Catching Up or Starting Over

Hi, everyone! If you hadn't noticed, it's been awhile since I've posted here. Cairn Cottage, along with its inhabitants, has been extremely busy. On top of that, my camera has been giving me some issues. I know, that's no excuse, but it's all I've got! :)

Since I'm a little behind the ball, I didn't know whether I should try to catch you up on what I've been doing or just get ready for the new year and start over with new projects. So I decided to do a little of both in this post.

I've been on vacation for the past week and finally have a few days of rest before it's back to the old grindstone. (what a strange old saying!) Anyways, I hope you have all had a beautiful, family-filled Christmas. We did some basic decorating ~ putting up the tree, stringing outdoor lights along the roof-line, hanging the stockings, etc. I didn't do as much as usual, since we would be away from the house during the holidays. So, I didn't get a lot of new Christmas decor/crafts made, like I had planned. 

One simple project that I had been wanting to do was to make a light out of a glass block. I found and purchased a block made for lights at Lowes. Basically, I took Christmas ball, pine cones, and beads and poured them in intermittently with a string of Christmas lights. I used battery operated lights so that I could put it anywhere without worrying about needing an outlet, but any kind of small string of Christmas lights would work. 

For instructions how to put one together check out this video. I actually used a block with a pre-drilled hole, found at most craft stores (I got mine at Lowes in the Christmas section). 

HERE is a Pinterest page with some great ideas on how to decorate a block light for more than Christmas.

I also wanted to add a little bit of a coastal feel to my Christmas decor. So, on my tree, I added a string of starfish and a couple of sand dollar ornaments that caught my eye at "Family Christian Bookstore". 

Since I knew we would be spending Christmas Eve at a hotel in South Carolina, I took a small artificial tree and some lights along on the trip. I wanted at least a little Christmas cheer in our room.

Well, guess it will soon be time for starting over. Just a few things I hope to be posting:
1. We will be getting some new windows in the next few weeks. One especially will make a big change in our living/dining room.
2. We also hope to completely remodel our main bathroom. Lots of new things to show you!
3. As Spring approaches, we'll be working on landscaping and I will get to plant some new perennials.
 
A new year looms ahead and as we anticipate all of the decorating and seasonal changes that we will experience in our little Cairn Cottage, I hope to share many posts with your all! Starting over isn't so bad. In fact, it's gonna be pretty doggone fun!! 

See you next year!!

Ann

“Better joy in a cottage than sorrow in a palace” Spanish Proverb

Hopping over at these Blog Parties:

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage
Cottage Style Linky Party @ Lavender Garden Cottage 
 Sunday Showcase Party @ Under The Table and Dreaming
Fabulous Friday@ Here Comes the Sun 
Simple Sunday @ Sunny Simple Life 
 Show and Tell Saturday @ Be Different Act Normal  

Make The Scene Monday @ Alderberry Hill
Blue Monday @ Smiling Sally
Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage
 Tweak It Tuesday @ Cozy Little House
 Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherines Corner