Sun Flare Party

I am joining Tracy at Tracy's Trinkets and Treasures Sunrise, Sunset or Sun Flare Photo Party today.

I shared these photos before but I thought that they would fit right in with her party. :)

This sunset over Lake Michigan was taken last summer,

I only lightened a bit in Picnik.

A bit of Sun flare down at the marina.

I just added a bit of color and edited it with Picnik.

One day I will get Photoshop and learn how to use all the yummy textures and actions.

Until next time...... enjoy your day!!!

Hugs!!

My Christmas Treasure

I wanted to show something,

something that I treasure dearly.

My Grammy died when I was 10 years old. Christmas was her favorite holiday and I can still see her home decked out in all its glory. She loved to put out all her Christmas trinkets and treasures and each ornament and Santa had it's own special place. I truly believe that she is the reason that mom and I love this time of year so much!

After she had passed my Papa continued to decorate the house placing all her ornaments and Santas in the exact same place.

After my Papa passed away I took only some of the Christmas things. They were things that I thought of when I thought of Christmas with them. I have the stocking that my Grammy made for myself and the one that my Papa so graciously made for my hubby. I have a candle snuffer that I remember being displayed on her coffee table and then I have this...

.

As a child I remember how much I loved seeing this beautiful lighthouse during Christmas. It would sit on their beautiful marble-topped side table, in front of the window and shine it's beacon, welcoming all who entered their home. I do not know where they got it from or even if it was a gift, but I do know that when I look into it's light I am taken back to a time when life was simple and carefree. A time that I treasure near and dear to my heart. It is funny because when I put the lighthouse out and turn it on, I can "feel" those feelings I had and "see" Christmas again through the eyes I looked out of when I was a child and "smell" the scents that

wrapped themselves around me.

Does that seem weird?

It is funny how things that are so treasured by us tend to do that.

I am linking up to my friend Tracy's Treasured Christmas Linky Party over at her blog, Tracy's Trinkets and Treasures.

Won't you come join in!?

Measure of Kindness

I want to show you my new scale that Tracy over at Tracy's Trinkets and Treasures sent me out of the kindness of her heart!

See here for the wonderful story.

It was so beautiful with the green color but it didn't fit in my kitchen anymore.

So, I painted it black!

I wrapped the face and other parts that I did not want to get paint on.

Spray painted using a flat paint.

and hung it in its new home!

I filled it with some paper mache pumpkins that I had (of course painted them white) as well as some fall florals that I got at Michaels at 60% off!

Woo Hoo, gotta love a sale!

I love it SO much!!

It is perfect in the little corner over the kitchen bench and each season I can put my little accessories in it!!

Even Bosco loves his little spot and the adorable little pillow that Tracy made for me!

Thank you again Tracy from the bottom of my heart!!

I love having things in my house that conjure up good memories and feelings and this is definitely one of them!!

(thank you Julia for the clever idea for the title, it was so perfect!)