Everyday Living

Simple + Southern Sunday No. 64

~ Simple + Southern Sunday

 “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:9-10‬ ‭ “We are the body of the most High.  We are the bride of a Savior.  
And we fall for the King of the kingdom, as we sing the songs of salvation!  And we stand for those who cannot stand for themselves. And we love the loveless.  And we go where Your light’s not shining.  
We are the body of Christ”
Mandi Mapes
“Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:11‬ ‭ The oldest tree in our yard no doubt. One has to wonder which spring this old oak will fail to burst forth with new life.
 These maples give their best show in the fall but they have a solemn January beauty!
 A wet and mild season so far has been great for the green winter rye which brings a very noticeable contrast this time of year. If there is a negative it’s that this year the grass needs mowing every week!   The coral bark maple adds color to our winter garden!Yao, one of our sponsored boys, lives in an orphanage in Togo, West Africa!
 Modeste is Yao’s younger brother!  We fell in love with both of them when we went on a short term mission trip in 2011.
 The O. R. Hood house, a brick two-story Classic Revival house, was built in 1904 and is home to the Gadsden Women’s Club!  It is listed in the National Register of Historical Places and one of many beautiful old Southern homes in our city!  Grilled Redfish with polenta, radish salad, and salsa verde! Roll Tide Roll as we play for our 16th National Championship Monday night! I have been watching the eagle cam at Berry College for three years.  This is the pair of resident eagles on the nest Thursday.  Mama eagle laid an egg later that afternoon!
 Saturday found Daddy bringing a fresh catch for Mama’s lunch!  Did you know that eagles mate for life?
 Love a red barn!

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD!”
Psalm 122:1
final-closer-both-1 Linking with Pieced Pastimes, Silver Pennies, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice, Coastal Charm, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, The Dedicated House, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, Ivy and Elephants, French Country Cottage, From My Front Porch To Yours, Stone Gable, Confessions of a Plate Addict, Worthing Court, Between Naps on the Porch, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, The Charm of Home, Cornerstone Confessions, A Delightsome Life, Imparting Grace, Posed Perfection, Katherines Corner, Rooted In Thyme, Share Your Cup, The Enchanting Rose, Alabama Women Bloggers, 21 Rosemary Lane, Northern Nesting, Cozy Little House, Rattlebridge Farm, Karens Up On The Hill

Inviting Spaces & Cozy Fireplaces

~ Decorating

“By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭24:3-4

 December was unusually warm here in Northeast Alabama, complete with wearing a short sleeved shirt on Christmas!  But January is swinging the pendulum and we have found ourselves with below freezing temps the past few days!  I guess you could say winter made a fashionably late entrance this year!

January makes me think of cozy rooms, crackling fires, stack of books, and a mug of hot chocolate…with whipped cream on top, of course!  With my mind on all things warm and cozy, I thought it would be temperature appropriate to share rooms that invite you in and wrap you in warmth!  You’ll notice a common denominator in each room…a fireplace with the glow of logs burning…it doesn’t get much cozier than that!  Make yourself a cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate and sit down and enjoy!

You can see more on my Pinterest board, Living Spaces.
Click each photo to go to the original source. This is my idea of cozy…crackling fire, leather bound books, comfy seating, coffered ceiling!  I could stay here for a while!
 Elegance with lovely lighting and art, but very welcoming! A pair of leather chairs, stone fireplace, and natural light create a cozy ambiance! An English room with period furniture and sparkling chandeliers is still warm and inviting! A French chateau (obviously out of most of our price range) exudes a cozy feel with its antique mantel! A rustic room with large windows and plenty of charm! I love pattern and this room provides plenty with the large tapestry, window treatments, upholstered chairs, and the oriental rug! A sitting area within a kitchen is perfect for relaxing!
A charming room with layers of texture and color!Very chic, but still welcoming!
Call me when spring arrives!
Light-filled space!
 Blue and white remain timeless! A cozy porch! A small and peaceful space for reading in front of the warm fire!
 Even a Palm Beach residence has a cozy fire! White-washed cypress beams and a fireplace made from local stone creates the perfect family room in Tennessee!
 A roaring fire takes center stage in this home, furnished with a nubby cream sofa! A pair of lanterns along with a stone fireplace and plenty of patterns brings warmth to the white walls and ceiling! A gorgeous room, love everything about it!

Which room would you choose to curl up in on a winter afternoon?side Linking with Pieced Pastimes, Silver Pennies, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice, Coastal Charm, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, Ivy and Elephants, French Country Cottage, From My Front Porch To Yours, Stone Gable, Confessions of a Plate Addict, Worthing Court, Between Naps on the Porch, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, The Charm of Home, Cornerstone Confessions, Imparting Grace, Posed Perfection, Katherines Corner, Rooted In Thyme, Share Your Cup, The Enchanting Rose, 21 Rosemary Lane, Northern Nesting, Cozy Little House, Rattlebridge Farm

Tablescape Tuesday: Downton Abbey Style

~ Food & Entertaining, Tablescape Tuesday

 “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭105:4‬ ‭

I know how wildly popular the British period drama Downton Abbey has been and Sunday night began its sixth and final season!  I haven’t watched a single episode, but before you throw your English tea cups, I do plan on buying the entire series to sit down at my leisure and watch!  No one sets a more formal and proper table than the British aristocracy with their heirloom china, crystal, and sterling!

However, my dear friend Patti, with her beautiful collection of table ware, can run a close second!  For many years, she and her husband have hosted Thanksgiving dinner, with a grand total of 60 family members attending this year.  Being the fabulous hostess she is, each table is always set with linens, fine china…the whole works!  While visiting her, we had the best time setting a formal “Downton Abbey” styled table!


A beautiful Irish linen tablecloth graces Patti’s dining table!


The china pattern is “Twilight Dell” by Oxford


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The “chair” place card holders have to be the most unique that I have ever seen!  I love them!


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The water goblet and the iced beverage is “Araglin” by Waterford.  This pattern is characterized by diamond and vertical wedge cuts.  I visited the House of Waterford last summer while in Ireland and watched a demonstration of how the beautiful crystal is made!  You can see more here.


The flatware consists of several patterns!  I love mixing it up…even on a formal table!


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Note the beautiful embroidery on the tablecloth and the individual salt cellars!


The centerpiece is a vintage silver-plated epergne filled with champagne roses!


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 “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold
in a setting of silver”
Proverbs‬ ‭25‬:‭11‬


The vintage compotes and seafood forks are awaiting an appetizer of shrimp cocktail!


So, what about you?  Are you a fan of Downton Abbey?  I always love your comments!

side Linking with Pieced Pastimes, Silver Pennies, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice, Coastal Charm, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, Ivy and Elephants, French Country Cottage, From My Front Porch To Yours, Stone Gable, Confessions of a Plate Addict, Worthing Court, Between Naps on the Porch, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, The Charm of Home, Cornerstone Confessions, A Delightsome Life, Imparting Grace, Posed Perfection, Katherines Corner, Rooted In Thyme, Share Your Cup, The Enchanting Rose, 21 Rosemary Lane, Northern Nesting, Cozy Little House, Rattlebridge Farm, Rustic & Refined