2020 Thomas Family Christmas

Christmas Home Tour

After the year that was 2020, you can imagine my absolute delight at this Christmas being one that would go down in the books  according to my ten year old, as “the best Christmas EVER”. I will admit that she pretty much says that every year, but it still warmed my heart.  Last year’s Christmas was not up to our usual standards because we moved that July, and as you can imagine Moves and getting a whole family settled in a new home ain’t cheap.  And, I must admit that heading into December, I had all kinds of doubts that I would be able to pull off the feels of a traditional Christmas during a Pandemic.  But, it turned out that I was very wrong.  Working from home, and not having to commute or be the “Mommy Taxi” this year, left me with much more time on my hands than I would usually have and that ended up being a great thing.  And, as quiet as it’s kept Mr. Stage, who would give the appearance of being the Scrooge of our bunch, always jumps head first into the Christmas Spirit.

This year I started Christmas shopping in July, and began stashing things all around the house.  Every year that is our intention, and every year it simply doesn’t happen.  But, as I said in a pandemic with no where to go, we made it happen.  I also starting creating my Christmas 2020 Decor Board in Early September.  I knew that I wanted to use a lot of my existing Christmas decorations, but up my game a bit, when it came to what we like to call “Our Decorator Tree” or Tree #2.  And, all that means is it’s the one that Mommy gets to create the vision for and decorate.  The kids have their own tree with all our traditional and handmade ornaments from years past. I knew, I wanted to go with Buffalo Check again this year, but I also wanted to add some Black and White Plaid, and that is exactly what we did.

As usual, every year I try to sprinkle a little bit of Christmas every where  I can.  And, this year is no difference.  Take a look at how we transformed our home for the Holiday.

Front Foyer Christmas Decor

Foyer And Decorator Tree

View Of All The Christmas Trees

Stockings Hung By The Chimney With Care

Mantel Countdown to Christmas

Christmas Buffalo Plaid Table Setting

Full View of Christmas Tablescape

Christmas Side Buffet Decor

It is my firm belief that there are only so many years when you get to make Christmas magical for your family.  My oldest child is out of the house, and has a child of his own now, and my oldest daughter is already 16.  I know that the years are fleeting, and soon there will be other’s to consider and they will want to make traditions of their own.  But, while I can, and while they are still willing, I will always do my best to create memories and traditions that we can hold on to.    Thanks for stopping by and visiting our Christmas Home 2020 Edition.

Want to see Christmas Past with Our Family Click Here.

Our DIY Farmhouse Table

DIY Farmhouse Table - A Labor Of Love

I have been sending my husband pictures of this type of Farmhouse/Pedestal Table for years, no exaggeration.  I knew what I wanted but in order to get exactly what I wanted I was going to have to pay a pretty hefty price tag.  I hated our glass kitchen table, plus with little kids you can imagine, how often I had to clean said table.    So last year shortly after we moved into our new home, my hubby called me and text me a picture of a table and some chairs that he found at a yard sale.   I was unsure…. I mean really unsure.  It seemed like it was going to be quite the undertaking, and I was not sure that we.. by which I mean he, could pull it off.    Not because I did not think that he was capable, but while working a full time job, it seemed like a lot.  But, the price.. it was so ridiculously cheap that we could not pass it up.  The original owner was selling the table and 4 chairs for $45.00.  The yard sale was around the corner from the house, so he came home, grabbed my Jeep and went back to pick it up.  It lived in the garage for about 4 months before the project actually began.  But, once it did, it moved pretty quickly.

Before The DIY - Farmhouse Table

Even though the original color of the wood was beautiful, I knew I wanted to go a different way.  Luckily for us it was real wood, so our options were unlimited.  We could use pretty much whatever we wanted when it came to paint, stain, sandpaper, etc. Initially I was leaning towards a gray stain finish, and we went that way before we decided to course correct and go with black.  I was the photographer on the project.  Hubby did all the hard work, from sanding with the orbital sander, sanding by hand (for the more detailed areas), removing the original stain and then repainting it.  It was a true labor of love.

In Progress DIY - Farmhouse Table

Tools Required:

  • Orbital Sander

Materials:

  • Rust-Oleum Painters Touch 2X ULTRACOVER PAINT + PRIMER Black Satin (I purchased this HERE.)
  • Drop Cloth/Old Blanket Comforter
  • General Purpose Sand Paper (100-medium, 220-finer)
  • Grit & Perseverance & Some Brut Force

Finished Project DIY Farmhouse Table

What I love most about the completed project?  THE DETAILS – In the Table Legs, and The Chairs.. And I Just Love How BLACK (Satin) IT IS.  Also, I loved seeing hubby getting his hands dirty.. something about that, does it for me, LOL.  Lastly, I definitely think that the dark color gives the room a more formal feel, while complimenting the marble on the island and counter tops in the kitchen.

Each morning when I come downstairs, and walk into the Kitchen to start my coffee, it’s the first thing I see and that makes me happy.  Special Thanks to my hubby for a job well done!!

Happy June – Free iPhone iPad Desktop Wallpaper

Free June 2020 Wallpapers grab your Free iPhone iPad Desktop Wallpaper

It’s June!!  Need Some Good News, Or At Least Something Free To Start The Month.  Grab Your Free iPhone Ipad Desktop Wallpaper.

This month’s calendar and wallpapers feature beautiful floral prints in pink hues.   I don’t know about you but,  I am definitely ready for Summer to Officially Start, even if I am not sure what that looks like this year.

In the past,  I’ve shared free printable calendars and tech wallpapers, and I’ve been thinking about doing that again.  If you are interested,  make sure to subscribe to my mailing list to get free updates, delivered straight to your inbox!

I trust this month’s calendars will help you to stay on track.

Click Here for Directions on How to Install Your iPhone Wallpaper.

And … Here’s To An Awesome June,  from your Stage Presents Family.

Little Chores List

GRAB YOUR FREE LITTLE CHORES PRINTABLE, TODAY!! Little Chores List

If you are like me and just starting to adjust to this New Normal, then you know that in the midst of the Coronavirus Pandemic life does not stand still.  There is still work to be done, children to be raised, a house to take care of, etc.  Today, marks the third week of me working  from home, and my girls having digital learning classes.  The adjustment was real for all of us.  And, even though I feel like we were a little more settled last week(week two), I also feel like a lot of things were left undone.  And, in the face of everything going on that just left me feeling more uneasy than I already was.  So, I vowed to start this week with a bit more direction, and being the list person that I am, I created this Free Printable Little Chores List to prevent things from being left behind, or at the very list to give me a jumping off point.

Now being part of the Planner Girl Community for as long as I have been, I know that I am not the only list person out there.  So, I thought I would share this for the other Moms that are struggling to keep it all together in the face of a very scary situation.  Grab Yours Be Clicking Here Today. Right Click – Save As And It’s Yours To Use.

I have been reading and watching everything I can get my hands on as it regards to the corona-virus, and well… I can’t tell you if I am more confused or less confused than when I started out, because there is so much conflicting information out there.  However, I have been very deliberate in what I share with my girls. I want them to understand the gravity of the situation, but I also do not want them living in the head space that their Mom is currently living in.  I found these two articles to be helpful and thought I would share them on how to  manage fears and anxiety and how to talk to our children about it.

Hope these help to ease your mind a bit.

A Thomas Family Christmas

The saying goes better Late Than Never, and even though this is not a concept that I try to subscribe to, that is exactly how it shook out this year.  This holiday season was a particularly busy one.  But, it turned out just fine.  We hosted Christmas this year, so the pressure was definitely on.  Not only to make the house look particularly festive, but also to come up with a menu that suited everyone’s specific nutritional/dietary needs.  And yes, as my eight year old would say, that is “a thing”.

I found this idea for Stair Decor on Pinterest.  I thought it would be the perfect back drop to the kid’s tree.  mentioned it to hubby and it became a Daddy daughter project.  He found the Cardboard Top Hats at Joann Fabric and Crafts and they painted it.  For more info on how we pulled off this project check out the details on Our Instagram Page Link Here.

I try to add little Hints of Christmas, in ever little corner.  But over the years I have found that introducing the Colors of Christmas to be just as important as Traditional Christmas Decor.  For example for this Centerpiece in the Kitchen, I used Green Moss Balls, and Mini Apples as Vase Fillers coupled with an old wreath made of Red Bells and a Countdown to Christmas Nutcracker to complete the look.

The same look has pretty much flanked our Fireplace for the last couple of years.  However, this year we added in two outdoor mini trees on either side of the fireplace for more sparkle, especially at night.  And, a Poinsettia on STEROIDS that I scored at Sams for just $14.99.  It decorated my area at work for the whole month of December, before it made its way home.  We kind of grew tired of the letters that we had on our stockings during the previous years, so hubby found these wood letters at Hobby Lobby and gave them a Merry makeover with some red paint and some twine that he attached with hot glue.

This is our Second Year Using Buffalo Check for the Tree and the Formal Dining Room Table Decor.  I grabbed these napkins on sale from Pier 1 and Hubby Created the Centerpiece all on his own.  He found the Merry Christmas Wooden Box at Hobby Lobby, then he found Garland and Candles at Michael’s and lastly he added some battery operated lights, found at Kroger.  Honestly this year’s Christmas Decor was brought to you in large part by my better half.  This was my first year back at work full time and trying to pull everything together, and if it was not for him, I fear I would not have been able to do it.  So Shout Out to My Darling Hubby for being just as into the details as I am.

There is nothing quite like Christmas to me.  The joy I feel being surrounded by my Family and Friends that have become Family, well its indescribable. And, though it takes some effort pulling it all together, I wouldn’t change a thing. I hope and pray that you all have a Happy Holiday Season.

Here are few more glimpses of  Our Thomas Family Christmas.

‘THE BEST OF ALL GIFTS AROUND ANY CHRISTMAS TREE: THE PRESENCE OF A HAPPY FAMILY ALL WRAPPED UP IN EACH OTHER.’ – BURTON HILLS

The 2018 Fall Essentials

2018 Fall Essentials

We have officially made it through the first month of Fall.  Which means the weather has probably changed sufficiently enough for you to justify some much needed retail therapy.   Or at least that is my story and I am sticking to it.  I am typically not one to follow the crowd when it comes to Fashion Trends.  But, I am excited to say that a lot of what appears to be “in” this season is ca-yute.  After being home with my girls for the last six years, my work wardrobe has been seriously lacking and in need of some serious help.  After going through my closet,  I realized that even though I still had a lot of staple pieces,  I needed some help in bringing them to life.

So with that in mind, here are some of the trends that I am feeling this year.

PLAIDS

Fall Essentials - Plaids

Of course, we all know Plaids fall into a very classic category, but what if you add belts and grommets to it.  That kinda makes it next level, does it not?  Well, that is what I am going to tell myself.  There is nothing like a classic with some oomph added to it.  I also really like the way that plaid looks over a bolder color, not only does it tone the other color down, but it dresses the entire outfit up.

REDS

Fall Essentials - Reds

Typically we associate Red with the holidays, and Christmas but because their are so many hues in this color family.  Red is now making its way into our fall repertoire.  This one will take a little effort on my part, simply because I don’t generally go this bold.  I tend to stick to a more traditional color palette.  But, I admit that this year I find this color catching my eye, over and over again.

BOOTS

Fall Essentials - Boots

I can’t lie my favorite part of Fall and Winter is Boots.  Not only because my feet are almost always cold, but just because of the way they add to whatever you are wearing.  This season the choices are many and varied, which is a-ok with me.  This year I find myself being partial to the animal prints, the knee highs and of course the COMBAT boot.  You may not get the last one but I was raised a Jersey Girl, in Jersey Snow.  So… maybe that will explain it.

Everyone has their favorite articles of clothing from every season.  What are you excited to slip into this Fall?

Rejoining the Ranks of Working Moms

After six years of being home with my babies, I am finally back to work full time.  As you can imagine, making this decision was not an easy one for me.  Aside from just knowing that I would miss the flexibility that being a stay at home mom afforded me.  I also worried about being able to balance home and work efficiently and with ease.  As a self proclaimed perfectionist, I like for things to go just so.  Something that is much harder to accomplish, when you work for someone else outside of the home.  I’d love to say that I immediately found the solutions to make things run smoothly, but if I am honest, it is still very much a work in progress.

Here are a few things that seem to be helping us keep all the balls in the air, or at the very least stop them from rolling under the couch.

ALONE WE CAN DO SO LITTLE; TOGETHER WE CAN DO SO MUCH. — HELEN KELLER

  1.  Enlisting Everyone In The Struggle.  I will be the first to admit that being at home gave me the luxury of being picky.  This allowed me  to create a “Mom Will Do It” culture, and Mom did. It’s not like I did not know that I would regret it.   I did and I do. But, now that I don’t have many free hours in the day.  I have had to solicit the help of everyone in the household.  And, as much as I hate to admit that in this case delegating seems to be working, and is taking a lot of pressure of me. Check Out This Fun Money Chore System we’ve implemented (originally found on The Chic Site Blog.  
  2. Putting Everyone on The Same “Calendar”.  Thankfully, my girls are not in a lot of after school extra curricular activities, so I am not running them too many places.  But, we do have doctors appointments, dentist appointments, hair and nail salon appointments that all must be worked into the schedule.  Not to mention weekends with the grandparents, etc.  The Family Calendar strategically placed on the fridge in the kitchen keeps everyone abreast of what is going on.   For things that absolutely can not be forgotten, hubby and I share a Google Calendar.
  3. Having An Interested Partner.  I say interested partner because unfortunately I am privy to way too many situations where even though you have a partner, they tend to not be interested.  What I mean by this is that, they need to be just as committed to the success of the systems you put in place, as you are.
  4. Technology Is Your Friend.  If you have been following the blog for a while you know I set my sail by technology.  I use it as much as I can to make my life easier.  Since I can’t just pop up at the school during the day anymore, I have to find a way to make my presence felt.  This is where all the new fun and useful teacher apps come into play.
  5. Planning Ahead.  I honestly think this is the key to success on pretty much every front.  Even though you can not anticipate exactly what is to come.  You can plan for things that remain the same.  I try to prep my meals, plan out my outfits and the kid’s outfits for the week and stick to a regular schedule, when it comes to Laundry and Other Housekeeping tasks.  This makes my life just a bit easier.

What do you do to strike a balance between home life and work life?  What are your fail safes, I would love to hear all about it in our comments section below.

Grab Your Free Back to School Binder Covers

Free Back to School Binder Covers

In the South, most kids have started heading back to school.  Today was my girls very first day. Thankfully, we got a jump start on Back to School Shopping this year and we  were able to totally avoid being in the stores when they turned into a mad house.

As has been our tradition for the past couple of years, I made new Binder Covers for my girls for the 2018-2019 school year.  I get way too much joy out of personalizing their things.   And, if you are anything like me and love to add splashes of pizzazz here and there, feel free to grab this year’s freebies and make them your own.  If you do so and you are particularly proud of your creation.  Be sure to snap a pic and post it to Instagram, using the hashtag #spbbtsbinders.  I am excited to see what you all come up with.

This is our 3rd year sharing these Back to School Binder Covers, so if you didn’t find something that you like in this year’s bundle.  Be sure to check out the ones from 2017-2018 and or  the ones from 2016-2017.

Binder Cover Closeups

Grab Yours Today (L-R), by clicking A, B, or C.  to take you to the Binder Cover of your liking.  Once your document opens, Right Click and Save and then Personalize.

A.      B.    C.

A Royal Affair

Like the rest of the world I fell in love with Princess Diana many moons ago.  And, after The Crown aired in 2016, I found myself quite smitten with the Queen as well.  I certainly would not consider myself to be a Royal Watcher. But, I too got caught up in all the fan fare of the Royal wedding.   Or should I say I got caught up in the details.  The wedding was not political for me as it was so many others.  No judgement …. I’m just saying.  For me it just had all “the feels”.

Starting with Mom and daughter riding in together to St. George’s Chapel.   As a Mom, I can only imagine all the thoughts and emotions that were running through both their heads and their hearts as they made they made their way to the wedding.  I totally fell for her Mother too, uniquely herself, well put together, but totally on her own terms, beaming with both pride and joy.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

I think most people loved this classic shot.  I was impressed that even with a wedding as iconic as this one, that she (Meghan) was able to let her own personal style shine through.  In a world where being over the top seems to often overshadow classic style and simplicity, that was quite a feat.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by REX/Shutterstock (9685436as)
Meghan Markle
The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Ceremony, St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, Berkshire, UK – 19 May 2018

It’s no secret that I love a good Black and White photo.  You can blame my Photographer husband for that.  I think it almost automatically changes the status of a stunning picture to a Timeless one.  And, in this case, nothing could be more true. Photo Credit: Getty Images

Lastly, absolutely nothing trumps a “Good Entrance” like an “Even Better Exit”.  And the Horse Drawn Carriage was just what Fairy Tales are Made Of.

Photo Credit: Getty Images Over the last week or so, I read so much commentary from people who couldn’t relate to all the fuss surrounding the Royal Wedding. Even though I honestly had no intention of watching the wedding or getting caught up in the blitz, I get it.  We are constantly bombarded by less than stellar news.  And it often seems like Evil Trumps Good.  So even if it was just for a few mere seconds, it was nice to see the World focus on Love, and that is it.

Now back to our regularly, scheduled programming.

Keeping The Faith in Uncertain Times

Keeping The Faith In Uncertain Times

Lately, I have been in a funk.  I am still figuring out exactly why that is.  But, I think part of the reasoning behind my mood is the “Janky” State of Affairs in  the World.  There used to be a time when I felt like I could safely tell my children that if they carried themselves with integrity and pride, that they could expect to be treated with respect and dignity.  But, those days seem to have come and gone.  Honestly, I suppose that I was a bit naive to have believed that in the first place.  But, there is something generally unsettling about being shaken out of your comfort zone.   The job of every Mom is to be able to protect their children, while molding and shaping them, or at the very least directing them in their pursuits.  But, as an African American Mom raising African American kids these basic desires are not as clean cut as you think.

Over the last 5+, I have sat on my bed or on my couch or in my car and listened in horror to countless accounts of individuals being slaughtered and murdered for no other reason than that they happened to be black.  A gift that I gave my children, meaning my inherit blackness was passed on to my babies. Trayvon Martin, Philando Castile, Eric Garner, Tamir Rice, Alton B. Sterling and Sandra Bland, just to name a few.   And that is terrifying.  As I sit here typing this with tears rolling down my cheeks.  I find myself feeling both fearful and inadequate, because ultimately I do not have what I need to do the most important job that I have been given.

As if that was not more than enough, Gun Violence continues to rise, the Me Too Movement has made its way to the forefront, and both the present administration and those running for office have resorted to using fear as a means of persuation.  It seems as though no one is required to stand in their truth anymore.  How do I teach accountability to my chidren in a world where there seems to be so little?  Once I manage to move past that immobilizing feeling.  I remember that in times of uncertainty, I truly only have one thing that I can depend on and in my case it’s my faith.

Growing up in the church, and in a very religious household, I often heard my Mom call on Jesus in times when no one and nothing else could help.  I believe that she provided me with the foundation on which to develop my own personal relationship with Christ.  And for that I thank her.  Now, that I have children of my own, I hope to instill in them the same value system that she instilled in me.  I know that I will not always be able to protect them from the evils of the world, but I hope that they will remember the devotions that we read together, and the prayers we said over problems big and small.  I hope that their strength will come from the original Author and Finisher and they will know that “All Things Work Together For Them That Love The Lord.”  If I am honest, I will admit that my walk with Christ is forever changing.  I am always in pursuit of  stronger relationship and a deeper understanding.

In my own personal valleys, and when I feel myself sinking into depression or even having  a Crisis of Faith, these are my Go Tos.

The Bible /Devotions:  I will probably pick up a Devotional book before I pick up the Bible.  Don’t kill me, I know a lot of people will not want to hear that.  But, I find it simpler to read and digest and it always directs me to verses in the bible that I may not have ever considered. I have often been able to bring to remembrance a scripture that would remind me of the promises that God gave to me.  And without a doubt, it can serve to put my mind at ease.

Music:  If you have been following this blog for a while, then you know that I love my music.  Music soothes my soul, on so many different levels.  It refocuses me, it brings my peace, it stirs my spirit in a way that nothing else can.  And, although I do love Contemporary Gospel.  Old Time Hymns often take me back to just where I need to go. This is one of my favorites.  If you have never heard of it, it’s worth a listen on YouTube.

“My Hope is Built on Nothing Less”
by Edward Mote, 1797-1874

1. My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

2. When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

3. His oath, His covenant, and blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When every earthly prop gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

4. When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found,
Clothed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne!
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.  Source:

Lastly, The Fellowship of Like Minded People:  Let me explain, we all know that misery likes company.  It is the easiest thing in the world to find someone to commiserate on your frustration and your justifiable right to be miffed and unsettled.  These people very rarely offer solutions.  They offer fuel to a fire that ultimately needs to be extinguished.  They help you to fall further into an abyss.  Never reminding you that there is hope.  I won’t say that it is their intention, but likely they don’t know enough to send you down the right path.  But, someone who seeks to live in truth and light will often be more likely to try to lift you out of your “sunken place”, instead of contribute to it.  Find you some folks like that.  That I can guarantee, you will not regret.

FAITH IS LIKE WI-FI,  IT HAS THE POWER TO CONNECT YOU TO WHAT YOU NEED.