I agree with the editor of Southern Living

Mon Dieu... 

As Lindsay states in his editorial... Southern Living has been known for their obsession with cakes stands.  While on a conference call a colleague from his parent company (in New York, I say that explains a lot) suggested they might be using them too much in the pages of Southern Living.  I love this part... Lyndsay says the room at HQ fell silent and they all exchanged puzzled, hurt looks.  

The editorial also ends that paragraph by saying that if you go through the time and trouble of making a special dessert from scratch, any Southern host knows it sure enough deserves to be put on a pedestal.

Good job Lindasy, see the magazine cover with his editorial, November 2012.

Yes Sir, I agree one hundred percent. Which had me thinking how I use my "pedestals" around the house.  

For... party time...

Pumpkin layered cake...

I crafted this one for myself and then served my mother-in-laws pecan tassies that I made...

My daughter (good Southern raising) has a triple iron cake holder...

Not just for cakes anymore... 

Match holder...

Great great grand-mother's ironstone pitcher holder...

holiday decorations made fun...

jewelry holder...

topped with a Limoges saucer resting on a silver pedestal of course...

coffee station supplies...

Thank-you Mr. M. Lindsay Bierman... and keep those gorgeous cake stand ideas coming pretty please.

Sharing with:
Debbiedoo's pinning party
Cedar Hill Ranch
My Favorite Things

Chair project

Ann Marie had a list of projects that she did not get a chance to get to when she was put on bed rest before the Grands arrived.

In between feeding, washing, cooking and snuggling with babies I recovered their kitchen table/counter chairs.

They started out plain ivory, see below.  I changed the counter chairs to a simple brown, no pattern.  But for the table chairs Ann Marie had purchased a lovely ivory with a simple gorgeous pattern.

Above picture, old chair cover on right, new chair fabric on left and below.

And since it only took about 15 minutes per chair, she could do this project again and again as they wear out or if she just wants to change the look.  

EEK

Fun Halloween napkins I am using.  

Next up, chairs I re-covered for my daughter while the grands were napping.

Dracula window treatment

OK, so I'm not an artist like Jemsmom.  See her wonderful Halloween windows here. At Take My Breath Away.

I saved them on Pinterest so I could recreate her fun, holiday windows.

Kathryn really made it sound easy to do.  It really didn't take me much time and I only was out three black pieces of poster board.  So I gave it a try.

I just free handed the drawings by looking at her pictures on Pinterest.

Tip, do not tape boards together, taking them apart to hang rips the black off.  That part is facing the inside of our house.  

Nighttime Dracula. 

 Kathryn you win the window decorating contest. I think I will stick with pumpkins on the porch for now.

Sharing with:
Debbiedoos weekly wrap up

While they were sleeping

I took some better pictures of the finished nursery while the babies and Mom and Dad were napping.

Vintage vanity will become the changing table.  Pottery Barn cribs.  Great-Grandfather (Michael's) built the side table.  Ann Marie created the chandelier (our old dining room brass light fixture).  I made the bedding and curtains.  Pink blankets crocheted by Great-Grandmother (Lynn's Mom).  Knit sweaters hanging from the ladder by another Great-Grandmother (My Mom).  

There is Hadley and Layton napping in their shared craddle.  

Layton

Stretching and getting ready for their 2:00 feeding.   

Hadley

Can't you just feel the sweetness?

Sharing with:
Wow us Wednesday with Kim

I interrupt my normal life...

Because I get to go and help this new family transition into their wonderful life.

Sorry, I'll be busy, lovely busy!

Layton

and Hadley you have stolen lots of hearts already.

Michael's Mom said so sweetly... Our babies get to take care of their babies.  Yes, tears of joy!

Every Moment Thank God!

Boo y'all

Boo Y'all. Say it ... it is fun to say!  You did didn't you?

Sharing with:
Fun Friday with Kate

Oh boy, does my heart with pleasure fill

Short post as we are spending lots of cuddle time right now.

Parents only in the room from 2-4.  Sweet.  It is an "in room" hospital so, Hadley and Layton can stay in Ann Marie and Michael's room all the time, if they want to.  

Our first comments from Dad!

The MOMENT!  The beginning of so many.

Hadley McKee and Layton Aaron our hearts with pleasure fill!

10-10-2012

We've got spirit yes we do...

We've got spirit how 'bout you?

Coppell High School football section last Friday night.  5-0 and ranked second in the state of TEXAS!  5A - largest division in the state. We beat Allen, TX this night, you might have heard about them and their 60 million dollar football stadium.  We beat them in our stadium at home!  

You Tube video of Powder Puff Student Section

Go Cowboys.  Go Student Section.

Waiting, waiting, patiently

We ALL are waiting.  We pray these babies enjoy some more time to get ready to meet their Mom and Dad.  We pray for a safe and beautiful delivery.  We pray for new families.  We are thankful for the joy this pregnancy has brought. This time next week my daughter becomes a Mother, she and Michael a family of four and lots of Great Grands, Grands and Aunts and Uncles will be created.  Every Moment Thank God.

 Unplanned matching outfits, really!

Is it doctor's orders to keep hospital rooms at freezing degrees!?  Note the polar fleece and socks.  I bet even Hadley and Layton feel the chill.  

Harper's Mom came by with a cute pumpkin.  I brought flowers in bud form, so they can enjoy them opening and lasting for the next week.  Bloom little girls!

Please pray along with us.

Wire cookie racks and pumpkin spice mix

What is is about that wire cookie rack that reminds me of my Mom and baking cookies?

My sister even has a fancy triple decker rack.

I'm getting older surprise and wiser.  A package from the Krusteaz box, an egg and butter,  whipped these up in no time at all.  The perfect snack for Ann Marie and Michael while she is on bedrest with her pregnancy.  I took them a bunch and I am quickly eating the rest surprise.

See above,  the box has a cookie option.  I rolled smaller one inch balls and got way more cookies out of the batch.  Smaller cookie equals smaller calories, right?  

I pulled out some Nutella and smeared a bit on top of a few.  Next time maybe I'll add some more pecans to the dough.  It does have tiny little chunks. But I'm Louisiana raised and what isn't better with MORE pecans?  Lynn's Mom is picking pecans in her back yard right now.  She says her trees are loaded!  Save me a bag or two, PLEASE.  

Fitz and Floyd plate goes great with pumpkin spice cookies.  Even better a cup of coffee and a cookie!

How are you enjoying your fall?

Sharing with:
Sunday's Best

Happy Fall Y'all

Fanny's pitcher, Louisiana pottery, carnations and a funky little gourd.

Fanny is my husbands grand-mother's name.  I wonder what that was a nickname for, Fanny?  Surely not her real name, but maybe.  I'll have to ask my mother-in-law next time we talk.  

So happy to have a piece of her past and I love the glaze on the pottery piece I found in Natchitoches, LA.

The inside of the lovely pitcher has a few cracks.  I was afraid to put water directly into the container, so I placed the carnations in a small water glass and just had to make sure to water them everyday.

Happy Fall Y'all