Happy New Year!

From Bella Manor to you!

This year has had its ups and downs for our family, but there is one thing that has been a consistently “Wonderful Ride” for me…….and that is blogging! 

I started this blog on Tuesday, March 10th 2009 and it has been a source of joy and inspiration for me ever since.

All of that is due to you, my fellow bloggers and to those who do not blog but are kind enough to follow my blog.

Every comment that you have made I read at LEAST once if not more.  Every person who decides to follows my blog is appreciated very much.  Both of these things are what inspire me to try my best to provide everyone with interesting photos and (at least) tolerable reading!

I always try to respond to every comment.  I sincerely hope that I have never missed anyone!

What I KNOW that I have been totally and completely lax in, is responding to those of you who have been kind enough to bestow wonderful awards upon me.  I am ashamed of myself for not having followed through on a single one.  It’s not that they were not appreciated or that I was not proud of each and every one of them!  Believe me, I AM!  But….I am just a HUGE procrastinator and am always going to “get to that tomorrow.”  I am so so sorry!

So…….for this reason, I am going to make my blog an award free zone.  I am just not deserving and there are other people who would be thrilled to receive your praise.  :(  that’s me hanging my head in shame! :(

My hope is that 2010 brings wonderful things for everyone, great new inspiration and happiness for all of my blogging friends, and lots and lots of new blogging friends to share all of our adventures with!

To my friends and fellow bloggers who are facing rough and trying times this coming year, I promise you that you are in my thoughts and prayers……..every day.  You WILL endure!

And now I HAVE to go….I have a VERY impatient 11 year old waiting on me to play “Halo 3”  with him!  JEZ!!

Love and Happiness to all of you!

Denise

A Beautiful Surprise

I received a box in the mail today.  An exciting event in itself.  Not an every day or even every month event!

Inside was the most beautifully wrapped package.

Gorgeous ribbons.  You know, the kind that you keep and find a special use for.

And inside…..this precious little angel. 

Her beautiful wings are hinged and move when she does.  And look at her cute little lace covered bottom.

A precious gift from the sweet and generous Carole at Maynard Green House!

Thank you so much Carole for your sweet gift!  My little angel has already found the perfect new home.

She is hanging from my wall sconce on the same wall as all of my vintage religious art.  She looks absolutely PERFECT!

She insisted on staying out year round and I agreed with her completely!

Even the precious ribbons and bows have found a special place on the same wall!

If you have never visited Carole’s beautiful blog, click on the link above and visit her.  She has wonderful pictures and ideas and suggestions of all sorts.  She is one of my favorites, and I never miss a new post of hers.

Again Carole, thank you so so much.  When I walk by my special little gift each day, I will be reminded of your generosity and kindness.  Which makes the place that I choose to hang her all the more perfect!

Happy New Year!

Denise

Merry Christmas!!!

Here’s hoping that you are all having a wonderful day!  I know that most of you girls are busy busy today and won’t be getting online but I just HAD HAD to post THIS!!

O.M.G.!!  I have the best the most wonderful daughter in the whole entire world.  She made something just for her Mommy for Christmas.

Have you ever gotten one of those wonderful things that is just so yummy that you can only gasp when you first see it? 

I had wanted a “something” similar to this that I had seen online but it was outrageously expensive.   Okay okay……here it is!

The little doggie is vintage.  She sacrificed one of her favorites for my box! 

Doesn’t he have the cutest face ever!

Look at the super cute papers and ribbons that she used on the box!

She even papered the inside with pages from an old book!

I can’t even use enough exclamation marks to express my excitement!!!!!!!!!!!!

So this will be staying out year round.  Oh you bet ya!

So…….are you girls ready for another craft night in January?  Heather and I sure are.  We’re thinking that the boxes would be a perfect project.  I know that December turned out to be inconvenient for some due to other obligations.  Hopefully January will be better for everyone.  E-mail me!  You know “the drill!”

Merry Christmas to Everyone! 

Denise

Never Say Never!

Happy WHITE WHITE Christmas from Oklahoma!

The Interstates are closed.  The airport is closed.  We have 7” of snow at our house and no one can get here for Christmas Eve dinner.  This just plain stinks! 

T-man and Molly in the back yard earlier today.  It’s gotten much much worse since then.

Blizzard conditions with the wind.

I don’t know why Hubby bothered.  An hour later, you couldn’t tell he had touched the sidewalk.

Molly was having a great time.

It does look pretty on my front porch decorations.

Hubby if trying to  get T-man home to his mom in the 4-wheel jeep as I write.  Little did we know when he spent the night that he could be stranded here. 

So…..as with a lot of other unfortunate people in Oklahoma right now, Christmas is looking pretty lonely at Bella Manor.  Hope it clears off enough tomorrow so that people can get where they need to go.

So never say never.  As in we NEVER have a white Christmas in Oklahoma.  HA!  Mother nature sure made a fool outta me!

Merry Christmas!

Denise

Christmas At Heather’s House!

A little late, but here they are.  I kept forgetting to take the camera with me to her house, so we finally gave up and she took pics. with her phone. 

There are my babies!

Heather has finally collected enough vintage ornaments to decorate her entire tree.  Am I jealous?  YOU BET!

Difficult to see with all of the lights.

Another tree in the living room

That vintage tree stand….she found at Goodwill a few weeks ago for $5.00!

Front porch

Giant apothecary full of goodies.

Top of plate rack

Display in silver tray.  Sorry for the quality.  The phone just doesn’t take as good a picture as the digital camera.

As you enter the living room.  Heather has wanted to take down that toile wallpaper I don’t know how many times.  I really really love it and keep talking her out of it.

Santa  HoHoHo!

Notice that we both like bowls and boxes to decorate in!

The dining area.  Love that little vintage red cloth underneath with the white embroidery!

Kitchen area.

Bedroom armoire

She even decorated the bathroom

Bark bark!

Yep……we love those apothecaries!

And those trays!

House collection!

Hope you are all having a wonderful Holiday!  It’s supposed to snow here on Christmas day!  That almost never ever happens!

Happy Holidays!

Denise