Welcome to the 32nd "Sunday Favorites"

"Sunday Favorites" is a Sunday meme designed to give bloggers a chance to share a favorite post from the past!!! For more information on how to republish a past post just click on the "Sunday Favorites" info photo in the sidebar of my blog.

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Hello my friends!

Welcome to the 32nd run of "Sunday Favorites"!!!

** I hope that you're having a wonderful weekend and that you all had a marvelous Thanksgiving! We had our Thanksgiving on Friday after the kids got here. We had a wonderful time feasting on Thanksgiving turkey and all the fixin's and spending it with loved ones!!! Of course, I count my blessings each and every day but it is sweet recounting all those special blessings during this season of Thanksgiving!!!

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Well my friends, this coming Wednesday...December 4th...is the long awaited Cloche Party hosted by Marty over at A Stroll Thru Life. It's time to dust off all those pretty cloches and apothecary jars and decorate! Please swing by Marty's for more details!

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In light of the coming Cloche Party, I thought I would share my post from the Cloche Party last June! Hope you enjoy, my friends!!!

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Well my friends...have a super Sunday! Thank you so much for coming by today!

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Instructions for Participating in Sunday Favorites

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If you are participating in Sunday Favorites, please be sure to add your permalink to Mr.Linky and not your general blog address.

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Please copy and paste the Sunday Favorites logo button to your Sunday Favorites post or your sidebar so your visitors will know that you are participating. Also...please link back to the host blog, Happy To Design. This is important because it helps those who are visiting your blog, find the other wonderful blogs that are participating.

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Please do not add your link below, until your Sunday Favorites post is actually published to your blog.

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Thank you so much for your participation!!! I am going to really enjoy going through your "Sunday Favorites" posts!!!

Love ya'll,

Chari

Sunday Favorites

My favorite post: June 18, 2009

It's A Cloche Party!!!

Hello my friends...the day has finally arrived for the Cloche Party!!! I've been soooo excited!!!

This fabulous Cloche Party is being hosted by a very dear friend of mine...Marty from A Stroll Thru Life! If you haven't ever met Marty, you really must go over to her place and do so...she's just the sweetest gal and she has the most delightful blog! I can guarantee you that you'll make a dear friend and be totally inspired by her beautiful home and many great ideas and never ending talents!!!

While you're over at Marty's, you'll find a list of all the participants or should I say, "party-goers"! Hehe!!! I just know that there will be so many beautifully decorated cloches and apothecary jars on display!!! I'm always ready for some new and innovative ideas when it comes to decorating!!!

Pre-party Excitement...

This week, due to all of my excitement about the Cloche Party, I did a little pre-party posting!

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Monday I posted my "Cherub in a Jar"...apothecary jar, that is!

Tuesday..."Bird's Nest Under Glass" cloche!

Wednesday..."Bunny in a Jar"...another apothecary jar design!

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You can just scroll down to those posts to see them...I sure hope that you'll take a peek at them!

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Without further ado...here is my contribution or little "party favor" for the Cloche Party!

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"Cloches & Buttons and Creamy White Ironstone"

These are a Few of My Favorite Things...."

My Miniature Cloche

This is a miniature cloche that I found at an antique shop several months ago. It was on sale for just $2...that incuded the little glass pedestal plate that it's sitting on as well! This little cloche only measures 6 in. tall (10 in. tall including the pedestal plate).

I searched and searched for something pretty to put in my miniature cloche...and finally decided to add a bunch of pretty gold, black, and white buttons! I tied a feathery white ribbon to the handle and added an vintage looking key!

"A Few of My Favorite Things" Vignette

In celebration of the Cloche Party...I wanted to make a vignette using my newly decorated cloche. I took one of my silver handled trays and added a few of my favorite things...a creamy white ironstone soup tureen...a silver beaded rope with tassels...a silver frenchy looking ornament...a couple of silver candleholders with white candles...and my newly decorated cloche filled with pretty gold buttons!*

A New Vignette for the Living Room

In my olive colored living room, I have a beautiful picturesque window...it's very large and situated right next to the front door of our home...so it recieves much attention. I have an antique mohogany sofa table placed in front of this window. I think this will be the perfect place for "A Few of My Favorite Things" vignette!

I placed the silver tray with my newly decorated cloche in the center of the sofa table. I added a large crystal vase full of white hydrangeas to the left side of the tray...and a couple of old books with my favorite french girl bust...to the right side!

Voila!!!...now I have a brand new vignette for my living room table!

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My french girl bust...isn't she sweet?



A few "artsy" photos of the buttons in a cloche!

I found a new toy...the frosted window frame around my cloche photo is an effect that can be found at Flickr! I love the look of this!!!



Ooooh...so many pretty kinds of buttons!



Another photo framing technique from Flickr!



I have just learned how to make mosaics with my photos...I've been having soooo much fun doing this!




Well my friends...thank you for letting me share a "Few of My Favorite Things" with you today! I hope that you enjoyed my new vignette and my miniature cloche full of pretty buttons!!!

I am off to Texas tomorrow for a two week vacation! I am going to see my three daughters and all ten of my grandchildren!!! I will miss you while I'm gone and will have alot of catching up to do when I get home! Until then...Lord bless and I'll see you soon!!!

*Just a note...I will still be hosting Sunday Favorites while I'm gone...I already have prepared the Sunday Favorites posts and they will publish on schedule!

Love ya'll,
Chari

Thanksgiving 2009 at Happy To Design

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Hello my friends...Happy Thanksgiving!!!
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There are many things that I am thankful to the Lord for this Thanksgiving! I am thankful for my friends and family...my health...having a shelter over my head and food on my table...just to name a few!!! I am also so very thankful for YOU!!! My prayer for this Thanksgiving season is that the Lord richly bless you and your families!!! May you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!
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It's a busy season for all of us! I have been busy preparing for our Thanksgiving get together. Our Thanksgiving will be fairly informal this year...with just Russell and I and our two children, however I am fixing the traditional Thanksgiving meal...with turkey and all the fixin's!

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Whew...the turkey is thawing...the house is clean...and I have our Thanksgiving table set!!!

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I wanted to share our Thanksgving table with you today. I know that you are very busy and I promise that I won't be so "wordy" today! Hehe! I have lots of photos...but few words! I hope you enjoy!!!

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Thanksgiving 2009 at The Lamberts

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An informal Thanksgiving table set for four.
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The Centerpiece

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I found this pretty ornate metal pumpkin at Hobby Lobby a few months back. I placed a few autumn florals, acorns, pinecones, and berries inside the pumpkin. I used one of my glass pedistal plates to elevate the pumpkin and then decorated beneath the pedistal plate with a few more autumn florals, berries, and pinecones. Roseville "Clematis...in autumn brown" candleholders grace each side of the pumpkin centerpiece.
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Ohhh my...we can't have a tablescape without a few sweet autumn birds! I just love the two brown ceramic birds that I found at Michaels. They're little wings are embossed with acorns, autumn leaves, and pretty scrolled designs!
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Why...even a pretty red cardinal has landed atop an acorn that is sitting on top of the pumpkin!!!
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The Place Setting

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I am using my new dishes that I found at TJ Maxx a couple of months ago! I just love, love, LOVE these dishes! Love the vibrant autumn colors and those sweet birds!!! They are manufactured by Royal Stafford of Burslem, England.
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The Salad/Dessert Plate

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The Dinner Plate

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Acorn Plate

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These sweet little acorn plates came from the Dollar General...only $1 ea. They'll be just perfect for the olives, pickles, and other fresh veggies from the relish plate!
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Table Linens

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I found this pretty brown tablecloth at TJ Maxx. Love the red, yellow, and orange threads that form the subtle plaid in the fabric!

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The autumn plaid dinner napkins coordinate with the tablecloth. The coppery, maple leaf napkin rings come from Walmart.
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The Flatware

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This is my late mother-in-law's silverplate flatware. It's so ornate...I just love it!!! It's manufactured by Oneida...pattern: Brahms.
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Autumn Birds...

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A couple of close-ups of the sweet little autumn birds.
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An Autumn Pitcher

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I have had this pretty pitcher for a number of years. I have always loved the vibrant colors and pretty clusters of grapes and leaves on this piece! It's one of my favorite pitchers and usually sits atop the frig in my kitchen! I thought it would go perfectly with our Thanksgiving tablescape!
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I'm using my amber colored goblets...the gold looks pretty with this place setting don't you think?
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Our Thanksgiving Menu

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Well my friends...I'm so happy that took the time out of your busy Thanksgiving schedule to stop by today!

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Happy Thanksgiving!

From our home to yours...

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Love ya'll,

Chari

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I am joining in with Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday! Please go by and tell Susan Happy Thanksgiving and see what she has for us today! While you are over there...you will find a list of all the other happy participants! Thank you, Susan...for hosting Tablescape Thursday!!!
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Thanksgiving Is Almost Here!!!

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Hello my friends! Wow...where has the time gone to? It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving will be here in just a couple of days...and...where did the month of November go?
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Thanksgiving Preparations
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I am busy preparing for Thanksgiving...as I'm sure that all of you are! There really is sooo much to do...even though our Thanksgiving will be small and informal this year! It will just be my honey and I...and the two children, however I am making the "traditional" Thanksgiving dinner with all the fixin's...and will prepare a nice table! I don't know about you...but I am always so hungry for that traditional Thanksgiving meal by this time of the year! Hehe!
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Our Thanksgiving Menu...

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Red Hot Applesauce Jello...

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Along with the traditional Thanksgiving feast...comes a myriad of family recipes that have become a tradition as well! I thought I would share one recipe with you today that is always included in our Thanksgiving menu....Red Hot Applesauce Jello.

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It is a favorite of the young and old alike at our house! I think my mother began making this recipe because so many of the children didn't like cranberries...so it's the substitute for the "red" stuff! Hehe! What goes better together then cherries, applesauce, and cinnamon? It really is mmm...yummy!!! Do you have a favorite family recipe that is ALWAYS included in your Thanksgiving menu?

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Hehe...I had fun making a mosaic for this recipe!
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The Thanksgiving Table...

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The next thing on my "To Do List" is to prepare a pretty Thanksgiving table! I hope to get it finished in time to take a few photos and post it for Tablescape Thursday!

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Well my friends, I know that you are very busy with the Thanksgiving holiday as well! Thank you so much for taking a little time out of your busy schedule to come by for a visit today!
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"I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart;

I will recount all of your wonderful deeds."

Psalm 9:1

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Love ya'll,

Chari
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"Show Off Your Cottage Monday"!

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Hello my friends! I sure do hope that your Monday finds the sun shining down upon you!

Today, I'm joining in with "Show Off Your Cottage Monday"! I have just found this fabulous event and I'm so excited about being able to participate!

"Show Off Your Cottage Monday" is hosted by Cielo over at The House in the Roses! If you haven't ever been to Cielo's for a visit...you're really missing out! She has a delightful blog and the most beautiful home you could ever hope to see! Please go pay her a visit and while you over there...you will find a list of the other participants! Thank you, Cielo...for hosting this marvelous Monday event!!!

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It's been a very long time since I've shown my step-daughter's bedroom...which also doubles for our guest room! Today just felt like a good day to share it with all of you again! It's the one room in my home where I indulged my love for "cottage" style decor! I hope you enjoy!!!

The Tea Rose Bedroom....

Hello and welcome to my Tea Rose Bedroom! This room actually serves a dual purpose...it is my step-daughter Danielle's room when she is home and it also serves as our guest room. Danielle recently turned thirteen years old and it was time for the "Hello Kitty" theme to go. Yes, we just adored that pretty little kitty...the walls were bright orange and pink and I had even painted a "Hello Kitty" mural on one of the walls! Yes, I know...it was a bittersweet process...it's never easy when our children begin to grow up, however the time had come for a change and I was on a redecorating mission!
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My Design Journal: The makings of a "Tea Rose" Bedroom

Often times I've been asked, "how do you plan or design a room"? When I began thinking about this bedroom redo, my first step was to establish the room's purpose. I wanted to give Danielle a pretty, feminine bedroom and at the same time, I wanted our guests when they were visiting, to feel as though they were staying in a beautiful Bed & Breakfast! The perfect solution: A Tea Rose Bedroom!!!

Okay, I need to back-up just a bit (hehe!). I must admit that doing a Tea Rose bedroom didn't just "pop" into my mind. To begin the redo...I needed a point of inspiration! Since this is a bedroom and the bed is the main focus...that is where I started! I began shopping for bedding...I shopped and shopped and shopped some more. Oh my, such tiring work...wink! I knew from previous experience that when I seen the perfect piece...I would know! I never "just settle"...when doing something of this nature, it has to really speak to my heart! That is when I found this beautiful bedding called "Tea Rose"! Ohhhh...you should have seen me do the happy dance! I just knew that this Tea Rose bedding would be perfect and I had found the inspiration and focus point for this decorating project!!! I also purchased the pretty scrolled iron bed...after all, that bedding needed the appropriate pretty frame! For those of you who share in the passion of interior decorating...you know that what I'm about to say is soooo true...first it was the bedding, then the bed frame...and then that led to the pretty "crown like" corona. This decorating process definitely has a "domino" effect...hehe!

I used a pretty "garden green" paint for the walls. This room was really beginning to take on a life of its own...tea roses, garden green, creamy whites, pinks & pale buttery yellows, it was soft and sweet, and romantic! Remember the movie, "The Horse Whisperer"? Well...if you listen real close...your room will begin to whisper to your heart...exactly what it needs!!! Decorating doesn't have to be a difficult or confusing process...just listen to your heart/room! Over time a certain style seemed to emerge in this Tea Rose bedroom...one I like to call "Garden Chic"!

A close-up view of the Tea Rose bedding. I recently added a pale yellow matelasse coverlet and a few more decorative pillows! I like the mix of fabrics and patterns...I'm not one for that "matchy...matchy" feel! Mixing fabrics and patterns is really easily done...just keep things in the same color hue and be careful to not let one pattern over-ride the other...they should "build upon one another"....compliment one another! I also brought in a breakfast tray...just for a little Bed & Breakfast ambiance!

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My Precious Little Tea Cup Lamp

Isn't this just the prettiest little tea cup lamp that you've ever saw? I like to call it my "friendship lamp"....because it was a gift given to me by a very dear, sweet friend! My friend Gloria makes these little tea cup lamps! She is such a talented lady and she's just as sweet and precious as the lamps that she makes! Thank you so very much, Gloria!!! Every time I see this pretty little lamp, I think of you my friend!!!

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See this little desk? It had it's beginnings as a plain and simple desk in a wood finish. I recently painted it a creamy white (eggshell)...added rose garland embellishments to the two bottom drawers and added vintage glass knobs. I was really pleased with the end result! The desk chair is one of my "treasure finds" ($25). I just couldn't pass this little antique beauty up...it has the prettiest little scroll designs on the top of the inside back of the chair...the cushion is an old faded, olive green toile. The rocking chair is another "treasure find"...bought at a yard sale for $5. I just recovered it with a beige and olive toile fabric that I got on sale for $1.50/yd...I have a total of $8 in this little rocker! And....if you look real close, you'll see that I added a little crystal candlelier above the desk (thank you, Laura for sharing this beauty with me)!

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Here is a close-up of the bed corona....I draped a long swag curtain over and around it. Why just look at those precious little cherubs....they are hand-painted from Italy. When I seen them...they whispered to me...I had to have them!!! I found this pretty grapevine wreath...made with soft pink magnolias...little pale green berries and crystal beads! I really like how this adds interest above the bed!

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My little Italian cherubs! Just look at the hand-painted details! They sweetly play music as they watch over your dreams!

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We have an old piano in this bedroom. Oh my, it's a bit out of tune, however the little garden cherub doesn't seem to mind! I had been looking for one of these masonary cherubs...they were all a bit too expensive for my "redo" budget...and then on one of my "antiquing trips" I found him ($15). He was green but I used a white wash over the top to tone down the green. On the end of the piano is an old ironstone pitcher filled with...yes, you guessed it...tea roses!!!

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Ahhhh...tis the sweet scent of a tea rose! Yes, the garden cherub has a tiny little tea rose in the palm of his hand...he's really enjoying the scent of it!

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Well my friends, I do hope that you enjoyed my Tea Rose bedroom! I think that this room is finished...at least for the time being...wink!

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Thank you so much for coming by today! Please leave me a comment and let me know that you were here...I would love to visit with you!!!

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Love ya'll,

Chari