My First Year of Blogging

Lots of Memories

Click to enlarge, if you wish. Tablescapes created at Bella Vista during 2009.

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2009 was my first year of blogging. I will celebrate my official one year anniversary on January 21 2010. I'm not sure what I expected blogging would be like or even exactly what it was when I started. I think I considered it much like a diary of my daily life.....and so it has been for me.

What I didn't know, and would be so happy to discover, are all the wonderful people I have met across the United States and the world. I also didn't know how much I would be inspired and encouraged. I have come to look at the world in a slightly different mode since I have been blogging and dragging my camera everywhere.....ha, you all know what I mean, don't you?

One of the events I have enjoyed the most are the Tablescape Thursdays....some of my tablescape pics are above. I love dishes and this event hosted by Susan at Between Naps on the Porch has propelled me into 'dish heaven.' I have enjoyed so many of the memes hosted by many of the wonderful blogger ladies.

But YOU, dear blogger friend, have been my greatest joy. You make me laugh, cry, smile with delight and fall off my chair with amazement. You are talented, funny, joy filled, loyal, and always inspiring. Thanks for being such a wonderful part of my life this past year.

Now......here's to 2010. May it be filled with happiness, wonder and good health for you!

Barb

Hope Your Christmas Was Wonderful

Looking Back and Reflecting

Hello to all my bloggy buddies! I hope your Christmas was joy-filled and special. It is so hard to believe that the day has come and gone for another year! Are you completely full of delicious food? I have been looking at all the ‘happy disorder’ (that’s what I call it….ha) around our home and my head is spinning. It will take days to put all the holiday things away. Are you looking forward to 2010? I am!!!!

Well,  it is time to get back to the ‘happy disorder’…..Happy Sunday everyone!

Blessings, Barb

Merry Christmas

From Our House to Yours…Merry Christmas!

Click to enlarge pictures in Mosaic.

I am linking to Mary at Mosaic Monday.

 

Christmas Nutcracker Tablescape

Nutcrackers Abound for Christmas

    Hello and welcome in to Tablescape Thursday hosted by Susan at Between Naps on the Porch. Please visit her blog for a list of participants and all the lovely tablescapes for this week.

 

The dinner plates, salad plates and soup bowls are part of the Christopher Radko collection which I purchased at Target three years ago, the chargers are from HomeGoods,  the placemats are from Ross, the napkins are from HomeGoods, the napkin rings are from Hobby Lobby, the golden flatware is Reed and Barton, the stemware I have had for years, The Nutcrackers are part of a rather large collection that I mass some years and spread over the house during other years….I think they make such a ‘happy’ centerpiece.

I am a huge fan of nutcrackers and decided to make some of my collection a centerpiece for my Christmas tablescape.

Thank you so much for coming by and visiting with me. You are always so very welcome!

Barb

Cookbook Winners Are.....

Hello Everyone....thanks to all of you who entered my follower appreciation giveaway. I used the random generator to choose the winners and they are:

BJ from Sweet Nothings

Linda from Blessed in Vegas

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Congratulations to both girls! I will leave notes on your blog on how you can contact me with your addresses.

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Thanks to everyone again and thanks for reading and following Bella Vista.

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Hugs, Barb

Baking and Decorating

I Just Love This Time of the Year

I made this cake last Christmas and I am making another one this evening. It is soooo delicious!

  

This is the tree we decorated for our little den. Yep, I have put up and decorated four (!) trees this year…..am I nuts or what? (Don’t answer that!) Ha! I collected Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments for about 15 years…so they are everywhere!

Don’t forget about my follower appreciation giveaway. It goes through Wednesday.

Barb

Another Little Peek

 Silvery White Tree in the Living Room

This is our living room tree…..all decorated for Christmas. See…..you always thought I decorated only with lots of color, right? Well, I have my ‘pastel side’ too. Ha.

How is your decorating coming along?

Barb

December Follower Appreciation Giveaway

Many Thanks to My Sweet Followers

Hello….on this fine December morning. It is time for my December giveaway to let my followers know how much I appreciate each and every one of them! I am giving away TWO Gooseberry Cookbooks to TWO winners! (One book to each winner.)  Cozy Country Christmas and Merry Christmas.

  

To enter:  leave a comment under this post if you are a Bella Vista follower and I will choose the TWO winners on Wednesday, December 9th. These cookbooks are wonderful and chock full of great recipes and Christmas tips for decorating. Good luck to everyone. Thanks again to all those who follow and read my blog. You are very much appreciated.

Barb

O Christmas Tree Tablescape

How Lovely Are Your Branches

  

 

Thank you so much for visiting with me today.

Christmas dinner & salad plates...TJ Maxx, Chargers...HomeGoods, Holly Placemats...Homegoods, Flatware...Reed and Barton, Stemware...Dillards, Napkins...Southern Hospitality, Tree Napkin Rings...KMart, Place Card Holders...Bed Bath & Beyond, Crystal Trees....collected for years, Crystal Votives...collected for years, Small Tree Centerpiece...from a Ga. shop, Glass Scatters...Michaels

Barb 

Tiny Peek

Family Room Christmas Tree in Reds and Plaids

 

Here is a tiny peek at one of my trees…..so far! :-)

I’m taking a little break and sitting on the porch with some new magazines today for an hour or so before I have to start work on my Tablescape. Then there’s dinner and of course, the housework, and errands to run……..yikes and good grief.

Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday spirit!

Barb