Friday, January 17, 2014

And the (N)Oscar Goes To...

Well, it's January so you know what that means. It's time for Hollywood to host its 4,728 awards shows to remind us all how fabulous they are.  Maybe I'll yak about that sometime, but today I'm just using it for some jumper cables to start a  little blog gala of my own. It's a big old party for one.

You see, even though I stepped out of Blogville for nearly half a year, I actually did have a life going on during the hiatus.  Yessiree, things were hopping here in Debbie Land. Had I been blogging, I would have yakked all about it.

But I never did.  I was a non-blogger.
  A Nogger...  

So in the interest of chronicling my life, I thought I would host my own awards gala and show you some of the winners for what I have decided to call the Nogger Awards. That's where I shout out  favorite things that I  never blogged in 2013.

In the interest of keeping it brief, I will only share four of them in this post. Let's start with a favorite pastime of mine, setting the table.


Favorite tablescape I never yakked about


There were several nominees in this category, but the Nogger goes to the Farm Sister's luncheon club table.


She drew the lot for September, but since she's already done a lovely autumn theme (more than one in fact), she went yellow and sapphire on us instead. I loved it.  I wish I could have gotten a better shot of the centerpiece because it was show- stopping. Unfortunately, I didn't arrive early enough to get any better pictures, and once the other girls arrived, I was busy with a yakker of a different sort.



Most exciting opportunity I never yakked about 

That would be the night the Duchess, Farm Sister, and I went to hear former First Lady Laura Bush speak at the local university.


We weren't in those cheap seats way up yonder in the bleachers, either. We were able to sit right down there on the floor with tickets courtesy of the DC daughter that I procreated.  Yes, indeed. She has finally made up for the 10 hours of labor, big head, and broad shoulders.

Oh, who am I kidding? She made up for all that in the first minute...

But oh how lovely the evening was! I can tell you sincerely that Laura Bush certainly earns the title First Lady. You would think I would have better pictures, wouldn't you?
But no...



Favorite DIY home project I never yakked about


No contest here, the Nogger goes to my made- over kitchen chairs.  

First, some before pics
They stayed black for a while, but when the new dining room chairs that I did yak about arrived, it was time to move them to the kitchen. Black wouldn't do. The seats were uncomfortable, too.

So I made my own chalk paint recipe because I'm cheap like that. Then I added this little medallion  to sort of jazz up the back. I stained it first, and then just sanded it lightly  to get the look I wanted.



Then I replaced the poor excuse for a seat with some new, thick, foam and batting and covered them with a burlap.

I feel the need to tell you that the seats have yet to be attached in this picture.  


I think the burlap does a nice job of balancing the stark white.  Plus, they go with the farmhouse thing that I have going on in my kitchen. Clean, white, with just a bit of color for balance.

 Told you taupe could actually be a pop of color...

And finally...

Most ironic thing I never yakked about

Well, you might not *get* this if you do not remember my last post before disappearing into the blog mist, but here it is:

The Love Shack got a new cat. 


Actually, she's a kitten. They rescued her from the barn and named her Waffles. 

Of course, with a face like this


I think I'm going to call her Lil Foxy instead.

And that's all I have for today. Now it's time to scoot and attend to the balance of living. Besides, I need to shop for a designer gown before my next Nogger Awards, the family fun addition.

I'm thinking something taupe... 


*****

What's the favorite thing  you didn't blog about lately?



38 comments:

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

Debbie, Debbie ... I love, love the chairs! That little medallion is the perfect finishing touch, as is the taupe seat cover. You did good.

Kudos on seeing Laura Bush. I consider her a graceful soul and a wonderful First Lady.

So what's the favorite thing I didn't blog about lately? Playing chase with sugar plum would be right up there.

FABBY'S LIVING said...

The chair is great and the tablescape with the blue and White china is gorgeous! Cute kitty too. I'm gelous you got to see former First Lady Laura Bush...now she is one class act of a FL! ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND.
FABBY

Miss Char said...

And you certainly deserve the 2013 Noggers Award Debbie for six months of of accomplishments. I sure hope there was some chocolate to highlight these award winning experiences.

Anonymous said...

Too much fun! Would have liked a close up of the centerpiece, too. What exactly was it? Oh - and the chairs came out marvey! The medallion was a stroke of genius.
Grand adventures and the promise of more - looking forward to it. Hey - isn't this fb following thing, great? Really helps me keep up,ya know?
Joy!
Kathy

corners of my life said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
corners of my life said...

It is a good thing you love setting the table because you are so talented at it!

Favorite thing I didn't blog about lately: beginning a (much needed) weight loss journey

elizabeth said...

Love your chair makeover!

Sharon said...

Oh, what a pleasure to attend the Nogger Awards. My absolute vote for Most Missed Blogger of the Half-Year goes to...(drum roll)...Debbie!

Love catching up on your real-life. The tablescape is beautiful. Blue and yellow always reminds me of a French provincial theme.

Laura Bush always seemed to have so much grace and poise. I'm sure it was a pleasure listening to her thoughts.

And might I just say that I think we should re-name your color - make it *taupop*!! Love how it's looking. Our whole house interior is painted in shades of taupe/beige, with white ceilings and white trim. I think it gives our home such a classical and clean look.

And, finally (finally!), even though I'm not a fan of cats, that kitten is adorable!

Thanks for popping into Blog Land today. You made my day! xo

Denise said...

What a sweet surprise to have received one of your coveted awards. I shall not give a long acceptance speech. Just thank you very much.

Your chairs really turned out splendid. You are proving your taupe point quite well.

And, that is one sweet little kitty. So glad the not-so-newlywed anymore couple could find another after they lost Whiskers.

Great post. Do some more please.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

I loved the Noggers... Each and every one!

I am soooooooooo glad to have you back in the Land of Blog. What a joy you are!

xoxox

Sheila

Cheryl @ TFD said...

I enjoyed reading about your winners of the Noggers Awards! I would have loved to hear Laura Bush. She is the epitome of grace and class, and was a wonderful first lady. The chair makeover looks great, the medallion is a nice added touch and the padded, burlap covered seats look comfy. Have a nice weekend!

Gaby said...

You could make a business out of your chairs. That white one with the medallion? UH-mazing. People would pay good money for it as Pier One!

Elizabeth Edwards said...

that is why i always think i need another blog - to be able to chat about my every day moments. have so many travel views to share too - it is tough to get it all in. i love your table views. ( :

Barbara F. said...

I am telling you, knocking the posts right out! I think Nogger Awards concept is a wonderful one! I would even ask for permission to copy it, but in my hiatus I don't even take photos! And really haven't done anything special.... xo

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

Wonderful Awards program! This is better than any Hollywood show -

Deanna

Lorrie said...

Love the Nogger awards. So much better than the others....
I didn't blog about the wool sweaters I washed this morning that are lying on towels on the living room floor to dry. Didn't even take a photo. I still could.

Lynn said...

Your chairs turned out great Debbie, I love the lighter color! Foxy seems to be a very curious kitten:@)

Tanna said...

LOVE that you saw Laura Bush... on my bucket list. You'd think since she lives only 120 miles west of me, I might have already done that but, no. I am minus the DC daughter connections. ;) [to be taken, I am beaming with pride FOR you... how stinking cool is that?!!]

You did a beautiful job on those chairs!! I remember when you got them!!

I have a ton of things I wish I'd had time to blog about... but, real life calls. I am so glad you've added us to your balancing act! blessings and hugs ~ tanna

Debbiedoos said...

Why in the World had we never hear the YAK on these gorgeous posts and projects and events! The chairs are awesome, as is that pretty tablescape. You were busy!

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

What a productive nogger time it was! Good for you, it all looks so beautiful, love those chairs. My hubby saw Laura Bush at an antique show and spoke to her. She was so gracious, a real class act.

No more nogger for awhile now, we are just so happy to have you back here yakking about everything. I love the way you yak!! :)

Francie...The Scented Cottage Studio said...

Everything posted above and thank you for stopping by and leaving comments. I am very happy you are back !!!
You would really enjoy the Mad Potter so I hope you get time to stop in. (())

Mrs. Kelley Dibble said...

I love your sweet new kitty! Precious angel!

Happy weekend,
Kelley~

Nikki (Sarah) said...

I"m with Dayle...love love love those chairs. I wish I had a smidge of that kind of talent. And Foxy....totally cute.
Happy Saturday!!!!

Red Couch Recipes said...

Nogger -- you crack me up. All through out the year, I almost was a Nogger -- so few posts, and almost gave up. Love the new word. The tablecacp is gorgeous darling, as well as the chairs -- love the medallion -- such a nice touch. I would have liked to go hear Laura Bush too -- so glad you went. Haven't hear the word procreation for a while, except in church. Joni

Anonymous said...

P.S. Thanks for the tip to read Finding the Inspiring this weekend. This battle has been a life-long battle for me, ergo, the lifetime illusive peace issue. 2014, though, is the year my brain has to kick the habit and the devil out from behind the microphone of my mind. I'm in a small accountability group and we're all on the frontlines of this one RIGHT NOW! It's a year when the Lord wants to move in a big way, I believe. Can I get my pity party self out of the way so He can cause me to BE everything He has intended me to BE? Blessings to you, Deb, in all your glorious BEING!!!
Joy!
Kathy

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Fun post. I would love to hear Laura Bush in person. The chairs look great! A new kitten, how fun.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

This was such a fun idea for a post! I would love to hear Laura Bush speak...what an honor. I loved her book! I can't think of anything interesting I haven't posted about! haha! Sweet hugs!

Chatty Crone said...

See i think you had so much to blog about when you thought about quitting and didn't realize it - and now you realize that you had a ton to blog about!

I have to saw Laura Bush is a favorite of mine.

I love your new kitten!

Love you too.
sandie

Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours said...

What a fun post, Debbie! The Farm Sister's table is fantastic -- as are your re-re-made chairs. The embellishment was exactly what they needed (and if burlap is taupe and not tan, then I'm all in with taupe!) As for your evening with Laura Bush... I am so glad you got to hear her in person! I had the same privilege several years ago before she and President Bush left the White House when she (and then he a couple of months later) spoke at a Faith-Based Initiatives conference. What an amazing couple! So happy you got to see her charm and class "up close and personal." :-)

What did I NOT blog about last year? Hmmm... The overnight Amtrak trip we took up the coast from San Jose, CA to Portland, OR; the new entrance I designed for a century-old cemetery; the photo shoot Renaissance Man and I did for his upcoming book; the purple mohawk Little Man wanted (and got!) for his 4th birthday; oh, and the really, really great exterior pics I got of an old country store out in the country - complete with falling apart gas pump in front. I should still blog about that one...

Anonymous said...

I can think of a few, but I'll just say...what an adorable cat. and I love the chairs.

Alycia Nichols said...

Fun post, Debbie! I think I yakked about pretty much everything I had on my mind in 2013. As for building all the tablescapes I would have liked to, though, that's a different story. I had them so stacked up and backed up in my head I thought my skull might explode! I hope I can catch up with my brain in 2014!

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Debbie, you need to start a new dictionary of your special words. I love "nogger". You did some great things while nogging. I love your chairs. That medallion was a stroke of genius. It really gave a personality to the chair, and, I'm sure the cushioned burlap made them more comfortable. Great job! I don't care who it is in your family who sets a table, it's always beautiful. You are all masters at it. Precious new kitten. Laura Bush came to speak in our little town when she published her book. She was so gracious and a delightful speaker. Glad you got some good out of having your daughter live so far away. Have a good week. laurie

At The Picket Fence said...

Oh Debbie! It's so wonderful to get to catch up on all of your happenings and I'm seriously cracking up over your new word! Life still happens whether we blog about it or not and I'm finding that I actually treasure more and more the things that don't ever end up on the world wide web you know? Blessings to you my friend!
Vanessa

Creations By Cindy said...

Oh I have enjoyed looking at and reading about your Nogger Awards! Love it all. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

Sue said...

As always I am late to the party, like you, I have been busy doing so many things that I haven't yakked abou, but enjoyed! Oh the photos are there taking up space on my computer, but got so caught up in my projects.
Loved all of your non yakked about projects and goings on, maybe we can one day get together and compare notes though yours would be so much more interesting. wishing you the most blessed 2014, yakked and non yakked about goings on, any hoo, I love that you live, and love life to the fullest!!

Denise at Forest Manor said...

Hi Debbie,

I'm sorry I'm late to the comments party on this post! I read it and thoroughly enjoyed it last week, but didn't get a chance to leave my comments.

First of all, that's a beautiful table your sister put together. I love blue, white and yellow, and the flower centerpiece is gorgeous. Secondly, how neat that you got to see Laura Bush in person! She is probably my favorite First Lady ever; seriously, I just think she's so classy and real.

Third, I LOVE, LOVE your re-do on the kitchen chairs; they turned out perfect. I think the burlap seats and the addition of the medallion were excellent choices. You definitely know how to use a paintbrush.

I like your idea of the Nogger Awards. :) I'm glad you finally got to share these things with us!

Hugs to you,

Denise

Sharlotte said...

Wow, a great post (again!) I love Laura Bush, I think she is too a perfect First Lady. I love that she's a former educator and lived through her own trials. I truly admire her and miss her being more public.
I LOVE your chairs. You did a great job. Have you posted about your kitchen lately? I'd love to see it again!
And that cute kitty...they are so curious and fun to watch. This one does look a little foxy!

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

How wonderful to see and hear Laura Bush. She's a class act, for sure.
I remember your chairs and how you redid the, but I love the new redo even more! Great job on those, Debbie.

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