A Glittery Christmas, and a Prayer Request for a Special Friend

Bonjour Mes Amis

and Joyeux Noel!

I've got a ton of photos to share today, but since I know you all are very busy this time of year, I will spare you lots of my chatter, and just let you enjoy the pics (ok, with a few words here and there!!).

We always get a big Fraser Fir each year for Christmas.  As you will see, this puppy is really tall!

Around 13 feet, I think!

I'll show you more in a second.

Right now I am asking for prayers for my special friend Diana and her husband.

 Many of you already know Diana from her blog, Nana Diana Takes a Break.

Diana is such a kind and kindred spirit with a heart of gold.  Not only is she a caring friend, but family is everything to her.  So I was very saddened to hear that her husband has just been diagnosed with cancer.

You can read about her husband here.

Could you please send prayers their way? And if you get a second, visit her blog post and leave an uplifting message. She has her hands more than full right now, so she probably won't be around blogging much.  But I do know she reads each and every comment anyone leaves, and our support means so much  to her.

 Whoops, looks like I forgot to turn the tv off when I was snapping these pics last night!

(notice the reflection in the window?).

 The tree is filled with glittery, silvery, creamy white ornaments.  Many treasured gifts from friends, and many that I have made.

 You might remember my giant glittered pinecones from last year.

I just love them and want to create some more!

 Ok, here is an overview of our living room.  I took these pics this morning, and it's a bit gloomy.

My Christmas gift arrived early!

Notice the beautiful new sectional couch?

Love!  I will share more of it in a second...........

 My antique hutch.

 The crystal trees were given to me by my mom many years ago.  I just love them!

 Ok, back to the couch!

My photos just don't do it justice.

I wish you could all come over and share a cup of hot cocoa with me, and cozy up on the couch.  

It is SO comfy!

Our old couch was 15 years old. While it was still structurally in great shape, the upholstery was looking pretty tired.  And it really wasn't big enough for hubby and I to both stretch out on comfortably.

 It looks so much better in person than my photos capture!  It's my favorite shade of moss green, in a gorgeous velvet material.  It came with amazingly cushy feather down pillows that you just sink down into!

 It was well worth the $$$ and nearly 2 months wait that it took to order.

Come back next week, and I'll share more of my glittery Christmas!

Wishing you a peace filled holiday season!

Coffee & End Table Redo

A few months ago I finally got around to giving our coffee table and matching end table a face lift.  So I've been meaning to share it with you and finally got around to snapping some photos today!

We bought these when we got married, over 14 years ago, and while I still loved their clean lines, they just really didn't go with our room anymore.  Especially since hubby now finally appreciates painted furniture!

He's always been all about the wood!  Wood tones everywhere!  You will see what I mean in a second!!

The tables are very well made, so I didn't want to just get rid of them.  They are solid wood and made by Broyhill.  I knew that some creamy white paint would totally change their look and feel!

See what I mean about lots of wood?  I am not a fan of the wood walls in the least (that is hubby's taste), but I guess a girl's gotta pick her battles, right?!

I keep telling him that our next home will have beadboard.  Lots of white beadboard!!

Notice Katie on the couch?  As soon as I was about to have my little "photo shoot", she decided she wanted to get in on the fun, and promptly hopped on the couch!

Of course I forgot to take before shots of the tables, but you can get a peek at what they used to look like in the photo below.

I used a nice creamy white by Behr, the same color we used on our dining table and chairs.

I'm so happy with how they turned out!

What a pretty puppy!

I used several coats of paint, let cure for a few days, then distressed just a bit around the edges.

Then I used a clear satin sealer for protection.  And since I loved the oil rubbed bronze drawer handles, I left them as is.  I think they make such a nice contrast to the creamy white.

I'm amazed at how a few coats of paint totally transformed their look and feel!

Of course, one thing leads to another, so I had to paint the basket that I keep magazines in, too!

I just gave it a quick coat of creamy white spray paint, to give it more of a whitewashed feel.

So now I want to repaint our other end table!

This is it, on the other side of the couch.  It belonged to my mom, and she gave it to me years ago.

I eventually want to replace the wicker rocker (which will go back to its original home in our bedroom).

I do love it, but it is oh so uncomfortable to sit in! I adore chairs with lots of tufted buttons on the back, so that will be the look I go for.

Here's a better look, without the tablecloth.  Since the top is very shiny, I'll use a deglosser first, and paint it the same creamy color.

I can hardly wait to start! 

Here is one last look.

Thanks so much for stopping by, hope you have a great day!