It's the simple things!!!

The school that my kiddos go to had an appreciation brunch today... I helped out with the decorations so I am the happy recipient of the "leftovers".  Not the food but some of the decor.  The parts that were just going to rot if just left in a dark gym.  So to our home they traveled.

Who knew that such simple things would make me so happy?  I spent a little time this afternoon finding a "home" for these beauties.   

Aren't they pretty???  I love sunflowers!  You have to admit that the most wonderful "decorations" come from nature.  God's creation is awesome on it's own but I also love to add funky pieces to the raw, natural elements.

Look at that beautiful curly stem!  So fun!  And the copper charger ~ from my Mom... I'll have to get the story on them but I use them all over my house when I'm decorating.

Clippings from our Yaupon Holly Tree.  Just for color.

And the "crowning" piece ~ a knife from a set of 4 that my Mom made me buy on a junking trip (I'm so glad she did!)!  Hello!  Did you notice the awesome engraved "M"???!!!  Did I mention the set was $2?  Thanks Mom!

A mason jar all wrapped up with a burlap knot (love me some burlap)!

So this little grouping will live on my counter right by the sink where I spend lots of time!  And I will now smile while I am doing the dishes...

New lanterns

Well, I haven't exactly been blogging away as furiously as I thought I might be but summer was busy!  I tried to be an "available" mom, so spending hours on the computer needed to wait until school started.  Here it is mid-October.  Where has the time gone?  I can't help but wonder how the Super Women of blogland make crafts, cook dinner AND take pictures of all of that AND blog about it!!!  I don't get it.  I can't do it.  I am JEALOUS!!  Maybe one day I can figure out how to "do it all" but for now... I'll just be an occasional blogger!

So I DID have time to do a quick little perk up to some new lanterns that I bought at Home Goods a few months ago.  We had company coming over to hang out by the pool and we needed some color on the patio so I got busy! 

Pretty huh?  They reminded me of the WAY more expensive ones in the Pottery Barn catalog.  I think these were something like $22 each.

So here's what I gathered up to help these out a little...

I had all of this around the house.  Pots, burlap remnants, candles, cute little frog & pretty ribbon.  So I tied a knot, stuffed some burlap, inserted candles (I used jar candles so the fabric would not catch on fire!!!) and snuggled the lanterns with the frog on a tray to get this:

What do you think???  Cute?

Not cute?

Whatever your opinion, they added a little color when I needed it.  It's now fall... guess it's time for a change!! ; )  Any ideas?