The "Best Of 2009" at Junkmarket Style

I have to mention this great honor for my mom, she's not much of the braggy type. Sue Whitney and Kimberly Melamed went through their posts for 2009 and Kimberly chose my mom's chalkboard made with a border of spice tins! Check it out! Go Mom!! She (Dana) is so very talented and always has been.

Every house we ever lived in was always decorated with such charm.

Congrats Mom, now the pressure is on for 2010! Everyone head over to Junkmarket Style to check out all the great posts and become a member yourself.

Happy New Year!

Recycled New Year's Centerpiece

I can't believe it's New Year's Eve tomorrow night! Wow, 2009 flew by, but I'm very excited for 2010. It's going to be a great year. I've had this old metal lunchbox hanging around in my garage for too long. So, why not make her into a centerpiece for New Year's Eve! I collected some things that I wanted to incorporate. Notice the red nail polish? Yes, Mr. Pickle's red berries on his hat needed some touch ups. My cherubs named him, and I needed to add him in the centerpiece as well. He looks ready for a party with his velvet robe and hat.

I have a box of Judy clocks I rescued when I was cleaning out my old classroom. The previous teacher left some fabulous old goodies!

Now seriously, who wouldn't share a glass of wine with Mr. Pickles? He looks so wise, but yet he has such a soft heart.

I love old skeleton keys! Thanks to my hubby for snagging a boat load at an auction one night.

I adore how worn this metal lunchbox is. The vase is an old milk glass vase. My mom got flowers in it the day I was born! How cool is that? I love it and will never get rid of it. Maybe I'll give it with flowers when my first grand baby is born, in like 25 years! Happy New Year to all of my blogging friends! Have a safe evening tomorrow night!

Krista

3 Things to NOT pack away with those Christmas decorations

I know we are all busy putting away those Christmas decorations, but there are 3 things you should leave out all winter long and enjoy them as well.

1. Pine garlands, leave them out! You can do a number of things with garlands. You can add pine cones, grapevine, kitchen utensils, garden tools, you can pretty much make them any theme you want so why not enjoy them all winter?

2. Berries, add them to your garlands if you wish! I loved 32o Sycamore's post yesterday. She mentioned how to save the chipping red berries. Super easy, fix them with red nail polish! I love it, my girlfriend Jodie told me this a while back as well. It works wonders, so don't throw them out either!

3. Trees, keep out those bottle brush trees. They are so dang cute and you can do a number of things with them. I put this little guy under a cloche in an old pie plate and added some glittery snow. Enjoy your winter decorating gals!

I had to add this picture, I love feeding the birds and this pileated Woodpecker has never come to the feeder close to my house, but he did today! Probably because I filled it with left over peanut butter balls! They are better for his waist line, not mine!

I am also featured on It's so very Cheri today, click the button on the sidebar and check out her blog!

Krista

One Impressive Dessert

I just wanted to share my Christmas dessert this year. Check out these beautiful pastry swans filled with ice cream, floating on a bed of chocolate. I would give this recipe 3 1/2 stars (out of 4). The degree of difficulty is moderate. The pastry was a bit tricky, but the rest was easy peasy! You can get the recipe from Martha Stewart. Good luck! Krista

Holiday Home Tour

It's that's time again. Family galore, enough food for an army, games, sledding and presents under the tree. All this prep and it's over before we can say "Merry Christmas!" I hope all of my blogging friends have a wonderful holiday and cherish each moment.

Our 2009 Christmas tree.

We found this darling nest in our tree, that's never happened to us before! I can't wait to rescue it when we take the tree out.

Did I mention I adore nests?

Ah, yeah...a little blurry...sorry!

This is Charlie. Sorry Missy, I don't think Charlie can come over and play today, the weather is frightful! tee hee

My Nativity scene is very old. I am truly appreciating it this year. Teaching my kids the "real" meaning of Christmas has been comical to say the least. My daughter insists baby Jesus is a girl! We wish everyone and a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Snowman Hill is excited to share some BIG news in 2010!

The BEST Reason to Celebrate!

The BEST reason to celebrate is when your 6 year old son is 2 years and 3 months CANCER FREE!!!! Lake had a big scan today and it was perfect, clean and clear! We find that we live our life in 3 month increments between his cancer tests. Today was one SWEET day for us. What more do you need for inspiration than that? I decided to recycle an old band hat into a wine/champagne bucket. I've had this hat for some time, I use it as vase as well. Yup, the wine is half gone!

The texture of the hat is super soft and plush feeling. It has silver coins on it as well. Red and silver, just perfect for the holidays.

I'm putting it on the steps of the hot tub. A hot soak and a glass of bubbly to celebrate, does that sound nice or what?!

A very simple and cheap project.

Hat- free

Ribbon- from a wreath last year

Twinkle tag- from a gift last year

Key- free

Berries- from the dump, so free

Wine- a gift

Total cost- FREE

I will use this bucket tonight, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve as well. Who knows what I'll reuse it for next. Thanks for looking!

Krista

Getting ready for 2010!

Today was a very interesting day for my SIL Heather. Let me introduce her to you, she's my SIL of 6 1/2 years and she got a reality check of what I love to do today! She loves decorating as well and is realizing almost anything can be refurbished in some way. We went browsing today and enjoyed some great finds! You know it's a good sale when a man says, "find the biggest box and fill it for $5.00! It was music to my ears! Do you see that great vintage polar bear, he holds baking soda in the fridge...LOVE IT! It's hard to find those huge Christmas balls in the back, and they are in great condition.

This kitchen is in need of some serious attention, and she will get it in 2010. I've been busy drumming up new ideas for January and today was a bonus for finding treasures.

Heather was guarding my box as I was filling it as fast as I could. I'm sure I looked like a nut case to her, but she was an excellent guard when someone tried to steal from us! Too funny!
Junking is a brutal world isn't it?

The old chair is truly a work of art. There is hours of labor into assembling the frame. I love how rustic it is. We might sell it, but we might put it down by our hot tub as well. Hmmm...

Thanks Heather for a fun day and some fab finds as far as I'm concerned. Have a great weekend.

Krista

3 Great Tips for Decorating with Old Farm Junk

Tip #1 Always display your old farm junk on an old door or window. This door is weathered to perfection and from my grandfather's old barn. Providing a background for your junk makes it more of a focal point. I agree with Jim over at JunkMarket Style, he said this door should be on a Christmas card, no kidding!

This is an old stanchion attatched to the door. It holds a terra cotta pot in the summer, so why not greens and berries and a huge jingle bell in the winter? I like this because it can stay out all winter, not just the holiday season.

Tip #2 Keep an eye out for old chairs they are wonderful for lifting smaller pieces off the ground. This old fertilizer blower wouldn't be as cute just sitting on the ground. Now, prop her up on a chair and she's a show stopper! The patina on her is beautiful. Fill her with greens and berries and she's ready for the season.

Tip #3 Keep your junk collections together. This old milker is hanging on another small door from the barn along with the suctions. It makes more of a statement and conversation piece when "like" items are grouped together. Now pull out all your old junk and get busy decorating for the season!
Happy Holidays!

QUICK - EASY - "JUNKY" IDEAS...

Drag an old ladder into the house -

Add your favorite quilt or afghan, I added an old child's chair with a strainer and red jingle bells for a punch of color, old skates, old dustpan to hold Christmas cards, and my old feed scoop with a jar with water and fresh greens.

Open and old suitcase and the possibilities are endless -

This is my winter vignette - snowmen, trees, old mittens, a lamp, and old bobbins with candles.

Old wire canning jar holder -

I filled the jars with old checkers, rusty jingle bells, old dominoes, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, mini cookie cutters, pinecones, and one with water and fresh greens.

Take a glass jar or cloche and put something in it - it's a must have this Christmas. I added an old candle mold, the pillar holder is a leg from an old wood stove, and the candle holders are gears from our old oats binder.