Oh Burlap Tree, Oh Burlap Tree.....

Did you know that some sources claim that the first Christmas Tree in America was put up in Connecticut in 1777?

The National Christmas Tree has been lit every year since 1923 at the White House. 

1847 was the beginning of the decorated tree tradition and the candy cane's that you would see on trees were all white.

 The original purpose of a tree skirt was not just to look pretty, it was to catch dripping wax from candle lights that were used on Christmas trees before electric lights were introduced.

 The first aluminum tree was introduced into the market in 1958.  Although very popular until the mid 60's, it was made from flammable foil.

I often wonder how burlap trees will be written into our history,
or how they would look decorated with a few icicles or angel hair on it? 
Remember decorating with that stuff?

For tutorials on each of these trees click here, here, and here

Grateful~

To be participating in the "Reindeer Run" this weekend with the family.

Sharing:
Funky Junk Interiors
Between Naps on the Porch
Homestories AtoZ
French Country Cottage
At The Picket Fence
Craftberry Bush
Alderberry Hill
Tatertots and Jello
Tip Junkie

The Last Outdoor Project of the 2012 Year

First- Apparently there has been some nonsense changes going on over at Facebook where some of you may not be getting notified when I publish new posts, if that's you- when you are on my Top This Top That Facebook page click on the little gear at the top right and click on add to interests list, then you will show up on my fans page and not miss any posts!
Now on the project!

Not only is my husband is happy to hear that we are done with outdoor projects for the remainder of the year (honey don't get to excited, that's only 33 days) but so are the kids as they swing with delight over some recent changes we made to the outdoor place set.

Ah, it seems like just yesterday when we set this up in the backyard. I remember the day that we brought this contraption home from Toys R Us. I thought it would last a lifetime. Wrong! See, it wasn't the quality that didn't hold up, it was the kids. They got bigger and outgrew it!

So we began the upgrade process.

We started by dismantling and moving the old one. The roofs will be re purposed for another project and the play set will be used as the kids "Pirate Ship".

Moving this beast was not fun.  My husband and I were able to tip it over, scoot it to the edge, slide it down the ramp and then scoot it over to it's new home. Looking back at this picture and how we moved it,  makes me wonder where I get my mojo from!

The Pirate's Ship in the middle of the forest!

And a new "kid approved" swing set.

I'd say the kids look happy, don't you think?

 

Head to the backyard if you would like to swing or you can send me an email for details on how we constructed the swing set. 
What end of the year outdoor projects are you working on?

 Grateful for:

My three dogs, 2 donkeys, 1 pony, 1 cat, 3 goldfish

My Favorite Room

In case you missed my favorite room of the house over at Kim's  Favorite Room Series a few weeks ago, I wanted to share my Keeping Room, aka "Mom's Zone".

Keeping Rooms are generally located right off the kitchen and back in the day it was used to gather the family and keep them warm, as it was close to the main heating sources of the home. But for me it's a place to look out the window and enjoy nature from the indoors. The room is actually the reflection you see in our backyard pond.

A place to read the Sunday paper and drink my tea.
A place to meditate, look out the window and be thankful for what I have and for a room that is mine! 
A place when girlfriends visit we can sit and chat. 

In fact, it's also a popular staging area for a lot of the projects you see here at Top This Top That.
Curtain details are here.

 Occasionally when the mood is right I will invite my hubby in so we can sit back and appreciate all of the hard work that went in in constructing this room and the details that make it special to us me.

Like the wood beams on the ceiling that came from Cypress Trees on our property.  

Or the transformations and journey that it took to get to this point. This is how the room looked when I decorated it when we moved in 10 years ago. My husband swore that the valance looked like a circus tent! I happen to like it, it's the red tent roof that perhaps was over the top!

And when my color senses settled down a few years ago and the room was a bit more serene and calm.

And the room as it is today. A room that is more of a reflection of me, who I am and what I want others to see.
Simple, clean and quite, unfortunately that's  generally less then 1% of the time when the kids aren't around.
See my table transformation here.

 A room that was meant just for me but I do have an extra chair in case you want to come over!

What's your favorite room in your house?

 If you want to see where the rest of the family hangs out in my house, you will want to visit my Home Tour .
Hope the week is off to a great start. 

Grateful for:

A safe trip back" Home" from spending the holiday with my family in S.Florida.

Sharing at:
Between Naps on the Porch
At the Picket Fence
French Country Cottage

Kicking off the Holiday Season And A Winner!

The first thing that I usually do when decorating for a new holiday is to hang some wreaths on the front doors.  This year, the day after I have completely stuffed my face and think about how I will work it all off, the colors of the passing season will come down and be replaced with all signs of a new season. 

Christmas

This years wreaths will reflect the simplicity and beauty of the season. Natural elements combined with evergreens and a slight touch of bling will grace our front doors and greet you when you come to visit.

Before they go up though, I need to push the pumpkin pie aside long enough to make another one.

 I wonder if that counts as a workout? 

I am happy to announce the winner of  my burlap wreath giveaway.

 I am So Vintage

I will be in touch so I can get your mailing details.

Thanks to the rest of you for entering and for your sweet comments. 

My wreath and I both appreciate it!

PS- Taking the rest of the week off to be with my family. 

My very best to you and your families for a very Happy Thanksgiving.

See you back here on Monday!

Grateful for:

Family time in Florida

What lights you up?

I am taking the week off  with my family to completely enjoy each other and to celebrate and appreciate all of the many blessings in my life.  I will be back on Wednesday to announce the winner of my Burlap Wreath giveaway that I am hosting here.

 Until then, I wanted to share some images from a beautiful lighthouse that we passed while on my girls trip this past weekend .

Have a wonderful Week!

Weekly Wow's

You did it! You got through the week. Good for you!
I hope it was a good one.

It's the weekend, so what are you doing? Got any big plans?

I am actually on my annual  girls weekend with my mom and sisters. I look forward to this time every year and I feel so blessed to have the chance to get away and spend time with them. I truly love these women!

Speaking of truly love, look what I found this week.

Liz Marie Blog transforms a piece of furniture into a console bench and shows us how to do both.

I Just love these dreamy white feather trees from It's Overflowing.

Kari over at Thistlewood Farms has such a way with words and projects, especially this photo memory wreath.

And Barb from Everyday Home shows us how easy it is to use  everyday household items to create these pretty napkin rings.

So regardless who you are with this weekend, I hope you are doing something you love with people that you love!  Don't forget to enter my Burlap Wreath giveaway here. 

See you on Monday.

Easy Burlap Candle Rings and a Wreath Giveaway

Tell me, have I gone to far? Is it just too much?

Because sometimes I feel like I need Burlap intervention. 
Really, no joke.
 And instead of a fiscal cliff, I feel like I am on a Burlap Cliff,  ready to dive into a huge burlap pit!

I mean, I really didn't mean for all this obsession to happen ... it just did.

 And kinda by accident actually. See, it all started when I ordered too much of this

And started doing this, with these

And it just happened... like that

So to make it right, I giving away this Burlap Wreath to get you started with your seasonal decorating!

The only thing you have to do to win, is visit my Facebook Page and become a fan and leave me a comment on my blog with your email address. If Butterfly's in pink and green aren't your thing and you want the wreath plain, just tell me that too. 
Initial is not included.
 If you already are a Facebook fan thank you, but still leave me a comment on my blog with your email address so I know how to contact you and find out where to send the wreath. The giveaway will end on midnight Monday, November 19th and the winner will be announced here on my blog on Wednesday, November 21st. 

The giveaway is open to the contiguous US only.

Good Luck!

This Giveaway is closed click here for winner.