Winding Down

So long 2010, it's been a great year!  This blog has helped me get many projects accomplished, express myself and most important, mantain my sanity.  I have made some wonderful new friends that I truly hope to meet in person someday.  Thank you to everyone for your comments and encouragement!!  It has meant so much.  So to all you guys and gals.............

Happy New Year from The Ranch!

Wishing all of you the very best in 2011.


D.B. aka Dana

There's Only One More Sleep Til Christmas!!!

Christmas Eve is probably my favorite day of the year.  Friends dropping by, everyone is happy and excited.

I'm certainly not as organized as I would like but I do have an "efficiency thing."  Every year Christmas gifts are wrapped according to a code.  This year we are having a WHITE Christmas and the different colored bows tell each kiddo which present is theirs.

Green for the middle one, Orange for the eldest and plaid for the five year old.  It may be a little sick on my part, but the boys seem to love it AND it keeps them from rummaging amongst the gifts!

We are huge Muppet Christmas Carol fans around here so may I say........... God Bless us, Everyone!

Merry Christmas and remember, "whenever you find love, it feels like Christmas!"

It is indeed, Biltmore Estate

I was fortunate enough to be invited to accompany my friend Missy to pick up her beautiful daughter at school for Christmas break.  She had the brilliant idea to visit Biltmore on the way.  We took a candle light tour of the "house" all decked out in it's Christmas finery.  We were not disappointed.  GORGEOUS!

These shots were taken inside the Conservatory - 

Since ya'll are so smart, you probably know they don't allow interior photos of the mansion.  It was so beautiful by candlelight.  Our tickets allowed us to go back the following day and explore the grounds.  Here are a few more shots (because I can't get enough).

There was snow!!!!!!!!!

Hmmmmmmm.......a little too much holiday cheer?


Also, note to self: incorporate gargoyles in next home.  I can't leave all the responsibility to one solitary foo dog!

I have plenty more but I won't burden you with ALL my "vacation slides."  If you ever have the opportunity to go, take it!

p.s. The sky really was that blue!  Merry Christmas!

Where Am I?

Anyone have any idea where I am?

I need to get out of bed and do what??????????

I had quite the productive day yesterday.  Whenever I have one of those days, it is immediately followed by a day of rest (are you hearing me Laura?) but usually not to THIS extent........after dropping the 5 yr. old at school, I came home and got back into bed.  I won't be able to get away with that for quite some time, til next year as a matter of fact, so I don't feel so guilty.  It's been lovely, roaming blogs instead being responsible.  If you haven't discovered  Mod Vintage Life yet, I think you will love it.  


Lunch time already?  It's a gray winter day here so a cup of homemade cream of mushroom soup will be perfect!  I'm glad I was previously so productive!  Too bad about dinner though.........

Christmas Den

Scenes from the Blue Den..........

Check it out, the landlord stepped up to the plate and funded the chimney repair!  Sooooooooooo happy!  

I cannot get a good shot of this wall no matter what I try.  I may have to actually read the info that came with my camera.

Spooky.................

Well there it is.  I love my dark blue walls.  I tried to find tartan fabric to make pillows for the couch but no luck.  Apparently it's not in vogue right now, which makes me want it all the more.  Perhaps I will find a good source on the internet.  Merry Christmas!

Christmas in the "front room"

I guess it looks a bit simple but that's the way I like it.   Tomorrow, the Den................

Decking the Entry Hall

Those gifts aren't just props, they are the boys' 2010 Christmas ornaments.  Dinner on Christmas Eve is our big family meal.  I place the wrapped ornaments on their plates and they open them before the meal.  I try to get an ornament that represents something significant to them for that year.