A New Year, A New Start

Hello to you!
I am missing you so!

I hope that you had a wonderful Christmas and are enjoying this time.

I have been busy with the kids and just trying to catch up on some things around the house, no major changes though. :)

I can't believe that this year is almost over, it seems to have come and gone in a blink of an eye and I feel like I have missed so much.

As if lately I have been in a huge funk, not sure why because I have so many wonderful things going on but there is just this constant tug at my heart that is yearning for something.  I don't feel creative, I don't feel motivated, it is like I am just getting through each day the best I can.

Now, it could be this time of year, it could be the fact that I am not working right now and feel a bit lost, or the fact that the kids are older and involved in way more things, which is awesome but it is almost like I want to slap myself in the face and wake-up from this feeling and get my butt going, be happy, have fun, enjoy life.

Source: tiredofbull.tumblr.com via Michelle on Pinterest

I am the type of person who's mind never shuts off, as I am sure that some of you have as well, and I get all these ideas in my head and I want to do everything NOW!  Not tomorrow, not in a month or a year but NOW!  This has been a constant struggle since my heart surgery.  I am also somewhat OCD and a perfectionist.  By that I am mean I see things, think I can do it without practicing, it doesn't turn out, I throw my little tantrum and pity party and then dwell on it.
NOT GOOD, let me tell you!

Source: babaloud.com via Michelle on Pinterest

There are some projects around the house that I would like to do this winter and I also picked up my paint brushes again and would love to learn how to paint again.  I loved art growing up but since children I put the brushes down and over time, some things have seeped out of this brain.  Remember what I said earlier about perfectionist and not getting it right the first time?  Yeah, I am so on that path already with this BUT I really want to do this so I keep at it day by day when I have time.   

Source: imgfave.com via Michelle on Pinterest

So why am I rambling on and on?
Well this year for my New Years resolution I want to be able to win the battles that I struggle with internally, within myself.  I guess better myself and my attitude one step at a time.  I know that is kind of a general resolution and maybe not so much a resolution but a need for myself and others around me, sometimes I can make life a tad unpleasant when I get in my "moods"  :)

Source: oraclefox.blogspot.com via Michelle on Pinterest

So, I am determined to see things how they are, see the things that I CAN do, believe in me and trust in myself and God that there is a plan/purpose/moment for me.
I am truly blessed with the things that I have, people that I love and love me and abilities that I have so please don't think that I am whining or complaining, this is more of a stop-and-take-a-look-at-myself-and-who-I-want-to-be kind of thing.

I hope you all have a wonderful New Years and I want to thank you for all your support and friendship over the last year, I am so glad to be a part of this community. :)

Things may start out slow for me in blogland, hubby was scheduled for his back/neck surgery next week so I have much to do before and after.

Hugs to you all!!!!

May your Christmas night be 

Silent

Holy

Calm

and 

Bright.

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas!!

I just wanted to stop in and tell you all to have 

The Merriest Christmas

and 

the Happiest New Year!!

Source: pinterest.com via E on Pinterest

I hope you are surrounded by those that you love and love you

Source: vitaverandan-anna.blogspot.com via Michelle on Pinterest

and that all of your Christmas wishes come true no matter how big or small.

Source: prettystuff.tumblr.com via Seaside on Pinterest

I am signing off until the new year to spend time with family and friends.

I want to thank you for a wonderful year of inspiration, support and friendship and I wish you all the very best in the coming year!!

May peace, love and blessings follow you all your days.

HUGS!!!

Christmas Kitchen

Good evening or morning or afternoon depending on when you are reading this!

I have been very busy getting ready for Christmas around here and I made it my mission last week to get all of my Christmas shopping done.   

I am almost done with the exception of a few gifts that I am making.

YEAH!!!

It has been very cold here but we only had a little bit of snow which has already melted.  

I am hoping for a white Christmas this year.

I know you are all very busy as well so I will make this a short one.  

I am loving your holiday home tours, everyone has such beautiful decor and it is so fun going from house to house. :)

My kitchen turned out to be my favorite this year so I will quickly show you. :)

Pardon the little mess on the island there. :)

I used simple whites and green with some sparkles this year along with natural elements.

Simple. White. Cozy.

I hung some lights in the window behind the sheers, I love them at night and they actually twinkle.

My bin of Christmas wood with greens and lighted branches scattered through.

And my simple mantel decorated with rope Christmas trees, greens, driftwood, starfish, a lantern and my cute little owl that I picked up at Meijer's.  

I love him! :)

This week I hope to finish up my gifts and then enjoy the rest of the holidays with family and friends.

I hope you are all enjoying the holiday season!

Bonus Room Slip Cover

Hi everyone!  

I am so sorry for my absence, time seems to go so fast.

Things have been good and I have been spending time with the family and trying to get my butt and heart back into some kind of shape.  

I am busy getting ready for Christmas but wanted to say thank you for all your support and friendship. 

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, ours went well and I managed to get everyone in the house and in the same room to eat together.  Woo Hoo!!!

I haven't been doing much of home projects other than Christmas decorating.  My bonus room is pretty much done although I haven't taken photos of the whole room yet but I did get some shots of the slip cover that I made for the couch thingy so I thought I would show you. :)

Here is what it looked like this summer...

and now.

I have to admit that the ruffles took me the longest on this thing and they are far from perfect but that's ok.

I again used sheets from Walmart in the charcoal gray.

The pillows above are furry and soft and cozy!

I picked up a body pillow cover and made the two pillows above.

I have more treasures in the room right now, some beautiful pillows from a special friend and some Christmas things that I will share later

You can see a little bit of what I have going on so far.  It is a great room to just relax in.  I put up lights behind the sheers but still have to learn how to photograph those. :)

I hope you all have a wonderful week and I hope to get around to say hi to you sometime soon.

I miss you all!!

Hugs!!!