52 Mantels: Thursdays are YOUR Days

Before we get this party started, I wanted to give a special shoutout to Debi from Adorned From Above. I've mentioned before that my baby brother is a Captain in the Army, stationed in Italy. In July, he was deployed to Afghanistan. Afghanistan?? Wasn't he just yesterday running around in chaps and spurs and a super-hero cape, protecting the law and order of our suburban home? And, now he's far away, in an unstable place, risking it all for his love of this country. Admirable? Yes. Terrifying? Definitely.

About the time he was deployed, I read this Warrior's Prayer on Debi's blog. Let's just say I bawled. Later that day, Debi responded to my comment, saying she wanted to send my little brother a care package in the mail. She's the mom of a marine and knows just how important those care packages are. I was seriously blown away! For a complete stranger to do something so thoughtful and uplifting for my baby brother...well, let's just say I bawled. Again.

So, all that to say, if you haven't checked out Debi's blog, you totally should! She's a blogger with heart and her posts are always filled with love and encouragement. And, yummy recipes like Swiss Chocolate Almond Ice Cream Pie (nom nom nom).Thanks for sending your love to Afghanistan, Debi!

Okay, now let's party....

This Week on 52 Mantels:

On Mantel Monday I shared a Back-to-School Mantel to kick off the new school year!

On yesterday I shared a set of Free Baby Shower Printables!

To see what I've been Pinning, Tweeting and Sharing, check out my Pinterest, Twitter and Facebook pages!

If you want to follow me in Instagram, click here.

And, what about you?? What have you been doing lately? Link up your recent projects so we can admire!

Rules/guidelines/niceties:

1) If you aren't following 52 Mantels, please do so!
(But, hey, even if you don't, you can still party with us. We're cool like that.)

2) This is a party, so mix and mingle. Please check out some of your fellow party-goers!

3) Grab my button and put it in your post, on your blog or just add a text link back to 52 Mantels!

4) Feel free to link up as many posts as you'd like