~LET THE DECORATING BEGIN...and Boy Do I LOVE Shabby Pink~

OUR VINTAGE CHINA HUTCH

(Romantic and Sooo Sweet)

Are you freaking out yet that it is November 30th?  Will it upset you if I say you now have 25 shopping days left until Christmas?

Sounds utterly commercial...doesn't it?

Sorry!

 ~SOFT PINKS AND CREAMS~

(Nothing Finer)

I decided earlier this year that I was not going to stress out during the Holidays.  Truth be told, I don't usually lose my focus during the months of November and December.  I generally save up all my 'flip-out days' for January! :)  :)

How's that for a little "TMI?"  :) :) :) 

 ~LA BELLE PETITE MAISON~

(A Change From Last Year)

Like many of you I love to decorate for Christmas.  I've over-bought  collected a lot of junk beautiful things over the years  and sometimes I forget about just what I have until I un-crate it the following year.  I'm always amazed at what I find.  Plus...I'm one of those die-hard buyers  who stalk the stores after Christmas looking for 90% off bargains.  Last year I bought scads of glittery gold holly berries and branches for 95% off...oh...and that spray snow stuff, too!  Tomorrow I'm going to show you what I bought last year for this year!  Some fab finds on the cheap!

Now...see that Sign above the Hutch in the photo above?  I debated for a long time just WHAT to paint on it.  I almost went with a Christmas theme...but in the end decided to continue being my predictable self and paint something I could use all year long.  I love it!  Absolutely fits the space!  And...no roses!  Sometimes (many times) less is more!  Definitely is here if you ask me!

~SOFT PALETTE~

(Soothes The Eye)

Anyway...I've started later than usual decorating for Christmas so last night I hit things pretty hard.  I finished putting the final touches on our vintage china hutch and I'm lovin' her this year so much more than last year. 

~VINTAGE POSTCARD REPRODUCTION~

(Watch Tomorrow for Some Neat Freebies)

Seems I'm forever moving things around and changing things up!  Since we are putting our Christmas Tree in a different spot this year I've had to do some 'creative thinkin'!"  I have two really pretty trees and I've always loved placing one of them in the window at the front of the house.  But...we turned that room (it was once our formal living room) into a formal dining earlier this year and so that has messed me up just a bit!

~VINTAGE PINK ROSES CHINA~

(And New Frosty Pink Ornaments)

~MY SORORITY STOCKING~

(Remember Her?)

I'm back in the studio today working on some painted pretties and a couple of new pillows but later this evening I'll begin decorating our Mantel.  I'm saving our two Christmas Trees for last because my Miss K wants to come and help me!  On December 1st last year I had everything already done!  Ugh! 

Tomorrow I'll be sharing with you some vintage images that are certain to make GREAT "To:/From:" Tags.  If I get more of our Christmas decorating finished I'll be sharing that as well!

Blessings to you for an absolutely awesome Tuesday!

Love to you...

SWEET PINK CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS and Timeless Trims

~VINTAGE EPHEMERA STOCKING~

(Sweet Graphics From The Graphics Fairy)

Well...how many of you have your Christmas Tree(s) up and are ready for the Season of Light to begin?  I'm just now getting started.  I'm super behind this year.  Normally I have our entire house decorated by now!  What is happening to me?  I think my "Get-Up-And-Get-Going" actually "Got-Up-And-Left" . :) Argh!

Still...I've been a busy bee!  I must say I'm excited to dig-in today!  Our Christmas Tree is going in a different place this year so that will definitely change things up a bit!

 ~SWEET and PETITE STOCKING~

Vintage Lace and Buttons

  Yesterday my guy worked our our house-lights just like he did last year!!!!  It's always so fun to see our La Chaumière de Briarwood 'Don her Merry Apparel'.

 ~ICY PINK STOCKING~

Vintage Ribbons and Old Jingle, too!

Last night I did A LITTLE Blog visiting and stopped in for a peek at one of my FAVORITE BLOGS!  You all know this fabulous gal, no doubt!  It is Karen from The Graphics Fairy and week after week this delightfully sweet blogger uploads endless vintage graphics and ephemera for FREE!

I snagged a charming French Cologne Label from her Sunday Post and used it to create the petite little Christmas Stocking you see at the top.  I really LOVE that old French Label and I'm going to use it in some other things as well!  That got me started and I ended up making two other petite stockings as well!   Isn't working with vintage and aging graphics fun?  Go check out Miss Karen's place!  You're sure to find something wonderful to use for your holiday decorating and gift-giving!

OK peeps...I'm back in the studio and then later today I'll be working on decorating my home.  Hoping this beautiful Monday morning finds you all happy and well.

Love to you...

~THOUGHTS ON A SUNDAY MORNING...A Christmas Blessing~

  A CHRISTMAS BLESSING

MAY GOD GRANT YOU THE LIGHT IN CHRISTMAS

WHICH IS FAITH;

THE WARMTH OF CHRISTMAS,

WHICH IS LOVE;

THE RADIANCE OF CHRISTMAS,

WHICH IS PURITY;

THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRISTMAS,

WHICH IS JUSTICE;

THE BELIEF IN CHRISTMAS,

WHICH IS TRUTH;

THE ALL OF CHRISTMAS,

WHICH IS CHRIST.

~Wilda English~

  Blessings to you as the Season of Light begins anew!  

Love to you...

~HAPPY PINK SATURDAY - Getting My PINK On~

~ONE HEART...ONLY ONE~

Dear Pink Lovin' Peeps...

Boy am I late getting my PINK on today.  Soooo sorry!  We had precious company for Thanksgiving, a sweet friend my Mr. AGPMan and I hadn't seen since our college days, and I'm afraid we got busy reminiscing and the time slipped up on me!

Sooo that said...I'm sharing only my PINK LOVIN' HEART WITH YOU TODAY!  Thank you for your sweetness and kindness to me this year.

Now~don't forget to stop in and say hello to our host, Miss Beverly of HOW SWEET THE SOUND.  Lots of pink stuff for you to go crazeeeeee about!  Check out Miss TETE from Beyond the Garden Gate!  Beautiful Blog...precious lady!

Thank you for allowing me to fly below the radar this week!

Love to you~

~I LOVE YOU FOR SENTIMENTAL REASONS~

~MY BEAUTIFUL PARENTS~

November 23, 1955

Dear Mom and Daddy...

As I sit here looking at the pictures of your wedding it's hard for me to imagine the two of you ever being younger than my children are today.  You both look so happy with all your life ahead of you!  Your faces are so bright and alive and reveal not a hint of the careworn expressions you would both one day share.  Taken long before you became parents and before the struggles of life set in, my eyes see only joy...

only excitement...

only trust...

hope...

and love...

As I've watched you grow in years I'm humbled more than ever by your commitment to each other.  Life was not always kind to you...beat you both up a lot...but somehow, no doubt by God's grace, your love for one another and for Linda, Me, Bill and Jen has pressed on.  

~Mom at 21...and her Soldier Beau at 25~

Mom~today I notice how you care for Daddy, the husband of your youth.  With his memory of your life together quickly fading I'm reminded of Proverbs 31 where it speaks of the virtuous woman.  You've stuck by our father through thick and thin, in good and bad, want or plenty.  And...that has given all your children something to look up to, respect, and revere...  I know if Daddy was able to wine and dine you tonight he would.  I hope it's enough for you to know he loved you more than he ever found words to say...  Thank you for being such a wonderful example of faith, hope and commitment for your children.  And...for always being the wind beneath his wings.  He couldn't have made it without you.

THE VIRTUOUS WOMAN

Proverbs 31 KJV

"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates."

Happy Anniversary...I love you...I love you ...I love you...

With great affection~

Your daughter, Rebecca Suzanne

~PINK ROSE CHAIRS and Thrify Cottage Sheers~

 

 ~FABULOUS THRIFT STORE FIND~

Last Friday I drove across town to pick up our Miss K from school for a weekend at Nana's house.  Excited about her spending more than a few hours with my Mr. AGPMan and I, it's always a thrill for us to have her for more than just a day...especially during the school year.  I planned on getting her Christmas pictures taken as a little gift for her Momma and Daddy, doing some baking together AND while she was off doing what little eight year old girls do, I was going to attempt to get my home ready for Thanksgiving!  

I'm a list maker and my To-Do-List was getting really long!

Anyway...as we headed back towards my La Chaumière de Briarwood we drove right by one of my favorite second hand shops in Oklahoma City.  I rarely get over to that side of town with my favorite little girl in tow so I convinced her the two of us needed to stop in for a look around.  After scanning aisle after aisle we walked towards the far back to take a look at the racks of old linens, fabric, tablecloths and draperies.  It isn't often I stumble upon great finds in this department, but sometimes!

~FRESH and CLEAN~

After flipping through a bunch of 1985 looking junk interesting stuff I came upon a clothes hanger that held what looked to me to be a big wad of sheer soft white fabric.  As I pawed through the layers of fabric I realized there were two 105" panels (my trusty measuring tape is ALWAYS with me!) and they were each 20 feet across.  They were custom made, had pinch pleated tops, weighted sides and were absolutely perfectly made.  With just a little bit of effort I knew they would look great hanging in my home!

~THRIFT STORES RULE!~

Now...for the past 6 months I've been dragging my feet over making new Sheers for our family room.  Earlier in the year I had moved the pretty linen curtains that hung at the windows into our refashioned formal dining room and since that time the windows had remained bare.  Let it be said!  I HATE making window treatments and do them ONLY if I'm forced to.  Plus, working with Sheer fabric is a total pain and I avoid it at all costs.  

~COTTAGE ROSE CHAIRS~

Anyway...I purchased the curtains and couldn't wait to snip off the pleats and restyle the header with a casing.  Both panels together took me about an hour to refashion.  After that I soaked them in OxyClean and washed them on gentle cycle.  When I took them out from the washer they were absolutely stunning and now hang proudly in my home!

Wanna know the cost????  TWELVE (that would be $12.00 for both) little bucks!   Custom-made drapery sheers are VERY costly and the two panels have NO SEAMS which tells me they were made from premium fabric.  Later this week I'm going to hunt down some metal tie-backs which will make the curtains all the more lovely!

Now...remember the fabric I was trying to hunt down last summer?  My friend, Julie Marie from Idyllhours helped me find just enough!  Anyway...my freshly upholstered chairs were finally delivered this weekend and I'm over the moon happy with how they came out!  Totally cottage chic and WHOOT! WHOOT! :)

Hope you had an awesome weekend!  

Love to you...

THOUGHTS ON A SUNDAY MORNING

Another year has nearly come and gone and before long I will begin my third year of blogging.  It hardly seems possible as it feels almost like yesterday that I began sharing with you the very things I love most about life...

My faith

My family

and 

a deep, yet simple, belief that God has a purpose 

and a plan for our lives...

When I was a bitty girl Sundays were jammed-packed full of activity.  Being the daughter of a preacher-man you can probably understand that we were always on the go.  My father seemed to always be speaking, preaching or teaching somewhere and for us 'Elliott Kids'  Sunday(at least for me!) never felt like a day of rest.  More like a day of work if you want to know the truth.  I'd much rather have been outside playing jump-rope, riding my two-wheeler bike or coloring in the latest, greatest coloring-book known to man children than listening for the gazillionth time how Moses built the Ark and how Noah was given The Ten Commandments!

(I jest!!!!  I KNOW, I KNOW it's the other way around!) :)

Still...our Sunday Worship Gatherings ultimately served a greater purpose for somewhere between my parent's tough scoldings  loving instructions and their promises of a bootay whoopin'  just punishment if I didn't start mindin'

(that usually started out with

"Becky Sue! Stop coloring and put on your Sunday socks?!"

or the

"You've were given a full week to memorize your Bible verse not a week to color every page in your color-book!?"

to the

"Take that coloring book BACK inside the house!"

or the

"Rebecca Suzanne!  If I have to tell you ONE MORE TIME to put that colorbook down you're gonna get....!")

   
I learned about a big God who lived in heaven and how, if I wanted Him to, He could shrink down small enough to live inside my heart...

Pretty awesome thought.

Big enough.

Small enough.

~~*~~

Below are the lyrics to the first song playing today on my Playlist.  

Simply put...He's everything to me!

"Everything To Me"

I grew up in Sunday school
I memorized the Golden rule
And how Jesus came to set the sinner free
I know the story inside out
I can tell you all about
The path that led Him up to Calvary
But ask me why He loves me
And I don't know what to say
But I'll never be the same
Because he changed my life when He became...

Everything to me
He's more than a story
more than words on a page of history
He's the air that I breath
The water I thirst for
And the ground beneath my feet
He's everything, everything to me

We're living in uncertain times
And more and more I find that I'm aware
Of just how fragile life can be
I want to tell the world I found
A love that turned my life around
They need to know that they can taste and see
Now everyday I'm praying
Just to give my heart away
I want live for Jesus
So that someone else might see that He is...

Everything to me
He's more than a story
more than words on a page of history
He's the air that I breath
The water I thirst for
And the ground beneath my feet
He's everything
And looking back over my life at the end
I'll go to meet you saying you've been...

You're everything to me
You're more than a story
More than words on a page of history
You're everything to me
You're more than a story
More than words on a page of history
You're the air that I breath
The water I thirst for
And the ground beneath my feet
You're everything to me
Lord, you're everything to me

Blessings today as you give thanks for...

 well...

EVERYTHING

Love to you...

~HAPPY PINK SATURDAY - Celebrating You With A GIVEAWAY~

 ~MY MISS K and I~

(Baking Cookies in 2005 - Age 3)

Dear Pinkettes!

HAPPY PINK SATURDAY TO YOU!

  ~MISS K PAINTING CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS~

(A Precious Memory For Me)

Thank you Miss Beverly from HOW SWEET THE SOUND for hosting our PINK GATHERING week after week!  Please stop by and visit with as many of the Pink Lovin' Peeps who work so hard to give you a weekly dose of Sweet Pink Inspiration Saturday after Saturday.  This week I hope you'll visit our special friend, Marilou from LuLu's Lovlies!  She always has the best PINKS and this week she's celebrating her 100th Post with an awesome giveaway!

 

 ~MISS K and PINK PAINT EVERYWHERE~

 (Totally Priceless)

The three little pictures above steal my heart away.  Very few of you know the back story of my Miss K and until she is older and chooses to share it for herself, that is how it will remain.  What I will tell you is that the photos you see were all taken on a frosty November day as I worked feverishly at squeezing in as many 'experiences' as possible into a six hour time-frame.  Now...here I am almost exactly 5 years later and find I'm not only thankful for answered prayers but for restoration of the years the locusts devoured.

~AN EARLY RACHEL QUILT~

Next comes a  pretty pink rose quilt that was originally sold at MERVYN'S (geez...I miss that store!).  It was an EARLY Rachel Ashwell print and I still love it as much today as I did when I bought it several years ago!

~PARIS PINK FILE FOLDERS~

I don't recall where I first found these charming Paris Pink File Folders but boy do I love them!  YUMMO!

~VINTAGE CHRISTMAS GIRL POSTCARD~

Isn't this little Pinky sweet?  I recently purchased this old Post Card on eBay and I'm over the moon crazy about the image!  Too Sweet!

~HAND PAINTED PINK ROSE BOX~

This charming old box was once rusty and worn!  It was sold to one of my long-time buyers last week and I was sooo sooooooooo sad to see her go!  Some things you just hate to part with!  "So long sweet old Tackle Box!  Hope Miss Sweet Tea loves you as much as me!"

 ~VINTAGE PINK BEAUTY~

This darling old print came in a wedding guest book I bought in the early 90's at T.J.Maxx.  I loved it so much I tore it out of the book and put it in a little frame!  She hangs in my office!

~LOVELY PINK LADY~

I love old graphics and the one you see above has always been one of my favorites!  There's just something about her face and pink rose hat that pulls me in...

~VINTAGE MILLINERY PINK ROSE HATS~

I have a weakness for vintage hats.  If they have pink roses on them...well...I'm a BIG-TIME-GONNER!

Now...are you ready to see my 2nd Giveaway for the month?  This one is for my FOLLOWERS!

~A SWEET GIVEAWAY FOR MY FOLLOWERS~

(Yep...Another GIVEAWAY)

If you've made it through all my pinks for this week then you probably just looked at one above!  Now scroll on down to see the one below!!!

~PINK SNOWMAN GLITTERY CARD INCLUDED
(and a matching Tea Bag, too!)

Now...a couple of days ago I stared my November Giveaway!  I hope you'll follow the link and check it out! 

 MY NOVEMBER GIVEAWAY


It's easy to enter the drawing and you have several chances to win!


The Pink Snowman Pillow, Matching Greeting Card (blank inside) and Tea Bag is a new GIVEAWAY I'm starting today and it is for my amazing Blog Followers...  If you are a public follower of my A Gathering Place (of Thoughts) Blog (recent or long-time) your name will be automatically entered once.   If you would like to have your name entered for a 2nd chance at winning this charming little ensemble then leave me a comment on THIS POST!  If you'd like a 3rd chance then BLOG about THIS GIVEAWAY (and then come back and let me know you did so)!  I may even draw an additional name for some lucky peep!

The Snowman Pillow/Card GIVEAWAY will end December 3, 2010 at Midnight and the winner will be announced within 24 hours!  Have fun!


Thank you for visiting me today and for your kindness during the past 23 months.  If you don't return before Thanksgiving may you have a blessed day filled with everything and everyone you love!


Love to you~

~SWEET GIFTS FOR A THIN DIME~

~GORGEOUS VINTAGE PRISM BOTTLES~

A couple of years ago I was in Southern California visiting family and while there I was able to meet up again with one of my sweetest longtime friends.  We shopped about in downtown Orange (be still my heart!) and it was an experience I will never forget.

 ~SO ROMANTIC~

I don't get out to the West Coast all that often, but when I do I'm always amazed at the different things offered up for sale in the stores.  From Antique Shoppes to Department Stores the merchandise is just plain 'different' than it is in Oklahoma.  Don't get me wrong...we have great stuff here!  But...it at least SEEMS to me that the cutting edge of design (fashion and interior) is someplace OTHER than the place I call home.

~ONE IS GOOD, TWO IS BETTER~

Anyway...while I was there I found the amazing bottles you see at the top.  Made using vintage prisms, they just stole my heart away!  Toooo pricey for me at the time I passed on purchasing even one!  A couple of weeks later I was totally over-my-head crazy with excitement when for Christmas and my December birthday my friend gifted me with the complete set.  I keep them in our main bath and love them more than ever.

~SIMPLY FABULOUS~

Now...I KNOW the asking price for these little beauties.  So...when I was out shopping this past week at the ROSS Store in good old Norman, Oklahoma (GO OU! Whoot!  Whoot!), I nearly fainted when I saw two smaller versions of those expensive little Bottles sitting all alone on a half-empty shelf!

~ONE FOR ME, ONE FOR MY GIRL~

The price...$5.99 each.  WHAT?

Now...ROSS isn't always great!  But I've found that during the Holidays, and IF you are willing the brave their sometimes JUNKED UP STORE (especially during the Holiday Season), you can find some truly great things!  I know I've blogged about this incredible store before...at times it is simply FABULOUS!

So~if you are on your last thin dime...OR (and I really like this kind of thinkin') if you are like me and always on the hunt for incredibly priced finds...check out ROSS!

~November Giveaway Sachet Hanger~

Now...see that little Angel Sachet Pillow Hanger above (and in the background of two center photos)?  That's my NOVEMBER FREEBIE GIVEAWAY!  Follow the link and check it out!  Ends November 30th!

Tomorrow I'll be starting another LITTLE GIVEAWAY but this one will be for ONLY my Followers!  (I know...I know!  How RUDE!) So if you're interested then come back and check it out in the morning!

In the meantime scoot your happy little self down to your closest "ROSS Dress For Less" Store and see what you can uncover for yourself!  Then come back and share it with all of us!

Love to you...