Merry Christmas 2016!

 Merry Christmas!!  I hope you have enjoyed the beautiful 

Christmas season - especially today! 

I have loved our tree this year.  We bought it right after Thanksgiving 

and it STILL looks and smells amazing!  After many years of artificial trees, 

it is so awesome to have a gorgeous live tree. 

Although I have tried various themes over the years, traditional red and 

green is still my favorite - you can never go wrong with a classic. 

 

By moving the chair out of the corner of our home office, I was able to

place our slim tree here this year.  The colors go perfectly with the office, and who could

resist all these precious owls, deer and other animals? 

We kicked off the holidays at our house with brunch on Christmas Eve.  Actually it was just our family and Jon cooked a big breakfast late yesterday morning.  But, doesn't brunch sound so much better?  And everything is better on festive dishes, don't you agree?

I used our Christopher Radko salad plates that I have had for several years.  The red and white dinner plates were a HomeGoods find that I couldn't pass up! 

One day I will get used to not having a fireplace - I hope!  But for now, this is where we hang our stockings.  I long for a mantle to decorate.  

 

This was the last quilt my mom made - it is a beautiful reminder of her. 

 She made Christmas so special for all of us!  

I don't know about you, but my favorite decorations 

are the ones we've had forever  - the sentimental ones.  I've had this 

"red princess" jar since I was a really young teacher... a long time ago! 

More sentimental favorites - the poinsettia pictures belonged to my mother.  

I love to hang them each year.

I was going to do a full blown "Holiday Home Tour" so I could share

 all of our trees (2 full, four small) and other decor, but since I am so late posting this because we have been savoring every minute of the season, I will end with a few pics of my precious family!  This boy will be 14 in January - be still my heart!  I am so proud of him!    He LOVES the holiday and makes Christmas so much fun!! 

We forget to take pics of the two of us together, so I was thankful Seth took one last night. As you can tell by our attire, it was not a White Christmas (or a cold one) in Mississippi!  Nevertheless, it was a wonderful day!  

Thank you visiting Buttercup Bliss!

Be blessed,

Lisa 

To Blog or Not to Blog?

As you can probably see since it has been a very long time since my last post, I am struggling with blogging.  I thought when I retired I would have all this free time and I would blog like crazy.  That has not been the case.... at all!  I want to blog, but it seems like everything possible gets in the way. I've wondered why I can't seem to establish a good blogging schedule. What seems to be the problem? I began thinking about when I first started this blog (actually, even before that - back to when I first discovered blogs) and what I wanted to accomplish.  When I began I thought it would be a good creative outlet - something I could do that would be enjoyable for me.  I enjoy writing - not books or articles - just writing in general.  I also have always enjoyed anything that has to do with our home.  I love houses (Don't you just love it when people have their blinds or curtains open at night and you get a glimpse inside?), antiques, decorating, and cooking.  I truly thought it would be a perfect hobby....

And for a time, it was.  I look back over my early posts and I love them.  I wrote about memories, things that make a home a HOME, and just life.  But.... I remember when a prominent blogger asked me to link to her "party". I wasn't entirely sure how to even link to a party.  I soon figured it out.  I also figured out there are so many BIG TIME bloggers out there.  I don't know what happened, but I soon began to feel like my posts, my blog, weren't good enough because I didn't have 5,000 plus followers - nor was I featured in any blogs or * gasp * a magazine! I remember thinking, "Well I thought this would be fun, but now I feel like the girl who never made cheerleader - like I didn't measure up!"  I hate to admit it, but it took some of the joy out of the whole thing.  I began to feel like I had to constantly have projects so I would have something new and interesting to blog about.  Since we are being honest, I don't have the funds to redo a room every few months. My husband even commented that I was striving to create things just for the blog. 

Nevertheless, I went on blogging sporadically.  My love for my home, recipes, decorating, and small projects never changed but I wasn't sure they were up to par.  I realize these are my own insecurities, but, it is what it is.  I would go longer and longer between posts. My sister would say, "Would you PLEASE update your blog?"  I revamped the blog about two years ago and I love the new layout.  I added the link to my Instagram... and then BAM! Insecurity strikes again!!  I would see people who have blogs and Instagram accounts (and sometimes both) making comments like, "I just started this account two months ago and I am now at 50,000 followers."  What??  

So.... what does this have to do with anything?  I talked to my "real-life" blogging friend, Lynda, recently.  We were discussing our blogs  and she encouraged me to start blogging again. No pressure, no expectations, just blog!  So I am -  for me!  Because I enjoy it - for no other reason.  I am taking it back to what it was in the beginning - a creative outlet.  For those who have a gazillion (is that a word??) followers, I think that is awesome!! You rock!!!  But, I am content (finally!) to do my own thing and share whenever and whatever!!  You may read about our fur babies (Ollie and Clarabel) or what Seth is up to in sports, our holiday traditions, or maybe even a project or too.  It will be about our life, which is full and "real".  We are just a normal family - making it day by day by God's grace!!  And that, my friends, is enough! 

Twilight Christmas Home Tour

Welcome to our home!  I sure wish we could have a cup of coffee or hot chocolate and chat!  Visiting with friends is one of my favorite things to do ~ especially during this most wonderful time of the year!  

 Close-up of the door swags :-)

 In keeping with the "tiny house movement", welcome to our cozy little foyer! The Santa music box plays such sweet Christmas tunes. 

Of course, the tree is the main attraction during the Christmas season.  We went completely "old-school" this year.  We had our very first live tree in thirteen years, which we decorated with the large, colored lights - C9 to be exact.  I love that they are so "retro"! 

The large lights are so festive!  The gingerbread ornament is

 the newest addition to my Radko collection.  

Little touches of Christmas are throughout the house!  I love pulling out special Christmas pieces such as the Etta B Santa plate.  Of course, the Nativity scene is one our most treasured Christmas items!  

This vintage ceramic tree is from my childhood!  Does that mean I am vintage, too?  

 These pillows from Target added a cheerful pop of color to our sofa!  The beautiful Christmas quilt is so special to me.  It was made by my mother; however, she didn't quite finish it before she passed away.  My precious neighbor, Ms. Martha, completed the quilt by adding the beautiful binding to it this year.  I love it so much!! 

This simple, burlap table runner was made extra festive by a cheerful green monogram! 

A quilted runner from my grandmother is perfect on the dishwasher.  The Christmas "Joy" picture from Ashley Anthony is another new piece this year.  

 Simple and festive!

This little tree is a bit "Charlie Brownish", but it makes me smile.  I love the tiny copper colanders and tea pots.  

 The Hot Cocoa Bar has been a huge hit!!!

The McCarty bunnies throughout the house got "gussied up" for Christmas with bows! 

Lots of silver and blue add a bit of sparkle in the guest bedroom. 

I purchased this quilted stocking my first year of teaching 

to hang in my very first apartment.  

Seth has his own special tree as well!  A Santa Nutcracker 

counts down the days until Christmas!! It is almost time! 

Thank you so much for visiting our Christmas home!! 

 I wish you Christmas blessings from Buttercup Bliss!

Happy Thanksgiving from Buttercup Bliss

*  Simple fall centerpiece * 

Happy Thanksgiving!!  Things are hopping around our house today as we prepare for Thanksgiving.  I love Thanksgiving!  It is such a special time of year when we focus on our blessings.  

I have set the table for tomorrow.  (We will also have people at the bar and on a small folding table!!  I love a crowd! )  I am excited - the more the merrier!  I have had this centerpiece out since September.  The gold square container was a three dollar bargain from Target, as was the striped pumpkin.  I've had the votives for a few years - a little ribbon and twine gave them a fresh look.  (Now that I think about it, the tray and the candlestick are from Target also.  I clearly spend way too much time at Target!) 

 I enjoy using my Spode Woodland salad plates each year.  They go perfectly with my Wedgewood Strawberry and Vine dishes.   Thanksgiving dinner is also the perfect time to use my silver.  It is Gorham Buttercup and I truly love it!.  

I have turkeys, pheasants, deer, hunting dogs, quails, and yes, turkeys!  I love this pattern so much, I may start purchasing serving pieces.  I have this thing about dishes..... But that's the wonderful thing about white dishes - you can totally change the look by using various salad plates!  

I truly hope each of you has a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Our family will be cooking, watching the Macy's parade, and enjoying being together as a family. Tomorrow night we will watch Charlie Brown's Christmas - it is one of Seth's favorite traditions.  I believe I am most thankful that we all live so close to each other.  I know I have said this before, but I truly believe having my father across the street and my sister around the corner has been the most amazing blessing!!  Family is everything!   

"In everything, give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" 
1 Thessalonians 5:18

Blessings from Buttercup Bliss! 

Lisa 

Waco, Baylor, Baseball, and More!

 

Visiting Magnolia Market was one of the highlights of my summer!

Sadly, summer is over for us. Seth began seventh grade two weeks ago.  We enjoyed a wonderful summer together as a family.  My husband and I both work from home so we were able to spend quality time together every day.  Seth played in baseball tournaments through the early part of the summer which kept us pretty busy.  We were able to get away for a quick vacation before school was back in session. Seth wanted to go to another MLB game.  We decided to go to a Texas Rangers game because we could also visit Six-Flags as well. The best part though is Waco, yes, the home of Fixer Upper, is only 90 miles from Arlington!  Now, I don't know about you, but I am fairly obsessed with Fixer Upper. Having a "Chip and JoJo" home would be a dream come true!  However, we are not moving to Waco anytime soon so visiting Magnolia Market and seeing the silos is the next best thing!  This trip was a win-win for the entire family!! 

I have to tell you I was pretty giddy as we set off on our trip.  We left for Waco early on a Friday morning.  We arrived there in the afternoon and checked into the Hotel Indigo.  It is a beautiful hotel in downtown Waco.  I wish we could have stayed there longer.  The hotel staff told us it is the hotel where the Fixer Upper crew stays.  They also told us Chip and JoAnna were there quite often.  I was on Chip and JoJo alert the entire time!  We didn't see them though - I was so disappointed!  

Friday afternoon we set out and toured Waco. We saw the silos right away. We also toured the Baylor campus.  It is beautiful and Seth may want to be a Baylor Bear!  

We were able to enter the baseball stadium which Seth loved.

 The Baylor football stadium is beautiful! 

After our tour of  Baylor, we found Common Grounds and stopped for a quick latte'.  It is super cool.  You may remember the owners were in the episode in which Chip ate the roach!  We were sitting on a bench in the back of the coffee shop when one of the owners, Kimberly, walked by.  I wasn't going to say anything, but Jon stopped her and told her we recognized her.  She was so sweet!  She gave us a wonderful recommendation for a local restaurant where we had a yummy dinner.  

On Saturday morning we were up early to go to Magnolia Market.  It was very crowded, but oh so fun!  The MM employees were friendly and cheerful!  It was hard to decide exactly what to purchase because I wanted everything!!! I bought a sign, hymn cards, recipe/card holder, a cookbook holder, and a t-shirt.  I was thrilled with all of my goodies!  My sister and I are already planning a girls' trip back to Waco so she can visit the shop as well.  

Of course, after driving 440 miles, I had to have a picture in front of the famous sign. 

I love Joanna's style.  I could redo our home in all things Magnolia Market. 

Signs used in decorating seem to be one of Joanna's signature styles and there were many at Magnolia Market.  I simply do not have a space for any of the larger ones in our home although I love their sweet simplicity.  I did, however, bring home the small metal one shown in the picture at the top of the page. "Act justly, love mercy, walk humbly" is one of my favorite bible verses and was used in our wedding. 

 

We made a quick stop by some of Joanna's favorite stores before we left for Arlington.  Junque in the Trunk was too cute!! This 1961 camper is precious!!

If we had had more time, I would have loved to drive around Waco a bit longer to look for some of the Fixer Upper houses. I just knew we would stumble across one while we were sightseeing.  Not to sound "stalkerish", but I would have loved to have seen a few of them in real life! 

I will be back soon to share about the Texas Rangers game and our visit to Six-Flags. Seth had a blast - he is FEARLESS!!!