Table for 8 (or more...)

I am absolutely loving this dining room. I adore the pairing of rustic and modern elements in the space and the simple, clean lines of the table.

This table also looks like a possible DIY project, and, in times when we're all keeper tighter tabs on our pocketbooks, who doesn't love a more budget conscious option?

Melanie Acevedo

And since the bench provides the ability for people to "squeeze in," it is perfect for a large family and is also forgiving of any last minute additions to the guest list; with this set up, there is always room for one more!

Ninja Brick Figurine

Ninja Brick

A Long December

I am a little behind with this post, but with the dawn of a new year and the end of another, it always seems to be the best time to reflect on the year that was and to look to the year ahead.

Craig Fordham

2008 was a year of great highs and lows for me, and I believe it may have been the same for many of you.

It's funny how the path where life leads is often surprising and unknown. At the beginning of '08, I could never have imagined that one of the brightest spots in my year would be the support I've found in the blogging world. I certainly couldn't have imagined the friends and connections I have made over the past months or how important this community would become to me.

While I have said it before, I must say it again- I have all of you who come here to read my words, all of you who comment, and all of you who have reached out to me with words of encouragement to thank for that very bright spot.

Anna Wolf

Wherever life's path takes me in the coming months, I am ready to discover what lies ahead in 2009! My greatest hope is for a year filled with more peace of mind, and, in the words of the Counting Crows, "there's reason to believe maybe this year will be better than the last."

Here's wishing all of us a new year filled with hope, joy, and lots of love.