It Was A Very Good Year...

2009 was a very troubling and, a times, downright
scary year. But through it all, we bloggers still managed
to carve out a little space in our lives to optimistically
create beauty...to inspire and be inspired...and to
share it all in these little "windows" into our worlds
that we call blogs.

In 2009 we...had a few give aways!












Even as SO many magazines died in 2009, discovered...



a few ...


fabulous ...



new ones ...



Made a few pretties...


















Got nominated...

thankx to you !





Got fatter!

A LOT fatter!!




Single handedly kept the sea shell industry afloat!


















With this need for GLITTERY SHELLS !!!



Got published!

Still don't know how that happened!!




Found a new...

obsession ...



And fell more in love...

with an old one!



Blue was spotted...

at the OC Cottage for the first time!



And most importantly...


we welcomed a new baby GIRL to our family!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!

And be sure to stop by CINDY'S for The Year In Review !

Great Expectations...

Well, Santa (aka my brothers-in-law & sisters...
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!)
got me a new camera for Christmas!



A Nikon D3000 with A LOT of bells &
whistles!!!




And 2 DVDs to watch in order to work it! YIKES!




So, I have tons reading & watching & practicing to
do!!! Ishkabibble! But I'll get t figured out...




I had no particular items to take pictures
of since I have just been lazy these last few days!



So, I just took some test shots of things that
were around...




I can already see that apparently this camera has
some magical properties that make wondrous
pictures appear...



This is gonna be fun!

The Posts Of Christmas Past...

Just in case you have everything wrapped...
everything baked...
everything done...
finished...
all missions accomplished!
And you have NOTHING to do this Christmas Eve
but put your feet up and relax...I am making
sticky buns so I have to do a "cheater" post, so
if you 're bored, here's a few of our posts of
Christmas past!




Vintage Birdie



Bright Baubles



Starry Wreath




I'm Bringing Shiny Back


The OC In A Bottle





Teapot Tags/Ornies

ENJOY!!!!
HAPPY NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS!

You're A Mean One...

Since so many of you are being unspeakably
cruel and flaunting all your snowalicious
photos after the weekends BIG storm...




I thought I'd rub it in a tad by showing you
how Kae's yard looked that very same
weekend! ;}


And she is all about the red...very traditional,
Kae is!



Look! A snowman!




Onward toward the English garden...




I think Bear Grylls is lost somewhere those
ferns!




Still looking lushy!




Under the arbor, everyone...




Poinsettas on cedar chips...so Cali.




Did they leave any poinsetta's @ Lowe's?



Even in the fountain!
Well, I'm sure that Santa will
appreciate all their efforts in
making their home festive for
the season!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!


Be sure to stop by Susan's for OUTDOOR WEDNESDAY


and IT'S A VERY CHERRY WORLD for
REDnesday.