......And a Little Fresh Garland for Good Measure.

I thought I would do a blog-a-thon today. I try not to blog when I have nothing to say, but when I do have something to say...it may be more than you care to read..anyhoo!! We had a special treat this year. A designer friend sent us a very special Christmas gift...a 75' fresh mixed garland!! It was amazing. We have had an artificial tree for several years and I didn't realize how much I missed the smell and look of fresh evergreen. Well I was like a kid in a candy store...I put it everywhere. I even added it to some of my artificial greenery and it made a huge difference! It was truly a special treat and I have enjoyed it so much! (Thanks Suzanne!! You are precious!)

Deck the Halls...Walls....Porch....Planters, and anything else you can get your hands on!!

Well the Christmas season is drawing to a close and it has been a while since my last post,but I thought this wonderful idea from our friends at Botanica was postworthy. Most of us have the winterlong dilemma of "what do I put in my planters/window boxes during the long months of winter?" I know I have! During those months when everything seems to be brown and dormant, I have wanted a more welcoming entrance than that of the "Adams Family". So at a recent show, I was trying to locate some dwarf english boxwoods for my planters and my friend Bryan from Botanica showed me this glorious planter filled with cut greenery!! He said his last through February! Now he lives in Charleston and the temps are a little milder up there, but I was all for trying it out. So here are some photos: nothing was planted!! all of the greenery was cut from evergreens in my yard, (except for the generous Magnolia donation from some friends) and pressed into the moist dirt in the planters.

China Doll

So this blog (when I take the time to participate) is mostly about decorating, interesting uses for common objects and my web store. However today I feel the need to give you guys a "backstage pass" to what's going on in my life...outside if HIVE. My family is in the early stages of adopting a little girl from China. This is something we have had many conversations and prayers over, for the past few years, and have decided that it's not "going away". So with timid hearts, we have boarded a "cruise for the crazy", yes, ladies and gentlemen....we will have three children...whose ages will span across 15 years. We are so excited it hurts....and can't tell you how much we love the, all too familiar, "why" response, or,"you are in such a good place with your kids now, why start over?"

I have learned a few things about myself over the years, some I still haven't come to terms with, but one is that I like to feel like I am in control of what's going on in my life. HA! Apparently this is not a character trait, or God would not be leading me toward this adoption. So I am not carrying this baby....I can't make sure the biological mom eats the right things, has enough to eat and takes care of herself during this pregnancy?? I think I could literally go crazy thinking of everything that could happen! Then there is this peace.....you know the one. The one that comes from having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The one that tells me that I am not in control....the one that says that He is.

We begin our homestudy this weekend, so I have tried to get started on the monumental task of cleaning......we are apparently very unclean, and didn't even notice. I am nervous for our home and lives to be put under a microscope, but I know that this is just a means to an end... the end being our new little girl.

So with that being said, this blog may go from decorating to adopting all in the same post....I mean you really can't expect me not to talk about my new baby...I'm pregnant for pete's sake. (on paper of course) So I will leave you with my prayer for today;

Lord,

I know that you are growing our hearts so that we will have a love for this baby, that is from you. One that exceeds the boundaries of the womb. The kind of love that put Christ on the cross....the kind that sent Him to die, so that you could adopt me. Thank you for this love. Amen

So another funfilled weekend at Scotts Antique Market for the Hive. I was relocated this month, to a space, a little more to the middle of the building.....much better!!! We had a great time, and everyone seems to still have a fascination with the crowns....so I will do my best to keep them coming. Along with the busy work weekend I found a minute to step away from my booth and do a little shopping of my own. ( hence, the scientific equipment) I have, for a while now been a little obsessed with collecting beakers, graduated cylinders, test tubes and the like. I have always loved how glass glitters when displayed in groupings. I really love the unique shapes found in scientific insturments. These are a few of the items I scored this past weekend....can't wait to create a centerpiece using them. I will keep you posted. Oh yeah, the starburst mirror they are displayed on was another score, hoping to use it for a ceiling medallion in the dining room. (crossing my fingers and hoping not to ruin it in the process!!)

Surprise Guest!!

It's time, once again, for Scott Antique Market. Today, however, we enjoyed a visit from Paula Deen. She is as sweet as she is beautiful...a true southern lady. I wonder if she had any idea that she was standing in the booth, of a serious "train wreck" in the kitchen. Never a dull moment around here!! Two days left of Scotts this month...don't miss out!

Looking for the bird that layed THESE eggs!!

I truly wish this were a better picture, but it is what it is. With Easter fast approaching, I found these wonderful glitter eggs, and if you are a mercury glass fan, as am I, then you ,positively must have one of these! I am about to upload the picture to the website so they will be available for purchase-----while they last, don't miss out!!

Spring is fast approaching!!

Well, Scott Antique Market was this past weekend , and it was rather obvious that everyone is ready for spring. As I was getting ready to pull out of my driveway on Friday morning ,to go to the expo center, I noticed the two cherry trees I have planted on a little hill by my house were already blooming!! So with pruning shears in hand, I was determined to have a little piece of this "sign of spring", with me all weekend. It's wednesday and I am still enjoying them and thought I would share them with those of you who couldn't make it to the show. I had a great time once again and met Dawn, from; www.the-feathered-nest.blogspot.com , who asked if she could post pictures of my booth on her BEAUTIFUL blog!! What an honor, you should check her out, she is amazing!

Scott Antique Market?!?!

I thought I would share a few pics from the awesome weekend that we spent set up at Scott Antiques Market. This is a show that we, at the Hive, have spent lots of weekends, as SHOPPERS, and have lots of wonderful memories. This past weekend was actually the second time we displayed our wares at Scotts. I would have to say that getting there and setting up is the most difficult so far...it's kinda like moving and moving back in three days. :) I met so many people and made some wonderful new friends and fellow boothers. The first pic is really not a very good representation of what I had to SQUEEZE into my little crossover. I had TONS of helper bees, and bless em they all did it with a smile. If you have never been, you should definately check it out. It's the second weekend of every month...rain, flood...or SNOW.!!! It was a blast getting out there with all the snow. It was as if the people who were there, felt a little rebellious for getting out in it. Lots of fun and lots of finds!!

I think it would be unfair not to mention that Chowder (pictured) is pregnant in this picture. Unfortunately there is no video footage to document the 500x's I had to re-attach the velcro on the tutu. (every time she ex-haled!) However with all of the extra fluff we just had to make a picture capturing her personality. Through all of the hunger pains, labor pains and pains in my neck from her not being able to make up her mind wether she wanted to be inside or out......she was the proud mommy of ONE puppy!!!! I was totally exausted to say the least.