Do You Ever Wish You Could Just Sail Away?

That's exactly what I've been dreaming about ever since I won my new sailboat from Small Holdings Farm.  You can click on their name to visit their blog.

I adore this driftwood sailboat.  I thought about saving it as a Christmas gift for Neil but just couldn't hold out.  It was too pretty and I wanted to enjoy it.  It's the perfect addition to go with my redecorating coastal vibe.  It's really big too. It's about 28" tall x 21" wide.  Just beautiful.

Small Holdings Farm is located on the Main Road 

in Aquebogue, which we call 

the gateway to the North Fork of Long Island, New York.

Wine Country....75 vineyards, bucolic country roads, 

great restaurants, historic buildings, wonderful beaches, 

great fishing and small towns with lots of charm.  Click here to stop by and visit their website where you can shop online.

Here's a few pictures of the other wonderful things they offer.

Whale cut-outs are made of 1" thick antique barn wood. The driftwood has been collected from our local Eastern Long Island Beaches and from the Virginia Chesapeake Bay area. The entire piece measures 15" w x 11" h

They sell everything from garden elements to painted furniture.  If you like vintage and reclaimed items you'll really like Small Holdings Farm.

I'm Smelling So Good!

I was lucky enough to be the winner of Natalie's giveaway @ Exquisitus Fashion.  How did she know I was just running out of my good hand cream.  You know the kind you don't want anyone else in the house touching, lol.  

I love the smell of the Vintage Floral soap and lotion from Dolce Mia!  The soap is a really big bar and I think it's going to last for a long time.  It's such a pretty soft scent when I get out of the shower.

And the lotion is so creamy.  I love that it's in a pump bottle too.  And did you notice to awesome vintage pin up girl graphic?  Of course you did, who wouldn't.  Nothing's going to waste here.  I'll be using those on some sort of paper craft!

Dolica Mia of Sonama County is made in Northern California.  There products are full fresh, organic botanicals and natural seed oils to provide a luxurious product for your skin.

Thanks so much to Natalie and Angela Worden with the Dolce Mia Company.

Scrapping and Life is Having a Giveaway

Alanna @ Scrapping and Life is having a giveaway.  Alanna's got lots to celebrate.  She's almost at 100 followers, almost 300 posts and just pasted her 1 year blogiversary.  Whew ~ that's a lot of good stuff.  So she's matching that by giving away a lot of good stuff.

and this

Just click on the photos or here to visit Alanna's lovely blog and enter.

Someone is going to be a very lucky winner and very busy in the new year.

Good Luck and Hugs Ya'll...Tracy :)

Prayer Requests for 2 Family Members in Critical Care

You've all been such wonderful friends and constant prayer companions and we're so grateful.  Now here I am once again requesting prayers from you.

First is an update on my MIL.  They tried to let Nadine breath on her own late yesterday afternoon, as a test, and it didn't go well at all.  She got distress immediately and panicked.  Her blood pressure went up to 214 after just a few moments.  The doctors were surprised because she had looked so good.  They are still trying to get the swelling down.  She recovered from the other infections and today they told us she has a new one.


Now to another family member.   I just learned yesterday that another one of my cousins is in critical care in another hospital in town with a a muscular disease called Myasthenia Gravizs.  I don't know anything more than that it affects all the muscles in the body.  He is now on a ventilator and a feeding tube.  He just found out about the disease about 6 months ago.  I've been told that he also has colon cancer.  His chemo was suppose to start 2 days ago.  They can't do that now.  

PLEASE say a prayer.  It would me so much to me and even more to his family.   I'm sure they could all use your prayers.  I've just received the Christmas blessing of being able to reconnect with his children via the internet.  My heart is full!  His oldest daughter was only 3 years younger than me and we grew up as close cousins, childhood friends.


Thank you for reading this and giving my family the the blessings of your good thoughts and prayers.
Love, Hugs and Christmas Wishes...Tracy

Oh' Nate - We Will Miss You

Have ya'll heard the bad news?  I couldn't believe it.  Nate, say it ain't so!

After only 2 seasons the Nate Berkus Show will be ending.  

Sony Pictures Television and Harpo Studios have announced that they will pull the plug on "The Nate Berkus Show" after it completes its second season in May 2012. 

This is one of the VERY FEW daytime television shows I watch.  I actually record it so that I can watch it whenever I get time. 

I'm so disappointed in T.V. in general.  HGTV seemed to lose their way several years ago.  It's as if they've always been a behind schedule with their T.V. lineup.  How else do you explain them having so many house flipping shows on when the housing market went bust.  And  as for flipping that was fine when the average person could possibly do it and the economy would allow it but we all know those days are past.  

 I love a good decorating show and would like more of those. I actually miss the old shows about crafting.  I loved HGTV when it first started out.  My television was tuned to that station day and night.  It was all I watched.  To be honest, I rarely watch it now.  I don't get the DIY channel and maybe I'm missing out on others but where are the good ole' crafting shows.  Crafting in all forms has come so far these last few years.  Well I want MORE.  That's why I'm in blogland and rarely in T.V.land these days.

Now the times call for the old adage "Make do or do without" and use up what you have.  From what I can see Nate was on the right track at the right time.  Maybe the problem was more of a daytime scheduling thing.  It's no longer spend and excess.  Designer name brands are nice but I think living excessively and extravagantly is more frowned upon then admired now.  I believe creativity is embraced now by all social classes.  And I like it.  Your on blogland so I know this isn't a surprise to you but to the rest of the world I say "Homemade, recycled, upcycled, craftiness, thriftiness doesn't have to mean tackiness".  I mean really, have you've seen all the amazing homes out there that found the bones of their furniture on the curb?  Give me the choice between that and a showroom, matchy - matchy item and I'll choose curbside every time.

I'm sorry Nate, that the bosses that be in network television can't see the opportunity that lies before them.  With the right time slot and the right support, you could do amazing things.  I don't expect  you to be gone long.  I'm betting you'll be showing up in my house via T.V. as quick as I can say from Upcycled Cottage Chic on the side of the street.

Wranglin' Up All The Ideas I Can FInd

Hey Ya'll.  I am now addicted.  It all began innocently enough.  Just a little bit at a time.  Everyday just a little more. One more peek.  Just once more before I go to bed.  And then I realize I must have blacked out.

Sensory overload I guess.  It's been hours.  Where did the time go?  Yep, I can't quit pinning.  I've got so many things pinned that if I made everything I liked you wouldn't hear from me until 2013.  Gosh, that sounds so weird.  

I want to share with you just one of the new bloggers I've found.  Her name is Mallory Jane @ Hayseed Homemakin'.  And she came up with the cute idea to, as she put it "wrangle the wild coasters that roam our living room" with her dad's stirrup from his childhood saddle.  What an awesome tribute to her dad and such a brilliant idea.  Ty used to work on a ranch and I can totally see him liking this.

And look at this cute way to dress up a stand of lights.  She also did some for her daughters room.  Stop by and look at them.

Mallory Jane's blog is really new.  The stirrup was her 2nd post and I was her first follower by gfc anyway, can you believe that?  Click here or on her photos to Stop by and welcome her to this unbelievable place called blogland that I now consider home almost as much as my house.

Have a blessed Sunday and I hope ya'll are enjoying the Season!

Tracy

New Winner and 2 Home Giveaways That You Want to Enter

This mornings winner, Sweetheart, was kind enough to let me know that she was already the winner of the Cheerios Cheer Package giveaway on another blog and asked if I would pick another winner.  So without delay, our new winner is...........

Janetfaye @ Blog-Giveaways

Congratulations Janetfaye!!!  You have 48 hours to contact me.

This is a reminder to enter the two 2011 Holiday Gift Guide Giveaways that are currently opened.  These are awesome products and there are multiple ways to enter.  Your support by entering these giveaways helps to make sure new giveways come my way.  I love having the opportunity to find great products that you'll want to win.

Enter my Cutting Edge Stencil giveaway here or click on the photo below.

You really will love this Warmly Yours heated desk rug.  Perfect for keeping your tootsies warm anywhere! Click here or the photo below to enter.

Have fun entering those giveaways Ya'll.  Have you won something great lately?  I'd love to hear about it and share your good news with my readers!!!