Monday, December 24, 2018

Merry Christmas 2018


Merry Christmas from sunny foggy Southern California!
Mr DIY and I  got to meet our new granddaughter yesterday and she is so beautiful and sweet.
We are excited to get to spend some time with her (and our daughters and family) this week.
This year we kept our Christmas decorating to a minimum.

We put our smaller dining room Christmas tree in the Family Room and I decorated the mantel simply.
Christmas, Christmas Tree, Christmas decorating, Christmas Mantel

Some Christmas lights, a wreath,  garland, some ornaments and a few other holiday decorations keeps it simple.
Christmas, Christmas Tree, Christmas decorating, Christmas Mantel

Christmas, Christmas Tree, Christmas decorating, Christmas Mantel


Christmas, Christmas Tree, Christmas decorating, Christmas Mantel

My mom always said as long as the Nativity is set up, it’s Christmas This nativity set was given to us by Mr. DIY’s mother.
I’ve always loved it unpainted!
Christmas, Christmas Tree, Christmas decorating, Christmas Mantel

Christmas, Christmas Tree, Christmas decorating, Christmas Mantel

Christmas, Christmas Tree, Christmas decorating, Christmas Mantel

Christmas, Christmas Tree, Christmas decorating, Christmas Mantel

Our youngest daughter let open this new glass Santa ornament before we left. I love it!
Christmas, Christmas Tree, Christmas decorating, Christmas Mantel

I’ll leave you with a photo of our adorable new granddaughter! Our daughter took this photo when almost a week old.
diyDesignFanatic.com

Wishing you a Merry Christmas!
Pam

Saturday, December 15, 2018

Christmas in the Breakfast Room 2018

This post contains affiliate links*


Gifts are wrapped and packages are shipped and the house is (minimally) decorated!
The breakfast area is decorated for Christmas, even though we won’t be using it on Christmas morning.
I’m taking inspiration from Christmas 2015, with lots of red and some plaid.
Christmas, Christmas Breakfast Room, Cottage, Cottage Style, Christmas Tablescape



Christmas, Christmas Breakfast Room, Cottage, Cottage Style, Christmas Tablescape


The Merry Christmas Pillow Cover was the only decoration purchased this year. Of course, I found it on Amazon!
Christmas, Christmas Breakfast Room, Cottage, Cottage Style, Christmas Tablescape





I found the salad plates at Restoration Hardware many years ago and were a gift to my late mother in law.
Christmas, Christmas Breakfast Room, Cottage, Cottage Style, Christmas Tablescape

The cellophane wrapped package is some handmade soap Mr. DIY makes every year. We send them out to family and friends. We used to send out baked goods, but handmade soap seems to be so much easier and can be made in the Fall. 


Christmas, Christmas Breakfast Room, Cottage, Cottage Style, Christmas Tablescape
I think the Christmas Peppermint turned out so pretty!

Christmas, Christmas Breakfast Room, Cottage, Cottage Style, Christmas Tablescape

The ceiling looks so tall when viewed in a photo. The tall ceiling is the reason why a tall chandelier was chosen. I felt that a smaller or shorter chandelier would have gotten lost.
Christmas, Christmas Breakfast Room, Cottage, Cottage Style, Christmas Tablescape


The chandelier was dressed in my favorite golden bows and teardrop snowflake ornaments and a beaded garland. If I had more time and energy, I would have gone to our backyard and cut some pine boughs.
Christmas, Christmas Breakfast Room, Cottage, Cottage Style, Christmas Tablescape

Christmas, Christmas Breakfast Room, Cottage, Cottage Style, Christmas Tablescape



Christmas, Christmas Breakfast Room, Cottage, Cottage Style, Christmas Tablescape

Christmas, Christmas Breakfast Room, Cottage, Cottage Style, Christmas Tablescape

Thanks for stopping by!

Pam

*affiliate links mean that I’ll make a small commission, should you purchase something through one of these links

Saturday, December 8, 2018

Farmhouse Kitchen Accessories

This time of year, blogs are filled with beautiful Christmas decor. By this time last year, our rooms were ready for Christmas!

This year, not so much!

Last week our daughter had a baby girl and she’s so cute.
Not that Mr. DIY and I are biased or anything because she’s our first grandchild, but she really is.

If you’d like to see a photo of her on the day she was born, you can find it on my Instagram page.


Back to ChristmasI’ll be doing minimal Christmas  decorating here  for 2 reasons. 1. because I’m not feeling well enough to do it. If you’ve been following
what I’ve been going through for the past several years and doing my best trying to get well and I am….I am hoping I will be in our backyard garden working this Spring.
If you’d like to follow my journey, you can do it HERE.

My 2nd reason for not overly decking the halls at Casa Fanatic is that we will be visiting our new grandbaby!
Both good reasons.

Now let’s get to the Farmhouse Kitchen Accessories!

First off, do you follow Shady Oaks Farm on Instagram? If not, you should!
I’m so glad I do because they posted that they had this cute lemon sign back in stock!farmhouse decor, kitchen, coat hook



I thought it would be perfect for above the range at the mountain cottage, since it’s metal and just the right size!
farmhouse decor, kitchen, coat hook, farmhouse kitchen, white kitchen, range hood



The sign was so cute, I decided to keep it for the kitchen at the house we live in, so I ordered another sign for the mountain cottage and a few more things for our house.

farmhouse decor, kitchen, coat hook



We don’t have a back splash in our kitchen (sounds like a great Winter project!), but the sign still looks cute above the cooktop.
farmhouse decor, kitchen, coat hook



I’ve wanted some type of hook to hang  an apron on since we moved in 2 1/2 years ago (has it been that long?), but I hadn’t found
a cute hook until now.
farmhouse decor, kitchen, coat hook




farmhouse decor, kitchen, coat hook


farmhouse decor, kitchen, coat hook


A big storm is coming our way this weekend and we don’t know how much we’ll be getting. Mr. DIY had planned to go to the mountain cottage this weekend, but lots of snow is forecasted for that area and he didn’t want to get stuck there and leave me home alone. Isn’t he sweet?

Well, that’s all for now.
Maybe next week I’ll have some Christmas decor to show you.
If you’d like to see more from Shady Oaks Farm, you can see their website HERE.

Pam

Saturday, November 17, 2018

A Special Baby Shower


A few weeks ago, our daughter Jenny and I flew out to SoCal so that we could attend a baby shower for our oldest daughter Jess and Mia, our soon to be born, first grandbaby.

20181108_214248(2)



The shower was held at Chado Tea Room in Hollywood.  Thought I’d share a few photos from the shower.

me and Jess




My sister in law Mindy, who is 3rd from the right, hosted the shower. This is a pic of  (some of) Mia’s great aunts and aunt Jenny.
5 (1 of 1)(1) - Copy

My childhood friend Susan, flew out from Colorado and brought her mom.
4 (1 of 1)



As you can see, we had tiered trays filled with goodies! 4 different kinds of sandwiches, scones, and cookies.
We had several different kinds of tea and they were all good.
My girlfriend Linda was there and came with her daughter…
20181104_153654

…Dayna.
20181104_163339

Jess and Dayna have been friends since they were just wee ones.
20181011_113822

20181104_163415

20181104_172243


20181104_162819 - Copy (2)

And finally, a pic of the whole group!
group

Our first grandbaby is due to arrive next week! 

We can’t wait.

Jenny will be flying out in mid December and Mr. DIY and I will be flying out
a couple of days before Christmas! It will be our
 first Christmas in California in 19 years!

Thanks to Linda and Jenny who took these photos! (except for the last one)

If you’re ever in SoCal and want a great place to have tea, I highly recommend Chado Tea Room. There are several in the Los Angeles area.

Thanks for stopping by!
Pam

Saturday, October 20, 2018

Fall Past and Present

Hello Friends!
I can’t tell you how happy I am to FINALLY have Fall weather!
One thing you can usually count on in the Carolinas is for the weather to turn blissfully cooler at the end of August.
Notice I said usually….

This year, it stayed warm and humid until well into October. I don’t know about you, but I don’t feel like breaking out

the cozy throws and Fall pillows when it’s still close to 90.
We had a couple of cooler days with low humidity and then the weather turned warm again for one last gasp.

This past week, Fall FINALLY arrived!

You just never know what kind of Fall you’re going to get here.
Several Falls ago, I took this photo of the trees at our mountain cottage just at the peak of their glorious color!
Fall foyer, cottage, farmhouse, white pumpkins, fall porch, fall screened porch, fall pillows, farmhouse sign, farmhouse, cottage, fall mantel, fall tablescape


The photo below was taken at our last home- such beautiful, big trees!

Fall foyer, cottage, farmhouse, white pumpkins, fall porch, fall screened porch, fall pillows, farmhouse sign, farmhouse, cottage, fall mantel, fall tablescape



One of my favorite tablescapes of all time was this one…

I just loved those mums and the pumpkin shaped gourds.
Fall foyer, cottage, farmhouse, white pumpkins, fall porch, fall screened porch, fall pillows, farmhouse sign, farmhouse, cottage, fall mantel, fall tablescape

Fall foyer, cottage, farmhouse, white pumpkins, fall porch, fall screened porch, fall pillows, farmhouse sign, farmhouse, cottage, fall mantel, fall tablescape




At our last house, my favorite front porch had lots of mums.

You can see more details  HERE.
Fall foyer, cottage, farmhouse, white pumpkins, fall porch, fall screened porch, fall pillows, farmhouse sign, farmhouse, cottage, fall mantel



Now that the weather is finally cooler, I’ll be setting out the Fall pillows, wreath and throws.

Fall foyer, cottage, farmhouse, white pumpkins, fall porch, fall screened porch, fall pillows, farmhouse sign, farmhouse, cottage, fall mantel



Fall foyer, cottage, farmhouse, white pumpkins, fall porch, fall screened porch, fall pillows, farmhouse sign, farmhouse, cottage, fall mantel



You can see this Fall Front Porch HERE.
Fall foyer, cottage, farmhouse, white pumpkins, fall porch, fall screened porch, fall pillows, farmhouse sign, farmhouse, cottage, fall mantel



The screened porch was also decked out for Fall last year…

You can see it HERE.
Fall foyer, cottage, farmhouse, white pumpkins, fall porch, fall screened porch, fall pillows, farmhouse sign, farmhouse, cottage, fall mantel



The mantel this year was bedecked in Fall finery a month ago.

 If you missed it, you can find it HERE.
Fall foyer, cottage, farmhouse, white pumpkins, fall porch, fall screened porch, fall pillows, farmhouse sign, farmhouse, cottage, fall mantel



Fall foyer, cottage, farmhouse, white pumpkins, fall porch, fall screened porch, fall pillows, farmhouse sign, farmhouse, cottage, fall mantel

Had to share my new favorite sign. See my Instagram for the backstory.
Fall foyer, cottage, farmhouse, white pumpkins, fall porch, fall screened porch, fall pillows, farmhouse sign, farmhouse, cottage




And, of course, the foyer vignette has been decorated in white pumpkins.
Fall foyer, cottage, farmhouse, white pumpkins, fall porch, fall screened porch, fall pillows,


So, for now, I’m happy that the weather has turned cool, but I’m sure in a couple of months, I’ll be longing for Spring!

Pam




Saturday, October 6, 2018

Fall Decor From Amazon

*This post contains affiliate links



I don’t know how I ever lived without Amazon.


All of you over 35 or 40,  know that before the internet, we either had to get in the car and go shopping or order from a mail order catalog where it took 4-6 weeks to get your order. Seriously.

Now, I love going shopping, but these days I am still recovering and it may be awhile until I can do that again.


That’s where Amazon comes in…
This past week, I’ve ordered a couple of books, silicone straws, glass bottles, hibiscus tea to name just a few, and this past month; lots of Fall decor.

The Fall decor included some grapevine wreaths, faux white pumpkins , a fall leaf garland, some faux sage leaves, a few pillow covers and a couple of
buffalo check table runners. That’s not all, but let’s leave it at that!

Last year I ordered lots of buffalo check pillow covers.
I displayed them on the porch last Fall
fall porch, fall , fall pillow covers, cottage style, farmhouse style, buffalo check, christmas



and Christmas
fall porch, fall , fall pillow covers, cottage style, farmhouse style, buffalo check, christmas



I displayed them in the family room last Christmas...
fall porch, fall , fall pillow covers, cottage style, farmhouse style, buffalo check, christmas

fall porch, fall , fall pillow covers, cottage style, farmhouse style, buffalo check, christmas




I may have to get the light cream buffalo check for next Spring.


I also have my eye on a buffalo check rug for under the mat on the front porch.
buffalo check rug

This year, I found the fall leaf garland and faux sage…
fall porch, fall , fall pillow covers, cottage style, farmhouse style, buffalo check, christmas





and the faux white Pumpkins
fall porch, fall , fall pillow covers, cottage style, farmhouse style, buffalo check, christmas, faux white pumpkins




fall porch, fall , fall pillow covers, cottage style, farmhouse style, buffalo check, christmas, faux white pumpkins
You can also see one of the buffalo check table runners, too.





I purchased this Fall pillow cover that I’ll set out on the porch this year…
We’re still having summer weather here and it’s hard to
cozy up the porch for Fall when you walk outside and it’s still in the 90s with high humidity!
Hopefully next week the weather will turn a bit cooler; we shall see.

fall porch, fall , fall pillow covers, cottage style, farmhouse style, buffalo check, christmas, faux white pumpkins

Here are a few more things that caught my eye:
Aren’t these beautiful flameless Fall candles?
candles


If you prefer real candles; how about these?
fall porch, fall , fall pillow covers, cottage style, farmhouse style, buffalo check, christmas, faux white pumpkins



So, even though the weather isn’t co-operating, the house will be decorated for Fall. I may look ridiculous laying out a cozy warm throw on the porch when it’s still 90 degrees out, but Fall weather has always arrived here in the South sooner or later.  This year it’s just later…
How is Fall where you are?
Wishing you lots of warm and cozy nights.

Pam

* this post contains affiliate links, which means I will make a small commission should you purchase something through one of these links.