Ugghhhh...decorating a mantel is HARD!

Before I start into my Mantel Decorating woes, I want to answer another question posed to me in my 100th post.
Bonnie wanted to know what I did for an occupation prior to becoming a stay-at-home mom.
Well, I'll tell you Bonnie...

I wore high heels every day.
I didn't race out the door in sweats and Uggs.
I had something called, "Vacation Time".
And something else called, "Sick Days".
I wined and dined and spent money on clothes at Banana Republic like nobody's business.
I was known as Vanessa and not
"Ian or Lauren's Mom".
I used parts of my brain that I am pretty sure now lie dormant.

I was what you would call a "Corporate Recruiter".
I worked in Human Resources for a large international corporation and did all of their Hiring at their World Headquarters in Southern California .
It was a great job.
I enjoyed it.
And you know what?

I wouldn't trade my sweats wearing,
What's that crusty stuff on my shirt,
 Did someone just throw up into my hands,
How many times do I have to listen to "Old McDonald's Farm",
Never a Dull Moment,
Life Altering,
Faith affirming,
Dream fulfilling,
Most wonderful job title I could ever have
For anything in the world!

So, there you have it. My life before I became known as Mommy!

Now, onto the dreaded Mantel Dilemma!


Does anyone else face this problem?

You get all of the Christmas crud down and packed away and you are left with these big expanses of wood staring you in the face. 

Then I feel that momentary panic.

What went there before Christmas?
Did I even like it?
How do I do this?
And should I show this to everyone in blogland when they all do such a fabulous job on their own mantels?

I somehow managed to figure out what to do with my Living Room Mantel.

But this Family Room one was throwing me off!
I think it may have something to do with my desire for

Symmetry

and

Balance

and

Not Liking Change!

And it could also have something to do with the fact that surrounding the mantel are many other decorative items.

I always have that fear of "junkin' it up" too much.

But, I have to tell you.
You all have been so inspiring to me!
I'm trying to free myself from the Bondage of Boring, and try my hand at just HAVING FUN WITH IT!
Bring things in from other rooms.
Add some character.
And if it doesn't work, just try something else.
Whew!
That feels like such a relief!

So I started with this little urn which was a recent purchase.
And actually, it is the only thing on the mantel that is new.

Everything else I already owned.

This little ball boxwood fit perfectly on top.

I then added this rooster topiary for some height.

The antique books were brought in from another room and help to add that charm and character I was looking for.

The little blue and white plate sitting on top fits perfectly.

Come to think of it...is that actually a rooster?
Maybe a chicken?
In this picture it almost looks like a bunny.
Weird!

A bowl of lemons in the middle and a tall wrought-iron candleholder on the other end help complete the vignette.

It's not blowing my mind.

But I think I will let it stay...

For now!

And even though you are probably getting sick of seeing my kiddos, my parents love it so I'm going to show some more of them anyway.
I wanted to show you the newly updated framed photos that sit on the shelf just to the right of the fireplace.
This first one was on the front of our Christmas cards this year.

Ohhhhh...those faces!
Be still my heart.

Linking to

Metamorphosis Monday

Tabletop Tuesday