Living Room Tour

My family has always called the room with the sofa and TV the living room. I grew up in the days of a living room being the formal room on the front of the house that you never went in except at Christmas. I suspect that the only reason you were allowed in the living room was because the Christmas tree was on display in the picture window. The den was the place where you actually lived day to day. When we married and moved into our second home that we built, great rooms were all the rage. Yes, that would be the 80's. That great room simply became the living room. When we moved into our current home, it had a formal living room and great room. We used the formal living room as a game room. It was in a location that I knew we would never go in otherwise, so I was talked into the pool table. The great room is still our "living room."

While adding the fall pictures, I thought I would share our living room. I will give you a tour around the room.

Starting at the bookcases. 

One set to the left of the fireplace and then two to the right. I love bookcases. I am an avid reader, so I have to have a place to put them. It doesn't help that they are fun to decorate too.

Lemony is sitting on the end, but that is usually Lucy's spot. Lucy hates pillows, so rarely will you see them on the sofa.

Lucy in the recliner, so the pillows are out. Trust me, I have actually seen her jump on the couch for the sole purpose of putting them on the floor.

The mirrors on the wall to the right were there from my mother-in-law. They actually came around a little further. Her furniture for this room was much more modern and they really went well with it. She liked them because it mirrored the view of the water on that side of the room. At first I planned to take them down, but ended up only taking the ones that went behind my sofa down. I ended up liking what she was talking about with the view of the water. I knew they were very 80's, but if you like something it shouldn't matter about style.

The dog box for Lemony is always there. Can't move it or she would be lost. It houses the pillows that Lucy knocks off and extra blankets for the cool nights.

Oh and did you catch that messy ottoman. That would be my hubby's special spot. I gave up and let him have it. After all, that is real life and I am not about sporting a magazine spread. 

The geese above the doors are from the 60's. My mama still has the same set at her house. I always loved them. My mother-in-law had the same set. I think they look fab above the door.

The alcove holds my Christmas tree. It is perfect for that. It is one of three on the back of the house. Each one is a little further out to catch a view of the bayou in all rooms.

My little bit of real life is safely tucked away behind my rocker! This is my favorite little spot.

Now, this is Lemony's typical place if she is not in her box.

And this is Lucy's place unless she is under the dining room buffet.

Hope you enjoyed the living room tour with the real life tossed in.

Sandy

A Few Fall Touches

I am rushing the season. Maybe I am missing putting up September bulletin boards (not missing school, however), but I have been adding some fall touches to the decor. I don't usually decorate my home for fall quite literally because this time of year was so busy getting back into the school routines.

On this side of the bookcase, I added my Toomer's Oaks collection candleholders and squirrels.

I fell in love with these candleholders last fall. They have live oak leaves and acorns. Football season and fall!!!

I couldn't resist the squirrels.

Moving right... a little pumpkin on my small hearth.

The bookcases on the right have some pumpkins. Should have turned off the TV...

These pumpkins called out my name at JoAnn's the other day. The flowers are napkin rings from 

Pier 1. They were the perfect touch.

Just another flower napkin ring. 

Coffee table holds a candle set that I bought years ago.

Keeping it real... no staged photos for me. The placemat is there because my son eats here everyday. The coffee table raises up to hold his meal. I told him he had to start using a placemat and he has actually followed through.

The dining room buffet with fall touches.

And the kitchen, well I can't get a picture of my windows, because I am a horrible picture taker. Trust me, it is cute.

Bow with acorns and some fall colored bows. 

Cute fall colored birds.

The island that I work really hard to keep clean has a small touch.

I am not so sure about this...

May rework it and use it on the porch when the pumpkins arrive at stores. I know I am jumping the season especially when the temperature outside is in the 90's. It really made me happy though.

I will wait on doing the front porch until a more appropriate time frame.

Happy about the opportunity to be a homemaker,

Sandy

Thirtieth Anniversary

Hubby and I celebrated our thirtieth anniversary today. I am a very blessed woman. 

We decided on our first anniversary that due to the amount of birthdays in our anniversary month that we would always keep gifts very simple. However, I married one of the best gift givers in the entire world. He always comes up with the most unique and thoughtful gifts. I learned early on that I would never be able to outdo him on this one. I gave up trying. I just truly try to let him know that I consider myself very lucky to have him.

Our first anniversary he gave me this porcelain dog.

I have loved Springer Spaniels since I started first grade and first saw "Spot" in the basal readers. Remember Dick and Jane.

Shortly after we were married, we got our first Springer Spaniel. The smartest and most gorgeous Springer ever:) We named her Sally. She was Queen at our house.

I loved my first anniversary gift. It sits on my dresser today.

Over the years, the gifts have been small and large and always wonderful. On our 25th anniversary, he planned a trip to Houston to Johnson Space Center. I am a complete space nerd and believe it or not, I had never been to Johnson. Houston, yes, but not JSC. Not only did he surprise me with the trip, but what they call a Level 9 tour. Then, we spent a day wandering around Galveston. We had a fun trip for sure. We also made it to New Orleans a few years ago to tour the D-Day Museum which was something both of us wanted to do. 

This year has been so busy that we decided neither wanted to go anywhere even though it was a big number. We just wanted simple and quiet. We would do something later. Both agreed to no gift.

He could not completely stick to that one.

A letter this morning to wake up to.

30 things he loves about me. You can't beat that!!! 

Some silly, some more serious, but scary how well he knows me.

We have seen a lot of our friends' marriages fall apart this past year. I love this man more every day. Thankful for our marriage.

It doesn't have to be all bells and whistles. Sometimes just a quiet and simple day is good.