Winter White and Blue Mantel and a Winner!

Hi All!
It's been looking a lot like this around here.  See that enormous icicle hanging off of our roof.

And how about the view!  This is what I see when I look out from my front porch.  Well winter is firmly planted around here, time to embrace it and enjoy!
Or at least grin and bear it and try not to complain too much!  hehe.

I can get awfully sick of the cold but I enjoy the winter beauty around me!

I decided to shop my house to create a winter mantel.  It's certainly a lot cheaper that way!  Nothing is new here,  just using what I already have.

I grabbed this snowy winter print from our bedroom.  It's such a pretty scene and I love the storybook stone cottage!

My white bird house has an icicle hanging off of it. I added a  Little blue and white plate, just $2 at TJ Maxx, and my GW pitcher has a wintry white flower popped inside.

A morning dove, a white candlestick that used to be brass until I spray painted it white.     A large white decorator plate that was marked down to $3 at Hobby Lobby and a tall blue and white vase with a spray of icicles inside.
I've had the wreath for years but still need to fashion some kind of bow for it.

And now onto the winner of the CSN give-away.  Thank-you all who came by and entered and left such nice wishes.  I wish I could give you all a certificate!
I used a number generator to pick the winner, and a big Congrats go out to Glenda @ A Dab of This and That!
Congratulations Glenda!  Please e-mail me so I can e-mail you your certificate.

Have a wonderful week-end everyone!  I need to start packing, as I am off to the desert next week!
Boy what a change that will be!  And I can't wait to see my son and dil and some of my wonderful Arizona blogging buddies!
Have a great week-end everyone!

Cindy

I am joining Cindy @ My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday
 And my wonderful buddy Laurie , @ Bargain Hunting and Chatting with Laurie for Some of my Favorite Things Saturday.

Happy New Year...My Blog-a-versary and a $75.00 CSN Give-away too!

Happy New Year Everyone!
And Happy Blogging Anniversary to me!  Yes indeed it was exactly two years ago today when I sat down to the computer and tried to create a blog.  I had no idea what I was doing but hubby was engrossed in football and I had several hours to read and try to figure it out.

Now I never, ever thought that I would even get a follower.... but I somehow got quite a few!
So today I am celebrating with a give-away and a great big thank-you to all of you!

First to the give-away!
CSN has graciously offered to give one of my readers a $75.00 gift certificate.  To enter, just leave me a comment and let me know what you might like to buy if you win~

CSN has over 200 on-line stores where you can find everything from stylish furniture, modern bedding or
great cookware.

Here are a few items that I like!  This could work for a boy or girl and I have baby bedding on my mind right now!

I really do love this hall tree!

And you can even buy some unfinished ones like these and paint them to match your decor!

Oh I just love this warm and cozy throw.

The colors are so soft and the texture is just wonderful!

So just leave me a comment and I will pick the winner on Wednesday, January 5th!

I feel so lucky that I have found such a wonderful and supportive on-line community.

The amazing thing is that I have now met so many of my closest friends made through blogging.

Dan and I are meeting Keetha Eclectic Company and her hubby for dinner next Friday night!

Keetha lived in Indiana and recently moved to Wisconsin having lived here as a child.

And then I am on to Arizona to visit my son and meet up with several of my blogging friends that live there!

Think Marty, Karen (coming in from California), Ceekay, Jamie, Sherry and more!

Dan and I visited the lovely Chari, Happy to Design and her wonderful hubby Russ this past summer!

I even was lucky enough to sleep in the Famous Tea Rose Bedroom!

And we've had two delightful and fun week-ends with Jane -Blondie's Journal and her hubby Al!

And we have plans to get together next summer as well!

My advice to a new blogger would be to visit lot's of blogs and leave lot's of comments!

Write about what you enjoy and if your stumped for a post try a blog party.

There are endless blog parties on a weekly basis and you surely will find something to spark your interest and give you ideas for a post!

And I can't do a post like this without adding a picture of my darling grand-baby!

Here's Addison ( who will be 3 months old on the 3rd)  wearing an outfit that Jane (Blondie's Journal) bought for her.

My wish for all of you is a happy and prosperous New Year.

One that is  filled with the simple joy's of life!

Happy New Year and Good Luck!

Cindy