Goodbye 2016. You were a very good year for me and with the holidays behind us now, I am enjoying planning what I envision for the year ahead, but before I hit the ground running I wanted to take the time to wish each and every one of you a very happy, healthy and wonderful 2017!
Without you, this blog of mine would not exist! I appreciate your support and enjoy getting to know each one of you better through the comments you leave for me. I read them all and do try to answer each one.
While my daughters were home for Christmas, we did manage to get a photo taken on Christmas Day before Kelly and her now fiancé, Roger had to drive back to Virginia. He proposed on Christmas morning! I have a lot to look forward to in 2017, which now includes wedding planning. :-)
I also want to share that earlier this month, I brought on a part-time assistant to take some of my “admin” blogging duties off my “To-Do” list. My youngest daughter, Mandy will be helping me with the back end duties that take so much of my time. Having her onboard will not only give me more time to create, but more time to connect with you.
I raise my glass to you….Cheers to 2017 and bringing you more creative yet practical DIY ideas and tutorials on organizing, decorating and living in general that will save you money, but are packed with style!
I hope it is a wonderful year for each and every one of you. XO
Linda Weeks says
01/04/2017 at 7:40 pmHi, Diane;
My computer died of complications a few weeks ago… had to get a new email address and learn some new tricks. No wonder I hadn’t heard from you in a while, you didn’t have my new email address!
So here it is, and congratulations to your daughter on snagging this handsome fella, and happy new year to all of you!!
Diane Henkler says
01/05/2017 at 11:04 amHi Linda – So sorry to hear about your computer. No fun! Happy to hear you are back up and running. Did you re-subscribe using the form in my sidebar or would you like me to add your new email address?
Elaine Williams says
01/04/2017 at 3:52 pmYou have a beautiful family. I have so enjoyed watching you transform your waterfront home in so many amazing and truly creative ways. It is inspiring to see what you have done and are doing with your home. I cannot wait to see more ‘kitchen!”
Diane Henkler says
01/05/2017 at 11:26 amHi Elaine – Thanks so much and thank you for reading my posts. You are one of my dearest readers. I will be posting all about the kitchen and everything I did next week. It will be kitchen week. :-) XO
Jen D. says
01/04/2017 at 12:56 pmCongratulations on your daughter Kelly’s engagement to Roger!! My daughter got married in 2016 and I just love my son-in-law – they’re so good together and he’s a wonderful addition to the family. Happy wedding planning!!
Diane Henkler says
01/05/2017 at 11:52 amHi Jen – Thanks. Congrats on your daughters wedding. It is a wonderful feeling to know our daughters have found great guys to share their lives with.:-) I am starting to make a few lists and scope out ideas for the wedding. It will most likely be in the early fall. I am sure I will post about the process every now and then during the course of the year.
Joanne B. says
01/02/2017 at 9:07 pmSo sorry to not have mentioned congrats to Kelly & Roger on their engagement in my previous post! Can’t wait to see your skills when it comes to wedding planning and wedding ‘staging’- bet you have loads of ideas already from your previous experience with store decor and such! Your lakeside backyard would be a lovely setting for a wedding, no? But with that comes an “uh oh”! – you’ll have to get the house “done” in time for that fete! Can’t wait to her all about this phase of your life! So exciting!
Diane Henkler says
01/03/2017 at 10:21 pmThanks Joanne – I am not sure yet the setting for the wedding. Having it at the house will be dependent on how many guests they want to invite. If it is too many, parking will be a problem. We are looking at a few options and even up in Virginia where Kelly and Roger live. I will post updates as we finalize them.
Monika says
01/02/2017 at 10:04 amWell, well… I don’t check in a few days and, Boom! Big news! Congratulations to all, especially the engaged couple. So much to look forward to.. so here’s to a great 2017! Keep on going and doing; we love the results and watching you do it.
Diane Henkler says
01/03/2017 at 10:22 pmThanks Monika :-) To…2017!
judy h. says
01/02/2017 at 12:17 amHi Diane! Happy New Year to you and Ed! What a wonderful year coming your way! More time to devote to your creativity, your daughter, Mandy, to share your inspirations, a wedding to plan, a new son-in-law and best of all a gift to us…your readers; more of your incredible inspiration, sharing, learning and discovering with you! Cheers!
Diane Henkler says
01/03/2017 at 10:50 pmThanks Judy – Cheers to you and a wonderful 2017 for all.
Gail Vernali says
01/01/2017 at 10:13 pmHappy New year to you and your family, I’m looking forward to your creativity this year. congratulations to Kelly & Rodger on their engagement and welcome to your assistant Mandy.
Diane Henkler says
01/03/2017 at 11:00 pmThanks Gail. I had a great time with you on Saturday and introduced my sister to Zentangle. :-) Looking forward to hanging out with you more in 2017.
Sue Verbaan says
01/01/2017 at 9:38 pmHappy New Year! How wonderful to have one daughter ready to begin the next stage of her life and one daughter ready to help you and share your enthusiasm and talent with us. Looking forward to more
Great ideas and wonderful transformations. You are one hard working woman. Hope 2017 is filled with
Good health and happiness. Sue
Diane Henkler says
01/05/2017 at 11:56 amThanks Sue – Wishing you the same for 2017. XO
Nancy says
01/01/2017 at 8:30 pmOh I forgot to mention I made about 12 bags of the Garlic Pretzels!
My family is obsessed!! I think of you when I make them!!
Go Navy
Diane Henkler says
01/05/2017 at 12:01 pmHi Nancy – I love the garlic pretzels…I crave them which sometimes is not a good thing. :-) We made a few batches over the holidays, one sadly got burned when my daughter didn’t realize that the bottom oven of the double ovens in our house bakes at a higher temp. :-( I have to thank my good friend Karen in Pa for the recipe. She has a knack for finding easy yet delish food to make.
Nancy says
01/01/2017 at 8:27 pmCONGRATULATIONS!! You will have a blast preparing for your daughter ‘s wedding!! I’ve done it 4 times!! It is so much fun!!!
Happy New Year Diane and Ed!!
Blessings
Nancy
Diane Henkler says
01/05/2017 at 12:02 pmHi again Nancy – Wow 4 weddings!!!! Any wedding planning tips?
mary heicher says
01/01/2017 at 8:05 pmHappy New Year, Diane! Happy crafting!
Diane Henkler says
01/05/2017 at 12:05 pmHi Mary – Thanks and thanks for reading my blog. You are one of my most loyal readers. A big XO to you. I hope I can keep inspiring in 2017. I am hoping it is a very creative and decorative year.
Joanne B. says
01/01/2017 at 8:04 pmHappy New Year to you Diane! Best wishes for continued success on the blog and welcome to Mandy! If she’s anything like her mother, we’ll be in for more good things- but with that comes big shoes to fill Mandy, just sayin’! You are one of my favorite blogs because you keep it real! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: anyone can pay a decorator to fancy up their house (and write a big check for it) but you have managed to create a real home-that real people live in- on a reasonable budget and don’t change things just to keep the blog going. I appreciate that! THAT’S how I live and any tips I can get to make my home better on a budget are appreciated! All the best in 2017!
Debby says
01/01/2017 at 7:06 pmHappy New Year to you and your family. I will enjoy more of your style in 2017
Lorna says
01/01/2017 at 6:17 pmHappy New Year to you and your family and congrats to Kelly and Roger! I welcome Mandy on board, I have enjoyed her blog as well. Will she continue with her own blog while assisting you with yours?
Diane Henkler says
01/03/2017 at 11:16 pmHi Lorna – Mandy’s blog is more of a hobby for her. I think she will continue it, especially as she learns first hand all the things that go into the back end that she could also do with hers. Happy 2017!
Therese says
01/01/2017 at 5:47 pmWith five weddings down and one to go, I can say, it is a lot of work, but quite enjoyable if you don’t worry too much about the details! The wedding is a day, the marriage a lifetime. Happy new year!
Diane Henkler says
01/05/2017 at 12:59 pmHi Therese – Five weddings…WOW! Good advise about not worrying about the details. Thanks for the tip, I know it will make my planning and process much more enjoyable. Happy 2017.
Amy Bohner says
01/01/2017 at 5:46 pmCongrats to Kelly! I will pass this news along to the other Nash teachers! Always happy to read about former students of Nash!
Diane Henkler says
01/05/2017 at 12:54 pmHi Amy – It must be fun for you to see the children you taught all grown up. :-) Nash was a wonderful school. I have such fond memories of the years Kelly and Mandy went there. Time really does fly. Happy 2017 XO
Nancy says
01/01/2017 at 4:19 pmLovely photo. My oldest daughter got engaged last night. So now 2017 will indeed be a very happy year.
Congratulations to the newly engaged couples. Love is in the air.
Smiles
Diane Henkler says
01/05/2017 at 1:01 pmHi Nancy – Congrats to you and your oldest daughter. Love is surely in the air. Looks like we will be doing a few of the same things in 2017. Kelly would like an early fall wedding so I have already put out a few inquires to get the process rolling. Happy 2017.
Joanie B says
01/01/2017 at 4:04 pmHappy New Year to you and your family. (Love the picture) I look forward to this coming year and all that the Lord has in store for us. I especially look forward to your blog and all the new things you will create this year. God bless!
Diane Henkler says
01/05/2017 at 1:03 pmHi Joanie – Thanks do much for the nice note and reading my blog. Wishing you a very happy and blessed 2017.
Diane @ An Extraordinary Day says
01/01/2017 at 3:17 pmCongratulations Diane! You will have a very busy and fun and creative year ahead of you. I can’t wait to see all you have in store.
All the best for an extraordinary New Year!!
Diane Henkler says
01/05/2017 at 1:07 pmHi Diane :-) Thanks, life will definitely be busy this year. I am looking forward to all of it, but am glad that I did manage to get some of the bigger projects done in the house so I can focus on smaller projects while getting a wedding planned. Wishing you an extraordinary 2017. XO
Annie Hicks says
01/01/2017 at 3:16 pmI too have shed a few other blogs as I find yours to be so “real” and practical. Congrats on your daughter’s engagement.
Keep those great blogs coming. Best good health and much happiness in 2017.
Diane Henkler says
01/05/2017 at 1:15 pmHi Annie – Thanks. It is so nice to hear that you enjoy my blog. I truly enjoy sharing my ideas and projects and hope to do so for years to come. I know it was what I was meant to do and am happy to have found work that I love to get up and do each and every day. Wishing you ta very happy and healthy year. XO
Catherine says
01/01/2017 at 2:18 pmHappy New Year to you as well, Diane! I’ve cancelled a lot of blogs, but I really do like yours! I always wondered how you managed to “do it all”, so I’m very glad you have a new assistant to help spare you.
Congratulations on the happy news! What a lovely beginning for a New Year.
Thank you for all you share so generously. Have a wonderful 2017!!
Connie McGhee says
01/01/2017 at 1:46 pmDid you actually want to throw in that “class” comment?
Diane Henkler says
01/05/2017 at 12:08 pmHi Connie – Thanks so much for taking the time to tell me about the typo. :-) I will fix it right now. Happy 2017… raising my “glass” to you.
Caz S says
01/01/2017 at 1:22 pmHappy New Year , congratulations on the wedding . So exciting ! I just wanted to let you know that your blog is one of very few that I read and really enjoy . Your projects are awesome and very doable !
Sharon H says
01/01/2017 at 12:45 pmThank you for sharing your exciting news with us! I know everyone else feels like I do that we are your extended family and we enjoy being in the know! And I know you mentioned before that Mandy will be helping you behind the computer scenes, and I think it’s awesome that you will be able to share another aspect of each other. Happy New Year, Diane and Ed!
Sheryll $ Critters. says
01/01/2017 at 12:39 pmHappy New Year! And Congratulations!
Karen says
01/01/2017 at 12:21 pmMay God bless you and your family in the New Year, Diane!
Mary E Hewitt says
01/01/2017 at 12:13 pmHappy New Year to you too! I look forward to sharing in your 2017 adventures–including the wedding planning.
Deb Wostmann says
01/01/2017 at 12:10 pmCongratulations and cheers to a fantastic 2017.
Rebecca says
01/01/2017 at 12:09 pmHappy new year to you as well! I so enjoy your blog. The family photo is lovely – and congratulations on the upcoming wedding! Such an exciting beginning for 2017!