A Slice of J O Y

Fun idea from I Heart Naptime

 

 



Singing Garland and Framed Songs

What a great idea - write out your special song or message this way
seen at Tip Junkie

Awesome!

and also at Tip Junkie



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Christmas Stuff

LilyBean's Paperie shows how to make this darling, bright and cheery Whimsical Christmas Tree decor



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This Cute Owl Bag/Wrap is a sweet thing since owls seem to be the in thing right now.

Found on Tales of a Trophy Wife

Make these big bags from grocery sacks for wrapping gifts or make them from small lunch sacks for favors.

 

 

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Dress up your drinks with buttons and a scarf like these from The TomKat Studio

(and don't forget the cute straws)

 

 

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 Bend a name and wrap it.  Use it on the top of a package.
Learn how at Consumer Crafts

 

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Fun cover up for a lamp from May Days - I'd really like to see this done.
FYI- I first saw this on My Repurposed Life



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FAITH

Faith will help us to safely climb the gospel path, overcome every challenge of mortality, and return to the majestic presence of our Heavenly Father.

Satan will use such things as doubt, fear, or sin to tempt us to let go of faith and lose the protection it offers.

- Unbelief in the Lord or His gospel will cause us to resist the Spirit of God. 

- Fear distracts from and undermines faith in the Savior.

- Sin diminishes the presence of the Spirit in our lives, and without the Holy Ghost, we will lack the spiritual stamina to hold onto and exercise faith.

 

image found on Google Images

Faith and reason are like the two wings of an aircraft. Both are essential to maintain flight.

If, from your perspective, reason seems to contradict faith, pause and remember that our perspective is extremely limited compared with the Lord’s.

 

 

Do not discard faith any more than you would detach a wing from an aircraft in flight.

 

By Faith All Things Are Fulfilled By Elder Marcus B. Nash

 

 

Decorating for Christmas

In my home, holiday decorating is my thing ... from lugging the boxes out of storage to lugging them back in when it's all cleaned up.

 This last week was the week for take down and set up.  So I ...

 

... packed up all of my trinkets that were on my shelves. 

While not in use, they stay safe in these boxes in my STUFF room.  Those boxes remain empty the rest of the year ... well, except for the tissue paper that gets stored with them.

 

 

After taking things down and packing them up I moved on to the fun stuff

... put up the Christmas decor in my kitchen. 

I only have a few things to help the kitchen look a bit festive.

 

 

... put up my pencil trees and added lights, though I have not added any other decor to them because I am waiting for the real thing before I get my ornaments out. But, I'm loving the lights.  So anxious for a real tree ..., maybe sometime the beginning of next week.

 



 

... put up garland and added lights and other decor, 

 

 

... set up nativities. 

I was feeling lazy at that time and didn't put them all out.  I usually fill my hutch with nativities, but this year it was just the entertainment center.  I'm already missing a few that I didn't put up, but that hutch is filled with other things, so they'll stay put away.

 

 

... lastly, my boxes with snowman and other decorations found their way into the family room and the items inside each box were carefully and lovingly placed in whatever shelf or table or corner pleased me best.  Some items found a change in scenery as I went along, but in the end each found their final resting place. Well, final unless I do some more tweaking the next few days.  It is what I love to do.  It just takes me so long to do it.  I love to pull out the sentimental items that fill my heart with joy as I place them in view for the holidays.

 

 

About the last set of photos:

1. New addition for the year is my bowl of snowballs! 

After Christmas last year I purchased a couple containers of white balls, and this year I purchased a silver ... whatever you call it ... the thing the bowl sits in ... at Good Will last week, just because I liked it.  When I started decorating and found the white balls I decided to pull out a clear bowl and put those three together to create my bowl of snowballs.  I'm lovin' it.

2. Just a little garland and fun around the bench and clock - shown mostly to see where our elf (in #7) sits today.

3. Not so new, and not so visible - the framed art is something I did years ago - kind of a water color print.

4. Even older - (Hanging from #3) a favorite of mine, made by my sister in law and given to us several years ago.

5. Probably the oldest item in my Christmas collection - a Santa moon that belonged to my mother in law.

6. Also very old - a cloth wrapped heart my grandmother gave me years ago.

7. New addition - Our elf - I decided to begin this tradition for our grandchildren this year ..., and we're havin' fun.

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 

 

Good Food?

Noodles From Scratch found at A Cake Bakes In Brooklyn
I've wanted to make home made noodles for a long time now, but just haven't tried it.

My mother in law used to make them and we loved them.

When I saw this recipe I decided it was finally time ..., but when? 



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Peach Cobbler Muffins from Barbara Bakes



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Sweet Corn Spoonbread from Our Best Bites

I don't think I've ever had this kind of corn bread before.

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Clear Plastic Cosmetic Bags

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 contains small items in a place where I can see them and get to them as I want or need them.

 

clear plastic cosmetic bags

 

I don't have a certain brand, I just get what looks like something I'd want and use ..., and, of course, isn't to expensive.

 

 These little items aren't just left in the bottom of my handbag getting thrashed around.  They are contained in something I can see thru so I can find what I need quite quickly.

 

 (Do you see that little tool in there? That little tool is one of my favorite things too.)
 

 

I have one for note/name cards when I do family history work.

 

 

See thru containers is definitely a thing I like. I'm a visual kinda girl.

 

I keep the clear plastic bags from purchased bedding and use it to store things too.

What more can I say - - - I love clear storage containers ...

 

I love that I can see right in to know for sure what is inside without having to lift the lid and look.

I know this favorite item is very much like some of my previous favorite items. Most of my scrapbooking and crafting containers are see thru - here, here, and here.

 

Pom Filled Bulb

I was looking at the tree and cute bulbs at I Heart Organizing ..., checking out each individually decorated bulb ..., and found this one ..., it's my favorite of all.

 

 

I love pom poms ...,  these look like they might have the silvery threads ..., that would add some sparkle when the lights glow ...,

 

 

She has several different bulbs - 40 or 50 ..., no two alike ..., and close-up photos to show a few of them.  A few more can be seen here.

Hanging BULBS on the Ceiling

Did you notice this on Yahoo?  I would love to see this room!  1764 bulbs/ornaments!

 

 

 

Beautiful Arrangement

I do believe that
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!
And, I also believe that each "beholder" sees things differently.

This beholder thinks that this flower arrangement seen on Snippet and Ink is most beautiful. 

Beautiful colors, textures, and flow, all contained in a beautiful tiered vessel.  Just lovely!

 

 

Think of Beauty and Be Happy

image from here

“Think of all the beauty still left around you

and be happy.”

 

― Anne Frank

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More Elf on a Shelf Ideas

We've seen a lot about Elf on a Shelf and there are a lot of cute ideas out there.  Clever people everywhere!  :)

 

2 Crafty 4 My Skirt has a post about creative ideas for your Elf.  I'm just showing one of many, so click on over there to see the rest.  She gives her sources for each. 

 

 

okay, so I am showing two of many ;)

 

it's just so fun!

 

 

Christmas Wrapping

from Deck the Halls

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Is this wrapping wallpaper?  Lovely!  From Living Beautifully
(I just love looking at the beautiful photos on her blog.)

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Christmas Stockings

Old sweaters become stockings - from Freddy and Petunia

Similar to here

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How to make Stockings - 12 Templates at Tip Junkie



LIFE

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“Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.

Life is beauty, admire it.

Life is a dream, realize it.

Life is a challenge, meet it.

Life is a duty, complete it.

Life is a game, play it.

Life is a promise, fulfill it.

Life is sorrow, overcome it.

Life is a song, sing it.

Life is a struggle, accept it.

Life is a tragedy, confront it.

Life is an adventure, dare it.

Life is luck, make it.

Life is too precious, do not destroy it.

Life is life, fight for it.”

― Mother Teresa

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"Let us be of good cheer as we go about our lives.

Although we live in increasingly perilous times, the Lord loves us and is mindful of us. He is always on our side as we do what is right. He will help us in time of need. Difficulties come into our lives, problems we do not anticipate and which we would never choose. None of us is immune. The purpose of mortality is to learn and to grow to be more like our Father, and it is often during the difficult times that we learn the most, as painful as the lessons may be. Our lives can also be filled with joy as we follow the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ."

Full message from Thomas S. Monson found HERE

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Ruffled Tree Skirt

Ruffled Tree Skirt from The Crafted Sparrow

 

A Room Full ...

 

This room is filled with fun!

What I see / love in this bedroom from the Land Of Nod catalog -

 - glittering doily collage on the wall,

- hanging light strands,

- bunched lights on the floor,

- fabric ruffle tree,

- banner/bunting. 

- maybe the rug too ... it looks a lot like a couple I have ... and love. 

 

hmmm!  I wonder if I will use any of these looks in my home???  thinking ... ... ..!

 

30 Days of Gratitude

image from here

 Today I combine  A Few of my Favorite Things
with a list of  Things I am Thankful For.

Last year I chose to post about something I was grateful for each day through the month of November and even continued through some of December (check out A Grateful Heart posts), but this year I chose to display it in one post on the last day of the month. 
Remember though, that this list includes only 30 things, and I've grouped many together, so it is in no way complete. 

 

1. My Family =

husband, children, married children and grandchildren, parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and all ancestors ...

 being a Wife, Mom, Grandma, daughter, sister, ...
 

2. The Godhead =

Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ our Savior, the Holy Ghost - Their love for each of us, the comfort I receive through them, the suffering and Atonement for me and each individual, divine guidance ...

 

3. The Gospel of Jesus Christ =

Christ's teachings, doctrine and principles that lead to happiness, the scriptures, the priesthood, ...

 

4. Friends and Good People Everywhere =

old friends, new friends, and people I have never met, but who care for my loved ones (like the people who care for my sons while they serve missions), maybe I should have called this one Kindness & Compassion ...

 

5. Life =

being alive! ... the Plan of Happiness ... experiences that bring joy ...
Learning ...

 

6. Financial Security =

we haven't always been as financially secure as we might wish, but we are always grateful for what we do have ..., and we appreciate being able to share when we can, or because we can ...

 

7. Health =

funny sometimes to think of since we do have some health problems and concerns, but really - it is better than it could be and even better than it has been, so we are grateful for the good health we do enjoy ...

 

8. Love =

it's such a wonderful feeling to be loved and to give love ...
not to forget ... Hugs & Kisses & Holding Hands are among those things that help us feel love ...

 

9. Chocolate =

yip!  I do like it!  In milk chocolate form, dark chocolate form, white chocolate, in cakes and cookies, in candies, in liquid form, with raspberries, with most anything ..., mmmm good!

 

10. 5 Senses =

each and every one of them; seeing, hearing, touching, tasting, smelling.  Each of these senses helps us partake of the joy that is readily available to human kind ... 

and, I am grateful for friends who have taught me the goodness that is still there, when one or more of these five senses is not ...
our physical bodies that can do so very much ...

 

11. Words =

words say so much spoken or written ...
Communication ...

 

12. Smiles, Laughter and Happiness =

oh joy!  it just makes life so much more pleasant ...

 

13. Farming =

I love the farm life - always have ...
If there were no farmers, we'd be in a world of hurt!   It's a great profession!

 

14. Doctors and Medicine =
the knowledge and abilities of all people and things medical ...
Medical Science ...

 

15. Music =
good music that brings peace and joy to the heart and soul ...

 

16. Home =
my home - the one I have now, the one I grew up in, those I have visited that made me feel welcome ...
a place of refuge - comforts and safety from the elements of nature and other evil or undesirable forces ...

 

17. People who have taught me =

 parents, grandparents, school and church teachers and leaders, friends, everyone ...
 by word, by example ...
Thank You!
 

18. Working Modern Appliances =
in the kitchen and laundry room - gotta love em all - they make life easier ...

 

19. Automobiles and other forms of
modern Transportation =
my car, a car for my children so I can use my car, a pickup for my husband, planes and other forms of transportation that get us from one place to another to see loved ones ...

 

20. Furniture =
soft sofas, tables and chairs, beds, book shelves, dressers, and more ...

 

21. Plants =
trees, flowers, veggies, grass, grains,
There is beauty all around!

 

22. the Sun =
shining brightly for the whole world to see, and to add warmth on a cold winter day ...

 sometimes I love clouds or a nice cool breeze to hide some of that warmth on a hot summer day :) ...
 

23. Four Seasons =
each with it's individual beauty, color, and charm ...
Nature in all it's splendor ...

 

24. Electricity =
it makes #18 so nice ...
light to the dark, heat or cooling to make life more comfortable ...
all Electrical Devices ...

 

25. Food =
the good tasting stuff :)

 

26.  Clothing =
the many choices for all needs and desires because one size or one style does not fit all ...

 

27. Decorative & Beautiful Things =

 trinkets, knick-knacks, holiday & party decor, antiques, and all things lovely to look at ...
 

28. Cell Phones =

 a great way to get a hold of your children and to contact others at almost all times ...
all communication devices ...
 

29. Cameras =
photos to save the look and preserve memories ...
personal and family histories ...

 

30. Blogs =
blogs I read and blogs I write  ...
personal, family, spiritual, food, craft, scrapbooking, decorating, creating, collecting, repurposing, party and wedding planning, sewing,  and
all things creative and informative and inspiring ...
 

 

image from here

 

I am going to

 

KEEP ON GIVING

THANKS

... did I say COLOR?
well ..., I am grateful for it!

and

 I'm so grateful that our HARVEST IS COMPLETE.

I guess I need 32 days in November  ...  ;)


Merry Christmas!
 



Another Advent

Here is something I found from a catalog from Deseret Book.  It is only $30.00 to buy, so that's not too bad, but for those who can sew and have the fabric already it would be quite easy to make.

 

 

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And for those who don't sew, but can work their magic with paper, here is a paper advent garland from Oh Happy Day, with all the other fun additions scattered in and around the paper bags/envelopes.  (This was found in my reader this morning, but I can't seem to find it on their site - I'll update later with a link if I find it.)

 

Elf on a Shelf

Just found this Elf on a Shelf party idea at a blog I love - Kara's Party Ideas.  She shares great ideas and where she finds them - this one was from HERE

 

 

I can imagine that each year it would get harder to find new ways to hide or display your elf each  day, but it's still such a fun idea.  Starting out with a party sounds awesome - and this looks like a cute one.  This party is a bit different than the party on my previous Elf on a Shelf post with ideas.

Another idea - (maybe this idea is found some where else, I mean really, why do I think I'd be the first to think of it, but I did just think of it without seeing it anywhere and wanted to write it down, so here it is ) -
Put your elf inside the advent calendar's first day box (like here), envelope (that could be clipped to something like this here), or whatever you use (like here). With a note welcoming him for the season.
If it isn't big enough to hold an elf, place a note inside telling where to find your elf.

Other advent days could also include a note where to find him if he is not easily visible - like if he is hidden in a bread drawer or trunk or inside a vase that he might have accidentally fallen into while trying to climb around.

 

I just might have to do Elf on a Shelf for my grandkids (they don't come every day, but often enough that it could be fun to do).   Hmmm ... Thinking ...