Books I've Read This Year

Do you like to read?  I do. Ever since I can remember I've loved to read.  A couple of years ago I started to keep track of what I read.  Wish I'd done it years ago because it's fun to look back and see what I've read.  I wonder how many books I've read in my lifetime?

The Nester  posted about this a few days ago and asked anyone to link up with her, so I decided to join in.

Here is my list:.

The Ballroom on Magnolia Street

 The Energy Bus

 One Thousand Gifts  I read this one several times, just love it!

 Winter Garden

 Minding Frankie

Moon Over Manifest

 Belong To Me

 Small Town Girl

The Peach Keeper

 I Capture The Castle

 Distant Hours

 Comfort Food

 Friendship Bread

 The House At Riverton

 Joy for Beginners

 Knit Two

 Heaven is For Real

The Help

 The Provence Cure For The Brokenhearted

 A Million Miles in a Thousand Years

 Jane Eyre
 How Elizabeth Barrett Browning Saved My Life

I read a few more as well but they weren't good enough to recommend so  didn't list them..

Do you have any recommendations of a good book to read?

Rhondi

Merry Christmas

Hi
I'm so glad you stopped by today.  I was hoping you might!  Come into our kitchen for a minute, I don't think I showed you our cute little kitchen tree.

 My fun Dollar Tree felt trees line the top of the buffet. 

 

 I bought this little snowman teapot at Goodwill in the summer, so I finally get to use it and was waiting for you so I could make us a pot of tea and use the red striped mugs.

I know today is a busy day for most of you, the day before Christmas, but I hope you can take time for a cup of tea with me and watch this sweet video.  I know you'll like it!

If you are lucky enough to spend time with loved ones this Christmas make sure you tell them you love them.  After all that is what Christmas is really all about:

 LOVE 

"God so loved the world that he sent his only son that whoever believes in him will have eternal life."

Merry Christmas dear friends

Rhondi xo

Keeping It Natural

We are lucky to have lots of holly growing in our yard, so it's fun at Christmas to cut some and use it to decorate.  It looks so pretty in this blue and white pitcher beside our bed.

 and in a blue and white bowl in the kitchen.

 and tucked in among some pinecones from our daughter's yard,

in a big white bowl on the dining room table.

Just little spashes of red brightening up the house for Christmas. It was easy and free, 2 things I like!!

Does anyone else out there like red?? 

Thanks for stopping by!
Rhondi

Christmas Tour Of Homes

I didn't get our house very decorated before we went away so I am going to take you on a tour of a home that we visited in Jacksonville Florida.  Every year the owners host a neighborhood party and I happened to be visiting family and so I got to go this year.

The large front porch says, "Welcome".

As you open the front door you are greeted by red walls and lights and decorations  in every nook and cranny and you can't help but smile. 

Stockings are hung by the chimney

Decorations line the stairs. 

There's a Santa for the kids.

All the indoor and outdoors spaces are lit up.

View of  house from backyard.

Santa and his reindeer fly through the air

Every surface is decorated.  The pictures are even replaced with Christmas ones.

There are Santas everywhere.

And lots of different kinds of trees.

And snowmen

And reindeer

And penguins!

And I even got to meet Santa

I am joining The Inspired Room Christmas Home Tour. 

 Be sure to go there to see lots of beautiful Christmas homes!

I am so glad you stopped by for a visit today!

Rhondi xo

DIY No Cost Christmas Decorations

It's rare that you see a DIY project and have all the materials at home that you need to do it. 

Yesterday afternoon as I was having a cup of tea and reading my favorite blogs I came across this great DIY project at Button Bird Designs.  All you need is paper scissors, tape and a stapler! 

 If you've never visited Angela at Button Bird Designs, you are in for a treat.   I've never met her in person but I'd love to!

So this is the project:

It's an amazing star that her daughter made at school and she shows us how to make it.  It is SO easy!! 

Kind of like cutting out snowflakes when you were a kid.

 I just used copier paper but wouldn't they be interesting in paper from an old book?

I made several and hung them in our sunroom windows.

I made one smaller one and was going to make some more. 

Should I make some more or is 3 enough?

What do you think?

They look pretty in the daylight too.

Try them.  They are really fun to make. 

Then show us some pictures and make sure you tell Angela about it. 

I'm sure she'd love to know.

Centsational Girl is having a Holiday Craft Party today so I am linking up with her.  You have got to go and visit.  There are so many great ideas there!
Rhondi xo

Believe

Are you like me?  As soon as Christmas is over I can't wait to take the decorations down and get my house back to normal.  This year I feel like that even before Christmas arrives! 

I used to love decorating the house from top to bottom with lots of red and white and greens, garlands on the mantles and over doorways, snowmen, Santas, Christmas plates, etc. 

I never thought I'd say this but I don't want more, I want less.  It used to be that I'd have 5 things on a table, but now one is enough.  So as the months go by you are going to see a change in the look of my home.  But right now it's Christmas so I have done a little decorating for the season.

I bought this wonderful "BELIEVE" sign at Olde Tyme Marketplace and  I plan to use it all year long.  

 Then I cut some branches from the yard and hung a few thrifted vintage blue balls and crocheted snowflakes I've found at yard sales over the years.



 Propped a mirror up behind it.  No use putting ANOTHER  hole in the wall unnecessarily :)

 

 I love the way you can see the reflection of our living room in the mirror.  A tip: mirrors are great for making a space feel larger.

 I put the branches in one of my signature blue and white vases and added some extra blue balls in a dish.

 This is what greets our guests when they come to visit.  I wished YOU lived closer and  really were able to visit me! 

I like it.  It's simple, pretty, and inexpensive.

I hope you have a great weekend!

Rhondi xo