovCn6nN9GBsRdYG-5vj20nfD5ka95EURXeWstH73-6gxmQWjXThchKalht4JEO1RPl2XcwBIDtjv/s400/ribbontables.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Each table was decked out in ribbons in my mom's colors, blue, green and yellow, and pictures of the happy couple through the years. The frames were a DIY project I'll share at some point.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1ofndqiLkd6_zlekFTE6j72D03G7FBv3St0lZE512AlsQ-rj3isTYxPquliVwOowUJbQLWQViBZJKmE7WVll5bTu-22SrWiR8axJ37ZB7LTnC8INy5CJa5E0yx2fOTlUiVoFAJztU0qQ/s1600/placesetting3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1ofndqiLkd6_zlekFTE6j72D03G7FBv3St0lZE512AlsQ-rj3isTYxPquliVwOowUJbQLWQViBZJKmE7WVll5bTu-22SrWiR8axJ37ZB7LTnC8INy5CJa5E0yx2fOTlUiVoFAJztU0qQ/s400/placesetting3.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7DEuBdFFxIVsm-vWDpOheg6Sx3Cjw3ruw4BYpIxg9fgu_WERctei7W-KWJIO4taL8pb9ZCPSMgNXQtWPL9h_idJDXvbn7tIsWjJL_-LX0fzzcnThW9eeswNOGsIyPoWDlscG71vgxBxU/s1600/outdoorparty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7DEuBdFFxIVsm-vWDpOheg6Sx3Cjw3ruw4BYpIxg9fgu_WERctei7W-KWJIO4taL8pb9ZCPSMgNXQtWPL9h_idJDXvbn7tIsWjJL_-LX0fzzcnThW9eeswNOGsIyPoWDlscG71vgxBxU/s400/outdoorparty.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwAdOBazPrbYnxoOSjjC-Ed4LeeZHOzWt6VlkgoMFWHg6yYgNiV1rLTIYyVbahrtFUfdrd66li5Ux_Djtsoe9khX9xkmH7MXMuwuk9GDjPTuCb7ykZbRtEm8RKtz86z_T0g-HDYTS4j0We/s1600/johnson-1071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwAdOBazPrbYnxoOSjjC-Ed4LeeZHOzWt6VlkgoMFWHg6yYgNiV1rLTIYyVbahrtFUfdrd66li5Ux_Djtsoe9khX9xkmH7MXMuwuk9GDjPTuCb7ykZbRtEm8RKtz86z_T0g-HDYTS4j0We/s640/johnson-1071.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><br />They were a pain to hang, but the lanterns were great. All the <a href="http://www.pier1.com/Ocean-Paper-Lanterns-Set/2671727,default,pd.html?cgid=outdoor-lanterns-candles" target="_blank">lanterns</a> were battery operated and worked off of one universal remote which was heaven. Thanks Pier 1.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQPJfP9tHJjK1e1qRCy9a9EvXu_ALzzkspF4CxXWrldsi0mDrExnMkvC2taOu-gL8iT4i-SI-ETb5XtcYKrMsE00jFvR0_ONF3RDgqkaj-gDIFxVjD4_lQI8u_q8X4eVjgOhZhcrf4EWN/s1600/johnson-1076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQPJfP9tHJjK1e1qRCy9a9EvXu_ALzzkspF4CxXWrldsi0mDrExnMkvC2taOu-gL8iT4i-SI-ETb5XtcYKrMsE00jFvR0_ONF3RDgqkaj-gDIFxVjD4_lQI8u_q8X4eVjgOhZhcrf4EWN/s640/johnson-1076.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs5_8kH7dbb_LSjHL0HpmixesIBJJPongpl8jjoqL_g1ym6KbA2eQUmqMUTy8XI2DAz80zkDdFtUHAde_-6CJfQJ6P9w_E4i2RMdj2Nbpxac4GHgO0X-dd7-NJECAb_XFtEFuYVMnk_EG8/s1600/anniversarytable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs5_8kH7dbb_LSjHL0HpmixesIBJJPongpl8jjoqL_g1ym6KbA2eQUmqMUTy8XI2DAz80zkDdFtUHAde_-6CJfQJ6P9w_E4i2RMdj2Nbpxac4GHgO0X-dd7-NJECAb_XFtEFuYVMnk_EG8/s400/anniversarytable.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Inside was a table full of wedding pictures and albums.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznePzh0ivPkMSdwNHqw6HdmW30cgSGb-ztzVdIBTqAXQiKCgJqL0SgfHRfcYjTr8pLoMrMvXExKvUMhO5h_SDCl4KDRkGHYYplFjJdyWy3vUL-JvYqMsq0GhCwTQ97I3fxUSrNYYyn2-b/s1600/weddingcake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznePzh0ivPkMSdwNHqw6HdmW30cgSGb-ztzVdIBTqAXQiKCgJqL0SgfHRfcYjTr8pLoMrMvXExKvUMhO5h_SDCl4KDRkGHYYplFjJdyWy3vUL-JvYqMsq0GhCwTQ97I3fxUSrNYYyn2-b/s400/weddingcake.jpg" width="357" /></a></div><br />And the yummy cake.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-jgDtiqIYn_thFv1XOCqkkKfciKxr826qo6JiJKtqD9xlAYugex38V0jjPY0mnq4Ip5a-hKHBfmKLFvCql0tfmVVlN-M_zZjUzM7h9jGWLHuMlMaq3cqupto4yuLUsL5muJTYru9kMueH/s1600/cutthecake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-jgDtiqIYn_thFv1XOCqkkKfciKxr826qo6JiJKtqD9xlAYugex38V0jjPY0mnq4Ip5a-hKHBfmKLFvCql0tfmVVlN-M_zZjUzM7h9jGWLHuMlMaq3cqupto4yuLUsL5muJTYru9kMueH/s400/cutthecake.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Which we cut just in time to move inside before the monsoon hit.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirwZjjSMKtBCTACnMkmZ_KNITMLRPxBMnH0CWHzq23Lqh_3_fChWxjVebIkOZf8GSTNhfRcGlv85PRmgNTVRQ7ymBuFucsA7GYU2A2D80ZbjhA4ZO9r4c7b8-zTPwqefnQS5lvNJAHzBMj/s1600/outdoorlighting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirwZjjSMKtBCTACnMkmZ_KNITMLRPxBMnH0CWHzq23Lqh_3_fChWxjVebIkOZf8GSTNhfRcGlv85PRmgNTVRQ7ymBuFucsA7GYU2A2D80ZbjhA4ZO9r4c7b8-zTPwqefnQS5lvNJAHzBMj/s400/outdoorlighting.jpg" width="297" /></a></div><br />It was a late night but a great time.<br /><br />Happy Anniversary mom and dad!<br /><br />Have you thrown any parties lately? Any great outdoor celebrations on your calendar? Wanna come over for a drink? The house is clean.

party like its 1963 - 50th wedding anniversary

Happy Monday to all! Anything exciting to report? We had rain, with a side of rain and large helping of humidity. Summer in St. Louis y'...

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