All about Martha...no, not the one in the Bible...and verse 22

You know, there's a lot of hard stuff in the world.  Your hard stuff probably isn't like my hard stuff...and vice versa.  But it's all still hard when you're the one walking in it.

I know, I know.  Deep.

I just wanted to throw that out there.  I don't want y'all to think that this wee little peek into my corner of the world is all brightness and light and fluff...  I mean, my life, for some of its challenges, is pretty darn good, but I don't want anyone to think I take their hardships lightly.  Not that you think that.  I'm just saying.

PMS, much?

Okay, moving on....  I did say this was all about Martha, right?  Maybe we should talk about Christmas table decorations now.  How's that for lightening the mood?

We had a lovely ladies' day at church Saturday and as part of the day's events, I was asked, along with three others, to decorate a holiday themed table.  (Boy, have I got everyone fooled; they think I've got this decorating thing down pat.)  The idea was that the ladies in attendance could view them and get ideas for their holiday tables.  Two were Thanksgiving-themed; two were Christmas-themed.

Now, I don't consider myself a great table designer - a decent enough one, I 'spose - but as one who is primarily left-brained, I've got a few rules I've learned over the years and I am happy to share them.  They're not particularly earth-shattering insights, but you're welcome to them.

Not the actual table.  I recreated this at home, just so I could
take a picture for you.  I know, that's love.  And excuse the
wrinkles, please, they weren't there at the real deal.

















1.  Borrow stuff.

You don't have to own everything yourself.  (And unless you have unlimited finances and unlimited space, you probably shouldn't.  Just a thought from your frugalicious friend.)

My friend, Nay, (who actually IS one of those incredibly gifted decorator types) has some vintage dishes that belonged to her Ma.  (That's a grandmother, for those of you who aren't from East Texas.)  She was happy to loan them to me and they were part of the inspiration for my theme.

2.  Check out decorator blogs and websites.

There are gazillions (really, I counted) of blogs by incredibly talented people with lots of time on their hands, not to mention store websites like Pottery Barn, our friend Martha, Southern Living, etc.

Copy them, y'all.

Okay, seriously.  Check them out.  Creativity breeds creativity.  Their ideas may spur ideas of your own.  (Is that the right word?  Anyway, you know what I mean.)

3.  Translate trends to your table top.

I used a piece of burlap as a table overlay.  Burlap is a popular trend right now, at least on some of the blogs I've seen.  And nature is a great holiday theme, although not one I've used a lot.

4.  Combine textures.

I liked the contrast of burlap with shiny red chargers.  Juxtapose (how do you like that fancy word?) opposite textures, finishes, etc.  Use a silk overlay, with brown, woven rattan chargers....

5.  Create staggered heights and use odd numbers.

Use upside down bowls or a book under a bunched up piece of fabric to create staggered heights.  Also, odd numbered groupings tend to work well together.  Remember not to make your centerpieces too tall...although I broke that rule for my display table.  (Heh,heh...do as I say, not as I do...)

6.  Have a Martha Stewart-type Peep.

Now, I realize this one won't apply to everyone, but if at all possible, it is very helpful if one of your Peeps (and in my case, I have access to both Peeps and sisters...I know, I know, how lucky can a girl be?) can give Martha Stewart a run for her money.  First, you call her, and during one of your chats, talk about your table ideas.  Mention that you found cute little red bird ornaments for a placecard. Conveniently have your stuff out when she comes by so she can see what you're working with, or set up a dry run and email pictures.  (Hey, make that technology work for you.  This also works when you don't know what outfit to wear for something.  But that's a separate post.)

Go when she tells you to meet her at Hobby Lobby.  Listen when she tells you that the little bird's nests you found in the floral department are too small and you need the medium size, not the small.  Because, really?  Does a bird not like a little extra room in her nest?  Listen when she says, "You know what would be cute?" And then make the little shepherd's crook out of black wire and stand it up in the bird's nest with a little name tag cut in an oval with cute scalloped scissors hanging from it.

Then, don't forget to act humble when you get "oohs" and "aahs" about how cute the little bird's nests with the name tags hanging on the wee little shepherd's crook are....

So, there you have it.  How to decorate a holiday table in six, easy steps.  Or not.  And, what the heck.  If you don't give a hoot and just feel like using paper plates, go for it.

Unless Martha Stewart is coming to dinner, of course.

Well, gosh.  I've gotten so distracted talking about decor-related fun, that I just about forgot to add my verse.  I'm continuing on with Psalm 30.

Psalm 30:6-7, NIV
When I felt secure, I said, "I will never be shaken."  O LORD, when You favored me, You made my mountain stand firm; but when You hid your face, I was dismayed.

That's all I've got for now.  Talk to you later...I have to go clean up a broken, supposedly enviromentally-friendly, yet mercury-laden lightbulb.  The fun, it never stops.

And boy are my arms tired...Nov 1 verse (#21)

We flew home from Spokane, WA last night after a whirlwind weekend.  Jack and I left bright and early Friday morning after dropping the boys off at my sister's house the night before.  She was the trooper who was willing to add my three boys to her four for a grand total (for those of you who are math challenged) of seven very excited, testosterone-filled bodies.

And why Spokane, you may be wondering?  A old friend and roommate was getting married.  That's always a fun reason for a trip, right?  Although I was born in Seattle, we moved to Texas when I was two and I'd never been to NE Washington before. It was beautiful in spite of being overcast and a little rainy.  The weather was cold, which was a nice change from the warmth of the last couple of weeks.  (Yes, I know in my last post I commented on the lovely weather, but it was short lived.  Hopefully it will return as too much heat can make one cranky.  I'm not naming any names though.)  And they actually have fall color up there, unlike South Texas where the trees are green until one day all the leaves fall off.



Mary Powers Cole, me and Jack
















It was a charming, small country wedding (and when I say country, I mean - seriously - out in the country) and the reception was at a darling 100-year-old farmhouse that a couple bought and turned into a restaurant.  If you ever find yourself in Colville, WA, you must go to Lovitt.

But let me tell you what else happened!  As we were getting on the plane Friday morning, Jack, who was just ahead of me getting on the plane, turned around and said, "I think Beth Moore is in first class."  And sure enough, she was.  She was headed to Spokane for a Living Proof Live event.  (I had noticed on her website weeks before that she had an event there, and the random "wouldn't that be cool if I ran into Beth Moore in Spokane" thought ran through my mind and out the other side, but I didn't seriously think I would....)  I leaned over and said "hey" to her as I passed by and we chatted for a very brief moment.  I told her I was a Houston siesta who happened to be going to a wedding that weekend.  I couldn't believe how nervous I was!

As we landed, Jack was urging me to rush off the plane to get a picture with her, but I was too intimidated.  Plus, she was in the front of the plane and we were practically sitting in the rear lavatory, so she got a pretty good head start.  We made it off the plane and naturally headed to the first place everyone goes when they get off a plane - the ladies' room.  Yet who did I see as I exited the stall and we both headed for the sinks?  Yep, you guessed it.

I, of course, was calm, cool, and collected.  My normal witty, sophisticated self.

Or not.

Y'all, I was a mess.  She was so nice and friendly.  Among other barely lucid ramblings, I told her my husband was hounding me about trying to get a picture with her and she was very accommodating.



Take 1 - See, what'd I tell you?  Sophisticated, I am....





Take 2 - Me and my BFF, Beth


























She hugged me and we parted ways.  Until we ran into her again coming out of Starbucks, where I'm sure I said something clever and humorous like, "duh...coffee..."  We walked together to the baggage claim, she hugged me again and we went off to get our rental car, lest she begin to think I was stalking her.  I have to tell you, it was the coolest thing.  I told her I was doing my verses this year.  She is too, so we are in good company, y'all.

And so, at that, I'll post my next verse:
Psalm 30:4-5 NIV, "Sing to the LORD, you saints of His; praise His holy name.  For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning."

We had so much favor this weekend...from getting seats together on our connecting flight, to getting on the earlier flight coming home, and yes, even meeting Beth Moore.

And now my weekend reminiscenses must cease.  My youngest just came in and reported, in case it wasn't obvious to the naked eye, that he cut his hair.