Friday, December 31, 2010

Happy New Year

Looking back on months gone by, we think of joy and sadness it has brought us. Recalling the happy times of enriching our lives... We need to reflect upon what really counts...as a bright New Year arrives... As I do, I immediately think of all of you... my blogging friends... I wish for you happiness galore... I wish you a Happy New Year and many, many more... Enjoy this time....

Thursday, December 30, 2010

During This Time Period

During this time period of the New Years arrival we always think of a baby and the meaning of new life... Treasured handwritten notes of thank you and wishes for others of peace, health, and many blessings should be in our minds for the gifts we received... The teaching of one's children and grand children to display and learn proper etiquette should never be over looked.. Most of us treasure the sight of handwritten notes.... something to hold on to and knowing this person took special time to send this message to you.
As tomorrow evening will be ringing in a New Year, my wishes for a peaceful and blessed year to come, hope for old friendships and new ones that will be kindled... I personally do not make many resolutions as I have found in the past I don't follow through with many... I have promised myself to live a calm and relaxed life however. No drama, ... With those thoughts in mind I will leave you with a lovely saying as I am off to clean my house for guest tomorrow evening....

Winter, a lingering season is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey and enjoy every idle hour... John Boswell

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Time To Move On

As we celebrated our last Christmas get-to-gather yesterday and last evening I feel the need to move on... I set a small goal today to take down one smaller tree and the items in my kitchen area and get them packed and into the storage room... I have them in the boxes and half down to the storage room and now have some cleaning in these areas to complete... I promised to take it slower and not make hugh messes and clean as I go..... We are having friends for New Years Eve so I will leave the main decorations in the living area up till the first of the week...as we enjoy the coming of the start of a New Year.... The sun is shinning and melting some of the snow in Ohio today... As I post I heard pounding as we are having a new well drilled for a better water supply..... Hope we strike it big... Our other well has not let us down but is very old and a very small casing and we would like more water ....
I hope you all are starting the period where you are ready to move past the holidays... Even the lovely lights aren't seeming as bright as they did when preparing for the holiday season... It was quite nice however and fairly stress free and everyone is well and safe and that is the thing that matters the most... I am looking forward to getting things packed and placing a few little trinkets out for the Valentines season.... I received my Victoria magazine a couple days ago and it featured some lovely eye candy for Valentines day... I am looking forward to maybe creating a few altered art Valentines to display and enjoy....
Not much too exciting here to share today so wishing you all happy packing... and if you are still traveling.... be safe.....
ps. I did purchase a little chandelier at quite a reasonable price that we will install soon and I will share with you... Not the beauty I have dreamed of but it is really sweet and perfect for me and my style and my budget... so it's a good thing.....

Monday, December 27, 2010

Getting Back To Everyday Life....

Like everyone I am sure I am trying to get my thoughts back on everyday life.. We have one lunch to prepare and spend some time with Tom's kids tomorrow and we can consider our Christmas in past tense... Seems like a big ole pancake when it is on a griddle puffing all up ready to eat and then it just goes flat no matter how hard you try not to let that happen....
We are going to attend the BW's Guys Basketball Tournament tonight at Defiance ... We may have friends over New Years Eve for a steak supper and cards but that is not confirmed yet....
Anyone know how to twitch their nose and all this stuff jump back into their storage boxes????? If so send me the know how... OK so I know how it is going to happen.... It's just getting started..... Somehow now that Christmas has pasted the lights don't seem to twinkle as bright.. I think I may have the bah hum bugs...... Will be giving myself a attitude adjustment... I can feel that a coming... Hope everyone had a very nice Christmas and my wishes for you {and me} are that all your ornaments jump back into their boxes as you have pleasant dreams while sleeping and awaiting New Years......{ it's not fairies that comes for New Years... it's babies... I got a bit confused from all the sugarplums dancing in my head.}

Thursday, December 23, 2010

To Each And Everyone

As the celebration of Christmas is here, full of gratitude and wonder... My wishes and hopes for all is God sends the gifts he desires for us the most and we have the wisdom to accept them... Even during times of many hardships and struggles our hearts need to be full of thankfulness. In this we find we are blessed beyond measure. To each and everyone...MERRY CHRISTMAS... May the true blessing of Christmas find it's way to you.... For to us a child is born and he would be called Jesus.....

Christmas Time...See The Beauty Around You

It's Christmas time again..... Feel the Magic, feel the joy... feel the glow and see the beauty around you...

Whether you are looking for a small or large gift tis holiday season , may it be given in love and accepted in love. Just to be able to do something you love is a true gift in itself. In the spirit of the holiday I will feel the gratefulness , and in appreciation of spending time with my children and other family... and especially my sweet, so precious to me, grand daughter.... We will also spend moments with Tom's family, all making it a season for gratitude and sharing. I would certainly say that is one very large gift... I plan on savoring the pleasure of my warm shelter called home.... embraced with family and friends and tables filled with nourishment and sweet treats....

In Winters White the sweet sentiment echos.... IT"S CHRISTMAS...... Enjoy...











Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Soon Another Christmas Will Be In The Past

Hopefully we made our last trip to town before the Christmas holiday has been celebrated.. We arose fairly early and got a early start into town for groceries before the stores got extremely busy... We thought we would go to McDonalds where all the old geezers go but low and behold we even beat them there.. Tee Hee Hee... The store was very nice for shopping this morning and was just starting to pick up with customers as we were finishing... I will clean my house tomorrow and we have plans on attending the Tinora girls basketball game tomorrow evening... with plans on baking some roll out Christmas cookies between now and then.... Not Christmas without frosted sugar roll outs... As for Friday I plan on turning on the Christmas lights and Christmas music low and just enjoying the day ... No hussel and no bussel.... Soon Christmas will be in the past and we will make promises that we think our lives to become more meaningful as another New Year will be unveiled. Hopefully our passions will let us pursue with all things positive... Hoping your day is blessed and peaceful... This morning we had gently falling snow and now the sun is coming out to clean off the roads... It is a perfect winter's day here in Defiance, Ohio... Blessings to you....

Faith makes all things possible.... hope makes all things work... love makes all things beautiful... May you have all the three for this Christmas....

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Bliss To You.....

Remembering how our moms made Christmas a very special time for us... no matter how old we become these thoughts are forever with us. Time past whispers to me as memeories enter thoughts during the season. Now that Tom and I have been empty nesters for many years I must say it does seem less stress free but many thoughts yearn for the times when all was upside down... It is still time for dreaming of a white Christmas, love, cookies and candy and the act of giving... The senior time means your children may not be spending every holiday with you.. Sometimes we need to move on and make our own little tradition or you will find yourself alone much of the time. Letting go of traditions of the past can be quite hard as we must remember traditions were once wonderful but should not be made into obligations for our children... This is something I feel strongly about and seem to fight letting go of... But mama I remember all the wonderful things you worked so hard to make so perfect for us...
As we are only a few days away, everything in our atmosphere seems very relaxed. A fresh kettle of home-made potato soup is on the stove top simmering waiting for me to add the rivals as soon as I post this.... Lunch will soon be enjoyed... In the spirit of the season I want to wish all my friends happiness this season and my gratitude for the kind comments left by many and the sharing and making of new friends, May Christmas be all you desire... Bliss to you....

Monday, December 20, 2010

The Calendar Says It's About Time...

Our hearts are feeling the spirit of Christmas as we travel into the main holiday of the year... We have decked the halls in anticipation of what is to come... with this seeming ageless tradition... Our houses in their finest with luminous effects twinkling everywhere. The children are knowing that Santa is on his way soon loaded with toys and goodies on his sleigh.. Tiny tots will find it hard to sleep and so will parents trying to make this oh so perfect... My wishes are the bells will ring and every wish come true... and the calendar keeps bringing many blessings to you...
We attended the Moser Christmas Party Saturday night and enjoyed ourselves and family... Christmas afternoon I will be will my family at my X's and the 27 th we will spend some time with Tom's children and family... I must admit I am ready for it all to happen and just see everyone relax some once again... No matter how wonderful the season is meant to be there seems to be all this anxiety and unwanted hype.... It is extremely hard to avoid... Remember it is the night this babe was born and was lying in a manger and it will bring more peace to the holiday and the reason.... A calmness will come with the soothing thoughts....

Saturday, December 18, 2010

If One Night?

If one of the next coming nights a BIG FAT MAN has to many spirits and jumps in your window.... knocks on your door... or grabs you and puts you in a sack.... DON'T WORRY. I told him I wanted all my blogger friends for CHRISTMAS.......

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Warms Your Heart







The true meaning of Christmas? is it the stockings are hung? presents under the tree? Christmas candies and cookies? Ham is ready for the oven? Cookies and milk are out for Santa? The word CHRISTMAS itself is the big hint... The above are all wonderful in themselves but the very most important thing to remember it is not about the presents or Santa..


Christmas marks a very historical event... The birth of Jesus... The true reason for the season...May we all remember to keep the true reason for the season in our hearts... and remember Santa wants us to.....



Remember When?

1946-Life Magazine....



As a child and teen I remember there were always oranges for Christmas.. Set in the depression, a young child always would look forward to a local Christmas gathering where children would be given a orange and a bag of peanuts. Christmases were difficult in the depression, but still a happy time, filled with song and family... I do believe a return to the desires of children would be better suited for our younger folks. Seems as if it it doesn't have a keyboard or the package as big as a car it has no importance or they aren't interested... When your grandchildren come or your children even do they always have their cell phone in their hand unaware that you are even in the room , let alone carry on a conversation ? Knowing the days of significance of a orange in the holiday season both as a decoration and a tradition may not be a bad subject to discuss with our children and grandchildren ... My Christmas stockings always had oranges and peppermint candies and nuts and a little treat tucked in...and a nutcracker waiting in the kitchen for hand cracking our nuts for a tasty treat... As the days for Christmas are getting closer, I still am working at keeping emotions not all tied up in what others may be doing... I have sat in the evenings with Christmas lights and decorations twinkling in the darker hours and found some Christmas movies to make my heart like marshmallow or some decorating on HGTV... Seems about 8:30 or so Tom and I always have a treat.. Last night it was brownie and ice cream, now I would say that's living " The Fat Cat's Life" { we often say this to each other} My thoughts and wishes as we enter into the ending week of the Christmas holiday that you can find peace and contentment.. Sometimes it can be very hard to achieve this... I am off to clean my home .... and some baking are in my thoughts for the weekend....

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

I'll Be Home For Christmas










































































































There is something very wonderful about the words " I'll be home for Christmas"..... "I'll Be Home For Christmas" joined " White Christmas" in becoming one of the most popular in 1943.

Other wonderful reasons and desires make these words special. You don't have to light up the entire neighborhood to display your love for the holidays... Always keeping in mind your tree is the main focus for Christmas. Keeping decorating elegant, unexpected, and displaying your personality can make it more exciting for friends and family. No one enjoys going from home to home with all displaying the same ornaments is not near as exciting as entering a home with that person's charming personality and style. Many times I enter one's home or shoppe I find it exciting to see what awaits me just inside. Christmas in a small quiet town is what I love and look forward to every year....ps. there seems to have been a glitch... sorry about the one photo being sideways... I don't know how to correct it without loosing it all...













Monday, December 13, 2010

Another Pair Book Cover Skates




Christmas.. A season of sweet surprises... I find enjoyment in creating breathtaking lovely vignettes for this magical holiday. Charming little ideas make unique and lovely surprises to the eye and enjoyed by the heart. Will I manage to tuck one more element in on my Christmas mantle display? I searched my stash and wasn't able to come up with a brown or tan book that I had already damaged using pages for altered art... I did however come up with this one I used with some color illustration on the front.. I will be thinking of purchasing some 50 cent books when I find them for making further projects..The little skates look sweet with their rhinestones that pick up the rhinestone brooch tree in the glass cloche on the mantle.. For more no cost... shoe string budget ideas... make a template for a show skate and cut from old Christmas cards and use a paper clip for the runner... These are really cute for tree ornies or package ties... Enjoy...

ps... The great thing about ice skates... they can remain out with the winter decorating through at least mid February or early March....

Old Book Cover Ice Skates





Visiting many blogs and sites I noticed a couple bloggers had created ice skates from song book pages for ornaments for decorating... Not wanting to sit and watch TV all day I thought I would head down to the rec room and try to create a pair for myself... I noticed a old book cover that I have been doing altered art pages from and thought maybe I could cut a pair of skates from the cover... I hand drew a template to the size I could cut from the cover which ended up to be 8" skates.... I would like to try another pair that are somewhat more glam with a addition of rhinestone earrings added like brooches... but I do love the texture and the simply look of these... The book cover was really aged and I hope I have a cover that is not quite as thick as it was very difficult to get scissors to cut this one but as you see not impossible.... I had noticed the ones I had seem other create were runners they had cut out right on the skate but I wanted mine a bit different so out came the trusty old brass hanger and I just cut and shaped the little runners... I have enough hanger to complete another set... I covered the backs of the cover with song pages from a old book... Took a nail and hammered holes through the cover for hanging and lacing... This was actually rather rewarding as I didn't have a clue what I was going to do when I ventured to the rec room... It is always fun to celebrate the season with a few new pieces of eye candy .... especially when I completed the project once again with objects and stuff I had here... I am going to search my stash for a old book in brown or tan tones as I would like to create a set to gracefully adorn the mirror hanging atop the mantle on my fireplace in the living room. Can I possible think I can get one more object tucked into that vignette?
I don't plan on being outside today. We have blowing snow and bitter cold... Tonight we were planning on going to the Defiance Clinic Girls Basketball game and cheer the Tinora girls on but no schools in any area had school today so I don't know if that will still be held or not... Blessings to all and if you are any where close to my area stay safe and warm...

Sunday, December 12, 2010

It's Romantic...Let It snow..Let It Snow..Let It Snow...

This is the scene this morning as I look from my front door to the front yard... It is so beautiful and yes... I have no plans of going anywhere today... sitting and enjoying all lovely things offered to us within our home...The snow seems to add a extra touch of beauty and romance... The holiday season seems to bring out every emotion a person can feel. For me it feels like a romantic beautiful and magical time but still you seem to melt or shed tears when hearing or seeing many stories and happenings... You watch many doing things to a extreme and many just enjoying what is offered in front of them. Everyone enjoys different things and has different levels of contentment.. Mine can be any one or all of these..
Sensuous Candles
A Cozy Fire
Savory Food
Hot Chocolate Stuffed With Marshmallows and Whipped Cream Running Over The Top... OH YUM...
Tantalizing Desserts
Soft Throws and Pillows For A Chilly Night.... I Will Be Using Mine Tonight...
Soft Christmas Music
All these recipes can be self created for your enjoyment and with these recipes for a lovely evening and the magic of the holidays... how can the spirit not come alive in you and make this Christmas season just the best...

Quote... author unknown.. " If you have money and good health and you don't have Christmas in your heart, you'll never know the meaning of PEACE and JOY."