Tuesday, November 19, 2013

HOLIDAY EXCITEMENT AND YET ANOTHER PROJECT!


I was on a roll posting about twice a week.  Then my computer died and while I wait for The Husband to find me a laptop that meets all of his picky criteria, I am using his.  You know how that is, everything feels slightly "off".  And I don't want to load pictures in his.  Sigh.  So I'm just winging it today.





On our way there we spotted a big shopping center just off the interstate, so on our way back we hit Homegoods and Kohls.  Not much damage was made.  I wanted some sparkly candles and I found a few large ones for about $4.99.  Great bargain.  Emily found a large black lantern with a battery operated candle in it for her front porch.  And at Kohls I bought a welcome mat with a snowman on it.  We had a ball as usual!

I was reading an article in Real Simple magazine last night about how stores and shops manipulate us into spending.  None of this is really new to anyone and I take total responsibility for what I do when I'm in a store.  They were talking about the music and the decorations (the sparkly stuff really grabs us whether we know it or not, it signifies luxury), the scent of pine and cinnamon wafting through the air via electronic aromatherapy diffusers.  All of this makes us nostalgic and we buy things in an effort to recreate our past or at least our vision of the past.  I found this article to be so true.  But you know what?  I love how I feel when I'm in a store that's seducing and enticing me with all of that stuff...something for all 5 senses.  And I really, really enjoy shopping with Emily as she creates her very first Christmas of her own with Mike in their new home.  I'm not crazy about the "hustle and bustle" that starts after Thanksgiving, I'm a little weird with crowds, but lately it hasn't been too bad, maybe with the online shopping advantage. 

 


I suppose some of you have heard of the storms and the tornado they spawned in Illinois this past Sunday.  I thought it was very odd that it was so warm outside when I got up that morning.  It was like an August day with bad weather coming.  And sure enough, by 11:00, the local news was breaking in on the television shows to tell us that a tornado was on the ground just north of central Illinois and from the Stormtracker, it was heading right in our direction.  I really didn't think much because it was so far off and anything could cause it to die out or go in another direction.  But it was coming on a straight path, not leaving the ground, at 65 miles an hour.  In the meantime there were all sorts of storms around us.  The wind was gusting and the rain made everything around us invisible.  The Husband had started watching the Bears game and when they took the players off the field and started evacuating the stands, he decided we should set up camp downstairs.  So he, Abby and I grabbed flashlights, candles, our phones and her IPad and sat in the laundry room.  My first worry was Emily, who was at work  She, too, was in the path just southwest of us.  The Husband didn't want me to call or text her in case I frightened her, but I thought that was crazy.  We were able to follow the storm on the IPad and by the grace of God, that tornado veered northeast and headed south of us toward Lake Michigan.  We got a group text going and Emily was fine.  She and her co-workers took shelter in the bathroom.  Her hubby Mike texted and asked if it was okay to go back upstairs and put his chicken wings back in the oven.  

A small town where the tornado originated was leveled.  It's heartbreaking to see.  Three people were killed but it could have been so many more.  A friend on Facebook wrote, "It was 70 degrees and I was out running.  An hour later I was hiding in my basement."  It was all very frightening.  I think we can all praise the weather people on TV in Chicago for their coverage and for constantly instructing people how to take shelter.  Good job.



It took me over an hour to clean it all out, make bags for Goodwill, and relocate a lot of stuff to the basement.  

Now, I have a question.  I was going to have the doors put back on, but of all people, my son, Jeff, suggested that I leave the doors off and go for a "mudroom" closet sort of look.  I was really surprised.  I thought that was something that I would have come up with and of course, been vetoed out.  I'd love for you to weigh in.

Do you have your Thanksgiving menu planned?  Have any of you started Christmas shopping or decorating?  I just love all the excitement I see on the blogs.  Sometimes I'll be ripping recipes out of magazines or jotting down ideas and I forget if I'm thinking of Thanksgiving or Christmas!  We will be having 9 for dinner on Thanksgiving and then I have been hosting dessert for the past several years and we will have about  15 more.  

The Husband and I have been tossing around the idea of going to a Christmas tree farm and cutting down our own tree.  I happened to be emailing back and forth with a guy in North Carolina that grows and ships trees and he told me that the ones you find in nurseries or temporarily  in parking lots, are most likely cut over a month before.  A fresh cut tree can last 2 months.  That's why I'm always scrambling around in mid December because a live tree would never make it until Christmas if we bought it any sooner.  So we are planning to go to the lake after Thanksgiving and see what they have in that area.  I also remembered that I left the cushions and pillows on the furniture on the front porch.  Gawd!  And The Husband doesn't remember if he put away all my pots and little garden doodads.  He and Jeff seemed to have just taken care of the big stuff on their trip last month.  It would make for a nice 3 day weekend.

Okay, I have a trip to Home Depot in the works but I am waiting for a person that The Husband came up with to come and clean our gutters.  At this rate he is going to be doing it by moonlight.  Let me have your thoughts on that closet and also, how do you feel about holiday shopping?  Do you avoid it?  Dread it? Love it?  Get it done early, late or pretty much go with the flow.  And most of all...are you in the holiday spirit?  I am.  I'm just loving it all.  

XO,
Jane

54 comments:

Anonymous said...

wow, you have lots going on! Its wonderful to share the time with your daughter decorating her first home, special times, I like shopping for Christmas if I;m notrushed, more now than when the children were small, then it was a mad rush to buy the last Cabbage Patch doll or what ever and it was madness, now its calmer and I enjoy it more, it could be because I'm blind as a bat and have had to relinquish control to my husband in the shopping department, ya, that could be it, lol, you always have such a nice visit with us and you are sooooo busy!!

NanaDiana said...

Wow- You have been a busy gal. Lots of stuff in this post! I am so glad your daughter is decorating for her first Christmas. I remember how exciting that was for my girls, too. I can't believe they left a note to leave money in the pot for the things you bought. Love that there is some trust left in the world.

I'm with you- I don't much like mall shopping/crowds anymore. I do like the little shops though.

Great project with your closet. It will be so nice to have that done, Jane. Good luck with getting it finished quickly. xo Diana

Julie Marie said...

Hi Janie... still no email from you, but now I know why that your computer died... glad you can still post!... LOVE Layla!!! that is too darn cute... and of course Milo is adorable too... I think a mudroom like closet would be great!... we have a mudroom that goes out our back door and into our garage... it has a shelf with hooks below it where we can hang our mufflers, mittens, what have you, and then put our wet boots and such on the floor below it... we hang hats and umbrellas there too... perfect place, so YES, I vote you go with the mudroom look... so glad the storms missed you but so saddened for all of those affected... many prayers said for everyone... I for one do not like the day after Thanksgiving shopping day, and I hate that they call it black Friday, sounds depressing... I never ever go out that day... and I really do love to shop online or at one of the little boutiques here like my friends shop I post about, where it is not crazy, just fun... I am still decorating, as you saw... and loving every minute of it... love the glitter, the vintage ornaments, watching Tessy eye all of my elves thinking they are new toys for her... all of it... hope I didn't forget to comment on anything... I'll go back and read it all again... xoxo Julie Marie

Barbara F. said...

I would definitely put the doors back, Jane. More of a finished look and if you need to stockpile anything, there you go! I hate shopping in malls and with crowds. I have cut my list to just a few dear folks. Have not started but seeing one tonight and another tomorrow so I will find out what is on their wish lists and tell them what is on mine! Tornadoes scare me so much, and there were threats here, too. I have no basement and just a small coat closet I use as a catch all. Not good. :(. Glad you were not in a direct line of it. xo

Lisa @ Texas Decor said...

We love naan bread over here! We dip it in roasted red pepper hummus. Yum! That vintage sled is adorable! Such a trusting guy to just leave out a coffee pot for the money. So glad y'all are safe after the storms. They can be scary at times. I love the idea of leaving the doors off for a kind of mudroom look. There's a blogger that recently did that. If I can find the post, I'll send it to you. I do enjoy shopping during the holidays. I like the music, the scents, etc. but as it gets closer to Christmas, it gets too crowded for me. We haven't done black Friday in many, many years because of the crowds. I do look forward to hosting Thanksgiving and Christmas at my house though. We usually have between 8-13 people, depending on who is in town. Y'all will have a ball picking out a fresh tree. You'll have to post pics of the tree farm. :)

SImple and Serene Living said...

You have definitely been busy. I just want to climb up on that porch and have it all. So many great treasures. So sad about the tornadoes. Such strange weather. xo Laura

Theresa said...

WOW, that was a nice sled and a trusting soul selling it:) I have been shopping for months! Doing lots of on-line shopping, hand made things from ETSY and not so much in store shopping! I will go shopping but in short visits and NOT when the crowds are big! I like the closet idea as a mud room type arrangement! Sounds like that would be nice and useful! Enjoy your week my friend, BIG HUGS!

Lynn said...

Glad to hear you didn't have any major problems from the storm Jane-scary stuff! I'm chomping at the bit to decorate for Christmas and with Thanksgiving being so late this year it's not helping. Love the idea of going to a tree farm-have fun:@)

Unknown said...

I think the bench sounds like a good idea, and your son had a great idea about leaving the doors off. The idea of the double hooks sounds good too! I'm not a mall shopper. I have bought the gifts for my daughter, some for both grandchildren, and one gift for my husband. I still have some to do. Blake wants new boots, so I'll give him the money for those. Rheagan wants a Cabbage Patch doll (that she see's born), so that will have to happen on Christmas Eve. We live near the original Cabbage Patch "Hospital". We visited it yesterday with her and she showed us the kind she wants. We try to get each person one "big" gift and then of course the usual "little" things, and of course we EAT together. I would rather shop small shops than the giant stores. I don't like getting into the crazy traffic.

I'm glad you didn't get the terrible weather. So heartbreaking to see all the devastation on TV.

Take care, friend, and enjoy the rest of your week!

bj said...

I do online buying and little tiny shops and stay away from the mall unless there is something specific I need to get.
How neat to have such a clean closet...that's one thing that made the move easier is having all nice, new, clean closets and shelves.
hugs to you...and we are excited about the holidays, too.
xoxo

Balisha said...

Well, leaving the doors off will be a way of making it stay neat. We have two coat closets and they are always squished with Joe's coats. He has 85% too. So, I put his coats in one and mine in the other. Mine is nice and roomy and his is still squished. He's looking at new coats in catalogs now. I suggested taking some to the Rockford Rescue Mission but haven't heard if he wants to.
I'm sure you will come up with something clever for that closet...please share with us when you finish.

So glad that the storm didn't come your way. We had a lot of wind and rain. I can't imagine how those poor people feel seeing the tragedy all around them. I hope they get the help that they need.

I shop early and most of it online. I like to go closer to Christmas to get the feel of the holiday with the crowd.

This post was so full of things...very interesting.
Balisha

Debby said...

Hi there Jane. So nice to be shopping with your daughter. Love that porch. Wonder where the owners got all that stuff.....good stuff too.
Your dog is hilarious sitting up like that. My little Yorkie loves getting her belly rubbed in the morning. She will lay on her back until she gets it rubbed.
Those Storms were horrible. The damage to the homes is hard to believe. It is always amazing that people can survive when everything is leveled. We had storms here and the sirens were going off. Not much damage. A few little tornados touched down in Ohio. What worried me was that we were sandwiched between two storms.
I love the holidays. We have four kids, 3 souses and 6 grandchildren. Sometimes it is hard coming up with ideas. I don't do the big stores close to Christmas. I like to buy things that are useable. I don't buy plastic junk for the little ones. I try to buy them something nice. As far as when I shop......when I have the money.
Hope your pillows are still on the lake porch.
I would leave the doors off and put the bench there.

Doreen@foxdenrd said...

First things first...I LOVE LAYLA!! Oh my, how cute is that?

Now...ok, so you did quite a bit recently it seems, but then again, you're always up to something. I vote for putting the doors back on, but I'm anal that way so pay me no mind.

I haven't done much decorating and don't plan to. Other than a sweet potato casserole I'm not cooking for Thanksgiving and I'm glad. I just realized that sounds like I'm a grinch and that's not the case at all...it's just the circumstances we are currently in.

It sounds like you're having a perfect day. Nine for dinner and more for dessert. That's the way to do it!

Primitive Stars said...

Oh Jane, that place was a dream come true, so many goodies there I see. I love the shutter, sled, everything.......Sweet fur babies, hug them for me please......Great project on the closet, Blessings Francine.

Traci said...

Dean always uses bay leaf when he cooks. I'm so glad y'all are safe with the bad weather. The Thanksgiving menu is pretty much set aside from dessert. I've bought all of one Christmas gift. So unlike me.

Mary said...

Another of your fab 'breathless posts' - where I don't take a breath until I'm all the way to the end because they are such fun to read Jane!!!
Loved it all but can't comment on everything as I'm actually washing the supper dishes and re-decorating at the same time, haha!

I've been cajoled into doing dinner on 'that day' when pilgrims play and everyone eats ten times their normal daily allowance. I'm being gifted with a beautiful fresh, all organic, no hormones added turkey from the company who just installed my new floors - me who doesn't eat any type of meat or poultry - so have to cook it for others. I promised to be here for Jasmin this year and not be away traveling to another godforsaken place on the planet. Somehow my hopes that I would be invited to some other cozy home, where I could lounge about with a bottomless glass of a good red, didn't pan out! Instead I'm chef, hostess, and sommelier all rolled into one! Oh well at least I'll keep my glass full.

Here's to you and A - and all your family - have a fabulous Thanksgiving dear one from Bob and me.
Hugs - Mary

awal.ny said...

I think the idea of a cute mudroom look would be perfect, especially near that painted door. If it is pretty we tend to not make it a dumping ground. I have started decorating and shopping, I too enjoy shopping on line when I can. It makes it easier to compare prices and a bonus if the shipping is free. Have a great week. Alaina

Something Nice and Pretty said...

Hi Jane, I started shopping two weeks ago, it's not so stressful it I do it this way.
The winds here in Pa. were terrible plus the rain/wind blowing...you could see leaves blowing past the window!
Not putting the closet doors back on may help to keep it neater, I'd try it, you can always put the doors back on.
Have a great rest of the week.

Low Tide High Style said...

Phew, you have lots going on! I'm so glad you all were safe in those horrible storms. My in-laws were also fortunate to have missed them but not by much, the devastation just north of them was very bad.

I think turning your closet into a mini mudroom is a great idea, especially with some pretty hooks and your basket idea!

I am in the mood for Christmas, and I'm never ready until after Thanksgiving, so there must be something in the air! I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

xo Kat

Melanie said...

Your chicken soup looks yummy! We love naan bread, too. Trader Joes has a garlic one that's our favorite. In fact, for lunch today I brushed the naan bread with olive oil, then layered on sliced tomatoes and fresh mozzarella and baked. Sprinkled with Italian seasonings and pepper. Delish! A few years ago when my laptop died, I went online and did tons of research, read reviews, then emailed a computer tech friend for his professional opinion on my top 3 picks. What would we ever do without the internet? :-)Love that porch full of all those wonderful goodies...I would've been tempted to buy everything! That pic of Layla is SO funny. I love how she sits up like that. It's hard for me to say whether you should put doors back on that closet or not. I'd have to see the area and room around it. Perhaps you can see how it looks once you're all done and have the coats hung up - if you like it without the doors, then great. If not, put the doors back on. Thanksgiving will be very small for us again this year - just me, Brian, and Tim at my mom's house. A cousin may join us. Glad your hubby found someone to clean out the gutters. Brian did that on our house last week. He wanted to get it done before all the rain hit; that way he was able to just blow out all the leaves w/the leaf blower instead of "digging" out wet leaves. I have not done any Christmas shopping (don't have much to do, so not worried about it), decorating, or even thinking about it, really. There's a lot of stuff going on with my extended family right now and it's not pretty...plus, both Brian and I are having some medical issues. And we have a few things going on with home repairs, too. Too much to think about/handle right now, especially with the holidays coming up.

Sarah said...

Jane, I always enjoy your posts. I feel as if I've just had a coffee chat with a good friend. '-)
You are a busy girl! I know Emily is having a great time anticipating her first Christmas in her new home. It's special that you two are such good friends.

Lynne said...

Whew! I was worried about my Midwest friends all day Sunday!

The skies above Soldier Field were ominous!

I love the idea of a mudroom, Jane. We took our entry closet doors off years ago! We have an antique wall coat rack that once hung in an old post office. It has a shelf for hats and "returns", (things that have to go back to friends or the store).

We cut our tree down at a tree farm, about two weeks before Christmas. We usually choose a Noble Fir. They keep well.

Emily is so talented. It will be fun to watch her express her holiday style.

Your doggies are too precious!
They appear to have the run of the house like our Chocolate Gousse!

If you call cleaning and painting, "the Christmas spirit", I am in deep! LOL
Blessings to the "B's"!
w/L




Sweet Bee Cottage said...

So glad you are all safe after that storm. Trying to catch up with you - you're as busy as I am! Love that porch sale house - is that what you would call it? Sleds are pretty hard to come by in our part of the world - we have to drive up to the mountains to find snow to play in.

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Hi Jane,
Those storms were awful and I was thinking of you Sunday. One of the towns hit (Metamora) is where my Aunt Janet lives. They are in Tucson right now and their house was fine, but a lot were not. The whole area hit is right where we lived when I was little, so horrible.
My ex was a Christmas tree grower. They start cutting in mid-October. That is why we always go for a cut your own. They will last a good month that way. They cut them so early because they are shipping them all over the US.
I went shopping on Monday and spent about 6 hours. I came back sore and tired, but I did get a lot done. I like shopping when the crowds are smaller but even on Monday there were a lot out and about. Hey, I love that sled and what great stuff they had for sale! Well I am on babysitting duty tomorrow so I better get to bed. Its very late and yet I am wide awake.
Hugs dear friend,
Cindy

Vicki @ lifeinmyemptynest said...

I like it without the door, especially if you are painting it fresh. It would look like a mud room with the bench :-)

Vel Criste said...

I agree with you with the enticing things int the store Jane, that's part of the reason why I love shopping so much! A lot of the time, I window shop and look for inspirations in the stores, I've learned to withhold the urge to spend, spend and spend, so when I leave with just a little item, I'm proud (which doesn't happen to me very often)!

I love that sled! Saw one for $40 still waiting to find a good deal before I bring one home. I love the trust that seller shows off too, not a lot of people will do that anymore..

The storm hit my husbands nephews subdivision in Washington, IL. Luckily they were fine, they sent us pictures of neighbors across their home whose house was obliterated.... they were very lucky and a lot to be thankful for (like me, my family as safe from Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines)this thanksgiving.

I'm busy planning fun-raising dinners, caroling at our home and thanksgiving! Luckily, I'll be spared for Christmas since we'll be on the beach in Cancun! Glad your enjoying everything dear!

emily barlocker scott said...

I can't wait to your house decorated for Christmas!!!! You need to post some pictures of Emily's too.

Tamera Beardsley said...

Hello Jane!

Thank you for your wonderful and tender comments on my blog. I am so sorry about the passing of your sister, I know too well how hard that is.

Your blog is absolutely lovely, full of such love for family! I had no idea the Hallmark channel had Christmas movies 24/7!! I am so excited ... and can't wait to tell my daughter who is college! She has huge love for all Christmas movies. she took a whole stack with her to Italy last year, just to be comforted while she was away. At our house Christmas movies now are watched soon as Halloween has passed!

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

It sounds like a very special season this year for you and your daughter :)

Your pups are too funny in that post.

I worried about you and a few other bloggers that I knew were in Illinois. The devastation is horrible in the areas that were hit:(

Shopping : I do more and more online anymore.

Closet door. Just have no clue. It sounds like something my son would suggest had I asked him to put the door back on, though, ha ha ha

farmhouse-story said...

so glad you missed the bad, bad weather, jane. i love the idea of a mudroom look-and how great the family is already on board:)

how cute is layla?:) i LOVE christmas, the shopping, the music, the gatherings, everything! have a great week!

Susie said...

OMG Blondie, the closet photo...I thought you were at my daughter's house. They have a closet on the way in from the garage . It is always over flowing and I swear that my SIL , if he owned 100 pairs of boots/shoes they would all be in that hallway. Glad you are safe. xoxo,Susie

The Tablescaper said...

I think it's great that you acknowledge how store seduce us. Somehow they wrap it all up and it becomes fun!

Love your pups.

- The Tablescaper

xinex said...

Hi Janie, I have such a big family that I have to start early. Our 12th grand kid is arriving within this week, we will be having an early Christmas with the kids in fl and then John and I will spend Christmas here. I was just counting and with just us and our children, we are already 24, 12 adults and 12 grand kids.s So glad tornado did not hit you. ...Christine

Debbie said...

I'm doing things a little different this year. Since shopping is limited up here...I'm sending money to my daughters for the grandkids. The girls will shop for the presents. I will wrap them, and tag them. that way, the kids get what they want this year. I will still shop for my girls and their husbands. I'm in the holiday mood. But haven't decorated yet, because I've been painting the dining room, and living room.
I'm happy you weren't in harms way when the storms hit the other day.
That porch sale you went to had some really nice items. I liked the shutter in the background.
Have a good Thursday!
xoxoxo

Art and Sand said...

The problems in Illinois are horrible.

I love to look in the shops for ideas and I am pretty good about not going overboard with decorations or gifts.

Jacqueline said...

I am with you about crowds and I am totally seduced by sparkle and holiday decor. It is my favorite thing about Christmas - decorating my house - that and the music!
I can't believe the wonderful items on the front porch and especially the unique method of payment! That's fantastic.
I am also having fun with my newlywed in decorating their home for the first time. They are so fun.

Kathleen Grace said...

Believe it or not I don't enjoy shopping that much! It always leaves me exhausted so I'm more a scrounge and make what I want kind of girl...although, I would have been all OVER that porch sale! It looks like there were some real gems there:>)

Our Neck of the Woods said...

I see all sorts of treasures on that porch! Wow! I'd be in heaven perusing all those goodies. We live in SE Missouri and I think all the storms just passed to the north of us. We were lucky and didn't get any bad weather over the weekend. I know some people weren't as lucky and it's so heartbreaking.

Debby said...

Hello again Jane. Go to the blog "House of Smiths". They have a perfect closet idea for you.

Town and Country Gals said...

Jane,
what a busy girl you are! So glad to hear that the storms missed you! The stuff on that porch was amazing, I would have wanted it all! Hopefully you'll get a computer soon!
Rebecca

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Hi Jane, The sled is so cute and your daughter got a great deal. She will have so much fun decorating it for Christmas. Sounds like you are one very busy lady.
xx,
Sherry

Beth said...

Hi Jane, The chicken soup and naan sound good. I've been making a lot of soups lately. I like that they make big batches so we can have leftovers (less cooking for me!) We're having Amish hamburger soup tonight and taco soup Sunday. How nice that you and Emily spend time enjoying each other! My daughter lives 1000 miles away. Emily got a great deal on the sled. I've seen vintage sleds for over $100. I too will be decorating with a sled, wreath, and ice skates on my porch. The sled belonged to my hsb as a child.
So sorry about the storms. Really glad that your family is ok.
Our Thanksgiving menu is turkey breast, corn casserole, sweet potato casserole, relish tray, pecan pie, and Christmas sugar cookies. I could add rolls and dressing, but my goodness, already my meal is very full of starches! Well, I may do rolls anyway. It is sort of "expected."
Take care,
Beth

Unknown said...

Hi Jane,
I am so relieved to hear you are all okay with the huge storms. I only lived in Michigan for 2 years but I remember how violent they can be. Love your mudroom idea. I think you could have some fun with keeping that space open. It will seem more airy and probably be kept neater than a closet.
Happy weekend!
xx, Heather

Deb said...

Hi Jane ~ sounds like you have been busy & having lots of fun ♥
Turning your closet into a mudroom sounds is a great idea. In our first home, we removed 2 large side by side closets and turned it into a reading nook ~ it was the cosiest spot in the house & perfect with 2 little ones to curl up and read ♥

Kelly said...

I love the idea of converting your enclosed closet into an open storage space. Since the doors make it smaller, that may be your best option! However, you'll want to be careful to keep it tidy then. LOL! I am in the holiday spirit since it has been so cold here lately. That always helps! Plus, I knew that once Christmas arrived, I would be seeing my son (away in bootcamp) soon after. So, that makes me very happy. I'm going to be a little sad though Christmas morning without him though.

Maggie said...

Hi Jane, lovely to catch up with all your news, what a fun time you're having preparing for the holidays. So glad to know you were not caught up in the hurricane chaos, hope you're son in law got his chicken!

RURAL said...

Oh my goodness Jane, living in a world where we don't generally have tornadoes for warnings for them, I am still shocked at how quickly they could devastate a town.

Glad to hear that you are all fine, but sad to hear that the town suffered damage.

Jen

Anonymous said...

I think your son's idea is a good one. Perhaps you could use the bench with square baskets on it to help organize the closet area. Have a great Thanksgiving!

Stacey said...

Do sorry to hear about the tornado and deeply saddened that ppl were killed. Thank goodness you are all fine though... That bowl of soup looks delish and I could use some today because it's so very cold. In fact, I think I will make some with some left over baked chicken that I have. I do majority of my shopping online and I try to avoid Target at all costs because I never ever go in and get just that one thing I wanted:-). Sounds like you've been very busy and to that I can definitely relate. Can't wait to see how your latest project unfolds. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. xx

Elaine said...

So glad you and your loved ones are safe. I was thinking about you as I heard about the Illinois tornadoes.

I like the mudroom idea. Clever son-in-law.

Christmas shopping? I used to be more into it. Now I shop local or online and save time for the fun stuff like Christmas concerts, the ballet, parties, and eating!

Ricki Treleaven said...

I'm thankful that you were pared storm damage. So scary! Your little Layla is so cute! :D Look at her....I love dogs, and especially those with personality like Layla!

Just the mere mention of closets stresses me out! My closet looks like a bomb went off in there!

I'm determined to get a handle on our Christmas shopping this weekend. I don't want my Advent season ruined from stress!

My food rarely looks good photographed, especially soups and casseroles. Just go look at my post from last night! I'm afraid my soup doesn't look very appetizing.

xo,
RJ

Heaven's Walk said...

You have been one busy girl, Janie!! lol Wow! Yes, I vote for the mudroom look. What a fabulous idea! I'm so glad that the storms missed you. We had fierce winds and tornadoes here, too, and eventually lost power. What a scary 24 hrs! Today we have snow. What a strange autumn. lol Nope, I don't shop on Black Friday either. Since we live an hour away from any larger city, I usually get all my shopping done on the day I grocery shop...and I'm 1/2 way done! lol Have a blessed Thanksgiving, sweetie!

xoxo laurie

Stan and Jody Gabara said...

Hi Janie, You amaze me with all your energy! Always love reading about you and your wonderful family.
So glad you're safe after the storms. I love the idea of a mudroom, I'm sure you will make it look so pretty!
Layla is the cutest!! Haven't started Christmas shopping yet, I'm always a little late but once I start I can't stop. Especially with all the sales going on.
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Hugs,
Jody

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