White Hoppy Maxwell (18 Years Of Love)

I had to write this post about my beloved maltese Maxwell who passed away just a few weeks ago. I have not been here for awhile because of my time spent caring for Max.

I will always remember those eyes. In the last years he started losing his sight. By the time of his passing I was still bringing him in and out so that he could go outside. He was not able to climb the stairs because of his sight and hip. The week of his passing he needed to lean on me just so that he could stand and pee.

He was so devoted. I remember how he never left my side after I had surgery.

He was treated like royalty. That's why I called him The Royal Pooch. The groomers kept him clean and white.

His first toy when he was a baby.

He loved to sit by the fireplace.

I remember the first day I got him. He will never be forgotten. I was closer to this dog than other family members. 18 years of unconditional love.

I will always love my Maxwell RIP.

Missing Summer Already

The Gardens

Salads from the gardens are the best!

Beautiful Red!

This looks like a little man sitting, how cute!

Hansels

Gretels

Peppermint! Fresh

Canning all the beautiful things from the gardens.

Be Frugal and Live Like a Queen!

Rachel Ashwell Inspired Dining Room Table

So, I was browsing through a February 2011 issue of Country Living magazine and saw a beautiful white table in designer Rachel Ashwell's dining room. It was so simple and beautiful. I had to have it, but could not afford it. I told my husband about the table and showed him the picture and the rest is history. I needed to find a frugal way of making it.

Here's what we got. 3 pieaces of 1x12x6Ft pine for the top. 3 pieces of 1x4x6Ft pine for the side skirt. 1 piece of 2x4x8Ft of pine for the underneath braces. 2 pieces of 4x4x8Ft douglas fir for the legs.

Of course my husband put it together

He added the legs on in the dining room.

I painted it since I love to paint!

Simply

Gorgeous

Cost to build the table $62.13

Paint was left over from a previous project.

Be Frugal And Live Like A Queen!

Shadow Box and Blocks

I found this really neat shadow box at a second hand store for $10. I had to have it but wasn't sure what I would do with it.

I decided to put blocks in it. So I found some leftover wood that my husband had in the garage.

I painted the wood a champagne color and the letters, borders and shadow box were painted black.

Words of Inspiration

Finished!

Be Frugal and Live Like a Queen!

A Simple Christmas

This year the word "Simple" played in my mind. I kept thinking how commercialized Christmas has become. Simple is exactly what we did this year. There was no hustling around to the stores for things, no crowds, no stress. I enjoyed hot tea, the fireplace, movies, popcorn and Christmas jazz music.

It was wonderful!

A simple reef made out of a tree that we took down.

Simple Snow flakes!

Warmth of a simple home...how blessed we are.

There's something simply wonderful about walks in the snow.

Simply Beautiful!

Creative Home Expressions: Celebration Giveaway #1

Creative Home Expressions: Celebration Giveaway #1

The Frugal Reefs and Trees

So, there was this ugly green tree on the side of the house that grew so crooked, I was more than happy to help my son and husband take this tree out. It was a little eyesore from the street. It did nothing for curb appeal to the house. Down it went. Then I started thinking about what I could do with all the lush green limbs.

I went to a local craft store and got reef wire hoops, then I start my project of making my own Christmas reefs. I have never done anything like this. I wanted it to feel like an LL Bean Christmas reef, kinda rustic too. This is so quick and easy.

I took branches and inserted them in the reef. I used green wire to tie everything into place.

Doesn't it look rustic!

Then I put bamboo shoots poles that we have growing in the back yard in these pots so that I would have something to tie the wire too, I took the long branches and stuck them in these pots, tied them to the poles. These look like real trees growing in the pots don't they?

Beautiful!

Added red bows to finish the look.

Cost for this project...$0.00! I alread had the pots, bamboo poles, red bows, and tree.

Be Frugal and Live Like a Queen!