A glam christmas table

<p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5u4aKc2dGEP1BO-DGhQP4r5js-zyZKYZSPJ96HCOaGryYuUhYez5J5gEp_ydi9Qe0_xNp06q-qgFZYVRxXVY01uj5vjrbbkDdBL0cI-Qv1IGE-gsWqF266km7ucfuqyZ1B6k_6xqFP4/s1600-h/025%5B14%5D.jpg"><span style="color:#4c4c4c;"></span><img alt="025" border="0" height="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSc2OgYAIgiaLWuohxvHB0ECetaeSjUTS-NvPnTTr8A46YM3xd_8tlXJd263YHN1tBhDEXyL5sQZiEqUfl5TwLmObCCjY08dSytoQTxfdFcr5bnXLmNc9U0qhWZpfQ2bavyynrCCXoHXg/?imgmax=800" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: block; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; FLOAT: none; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" title="025" width="576" /></a></p><p align="left">OK, a few things before I start this post. I’m writing this one in Live Writer for the first time ever, and holy canoly, it’s freaking awesome! I love how easy this is to work with, and that it’s so easy to change and move photos! So this post may look a little different. (Let me know if it works OK for you!)</p><p align="left">Second – YES, it’s a Christmas post. YES, I am decorating <em>now</em>. Well, this is the first of it, but hold on to your seats folks! I am loving the little bits of magic appearing in our house. I used to be the girl who groaned when I saw Christmas stuff inching it’s way out to the stores so early. But over the years, my glee at the sight of the decor grows more and more. I am quite sure this is due to our almost three-year-old. He is positively GIDDY, and it’s rubbing off. ; )</p><p align="left">Because we aren’t hosting Thanksgiving this year, I figured I would go ahead and tackle the dining room, just because I’m excited to decorate it for the holidays with the new look. </p><p align="left">I had the decor in my head, but I stopped midway when I found new inspiration at Goodwill, of all places. I got a small tub full of ornaments in the most gorgeous colors – colors I’ve never used for Christmas decor. They were sparkly coffee brown, creamy latte and copper tones and I fell. in. love. </p><p align="left">So the new table was born in my head. : ) </p><p align="left">First, I started with my greenery. Greenery is my addiction this time of year. I’m not even kidding peeps, you’ll probably see it in every post for the next six weeks. I would fry it up and eat it for breakfast if I could. LURVE. </p><p align="left">I just cut it apart with my wire cutters and stuffed it here and there so it filled in the empty spots on the centerpiece:</p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6Tr0YR028ODK0D8PDOoSLPdfGoPTQkVDSnUUu7IlkjuKvahMNygJ1ioFJ1nV-79BRgduWS1TUdPnlPmUq87d1hc3hiqErI-Cd4_1gK-231sQ1BzsuCT6PmwO2B7mrHbvkO9sGuFXS-s/s1600-h/016%5B7%5D.jpg"><img alt="016" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0PQMOPu1uIH560k9RcYrTAACJQzGBefEAmaZDI4k0aL4nZ7QkTXndyn5iD26yefsDW2x6hCmbmnTNAvfnL2cd2abaFs9NTTn9Ird47B9gXdy8vJTnCoi107OzT5Z_P4exw9MugvHXsEU/?imgmax=800" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" title="016" width="400" /></a></p><p align="left">If you are new to these parts, you can see how I created the centerpiece <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/10/table-is-set.html">here</a>. : )</p><p align="left">Then, I just filled it with the metallic ornaments here and there:</p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_6soEykC3So8zewlUNOEMgQS2hVYpUnolEiEfweG_XTbynWIfiicM2wosv5wMI_3j2khr0sQK2gx0sZhE7vtLgWQuhKKE5goyqlxlEAO_spWLT4QB-IciUX5QOfBDO-pVk9fe9bqKB4/s1600-h/039%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="039" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJY8bVw2oUUh3dINrsn54Mk-ss0kZvOWYHILFPSekVI_1UT3oprTs64_7uRmDFYNDpTNTtuSwLxWQuwQCFaaNIqBSPZfbe_SmkTVv8Tbix8iEyh-HSVKbpoWIkBBZcEiydP62fx1Lyjf4/?imgmax=800" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" title="039" width="360" /></a></p><p align="left">The shiny ornaments are looking gold in the pics, but they are really a gorg copper color. (You can also see me contorting myself to get a good picture in the reflection. Ha!) </p><p align="left">I added some pine cones I had in my Christmas decor stash:</p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5CaNGXE8TBGJePCqGZS8sUhwZcYkFQlvl3SoyQTs8vIvfY9l26K0G0AMjyDHTGF0ccZROCnhtdRE6Lc53zzrOYTbwnOLmCwzqVKKzIJ9fKW1FhFfpa7QzZlgoSH58ZALaeYEP9AOTVc/s1600-h/047%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="047" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb66IFtKwv_KqeM6MWlxkjsbCemHtZK6s1OPURBqshUfrwSVEkhCh-Fe_G2Ok_wFYK2F6ETZfBcITOvCsvr4eVgWBSuUn-xqhFwVfLy8Kze8E7sgBp05M_EgNXnRRB-r4I7Nx0ljJddcU/?imgmax=800" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" title="047" width="640" /></a></p><p align="left">I had spray painted them with my caramel latte spray paint:</p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyIS7UVJeyvNfxbSY2nhNon1i35QN-KQ01NHFgAduk2GuabIPHYCIkSixYMb8nDwIpmJamuDDE1bYLtIDjifmY6rtsWMuLO0hhuJX8dvsTl0VDx2O3m3Hj5dtWJ0uTfFM-cv7hsIyOqg/s1600-h/070%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="070" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8l7o4jWCT1uD34DoMD-wsW6-Z1BxDVOhPhTSFqxcyvgYpligO4u6_UnoevImpZ_BPaALnqHdKbtWeGb8C74Il7tuw8MlSbDml5AI5Q7R5x4viNNMrnkApedbh9QU5_iujel6jC6Qkio/?imgmax=800" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" title="070" width="300" /></a></p><p align="left">It is a <em>loverly</em> color. It just screams Christmas. </p><p align="left">I gave the votive holders a tiny bit of bling by brushing on just a bit of glaze, then sprayed them with gold glitter spray:</p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1wJGOroe_K3XTbRy0Mt_BXCEanqKeNdMQkCJabABrqwsCqOnuEGGAf2eIAoTX4dfgrH6y4CvLcdzVBncOir3EY1mgX0oipQGMvPEbv2W4mLJl1F8KZ80Itv_ZO0Jr_xaqLPKpHrVEUs/s1600-h/031%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="031" border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheBo-pJAnnEiCm5gqDXS7go4GPRkkJcSx__WSzwFfex-lC-QqmRHgJYrf61DDTrsgFJbUMXqXXuL2o-H4EWk0TpKgBICMUk2bkbFTjwidhjfJC1OLSlld0iFFbf-QqIqvyO1Mws7apQto/?imgmax=800" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" title="031" width="300" /></a></p><p align="left">It gives them look of strie, which I love. </p><p align="left">I finished off the table with massive sparkly ornaments from Hob Lob in each bowl:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGkMLcMXjcFQVoyDHXGrQ4t3DKh4GJBh0vdm3bk5INk1xjwFpk6Lhv8ngNi_R-wk5yrp_-iWoeLxxLupHbDCvI_GFQyc0BTEpihujUFX6LbfTABsLbcZpSfDil_VKsWLtYqAwxOVq094I/s1600-h/029%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="029" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCXel5FhakwY9wnl8MiDENyo7H4A8hKfaY_VQi2rnthjVufdEtg0ROqKfxCE0Kj4PLFv-ImVimrEi3fqTTR3b4rUSq_OWcnKzHogqaQy42C4kA8j8gm3y-LI9um7PO3Dk-XPJo0-FE-c/?imgmax=800" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: block; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; FLOAT: none; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" title="029" width="400" /></a></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-q4bIGgE-Q-QcPvW21uFHTMqnYpvec4rZBT15O0IP_Ct_Tz63QEZ9QQssGdy-SKgV7nUthSW75bO63G7kgYOsJ1jGlOtZh7QM3kHKiLh32bAAtyFP7c4sPABpze1C9W1rj8ZciBYHN74/s1600-h/060%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="060" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDJrtRg6b5yC4zI0KQAN29dJ0-hERvN1-1PjBGn5vdyj6wM7SyhfNe5j4s93NLfDLSjgZFy5HpCzWaMJ0JxFCju2O6C-yYmtnxCgqt8njhAmFSidYjW3Ohf5uH7rJT9TYsxkVZJnRCJo/?imgmax=800" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" title="060" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLInMH5JUxRv5kSaNjK2eDPonu9KEzzwZUlawFTRaIaeUUU6SjqOpLkNLG0hLTWmJpA8oM4jyviOeKeLn_N9LS20nwJLE9Tn58R3iHwKWhwM80ea9g_CWKUkHvLj_NMNH0uwUyxVsy3Lo/s1600-h/053%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="053" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGR4_FrcCHWODmn_ftKaZYBJ0QuCC7sEX1wfTnpL271XjhlkrE-tqk8-03GGfXkabxJs8-K9QCKxo1AsGCn5W_q0BIhpCWbxHsD9weS_kn8Oq4ntcEgFA-jhdTk5StQ4cxWriUtpbq0A/?imgmax=800" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" title="053" width="300" /></a> </p><p align="left">The ornaments were two per package, half off…so about $10 for all of them. The ornaments in the centerpiece were $7 at Goodwill, but I have a ton left I plan to use elsewhere. The rest of the items I had.</p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXO39jLHQwRgfNsvpdIng-zJ9YPpGUxyrb_zCk3PCvYGU37YodT9e_2bDpq7D6MtGE4PvNT-MzSciB989mYw-m1uQKKoNtE0rWvlVA7XejPfztyTVkgU-xZpyqUSZavcs8UZ4iTdrh7E/s1600-h/041%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="041" border="0" height="533" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHf-Gtrx-rzQcVrzRUdqXx0bu4_NQG1TiRgc4OzCkGMpnenHzz7pnq_YbJ9YaLCIH4q_YKHZb9Toch6_buTWDexZ0M8NRcUaP5QlE0impv50JLdyn7uE5r0YUtTzBNSw9VA4IQyvXJPM/?imgmax=800" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" title="041" width="400" /></a> </p><p align="left">My obligitory night time shot:</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHlTMhGzTUhyphenhyphenYh8Lcq9_ED1UMNtPbxXULnNoey9E11JaIi2aC5RR8hYIh8f3uhCPGPlrgMjsE6kyo7ooFn3pWiiKiv5Y_2AnFaZE5izk6c4z-o612dv40zVctytWV3RKvmpuRVAkWbEOg/s1600-h/062%5B11%5D.jpg"><img alt="062" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxTMUifDWics1qlm1x-Yfxikji7rZZM3GOU6Fole4DkDAYFyRPNjlPbVt0Vdt-2ZWS-rnn9Q5xM87PFThvmRJMCtWegy4b4CXeB32S6-SoiKbCDehpRzGAswFPhhlM1dud0tcbzmYeMg/?imgmax=800" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: block; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; FLOAT: none; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" title="062" width="640" /></a>I am SO thrilled with how it turned out. Simple, but glam. Sigh. (I just realized <em>every</em> picture I decided to use is from this same angle -- sorry about that! Must be it's "good" side.) </p><p>The longest part of this project was waiting for the paint to dry on the votives and pine cones. Putting the rest of it together took about 20 minutes. Easy peasy Squeeeezaaaays!! </p><p>Has the Christmas decorating bug bitten <strong>you</strong> yet?</p>

A glam christmas table

OK, a few things before I start this post. I’m writing this one in Live Writer for the first time ever, and holy canoly, it’s freaking aweso...

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How to test for lead.

I know, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">bor</span>-<em>ring </em>topic! But this is pretty important to know, and it's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">sooo</span> easy to do, so I figured I would share. I received a comment back on my post on <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/11/fall-around-house.html">fall decor</a> about the plates I bought from Goodwill that concerned me. The reader mentioned the dishes were recalled years ago for possible lead content. By the way, YES, I read every comment and love them. ;)<br /><br />Well, there are a few things that freak me out -- and lead is one of them. Especially with a little man in the house. Eek! I usually have a lead testing kit handy around here -- I've used them a few times over the years.<br /><br />Although our crib was brand new, when the Bub started gnawing on it like it was a chew toy, out came the lead test. When every. single. toy. seemed to have lead in it, out came the lead tests. You can test just about any product for lead content. First, check out your home improvement store and look for this package:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgANB8REdfxQcBeksuinZtvD_L16beM_nnCvZnF-wjBs35XkvxFt4pD8NIwL0nPsHLKm9TbLinWcuYcNnwGy-l2Di7NCeQW_Inr0UVcgC1847ia58syGPISFsBz-U7zt9oR-C2JGbE_ID8/s1600/054.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405270758033874338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgANB8REdfxQcBeksuinZtvD_L16beM_nnCvZnF-wjBs35XkvxFt4pD8NIwL0nPsHLKm9TbLinWcuYcNnwGy-l2Di7NCeQW_Inr0UVcgC1847ia58syGPISFsBz-U7zt9oR-C2JGbE_ID8/s400/054.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> I usually find them near the paint section. I think this kit was about $5, and you can get two tests out of each swab, as long as you do the tests within two minutes:<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyz4Y8h3K1guc_zBhfpaD7cmWlxh0XEuA_-cYBu4il5SYJLScu2ubwexj2TFNlJLu2CwThgx66yVM-pj11KDSyBDLibP9gprewEoU8GZOOF20bzKttKCQzjxjvkf-gEt2Cx0S0vLYiEZI/s1600/056.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405270749073609666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyz4Y8h3K1guc_zBhfpaD7cmWlxh0XEuA_-cYBu4il5SYJLScu2ubwexj2TFNlJLu2CwThgx66yVM-pj11KDSyBDLibP9gprewEoU8GZOOF20bzKttKCQzjxjvkf-gEt2Cx0S0vLYiEZI/s400/056.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>When I did some research on the recalled plates, I read that if there are any chips to check that area for lead especially. Because I chipped this bowl pretty much as soon as I got it home (fists shaking in air!), I figured I would check that, as well as the bowl. </div><div></div><div><br />After the swab is activated, just squeeze the fluid onto the item you're testing:</div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTTG13RnW3t3Gh3VftD3BcW_O8wUxgecoicfPd-44GPQG8UKyp5V1x9oNqPxvAfKphZ8Nzzhzm4PqqnqJmeuIYf1VNitXRqiMvGRs5Sq96-fBUOaNkJLkJfKvNeifk4WJE0EEblsHvLuM/s1600/057.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405270461622550002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTTG13RnW3t3Gh3VftD3BcW_O8wUxgecoicfPd-44GPQG8UKyp5V1x9oNqPxvAfKphZ8Nzzhzm4PqqnqJmeuIYf1VNitXRqiMvGRs5Sq96-fBUOaNkJLkJfKvNeifk4WJE0EEblsHvLuM/s400/057.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>The instructions say to wait for 30 seconds or so, but in my experience, the immediate result is the result. Both the surface of my bowl and the chipped area were negative, <em>whew</em>. (Meaning no color change.) The sites I found about the recall didn't have pictures of any of the recalled sets, but it did mention the lead leached when the plates were heated. I plan on sticking this in the microwave for a bit to test it again just to make sure. </div><div></div><div><br />Since I could get two tests out of the one swab, I figured I would check out an antique architectural piece I got a while back as well. I was pretty sure there was lead in the piece, due to it's age. I was right -- it started out light:</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw8snWBKSuMqqXDNy7wzYvLa6EiLUpoK79guxZ4Ho3u3gHnaQi-hJoY1A2UAMWvL59QstVrc_0n3SLxN_b4uvuGZ6cpzpA4_AI48iLYWky_wJVPskhi_hAex0YkuqKPpj9c6WvvNH4jjM/s1600/059.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405270456093721586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw8snWBKSuMqqXDNy7wzYvLa6EiLUpoK79guxZ4Ho3u3gHnaQi-hJoY1A2UAMWvL59QstVrc_0n3SLxN_b4uvuGZ6cpzpA4_AI48iLYWky_wJVPskhi_hAex0YkuqKPpj9c6WvvNH4jjM/s400/059.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>And got darker with time:<br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNB02-GybONA-5fY88-UJiUZMuP46TseDP_eyPC0no9NT9tJ8U5bLpNR5HXHiEYayFFdmMoJY9PmDcjzosbZL8lF7rLKyAKU3YLGS8W1W1KGDUszOmHewJPHf-Pseoh8tuLGR6ek-PFQU/s1600/061.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405270442502168066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNB02-GybONA-5fY88-UJiUZMuP46TseDP_eyPC0no9NT9tJ8U5bLpNR5HXHiEYayFFdmMoJY9PmDcjzosbZL8lF7rLKyAKU3YLGS8W1W1KGDUszOmHewJPHf-Pseoh8tuLGR6ek-PFQU/s400/061.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> The swab will turn as well as the item:<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbe045AUTV7dwIaTvId1Ou5K5NXWRPe8cnFi-BGpR_uGpkuvhNnyec-x12i8UrQVaagvHEWGkjTgTEVA_KZ7KuYoryzc6X_b8t4c1cNXg31RSKDEAIKXCVmL2Z2lx0lg0mGcE3xYibOKs/s1600/063.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405270440675115906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbe045AUTV7dwIaTvId1Ou5K5NXWRPe8cnFi-BGpR_uGpkuvhNnyec-x12i8UrQVaagvHEWGkjTgTEVA_KZ7KuYoryzc6X_b8t4c1cNXg31RSKDEAIKXCVmL2Z2lx0lg0mGcE3xYibOKs/s400/063.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>According to the test, the darker the color, the more lead -- this was a dark pink, not red. So it's not a ton of lead, but enough that I put it up high on a plant shelf so none of us will touch it. (The pink on this one did not come off, so beware of that.)</div><div></div><div><br />Especially with the holidays coming up, it is worthwhile to have a test around, just in case. It's quite possible some older or antique Christmas decor has lead in it. Obviously, even items with lead in them aren't necessarily harmful if left alone and aren't handled often -- for adults. Anything babies or children can get to are fair game. ;) </div><div></div><div><br />It's cheap to do and too easy not to! </div><div></div><div><br />My button is fixed -- take it with you if you like! (See left.)</div><div></div><div><p align="center"><a href="http://www.thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" height="175" src="http://www.homespun-threads.com/otc.gif" width="175" /></a></p><br /><br />Christmas decor is coming yet this week...IT'S ON!!</div></div></div></div></div>

How to test for lead.

I know, bor - ring topic! But this is pretty important to know, and it's sooo easy to do, so I figured I would share. I received a comm...

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Sunday night.

It's about 10:15 and we're finally settled for the evening. A load of laundry is going, the football game is on, the Bub is back in bed for the third (!!) time tonight. ;)<br /><br />Most Sunday nights, I try to do a few things to make the start to our week a little less stressful. It's not much, and it's not so much organizing us for the week as it is clearing our minds of clutter.<br /><br />Some Sundays I do more than others, but most I do my best to do a few things, so when we walk up the stairs for bed tonight, we leave a fairly clean space behind us. And Monday morning when we walk down the stairs and are greeted with that decluttered space, it makes a BIG difference in how we start the day.<br /><br />Oh yeah, and it stays like this for about 15 minutes into Monday morning, but it still is important to me. ;)<br /><br />I clear the island and kitchen table of the clutter that piles up during the week:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtiQbxEPVgIslT97jErmZAUeMJijnPmarKpJQMPD7d67jouQv-bUHYhXHYm7a8kEg0lrRtZQ1Kxdhh3zUV1g72_YWKkjtfl2bwMSe3R6H4-R6bS0z8193Mccr7cWkMNrUQ_Lz23yViI4/s1600/050.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404530404660066114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtiQbxEPVgIslT97jErmZAUeMJijnPmarKpJQMPD7d67jouQv-bUHYhXHYm7a8kEg0lrRtZQ1Kxdhh3zUV1g72_YWKkjtfl2bwMSe3R6H4-R6bS0z8193Mccr7cWkMNrUQ_Lz23yViI4/s400/050.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> I do my best to put it all away, but even if some of it is just placed out of sight, that's OK. Walking into the kitchen Monday morning with clean surfaces makes me feel like <em>I can</em> <em>breathe.<br /><br /></em>I make sure there are no dishes in the sink. I try to wipe it down as well, but if I can at least get it cleared out, that's good enough for me most Sundays:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBST2dQtFUYQu5ImpddN0zdf5lMikFPIAjyzDMo0SgwlbDCSV3gaVGppgcDK-95owTQbyjrLvtU2nLyMXcLsRxEMTTwwsGeADshL7J9SJGYQvE1MxKriDxzuKqhpiXPrtXksKyEK9n3tc/s1600/052.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404530393492783010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBST2dQtFUYQu5ImpddN0zdf5lMikFPIAjyzDMo0SgwlbDCSV3gaVGppgcDK-95owTQbyjrLvtU2nLyMXcLsRxEMTTwwsGeADshL7J9SJGYQvE1MxKriDxzuKqhpiXPrtXksKyEK9n3tc/s400/052.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>The sink is fairly clean tonight -- I mean, if you've been reading this blog for a while, you know sometimes I clean up before pics, sometimes I don't. I wasn't about to put a nasty sink out there for y'all to see. <em>No way Joe-say</em>.<br /><br />I love the hum of the dishwasher. It is a relaxing sound to me for some reason -- probably because it's the sound of technology <strong>doing the work for me</strong>, and that <em>ROCKS</em>:<br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404529548635584866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQM55z4uK16fZYUDPaHvFL-1HrtUwR7NR3bUAFBxemAPSr7li0584F1hsEpXgVys1cec_lY-wtrrg1_mD2ED6WhRxziCB4pq2SKxEbq9gvpSHhA44LCL8-D8WiET0V81lFO2lRsQw_GkY/s400/062.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />I put away as many toys as I can: <div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404529563046652482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0bfieFOyrYRKgz6NVXABHQqtQz1CSXiXhYkzzPk4n3KalsiyITASfzwApoc4gs-6w1hsAlOn6pcTPvSSG-THpMY8LHh20cjDPOU6Qr0yuv3EQbnjAcAe7x2Z68HdyAWQQKAWlJ331yg/s400/057.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 341px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></div><div>By putting away toys I mean, throw them in any bin, bucket or container possible so for one evening we aren't endangering our lives by walking around them. :)<br /></div><div><br />I'm pretty good at keeping things off these stairs, but as I pick up on Sunday evenings, I tend to stack. By the end of the night, I need to have every. single. thing. gone so when I walk up for the final time, there's nothing left for me to worry about:</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9K9hhwuSD-c8i9hzGQ3Vl27ddT5zlkmGZOVUyx34zaGx-V_ZO6CcVlrkW2FmSDZ5PylGnIyF6gp_qR9TgTjwtLxmhEF_fuD9U7gqSgJfqNzPWspZKvZ-B4bko0svZXD-yqcJpqeg6OM/s1600/055.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404529571056983586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9K9hhwuSD-c8i9hzGQ3Vl27ddT5zlkmGZOVUyx34zaGx-V_ZO6CcVlrkW2FmSDZ5PylGnIyF6gp_qR9TgTjwtLxmhEF_fuD9U7gqSgJfqNzPWspZKvZ-B4bko0svZXD-yqcJpqeg6OM/s400/055.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>I try to vacuum the main areas like our family room and kitchen:<br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWv_gq9AzaG46fWK-c2ZiHzZvrWjoXeRcG8tdFz83hXOzy01440pl9_MqB8DopV3WTEJ9Kdm_UOBqIStwQKHpTK1FM7rgWg9d5Jf1rmuYhVRubxiz7PE2LKH_ZSFws4Ephn4gnu_4LPc/s1600/060.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404529556396417170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWv_gq9AzaG46fWK-c2ZiHzZvrWjoXeRcG8tdFz83hXOzy01440pl9_MqB8DopV3WTEJ9Kdm_UOBqIStwQKHpTK1FM7rgWg9d5Jf1rmuYhVRubxiz7PE2LKH_ZSFws4Ephn4gnu_4LPc/s400/060.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>That way the tufts of fur and crumbs can start fresh on Monday morning. <em>Nice.</em><br /><br />And as I sit and blog, the coffee table is cleared, even if it means everything is just thrown into the basket:<br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8oOJU02KHYMdcWynYWMQtHdHJ5XCmqvHChxYpNcNd_U4YD7zb0HwmemRuPDgIMaSjnP4zh7TvV_u0DPjZyFU8i3GXDwcSbtSRsnhWyfwy-hbLdg4UIHEqv7MOaHG6Uw16h92_zSkwqco/s1600/064.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404529538998289746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8oOJU02KHYMdcWynYWMQtHdHJ5XCmqvHChxYpNcNd_U4YD7zb0HwmemRuPDgIMaSjnP4zh7TvV_u0DPjZyFU8i3GXDwcSbtSRsnhWyfwy-hbLdg4UIHEqv7MOaHG6Uw16h92_zSkwqco/s400/064.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a></div><div>Have I mentioned <em>baskets rule</em>? </div><div><br />Not all of these things happen every Sunday evening. And I only focus on the living areas on our main floor. Sometimes I do more, sometimes much, much less. But even if it's a clean sink or coffee table, it changes my outlook on Monday morning. </div><div></div><div><br />Starting the week with a clean slate is what starts my week with a clear head. What do you do to prepare for the week? </div><div></div><div><br />You can enter the awesome vinyl art giveaway till tomorrow (Monday) at noon Eastern time. And ummmm...900+ comments? That is craaaayzay! Wowza. Good luck! </div></div></div></div></div>

Sunday night.

It's about 10:15 and we're finally settled for the evening. A load of laundry is going, the football game is on, the Bub is back in ...

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Table runner wall art.

OK, well I kinda lied about the not mentioning molding for another month thing. It wasn't deliberate, I swear. This project just kind of came to me today and molding was the perfect touch to finish it off. Sorry. <span style="font-size:78%;">Not really.</span> :)<br /><br />So I was feeling the itch for a Goodwill trip today -- it's been about a week, and after that long, I start daydreaming about it, and getting hives at the thought of something totally fab and perfect and lovely that's there waiting for me rightthisminuteandI'mgoingtomissit!!<br /><br />Whew. So I needed to go. I found a few goodies for under $10 -- the other items I'll show you soon. This one, I just couldn't pass up. It was a table runner, all beady and natural looking. I feel in lurrrrve.<br /><br />I stood there with it in my hands staring at it, not baring the thought of putting it down. But I couldn't figure out where in the heck I would need such an odd sized table runner. It's only 31 inches long.<br /><br />So I thunk and I thunk and I thunk and it hit me -- I knew just where it was going.<br /><br />Over the toilet.<br /><br />Yeah, that's right. For the longest time, this is what I've had over the toilet (such an ugly word) in our little room in the master bath:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3piLiAG1RbZvmGWZJ2p0a9uujNrVcL0_ekQv2V0AVIxP5L2oUMmgM7avXg6jvtm7PQlby5mlyuT9sZodagyzHsojtmWP_RzGbQCPQpo8k4QoRXDeME3j-SMgRPkRZoAhLecO8L2cu-xg/s1600-h/065.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403339006046412290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3piLiAG1RbZvmGWZJ2p0a9uujNrVcL0_ekQv2V0AVIxP5L2oUMmgM7avXg6jvtm7PQlby5mlyuT9sZodagyzHsojtmWP_RzGbQCPQpo8k4QoRXDeME3j-SMgRPkRZoAhLecO8L2cu-xg/s400/065.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Don't ask. I have no clue what I was thinking. I was thinking spa I guess? It didn't turn out well. And towels over the toilet? Um....that's just not good. I mean, we didn't <em>use</em> them, but still...<br /><br /><div>So I had a vision, and it turned out exactly how I had hoped! First, I just nailed the runner to the wall using little finishing nails and my hammer:<br /><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403338694199524562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihE1Mpoc25djrb7DZXLHvTPpcm_qVXTg0PEtUgw1IGyCqbfYURr4JQ5uwtNoBkM5smk8aDMhE_bhwL83FCiDJwJBbytj2D-GudV4z7EehTLTHhlwYCx4ImAjRD-8oYnAgg4rcGZK2EJLk/s400/069.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></div><div>I used my nail sinker thing (the technical term is totally escaping me) to get them in close enough to the wall so you couldn't see them:</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw9sdptsylVGNgur2WElPgLxMHbjrtnlFMeO5ljBPp2rM5Uo_eKYkff2PNmthLvVwabbPG5gjmEib6woiLHkJAqijw8M5uXDVxM6FUWJWCN5eioax07X4F5_MEaABqZli2GsZ4crnmHUM/s1600-h/072.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403338701679044114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw9sdptsylVGNgur2WElPgLxMHbjrtnlFMeO5ljBPp2rM5Uo_eKYkff2PNmthLvVwabbPG5gjmEib6woiLHkJAqijw8M5uXDVxM6FUWJWCN5eioax07X4F5_MEaABqZli2GsZ4crnmHUM/s400/072.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Most of them I was able to just push in with my finger.<br /><br /><div>I didn't take pics of the molding process, because I think you've seen enough of that over the past couple of weeks. ;) But I added some thin molding I had in the garage around the runner to finish it off:<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403338682078987730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7dmKvxGz3UzTqAwxGZQRjkDuftTK5GmUOt7xCOW2ZYUmnR8I-QVnCnzRMXriKXRAVsN0nvSJ6axHCJAoUf-1ws2Es7-w3i-CJiDmULsu9Mou1VbPdHOeIOp7vrkgODOVW42OUStdPGDg/s400/078.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />I spray painted the molding before I hung it, but it still wasn't just the right tone. So I just brushed some of my walnut stain right over the top of the wood, and now it matches perfectly!<br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2XQI37WmV7RtMZKQbkyAAHSq-fjH9KpPwGbIgMZqmq8k4fIGiVK8XfHueZaTdVf3YdJMbDwFX-FwyLX3AeoDu18boh6-vRIqHCMWRDXM0pgMzhuEFsIIoF-sOHN7KqQqknDlhuChJCUM/s1600-h/075.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403338688415823362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2XQI37WmV7RtMZKQbkyAAHSq-fjH9KpPwGbIgMZqmq8k4fIGiVK8XfHueZaTdVf3YdJMbDwFX-FwyLX3AeoDu18boh6-vRIqHCMWRDXM0pgMzhuEFsIIoF-sOHN7KqQqknDlhuChJCUM/s400/075.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>Because I love it so stinking much, I took a ton of pictures, so bare with me:<br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPnZ5ymH-kfw0TjetnMaLUICChpIG5z_hc3iQAKOslQGWQDhTrqW3agUGSANIsU2pStUf6PKMzeVCWs0Bod7Tx5LKFZZI_TGXKGmm-fd5wTs4US6ii2Mt5vokT4XPvapVgritGfs_dV4o/s1600-h/080.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403338366640698578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPnZ5ymH-kfw0TjetnMaLUICChpIG5z_hc3iQAKOslQGWQDhTrqW3agUGSANIsU2pStUf6PKMzeVCWs0Bod7Tx5LKFZZI_TGXKGmm-fd5wTs4US6ii2Mt5vokT4XPvapVgritGfs_dV4o/s400/080.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>I'm not sure what you would call the style of our bathroom, it's a little traditional, a little fancy, a little nature-inspired. But this works, no matter what it is. :)</div><div></div><div><br />How gorgeous would this be in a dining room -- in a set of three on the wall hanging horizontally? FAB!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Dckct8MZafUFZ3BPUVV21f3dHHvYMD05Q436Vj9MKVBP4UsnBUnQGeiUoC0lYyD5_amJlKNZUKG9q8d5prsOqJrQFhIqHlMPGY3ng76FXNCrxPuYKjTyYvHwPJvelrIy8hD_WXkmFtY/s1600-h/082.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403338356691363698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Dckct8MZafUFZ3BPUVV21f3dHHvYMD05Q436Vj9MKVBP4UsnBUnQGeiUoC0lYyD5_amJlKNZUKG9q8d5prsOqJrQFhIqHlMPGY3ng76FXNCrxPuYKjTyYvHwPJvelrIy8hD_WXkmFtY/s400/082.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> The before again:<br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403339000936181618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUcvR9incFCPEi8xQiXP3GLEQsmdlBmy7bbf76-9B9I4EQf6th0fVQPnLy9ce43rtsWObdQ7jB1pSZFhbT6exzeVRvbjMLVWdc7R_5DzzUtlUGfEDDtnMorYZCwC0wwKROebzcXjbN1Q8/s400/065.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />The much lovelier after:<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjsndh7EMtRXT3nJO8UCng-XuETL81EEsC3AI2tPYiO067M_WlQuKpTu3aVOwfwr6jLVAoKvm_4JEgPuZzitR05wdtMDBuaZc7S6Fzy94FjHVA1umVEpI8ax54xrpDQF-I6mzCRNzH1k/s1600-h/083.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403338350523294274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjsndh7EMtRXT3nJO8UCng-XuETL81EEsC3AI2tPYiO067M_WlQuKpTu3aVOwfwr6jLVAoKvm_4JEgPuZzitR05wdtMDBuaZc7S6Fzy94FjHVA1umVEpI8ax54xrpDQF-I6mzCRNzH1k/s400/083.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>Total cost? Four bucks baby. And it took about 30 minutes start to finish, to complete. All during nap time, with time to spare to watch my stories. ;) </div><div></div><div><br />I know, by the way, what many of you are thinking. Why worry about this little wall in this little room that no one sees? Well, <em>we</em> see it numerous times a day, obviously. And ummmm....well....have you <em>read</em> this blog? Helloooooo, it's <strong>me</strong>. ;)</div><div></div><div><br />I will decorate <em>anything</em> if I can do it for cheap! </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>

Table runner wall art.

OK, well I kinda lied about the not mentioning molding for another month thing. It wasn't deliberate, I swear. This project just kind of...

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Fall around the house.

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXkHoA4wBfxC0JeSyBlwt1lYXrGkG_RGyIk_CbQKO2P15I1tDRnkvX1Dg3cfWEerN-IpUgo6s6m87G7i_h-3OCsWFy0skiFg0K7yquxuigEiNDqn89mbajuB3WPjJxd44N6YvR5kwLVhE/s1600-h/040.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402600992890217090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXkHoA4wBfxC0JeSyBlwt1lYXrGkG_RGyIk_CbQKO2P15I1tDRnkvX1Dg3cfWEerN-IpUgo6s6m87G7i_h-3OCsWFy0skiFg0K7yquxuigEiNDqn89mbajuB3WPjJxd44N6YvR5kwLVhE/s400/040.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> I think it's time I show you the rest of my fall decor around here, because, well...I'll be honest...Christmas stuff is finding it's way out.<br /><br />Keeeeeel me. I love it. I don't apologize. Christmas decor is just dreamy, seeing it makes me giddy. Like, when it was out at Lowe's two months ago, <em>GIDDY</em>.<br /><br />So sue me. The fall stuff is going to be boxed up soon. :)<br /><br />I decorate on the cheap whenever possible, as you know. Here are some more examples of how I do this for fall!<br /><br />When I made this candlescape for the powder room last year, the rocks came with the little acorns. Most of the year, those are put away, but for now, they are arranged on top, giving the pot-tay just a touch of fall:<br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402600797753687426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsPkKJqu8sZ34GJtJrM2r7yDvnJ7b60Qu1jJP4u_NFWSlGtPBUsbuzVzn4mAmcY6ay8cKKqnRXWVFOZpR5bBRj4IJLsBKSo4YWelvXV5XWoUOU-A3q4BC20mna-XkUmH1pRMNAy9-OSs/s400/037.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /> These tin containers came inside a couple of my Southern Living sconces, I guess for if you use real flowers in them. Pushaw, <em>like that's gonna happen</em>. So I use the inserts on their own, one in our living room, one for fall stuff in the kitchen window:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQDSX-28hBVc8vtAnoE5S995p6-_0OdpXBDOEtWWzVIJS25OPUiVf_c1VXPWCA_Z_hGs7AgAFeXejMI__CWyK-M25QUr1kcunGOnsJO9xC4ayoq0UoOet8oewKjNh6q1pHJSm8OpU_YA/s1600-h/009.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402600986140948770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQDSX-28hBVc8vtAnoE5S995p6-_0OdpXBDOEtWWzVIJS25OPUiVf_c1VXPWCA_Z_hGs7AgAFeXejMI__CWyK-M25QUr1kcunGOnsJO9xC4ayoq0UoOet8oewKjNh6q1pHJSm8OpU_YA/s400/009.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Some foam inside, stick the beady stuff in, fill in with faux apples. Easy peasy. And colorful!<br /><br />Last year I got dollar store frames, some pretty paper and stenciled letters on to make this:<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrlSTW0Oo2AncqVmuC8mV1Nl_ae8merYeZQvBiiwA3oNruUfnEltHmwWQ2V59AHv36J3OH2AGeuNNW7JQR8y4H9irKAYrBU1D4t5-WxPhH7GqvyJFTjauhDpHQSCCy3Z_N3RfsceHEHOk/s1600-h/012.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402600984988611666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrlSTW0Oo2AncqVmuC8mV1Nl_ae8merYeZQvBiiwA3oNruUfnEltHmwWQ2V59AHv36J3OH2AGeuNNW7JQR8y4H9irKAYrBU1D4t5-WxPhH7GqvyJFTjauhDpHQSCCy3Z_N3RfsceHEHOk/s400/012.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Now, I'm on the lookout for small, ornate frames to use instead. I think that would be lovely!</div><div></div><div><br />I wrap beady stuff around candles whenever I can:<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402579227503883970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBbw9gOqK8hW_XwEKzcaGoJ_f3fINzy7dCRM7CeTnUkLSqQDd50XmYeJjkDB9ZOc2Hcxja3CRR17fn0i5igeAWI9mgMr_MgDHw6U_ua-NdfDWyArkfM4xzh-UvPBhOXhhvNdYmZd_qv8/s400/032.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnzXG1kOLXnF2btfyuIeA3uakWdq9OMnfJT49Sk_FXPH4BoKGHvQEFIj0gOdLQ7_E9e9xxA0nqa5IEkEA76Y96KJN4t9K1RKDHc1PDdqxJ-i9VD6TClphyphenhyphenm-0CY19s8-v6SoVwWomB6g/s1600-h/020.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402600810225217554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnzXG1kOLXnF2btfyuIeA3uakWdq9OMnfJT49Sk_FXPH4BoKGHvQEFIj0gOdLQ7_E9e9xxA0nqa5IEkEA76Y96KJN4t9K1RKDHc1PDdqxJ-i9VD6TClphyphenhyphenm-0CY19s8-v6SoVwWomB6g/s400/020.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Loverly!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgatfFxrM5fln4gSjNh6MGBss_kqfyrTE8LEtQDXEJUgkVvYTx6NQs9atOnkixVULftXFbLa8jx8jcRoJQd_YJC6MusU_VGjixyxtjVlxFIXhrrdVHTf6_LVUIrt5mOBiB9wRDEuMbAjIc/s1600-h/024.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402600805991362498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgatfFxrM5fln4gSjNh6MGBss_kqfyrTE8LEtQDXEJUgkVvYTx6NQs9atOnkixVULftXFbLa8jx8jcRoJQd_YJC6MusU_VGjixyxtjVlxFIXhrrdVHTf6_LVUIrt5mOBiB9wRDEuMbAjIc/s400/024.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 326px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>More beady. More candles:<br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402600802659042306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7S7GHsuiTADWJ6m1CnA6aWHsmUVg5Axa2q5uDuOc1u6Fs_hScfXpfqo3L525mJB53VphX4JpYyY2j7ASRt_SPoQdmfQwRrvYEEV5CcWU7IQwh2k2dpLZsdx18CZRQE2HlVUxSBCzxOc/s400/033.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />I just took the SLAH iron piece above and used wire cutters to take the stuff off of fall pics to fill it. Can you get any easier than that? Noooooooo, you cannot.<br /><br /><div>Speaking of candles, I fell in LOVE with these blingy votive holders when I saw them at Michael's and Hobby Lobby:<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402600403004050146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDUsKnKgLfrqGCSGQ2UMKeEhlAio6ibeeEciAS-gR5BzudjxidogRghsTKRxkKwvsfU9KqlBuNkmlBpioVkVEqqF9cjtYamOX7T1vOlXGMhKWE4UqCJADImHu7Hg2TPg2-mHgUE1vOq1Y/s400/049.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />OH, I just love these things. I wish they made them ten times this size. I added a fall-toned tassel that came from my old dining room to the lamp and it's done:<br /><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGWcDBw0isiZfAL3AjFw6X1CHdp66hc0JOqIpiYOw5b4kisWi5LY1lGBtxOoVbD_rK1w_jU_Vr7UsfKlu0voWyIEqdJS7z2eOizuJKID_OFapTXLVVh0QWfaJoCt8g1CftTKxq8iXcFQ/s1600-h/045.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402600407917116050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGWcDBw0isiZfAL3AjFw6X1CHdp66hc0JOqIpiYOw5b4kisWi5LY1lGBtxOoVbD_rK1w_jU_Vr7UsfKlu0voWyIEqdJS7z2eOizuJKID_OFapTXLVVh0QWfaJoCt8g1CftTKxq8iXcFQ/s400/045.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>Ummmm, can you tell I used to sell Southern Living at Home? I think their stuff is just classic -- it's been six years and I still love every piece:<br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGBQCdhRBUPTIA9sKtHW9ZkBxApoM2IgWuotJFzp1z5yDIFDk9UfK5ZqB7BpJt5H1DDwH1RoSWgAwLDUSu_AHut9O7ABsYdlVUf7IGEwEd2qDah6qGtuIILQOyQlJ7MR-44qw0efA34E/s1600-h/053.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402600398959958146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGBQCdhRBUPTIA9sKtHW9ZkBxApoM2IgWuotJFzp1z5yDIFDk9UfK5ZqB7BpJt5H1DDwH1RoSWgAwLDUSu_AHut9O7ABsYdlVUf7IGEwEd2qDah6qGtuIILQOyQlJ7MR-44qw0efA34E/s400/053.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 343px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Again, stuffing flowers in, fluffing, done.<br /></div><div><br />A little iron pumpkin with random fillers thrown in, stacked on books:<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWLj0ZuWYIka4u8aDtuwBFb9ENRNWiuNmW-97EAbwss2j4r0aqDQwBLqW5cI0RpwecX-16rdWHyqI9x2-u1p6zweyEwVItlwaBFpE7KIuvjngjbdwD4OldyV0nVrlJJpF-xv8f5_i5XYs/s1600-h/061.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402600389247531650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWLj0ZuWYIka4u8aDtuwBFb9ENRNWiuNmW-97EAbwss2j4r0aqDQwBLqW5cI0RpwecX-16rdWHyqI9x2-u1p6zweyEwVItlwaBFpE7KIuvjngjbdwD4OldyV0nVrlJJpF-xv8f5_i5XYs/s400/061.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>Texture peeps! Stacking items! You can't go wrong! Stop yelling Sarah!<br /><br />Spray paint strikes again. ;) I sprayed some pine cones for some color:<br /><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402578920973838498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQc3qoob_1eddxQlrh8v4GjkxvDzClC1EXTTZzxcvvH8pTJdmxWrTgwTdB0hE6oA_dXYylR7I21ZDk6ScgMzHnF-CkdNtNNlZafCyU4zF_gkHhryBc4NLEiUSdRe-QqXNrC33gC6HTeqs/s400/027.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Cause you know I need color.<br /><br /><div>I replaced a tray that was in this spot with a <em>beautiful</em> platter from HomeGoods:<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhjgHcOVvJv_EH9krETeJHUtZyyKZYiX8l8u6FYJ9q_ffl7pt6PEfIAFdv1P-tAxyTKQjBZEefM59YzkLX0CuM1yevnp64kNQ6UE9Z76Gk3ICljeNgtcWzFFZn9aAA98QYb91i1IjTK8/s1600-h/003.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402579205171092722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhjgHcOVvJv_EH9krETeJHUtZyyKZYiX8l8u6FYJ9q_ffl7pt6PEfIAFdv1P-tAxyTKQjBZEefM59YzkLX0CuM1yevnp64kNQ6UE9Z76Gk3ICljeNgtcWzFFZn9aAA98QYb91i1IjTK8/s400/003.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 330px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> I want to eat hot dogs off it, I love it that much. Gorg.<br /><br />I took my Goodwill plates that just happen to be full of fall color and just plopped them right on top of the Dollar Store plates that were already here:<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkjFoKSqD1Lg9W0nGSr7VDjF0lvE0oeX-q3vsvJIpL76Bv6Ne7o7Eno5JdvyqH7X7j2rKZTcNZdE-r5YzDrsNwAic3lcJEzvxQawCTGMyqeCHTmZ5FXjVbA5mccOp5DhBNZiiZyO4MoXA/s1600-h/008.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402579195575268018" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkjFoKSqD1Lg9W0nGSr7VDjF0lvE0oeX-q3vsvJIpL76Bv6Ne7o7Eno5JdvyqH7X7j2rKZTcNZdE-r5YzDrsNwAic3lcJEzvxQawCTGMyqeCHTmZ5FXjVbA5mccOp5DhBNZiiZyO4MoXA/s400/008.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 326px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> I found that whole set at Goodwill -- like new!<br /><br />And of course, I had to add some color under glass! More fall pics cut off the stick, piled high under my huge Goodwill cloche:<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHPRR0V7Pvwfsf2_Oj5FU-eENN2-oNixUck8rW-SNcZyEdTNoDfdHqy20kF1jgbQV8ZKeH9JEOuuYbu2tRAhv0AcEpOjsrQCbk4ASD3PGWx36ql7IdLyo3yoZCqeVK91nTICRu8_wS2h4/s1600-h/010.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402579192962531442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHPRR0V7Pvwfsf2_Oj5FU-eENN2-oNixUck8rW-SNcZyEdTNoDfdHqy20kF1jgbQV8ZKeH9JEOuuYbu2tRAhv0AcEpOjsrQCbk4ASD3PGWx36ql7IdLyo3yoZCqeVK91nTICRu8_wS2h4/s400/010.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> And a Pier 1 clearanced plate from last year with cheapy faux apples for the table:<br /><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQq0ePmANH1x_4bt9ufRoYJ1zrOthHS59B8R1vsmOUaU7ZERWhZR3QBfL88R4l5ndXutQ4bhfgZaBt_HFWTlxrb_aU6rlBnoUEz_3X6bIsi2uAZ0cJiiXFwRPlGZfsEO-HBgSFJLaFaI/s1600-h/020.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402578927364287426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQq0ePmANH1x_4bt9ufRoYJ1zrOthHS59B8R1vsmOUaU7ZERWhZR3QBfL88R4l5ndXutQ4bhfgZaBt_HFWTlxrb_aU6rlBnoUEz_3X6bIsi2uAZ0cJiiXFwRPlGZfsEO-HBgSFJLaFaI/s400/020.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> And course, beady stuff. ;) I doubt you are surprised. </div><div></div><div>Use what you got my Squeezies! Fill something with fall colors, add some texture and you are set. Lovely, and cheaptastic!!<br /></div><div><br />OK. Now onto Christmas. Sorry. It's my blog and whateva whateva I do what I want! (Name that character!) </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>

Fall around the house.

I think it's time I show you the rest of my fall decor around here, because, well...I'll be honest...Christmas stuff is finding it...

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