Country Living Fair Nashville

This weekend, I attended the Country Living Fair in Nashville.  I'm SO glad Country Living decided to hold a fair in my area.   It was held at the Wilson County Fairgrounds in Lebanon and it was the perfect site.

I met up with this lovely group of ladies that we call The Nashville Influencers.  It's an awesome group and has provided so many opportunities for me.  I have to give a shout out to the ladies in the photo with me:  Nancy McNulty of Forest Home Media, Kristie Barnett of The Decorologist, Meryll Rose of Talk of the Town, Angela Roberts of Spinach Tiger, Dana Tucker of Forest Home Media and Bella Tucker, Beth Bryan of Unskinny Boppy, Geinger Hill of Forest Home Media, Rosemary Palmer of Not Just Paper and Paint, Deneen Glidwell of Dreaming in Color, Elizabeth Scruggs of Superior Construction and Design, and Denise Simons of Life Style with Denise Simons.  Some have blogs and I'd love for you to check them out!

Ready to see lots of photos from the fair?!  Here goes!

This table was amazing.  It's over 12 feet long!

Loved this cow painting.

Distressed navy blue dresser...must have!

Lots of great wire baskets.  I have these exact baskets for my bicycle ;)

Look at the size of that clock!  Wouldn't that make a great statement piece?

This bear rug reminded me of an episode of I Love Lucy 

when she sneaked into Richard Widmark's house.  #bestshowever

These are miner's baskets like the one I have for storing ribbons HERE.

That was probably not fun to have to sit on all day at school!

This was Mike Wolfe's booth from American Pickers.

I thought this was the cutest thing at the fair. 

Then, I saw Lola!  She was the cutest thing at the fair!  

This vintage Airstream belongs to Cari Cucksey of HGTV's Cash & Cari. 

Kitchen kitsch from Cari's booth!

I know this post was heavy on the photos.  Thanks for sticking with me to the end!  If you get a chance to attend one of Country Living's Fairs, GO!  You'll be glad you did.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless!!  

Angie

I'm linking here:

RAIN ON A TIN ROOF    THE STYLE SISTERS    JENNIFER RIZZO    HOME STORIES A TO Z
FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS    COMMON GROUND    HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON
COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY    FRIDAYS UNFOLDED   FEATHERED NEST FRIDAY

ONE MORE TIME EVENTS    TWIRL AND TAKE A BOW    SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE    STONEGABLE

UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING    A DELIGHTSOME LIFE      DIY SHOWOFF      ART IS BEAUTY
CLEVER CHICKS BLOG HOP   IT'S OVERFLOWING   THREE MANGO SEEDS    ELIZABETH JOAN DESIGNS

WEEKEND CRAFTS    PRETTY PINTASTIC PARTY    THOUGHTS FROM ALICE   HYMNS AND VERSES

MISS MUSTARD SEED   CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT

Christmas around the House

Sharing a little of the Christmas decorations I've added to our home.  Have you finished decorating yet?

The snow globe picture I posted about here

I don't think I ever finish decorating.  My brain is always coming up with more ideas than I'm able to complete.  Guess I can always save those for the next year.

There are some things that must be used every year in the Christmas decor.  This is a little snowman that my youngest daughter made when she was just ten.  It's the Mad Hatter from the latest Alice in Wonderland.  I used to make altered snowman for my etsy shop back then and she wanted to make one too.

The decor in the foyer include a pair of vintage ice skates, a "SNOW" sign, and an antique crock with greenery.

I typically stay away from the traditional reds and greens of Christmas because they usually don't fit with my decor.  This year, I was dead set on using red and green tartan.  I love all tartans if you didn't notice my from tartan throw post :)  I found this needlepoint pillow earlier this year at the thrift store.  Its colors and design contain just enough blue to tie everything together.  (I have a thing for needlepoint pillows too!) 

Just a simple tartan ribbon added to a lamp shade

Thank you for stopping by The Altered Past and spending a little time with me as I share some Christmas decor.  I've got a little more to share later...the front porch and the shed.

God bless!
Angie


I'm linking here:
THE STYLE SISTERS
JENNIFER RIZZO
HOME STORIES A TO Z
FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS

COMMON GROUND

HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON
COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY

FRIDAYS UNFOLDED

FEATHERED NEST FRIDAY

ONE MORE TIME EVENTS

TWIRL AND TAKE A BOW 
SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE

STONEGABLE
UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING

A DELIGHTSOME LIFE
ART IS BEAUTY

CLEVER CHICKS BLOG HOP DIY SHOWOFF IT'S OVERFLOWING

THREE MANGO SEEDS

ELIZABETH JOAN DESIGNS

WEEKEND CRAFTS

PRETTY PINTASTIC PARTY
THOUGHTS FROM ALICE
HYMNS AND VERSES
MISS MUSTARD SEED
CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT

Thanksgiving 2014 Highlights

My sweet sister-in-law, Barb, that always makes sure to capture our events.  She's an amazing photographer and the photos in this post were graciously supplied by her!

Thanksgiving has come and gone.  Can you believe how quickly the holidays pass?  We had a great day with family and friends.

One thing I learned through all of the plans and preparations...it doesn't have to be perfect in order for everyone to have a good time.  The day should be about enjoying time together.

I did lots of planning and cleaning, yet after it was all over I noticed dusty areas that had been missed, clutter that hadn't been put away, decorations that didn't get put out.  Did it matter?  Not one bit.

Actually, of the 30 something guests that we had, I think all but 4 entered through my laundry room door.  Hadn't planned for that but it didn't change a thing.  I want guests to feel comfortable in my home.  Take a nap on the couch.  Get something from the fridge if they need it.  See that I have missed some dust and a couple of cobwebs,

Time spent together should be just that...enjoying your time together, having fun, catching up on each other lives.  Who wants to do that in a home that feels like a sterile museum.  (Phfft!  My home will never be described as sterile with us and our 3 dogs living here.  And the only reference to museum may be to say it's a museum of thrift store and yard sale finds, lol!  That's funny but so true.)

The tryptophan was kicking in!

Antique frame and chicken wire used to display photos of family members.  They were encouraged to take any of the photos they wanted.

One of my lovely clean up helpers sporting her matching apron and gloves.  You can read about making those in this post:  Hostess Gift

Playing Giant Jenga in the garage since it was so chilly and windy outside

And, of course, the skeet shooting tradition.  (Sorry for the blurry photo.  This was a snapshot from a video.)

If you ask my husband, he'd tell you I've come a long way in learning how to host without stressing about perfection.  I also enjoy the time with guests more now as well.  Much of my inspiration for stress-free entertaining comes from the Nester's book, The Nesting Place.  Myquillyn, the Nester, has been one of my favorite bloggers for a long time.  She has a gorgeous home, imperfections and all.  You can find her book here The Nesting Place: It Doesn't Have to Be Perfect to Be Beautiful.  (Put it on your Christmas list.  You won't be disappointed!  You will enjoy entertaining guests like never before.)

Since I live about 3 hours from my family, we alternate the holidays between my family and my husband's.  Thanksgiving was celebrated with my in-laws this year.  They are just half of the wonderful people I'm blessed to call "family."  Christmas will be spent with the other half, my mom and siblings.  I'll be sharing our time together later in December.

One more family I'm thankful for is the family of blog readers...you!  I really appreciate your taking time from your day to visit my blog.

God bless!
Angie

PS:  Be sure to check back tomorrow!  We begin our week of Christmas Blog Tours!

(Affiliate link used for The Nesting Place)