You know what happens when you joke about popping muscle relaxers?  You end up really needing them.  I’ve recovered, but really thought I was going to have to call an ambulance a couple of weeks ago when my back decided it had had enough of me and my heavy-lifting ways.  After the injury I found my way to a chair where I was stuck for over an hour.  When my mom came to my rescue, we started discussing whether I should go to the hospital or an immediate care clinic, I voiced concern about how I was going to get out of the chair much less walk outside to the car, and she (with a straight face) asked if I had an ironing board.  I hurt so bad, but I couldn’t not laugh, can you imagine if they pulled up at the ER with me strapped to my ironing board?  Only my mother.  She was serious.

Thanksgiving was wonderful.  We had surprise visitors, cousins we love… (and their 8 week old baby girl!)

And we even squeezed in a little facetime with those too far away to eat with us… (missed you Greenes!)

Sloane was elated to have all of her little cousins from Chance’s side of the family in one place!  Cousin Ben taught her how to drive her Barbie Jeep.

Sloane’s skirt was one of the goodies she scored from Joules, the fuscia zipper up the back (next photo) is my favorite detail…

So much to be grateful for this year, a house full of healthy and happy family tops my list.  What a treat it was to host Thanksgiving dinner!!

Last week, pre-Thanksgiving, was busy as we had a photoshoot at Marla’s house.  It was such a pleasure working with the folks from Better Homes and Gardens again… Paige Porter Fischer and Michael Walters (both of whom were involved in the makings of my story earlier this year) make a photoshoot feel easy and laid-back.  Or maybe that was the muscle relaxers?

Behind that big ole wooden bowl is the makings of a baby bump.  Marla is due in April with a baby girl… pretty darn excited for her, even if she was quite surprised!  She has a very healthy food blog now, have I mentioned it before?  Left on Amelia.  Her no-bake Chocolate Oat Bars are to die for. More on the story once it’s published, promise.

Darby visited a few weekends ago, if you read her blog this is old news.  I had all her little rovers in my house for a whole weekend!  After she posted this picture I got an email from a friend exclaiming, “that room feels like a hug!”… I don’t know if I have responded to that email yet, but I read it and it did my heart good.  I want my house to feel like a hug.  It helps that I’m surrounded by four children I love very much.

I’m actually about to swap those Schumacher chevron (“High Voltage”) draperies out for Highland Court’s Greenwich II plaid.  The High Voltage is just too much with the orange daybed. They are going to good home (Leigh Ann’s) when the Highland Court ones arrive.

(And if you look close you’ll see… the orange Ugg slippers, a very kind client sent them my way.  I adore them, have barely taken them off to shower and sleep.)

When I first hung those High Voltage draperies Chance asked if we were going to hang a disco ball and rollerskate in that room.  He was right, they were a bit of a statement given my usual aesthetic.  Oh well, you live you learn.

The plaid Highland Court fabric was free-to-me because you very kind people voted on the Traditional Home New Traditionalist contest… and I won, so thank you so very much for voting for me.  I will let you know once my new draperies are up.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!