“Don't cry because it's over,
smile because it happened.”
| image from google |
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Where are we Going?
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| personal image is a page I made to display in my home |
Certainly something to ponder!
I'm not really one for New Years Resolutions, but I am certainly in favor of making changes in my life whenever I recognize the need. So, I suppose, to some extent, I make them year round.
And, if by chance I'm going in the direction I like, I'm happy to stay there. Usually though, I need a little tweaking.
Wishing you all a great new year!
I hope you all arrive at where you want to go, and I pray that where you want to go is where you need to be - where you will find the most joy.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Love
"Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love."
~Mother Teresa
Christmas Love to Valentine Love
Christmas is over and for many the Valentine search has begun.
There are emails showing me that for the last few days people are searching and "Pin"ing Valentine things. What a lovely holiday to jump into right after Christmas!
(can you guess that I just don't celebrate New Years Eve/Day much)
Christmas is LOVE!
(can you guess that I just don't celebrate New Years Eve/Day much)
Christmas is LOVE!
Maybe I've said this before, but I'm saying it again - I love the Christmas movies/shows at this time of year, even though they all seem to have the same plot.
I love that LOVE is the focus - putting away the hard feelings, forgiving and looking for and recognizing the good in others. These are Christlike qualities that I need to work on year round.
Christ is LOVE!
Christ is LOVE!
(I do keep this picture of Christ up year round - and I love it.)
Valentines Day is LOVE!
It is another holiday that helps us keep LOVE as our focus in life for a few more days.
Maybe we need a holiday every month or two that will help us do that.
(Here is my box of Valentine Decor waiting to be set up - but it will wait another month before it gets taken out of the box.)
Here is a lovely look.
(So sorry I forgot to link this photo when I found it, and I don't remember where I found it - somewhere on one of my favorite sites, and there are too many to remember.)
It is another holiday that helps us keep LOVE as our focus in life for a few more days.
Maybe we need a holiday every month or two that will help us do that.
(Here is my box of Valentine Decor waiting to be set up - but it will wait another month before it gets taken out of the box.)
Here is a lovely look.
(So sorry I forgot to link this photo when I found it, and I don't remember where I found it - somewhere on one of my favorite sites, and there are too many to remember.)
I love the book page L O V E and hearts garland,
the ladder with lacey doilies,
the sheer curtains hung in the yard and the sheer fabric draped over the basket ....
and here is an idea - when the Christmas decor is coming down keep the lights handy to use for Valentine garland ...
From Family Chic
Friday, December 28, 2012
The Four Candles
This is the Christmas gift/favor we gave this 2012 year.
We missed a few friends, but have some saved for them - they'll get them after the new year.
The message is a good message for any time of year.
The
Four Candles
burned slowly. Their Ambiance was so
soft you could hear them speak...
The
first candle said,
"I am Peace, but these days, nobody wants to keep me lit."
Then Peace's flame slowly diminished
and went out completely.
The second candle said,
"I am Faith, but these days, I am no longer indispensable."
Then Faith's flame slowly diminished
and went out completely.
"I am Love and I haven't the strength to stay lit any longer. People put me aside and don't understand my
importance. They even forget to love
those who are nearest to them."
And waiting no longer, Love went
out completely.
Then the fourth candle spoke
gently to the little child,
"Don't be afraid, for I am Hope, and while I still burn, we can re-light the other candles."
With shining eyes the child
took the Candle of Hope and lit the other three candles.
With Hope, no matter how bad things may be, Peace, Faith and Love can shine brightly once again.
Some fun stuff for Christmas Eve -
Son and Daughter brought these out (extra's from her family) ...
this is one of the cute favors (my personal favorite) that was inside with some jokes and a paper crown ...
And,
look at these cute things ...
aren't they adorably sweet!
Daughter called it her "Pinterest moment" - oh the things we can find and enjoy ....
Monday, December 24, 2012
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Christmas and Christlike
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Keep Christmas in our hearts all year long!
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Keep Christmas in our hearts all year long!
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“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
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Become more Christ-like!
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Christian love.
Christian faith.
Christian sacrifice.
Christian caring.
Christian service.
Christian patience.
Christian peace.
Christian forgiveness.
Christian conversion.
Christian endurance to the end.
(star image is from google)
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“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. …
“And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
“On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37, 39–40).
Imagine what good we can do in the world if we all join together, united as followers of Christ, anxiously and busily responding to the needs of others and serving those around us—our families, our friends, our neighbors, our fellow citizens.
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Another message
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Christmas Stuff
What I like in this photo from A Thoughtful Place is the garland against the fireplace - snowflakes and bulbs in Christmas colors. I guess that's not all I like, but that is one thing I like.
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a paper tree from Organized Clutter
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I don't know how you get these to stay standing, but it's a very clever idea -
cocoa in a cup an ornament bulb
from Poca Cosa
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These are a very fun idea - cute shapes for bark - from Happy Hour Projects
I do love Craisin Pistachio Bark - and it would be fun in these shapes.
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| a recipe card I made for my sons and daughters |
Friday, December 21, 2012
Colored Markers
It's Show and Tell
Time!
This is not a paid advertisement - it's just
a review of one of my favorite things.
This in one of those things that I am
grateful for because it makes scrapbooking more fun and colorful.
ZIG WRITER Pens
There are several colors in this set ...
48 to be exact ...
Each pen has two sizes of tips to write or color with.
Nobody else is to touch these pens on my shelf. "You wanna pen, use one from the other room!" (where my old ones are ... there for the kids)
I've seen other brands that have a double tip, but they are more expensive and I can't imagine they'd be better than these. However, there might be different colors and that attracts me.
Ahhhh Color! Galore-ious Color!
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Lamp Shades
This sisal lampshade from Tip Junkie
is certainly most appealing because of it's surroundings, but I do like it.
The look here fits so nicely together.
The look here fits so nicely together.
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Here is a lovely lamp shade from Living Beautifully
I have one shaped like this, only it's cream, not pink.
Interesting how they are so different, yet I like them both! Each has their place.
Burlap Christmas Stockings.
These are from Home Decorators Collection catalog - $29.00 each.
You can find the store online at HomeDecorators.com, but I looked for these stockings and couldn't find them online.
I wasn't going to buy them, but was going to grab the image from there instead of my catalog. I think these would be great to make, even out of linen fabric, since burlap can be so messy.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Another Awesome Advent
I've never really used an advent calendar, but have often wished I did. If I still had little children at home I would consider this one from Two Shades of Pink
How about devoting one full book shelf to a Christmas advent? This one tempts me.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
"SMILE!
They can hear it in your voice!"
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| image from here |
More about that quote:
"One way to positively affect the inflection in your voice is to smile, especially when you first answer the telephone. The reason is not psychological but rather physiological. When you smile, the soft palate at the back of your mouth raises and makes the sound waves more fluid. ...Smiling helps your voice to sound friendly, warm, and receptive.
"Some telemarketing companies are so convinced of the value of smiling when talking on the phone that they install mirrors above telemarketers' desks to remind them to smile..."
"Some telemarketing companies are so convinced of the value of smiling when talking on the phone that they install mirrors above telemarketers' desks to remind them to smile..."
from here.
Monday, December 17, 2012
Decorated Christmas Trees
I finally got my trees decorated!
Our pencil trees stood lit for a week without any decor, but they looked so great all lit up at night ... and all day too. Our fresh tree stood for several days without lights or decor, but it smelled so sweet.
Finally I pushed myself all day Saturday to get those trees decorated. Alas, the job is done. Too worn out to take photos, I postponed that for this morning.
Here they are:
Inspired by this topper from my mother-in-law ...
I decided to make one tree a sort of vintage tree, using only what I have already, which isn't much, but I'll add to it thru the years ...
The elf was from my mother-in-law too. The drummer boy and two bulbs were from my mother when she got rid of some of her ornaments several years ago.
This is from the loving people at Hospice who helped us care for my mother-in-law before she passed away (Jan. 2012). We do miss her and my father-in-law (who passed away July 2011). I love pulling out the few Christmas things I have that remind me of them. Delightful!
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A favorite tree is my nativity tree, decorated with things about the Holy Family, Jesus, angels, and faith ...
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I have a felt nativity that I don't add to my nativity tree, but I did use it on a small tree ...
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My tallest pencil tree is decorated a bit rustic ...
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Another tree is sort of jewel tones ...
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One last tree is for a few snowmen (and the like) ...
The little red bows are some I made for our first Christmas, many years ago.
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Now, the real or fresh tree ...
It's filled with assorted ornaments we've acquired over the past 32 years, and include the sentimental ornaments people have given us.
The things on the wall are a bit distracting, but I didn't want to try to store them somewhere, so they remain.
Wow, nothing like taking all day to get this post completed. The good thing is, I haven't set here all day, I've only spent a few minutes off and on throughout the day, in between the other things I've completed, like wrapping dozens of presents and taking them to the post office to mail them to the kids and grandkids. Now, I'd better wash my dishes and get dinner ready.
It feels so good to have the decorating done and the presents mailed.
Merry Christmas!
Warehouse Dining
What I noticed and liked:the spool tables - each seating two people,
the long serving table in the center - though it does seem a little tricky to reach for most,
the color used on the table - plates and what's on top of them, foods - very earthy setting.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Merry Christmas!
“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”
A Babe, born in Bethlehem
The Christmas season is a time to celebrate the priceless gift of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His birth, which we commemorate during this season, is more than the symbol of a holiday. He is the Son of God, the Redeemer of all mankind, the King of kings, the Prince of Peace, and our joy and salvation. This Christmas season will have greater meaning as we seek to follow His example and live His teachings.
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O Come, Emmanuel
The Piano Guys
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Japanese Washi Nativity
I saw this a few years ago and loved it. It was over $300.00 so I never bought it, but every once in a while I wonder if I could make one myself. I'm afraid I'd get too frustrated because I'd want it to be perfect, and perfect isn't easy for me ..., and I would spend way too many hours trying to create it. I just wanna save the look though ... I keep thinking that someday ... ?
This year ..., still loving it ..., I googled it again and found one sold HERE at Ebay for the winning bid of over five hundred dollars. Oh, why do I love the expensive things?
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I also found this framed Washi Nativity from Crafty With The Pennies, and I suppose I could make this one in a lot less time.
Friday, December 14, 2012
A Calendar - Family Celebrations
It's Show and Tell Time!
A review of one of my favorite things.
Family Calendar
with birthdays and weddings of everyone in the family - beginning with my parents, but also including my grandparents. It also includes Christmas and a few other special holidays.
My dad creates this calendar every year for each of his children and married grandchildren. I keep it beside my computer so that I can see it daily because I love to be reminded of the reason to celebrate these special people in our lives. It doesn't always lead me into action, but it does always lead me into grateful thought.
I love that my father takes the time to do this each year and gives one to me. I love him and my mother. They are awesome people.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Cookies
I love Chocolate Crinkles, and these have an added bonus.
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These are Christmasy looking cookies I saw at I Am Baker
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and these from Love the Day
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How about some Christmasy Brownies
from Barbara Bakes
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