Saturday Spotlight: Life Behind the Blogger

Mimi from 247 Mulberry Lane

 Saturday Spotlight: Life Behind the Blogger is a feature done each Saturday that introduces you to a blogger you may already know or a new blogger for you to get to know. This feature gives you a peak into the personal life of the blogger.  Getting to know the special person behind the beautiful blog.

There is so much talent and inspiration in blogland so enjoy getting to know these talented bloggers each Saturday.


Hi Everyone.  Happy Saturday.  As we drift on down towards Thanksgiving and also the holiday hustle,  I hope you will take a few minutes to read and get to know Mimi from 247 Mulberry Lane.  She is one of the sweetest bloggers out there.  Enjoy.



Hi, I'm Mimi from 247 Mulberry Lane! I am so honored to be featured in the Saturday Spotlight today, and I am excited beyond belief that Kris asked me to be a part of this wonderful series!

My family would tell you that I was born with something to say, and this picture would probably be used as evidence...

I LOVE to tell a good story when I can, but for whatever reason, I really struggled trying to tell my story to all of you. Thanks, Kris, for your tremendous patience!

Although I've written and re-written this post a dozen times, in the end, I decided to write it in true Mulberry Lane form--random facts in no particular order.

1. I started my blog because I love this quote:
I have lots of blogs I love to read, but none of them really reflected my life.  I'm a divorced, thrifty soul who teaches in western Nebraska. Trust me, folks, when I say that genre of blog is wide-open...

2. Mimi is the name I hope my future grandchildren call me, so it's the name I use on my blog. My actual name is Melanie.

3. I am the proud mama of two young adults and mother-in-law to one great guy.

4. Both of my kiddos are gingers (redheads). Sadly, my son-in-law is not...I love him anyway. J
5. No one in my "real life" knows I blog except for my kids and my friend Kate.

6. The kids and I have our own personal paparazzi (read : people who are overly interested in our lives), hence the reason for the nicknames and lack of current photos of Maggie and Will.

7. I have a crooked smile. There, I've said it. It drives me crazy whenever I see a picture of myself, but I realize it's a petty issue in the grand scheme of things.

8. I have had an interest in decorating since owning our first home years ago...
This entire house was lovingly decked out in country blue and mauve from the inside out. Like Barbara Mandrell, I was country when country wasn't cool.

9. I am a junior high reading teacher...
...and I strive to instill the love of books and reading to all my students. We also try to share a few laughs together each day.

10. Speaking of laughter, I think it's important to bring a sense of humor to everything I do. Whether it's being a mom...
Baby Will
1994

...or being an observer of life in general.
Maggie feeding Bambi in 1999.

11. My faith is a special gift passed on to me by my mama....
And I hope I've passed it on to my dumplings as well.

12. Speaking of my mama, here she is with her three buttercups...
Yep, I'm the only girl and a middle child as well. I like to think I've made my mother's life nothing short of interesting....

13. My dad is an interesting character as well. Unfortunately, he hasn't been a big part of my life since I was sixteen, but back in the day, I used to be quite the daddy's girl...

I was very shy and I'd take refuge on my dad's lap during 
family gatherings.

Sadly, he has Alzheimer's now and doesn't remember us most of the time. He and my uncle are the third generation in their family to suffer from this dreadful disease. I pray that no one else ever has to experience the heartache of this terrible condition.

14. This is the real brains behind the blog...
Yes, Miss Licky Lou Mulberry.  My computer sits on a farmhouse table in my bedroom, and she very happily occupies the bench beside me as I compose. She has also been known to jump on the keyboard to add her own thoughts to the mix.

15. Finally, I like to think that my blog embraces the perfectly imperfect. 

I don't have a big fancy house, but I have a home I love and I'm extremely grateful...
I don't have lots of money, but I have fun stretching each paycheck...
My marriage didn't turn out the way I planned, but I was blessed with two amazing kids...
Plus I got to wear this awesome dress...complete with a cathedral length train, poofy sleeves, AND a tiara! Ha!

Besides...

It's never too late to live happily ever after.

And that's what I want Mulberry Lane to be all about.

Love that bridal dress and cathedral train and of course every girl needs the tiara on their wedding day!!! Thanks for sharing your life with us this week Melanie.  Now everyone take some time to jump over to Mimi's blog and say Hi.
Happy Rest of the Week End.
Kris
:)

Christmas Tree Stand Inspiration


Every year I like to switch things up and find a unique item to put my tree in for Christmas.  I usually then try to make a theme around that.  The same tree each year but with a different base and theme.
Here are some interesting ways you can change up the base of your tree






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Love the little picket fence around this tree and the tree in the old vintage box.  


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How about putting your smaller tree up on a pedestal table for height.


Farmhouse 5540
Using a galvanized tub for a base.


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Wooden Box Base


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Simple statement made with using a weaved basket.


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Using the drum for a base gives this tree whimsy and lots of color.


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Ahhhhh love this one.  Just too chippy and fun.


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Vintage Sled for your tree stand.



Tattertots & Jello
Love this stenciled north pole tree box from Tatertots & Jello.  Love her family pictures for ornaments too.


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How about making your tree into a snowman.  Love his black ice skates for feet.

Savvy Southern Style's
Olive bucket for a tree base.

Pretty garden planter base.



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How about a Garden Gnome Tree!!


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One of my favorite trees. Simple and so pretty.


Junk Chic Cottage
Now for some of my past tree bases.  I used my garden wagon for this tree.


Junk Chic Cottage
Last year I used red and white check for my tree.  


A few years ago I had my tree in an old galvanized bucket that I painted white.

Here is a sneak peak at this years tree base.  I had an old coffee table out in the garden.  It was out there for about 3 summers and was falling apart.  I loved the base on this table so I decided to re purpose the base for this year's Christmas tree.






PS:
I want to say Happy Birthday to my oldest daughter Jen.  Today is her birthday.  She turned 32 this year!!! What?? When did that happen??? My two daughters are awesome.  So proud of both of them.  Happy Birthday sweet Jen.

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