Friday, December 30, 2011

A Learning Experience

We are about to embark on yet another New Year .... a year that will be filled with new learning's and experiences and hopefully filled with many joyous moments.... It is always the unknown ...... I like many of you I am sure have been busy all week placing the holiday decorations once again in storage for another year.... I did leave out a few objects with my theme being winter with snowflakes and icicles for a couple week longer... Thoughts for new vignettes are in mind but not in place... We have plans on dining out tomorrow evening with 2 other couples and then coming back home here to play cards... New Years Eve ... I have never enjoyed being out that much so home is just fine with me...... I just wanted to post a short note to wish you all a happy and safe New Years.... Enjoy....

Friday, December 23, 2011

Merry Christmas

The time has arrived to wish all my friends in the states and other countries a very peaceful and blessed holiday as we celebrate the birth of a baby laying in a manager....... and enjoy and are thankful for family and friends ...... Sending you a sincere .... Merry Christmas .......

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Thoughts

Seems as if every year during the Christmas season my heart tends to turn to marshmallow... gentle thoughts and tears may be shed through the season... as mixed emotions take place... A bit like the divinity I made late afternoon yesterday... With several attitude adjustments being put in place and a promise to myself to stay within a budget of zero dollars when decorating, and a very very small amount on gifts, I am ready for Christmas... Yesterday we went to town , Defiance, to purchase groceries for dishes I will be making for the holiday at the different gatherings... When returning home and having placed items in their proper places I sat for a bit and went into a very deep thought process, so thankful I was home from all the madness at the store... I viewed so very many carts just brimming over with every item you could think of... Again I thought..... IF WE TOOK ALL THE THINGS OR STUFF WE HAVE AWAY THAT WE DO NOT NEED WE WOULD HAVE VERY VERY LITTLE..... Then WHY.... why are ones so determined to fill those carts like that? And most of it will most likely be on a garage sale the following year... Why don't we through wisdom spend less and give more of ones time and self... Delight in family and friends and tie those loose ends we may have created... We attend church services... listen to the teachings and rush right out and do what we have just been told is not important...
Holidays are meant to be spent with family even though many times we feel we do not have anything in common... We may feel as though we would like to run away from our roots but we need to use them as our strength... They hold our key to the future... The riches... for me are the times when things were really tough... but mom would always be there cooking dinner as dad arrived home in the evening... We would sit as a family... many may think we were poor, but you see not me... I had a family... So when remembering how the holidays were and should be with family none is as rich as me...
A family is like a circle..the connection that doesn't end... and certainly does not compare with any item you place in your shopping cart... When making your decision this year I hope all of you make a wonderful one... the gift shared from the heart...
Sending thoughts and best wishes to all as we celebrate the birth of Jesus and the gift of family... May we have the wisdom to enjoy it to the fullest... and have the merriest of Christmas that is offered to us... And just think it doesn't have to be wrapped.....

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Celebration




A dusting of snow over night time hours was lovely to view as I awoke this morning but the morning temps are warming and it is fading....

The month of December is nearly in as we prepare to celebrate the biggest holiday of the year in a few short days... Ready or not... Beauty surrounds us with all the decorating if we allow ourselves to stop and enjoy it... The night before Christmas is a wonderful tradition for most families... I know we will attend mass..

No Christmas seems complete without a angel... Angels represent beauty, purity, kindness, justice, and affection... Hopefully we have many angels that enhance our lives... Christmas represents many different things for all of us... My wish for you today is all your hopes for this special holiday are full filled by family and friends and the celebration of giving of one's heart not necessarily in present form is shared and enjoyed by all... counting those blessings....


Friday, December 16, 2011

Holding On To Memories

The past couple days have been windy and rainy and gloomy here in NW Ohio. No rain today but a promise of some snowflakes that may be making their journey... As many of you I am sure, yesterday was spent changing bedding.. washing throw rugs... other laundry... and a general house cleaning and cooking... Last evening however was more relaxed in the lazy boy chair and watching holiday movies on TV...
This morning I wrapped a couple gifts for my youngest granddaughter... Have a altered art card to complete later this afternoon... Tomorrow evening Tom's side of his family will have their Christmas gathering at the pavilion in Archbold as they do every year... Coming from a family of 10 children and one of the brother having 10 children you can already so the get together to too large for a small home... Many families will start their gatherings this weekend... I hope it is magical ... After many deep sighs it is time to have the stockings to be hung by the chimney with care... so the old legend can be followed... St. Nicholas ever so many years ago is said to have thrown coins down the chimneys of peasants on Christmas Eve so the the next morning , the poor but good-hearted could find their stocking weighed with gold...
All family traditions are somewhat the same but many do differ.. I do not bake as much as I once did but still love getting out the cookie cutters.. sprinkles and fancy sugars... In fact I need to set out a pound of butter { Paula Deens and my favorite ingredient} for making a couple batches...
Santa doesn't stop at our house anymore to eat his cookies but a visitor is always welcome to share as I believe the home is the place to be for the holiday... Tom and I seem in our minds and hearts to hang on to the way it use to be... but do cherish time spent with family and friends... Years have melted away the gifts of hand-made mittens and gloves and have been replaced with hand held technology that make it close to impossible to carry on a conversation with your grandchildren as a different form of conversation takes place... I have fond memories of long conversation with my grandmother and will hang onto them forever... My wish for you today is you treasure moments that are made when surrounded by family and friends....

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Sending Wonderful Wishes

No snowballs here today as it is mild and rainy in NW Ohio as I prepare to be off to a friends home soon for a get together with a few other ladies to share lunch and some holiday time...
Yesterday was grocery shopping and baking roll out sugar cookies and of course dusting the floor with flour and powered sugar as I do so... Later in the evening I watched Ohio State Girls basketball and a Christmas movie on TV...
Here lately it seems I need to live well and obtain positive thinking, try to smile often and cook much... Through all this I keep in mind one of my favorite thought by Oliver Wendell Holmes....
"Where we love is home. home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts"
Tomorrow and the rest of the weekend will be spent cleaning and controlling clutter, laundry , to baking and altered art... Final touches as we head into the celebration of the birth of Jesus... The real reason for the season...
The wishes of wanting a cheerful home that is warm and welcoming to all that may come and with the desire to live life to its fullest... Comfort and joy comes with being relaxed.. I once remember telling Tom if he got any more relaxed he would be in a coma... That is a lovely way to be as the outside world carry's on its mad run... I refuse to be a part of it...
Sending wonderful wishes as we all prepare to spent time with family and friends and if for some reason that will not happen for you this year... I so hope you find peace and the love of the season...

Monday, December 12, 2011

Scraps

Yesterday for some reason and it seems to happen every year at least one day of the holiday season I allow myself to be overcome with all the commerical part of Christmas and it causes negative thoughts and sadness and depression... Today as I woke up to a new day I am concentrating on positive and sharing love and laughter .... even if it is created from scraps...


Scraps seem to play a big part in my life... now and through the years... Always trying to make something from nothing... Making a penny try to stretch to a dollar... Creating scrap cards and gifts... Somehow I always make it work... A far cry from watching many others spend hundreds even thousands on Christmas and giving in to the WANTS not the NEEDS... Back on track today I am liking myself much better.... even though in a bit I am going to drop off my prescriptions to be filled and all my extra funds will be gone in one pop... I must realize how fortunate I am to have medication that has extended my life... Sometimes we just forget... So I will search through out the year for wonderful old papers and scraps that can be created into something lovely... and I am very happy surrounded in my scraps when I do not allow the negative in... I do believe the beauty and magic of Christmas is in our thinking... We alone have the power to control... appreciation not comparison....


The picture above is another scrappy project I created this weekend... The base is a very old book cover.... A old songbook page... a image from Dawn ...

http://the-feathered-nest.blogspot.com ... a paper doily.... old cord... rusty litle jingle bell and a old metal...... Will use this for Christmas but can be used in a vignette during the season also...

Friday, December 9, 2011

Changes Through The Years

Seems like this time of the year creates much more heavy thinking and thoughts of the past... Thinking of times of the past in my life and how surroundings and things themselves have changes... I read a book the other day that says modern day women are overworked, overstressed and commonly unsupported... I am not so sure I totally agree with all of that... I know women that work { I worked all my married and unmarried life} are expected to keep a clean house, make dinner { but I do not see all of that being done} do the laundry.. love and nuture and be pleasing and happy and receptive to their mates... I think ladies of the past did this quite well also... even though they didn't work out their chores were much harder and food much more difficult to prepare without all the conviences we must have now..In most ways the monster has been created for the added stress through all the WANTS and not necessarily NEEDS of the family.. It is truly very hard in these times to hold up and meet all these things we think we need... This is where we must be wise enough to make decisions that will be simplier for ones self and the family as a unit... Taking time and doing what is best for all at the holiday may be worth it... not giving in to a childs every desire and item on a childs list also will truly help them grow.... Everyone needs to learn you are not going to get everyting you think you deserve... it is just reality.... It is very important to deal with reality.... starting from a child through life's journey....
Snow has dusted the ground again earlier this morning and temps are very chilly... Snacked on banana bread I baked yessterday... while sipping coffee... Tom is still working on his fruit cake I baked him and we have eaten all the pecan cresents I baked so they will be made again... I am trying to decide when to do my baking.... I like it fresh baked and we actually enjoy eating it through the weeks of the season... Tom is making shutters for the building he had the Amish build for him a couple weeks ago... He did get the coats of stain on before the temps got so cold... I completed my kids Christmas cards this morning.... Just another simple day here in Ohio... No plans tonight... will most likely watch Christmas movies but carmel popcorn making may have to take place in a bit... Sound delicious for viewing the movies and sitting by the Christmas lights and decorations... It doesn't seem to matter what the age may be .... a movie... carmel popcorn and lovely shimmering Christmas lights and decorations just sounds and feels the way it should be... Now this simple way of living is my blessing......

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Sharing

Dealing with reality... while we may be sitting on top of the world we MUST remember for many this is a very difficult and lonely time ...especially through the holidays... It is a wonderful opportunity to extend a hand of kindness... It can be a simple as a card with hand written words of encouragement and inspiration... a couple of cookies shared with a knock on the ones door... If one doesn't have bulging pockets to purchase his or her desires ... it can be very difficult to the mind and heart... watching others bathe in one's blessings... You see in my mind one is not created equal... This can create and cause much stress to others and we are required as a person to offer acts of kindness to make one's self truly feel good and pure heaven for the one we are showing kindness too... As we travel through this holiday season... take a minute... is there someone you can offer a small token of kindness to or a family that may need encouragement... Please take the time ... please do...
We have had snow on the ground for a couple days but it has started to fade... but the temps remain cold... I sat by the fireplace this morning as I sipped my coffee... Today is cleaning day... the laundry is started and cleaning and some cooking and baking on the schedule... Ham and scalloped potatoes and a salad planned for early supper tonight before we attend the girls basketball game at Tinora... A couple over ripe bananas await being made into banana bread this day also....
As we keep in mind as we travel through the next couple weeks the real reasons we should love this season.... please enjoy and moments and share them with other.... I send each and everyone of you the very best of wishes in hopes this year will be the best ever......

Monday, December 5, 2011

Have Your Own Charm and Style

Last evening I was anxious to watch HGTV for the Celebrity Homes decorated for the holidays... Did any of you watch this? After viewing... I was left to wonder what the celebrities really thought of their homes decorated by other for the holidays... A few things were striking and designer worthy but all in all I wasn't left just to very impressed with what was really done...
Taking someones home and making it to that person's liking can be a very hard chore and I think in most cases hard to achieve...
I would have to say the decorating for Curt Warner's family home struck me in part the most... I was taken with the silver tree... { although I do not know how she ever got the smell of the silver metallic paint to go away}.... I loved the idea of the chandeliers in the trees... and the lovely very over stated ornaments with the glam ..wow.. factor... Loved the crystals but not the fact of having to walk through them.... Did not care for the colored trees and brightly colored hanging packages .... Struck me as tacky.... would have loved to have seen something flow more together.... The pool area for the most part I did love... Thought the palm tree snowed created from a pine tree looked beautiful and the hanging snowflakes.... very striking... wasn't a fan of the pool not being usable and filled to the brim with balloons.. I guess I would have rather the pool been just touches of snow and sparkle... This could have been created with cut pieces of solar blanket or foam with faux snow or snowflakes... I would want my pool in use.... This is my personal thoughts making me wonder how the owners really felt... I guess having created for others over the years I have always had the feeling it just isn't your own unless you do it.... It is truly hard to create someone else's taste and style.... I think everyone needs to create their own personal charm......Make it yours....no matter how simple or how overstated.....

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Memories Of Our Past ...Baking With Grandma




Last 2 times while trying to post all has been lost.. Will try again today....
Our area suffered heavy rains and flooding the past several days... As I peer from the window this morning it appears to be cold but calmer with sunshine... The overflowing ditches seem to be under control but I don't believe the fields will dry out anymore this winter...

I have shared a couple pics of some inspiration from Jeanne d Ark Christmas magazine this year... Not having exactly the materials I would have chosen first I used just a brown lunch sack glued together and cut from a hand drawn pattern.. Also worked on 4 cards and have them nearly completed...

Seems Tom is insisting on a fruit cake to be baked this year... He has even went so far as to get his mother's family recipe from a sister-in-law ... I have never made a fruit cake and have never wanted to .... How bout all of you? I wrote down the ingredients on my grocery list and they seem to be quite expensive... I looked on line for some in a tin and they are about 30.00... I will give it a try... I just am hoping after all the purchasing it will be good... Hard to bake something that you really don't have your heart into but he wants it so bad I will try... Who knows... it may turn out to be my favorite thing to bake at the holidays... { I am trying this power of positive thinking thing} There is one thing that would worse and that would be anise cookies... Oh no..no... no.... Guess I just care for recipes and loves from childhood and what we were brought up with... Pecan crescents [ Mexican wedding cookies} decorated roll out sugar cookies... gingerbread... fudge and divinity among the favorites with peanut brittle and carmel popcorn added... We do take on past personality and desires through the years... When I think of my favorite times baking it is always thoughts of being in the kitchen with grandma and her soft voice and loving teaching ways..... Sending you best wishes.....

3e

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Enjoy Only What Matters

A old tag for you.....

A picture of a lovely tree from old magazine....



Although I love the Jeanne d Ark style Christmas decorating many of the bloggers are creating I still think the one style that lasts forever in my heart is the lovely old Victorian homes all decked out at Christmas time... The splendor these old girls bring .. Maybe it is just the idea of the holidays at a slower pace that is also so appealing..

According to history the oldest record of a decorated Christmas tree came from a 1605 diary found in Strasburg France... The tree was decorated with paper roses , apples, and candies... Seems everything in the homes for the well to do in the Victorian era was quite extravagant... Guess really those times haven't changed that much... when it comes to the jingle in the pockets..some glistened with the tinsel of gold and silver while others were adorned with the family gathering of stringing popcorn... I love them both... When I think of lavish.. everything on a very celebrate scale I think of the Victorian... The Victorian era began in 1837 and concluded in 1901 according to reading in history... Caroling was a part of their holiday tradition.. Christmas cards were created and ancient pagan customs of using evergreens as Christmas trees was brought back... A Victorian Christmas was very family oriented... Celebrations of faith and thankfulness for blessings through the year ... Ornaments were not mass produced so almost all were some sort of handmade... Appreciating the tree should be encouraged and time taken to do so instead of rushing to open presents and should be practiced to appreciate and bring a wonderful awareness to the holidays..

Through out history there are many customs... The simple candy cane we all love indulging in at the holidays has a lovely legend... J is for Jesus or the Shepard hook and the color { purity and Jesus blood} There are many lovely legends surrounding us too be taught and enjoyed... Lovely traditions are awaiting for you to enjoy as a family instead of all the worry of gift giving creating stress and wishes for all to be over... Take the time and enjoy the true reason that all started this season... it can be truly rewarding in ones lives if you will do so... Let the season be merry and bright as the lovely words.... Enjoy....



Friday, November 25, 2011

Enjoy The Real Reason We Start This Season

Another sunrise and a windy day in the forecast for us here in NW Ohio...
Today will be spent cleaning some and mopping kitchen where traffic was heavy filled plates and eating the large array of food.... I plan on being kind to myself and work at a slow pace... laundry in started.. beds are made ... leftovers for lunches... plans for attending the Tinora Girls first basketball game of the season this evening .... Next week the boys season will start so we will attending many games for the next couple months...
Food was very plentiful yesterday... The cooking and baking went very smooth but by evening and clean ups all day ... I was all in... just like most of you I am sure....
Many Christmas trees will go in place today and this weekend to start the holiday... well that is if you aren't one of those " out of your mind" black Friday shoppers... I checked Facebook this morning and many had comments about being out there and just plain giving up and coming home... The best choice is to stay home... enjoy what you have already and you all know I love when people use what they have and just be creative... Addictions for what you love can be so very easily tucked in with touches of Christmas and made all your own... going beyond evergreen boughs and red bows... Cherished antiques and vintage makes a house feel warm and well loved... Glitz and glam are lovely but I prefer just little touches of that and touches of cozy.. It is just the right stuff to capture the spirit of the season.. With my background in design for myself this shows off your personality....
Hope if you are making your home lovely and welcoming for others you take lots of pics and share... whatever you may be doing... enjoy... the process and the right reason for the season in your hearts.....

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Days Filled With Blessings

Received rains yesterday and over night but sun is shining this morning..as yards and fields are overflowing with water...
In my home today... laundry is being done... light house cleaning again... some dishes are being started for tomorrows Thanksgiving celebration...
Last night as I lay in bed with the rain beating hard against my bedroom window... I was filled with emotion as I was so very thankful to have a warm shelter and warm bed ... well knowing that there are many that will not... I couldn't help but take that time to offer up Thanks to God for this what we call a small blessing but when you think of it ... it is such a large blessing... I thought of ones that would not be having the 250.00 worth of food we will be feasting upon and it brought sadness... Oh the blessings we call small. Tom and I's families will be here as one big unit... although I get overwhelmed by it all and very tired by the end of the day.... I know I am very blessed... Whatever plans you may have... with family or otherwise... enjoy and take moments to be thankful...
Many bogging friends are not celebrating our American holiday tradition of Thanksgiving but to them I would say take minutes to be thankful with all the wonderful that surrounds you as we shouldn't have to have a holiday to do this... Sending best of wishes and happiness and blessings to all... Happy Thanksgiving.....

Monday, November 21, 2011

Ushering In The Holidays
































Thanksgiving week is upon us ..ready or not.. here it comes...

Some holiday events have started taking place... I attended one Saturday afternoon with several friends.. the event was very enjoyable.. it was held in conjunction with the Festival Of The Trees, held at the Eagles in Defiance, Ohio.. I snapped a couple pictures that the tables were created and made ready by the hostesses of the table you are seated at. They had 3 servings of tea and finger foods.. First were scones... second finger sandwiches... third being sweets... It was served by Defiance students... All was very delicious...

My very favorite table was the BLACK... It was done with a Gibson girl theme and very striking... My second favorite was the candy canes tables... So full of eye candy... A picture of several friends in attendance.... Kay came in vintage style and wore a lovely vintage black hat that she looked very sweet in... It was a great vintage hat.... A very nice time was enjoyed by all of us... Many people placed allot of time and energy in this event.... Great job.

I spent a couple days and evening last week creating cards of altered art for several friends I will be attending another Christmas event with... Many hours can be spend working on these types of presentations...

Once again I find myself needing to be off to my maid job and get some cleaning and making ready for Thanksgiving.... Sometimes I wonder how two people can create so much dust.... There is much to do as tomorrow morning is planned to go purchased groceries... my dreaded job but I will smile and be thankful we have the money to purchase whatever we desire and share with about 20 people..... Never quite know if a extra face will attend or not... I do not have a space for everyone to sit at a table together ... therefore the food is out on the island and counter and the free for all begins.... It works and there is always plenty for all.....

I am sure many of you are feeling just some of the pressure that starts to happen at the holidays... I am going to just try to keep good thoughts and thankfulness in mind and keep working in short periods till I am successful at completing what will need to be done... Keeping a happy heart ... the body may not be as happy but I will try to be kind to it.... Last evening I was very kind and watched two back to back movies on the Hallmark channel... "A Dog Named Christmas" and " The Christmas Wish".... Both were the kind that makes you heart all mushy....











Friday, November 18, 2011

French Inspired Passion

































I think the time has arrived to start turning on the Christmas lights in the evening as we are entering the season... Time for ambiance...

I have been admiring the lovely and creative altered art of Rhonda at http://alittlebitfrench.blogspot.com and placed a small order with her for a treat for myself and to use for inspiration .... Yesterday when my package arrived here,, the presentation of her work was wrapped to perfection and I salvaged every little speck of it I could for further use in projects... Rhonda has a unique style that is all hers... I love creating myself but having some works of another on hand to view and love is always refreshing... Rhonda has used many bits and pieces in her art in a very creative style...

I have shared some pictures of the little treats... created wit French inspired passion....







































Thursday, November 17, 2011

Morning Musings







Little tucks of Christmas around my home.....


Looking out my front bay picture window I am watching 3 deer making their way across the neighbors shelled corn field ... The sun is just making it's appearance, making it a chilly feel but lovely picture of nature at it's best in this part of Ohio... and as we enter the very wonderful week of Thanksgiving.... Now if I could just find someone else that would love making Thanksgiving Dinner... hum, at what age do you say it is someone else turn... Seems like at the age of 70 nearing 71 that event should be happening soon... This young chick seems to run out of batteries unlike the little energized bunny... Tom is off to Indy to visit his son Todd and the family for a couple days... He was up at 4:30 a.m. getting ready to leave and of course you know who else got woke up..
ggrrrrrr.....

As soon as I post a few words I am off to clean house.. Hopefully this afternoon I can spend some time completing some angel wings and a card enclosure I have been working on for some friends... Ya all know the holidays are upon us now, right? I always try with a early start but somehow it always catches up.. then we get to the stage where we are not calm anymore...

As I continue to try to obtain Timeless Vintage, the love of yesterday, combined with today that will last forever on a shoe string budget....I am trying to stay on track and think I have done quite well... Do I see things I would love to have.... you bet I do... but then remember they are only things... no matter how lovely they are to the eye... I need to stay on track so I can have all the pecans for holiday baking and yes even peanut butter that sounds like they are to be a luxury item... Seems many items have become a luxury...

Well, I must get myself motivated and accomplish half the cleaning today... I think being waken so early and up for coffee at 6:00 a.m. has not helped my motivation....