Peeks at the Homefront

Feel as though I have finally made some headway in the decorating.  
Now on to the gift wrapping.

Present (1) 'neath the Tree

Got the first wrapped present under the tree.  It's actually a large cardboard carton from Amazon which we have orders not to open because there are gifts for John and me in there.  I was told to wrap it as is. So, isn't that nice, the first present under the tree is for me....not quite the spirit of the season.

Accompanied John on an errand today a little bit out of town, had exactly 10 minutes to spare before heading home for a scheduled meeting.  Made a quick stop and look what we found.  John left the store to start the car, and I was leaving with my one meager purchase when I spotted this. 

 A wonderful Christmas find

Was worried I had taken too much time and John would be late for his meeting.  Hadn't even gotten to the van yet, and the side door was opening and John was smiling.  He had a feeling I'd be coming out with the horse.  Think we've been married too long!? Right now he (the horse, not John) is sitting on a desk in my office/sun room which I am setting up as a kid's playroom, but he'll be around for the grand babies when they visit unless I decide to sell him (the horse, not John) in the store (I don't think so)

Here are a few of the "simplifying decorating" things I've been working on.

The Perfect Perch for Tina's Pretty Tree and Galvanized Star on thrift store find pedestal

Much more to share, but better finish the banister before I do... Just one more photo and time to call it a night.

The Reason for the Season

"God Bless Them Every One....." to quote Tiny Tim 

..and Good Night.

Featuring Felted Wool and More...

Advertising again in the Register Star GO section this weekend and next.  Giving you a sneak preview a couple of days ahead of time.  Stay tuned for a few more shots of the home decorating front...still trying to keep it simple and have managed to leave a few boxes not completely unpacked.  Maybe next year I'll not put them back up in the attic (or rather leave them at the bottom of the steps for John to take up to the attic).  John is the sentimental one who can't bear to part with anything that was on the tree or around the house when the kids were still home.  I listened in on an organizer's words to her client (my daughter) when she reminded her that we only have so much emotional energy, and it is much better to spend it on the people in our lives rather than on the things in our lives.  And I'll leave you with those words of wisdom as I go gather many more "things" to decorate for our simple Christmas.

Day trip to Gilded Junque Yard

Guess what I found for the special ladies in my life.  Can't say. Would spoil the surprise.

Took a Sunday drive to The Gilded Junque Yard Open House in Woodstock, IL, because i love Jeannie's blog and goodies.  Found the perfect birthday gift for daughters, daughters in law, sisters, and couldn't resist getting a gift for myself.  Her home and displays were beautiful and Tina and I indulged a bit.  We also visited her booths in the Colonial Antique Mall, had lunch, and thoroughly enjoyed all the creativity and beauty surrounding us - truly an inspiration.

Simplifying this Christmas

Minimalist table scape

Trying to keep things a bit simpler, although, when it comes to Christmas, I may be constitutionally incapable of doing that.

This is my initial try--a rough burlap runner, a wire reindeer from Second Hand Rose, pine picks, and votives.


Really trying to do less but have as much impact.  I think one trick is to use what we have but embellish it -- a collection of white ironstone with white lights and greenery added. The bright lights make it difficult to see greenery in photo.  Have to work on that. Will also add more color.  (Haven't brought the ornaments down yet) Think it is going to be a much quieter Christmas this year and trying to keep that in mind as I decorate.

Greenery and lights with white ironstone and brown paper wine bag

Staging and Accessorizing make a big Difference

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The store will be closed through Thanksgiving, because just about the whole family (25 of us) will be here for Thanksgiving, and there is lots to do.  But in the meantime, I want to share some before and after photos of a home we (a space lift) is in the process of staging.

Living room before  with love seat barely visible on the far left

 Usually, when we stage a home, we rearrange furniture and accessories and maybe shop for a few items to fill in the blanks.  In this case, we were doing more shopping because, aside from the furniture shown, there were very few existing items to work with.  

Floor length drapes in chocolate with slightly green tinted blue circles

Our starting points were the leather furniture pieces and the drapes shown above.

It took us a while and one rejected rug to find one that suited us and our client.  It is shown above in one of our photos.  The brown background and the progressively deeper and larger blue circles are perfect — love it.  Also shown are a few of the pillows which were added.


We found a thrift store oval larger scale oak coffee table, which was the right scale for the furniture including the end tables. It was painted in three steps — blue green, white, and stone, then distressed with the result giving the impression of driftwood — perfect for our ecologist who studied on the east coast. 

Rearranged living room with a few new accessories

We flip-flopped the sofa and love seat because we wanted the coffee table to align with the length of the rug and so that the wall art selected by our client would be a better size for the piece grounding it.

Love the weed wall art from CB2 which our client found.  Great pick!

Oops, almost forgot.  On the table is a primitive dough bowl (from Just A Second) with wool yarn balls in it.  Everything is safe for toddler in the home. There is a nice length of wall to the right of the sofa and table to accommodate a cupboard or hutch which is still on our shopping list.

Sharing the Spirit of Just A Second

Just one of Tina's one-of-a-kind clock face ornaments

Sharing the Spirit

Sneak preview of White Christmas at Just A Second

Black and silver print with touch of burgundy

Giving you a sneak peek at Just A Second's Christmas finery.

No Open House event planned, but every Saturday there will be goodies and hot coffee, tea, or cider. 

From cottage to primitive, child to adult, we have a bit of everything. Hope to have special additions from Tina soon.  We'll get the word out as soon as we do.

Child's table and china, and shell art

And remember, anytime you hear someone say, "just a second", think of all the visual delights waiting for you on Main Street at Just A Second.

Official welcome display as you enter Just A Second.