This Is The Year

Don't ya just love the dollar store? We just got back from a little family excursion (minus husband). The kids each got to take one of their dollars and pick something out. This is like the best thing ever, because we don't let them spend their money very often...we make 'em save it! Cowgirl was super excited, because she has been looking for a hula hoop ALL. SUMMER. LONG! They are always sold out whenever we are at any store that carries them. Anyway...we go down the first aisle at the DT and whadayaknow? There's a whole big box of hula hoops in various colors and sizes! She keeps telling everyone it was a miracle from Heaven! Pixie found a lovely (not) bright orange hair piece connected to a headband. It even has long sparkly strands of tinsel throughout! She looks well...there are no words. Monkey picked a fabulous pair of plastic glass slippers, with a huge beautiful bow and jewel in the middle. She put them on imediately upon walking into our house! Bookworm spent...

So, I've had a naked mantle for awhile. I have been eyeing this picture for years - was dying to have it for the space above my mantle. Hubby tried to get it for me a couple of times, but was never able to get it and finally was told that it was out of print. THEN, at Christmas time there was a company showcasing their goods at Costco, and what did I find? My long sought-after picture, with a beautiful canvas finish and gorgeous fat black frame. I had to have it - Merry Christmas to me!! It's called Storytime in Gallilee by Del Parsons. Isn't it beautiful? Anyway back to the naked mantle part. Once I had this picture, and replaced the small one that was up there, it just didn't seem right to have other pictures competing with it on my mantle. So I moved my kids' pics that had been on the mantle over to the piano. So this is the look we've had since Christmas. I just haven't been able to figure out what could go on the mantle that wouldn't detract from my...

So yesterday I went with my mom, and Tanielle to a couple of DI 's. Here's what I scored! Please excuse the boxes of bow-making stuff in the background and the flash - the lighting in my front room is horrible! I want to redo my kitchen, and I'd like to incorporate copper into the decor. I'm on the lookout for some cool copper stuff - and found these. The jello molds were each 75 cents - I'm going to hang them on the wall. The bucket and basket will decorate the top of my cupboards - paid$1 each for those. I'm really scoutin' for a cool copper tea set - wish me luck with that! I found this amazing apothacary jar/hurricane vase looking thingy (if you want to tell me the proper term for what this is - feel free!) for $5. I saw something similar looking, but half the size at Walmart for $20! I'm thinking of making some mod podged decorative balls in earth tones and putting them inside, with a nice bow around the narrow part. What do you guys think? If you ...