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

Little Things Matter #13

Hello everyone,

The year of 2016 in coming to an end on Saturday.

I have Hope that 2017 will be a year of gratitude and

the words
"Thank You"
Gratitude is the hardest of all 
emotions to express.
There is no word capable of
conveying all that one feels.
Until we reach a world 
where thoughts can be
adequately expressed in words,
"thank you"
will have to do.
~A. P. Gouthey

Little Things Matter.

Winterberries are the hallmark of Winter decor.

Cedar and pine cones wrapped in Red ribbon.

Cinnamon sticks and Christmas books.

The sweet smell of oranges covered with cloves.

(a secret: the oranges are faux)

I will be lighting this candle on New Year's Eve

to remind me of the year of HOPE.

Hoping you have a wonderful new year.

Joyously,

Betty 

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

THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS BLOG HOP #219

Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop #219

Welcome.
Are you ready to party?
I am!!!
My favorite thing this week is my
White Feather Tree...

Now it's time to get this party started.

THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS BLOG HOP NO. 219

Welcome to the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop. We invite you to link up and share your favorite post or a post about your favorite things.

We can't wait to see what you share!

Katherine- Katherines Corner || Twitter || Pinterest || Facebook || Google + || Instagram || Bloglovin’|| Nina-Vintage Mama’s Cottage || Twitter || Pinterest || Facebook || Google + || Instagram || Bloglovin’|| Debi- Surroundings by Debi || Twitter || Pinterest || Facebook || Google + || Instagram || Bloglovin’|| Jas- All That’s Jas || Twitter || Pinterest || Facebook || Google + || Instagram || Bloglovin’|| Erika- What Erika Wears || Twitter || Pinterest || Facebook || Google + || Instagram || Bloglovin’|| Betty- My Cozy Corner || Twitter || Pinterest || Facebook || Google + || Instagram || Bloglovin’|| Rina- I Thee Cook || Twitter || Pinterest || Facebook || Google + || Instagram || Bloglovin’|| Rosemary- An Italian in My Kitchen || Twitter || Pinterest || Facebook || Google + || Instagram || Bloglovin’||

Adding your link to this blog hop gives Katherine and her hostesses permission to share your posts and pictures via social media, on pinterest and as features on their blogs.

An InLinkz Link-up

;

Holiday Magazine My Way Challenge Blog Tour 

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Back in November Katherine, from Katherines Corner, invited her readers to join her in what she hoped would become an annual event, the Holiday Magazine My Way Challenge. The instructions were to use a new or old holiday magazine cover (November/December) as our inspiration. Recreate it our way- by creating a copy using our own items. Or recreate the cover with our vision. All of the participants will be included in a random drawing and 2 winners will each receive a one year subscription to Veranda Magazine, Elle Decor or House Beautiful magazine (winner’s choice). 

Here it is!

I met my challenge using SOUTHERN LADY magazine          

It's time to take the Holiday Magazine My Way Challenge Blog Tour.

This post was published on December 16th 2012 and my mother had just passed away. 

This is my story.

Since my mother passed on November 3, 2012, this holiday season has taken on a life of it's own.

I've wanted to get in the spirit of things, but I feel like I'm out of focus.   You know what I'm talking about. When your taking a photo and you just can't get the camera to focus~In and out the lens goes, trying to pin point the object. That's me.  My sister and I cleared my mom's house the first weekend of December and I brought some little treasures home. The beautiful bowl with the gold  trim decorated with multicolored ornaments is one of the little treasures.  From time to time I will be showing  little keepsakes I gathered  from my mother's home. 

This too shall pass 

 This is my version of decorating the tree with the ornaments ready to place on the tree, 

 and having sweets with tea.  

 I served homemade Lemon Squares Supreme, shortbread dipped in chocolate and truffles.

'Lemon Squares Supreme' Go Here. 

The cinnamon sticks ready to put in the burning flames for a fragrant smell of the holidays.

My musical and angel theme living room decorations.

The lemon squares, truffles and little German chocolate dipped cookies were the dessert I served at

my Christmas Tea. I will be posting the tea party later this week. 

Thank you so much for visiting My Cozy Corner.

I love how my wonderful followers, friends, and newcomers keep checking in to see what the 'Old Fogies' are up to lately. LOL!

Linking to

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 

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday 
Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday

Katherine's Corner for Thursday Favorite Thing 

Northern Nesting 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

Post Script.

It has been three Christmas's since my mom passed away.  My sister and I were so blessed to have 

a great mother. When I use my mother's keepsakes in a post I am reminded of my wonderful childhood. We were not rich or poor. We went to church and school. I worked after high school and I married my high school sweetheart. We were blessed with three healthy children that are successful today. Now we are in the last phase of a simple life with friends and family we love dearly.

Thank you for being part of my journey. I love to blog and in retirement it is a great hobby.

Thank you Katherine for having me be part of your party every week.  

Now Let's get this party started.

An InLinkz Link-up

;

Holiday Master Bedroom

Hello everyone,

We are in the second week of December and I'm busy trying to recover after having 10 to 16 family members visiting over the four day Thanksgiving weekend. Sweetheart I prepared all the meals for everyone during their stay. Some stayed in a hotel and some came just for the holiday dinner. This old body doesn't stand as many hours at a time anymore. But I try to keep moving forward. Now I want to share with you my newest pillow and our master bedroom decorated for the holidays.

Today I finished my pillow for our master bedroom. 

I'm in love with this pillow. I found the plaid flannel sheets at K Mart when the first winter sheets came in the store. The king size set came in a matching bag. I took the bag apart and made the plaid band and bow. I made the 16" by 16" pillow cover from a piece of muslin, put a zipper in the bottom and purchased an insert from Jo Ann's craft store.
The little jeweled Scottie dog I found on sale at Macy's department store.

I will admit I found my inspiration from a pillow on pier 1.com. I pinned my inspiration on my Pillow Love pinterest board. 

I think my room looks very festive with my little angel sitting on my night stand next to my favorite books to read.

Don't you love to look in magazines and see a beautiful decoration hanging over the bed.  I do. So off to the thrift store I go to find the perfect holiday decoration. Yes, I found this adorable swag for $5.00 dollars. Ta Da...Pretty sweet Huh! 

I've had these old fashioned stockings for over 25 years and I decided they would be amazing hanging from the foot board. This is papa's stocking.

And this stocking belongs to "Sweet Nana" 

One room done and now I'm on to the next room. Maybe by Christmas I will have 

the decorations finished... LOL

A mosaic to pin

Thank you for visiting and I will see you tomorrow night at 6:00 p.m. PST as I

co-host Thursday Favorite Things blog hop at Katherines Corner

Joyously,

Betty 

Linking to 

 Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday 

Katherine's Corner for Thursday Favorite Thing
Cozy Little House for Holiday Linky Party 

A Delightsome Life for Home and Garden Thursday

Northern Nesting 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

How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday~Anything Goes

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

No Place Like Home at Rose Chintz Cottage 

The Scoop at Cedar Hill Farmhouse 

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday 

THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS BLOG HOP #217

Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop #217

Welcome.
Are you ready to party?
I am!!!
My favorite thing this week is my
Disneyland Inspired Christmas Wreath

Now it's time to get this party started.

THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS BLOG HOP NO. 217

Welcome to the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop. We invite you to link up and share your favorite post or a post about your favorite things.

We can't wait to see what you share!

Katherine- Katherines Corner || Twitter || Pinterest || Facebook || Google + || Instagram || Bloglovin’|| Nina-Vintage Mama’s Cottage || Twitter || Pinterest || Facebook || Google + || Instagram || Bloglovin’|| Debi- Surroundings by Debi || Twitter || Pinterest || Facebook || Google + || Instagram || Bloglovin’|| Jas- All That’s Jas || Twitter || Pinterest || Facebook || Google + || Instagram || Bloglovin’|| Erika- What Erika Wears || Twitter || Pinterest || Facebook || Google + || Instagram || Bloglovin’|| Betty- My Cozy Corner || Twitter || Pinterest || Facebook || Google + || Instagram || Bloglovin’|| Rina- I Thee Cook || Twitter || Pinterest || Facebook || Google + || Instagram || Bloglovin’|| Rosemary- An Italian in My Kitchen || Twitter || Pinterest || Facebook || Google + || Instagram || Bloglovin’||

Adding your link to this blog hop gives Katherine and her hostesses permission to share your posts and pictures via social media, on pinterest and as features on their blogs.

An InLinkz Link-up

;

A Little Bit of Christmas

Hello everyone,

It's time for a Little Bit of Christmas.  When we were visiting Old Quebec City Canada on our vacation, I found this precious lamb with a tartan scarf in a boutique while I was shopping in the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac. I knew it was going to be part of my holiday decoration on my Tea Table in the dining room by a sunny window. 

Time for tea in my Old Country Roses tea cup by Royal Albert.

Little lamb, English tea cup and Christmas cactus is the perfect recipe

for a delightful tea table vignette♥

I am starting a new board on my pinterest with my tea cup collection. Hopefully by this time next year I will have my complete collection displayed. 

I have been waiting for the perfect time to show you my 

Ellgreave Genuine Ironstone tea pot from the thrift store.

This vignette seemed to be the right setting. 

Christmas Cactus are so delicate.

Let the Christmas season get started now...

A mosaic to pin

Thank you for visiting
Joyously,
Betty

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 

A Return to Loveliness  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 

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday 
Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday

Katherine's Corner for Thursday Favorite Thing 

Northern Nesting 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