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