Holiday Goodness

I pulled these lovelies from my archives. I'm not sure where or when they are from, but I love their holiday goodness. The ornament wreath is amazing! After attempting to make one with a coat hanger last year, I have so much respect for these works of art. By the way, if you are going to make a wreath like this, don't do the coat hanger method. Just hot glue the suckers to styrofoam. Just saying, I am still bitter about the whole ordeal. Better yet, just enjoy the picture!

xoxo,

Krissy

photo source unknown

Sweetness

Thought this would be a sweet way to start your weekend! Is this not davoon?

Have a wonderful one.

Krissy

photo via Pinterest

Birdie and Pearl

My very first post was all about how I came up with the name for my blog, BirdiePearl. You can read all about it here. The name is from my two, precious grandmothers. Pearl is on the left and Birdie is on the right. They absolutely hate that I used their names for my blog (even though they don't really understand what in the world a blog is). They don't even "officially" use either of these names. Pearl goes by Lavoyce (better? I won't comment on that) and Birdie goes by Wynell. Names aside, I love these two women and the importance and love of family that they have instilled in me.

During my childhood, Christmas Eve was spent with Pearl/Nanno and Gramps at their home. After church, there was always a crowd and presents stacked as high as the ceiling! This is my dad's side of the family and everyone is musical, so the evening would end up by the piano and we would sing our hearts out! My aunt Ruby usually brought some old-fashioned, cut rock candy (my favorite), among other goodies and we would choke down our ham dinner, served on Nanno's ivy china, to get to the dessert table. Nanno always had some sparkling grape juice for the kids' table, so we would feel special.

Christmas morning, after my brother and I had torn through Santa's gifts, the front door would burst open to a loud (Mommom is not the quite type) "Ho, Ho, Ho!" and in would arrive Birdie/Mommom and Grandad. Mommom would bring a breakfast of her famous sausage balls and various other goodies and we would spend a fun morning together. Mommom and Grandad would stay through the day and other family and friends would join us for lunch and again, the dessert table. Do you see a trend here?

We don't have Christmas Eve at Nanno's anymore, a tradition she did not give-up without a fight, but we all get together. Christmas mornings are now spent at my home and new traditions have been started, but I love the treasured memories that these two women made for me as a child and I hope I can pass on the magic to my children.

Thank you Nanno and Mommom!

Krissy

A Pink Christmas

Who needs red and green? Pink is perfect for Christmas!

Merry! Merry!

Krissy

photos via: Pinterest

A Dickens of a Christmas

The actual scene - live! That's Fisherman in the red!

Last Friday evening, we were entertained at the minis' school with a wonderful, holiday production. Each year, the seventh and eighth graders perform the classic Charles Dickens' story A Christmas Carol - as a musical no doubt! Each student is required to participate (nothing like making a young teen do something) and they also have the option of trying-out for specific roles. This is exciting news for some, but for Fisherman, not so much. However, much to my delight, my boy tried-out for a part! He was an understudy for Fred and part of a special party scene. He did not sing a solo (He won't mind my saying this - thank you Jesus!) and he had no spoken lines, but did I care? He stole the show for me! My boy was on the stage!

Curtain call!

I have mentioned before that this is Fisherman's first year at this school and quite a change from what he is used to. He is having a wonderful year; our prayers have been answered. He smiles each day and is so enjoying all of the opportunities that he has been given. Being a teenager, he won't admit to this, but as a mom, I know it to be true. We can't rest on our laurels for long though, he must face his first-ever finals next week! Well, as Tiny Tim would say,

"God bless us everyone!"

We are going to need it!

Krissy

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Hello everyone! Oh, how I have missed you! The DSL has been down at our house and we finally got someone our here to fix things up. Although I have missed being without my trusty computer, it has been so freeing not to have to worry about spending my obligatory time on it each day. During my absence, the calendar has turned to December, the most wonderful time of the year! We get to celebrate the birth of our Savior and enjoy lots of friends and family time. I love it!

This was going to be the year that I didn't go "all out" with my decor. We are moving to the new house in January and I felt that "less would be more" this year. That was my plan. When I ran it by the mini-pearls, I was met with sad faces and concerns that their favorite ornaments and decorations wouldn't make the cut. I had no idea they cared so much! Needless to say, it's all up: every piece of tinsel. I'm tired and the minis are happy. All is well. I also managed to start packing boxes while decorating. Check and check! I didn't do "less" this year, but I have started packing. It's those first boxes that loom over your head. Once those are packed, it makes the rest easier. I hope your holidays are off to a good start.

Missed you!

Krissy

Image one is the mantel of a dear friend's very talented brother, featured in D magazine. The second image is one from my archives and unknown.

Sit down and feed

...and welcome to our table

-William Shakespeare

Pinterest

That quote hangs in one of my favorite local bistros. The words bring a smile to my face and I am reminded that one week from today, I will be gathered around the dining table at my mom and dad's, surrounded by dear friends and family, and giving thanks. Can it really be that Thanksgiving is next week? I love this holiday. What is better than a day of remembering all that I have to be thankful for and eating and football?

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Traditional Home

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House Beautiful

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Traditional Home

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Unknown

The dining room is so often that "formal in the front of the house that gets used a couple of times a year" but for its lack of use, so many memories are there. I hope that you all make many happy memories around your table this holiday season and that these pictures will inspire you, as they have inspired me.

This was the dining room at my old home. I loved this room! All the memories and the Pierre Deaux wallpaper!

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Decrorating

Country Home

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Traditional Home

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Home Companion

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Veranda

Cute kids' table idea! As long as they don't use the sofa as a napkin!

Country Home

Happy Thursday!

Krissy

photos via: Pinterest

Romantic Lodge

This is one of my all-time favorite spaces. I tore this out of Traditional Home way back in 2002! I love it as much today as I did then. This "romantic lodge" room has inspired the decor in my own home and when I found this picture while looking through my archives, it still made me pause and take note.

I love the pink and green (naturally!). The fabulous, English antiques and the wonderful way the rustic antlers and sisal mix with the romantic florals. I want to cozy-up in this room and read a book or watch the hounds frolicking in the yard. You know there has to be hounds frolicking outside or maybe a Corgi or two. Yes, this room room still has me at the pink linen-clad settee and white painted paneling.

xoxo,

Krissy

photo via: Traditional Home

Remembrance Day

You have to love the difference between America and Britain. The eleventh was also a day of remembrance for those citizens of the commonwealth who have died in the line of duty. The Brits call it "Poppy Day" and wear poppies as a sign of remembrance and of course, a hat. One cannot mourn and remember without the appropriate chapeau. I am really digging the poppy pins. Kind of cute for the holidays, yes?

On a serious note, I am so very thankful for those who have served this country and fought for my freedom. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Krissy

photos via: AOL

Rustic and Elegant Living

I love this living room from the Princess Margaret Showhome. The bare floors, leather, butterfly chairs and those mirrors. Wish I was closer to Canada, so that I could tour it!

xoxo,

Krissy

photos via: House and Home

Welcome Autumn

November is here and in full swing. The leaves are falling and forming a carpet on the ground. The air is crisp; I thought the weather would never change after the summer we had. Autumn is here and I love it! Time to cozy-up by the fire and enjoy sweater weather. How do you welcome autumn? Here in Texas it is a brief pause between summer and the gray, cold of winter, but it is a beautiful time of year. Hope you have a wonderful, Autumn Monday!

Krissy

photos via: House and Home

Flashback Friday - Pioneer Days

Pioneer Sport - notice the Pioneer coffee in the background

How cute is this? This was at the Blacksmith shop and those boys were itchin' to get in there and play in the fire

Yesterday, I went to Log Cabin Village with Sport and his second grade class. This is a right of passage for elementary school students here in our town. I got a little sad though when I realized that this is my last Log Cabin Village adventure, unless we go on our own. I have been with all three mini-pearls - check pioneer experience off the list!

Candle making

The children all wear their best "pioneer" clothing. Normally, that means calico skirts, aprons and bonnets for the girls; jeans, flannel shirts and boots for the boys. However, a cold front blew in the night before and everyone had to wear ski coats and sweaters with their "pioneer" get-ups. They made quite a motley crew!

The Motley Crew

The village includes a working blacksmith shop, a grist mill , a school house and various cabins, one of which belonged to Cynthia Ann Parker's uncle. Cynthia Ann lived in the cabin after the Texas Rangers abducted her from her home with the Comanche Indians. Cynthia Ann was the mother of Quanah Parker. If this means nothing to you, Google it. It is quite interesting. I also recommend the book Ride the Wind by Lucia St. Clair Robson about Cynthia Ann's life. (I am a huge history buff)

The Parker's dog trot cabin

The children loved the tour as much as the adults. They got to dip candles and learn how they were made. They watched a blacksmithing demonstration. This led to lots of "oohs and aahs" from Sport and his buddies. They also left with seeds to plant their own Indian corn. Sport has big plans for this. He has visions of us having our own corn maze in the backyard. I hope he isn't too disappointed when I tell him it will take more than two or three seeds and our tiny plot of land. Oh well, I will let him dream for a while.

I am thankful that I don't have to make my own cloth to clothe my family and grind the corn that I picked into meal to make bread. I am really thankful that I don't have to share a fifteen by fifteen foot cabin with my husband and ten kids! (really? How did they have ten kids living like that? I'm just saying.) I am glad that my ancestors paved the way for me. I'm not sure that I would have what it takes survive.

Cabin that was home to a family of twelve

On that note, enjoy the creature comforts and have a wonderful weekend.

Krissy