Tuesday, December 7, 2010

White Wednesdays

Aunt Sarah's Bedroom


During the 1940's and 1950's our house was known as Argo's Guest Home.
My three great-aunts and my great grand monther lived in the back of he house that was servants quarters many years ago. They rented the front of the house as a boarding home.  There were five bedrooms then.  You could come and spend the night, the day, the week or the month.

When my three great-aunts no longer ran the guest home, they moved into the front part of the house. 
Each sister claimed a room as their own.  This room was Aunt Sarah's.


Aunt Sarah's room seems to be everyone's favorite room.  My daughter Angie dressed for her wedding here.
My mom likes to sleep here when she comes to spend the night.  My granddaughter Chelsie claims it as hers when she is here.


But right now it's Marilyn's room.  Marilyn is our beautiful 11 year old cat.
I can hardly remember a time without her.  Christmas is her favorite time of year.  She loves the Christmas lights.


 But Marilyn is very sick right now.  Marilyn has feline leukemia.  They tell me it is not curable.
They tell me that the leukemia usually does not take a cat, but a secondary infection that they can just not fight.  We are doing everything we can for her.  The doctor tells us that if she can just whip this infection we might be able to keep her sheltered and protected and she might make it two or three more years.  If you don't feel it's wrong to pray for an animal, please pray for Marilyn.  If you cannot pray for her, then  please pray for me that  I can have the courage to let her go if and when that time might come.



Hopefully, Marilyn and I will talk to you soon.
Tommye


Post Script:  One month later I am happy to report that Marilyn is doing great.  She seems like her old self again.  Her temp is gone, she has gained one and one half pounds and the vision that we thought was gone in her right eye is remarkably in tact.  Of course we know there is no cure for leukemia,  but she and I are looking forward to more days to come.  For now, she is well.
Thank you for any kind thoughts that came our way.
She is my Christmas miracle.
Talk to you soon,
Tommye

Friday, December 3, 2010

Dining on the Mountain





I wanted to show you a little of my dining room.



I still have quite a bit left that I would like to do.
The large flower arrangements are from my daughter's wedding.  I hope to add some red berries or flowers. 


I am using my snowman dishes that I have had for several years.  I actually found them at Dollar General. 
Don't you think they look great on these red chargers?


A little red ribbon goes a long way.






Embroiderd organza table cloths (from  my daughter's wedding).


  This is the mirror in one corner of the dining room.
I decorated it with pine garland and red grosgrain ribbon.




Tapers dipped in melted parafin and cinnamon with a vintage rocking horse music box.





The man in the center is my great-grandfather Elijah Sparkman.
The other four are his brothers.
Actually, one of the brothers is hidden by the tree.
They would be my great-uncles.
It is wonderful to be surrounded by history and heritage.
I hope you have enjoyed some of the dining room.


Talk to you soon!
Tommye

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

White Wednesday

First of all, my apologies to Kathleen at Faded Charm. 
It seems that I had done something wrong and there was no link from my first thumbnail.  I have reposted, so I guess there will be two thumbnails.  I hope I have finally fixed it. ( I'm keeping my fingers crossed.)


My bath is dressed up for Christmas!
I thought you might like to take a peek!!



A tree to enjoy while I take my bath.


A sweet bottle brush wreath with silver ornaments.


The dresser in all its glory.




A  silver wreath and white glittery stars.



A ribboned swan swimming in pearls.


Three candle sticks that my mom found for me and a lovely vintage mirror.



Our clawfoot tub and a tufted chair.
(A girl's got to have a place to put on her socks.)

I hope you have enjoyed my tour of our bath.
I'm linking to Kathleen at http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/ for White Wednesday

Talk to you soon!
Tommye
Thanks to Kathleen for hosting White Wednesday!!!






Sunday, November 28, 2010

The Days Before December

It's been such a busy week!

I'm sure you are all right there with me.   Cooking, cleaning, shopping, caring for others.
Sometimes it takes a lot out of a girl.  Anytime there are out of the ordinary days I seem to get side tracked.  You know, it's just hard to get refocused on what you need to be doing. 


I have most of my house decorated for Christmas.


I have done lots of my shopping (online, I hate those concrete floors in the stores).
And now there just seems to be a kind of lull.


A time of waiting.


A time of expectation.


A kind of uncertainty.


But I am sure of one thing.


Christmas is coming!


Oh, it seems a way off yet,
but it will be here before you know it!!!


But you know what I would really like for Christmas to be?


Christmas, for me, is a time of love, a time of hope, a time for family.


More than anything, I would like to have a sweet, quiet Christmas.


A time of peace and joy and contentment and loving one another.

There are several days ahead in this season of joy.
Here's to hope!
May this be our best Christmas yet!!!

See you soon!!
Tommye

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

White Delights

 Who says white foods can't be beautiful?


This is a glimpse of the sideboard in our dining room loaded down with sweets.


White coconut cake and sugar cookies


Mini cupcakes and some wonderful dessert cheeseballs.


Sugar cookies with white frosting and white sparkling sugar



Spice cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and more glittering sugar crystals


Raven's Nest garden party cheeseball
(See the beautiful card that you can download for free from http://www.victoriamag.com/)?


Tiramisu Cheese Ball and Strawberries and Cream Cheese Ball



White Chocolate Amaretto Cheese Ball to be served with graham crackers.



We had a wonderful Christmas Open House.  Thanks to each of you who came!
Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

See you soon,
Tommye

Friday, November 19, 2010

Christmas Open House Preview


Just a few quick pictures of some of the things we have in store for you at this year's Christmas Open House.























That was more than a few I guess.  Got to go ice coconut cake for tomorrow.
Y'all come!!!!!

Mountain Home Gifts
Christmas Open House
Saturday November 20  10 - 4

See you soon,
Tommye