Give Thanks

As Thanksgiving is only a day away, my mind turns more fully to the things I'm thankful for. God and life has been really good to us this year, so there's much to be thankful for.

I'm also trying to establish a few traditions in my young rugrats' lives. At dinner this year, the older 2 rugrats will be telling what they are thankful for. I'm hoping to get the whole extended family to take part in my new Give Thanks tradition.

Then, on Black Friday, I'm taking the rugrats out shopping. Only this year we won't be shopping for ourselves. We'll be picking a Christmas Angel and shopping for someone less fortunate. With the state of the economy, I believe that those of us that can afford to be generous should. I urge everyone to be generous this year. If you can't do so with your wallet, then be generous with your time. Food banks and shelters are overwhelmed at this time of year. I'm sure they'd welcome a few extra sets of hands.

My Give Thanks List

1. My Health~I'm healthy and happy.
2. Work~As all you know, Country Boy has a new job and it's slowly bringing forth the changes we were hoping for.
3. Home~While it may not be MY home, I'm thankful that we are able to put a warm, comfortable roof over our heads. A home of my own will come it God's time.
4. Country Boy~I love that man. More and more everyday. I'm thankful for the last 10 years and look forward to the next 10.
5. The Rugrats~Kids are kids and misbehave, but they are awesome kids that I love more than anything.

So, there's my list. I have a lot of other things I could add, but thats the just of it. I'd love to hear what you all are thankful for and what traditions your family observes during Thanksgiving.

Happy 10th Anniversary

Today is my 10th wedding anniversary. It will also be the first weekend my husband and I since before our 8.5 year son was born that we've gotten a hotel room and stayed over night away from home for no other reason than to spend some much needed quality couple time together. When I told this to a girlfriend of mine, she nearly fell over in shock.

I think we deserve it. LOL!!

Dining Rooms

While, I would never call myself a decorator or designer, I do consider myself a pretty good mimic. So following yesterday's post of Dream Kitchens, I've moved on to my second favorite room. The Dining Room. I have to say I LOVE a well put together dining room. I'm looking forward to having a separate dining room. It's on my list of requirements for the new house. Along with the dishwasher, but I promise I won't go there again. LOL!!
A "formal" or separate dining room is, in my mind's eye, a must for family gatherings and holidays. I want to set the table in beautiful dishes, cutlery, fabrics, flowers and candles. I want to sit at the end of a long rectangular table and look at the faces of my loved ones enjoying a fabulously delicious meal. It's long been a dream of mine and I'm determined to find just the right room to mimic, in my case. Here's my favorites that I've found so far.

Versailles by Ameri

Rate My Space

I'm not sure where this one came from. It was just in my Dining Room idea folder. I love the textures and coolness of it.

I really don't care for this room overall, it's just too americana country for me. What I love about it is the wall treatment. It's an argyle look. Very interesting, in my opinion.

Pottery Barn

Pier 1 Imports

Fine Dining without Reservations
*It's the 7th room in the studio

Pottery Barn

Pottery Barn

Haverty's

Haverty's

Rate My Space

At least I think that's where it's from.

Now, don't ask me which is my favorite. I really haven't narrowed it down, but I'd love to hear your thoughts on the ones here or post a link of your own.

Dream Kitchens

I love to cook and the kitchen is my favorite room of the house. As you all know, Country Boy and I are house hunting since, we are moving soon. So, it really doesn't need to be said that I normally make a bee line to the kitchen. I'm not overly concerned with the cabinets or appliances, other than the dishwasher. There MUST be a dishwasher. I've been without one for nearly 4 years and well, to be honest, IT SUCKS!!! I hate to clean and do dishes so, needless to say, my kitchen is a disaster at times with all the cooking I do, so there MUST be a dishwasher already installed. Oops, sorry!! Dishwashers always make me go off the deep end. I'm back in the kiddie pool again.


Since, I'm house hunting and so interested in what my new kitchen COULD be, I've been searching the magazines and internet for pictures of kitchens so I can get design ideas. Here's a few that I like. I just thought I'd share them with you all.

Jamaican Villa Kitchen

HGTV Tuscan Kitchen

I'd love to see the ones you all like!! Leave me the links in my comments section and keep checking back as I'm sure to be adding more when the house isn't so rambunctious. Oh, who am I kidding my house is never rambunctious. LOL!!

~Much love to you all, SOUTHERN SASS!!

GooooooBAMA!!!

I'm so excited that Barack Obama won the election. I'm very hopeful and optimistic of the changes that are coming to our country. I love the democratic process and I'm glad to be an American.

I always feel elated when my candidate wins, but then again I always feel bad for the underdog as well. LOL!!