When we were first married my husband and I always had a real tree for Christmas. The tree selection process would take nearly the entire day as we would visit several lots trying to find the biggest and cheapest tree (almost always under $10). There were a couple of years that we were lucky enough to find a tree with a double trunk which meant that it would fill up the entire six foot window of our first home. 
When our children were young we took them to a wooded lot to select and cut down the Christmas tree.
As the years progressed and the prices of Christmas trees increased we began to celebrate the holiday with artificial trees.
This year I tried to put up the old artificial tree in the family room. . .several times in fact, yet every time it just looked too pitiful to trim. My frustration mounted as the sad, unadorned tree leaned against the wall day after day.
Last Saturday, just a week before Christmas, we shopped at a freight damage store. That morning before we left I thought, "Wouldn't it be nice if the store was selling real trees for a big discount." True enough, an announcement was made that Christmas trees were being cleared out for $10. I was smiling from ear to ear as I ran through the store to find the exit where the trees were, my husband trailing behind trying his best to keep up with his giddy wife.
Once home the real tree was placed in an old bucket filled with water hidden inside a garden urn. 
Not only was the tree a bargain so were the decorations---most were purchased at dollar stores over the past few years.
Reminiscing The Past With The Present
Quite the Sight
the middle-aged woman
rolling a very heavy, snow covered stump through the empty lot,
across the street, and up onto her porch.
And even strangerthat she was wearing her husband's gloves and boots
and dressed in her son's trench coat (an old Halloween prop).
Yes, it must have been quite the sight.But it was worth it!
Am I the only onethat does crazy things
for the sake of good design?
Almost Free Florals and a Winner
I always love having a fresh and free bouquet in my living room. In the spring and summer I bring branches or flowers in from my yard and even though it's winter I've found a way to bring in nature without spending a lot of money. One trick is to ask the employees of tree lots or big box stores if you can have the cuttings from the Christmas trees. They're usually happy to give them away for free. I just plop a bunch into a tarnished silver urn and add a few faux glittered branches for a little more interest and then I stand back and enjoy the beauty and the fresh evergreen aroma.
And who says that you have to keep that traditional poinsettia in it's foil covered container? I clipped the flowers and added more evergreens, and curly branches to make this eye catching Christmas bouquet.
The only thing that can beat the beauty of two fresh bouquets is the low, low price!
Congratulations to Cheryl, comment #38. Random organizer picked her to be the winner of the beautiful Mod Lattice Pillow from FabulousButFrugal.com
Minimalist Room Design on Modern Interior
I posted several minimalist room design, a trend of several latest year in best home remodeling design, this style of home decorating and furniture arranging is still the favorite for everyone that want to maximize their usage of rooms.
This simple concept use a newly look of furniture shape with unusual and creative construction, so we can't imagine about the basic rule of minimalist room design.
Minimalist House Green Color Design
The minimalist design Green diorama as when we vineyards in order from the inside. Simple two thin rectangular plates – roof and floor – gently on the vines that are up to the main road. The metal plate is black with a series of walls made of concrete pigment black set perpendicular to it. One end on the slope, the other 11 meters wrong side of the retaining wall. The flat roof floats above identical, separated by the window over the entire height of the front and ends, and on the back two floors green vines by length between the plates. Each plate is 50 m long and wide the rim. Its uniqueness and clarity through the back of the depth – 2 m on the front and rear and 5 meters on the wrong projection – on the outside. The flat roof is supported by steel columns.
modern, minimalist design ideas for home
Mantle Glam
Am I the only one that thinks that shiny silver against a backdrop of deep red is such a stunning sight to see? 
Don't forget to add your name to the Fabulous But Frugal Giveaway.Giveaway closes Saturday the 18th at midnight(MST)
Giveaway Oh Giveaway
Who doesn't love a giveaway especially at this time of year?!?
I'm sure you'll want a beautiful handmade pillow from
Fabulous But Frugal.
pretty mustard yellow mod lattice pillows to
one lucky Joys Of Home reader.
The winner will be announced next Monday.
Best of Luck to all of you!
Giveaway closes on December 18th at midnight(MST)
Get Help Creating Your HGTV Dream House
Get Help Creating Your HGTV Dream House With HGTV’s Many Guises
HGTV is one of the most popular home and garden makeover and décor shows that you will find in the country. If you are looking to create your HGTV dream house then stay in touch with the show in its many guises.
Of course the most popular platform is television, where you can catch a variety of different shows that aim to show you what the latest trends are in home décor and offer tips on how to go about renovating your home. As with many home and garden themed shows, HGTV has a magazine as well, which is released on a regular basis.
This means you can form a collection of your favorite issues and reference them whenever you need some advice. The online world has grown in leaps and bounds, where you can find information on just about anything or buy and sell anything. HGTV has joined in the trend and you can visit their website to get tips, follow what’s hot and what’s not this season, and get advice on where to buy your items. You can even sign up to the regular newsletter.
With these many platforms you will always have help creating your HGTV dream house.
Modern Home Design by Chen + Suchart Studio
While pretending to industry, Residence Sosnowski remain habitable and inviting thanks to the main meeting room on the ground floor that combines living, dining and kitchen areas into one space that is fully open to the surrounding city and desert.
Sweet and Simple
It's an idea that's been around for years. Take a candle holder (glass, porcelain, or metal---it doesn't really matter).
Use a strong, clear glue (I use E6000)
Let it dry for a few hoursand you have a sweet and simple gift.
and perhaps something delightfully delicious to eat!Our Workshop
Our kitchen is beginning to resemble a workshop (an odd place for a workshop but with a foot of snow outside, it's warmer than the garage). We've been hired to decorate for a December wedding.
The young couple will be having both a reception and an open house. We're decorating for the open house which will be less formal. I'm thrilled because I've been able to be more unconventional with the design. We'll be using an old door and weathered wood to build the backdrop and more weathered wood for crates that will hold bare branches.
They'll be topped with wire trees that I'm creating.
It's so exciting to be given the creative freedom to make what I see in my head!
Minimalist House Design For Young Couples
But keep in mind because it is too minimalist would be boring. For that we need a few tricks to design a minimalist home to keep your room look warm. Furniture selection model should also be considered, you must be able to choose the right furniture and of course accessories for your minimalist house with elements of practical and functional which is the basic key in designing a minimalist home.
plant design in the house
Entrance to the garage minimalist home
Multifunctional space design-Living room- Selecting the right material to thicken the minimalist concept will be presented. For example, glass furniture combined with aluminum or wrought iron can you attach it in the room. This is a simple form and can make your room look chic.
- The selection of minimalist furniture curtain capable of supporting the impression you want to display in your room. You can try to choose a light novel blind and able to give the impression of dynamic in a minimalist room.
- Furniture design company with a precision which is also characteristic of minimalist architecture and furnishings. Therefore, select a table or chair is simple and without ornament. With minimal ornament, we can simplify maintenance and the room will feel more spacious.
- Color Selection of minimalist design and stylish furniture should be cautious, the pattern of flowers or colors that are too crowded or less suitable when combined in a minimalist home. Keep the color tone each time to add or replace furniture and furniture accessories in one room.
- Whether all the accessories and furniture carefully, but make sure that the room did not impress too full because it can confirm the impression of a minimalist who wants to create. For example you can set the photo frame is bigger, but in small amounts to accent the room.
Kitchen design minimalist home
Staircase design minimalist home
Living room design
Pretty Pumpkins
I have been having so much fun making pretty little fabric pumpkins to give as gifts. They're so easy and yet so cute!
First use a plate or anything circular to make a pattern on light weight fabric.
Cut the circle and sew a running stitch around the edge.
Stuff with a layer of beans and then fiberfill (or use all beans or rice, or all fiberfill). Pull the thread to close the opening and make a few more stitches to keep it closed.
Hot glue on a real stem from a pumpkin or squash and that's it!
I added a few hand-stamped tags to give to friends and neighbors with the idea that they could gather their family and pass the pumpkin while sharing the things they are grateful for.
These sweet little pumpkins were so fun to make that I couldn't help but make a bunch in all different colors and sizes just for me. 
