Raised In Cotton

Celebrating #52

Today is my fifty-second birthday! Since turning 50, I have found a whole new sense of contentment and serenity. I can honestly say I have been having the time of my life~doing what I want to do instead of just dreaming. Maybe it has to do with finally being able to take time for myself (what a novel thought for all Women) and not feeling guilty about doing so. Except for the occasional sore knees and stray lip hairs, aging has really been a gift filled with many lessons. I simply LOVED Karla's son's theory; He says that when you are in "the zone" creating, enjoying your life, meditating, or just letting time slip away, YOU DO NOT AGE!  So true don't you think???

Crafting a beautiful life and sharing a little bit with you my Dear Friends brings me such joy~ No matter what your age is, my hope is that your lives are filled with daily celebrations and that you take time for yourselves. Which is the very best beauty secret I know:)

Of course I have to post a few photo's taken for my photography class~

Fall Party Ideas That Glow

Over the weekend we had a Fall Party at the Farmhouse for family and friends. Most of my decorating was all about the glow of candles. Here are a few photo's of the evening~

For the Fall mantel, I took a white washed grapevine wreath and placed a pumpkin inside for the centerpiece. I also flanked a couple of vintage frames and bronze candle holders around the wreath to create a simple Fall feel.

I lined bamboo candle holders down the brick pathway to the backyard where we had the party. 

The tartan plaid fleece blanket (Dollar Store-$2.99) was my make-do Fall slipcover. I just tied the blanket on the backside to secure over the garden chairs to add some warmth. 

Another decorating idea I use year round is to hang chandeliers and lanterns on many of my trees in the yard. 

Mason jars were filled with candy corn, votive candles and hung with dark orange ribbon from tree limbs.

This black tin lantern has moved from house to house with me and always finds a place in one of the backyard trees.

Vintage iron chandelier over the harvest table.

The evening was so fun and made more beautiful with the glow of  candles~ try it for your next party.

*Thank You So Much for all the wonderful Book Love from the previous post~ more details to come:)))

Romantic Prairie Style Book

Remember a few months back when sweet Fifi and Mark spent the day at the farmhouse photographing it for the new book they were working on? I am over the moon excited to share with you that Romantic Prairie Style scheduled for release in April 2011 is now available for pre order on Amazon. When Fifi and Mark were here working on the book it was evident that this was going to be something special.

 The stunner cover shot is from Maria's lovely home. I sent Fifi info about Maria's home thinking it would be perfect for the book but she actually already had her on the list and rightly so don't you think?

And the back cover~

The photo's of the bedroom with the white iron bed and the outside farm table vignette are from the farmhouse. We had been in the farmhouse only about 6 weeks so I had an extra special challenge to get everything "camera ready" for Fifi and Mark. After seeing the cover shots, my heart is smiling.  Congratulations to Fifi, Mark and the owners of the beautiful homes (many friends) in the book. It truly turned out special.

Autumn Beauty and Many Thanks

Just a quick little post to say "Thank You" for all the beautiful prayers and warm wishes for Belle. Her surgery went well and she is suppose to "take it easy" for a few days which already has been quite the challenge! You're all amazing and if I don't say it enough your friendship means the world to me:)) 

 

I am off this weekend with camera in hand to shoot a future project I am working on in which I plan to share with you  in the coming weeks.  I hope you enjoy these lovely Autumn Days~ Blessings and Peace Be With You:)

 

Mini Pumpkin Ideas And A Request.....

Don't you just love trying to figure out different ways to use those mini white pumpkins to decorate with? 

How about just placing a few on a pretty mercury glass pedestal?

Or why not just flip that pedestal over and fashion a mini pumpkin topiary?

Or how about replacing most of the candles in a stand with mini pumpkins~

Pumpkin bottle stoppers you say, why not?

Or something as simple as lining a few up on a kitchen window sash~ 

Honestly I must tell you I have been keeping myself busy today hence the mini pumpkin party trying not to think about tomorrow. My sweet little dog Belle is having surgery to remove bladder stones. It's been a rough last few days for her and me as well trying to figure out the problem. The Vet finally determined that she had multiple stones in her bladder and surgery is needed to remove them. So Dear Friends if you don't mind, could you send a few dog prayers my way for a speedy recovery for her. I should probably include myself in this request since I am thinking I might be a mess as well. We love our animal's don't we?