Hi ya'll! Can you believe we're just days from Christmas? Two weeks from today to be exact. We put up the tree with all our ornaments, most handmade by me, one of my children, Madison, a mom, grandparent, or friend. I never forget who made an ornament and I hold them dear. I recently made a trip to the thrift store to pick up a few more decorative things and I was practically dancing when I checked out! I found some things I needed and some I wanted but before I show you, have I ever told you we live in a manufactured home? That means we are limited on space, wall space, and storage whether in the kitchen or the bedrooms. The only closets are in the bedrooms so my craft room closet has to hold so many things including seasonal decor.I have to be choosy with what I buy.
  First here's the tree.

I wanted some Christmas themed pillows and a few with red or green that I can use anytime and I found several.

They look so pretty on our new couch along with the quilt I made last year.

When I found this I had to get it because this can be up all year and I love the pop of color.

I needed a little greenery and a few things to set out here and there.

I put the red train by grandson Joshs' photo as he adores trains. I love the little drummer boy and the winder in back still works and plays the tune.We think this piece is vintage. It made me think of Connor.

I've been hoping to score a vintage metal toy truck as I love them and at Christmas I could put a bottle brush tree in the back. After searching the rest of the store, I headed to the toy section to see if maybe I could find something there. I was looking at the big plastic bags of toys when I saw red metal and realized what it was.Not a truck,but a tractor and I love it!

I found a few lanterns and came across a few village pieces that light up and decided to start a small collection  for a corner table. I've passed up dozens of these in the past so it won't take long.

I got the wood JOY kit at Goodwill a few years ago and covered two of the letters with card stock and painted the other. I painted the bowling pin snowman last year, made the wool Santa last year, and I recently made the fabric wreath. I love it.

I found a reproduction of a vintage radio that works. I love the shape of it as well as the sound of an older radio.

I made the coffee bean bag stocking for myself last year and Madisons patchwork stocking a few years ago. Chris'cowboy Santa stocking was a Goodwill find.

I got this metal and glass cloche at the thrift store and knew exactly what I was going to do with it.

I had these vintage kitchen items in a glass cabinet but put them out on this old scale we got at an antique store on a weekend trip.

This ladder with the elf pups was a 5.00 yard sale find several years ago. Yard sales are a great place to get a variety of things including seasonal items.

I've made several cosmetic bags and tried a new look with attaching tassels to the zipper and I love it. I'll have some in my Etsy shop soon.

Our home is small but it suits us perfectly and it's full of love,joy and peace.

As I go, I leave you with a pic I snapped of us with a friend yesterday just prior to the start of the Christmas party at the Women and Childrens Shelter in downtown Jacksonville.Our church offered boxes to fill with a list of suggested items, then the ladies and kids received them yesterday at the party along with a fun time of crafts, hot chocolate, cookies and face painting. I urge you to be a giver in your daily life, and do something this season for someone who has nothing to offer back other than a hug or a "thank you." You'll be blessed. Gina

In the good ole summertime

Well it's been a while since I blogged. I've thought about doing a post several times but admit the thought of going through all my photos,both on the camera and my phone,and sitting here typing out my thoughts wasn't what I felt like doing at the time. But today, well I'm in a blogging mood. Let me warn you, you might want to grab a glass of ice tea or a cup of coffee because I'm playing catch up and this will be the longest post I've ever done! Remember I warned you!

I looked at my last post to see where I stopped last time and I'll try to do this in chronological order. Since just prior to summer, which here in Florida it's usually "summer",I have 

Made Madison some new clothes 

Big Ruffle Pants!

Some new tops

Some new dresses

Took my Dear Friend Janet to our yearly birthday lunch and tried out a new place. Love the murals we found walking to the restaurant after we parked.

Made a few new burlap coffee bean bags for my Etsy shop.

Went to the zoo. They had the dinosaur exhibit there for a few months so we made sure to go see the dinomatronics.

Met my daughter at The Conch House in St. Augustine. That's a good sorta midway point since she lives near Orlando.

I found this beautiful, remote, magical place called Driftwood Beach thanks to a FB friend doing a check in with photos. I had never heard of it and seems nobody else had either. It's part of Big Talbot Island  just outside of Jacksonville. This was our first time there. We loved it!

Madison asked Jesus to save her and was baptized at church soon after. We're meeting in a school right now but out growing it. Baptism is in a small pool but Jesus doesn't care! It's about that step of obedience and the symbolism of being buried and raised like Christ and the New Life!

The grand babies have gotten bigger!Josh is now 2 years 7 months and Connor is 7 months. Their mama posted these pics on FB and I just loved seeing the boys on the quilt I made Connor and Josh playing with his Owl Pal I made him. Melts me!

Went to the annual Shrimp Festival in Fernandina.

John flew in from Bloomington, In. where he is now both a student and teacher at Indiana University and did a concert for his dear friend and benefactor Ruth. She is always so gracious to invite us to dinner afterwards to celebrate.

Went to my niece Victorias graduation and party. What a godly and sweet young lady.

We had Madison the first half of summer so we did a few sleepovers with cousins Annaleise and Liam which included a day at Kingsley Lake and boating.

then we went up to Jekyll Island to the water park the following weekend.

Made curtains for Janets dining room from this french script fabric she picked out at Hobby Lobby. It completely changed the look of the room from the heavier look with the former plaid fabric.

Took my friend Lisa to Driftwood Beach and she loved it! She said it feels like you're on a deserted island far away.

Celebrated Fathers Day and tried to spoil Chris!

Celebrated July 4th with 3 of my 4 kids, their Dad and his wife and her daughter, my sons sweet in laws, and of course Chris my hubby and Madison. It was an enjoyable day at Kingsley Lake with boating,swimming and a picnic.

Had two of my brothers and their families over to see Jim, Becky and the boys while they were here from Va. That was a lot of cooking let me tell ya!

Just last weekend we went down to Mt. Dora to the famous Renningers Antique and Flea Market. Don't ask me why in Florida we have a Mt. anything!

We bought these vintage outdoor chairs and in a few days after I sand them and paint them,they'll be beautiful and will look good on our little front porch.

While there we enjoyed walking around the charming and historic downtown area, dining and shopping,and even took a train ride on an old steam engine that was used in many movies, including one with Russell Crowe.

And just this past Tuesday I took my friend Audrey to Driftwood Beach. She lives much closer than I and thinks she's found the perfect place to have a Me day and read a good book. I agree! 

I hope you enjoy the rest of your summer!

Gina