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2008 Year in Review!! Some of my hand painted decor past and present

Just some of my hand painted items ,some are sold and others are available here on my website. I will be listing new items frequently. Thanks for visiting!!!!!!

It has been a great year for me at shabby cottage designs. When i started on this journey i had no clue what i was doing but i had a deep love of art and decorating and a desire to get things done. If nothing else i had determination and drive along with a loving and supportive husband that puts up with what i love to do. This is no easy job by any means. I am often out hunting for just the perfect piece to paint in places you would not believe. My house can look at times like a bomb exploded in it from all the painting , sanding and everything else that goes along with it. It has been a little over a year now since i got my website up and running and i have meet so many wonderful ladies and made friends along the way and i treasure their friendship. I am looking forward to 2009 and continuing to do what is truly a labor of love for me. May God bless you all and i hope the new year brings you health, happiness and prosperity. Be sure and visit Cindy at My Romantic Home and all the other participants in the 2008 year in review. Thanks Cindy for a great idea and sharing it with us.
suzanne

Are you making any New Years resolutions!

I guess it's that time of the year when we have to endure endless commercials for weight loss centers. Do you ever feel like you have fallen off the food wagon and ya cant get up???? Personally I'm not gonna make anymore New Years resolutions!!! Why bother when i know good and well i cant live up to it. Yea, i know i am over weight a bit, well maybe more than just a bit but I'm so tired of stressing over every single bite of food i put in my mouth. Shouldn't the ultimate goal be to be healthy and I'm sure we could all try eating a little more healthy. The whole world is so obsessed with appearance and don't get me wrong, i like to look as nice as the next person but also know i only have so much to work with too!!!!!. Sticking to a healthy diet for me is so hard!! I love food , enjoy cooking for my family and having us all sit down to a delicious home cooked meal. I am a southern girl and as country as they come !! I come from a long line of southern women that were the best cooks ever!! I would put them up against Paula Dean anytime!!! ( and i do love Paula Dean) . I was raised up on country cookin and both of my grandmothers passed down their way of doing things in the kitchen to me. When i was little my sister would go out to the fields with my grandfather and i would stay in the kitchen with grandmother. I learned alot just sitting there and watching her work her magic in the kitchen. It was normal to have fried chicken on the table for breakfast!!!!! YUM! Anyway, no more resolutions for me but am gonna try to eat healthier but not beat myself up or feel guilty over the occasional indulgence either. WE ARE ONLY HUMAN!!!!!!!!!! At least that is how i feel....

Here's to the New Year, may it be feeled with health , happiness and all things good for you and your family!!!!
Suzanne

~~~~~Happy New Year ~~~~

Well the hustle and bustle is about over here and may i say thank goodness. I guess that sounds a bit humbuggy but i swear the older i get the harder it all seems. We did have a wonderful Christmas and enjoyed making special memories with our little family. Emma (our little 3 yr. old grandaughter) brought so much joy and happiness our way. I am slowly taking down the decorations and getting my house back to normal. I love the Christmas tree but when its all over and there are no presents under it i am ready for it to come down. I have been cleaning for the last 3 days and geting things in order. You would not believe what my house looked like after we opened presents here. You would have thought a bomb went off! I'm sure i probably gained 5 pounds at least. so better work on that. I'll start monday!!! HAHAHA!!!!!
Here's wishing everyone a Happy, Healthy and prosperous New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Suzanne

What does Christmas mean to you?

Christmas can mean so many things for each of us. Maybe its spending time with family and loved ones or so many other meanings. Christmas for me is about the birth of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ first and most inportantly. I remember as a child it all seemed so much more simpler and not all the expectations that seem to come with the season now. I think we spend so much time now trying to live up to what the media and magazines tell us it should be like the perfectly decorated house, the perfect presents, the perfectly wrapped package,the perfect table setting and meal, that we get caught up in it all and it can be overwhelming and then the true meaning is lost somewhere in all the hustle and bustle. I can remember when i was a little girl,(a long time ago) going to church service for the christmas play. How exciting and meaningful it was. Beautiful music, Mary and Joseph and the sweet baby Jesus. Always at the end of the service we would all get a bag of goodies consisting of an apple, orange,nuts and a candy cane. Where did all that go ? I miss it and the warm and wonderful feeling it gave at Christmas time. As the special day aproaches i just want to say to all my friends ,Merry Christmas to you and your families, may we never forget the true meaning of Christmas and forever keep it close to our hearts.

I would love for you to leave me a comment and tell me what Christmas means to you.

Suzanne

Have you put up your Christmas tree yet?

Just a few more pictures to share of Christmas decorations. Have fun decorating!

suzanne