2013 New Year's Goals & Resolutions Blog Hop!

As the New Year approaches I can't help but think about my goals and resolutions for 2013 (yes, I make them!) One thing that seems to always be on my New Year's list is to pare down and simplify my life.  I did make some good strides in 2012 but I am determined that 2013 is going to be a turning point in my life in this area.  My Dh and I are already on our way with this one as we have spent today editing our Christmas decorations into 3 piles: "keep" "donate" "trash."  This has actually turned into a day of purging all kinds of things from our attic and is making me feel better already. 



Another goal is to get back into blogging so I decided to host my very first Blog Hop and hope you will link up and share your goals and/or resolutions for 2013!  I know I will get inspiration from other bloggers on what they want to improve, pare down or tackle in the New Year as well. 



So, link up below!!!  Out of courtesy, please share the code on your post so others can share in the fun and don't forget to visit other participants to say hi!





Thanks for sharing!!!

Christmas Celebration

We have had a wonderful Christmas celebration.  The festivities started last night during our Annual Christmas Eve Candle-light service.  There is something so moving about this observance.  Sometimes it feels like we are so busy in the weeks leading up to Christmas, it is easy to forget why we even celebrate in the first place, but sitting in church, I remember deep into my soul.  The music was beautiful, the message timeless and seeing the faces of my friends and family in the glow of hundreds of candles made me eternally thankful for the babe born in a manger long ago. 

Afterwards, we came home to a casual dinner with friends.  We also enjoyed my DH's first attempt at smoking Boston Butt, and boy did he succeed!!!  It was super yummy!  I think it will become our standard Christmas Eve meal from here on out.  We spent several hours eating and laughing until it was time for everyone to scatter to their own homes and snuggle in their beds to await the arrival of Santa! 

Of course, this morning, my boys woke us and their sister up at the crack of dawn to see what surprises Santa had brought.  This year was the year of technology in our house (which I sit on the fence about, even though I love it!)  I was also the recipient of a huge surprise in the form of a new camera!!!  My sweet DH funded the recent renovations on Southern Somedays and he decided I needed a better camera as well and bought me my first DSLR.  I have a lot to learn now.  I have a great point & shoot but it is showing it's age (and my cell phone has more mega pixels) and mostly, I figure he got tired of my hinting.  I am so excited and a wee bit intimidated!

12 Days of Southern Christmas

Source: classyincrew.tumblr.com via Bella on Pinterest

Merry Christmas, Y'all!

Retail Therapy Thursday: Target Riding on Lilly Inspiration



Lilly Pulitzer Pink Chum Bucket Cruiser

For years I have have lusted after one of Lilly Pulitzer's gorgeous bicycles!  "Bicycles, you say?"  Yes, I am known far and wide -maybe wide isn't a good choice of wording here - for my dislike of exercise but when I see these adorable Lilly bikes I have visions of my cute self peddling to and fro dressed, of course, in coordinating Lilly outfits. The reality is that I would probably never fork over the money to buy one of these dreams on two wheels...but a girl can dream in pink and green!

So, imagine my surprise when I walked into Target this morning and saw that one of their lines, Alice + Olivia as part of the Target/Neiman Marcus Holiday line, has a Lilly inspired bike...not to mention the price tag was even more than a Lilly bike at a whopping $499.00!  I know lots of people will say it isn't a Lilly "inspiration"... but really???

I will give it it kudos for cuteness, especially that basket with the belt around it and I like the white tires (which would coordinate perfectly with a Lilly bike...just in case any Lilly Bike designers read this!)

I did find it interesting that when I looked the bike up on Target's website it was half the in store cost at only $249.00.  That is quite a price difference online versus in store! At $249.00 I did think the cute factor increased. But at $499.00, I couldn't imagine forking over more for this bike at Target than I would have to for a Lilly. But, then again, I am prejudiced and only a Lilly bike makes me exert energy imaging myself exercising on it!!!

What about me?

My blog redecorating project is almost at an end! I have added some new tabs up top, new social networking buttons, a new signature and some prettiness all around (actually the very patient Christin at Designer Blogs has been the brains behind this redo!)  I also now have a very cute blog button on the right hand side with a share code that I would love for you to copy and share! 

My next step is building an "About Me" page and that is where I am stumped and I need your help!  What questions should I answer about me?  I am not sure what my dear readers want to know.  Please share any questions you have about bloggers you read and what you think I should include.

Decorating at Wallace House



Wallace House

One of the fun events my Garden Club participates in each year is Christmas decorating at Wallace House.  It is the home of the President of Francis Marion University and  Garden Clubs from the area gather early in December and decorate a room or area.  My club was fortunate enough to be able to work in the dining room. 

This year we used an inspiration photo from last year's White House Christmas Magazine for our centerpieces and we made two for each end of the large banquet sized table.

They turned out gorgeous and will serve wonderfully through out the Christmas season for all the festivities that go on at Wallace House.  We used only live greenery and fresh fruits to work with the atmosphere and period of the house.

We added a silver bowl of greenery and fruit on the sideboard.

It just reflects beautifully off the silver tea set and mirror. 

My favorite arrangement has to be this one! Actually we created 2 of these beauties to nestle on top of the corner china cabinets. This arrangement is so reflective of South Carolina with the use of the palm fronds (we are the Palmetto State!), magnolia leaves and blooms surrounding a pineapple (representing hospitality) and a liberal ring of Spanish Moss in a silver bowl.  It is speaks my South Carolina love language.

This is a gorgeous arrangement made by one of our talented members. She stacked cake plates and then used fruits, magnolia leaves, boxwood and cranberries to complete it. I just love the use of fresh fruits and greenery in decorating.  The greenery was all gathered from the campus of Francis Marion University. 

Christmas Cactus & Friendship

This year two of my friends gifted me with Christmas Cacti!  The one above is planted in a gorgeous footed, vintage, cranberry glass dish and literally overflowing with gorgeous pale pink blooms.  I love these crazy plants that bloom with abandon when the season is right because my Grandmother loved them.  I am still the guardian of one of her beloved Christmas Cactus (see it here). 

This one was given to me by my sweet friend, Susan, who is the most talented person I know.  She hand painted and monogrammed the pot herself (in between doing amazing things with refinished furniture.) I keep telling her she needs a blog to share all her finds and inspiration with the rest of us.   I look so forward to being able to cultivate these plants as a reminder of what a blessing friends can be!

I  like Christmas Cacti better than poinsettias mostly because the don't tend to die on me before Christmas actually comes around. 

Florence Symphony Guild's Holiday Homes Tour 2012

A couple of weeks ago the Florence Symphony Guild held its annual Holiday Homes Tour 2012.  This year's tour had 7 unique homes of varying size and design which made for a interesting tour full of Christmas decoration inspiration!

Please visit the full tour album on the

Florence Symphony Guild's Facebook Page!

Newtown, Connecticut...my prayers are with you.

On Friday our nation experienced one of those senseless, evil acts that cannot be explained away.  The tragic event in Newtown, Connecticut that took the lives of 27 people...20 of them children...is beyond my ability to wrap my mind around.  It has weighed heavily on my heart and mind this weekend.  I can't even begin to understand the fear and pain that the parents of children at Sandy Hook Elementary are feeling, especially those who will never take their children home. I can't imagine the pain that those who lost friends and loved ones are facing today, just 9 days before Christmas. 

Newtown, Connecticut my heart and prayers are with you...

your loved ones will not be forgotten.

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

Giveaway Spot light: Life Through Preppy Glasses!

Life Through Preppy Glasses

My sweet blog friend, Wes over at Life Through Preppy Glasses, is having a great giveaway sponsored by Smathers & Branson (who are the purveyors of wonderful, vintage inspired needlepoint belts, collegiate products, cummerbunds, dog collars, and key fobs.)  Wes is giving one lucky entrant their choice of 1 in stock needlepoint key fob!    Wes is one of my favorite young bloggers and I always enjoy his insights and photos sharing his time at school in NYC.   He is also always so encouraging and has a positive spirit.   Please check out his blog and giveaway.

Just in case you are wondering, if I win, this is the one I will chose:

Smathers & Branson

Over the Moon...47 weeks Seizure Free

I don't write about DS2's seizure disorder very often but it is time for an update!  Yesterday we went for his check up with his Neurologist at MUSC and he had a great visit. I have to say that I love our Neurologist and the staff at MUSC.  I know it is a God thing that we ended up with Dr. Turner.  His level of care, concern and understanding is beyond anything I could have hoped for.  He deals with DS2 so wonderfully and doesn't forget that this Epilepsy Journey is one the whole family takes.  I am grateful that he proposed and has directed us in using the Modified Atkins Diet as a treatment for DS2's seizures.  He and the entire staff at MUSC seem to understand how scary this journey is daily and are extremely patient with me and my Mama Drama (which is more valuable than you can imagine!) 

As far as DS2, he is 47 weeks seizure free (yep....I count each and every week!) and growing like a weed.  He has been on the Modified Atkins Diet (a less restrictive version of the Ketogenic Diet) since February and so far we have seizure control!!!  His blood work has been fantastic and shows no ill effects of the diet on his other systems.  He does amazingly well on the diet, much better than I think most adults would do!  Of course, the holidays are presenting some challenges as all the traditional sweets are more available and tempting but so far, so good.  I am proud of my little guy and his ability to cope with the changes in his life.

It has been almost a year since our world changed and we began this journey, but I know God has blessed us beyond measure with each moment!

Christmas Decorating Conundrum

I am conflicted. This year I totally decided that we wouldn't decorate as much as we usually do (so we are down to 5 trees...oh, yeah...)  But, I can't seem to wrap up decorating even what we decided to do!  Also, I have been struck with the worst case of Spring Cleaning/Organizing you can imagine.  Maybe it is the crazy, Spring-like weather we have been having, but just as we are supposed to be pulling out and placing all the traditional Christmas decorations around, I am fighting an urge to purge.  Trust me when I say that Christmas decorating and the deep desire to declutter do not make a happy mix!  Isn't this crazy???? 

Today as I was giving my bathroom a super deep clean I even had the wild thought that maybe I should have a yard sale and get rid of LOTS of things (like maybe the entire attic or storage building???)...and I never think having a yard sale is a good idea. I should mention I rarely think giving the bathroom a deep clean for fun is a good idea either, but that is just what I did!

Is this one of those female life changes no one bothered to tell me about? Is there a medication for it?  What's next..forbidding anyone to eat in my car?  

24

It seems surreal that today is my husband and my 24th wedding anniversary.  It was a cold December night 24 years ago (so cold it actually caused one of the glass hurricane lanterns my Bridesmaids were carrying to shatter from temperature change when she entered the warm church...yep, it was cold!) When I walked down that gorgeous church aisle to meet the young man of my dreams we were just babies. I know that I didn't realize how much he truly was the man of my dreams then (I had some growing up to do before I fully understood that!)

We have traveled a pretty winding road these last 24 years.  We have lived in 4 different states, owned 7 different houses and have been blessed with 3 amazing children.  Somehow over the last 24 years we created a family and joined two separate families together forever.  That is truly a God thing.

Unfortunately, he is out of town today so we won't be spending this day together but he showered me with love...and 24 roses (and some pretties from Lilly Pulitzer..see he is a keeper!)...this past weekend. So, even though I am missing him today,  I pray for at least another 100 years together and I thank God for the man He created for me!   

And above all these put on love,

which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Colossians 3:14 (ESV)

Profile Pictures, What are your Thougths?

As I am wading through these changes on Southern Somedays and it's associated pages (Twitter, Facebook,Pinterest, etc.) I have been wondering about Profile Pictures and how folks feel about them.  For a long while I have used my "M" initial as my profile across the board, but just recently put up my photo as a profile picture on my Twitter page.  So, my question is...do you like a photo profile picture on a blog and associated pages or do you care one way or another?  I have read all kinds of things about branding and social media so I am wondering if I should put up my photo or just stick with my "M"...thoughts???

Under Construction, come see what I have done!

In my last post I said I wanted to make a change!  So, what do you think of my new look so far...do you like?

I still have several changes and additions coming!  My goal with this face lift is to get rid of clutter to make the page cleaner and also reflect my tastes these days so please stick with me!

In the mean time I would love to know what you think of the new, and I think, improved Southern Somedays?

Remodeling, the blog that is...




source


I can’t believe it has been over a year since I practically wrote this same post about wanting to get a new look for Southern Somedays! Boy, that is probably a good indication that I have been busy and not focused on blogging. In some ways that is really good (living real life versus just blogging about it) but lately I have found myself missing the outlet that this space has given me through the years… 6-1/2 years!

Another other reason that I seem to have struggled with blogging in the last year or so is that I have lost my direction or “theme” in regards to the blog. It has become very random and I tend to find myself not having any inspiration or ideas on what to blog about. Maybe that is a reflection of the season of life in which I find myself??? I also think that my blogging is greatly linked to my taking photos…which I don’t seem to do much anymore. My oldest son even asked about that recently (and he is the one who always acted like it was such a huge pain to have me taking pictures all the time!) I don’t have a good reason as to why I don't take as many pictures, except maybe that my camera doesn’t capture the shots it used to quite as easily? Who knows? But, I think I need to get back into that as well.

So be on the look out over the next few weeks for a new and updated Southern Somedays!