Hi! My name is Angela, and I refuse to let my 50's ranch home keep me from cottage style!
Happy Holidays!
As I sit here gazing out at an unbelievable landscape with almost two feet of snow, I can't help but think that this has been a wild year all the way around. What a year, huh? Not just with everything going on in the world, but in all of our lives, too. It's one for the record books.
At times like these, I'm also filled with gratitude. Not just for my life in general, but for all of you. There are so many of you who have been so supportive and encouraging of me and visiting here every day to leave your comments and offer your thoughts to me and the other readers. I love that about our little group here, and I thank you all, sincerely, for being such great friends. I wish I could give every one of you a big hug!
For now, though, it's time for me to focus my attention on my family, and the holiday, and my usual end-of-year reflection. So I'm signing off for 2008, returning next on January 1, 2009. I've got lots of ideas, tons of projects in the works and a bunch of improvements going on in my house that I haven't shared yet. So I can't wait to get back to all of you.
In the meantime, I genuinely hope that each of you has a memorable holiday, filled with love and light and experiences that will charge you up for the new year. It's going to be a great year next year, I can just feel it. I can't wait for us all to meet our greatest successes in 2009.
My best to all of you,
Happy Holidays!
P.S. Since some of you asked, the ornament at the top is my own creation. I made it from a vintage bulb reflector and a vintage earring. I have how-to photos to post, but the time got away from me. And then I made, like, 50 of them and was going to put some up for sale, but I wasn't sure people would be interested. They'd be, like, $6 each? Ish? So if you're interested, let me know. Otherwise, I'll probably go ahead and put the how-to's up later for next year, if you want to see that?
P.P.S. Just got a super-nice e-mail from Ki Nassauer of Junk Camp who said that she was excited to see that we had come up with the same idea with the vintage bulb reflectors, isn't that cool? If you haven't already, you should check out her new blog, Junk Camp
Comments (38)
Very Merry Christmas to you too and a Bless New Year...
I was looking at the gorgeous ornament in your photo and noticed we have the same ribbon on our trees...hugs, Lisa
Posted by Pumpkin Pink Cottage | December 23, 2008 9:14 PM
Posted on December 23, 2008 21:14
Hello from lovely, wintry Alaska. It is snowing Christmas snow outside, about 5 inches of new fluffy stuff in the last few hours, so I'm hunkered down reading my favorite blogs. Please, tell me WHERE can I find an ornament like the one at the top of your blog? It's just the right combination of glitz and grunge...
Merry Christmas from Eileen and the Beautiful Starry girl at Star's Fault ~
Posted by Eileen @ Star's Fault | December 23, 2008 9:16 PM
Posted on December 23, 2008 21:16
Happy Christmas!!!
Lisa
coastal nest
Posted by Lisa | December 23, 2008 11:11 PM
Posted on December 23, 2008 23:11
You asked about lettuce and whether it likes growing where there is little sun... YES! That's the best conditions for lettuces. It LOVES cloudy overcast conditions. The best lettuce is grown along the central coast of California where it's always like that. Germinating the seeds may be a bit tricky unless you have some heat on the soil to warm it up a tad, but if you're patient you should be able to grow lettuce practically year-round there. Lucky you!
Posted by Cindy at Rosehaven Cottage | December 24, 2008 1:11 AM
Posted on December 24, 2008 01:11
Angela - I wish you a very happy holiday. I'm so glad you've decided to power down and spend some well deserved time with your family. I'm so looking forward to all your new ideas and projects. Your blog is one of my favorites places to land.
- Suzanne, the Farmer's Wife
Posted by Suzanne, the Farmer's Wife | December 24, 2008 5:07 AM
Posted on December 24, 2008 05:07
Merry Christmas, Angela. I didn't realized you eat GF/CF and mostly SF like I do. We must talk. I hope your holidays are joyful, and I love those ornaments. I vote for always putting things up for sale. You never know who will be dying to have them.~~Dee
Posted by Dee/reddirtramblings | December 24, 2008 6:19 AM
Posted on December 24, 2008 06:19
Angela
Merry Christmas....if left, I would love to buy two ornaments.....AndeM1@hotmail.com
See you in 2009! Can't wait!
Andrea@ Big Creek Cottage
Posted by Andrea | December 24, 2008 6:32 AM
Posted on December 24, 2008 06:32
Merry Christmas, Angela! Enjoy this Christmas season with your family.
Lorrie
Posted by Lorrie | December 24, 2008 8:33 AM
Posted on December 24, 2008 08:33
Happy Holidays!!
~kimme
Posted by kimme @ irish cottage dreams | December 24, 2008 8:52 AM
Posted on December 24, 2008 08:52
Have a great Christmas!
Peggy
http://pegslifeinthebuttonjar.blogspot.com.
Posted by Peggy | December 24, 2008 8:58 AM
Posted on December 24, 2008 08:58
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
May you find joy, peace and rest this Holiday Season!
See you in '09!
Posted by Pippajo | December 24, 2008 9:30 AM
Posted on December 24, 2008 09:30
That's a very cool ornament you made! I can't believe you got all that snow! It's so beautiful to look at! We're expecting a bit of rain but I'm hoping for it to turn to snow tomorrow - even if it doesn't stick.
I know you'll be enjoying your time spent with your family and I'll see you when you get back.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
xo,
Manuela
Posted by the pleasures of homemaking | December 24, 2008 9:31 AM
Posted on December 24, 2008 09:31
Merry Christmas, Angela! How lucky you are to enjoy a rare white Christmas. Enjoy!
Posted by Pam/Digging | December 24, 2008 11:15 AM
Posted on December 24, 2008 11:15
Merry Christmas, Angela! Can't wait to see what you've got to show us next year!
Posted by elizabeth | December 24, 2008 11:15 AM
Posted on December 24, 2008 11:15
You are back! I thought you had given up on blogging. Merry Christmas!
Posted by Julie Size | December 24, 2008 11:59 AM
Posted on December 24, 2008 11:59
Angela, I'm looking forward to reading your blog again in 2009. And what wonderful creativity, my dear. I am so loving that you used a vintage bulb reflector and a vintage earring to make an ornament!
oxox
Jennifer
Posted by Jennifer Grey | December 24, 2008 4:30 PM
Posted on December 24, 2008 16:30
Hi Angela,
I just wanted to wish you a very merry Christmas and to thank you for your visit and sweet comments!!
Hugs~Kelly
Posted by Kelly~Rose Vine Cottage Two | December 24, 2008 5:41 PM
Posted on December 24, 2008 17:41
happy holidays, angela! thank you for your nice comment. the ornament you made is very cool! xo
Posted by elyse | December 24, 2008 6:22 PM
Posted on December 24, 2008 18:22
Have a very Merry Christmas and Happy 2009!!!!!
Posted by Mo | December 24, 2008 11:27 PM
Posted on December 24, 2008 23:27
Merry Christmas Angela. The snow sounds beautiful!
Hugs,
Liz
Posted by Liz | December 25, 2008 8:54 AM
Posted on December 25, 2008 08:54
I love your ornament. How big is it? I would be interested in buying some. Please email me. angel2cook at aol dot com
Posted by JeanM | December 25, 2008 8:55 AM
Posted on December 25, 2008 08:55
Merry Christmas. Thank you for sharing so much and for the wonderful inspiration you provide.
Posted by mary beth | December 25, 2008 9:57 AM
Posted on December 25, 2008 09:57
i hope you and your family had a wonderful holiday inside in the cosy warm house and outside in your snowfest! i can't wait for your new year postings. 2009 cannot help but be better for most people, huh?! all the best to you, angela! jane
Posted by jane | December 26, 2008 4:34 PM
Posted on December 26, 2008 16:34
Gorgeous ornament. I definitely think you should sell them. You are so talented, Angela!
Enjoy the Christmas break with your family. I hope you dig yourselves out from under all that snow soon! -Julia :-)
Posted by Julia @ Hooked on Houses | December 26, 2008 5:26 PM
Posted on December 26, 2008 17:26
Hope your Christmas was wonderful! Best wishes for 2009
Posted by Penny @ Lavender Hill Studio and The Comforts Of Home | December 26, 2008 8:33 PM
Posted on December 26, 2008 20:33
I just stumbled across your blog...so glad I did...I love it. Will visit often. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by Dinah Soar | December 27, 2008 12:33 PM
Posted on December 27, 2008 12:33
What a beautiful ornament...so very clever!
Posted by Kim-HomeIsWhereTheHeartIs | December 28, 2008 11:30 AM
Posted on December 28, 2008 11:30
Hi Angela,
I'm late...but wanted to stop over and wish you and your family a very joyous holiday. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas together.
Hugs,
Rose
Posted by Rose@Classic Charm | December 29, 2008 3:34 AM
Posted on December 29, 2008 03:34
HI Angela,
Id LOVE to purchase one of your ornaments if any are left. Love your blog.
Sharon
starsandscraps@aol.com
Posted by Sharon | December 29, 2008 9:22 AM
Posted on December 29, 2008 09:22
Angela!
I wish you a happy new year with lot of love, happiness and good times!
Love from Annie
Posted by Annie ~ Annalunda | December 29, 2008 10:44 AM
Posted on December 29, 2008 10:44
Angela!
I wish you a happy new year with lot of love, happiness and good times!
Love from Annie
(My URL was wrong in my comment above)
Posted by Annie ~ Annalunda | December 29, 2008 10:46 AM
Posted on December 29, 2008 10:46
Hi Angela!
Hope you're resting well during the post-Christmas week. I'm pooped! But at work this week. Sigh.
I think the ornaments are totally worth $6, by the way!
Happy almost new year...
Laura
Posted by laura @ the shorehouse | December 29, 2008 4:13 PM
Posted on December 29, 2008 16:13
Angela, I love the ornament...such creativity and talent. And your 'tag' line is fabulous...I wish I had thought of it.
Renee
Posted by Cottage Lifestyle | December 29, 2008 6:46 PM
Posted on December 29, 2008 18:46
Merry belated Christmas my friend! I loved your post, and couldn't agree with you more about all the love and friendships in our little bloggy circles of love!
I'm swooning over all of your photos of the snow. I was actually glad when ours melted off the day after Christmas... but now seeing your pics... I want it back!
Amazing how much snow you guys got. I saw on the news the video someone took of a UPS truck being rescued, and was amazed how much snow there was. We had a constant 4-6'' on the ground at our house, and it's NOTHING compared to what you guys got! WOW!
Happy, Happy New Year, Angela!
xo,
M
Posted by happy zombie | December 30, 2008 1:07 PM
Posted on December 30, 2008 13:07
Hi Angela
I have been away so much this month that I've hardly visited any of my favorite blogging friends. I hope that 2009 is a happy year for you filled with all the things your heart is wishing and hoping for.
Hugs, Rhondi
Posted by Rhondi | December 31, 2008 2:42 PM
Posted on December 31, 2008 14:42
Happy New Year Angela I am so happy that I found your Blog. I love it!
Peace and Blessings
Cheryl
Posted by Cheryl | December 31, 2008 6:23 PM
Posted on December 31, 2008 18:23
Happy New Year, Angela! Onward & Upward, right?
xoxo,
Bella
Posted by Bella Casa | January 1, 2009 1:25 PM
Posted on January 1, 2009 13:25
I would love some of the ornaments...let me know where/how I can get some. Thank you.
Posted by Mary on Lake Pulaski | January 1, 2009 5:00 PM
Posted on January 1, 2009 17:00