Merry Christmas and Blogiversary

Hello everyone,

Merry Christmas to all.

Today is my Blogiversary. 

I have been blogging since

December 25, 2009. 

I started blogging on a whim, and I have loved blogging over the years.

I have learned so much over the past eight years. 

Friendship is the most rewarding part of blogging.

Journaling my daily experiences for my family and friends is a

great way to record my journey in retirement.

My photography has improved, but I still have 

a lot to learn about the photo editing process. 

I wanted to share a little Christmas cheer from my garden.

I hung my red teapot on a shepherd hook in the middle of 

the flower bed. Fresh fir from the Christmas tree is a

perfect bed for my glass mercury bird.

A festive red printed ribbon adorns the hook.

I will start another year of blogging with an

open mind and an open heart to new

creative ideas. This past year I have struggled with finding

time to blog, because of my husband's illness. During

July, he had emergency pacemaker surgery

, and I had cataract surgery on both eyes. I have slowed 

down and I just feel like taking life easier. No pressure

to do extra lifting, cooking, or spending money on 

decor for our home. I love setting a Tea scape once a month

for my Tea Time calendar, and maybe a trip I take

is fun to blog about. 2018 is going to be busy

with family activities. Hopefully, we will

stay healthy for a minute. Come back to see my New Year's Eve Post.

Merry Christmas and see you soon.

Joyously,

Betty

Linking to:

Rustic and Refined for Dishing It and Dishing It

Love of Home for Sunday at Home 

Normandy Life for Mosaic Monday

 The Dedicated House for Make it Pretty Monday 

Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings-The Heart of Your Home
Between Naps on the Porch for Met Monday
Tuesday Cuppa at Antiques and Tea Cups

Friends Sharing Tea at Bernideen's Tea Time Blog 

The Scoop at Cedar Hill Farmhouse 

Our Home Away from Home for Tuesdays at our Home

A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday 

The Dedicated House for Before and After Wednesday

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday 

Katherines Corner for Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop

Home and Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life 

Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday
Thoughts of Home at Poofing the Pillows

The Essence of Home for  Show Your Style Thursday

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

Rattlebridge Farm for Foodie Friday and Everything Else 
 The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday

Ms. Toody Goo Shoes for Best of the Weekend

How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday~Anything Goes

~O Christmas Tree~

Hello everyone,

Christmas Day is my Blog's Anniversary. I published my

first post on Christmas Day December 25, 2009. GO HERE

It was a red-letter day for me. I never imagined in a million

years I would be blogging today. Thanks to my family,

friends and followers for your love and support and beautiful comments.

I connect with friends and family on Facebook too.

You are my inspiration to keep photographing our home

and garden.

This December zipped by so fast I hardly had time

to take all the photos of the holiday decorations in

our house. But what I do have around the kitchen

and living room are so comfy and cozy I just

want to hug my little decorations.

Who doesn't want to hug a little bear on the bottom of 

Santa's long coat? 

I love my tree this year. In past years I have had angels on

our tree, but this year I added my favorite bird, the red cardinal

to the Christmas Tree. 

A mosaic to save

Bless you all

Betty

Linking to

Rustic and Refined for Dishing It and Dishing It

 The Dedicated House for Make it Pretty Monday 

Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings-The Heart of Your Home
Between Naps on the Porch for Met Monday
Tuesday Cuppa at Antiques and Tea Cups

Friends Sharing Tea at Bernideen's Tea Time Blog 

The Scoop at Cedar Hill Farmhouse 

Our Home Away from Home for Tuesdays at our Home

A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday 

The Dedicated House for Before and After Wednesday

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday 

Katherines Corner for Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop

Home and Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life 

Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday
Thoughts of Home at Poofing the Pillows

The Essence of Home for  Show Your Style Thursday

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

Rattlebridge Farm for Foodie Friday and Everything Else 
 The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday

Ms. Toody Goo Shoes for Best of the Weekend

How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday~Anything Goes

Love of Home for Sundays at Home

Christmas Day Tea Time

Hello everyone,

I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and thank you for your 

kindness and support for the past six years. On Christmas Day 2009,
I pushed the publish button for the first time to start my blog journey.
GO HERE to see my first post.

I always want to share more holiday decorations,
but time and my energy seem to run out by Christmas eve.
Last night my sweetheart and I enjoyed a wonderful
family dinner and a beautiful church service.

I have a poinsettia tea cup, poinsettia napkin ring and a

flickering candle in a wicker tray. Under the candle is a joyous
and whimsical holiday novel 'Angels at the Table'
by Debbie Macomber. 

Tea cup and saucer is  'DUCHESS' Bone China~Made in England. 

A mosaic to pin

Wishing you a happy holiday season.

Joyously,

Betty 

Linking to

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

Rattlebridge Farm for Foodie Friday and Everything Else 
 The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday

Rustic and Refined for Table It Link Party - Sunday

 The Dedicated House for Make it Pretty Monday 

Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings-The Heart of Your Home

Lavender Cottage for Mosaic Monday

Friends Sharing Tea at Bernideen's Tea Time Blog 

No Place Like Home at Rose Chintz Cottage 

Home and Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life 

Tuesday Cuppa Tea at Antiques and Teacups

The Scoop at Cedar Hill Farmhouse 

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday 

Christmas Day

This is the Day Christ was Born

Thank you for visiting today

Wishing you and yours 

a Wonderful Day

Betty 

Four years ago today I pushed the publish button for the first time. I've enjoyed my journey and I'll keep posting until I can't post anymore.

Keep coming back

Affectionately

Betty 

Blogiversary # 3

Hello Everyone,

Wow! What a year. I've learned so much about blogging this year. 

Watermarking

Photo Editing

and 

Finding my voice and the title for my blog

LIVING RETIREMENT IN A JOYOUS WAY

This year has been all about France! My newest love.  It's appropriate that I have a

The salad plate with 'Three French hens' to celebrate my 

3rd year Blogiversary

I started blogging on December 25, 2010

Thank you followers, friends and family.  

It's amazing how my blog keeps growing everyday.

Keep coming back

xo

Betty  

Blogiversary # 2

Hello Everyone!

Yes it's my second year of blogging.

I started on Christmas Day, December 25th. 2009.

I had been lurking around blog land for about six months and decided to jump in the middle of the herd.  Ha! Ha!

Now I will be skating into 2012 with more adventures.

Life is good today!

Merry Christmas

and

Best Wishes

for
the
New Year
xo
Betty

3rd Cupcake Sunday

First Giveaway

Welcome to the 3rd Cupcake Sunday

Merry Christmas to everyone in blogland.

December 25th 2010 was my One Year Bloggiversary ~ Giveaway
For Cupcake Sunday I decided to make 

Bloggiversary Cupcakes

I used a basic yellow cake mix for the cupcakes

For the topping
3/4 cup unsalted butter
3 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons milk

Sprinkle with Flaked Coconut, White Sparkling Sugar and Silver Edible Glitter

The Chocolate candy is a gift from my Sister-in-Law and husband.  See's Real Chocolate Truffles. YUM.......

I made the cupcake papers from this beautiful colored paper and 

click (Here) for the printable pattern to make some for your favorite cupcakes. 

Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Thanks for joining Cupcake Sunday
 

If you would like to participate in my Giveaway please click (here)

I am joining The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sunday
and
Little Red House for Mosaic Monday

If you new to participating in Cupcake Sunday: Please be sure to add your permalink below, and not your general blog address.  To get your permalink, click on your post name, then copy and paste the address that shows up in the address bar at the top, into the "url" box for the picture linky.

Please include a link to your Cupcake Sunday post back to the host blog.  Cupcake Sunday.  Why is this important?  When you include a link back to Cupcake Sunday, it ensures your regular readers/visitors will find the other awesome "Cupcakes" linked for this Cupcake Sunday.

Please do not add your link below, until your CS post is actually published to your blog.

I'm so excited to see all the Cupcakes!!!!!!

xo
Betty

One Year Bloggiversary ~ Giveaway

Hi Everyone
Yes!!!! I blogged my first post on December 25, 2009

To celebrate my One Year Bloggiversary 

I'm having my first Giveaway to thank all of you for your wonderful comments, friendship and inspiration during this past year.

  I thought you would like to have some simple things to use as you entertain during the New Year.

Let's open the box and take a look.

#1 is the box. 

#2 'Orchid Flair' small napkins

#3 'Orchid Flair' dessert napkins

#4 Four Piece Cheese Set

#5 Luxury Belgian Extra Dark Chocolate

What a grand year, 2010.  I never expected the experience of blogging would be so heart warming.  Each day, I check out the wonderful blogs for inspiration.  I try to answer comments as often as I can.  When I write a post, I try to share positive life experiences and add a little wit to lighten the day .  Each day, I try to share my collection of  treasures; expensive or thrifty with dignity, grace and style. And, each time before I write I reflect on the blessings in my life and the real purpose for my life.   I loved yesterday, I live today and I look toward tomorrow knowing everything will be OK.  Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for giving me the pleasure to give to you a part of me.

Now let's close the box.  And, wait and see who the winner will be.



How to win!!!!
#1 Leave a comment
#2 Become a follower or tell me you are already a follower.
Friday, December 31, 2010 is the deadline.
Easy !!!!!

I'm joining
How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday
The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sunday
Little Red House for Mosaic Monday

Please join me here at My Cozy Corner on Dec 26th for
Cupcake Sunday

xo
Betty
Don't forget to leave a comment and become a follower