Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Top Posts of 2013

Merry Christmas!   The last few days have been so hectic...but wonderful!  We just got all the kids off and H & I are sitting here with a glass of "bubbly"....feet propped up......enjoying some quiet time!

I can't begin to tell you how much I have enjoyed this past year of blogging.  I am so grateful for all the sweet blogging friends that I have made....you are all truly a blessing to me!

 I picked out two of my most popular posts in 2013 to end the year.   The first one is a post that I did when we returned from our trip to New York this past summer...........







  Did you miss me?       H and I took our daughter and grand daughter on a trip to NY to visit family....we left last Wed. and returned today.
It is always fun to do a little traveling, but it is sooo wonderful to be home.   I thought this might be an appropriate time to do a home tour in honor of our home coming...hope you enjoy it!





My home tour begins in the family room.  When we moved here  7 years ago, the walls in this room were dark paneling, the fireplace did not have a mantle, and the floors were covered with a light beige carpet.

I love the new look of our family room...here is a photo from Christmas 2012.


 We removed the divider that separated this small dining room from the family room and made one large living area.   The table is all set for a romantic Valentine dinner.   The table runner is made from my collection of vintage valentines...the centerpiece is a lamp with a shade made of vintage valentines.....and there is a sweet heart couple at each place setting.

The kitchen is my favorite room in the house.  It is bright and cheerful with plenty of room for everyone to join in the cooking.  When we moved here, the cabinets were dark wood and the floor was covered with blue indoor outdoor carpet.

Our sun room is bright and comfortable.    We enclosed the open patio with six sets of French doors to make a sun room that we enjoy year round.

In this photo, the formal dining room is ready for Thanksgiving with glittered pink pumpkins.   I made the ruffled tablecloth from muslin and pieces of lace...the chairs are covered with vintage wedding dresses.   I am already getting excited about getting out the pumpkins...fall is just around the corner! 

This picture is from my post "Pink Pumpkins for the Cure"  


We updated the laundry room earlier this year.  The dark cabinets all got a fresh coat of white paint.  I also added a cabinet to store all the doilies in.
The display cabinet in the hallway also got a coat of white paint .   H  installed the new lighting and also painted the cabinet.
This is the main bathroom which I have decorated in a Paris theme.
The master bedroom is all dressed up for Valentines Day with a vintage bedspread.

I leave this tree up year round in the master bedroom.  I collect vintage wedding gowns and I used 10 of them to make this tree.  Don't worry...none of them were harmed in the making of the tree!
This is the bath off the Master bedroom.  Last year we put in new sinks, faucets, toilet, counter tops, and painted the dark wood cabinets white.

This is our back yard.  The structure on the left is the Potting Shed.  H made it from doors and windows that we collected on a trip up thru Kentucky, Tennessee, and on into New York.     H is originally from NY and we visit family there every couple of years.
 The building on the right is the Studio.  It originally was a second double garage... there is also double garage in the front of the house.   So...we removed the garage door and installed 3 sets of French doors and added heat and air conditioning.    I do crafts there and the back half is storage for seasonal items.

I hope you enjoyed my home tour!







The second post that I am going to show you is one that I did on Decorating on a Budget..........


I love to decorate our home, but I don't have a big decorating budget!   I shop yard sales, auctions, sales,flea markets.....I redo, makedo, and change things around!

 No green thumb here, so I use a lot of  silk plants.  Haven't they got expensive????    Even on sale, they are still pretty pricey!  I am always on the lookout for cheap greenery and I found these two ivy plants at a yard sale for $1 each.   Can't beat that!

These vintage aqua  lamps were $5 ea at a yard sale....
I think they make a wonderful addition to the buffet.

This table was pretty rickety (is that a word???) when I found it at a yard sale for $5.  H worked his magic with some glue....  
and a little white paint.   I love it!
Sales are a great way to save money on decorating items!  I'm not talking 50% off either.....80% is so much better!
I went to HL yesterday for the 80% off all summer items and found some great stuff! 


My new french bird pillow....Reg $25


Little ice cream sign...reg $17.95

Couldn't leave the matching welcome sign behind!

Sweet french iron garden stake...


See the pink on the chair seats?  It's a set of 4 place mats (reg $25)  that I have found a second use for.  Place mats or seat covers..lol!   The hanging lamp over the table is a $10 auction buy.

Hope I have given you some idea's on how to decorate your home on a budget!




Well, that's two of my most popular posts of 2013....thank you all so much for visiting my blog!

Happy New Year...See you in 2014!



http://www.commonground-do.com/2014/01/be-inspired-171-link-up-your-top-posts.html
http://www.impartinggrace.com/2014/01/grace-at-home-no-87.html
http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/2014/01/fabulously-creative-friday-4.html
http://www.hopeineveryseason.com/2014/01/the-homemaking-party-happy-new-year.html
http://sparklesandastove.com/things-pretty-linky-party-41-features/
http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/2014/01/02/thrifty-thursday-week-41/
http://domesticsuperhero.com/2014/01/02/sharing-with-domestic-superhero-link-party-40/
http://www.artsyfartsymama.com/2014/01/artsy-corner-link-party.html?
http://www.aglimpseinsideblog.com/2014/01/catch-glimpse-party-163.html
http://staceyembracingchange.com/2014/01/02/creative-inspirations-linky-party-67/?
http://www.livelaughrowe.com/happy-new-year-resolutions-printable/
http://www.allthingswithpurpose.com/
http://domesblissity.blogspot.com/2014/01/thriving-on-thursdays-linky-party-99.html
http://sweethaute.blogspot.com/2014/01/thursday-sweet-haute-share-link-party.html
http://igottacreate.blogspot.com/2014/01/wildly-original-link-party-85.html
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/2014/01/time-travel-thursday-180-talented-time.html
http://www.lambertslately.com/2014/01/create-it-thursday-35-plus-features.html
http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/2014/01/open-house-blog-party.html
http://acreativeprincess.blogspot.com/2014/01/its-party-139.html
http://www.handymancraftywoman.com/2014/01/wicked-awesome-wedmesday-142.html
http://www.tillysnest.com/2014/01/down-home-blog-hopnumber-69-storm.html
http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/2014/01/whatever-goes-wednesday-203.html
http://www.733blog.com/2014/01/inspire-me-wednesday-1.html
http://www.thethriftyhome.com/2013/12/218th-penny-pinching-party-happy-new.html?
http://thissillygirlslife.com/2014/01/lovely-ladies-linky-16/
http://romanceonadime.com/take-it-on-tuesday/take-tuesday-blog-hop-104/
http://crystalandcomp.com/2013/12/the-mommy-club-share-your-resources-and-solutions-128/
http://www.mygirlishwhims.com/2013/12/your-whims-wednesday-144-and-features.html
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http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/2013/12/centerpiece-wednesday-107-and-new-look.html
http://www.freeprettythingsforyou.com/2013/12/pretty-wednesday-linky-party-18/?
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http://atozebracelebrations.com/2013/12/last-link-party-of-2013.html
http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/
http://thewinthropchronicles.blogspot.com/2013/12/share-it-link-party-95.html
http://cornerstoneconfessions.com/2013/12/t2t-linkup-84.html?
http://www.carolynshomework.com/2013/12/the-inspiration-board-creative-party-135.html
http://www.vmg206.com/2013/12/brag-about-it-link-party-no-35.html
http://www.houseontheway.com/twirl-take-bow-party-happy-new-year/?
http://croppedstories.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-pincentive-blog-hop-week-16.html
http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/2013/12/take-look-tuesday_30.html
http://www.thecraftyblogstalker.com/2013/12/create-link-inspire_30.html?
http://www.thegunnysack.com/2013/12/time-to-sparkle-link-party-41.html?
http://www.ourtableforseven.com/2013/12/share-your-stuff-tuesdays-28.html
http://www.somedayilllearn.com/2013/12/30/teach-tuesday-48/
http://www.kathewithane.com/2013/12/youre-gonna-love-it-tuesday_30.html
http://ladybug-blessings.com/?p=4159
http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-diyers-43.html
ededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2013/12/make-it-pretty-monday-week-82.html?
http://knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/2013/12/knick-of-time-tuesday-118-vintage.html?
http://cupcakesandcrinoline.com/2013/12/project-inspired-week-47-happy-new-year/?
http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/2013/12/nifty-thrifty-tuesday-no193.html
http://www.cedarhillfarmhouse.com/2013/12/scoop-99.html?
http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/12/197th-inspire-me-tuesday.html
http://www.cozylittlehouse.com/2013/12/tweak-it-tuesday-71.html?
http://ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com/2013/12/live-show-me-what-you-got-linky-party-99.html
http://www.adelightsomelife.com/2013/12/a-return-to-loveliness-53.html
http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/tuesdays-treasures-164/
http://modvintagelife.blogspot.com/2013/12/mod-mix-monday-133.html
http://betweennapsontheporch.net/
http://saynotsweetanne.com/2013/sweet-sharing-monday-84/
http://www.sumossweetstuff.com/2013/12/block-party_29.html
http://www.huckleberrylove.com/2013/12/much-ado-about-monday-no-40.html
http://www.lilywhite-designs.com/2013/12/frugal-crafty-home-54.html
http://www.flourmewithlove.com/2013/12/mix-it-up-monday_29.html
http://diyhshp.blogspot.com/2013/12/more-merrier-monday_29.html
http://www.craft-o-maniac.com/2013/12/craftomaniac-monday-link-up-party.html
http://www.dwellings-theheartofyourhome.com/2013/12/amaze-me-monday-39.html
http://www.create-with-joy.com/2013/12/inspire-me-monday-week-104.html
http://www.sewcando.com/2013/12/its-last-craftastic-monday-link-party.html
http://jembellish.blogspot.com/2013/12/a-round-tuit-186.html
http://www.clairejustineoxox.com/2013/12/3012-creative-mondays-blog-hop-and-this.html?
http://twelveoeight.blogspot.com/2013/12/inspiration-monday-party-diy-new-year.html
http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/2013/12/mosaic-monday-goodbye-2013.html
http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/2013/12/show-tell-best-of-2013.html
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2013/12/clever-chicks-blog-hop-67-with-henbag.html
http://www.settingforfour.com/2013/12/top-ten-best-blog-posts-of-2013-blog.html
http://diyshowoff.com/2013/12/29/diy-party-2/
http://www.dreamalittlebigger.com/post/link-party-19.html
http://www.dianarambles.com/2013/12/best-of-2013-linky-party.html
http://www.titicrafty.com/2013/12/bewitch-me-titi-link-party-36.html
http://itssoverycheri.com/2013/12/29/its-party-time-12-29-2013/?
http://sewmanyways.blogspot.com/2013/12/sew-darn-crafty-linky-party.html
http://sirthriftalot.blogspot.com/2013/12/thriftasaurus_28.html?
http://www.flamingotoes.com/2013/12/think-pink-sunday-145/
http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/2013/12/party-junk-junky-storage-ideas.html
http://www.lifeonlakeshoredrive.com/2013/12/last-bouquet-of-talent-linky-party-of.html
http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/2013/12/seasonal-sundays-183almost-new-year.html
http://www.onemoretimeevents.com/2013/12/what-you-need-to-know-about-tiling-your.html
http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/2013/12/happy-new-year-i-hope-you-have.html?
http://too-much-time.com/2013/12/get-schooled-saturday-108.html
http://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com/2013/12/saturday-sparks-link-party-43.html
http://angelshomestead.com/saturday-spotlight-49/
http://oksanalikesit.blogspot.com/2013/12/handmade-cafe-link-party-7-features-7.html
http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/
http://lilluna.com/link-party-palooza-21/
http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/2013/12/flaunt-it-friday-186.html
http://www.dianarambles.com/2013/12/pin-me-linky-party-65.html?
http://whipperberry.com/2013/12/the-party-bunch-link-party-no-10.html
http://bacontimewiththehungryhypo.blogspot.com/2013/12/anything-goes-linky-134-and-new-years.html
http://www.clairejustineoxox.com/2013/12/2712-link-up-your-favourite-posts-this.html
http://www.dearcreatives.com/inspiration-spotlight-crafts-party-no-73-recipes-diy-decor-more/
http://what-about.co/show-friday-81-boxing-day-bliss/?
http://staceyembracingchange.com/2013/12/27/creative-inspirations-linky-party-and-features-2/?
http://www.allthingswithpurpose.com/2013/12/all-things-thursday-blog-hop-no-25.html
http://romantichome.blogspot.com/2013/12/lemon-tart-show-and-tell-friday.html?
http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/2013/12/frugal-friday_26.html
http://www.504main.com/2013/12/tickled-pink-no-19.html
http://www.myturnforus.com/2013/12/freedom-fridays-with-all-my-bloggy_26.html
http://shabbyartboutique.com/2013/12/shabbilicious-friday-christmas-link-party-5.html?
http://www.myrepurposedlife.com/
http://www.thejennyevolution.com/friday-flash-blog-no-49-plus-features/
http://www.hopeineveryseason.com/2013/12/the-homemaking-party.html
http://thefrugalgirls.com/2013/12/chic-and-crafty-party-12-26.html
http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/2013/12/thrifty-things-friday-140.html
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2013/12/feathered-nest-friday_26.html
http://www.answerischoco.com/2013/12/bff-open-house-link-party-137.html
http://www.commonground-do.com/2013/12/be-inspired-170.html
http://sparklesandastove.com/things-pretty-linky-party-40-features/
http://acreativeprincess.blogspot.com/2013/12/its-party-138.html
http://www.lambertslately.com/2013/12/create-it-thursday-34-plus-features.html?
http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/2013/12/merry-christmas-everyone-and-simple.html
http://www.livelaughrowe.com/christmas-par-tay-live-laugh-linky-92/

30 comments:

  1. Penny, I really enjoyed touring your beautiful, and friendly-looking home.I too love getting bargains, and turning them into things of beauty. Love your laundry list Ironing..hahahaha!! Thanks for the photos!
    Judy

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  2. Your home is so lovely. I adore the rose quilt on your bed!!!

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  3. Penny I'm not sure I can pick a favorite but I love the flag in the sun room, the ruffled tablecloth and the romantic gown tree. I really appreciate everything you do and share with us I know it is a lot of work. Thank you!

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  4. OLÁ PENNY,EU QUERER SER SUA VIZINHA,PARA SAIR AS COMPRAS COM VOCÊ.GOSTEI DO SEU OLHAR PARA DECORAÇÃO ECONÔMICA.FELIZ ANO NOVO AMIGA.UM BEIJO EM SEU CORAÇÃO.VALÉRIA.(BRASIL).

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  5. Your home is so amazing, it is always a treat to see it. Hugs, marty

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  6. Your home is beautiful, just beautiful. Nothing else to say... except hoping you and yours had a great Christmas!

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  7. Such an amazing home! Thanks for linking to TTF each week!

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  8. Penny, dear, I'm dazzled ... I never saw the house as beautiful as yours!
    It is an invitation to enchantment to the beholder and warmth too.
    As good taste! How much sensitivity!
    Congratulations on everything!
    It will be a great pleasure to visit it whenever!
    You know, I came here and I am one way out of another ... I think I'm dreaming! :-)
    Kisses!
    God bless!

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  9. Oh I'm in love with your home! I have a buffet similar to yours above and I'm so excited to get to work on it now. Thank you for the inspiration!

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  10. Your home is so beautiful, it' s always a great pleasure to see your home. Happy new year!!!
    Kisses
    Alessandra

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  11. Hi Penny, Your home is the most romantic home I have ever seen. Lovely and the vintage treasures are beautiful and also thrifty. Nice job.
    Happy New year,
    xo, Jeanne

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  12. That fireplace is so beautiful. Hope you have a wonderful day.

    Heidi’s Wanderings

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  13. Penny, Thank you so much for allowing us to revisit these great posts. I remember the first but I missed the second. Lots of great tips there.
    Happy New Year, friend,
    Ginger

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  14. Your home is so dreamy! I love all the pink you use in your decorating. The family room with the pink trees looks like a fairyland. Thanks for sharing your home tour. Happy New Year!

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  15. I have loved stopping by your blog Penny, I love your home so so much.

    Thanks so much for joining us at Creative Mondays this year, I can't wait to read all your posts in 2014 :)

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  16. Love seeing inside your home and the laundry schedule is cute.
    Happy New Year.

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  17. Thanks for reposting so we can see your pretty home again--happy new year!

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  18. Glad to have found your blog through Mosaic Monday. Your photos made me smile...your home is absolutely charming. A very Happy 2014 to you!

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  19. Hi. Coming over from "Take a Look Tuesday". Love your pictures and there are several that I would like to do myself. Love the pumpkins, mirrors, and chalkboard. Love some of the redos too! Happy New Year!!.

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  20. Love all the over-the-top decor :D Thanks for the recap.

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  21. Wow, you have a wonderful house, I really enjoyed looking at all these beautiful pictures. Your decoration and ideas are fantastic!
    Groeten, Vanessa

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  22. Hi Penny, I have enjoyed following along with you in 2013 and seeing all the beautiful things you create. Thanks for joining the Open House Party and wishing you a wonderful new year.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

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  23. your home is lovely
    and it's fun to see
    all the things you've accomplished in 2013

    would love for you to share
    at Fridays Unfolded
    and just followed you via Bloglovin'

    Alison
    Nancherrow

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  24. Penny,
    You have really provided us with an astounding year filled with so much inspiration and beauty!! I have loved every minute that i spent visiting you and your wonderful blog!! Wishing you a very Happy and Healthy New Year, my friend!!

    Hugs,
    Deb

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  25. Oh my goodness!!! Your house is amazing! It looks like a bed and breakfast and I would totally pay to stay in one of those beautiful rooms!

    Misty @ Throughthedutchdoor.com

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  26. It DOES look like a Bed and Breakfast! What a beautiful place to host friends and family, Happy New Year to you! ~Kelly @ Eyes On The Source

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  27. Thanks for sharing. I do love your sunroom most of all. Thanks for linking up to Take it on Tuesday!!

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  28. Wonderful home decor! Thank you for participating in the project Handmade Cafe!

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