from my daughter

This is long but oh, so true. We were both crying on either end of our e-mails.

Today's TruthPsalm 91:4 "He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge."

Friend to FriendAn article in National Geographic several years ago provided an interesting picture of God's wings. After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park, forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno's damage. At the base of a tree, one ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes. Dismayed by the strange sight, the ranger knocked the bird over with a stick. To his amazement, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother's wings. The loving mother, sensing the impending disaster, had carried her chicks to the base of the tree and gathered them under her wings. She could have flown to safety but had refused to abandon her babies. The blaze had descended upon her, scorching her small body, but the mother remained steadfast, willing to die so those under the cover of her wings would live. 

God's love is like that. God defined His unconditional and relentless love for us when He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to earth as a baby. And Jesus said, "Yes!"  What an amazing gift! The love of God for you and for me compelled Jesus Christ to willingly exchange a throne for a manger, divinity for humanity and Heaven for Earth. 

God's love changes everything and everyone it touches. It protects and breathes life and purpose into every minute of every day. God's love is a gift beyond measure that surrounds us and covers us when the fire of life rains down. It is God's love and the very reason for the season we call Christmas - or it should be.

I know many of you are experiencing those "fires" of life this year. No job and no prospect of one. Someone you love is very ill or maybe you are the one battling to survive each day. A rebellious child has broken your heart. A secret addiction is slowly destroying your life. Your spouse packed his bags and walked out the front door because he no longer wants to be married. It is hard to celebrate anything in the midst of such darkness.

I have great news for you, girlfriend.

You can celebrate Jesus. Do not believe the lies of the enemy when he tells you that your God has forsaken you. God is with you - Emmanuel. God understands your fear and loneliness. He endured the cross, completely and absolutely alone because He loves you and because no one can take your place in the Father's heart. No matter where this Christmas Eve finds you - you can celebrate Jesus.

.http://www.crosswalk.com/

christmas eve

This is early morning Christmas Eve. I have been up since 4 and so as not to wake hubby and the animals, I am down in my computer/craft room. I am trying to organize and purge stuff. But of course I got side-tracked. When my mom passed away in Sept. I had tons of doilies that she had made back when we were on the farm. She did such beautiful crocheting, embroidery, and all kinds of other stuff. A very talented woman. Well, I cant throw the doilies all away. Some I have sold at garage sales but have a lot of my favorites left. One day I got out my modge podge and made this candle jar. I added 3 buttons and it looks beautiful with a little candle in it. I tried taking a picture in a dark room but flash keeps going off.

mother's day at Tara's

I need to think of other things to make with the doilies....a way to keep some and put them out on display and not just shove them into a drawer where no one sees them.

christmas baking

Sunday my daughter and I decided to do some Christmas baking together. We did it last year and I think we probably have started a new tradition. We make a list of what we want to make and spend the whole day baking..this year we had a lot of laughs as we did last year. She does most of the making and I do the cleaning and washing up of bowls to get ready for the next square or dainty.

One of the items had toasted almonds in it so while she was doing one thing I was toasting the almonds. When the almonds were toasted I looked for a place to set the hot pan down so they wouldnt continue toasting and burn. This picture shows what happened....OOPS!



nice going mom



As you can see we can get very messy when we bake. But that's my job...wash the bowls.



mmmm..Chocolate, craisin, pretzel, nut bark.



Packed and ready to take mine home.
















We had a great time and I am looking forward to next year.

christmas tree

 The lights are on and some pearl and gold garland. Next are some plain colored balls. Then I take and add all the other decorations I have collected over the years. Most of the decorations went with my son and daughter when they left home and got married. I had been buying decorations for them each year. They would pick out the one they wanted and then as they got older I would buy one that I thought represented something that happened that year.

Today I decorated our tree. Yesterday I went out and bought an artificial tree. I am getting kind of cheap....you know..buying a real tree every year and throwing it out in 3 weeks. Getting harder to throw that money away. I know it isn't the same but at least it will be the same tree year after year. If I decide to buy a real one some year that will be o.k but this year here it is.

This gold ball is one that my son made by gluing on red holly berries. Some have fallen off but it is still precious to me.

This fan my kids made. We used to make tons of them but somewhere most have disappeared. The teddy bear my daughter sewed when she was about 6 years old. The beaded candle was made by one of my kids , cant remember which one but it goes on my tree. The sad little snowman ornament I painted and gave him a little hat when I was still painting and selling at craft sales. Maybe I will get back into it again.

Thrifting

 These candles were still in the original box. I need to add some greenery to the plate. They are sitting on my kitchen counter. Kind of scruffy but cute.

I have a collection of Christmas snow globes. This one was in the box. It is a "Party Lite" item that probably cost about $50-$60 new. It was 3.99 . It has a special little spot for a tea-light on top. Love it.

I have my Christmas village all set up. I found this school and about 6 pieces that go with it....still in the box. Had to have it. Love it.

 These are just a few of the Santa's I collect. The one in the middle at the front with the sleigh and reindeer is ceramic. It looks like it could be old. There is a sticker on the bottom but I cant read it. But he sure is cute...and only $1.99. Love it.

 Wednesday a bunch of us are getting together to make centerpieces from real spruce boughs. I thought these candles (not ever lit) would look nice in the middle. All I need is some ribbon and a few shiny ornaments.

The other day I stopped at a thrift store. It is quite far from my home but I was in that end of the city so I stopped to see the Christmas stuff. I came home with tons of stuff and it is very, very reasonably priced. Here are some of my treasures. I don't think any of them are vintage but I love them.

Thrifting

Yesterday I shopped all day but managed to unwind in my favorite GW store. I bought tons of stuff and only paid $30. I will upload some pictures later today. Most of the stuff was Christmas stuff...no vintage...just holiday decorations. See you later.

I shopped until I dropped today. I started at 10 a.m. and came home at 8 p.m. I ache all over and am so overtired that I can't sleep. I bought tons of stocking stuffers and most of my gifts for my kids. But the trouble with getting most of my shopping done this early is that I keep finding stuff and buying it before the big day.
My son, daughter in law, daughter and hubby gave me their lists so that makes it easier. However, I do find extra stuff that I like to surprise them with. I also send my wish list to everyone....hmmm...I wonder if anyone will take me seriously about the puppy.

working

I've been subbing all this week. I went from gr. 8 to gr.1....boy that sure is confusing. I kept forgetting which classroom I was in. I love my job. No staff meetings, no report cards, no angry parents. Just plan my day and walk out at the end of the day. Everyone is getting a little tired and the countdown has started. Some teachers are just trying to survive until the holidays. I got another call to work today but had to refuse. I just about broke down and took the job but my house needs vacuuming and the floors need washing. Tomorrow I want to go shopping. I have started my shopping but need to get serious and spend the day with my Christmas list and get most of it done.

christmas

needs some tweaking ;)

I havent posted for awhile but am going to try and enter my posts more often. I have started my Christmas decorating, The tree is up in the front entrance and my Christmas village is up. It still needs a little tweaking. We dont have the main tree yet....this week I think. We have been getting a real tree since we moved into this home.

We babysat our grandson Friday night and he spent the night. He loves coming here and has already asked if he can spend 2 nights during the Christmas holidays.  He has a really special advent calendar. It is made by Lego and each day has a new toy to make so first thing in the morning he rushed to open #4.

Before breakfast his grandpa and him played hockey downstairs....of course, Scooter had to get in on the action. That ball was sure soggy when Scooter was finished with it. I love the laughter and joy when there are children in the house.  Christmas is for kids.