Saturday Spotlight: Life Behind the Blogger


Susan from Must Love Junk, and myself wanted to do a regular feature on our blogs, something unique that hasn't been done before.   So we came up with an idea to 'spotlight the real life behind the blogger' in a more personal way.
There is so much talent and inspiration in blogland, and we thought it would be fun to bring you a closer look at the person behind the blog.

Every week on Saturday we will spotlight a blogger and have them tell us a little bit about themselves and their blogs.  You will be able to see and read about each of the bloggers on both Susan's and my blog. 
September 20th
Patty from Creative Ideas .... Cottage Style

This week I have the pleasure of introducing you to a really sweet and talented blogger.  Patty is from Creative Ideas Cottage Style. So please enjoy getting to know Patty and then take time to visit her wonderful blog.  You will love her style.






Thank you Kris for the invitation to tell a little about myself, my family and my blog. I began blogging as a way to deal with a difficult time in my life.  I had suffered a torn rotator cuff that led to adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder).  It was a chronic pain to the point where I really could not even stand myself.  Opting for physical therapy instead of surgery as I was told that surgery could possibly make it worse.
It was at this time when I had discovered Pinterest which led to the discovery of many wonderful and talented bloggers.  A few of which got started in much the same way as I ... dealing with something in their lives that blogging seemed to help escape for awhile or as a means of sharing creativity or a passion.

A little about me ... I was widowed at 28.


  Blessed with two wonderful adult son's and a beautiful granddaughter that I feature at times in some way on the blog.  (Inspiration from Alicia)



My oldest son Donald and granddaughter Alicia







 She has all of us right where she wants us ... wrapped around her little finger!!

Youngest son Chris



















Blessed with a 
rewarding career as a full time Ophthalmic Technician I used to assist with Retina Surgery.  Now talk about amazing ... any type of surgery in such a small space as the eye ...
that is truly amazing.  After healing to the point that I could return to work I began working with Cataract surgeons ... my job is to do all the measurements and testing necessary for my surgeon to be able to pick the correct lens to replace the natural lens that is removed.  It's very rewarding to greet my patients the morning after cataract surgery when they come back for their day post op visit and the gratitude that they share of how much better they are able to see.  PRICELESS!

My blog is a hobby to me ... a wonderful hobby.


It's given me an outlet to share my creativity, decorating ideas, recipes and other fun family and home projects.


I use a Nikon D3100 camera and have fallen in love with photography!  Still learning but having fun doing so.
I don't post every day but when I do I try to make it interesting for my readers.  I am a creative person and have to be doing something whether it is making something, sewing, repainting, cooking ... got to be doing something.
Sometimes I will have more than one project going at a time.  I find great solace in so many things,  some so simple.  I love to garden.
I tackle big overwhelming projects at times and think to myself ... what have I gotten myself into?
But the reward when it is done is so worth it.

If you get a chance ... stop by my blog.  I'm very proud of the work I do and the simple things I share with you.  Come visit with me at Creative Ideas ... cottage style.

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Thank you Patty for sharing your life and love of family with all of us.  Now that you have gotten to know Patty please hop over to Susan's blog and meet another wonderful blogger Marsha from Tattered Chick.

Have a great week end.
Kris
:)

Fall is in the Air!

Happy Thursday.


I started some Fall decorating.  We had fall like temps last week end.  Actually had to put the heat on.  This week it has warmed up some to the 70's so I am hanging onto these wonderful days.
Got my fall mantel decorated.







My new little Harvest Angel in in the wreath sitting on the pumpkin.






Some faux wheat and sunflowers.

Pumpkin on old chippy post.


Blessings runner and pumpkins.




Love to decorate for fall with these cute fabric pumpkins. 

Took my sand and old milk bottle and added some fall flowers for a centerpiece on the dining room table.


As the sunshine streams into the entry way I have my new chippy swing and spread out a few fabric pumpkins up on the bench.

I am sure this bench will change up a few times as I get more fall decor.


I guess this summer girl needs to say good bye to summer and hello fall.  Just hope fall holds on for a while.  I do love when the leaves all start to change here in the midwest.

It makes me think of Chili in the crockpot, warm homemade Apple pie and Terry watching his Chicago Bears on Sundays.  Yep fall is here.

Hope your fall decor is starting where you are too.

I am slowly starting the outside of the house.  Some of my summer flowers are still hanging on.

Have a great rest of the week.
Be sure to come back on Saturday for Spotlight.  Susan and I have two wonderful bloggers for you to get to know better.
Kris
:)
Sharing with Show and Tell Friday

Coffee Anyone?????

Happy Tuesday! 

Remember this:





It is now this:

A New Coffee Bar.


I have lots of storage in these little drawers in this buffet table for napkins and k-cup refillers and teas, etc.





Remember this old chippy post I got at Anne's (White Lace Cottage)  Vintage Home Sale.  I was not sure what I would do with it just knew I needed this chippy piece.



Terry and his trustee tools cut the post in half so I could frame out the chalkboard space of the coffee bar.  Thanks Anne.  I knew I would find a good use for that chippy post.












Le Cafe hanging basket to put muffins and bakery items.  I am going to fill these with cute french linens too.  On the hunt.


Cute creamer and also cow candle sticks and a cute cow creamer.


A little chalk board paint and an old chippy frame.





Now I have a nice place for desserts and yummy coffee's and Latte's when I have guests or it is just Sunday morning with just Terry and I.

The fun part about all of this is I do not drink coffee.  Never could get a grip on the taste of coffee.  Believe me I have tried through the years to like it.  Even with all the yummy creamers just could not embrace the taste. 
 Love the smell of coffee brewing just not the taste.

I am a tea drinker and love the chai tea's I can make in my Keurig.
Now Keurig has so many great choices for cold or hot drinks.

So that is what I did this past week end.  Love my new coffee bar.  Now who is coming by for a cup of Joe!

Have a great week.
Kris

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Swinging!

Good Sunday Morning.  Hope your week end is going great.  We are having fall temps this week end here in Chicagoland.  Had to put the heat on last night ughhh!  

No worries it is suppose to get back up in the 70's this week.  Hope they are right. 

I went junkin with a friend on Thursday and one of our stops was at the Janet's shop Lucky Junk.  My heart beats just a little faster each time I walk in her shop of unique treasures.

I found something small and oh so cute that flooded back a lot of great childhood memories for me so I bought it.  Was not sure where it would go in my home but just knew I needed this treasure.


Yep!  Look at this sweet vintage wooden swing in yellow.  Too sweet.

I hung it for now in the entry way with all my vintage garden items.  It will go outside next summer and probably be in my big tree out front.  For now I want to keep it inside.

Grace even came out to try out the swing.

Love all my fall fabric pumpkins I have collected and have been gifted with.

I will be finding some new places for these pumpkins when I start my fall decor.

These sweater pumpkins I was gifted from my friend Susan from Must Love Junk last fall.  They made me smile to pull them out for this years decor.

You never know where one or two or three may pop up.

Ohhhh what is this mess going on in my dining room?????  Stay tuned hope to have this little project finished this week end to show you soon.  I will be excited for you to see what new decor space this will become.

Have a great start to the new week.
Kris
:)

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