Thursday, October 4, 2012

MANTEL WOES


So, it's looking a little lonely right now but I am forging ahead.  I really think some red berries will liven it up a lot.  

So, that's about all I have for this post.  Tonight I hope to make a REAL dinner after subsisting on a lot of frozen entrees from Costco.  Wow, they have a big selection; frozen lasagna, pot pies, Swedish meatballs...you name it.  I could get used to this!  I actually baked some brownies on Sunday, but I nibbled away at them so much that I have gone back on a sugar ban.  I just have zero willpower.  Are any of you baking yet?  I know it is still warm in a lot of areas, we have been lucky that we have been in the low 60's for awhile and then the 70's this week.  I love it!

I'm joining Courtney at Feather Your Nest Friday.  Visit everyone at French Country Cottage or join in the fun!  I will see you next week with a mantel update.  If you have any ideas or suggestions, let me know! :)

74 comments:

The Moerks said...

Poor you Jane, it sounds as if you have been well under the weather. I hope you are fighting fit again very soon. We don't tend to do much fall decorating over here in Australia. I just pounce on any blooms in the garden as I am so excited to see some colour after winter.

Primitive Stars said...

Good Evening Jane, wow, you were sick for quite some time, poor you. Sure hope your on the road to recovery. I still like the mantle, looks good, but a white pumpkin would look splendid. Here in Canada it is our Thanksgiving long weekend, yey!!! family, food and fun,love it. We are having it at our house on Sunday this year. Feel better my friend, Hugs Francine.

Kathleen Grace said...

I'm glad you're feeling better! I know what you mean about no willpower. It's baking season again for me, I just have to bake when it cools down:>) I manage to not eat the whole darn thing by taking whatever I make in to work and sharing. Needless to say, I'm quite popular! Lol
I'm not doing any fall decorating, I'm trying to empty out the huose for new wood floors and some much needed updates in various areas of the house. Hope to have it done so I can decorate for Thanksgiving and Christmas:>)

Julie Marie said...

Hi Jane, glad to hear you are feeling alot better... your mantel is looking great!... I am loving using alot more of Natures treasures this year as well... acorns, seedpods, pinecones... my problem is, I see sooo many pretty Autumn decorations, like yours, mainly on blogs and I want to do them ALL!... I still love the traditional Autumn colors, but also am loving the neutrals... have fun decorating!... xoxo Julie Marie

Teresa@1800 Farmhouse Rd said...

Hi there, I am so glad your feeling better, and in the decorating and baking mood :)

Debby said...

You poor thing. You were so sick this winter too. Make sure and get a pneumonia shot when you are well. Try Vitamin D long term and lots of Vit. c now.
((((((HUGS)))))

Sunflowers With Smiles said...

Hi Jane:

So sorry to hear that you are sick....Hope you get well soon! I love that branch, you could do so much with it!

Get well soon and take care of yourself!

Low Tide High Style said...

So glad you are feeling better, and your mantel look beautiful! I love the branch and all of your other fall touches. I haven't started baking yet, but I did make chili last week when we had a cool spell. Enjoy your weekend, and I hope you continue to feel better!

Kat

Unknown said...

Glad you are feeling better. I am really enjoying what I did to my mantel this year. If you click over to my blog, it's about 3 posts back. See what you think! I already had all the items, so it's a freebie.

Have fun decorating!

Melanie said...

You have a gorgeous mantel to decorate, but I know sometimes it can seem overwhelming - especially when you don't feel well! Have you looked on Pinterest for ideas? I have a mantel board, if you're interested in taking a look at it.

Take care of yourself...lots of rest, drink lots of water, eat healthy, take vitamin C and oregano oil!

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

So glad you are on the mend.

Fondly,
Glenda

Beth said...

I am so glad that you are feeling better.

I am getting ready to start making my fruitcakes after I get all of the ingredients gathered.

Gina said...

I'm glad you're feeling better!

Donna said...

Sorry to hear that you haven't been feeling well, Jane! Hope you are better very soon! Love that tote/tray, it's so neat!!

Barbara F. said...

Glad your cold is better. I like those white branches. I no longer have a mantle so I get a little nostalgic when I see the ones in Blogland. xo

Unknown said...

Whew! What is it with the colds!? They seem to all last 2 weeks now! UGH! Glad you are doing better.

You have such a pretty fireplace! And your mantel decor is coming right along. :) I love the tree and the tray.

~Liz

P.S. Yes, I did know that LadyBug farm was a little mini series. You will love it. :) And thank you so much for your kind words regarding my little feature. :)

Lynne said...

Jane, I am so glad that you are feeling better. I think you and I may have had the same CRUD. It knocked me for a loop for ten days. I was sick and exhausted.

Your mantle is coming along nicely. It's hard to get a handle on anything when you are not feeling well. I think your idea about a larger white pumpkin on the left is a good one. I seem to remember that you purchased some dried hydrangeas awhile ago. They could be a nice addition.

Here's to better health and new found energy in October!
Take care, dear friend!
~Lynne
w/L.

It's me said...

I hope you feeling better soon darling...poor you...what a nice decorated home you have....love from me...xxx..

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

I think I caught your cold, Jane! I was laid out for three days feeling awful and with zero energy. Yesterday I finally got going, caught up on laundry and went to the store {for more cold medicine}. Now hubby started with it! I feel like I lost so much time now getting to stuff I wanted to do this week and the week is over! I have some bananas here that will be perfect for banana bread, so I may do some baking today.

Hearts Turned said...

So glad you're starting to feel better, Jane! Some colds just take forever to leave, don't they?

Your house--and mantel--look lovely. I'm just getting started on my fall decorating...been a busy month!

Wishing you a beautiful day, my friend!

Julie

Theresa said...

Feel better dear Jane! I know that it is hard to be sick and not able to do what you want to do! My Mantel is feeling a little lonely too:) Have a blessed and feel better kinda day, HUGS!

Lori E said...

Glad to hear you are not dead. Poor thing. You must have felt like it some days.
Your mantle is soooo deep. How lucky. Lots of room to play with. You are doing a great job of setting it up.

Stacey said...

I'm glad you are feeling better. Sometimes a silly cold can really take you out. They do drag on too. Your fall fluffing looks great. I love those white plates in the carrier.

As for sugar, I have gained 5 pounds since we moved. Ugh!! It is time to get a grip.

White Ironstone Cottage said...

Hi Sweet Jane
Love the manzanita branches painted white ~ I am so copying that idea
Glad you are feeling better
Blessings
Pam

Jen said...

Enjoying your blog. I would be happy to have you as a follower. Happy Fall~Jen

Jen said...

Thanks Blondie for following me.

Always Nesting said...

So glad you are feeling better. ITA about the Costco meals. They are always a go-to for us when we are busy or just don't want to cook.

Geneva said...

Jane, I was so sorry to read that you'd been sick. I've been out of pocket too and am just getting back into the swing of things this week. I wasn't sick though...just on the road.
Sounds like your decorating is coming along and these cool temps are all inspiring us all!
Enjoy your weekend!

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

I'm so glad your feeling better Jane! Tis the season for colds! My little one has had a nasty cough all week, but then again so do half the kids in her class!! Have a great weekend:)

Gypsy Heart said...

I'm so sorry this stuff is dragging on...hope you're 100% soon! I have little willpower Jane. :( When I bake, which I love doing when it's cool, I share with the kids. They love the rewards and I get my kicks in the kitchen!

I really haven't done any fall decorating...was too warm until this week and now I'm going straight to Halloween. :)

xo
Pat
P.S. Stop by ~ I have a Halloween giveaway going on!

Gypsy Heart said...

I'm so sorry this stuff is dragging on...hope you're 100% soon! I have little willpower Jane. :( When I bake, which I love doing when it's cool, I share with the kids. They love the rewards and I get my kicks in the kitchen!

I really haven't done any fall decorating...was too warm until this week and now I'm going straight to Halloween. :)

xo
Pat
P.S. Stop by ~ I have a Halloween giveaway going on!

Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia said...

I hate to hear you are not feeling well, I hope you are on the mend soon. Love the mantle, take care of yourself.
XO
Kristin

Town and Country Gals said...

Jane,
sorry to hear you were ill, glad to hear you are starting to feel better! You've got a great start on you mantle, looking forward to seeing it when you're done!
Take care,
Rebecca

Knitty said...

I agree about ideas from blogs versus ideas from magazines.

We have the house mostly back in order after the flooring and carpet installations, and I've been decorating for Halloween. The emphasis is on cute stuff for the grandson and it paid off yesterday when he was here, taking it all in. :-)

Olive said...

Hi Jane, I hope you are feeling better. Seems like you get this every fall. I have been sick too and have read so many books whilst on Percocet I shall never remember them. Your large mantel is great. I have a stone fireplace that has no mantel so I am a wee bit jealous but not really because you are the sweetest one to comment in all of blogland. xo, olive

myletterstoemily said...

i'm afraid i am the last person to give anyone
advice on design. except it seems that if i
ever remove one or two things, everything
just looks better.

i think that's a fashion tip, too. :)

bj said...

Hi, Blondie, I sure am glad you are feeling better...maybe those pretty flowers you bought for yourself did the trick. :)
I have waaay too much orange going on in my dining room and I am about to change up my mantel in there. I would like all black and white with ONE real, orange pumpkin...
might work on it tomorrow....:)

Mary Ann Pickett said...

So glad you are feeling better!! Don't push yourself too hard just yet. What a cool idea to decorate a wedding with those white branches (not to mention your mantel)...I have one stored that I will pull out again for my mantel...yes...inspiration from YOUR blog again. Thanks.

Heaven's Walk said...

I'm so glad that you're feeling better, Jane! I'm a Nyquil fan, too. Sure helps you sleep better at night, doesn't it? :)

Your mantel is looking really great! How about a wooden dough bowl with dried hydrangeas in it? Berries will be a beautiful addition, too!

No baking over here (not on the diet plan, dontchaknow), but I've hauled out the good ol' crockpot and have been making venison roasts and soup. :) I'm loving wearing my jeans and boots again, too.

Have a great weekend - and continue to get better, sweetie!

xoxo laurie

Karena said...

Jane I have been remiss as well with my health issues this past year and am just now making the rounds again!

I can see you are going a super direction with your mantle. You could even put another manzanita branch on the left side!

I do hope you will enter the last weekend of my Giveaway of Velvet Pumpkins from Love Feast!

Xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena

The Summer Kitchen Girls said...

Hey Jane! Glad you got a kick out of our corny joke :) also glad you are feeling better! My little guy was out for a whole week at school with a fever ~ yulk....but no one else got it thankfully! Like the start of your mantel ~ it will be perfect when it is finished! Today I started mine....hoping to finish tomorrow after #3's football game! Enjoy your beautiful fall weekend!!

Deb said...

Hi Jane
Happy to hear that you are feeling better!
We are celebrating Thanksgiving this weekend here in Canada so lots of baking happening here :-)

Happy Decorating ♥

Anonymous said...

Pretty decorations - I need to get ours out! :)
Hope you get to feeling much better soon, Jane!!!
Hugs,
Zuzu

Tracy said...

Hi Jane! The mantel looks fab, I love the neutral scheme and the gorgeous branch. I am in a "stick" phase myself right now and have them lunging out from corners and pots all over the house. They add so much drama! I am glad you are starting to feel more yourself, hopefully that was your one illness for the winter and you can go breezing through the holidays and beyond feeling fit as a fiddle!

Charlene said...

Glad you are feeling better & are back to routine. How come when we get sick we still have to work???? Doesn't seem fair. OH WELL>> Those spider mums are so pretty & I love it that you bought yourself flowers!

Thanks for the sweet words about my bathroom remodel. It was a mess for a long time but, we do love it now. Are you still loving your granite in the kitchen? We need to do that too. $$$$$$ but, hey, you can't take it with you right? HUGS!
Charlene

My Little Home and Garden said...

I had been hacking away for a couple of weeks as well, so I sympathize and hope you are now feeling better. As for a mantel, I'd like to have one in my next house!
-Karen

Deserae said...

I'm sorry to hear your cold has been lingering....I hope you feel better soon!!! Your mantle looks so pretty too :o)
~Des

Anonymous said...

Hi Jane! Oh, I'm so glad to know you're feeling better. Love seeing all of your Falleness - I haven't done one thing! I'm with you, I get more inspiration looking at blogs than decorating books! :)
Thanks for popping in to see me.
be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

RURAL said...

You might just be on to something, drop Stampington Post a line and tell them to do that.

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

terrid614 said...

hi! just stopping over! i love your blog! hope you are feeling better!!! your decorating looks great!! happy fall!
xo

Sue said...

Hi Janie, I am so late getting back to comments, but here I am! You're so excited, I'm sure. *grin* Anyway, so glad you are feeling a bit better. You get the old cold and it it hangs on forever, doesn't it? Kinda like that awful vertigo that lasted me 5 weeks earlier this summer. YUK
I love your deep mantel- mine is so narrow it is so hard to put the good stuff up there! I love the manzanita branch. I think I pitched mine ages ago, but wish I hadn't. Now go eat healthy and get fully healthy. I am swearing off the treats and eating out, but it will be difficult this weekend for the furniture market. There is food everywhere!!! What's a girl to do?
Take care. xo Sue

Stacey said...

I hope you're feeling lots better! I think there's something going around because my 3 year old now has a very bad cough, constant runny nose, etc. Happy Monday:-). XX

Susan Shull said...

Glad you are feeling better, Jane. I totally agree-who needs magazines when you can read blogs? Have you noticed things showing up in stores that you first saw in a blog somewhere? Bloggers are a creative bunch!

Anonymous said...

Hope today is even better for you, Jane and thank you for popping in to see me.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)

Jacqueline said...

Jane, so sorry you were sick. It is too early to be getting colds, isn't it. I know I feel like I have been missing too. I have just had enough time to keep posting, but not visiting. Life is crazy and I miss all my blogging friends. Hopefully it will slow down a bit. I love all of your beautiful whites - so elegant!

Elaine said...

Glad to hear you are almost over your cold. They are hard to shake aren't they?

I think some more natural elements would be nice. Some branches maybe and twinkle lights always fill in spaces nicely.

I made some lemon squares the other day and soon I'll be making my apple crisps. It's dangerous though, I love apple crisp and I tend to eat the whole thing by myself!

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Hi Jane,
I hope you are feeling better now.
I pulled something in my back last week and I have just been miserable.
Slowly getting better with med's and trips to the chiropractor.
Lifting little Addison probably doesn't help.
So behind on my blogging but I always head here first.
Thinking of you and hubby dear friend.
Big Hugs,
Cindy

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

OH and your mantel looks quite lovely!

Leslie said...

You have a lovely blog, Jane! It looks like your mantle is also ready for fall, beautiful! Thank you so much for coming by and leaving such a precious comment! Come back soon.:)
Blessings,
Leslie

An Oasis in the Desert said...

So glad you are feeling better, Jane! Wow, you do have a large mantel! Mine is super-teensy. That's a nice tray you used.

I recently made banana bread & pumpkin scones, but that was because we had house guests. I have no willpower either, so I am only allowing myself to bake if we are having guests or I'm planning to give it away!

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

Jane, I am so happy you are feeling better... you have had a rough go! Just take it easy!!!
I love your pretty mantle... My mantle is a pain... and I always have trouble decorating it. Yours looks so pretty. I love the your metal tray on the mantle. Wonderful!
Continue to feel better... and share all your gorgeous designs with us!

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

OH NO! Were you ill?? I 've been sort of out of touch..not visiting like I should...just lots going on. What was wrong. I best go snoop around on here.
Your home is looking so ...seasonal and beautiful. Thanks for stopping by...:):) I always love to see you!

Melissa Blake said...

So glad you're feeling better! xoxo

Kelly said...


Glad to hear that you're feeling better. My cold turned out to be allergies and are almost gone. yay! We are experiencing some cooler temps too. Don't know why that hasn't motivated me to decorate outside much. Oh well, it's still early in the season. I think we put too much pressure on ourselves to do things because everyone else is. Just take your time and do what you can if you feel like it. Your health is the most important thing right now!

Jen Beaudet said...

I'm so glad you're feeling better! Two weeks with a cold! That's no fun at all. At least you go caught up on your magazines and you have a wonderful start to your fall decor:) I just got over a cold but it was only about 3 days. Thanks for visiting the other day! I'm glad you like my new work. I did have a wonderful time on Maui! But I need to go again, haha! I didn't do any snorkeling but we did a lot of sightseeing and lounging on the beach. I hope you're all better soon!
Jennifer

Anonymous said...

Hi sweet Jane! Hope you're even feeling better today. Thank you so much for your kind comments. We have the same view on life - let's all be happy. :)
You are a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Lynn Wood said...

I'm so happy to hear that you are feeling a little better and your mantle is looking up too! I love that you are trying out the wedding decor. That is such a pretty white branch and I can't wait to see those table decorations.

~Lynn

Zaa said...

Your mantel woes are over, now that you're feeling better... I can hardly wait to see what you do with it... Sometimes all those lazy , sneezy days , allow great time for sleepy creativity ( ha Ha) ... SO glad that you're on the mend...Hugs

Leslie said...

Beautiful home you have! Thank you so much for stopping by to red about my sister's wedding, and thank you for that precious comment you left!
Blessings,
Leslie

Sonia said...

Well first of all get well..I've been fighting a cold too...think I caught it from someone on the plane home! I have missed my visits to everyone! Your spider mums and pumpkin vignette is so cozy! I love spider mums! Hope you are enjoying your fall...love the branch on the mantel too...bringing the outdoors in always looks so great this time of year!
Miss Bloomers

Leslie said...

Yikes girl... I am glad that you are feeling better!!!! Your mantle looks great, red berries are going to be the perfect finishing touch. Enjoy you "real" dinner.

Sarah said...

Jane, sorry you've been sick. Wishing you well and hope that you bounce back soon. Your mantel looks good. Love the natural elements. Take care......Sarah

Amber said...

you've got such lovely plants in your home. I've tried so hard to keep plants in my house but I always manage to kill them. I even killed a cactus last year. I have a black thumb for sure.

Jen said...

Aww, your mantel is beautiful!!!