Winter Mantel {repost}

I am very happy to say that my sweet Daddy is making tremendous strides in recovering from his stroke.  The therapists said that in a few weeks, he will be able to perform some simple tasks on his own again.  They say within another 2-4 weeks he should be back to the point where he will be pretty self sufficient again.  We are blessed and know it could have been so much worse.  Thank you for all the emails and messages of support and prayers.

I hope its okay, but I am reposting my Winter Mantel from last year.  It's when my blog was still called "Grits and Glamour"  (ahhhh, I miss that name sometimes.)  I also had a different dear head above my fireplace - this one a beautiful grapevine one named Wilbur.

Enjoy!  xxoo

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 I have a barren mantle that has been speaking to 
me all week....

"When you gonna dress me?"

"Hey you, quit ignoring me!"

"Don't you feel guilty for abandoning me so? Don't you love me anymore?"

What?  Your home doesn't talk to you, too?  :)

So, I got up this morning, dressed the boys, fixed breakfast, watched a movie and played Go Fish! at least one hundred times.....and as soon as my son and daughter-in-law arrived to take them home -
 I got started.


The Gathering.  The Mental Planning.  The Trials.  Oh no...and the Errors.  The Formation of a Design.

This is a quick glimpse of what my mantle looked like for Thanksgiving.  I didn't go all out by any means, but because I had about 20 people coming over - and the fireplace is in my Dining Room - I had to at least make the effort.

This took me about 15 minutes to come up with, completed somewhere between the time I was making deviled eggs and the giblet gravy.

Also, remember I told you I had a new family member to introduce you to?

Well.....meet Wilbur.

He is handmade made in Maine, of 100% grapevine.


Mr. Grits just shook his head the day he was delivered and I took him out of the box.  It was love at first sight for me.  


Here is the BEFORE of my Fall Mantle:

Wilbur could not wait for me to decorate the mantle for Winter.  I think he is quite happy now.


The AFTER:

When I think of a Winter's walk, my mind sees barren branches, textured brown leaves, neutral, earthen colors and then all of a sudden - bursts of color from bright green lichen and moss.  

That is the feeling I tried to create on our mantle.

Vintage, silver pieces mimic the glitter of 
frost and snow...

Warm candlelight on a cold Winter's night...

A vintage, silver pitcher holds curly 
twigs and feathers.

A favorite leather chest....

Old books, an antique and tarnished silver tray 
and teapot, and twigs.

I didn't spend a single dime on this project.  
I just gathered together items which represented Winter to me.

A family heirloom,  this silver compote dish is filled with a glowing white candle, and surrounded by bits of bright green moss.

Glass candlesticks and more white candles balance each end, adding even more warmth and glow.


I hope you have enjoyed seeing this simple transformation of my mantle.  Happy Winter, my friends.

I am joining the following Linky Parties:
Susan at Between Naps on the Porch Met Monday Stephanie Lynn at Under the Table and Dreaming Sunday Showcase Party Sarah at Thrifty Decor Chic Before and After Monday Mary at Boogieboard Cottage  Masterpiece Monday Marty at A Stroll Thru Life Tabletop Tuesday Linda at Coastal Charm Nifty Thrifty Tuesday Kim at Savvy Southern Style Wow Us Wednesday Jill at French Cupboard Voila!French Inspiration on Thursdays  Gina at The Chabby Chic Cottage Transformation Thursday Cindy at My Romantic Home Show and Tell Friday Courtney at French Country Cottage Feathered Nest Friday Heather and Vanessa at the picket fence Inspiration Friday Sherry at The Charm of Home Home Sweet Home Friday Jen at Tatertots and Jello Weekend Wrap-Up Party
Do you have a Linky Party you think I should join?  Leave me a comment or email me, I'd love to join!
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{as always, you are welcome to pin any of these pictures,  with my permission.  just click on the Pin It With Barb  icon below.}