When it comes to Christmas gifts... this one is the best gift ever. Several weeks ago, before I became swamped with the "to do's" on my to-do list, I mentioned to my neighbor kids that we could have an ornament making party. The calendar filled up and the days quickly passed. My little friends asked about it and I told them we would have our little party on the Saturday before Christmas. That way they would have fun ornaments on their tree and gifts for their parents. But then, their dad decided that he wanted to leave on their trip before Christmas not after, so they would … [Read more...]
The other day as I was driving home from the workshop my phone dinged. It was a notification from one of my partners in crime, er work. Since I don't text and drive, I pulled off the road to read her message and reply. There wasn't anything unusual or special about that text, but as I got back into the lane again I thought, "I love my life!" Yup. You read that right. "I love my life!" If you've been a long time reader or friend, you know that my world was rocked hard and I've spent the last eight years walking through the rubble while trying to find a new … [Read more...]
Has all the craziness of life sent you looking for peace? It's here. Contentment and peace are waiting for you. The sunsets have been stupendous lately not that I've actually seen them. What I have seen of that early setting sun is its blinding reflection bouncing off windows of the downtown condos with screaming shades of deep rich orange and the most brilliant pinks I have ever seen. Swimming in orders to be filled, I only get a glimpse while standing at my worktable in our busy upstairs workshop. Night after night I missed the sunset... until this day. This day we were … [Read more...]
"There is always Hope." One of my friends posted a beautiful graphic she created with those words on Instagram. Immediately my mind went to these words from scripture... And Hope does not disappoint. Romans 5:5 People disappoint... but God never does. I'm not saying that God gives me everything I ask for. No, far from it. We had moved to a new state and my husband was working for a new church that was quite large. After several months, I wanted to restart my home decor business, so I sent invitations to my new friends at church and those that were on my … [Read more...]
Wouldn't you LOVE for this Christmas to be your BEST Christmas EVER? Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way. Colossians 3:16-17 When you realize that there are just 29 sleeps until Christmas does it excite you, not phase you, or stress you out? After my more than 29 years of anticipating … [Read more...]
I heard the bells on Christmas Day I HEARD the bells on Christmas Day Their old, familiar carols play, And wild and sweet The words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men! And thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along The unbroken song Of peace on earth, good-will to men! Till ringing, singing on its way, The world revolved from night to day, A voice, a chime, A chant sublime Of peace on earth, good-will to men! Then from each black, … [Read more...]
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the entire inhabited earth should be taxed. This taxation was first made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to his own city to be taxed. So Joseph also departed from the city of Nazareth in Galilee to the City of David which is called Bethlehem, in Judea, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be taxed with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So while they were there, the day came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in strips of cloth, and laid Him in a … [Read more...]
The Countdown to Christmas has Begun! It's time to finish up the shopping, creating, decorating, and start wrapping and baking. And just to make it super easy for you, I created these sweet candy cane Christmas gift tags for you. There are 12 on an 8x10 sheet to make gift giving even sweeter. I think these would be especially perfect for those food gifts you'll be making. They are my gift to you!! Download these Free 8×10 sheet of 12 Merry Christmas Gift Tags for personal use HERE! If you missed stopping by since last week, I shared some extraordinary goodness on the … [Read more...]
How often do you hear the statement, "I just want her to be happy." Happy. Happiness is great... but what if we instead would say, "I what him to have joy." Joy, to me, seems supremely greater than happiness. Joy is something my heart deeply desires. It isn't dependent upon circumstances. It's that deep abiding sense of well-being that transcends our situations. Meeting an old friend on the street, hearing a humorous joke, or watching a comedy may induce the feeling of happiness. Yet, if that old friend were to meet you for lunch and you were to have a true heart to … [Read more...]
It's officially the Christmas season! Why do I say that on the 5th of December? Because last night it snowed! Two whole inches! And it was gorgeous and wintry and Christmasy and beautiful. And I'm not even a fan of snow!! How are you coming along with your Christmas decorating? Today I used fresh greens and rose hips to make two wreaths for my windows... inside. The aroma is delightful, too! If you're like me and would like to add a little extra something that speaks to the meaning of Christmas... I've created another FREE 8x10 art print for you to frame and set in a vignette for the holidays. … [Read more...]
Peace. We all want it. Peace for the world. Peace in our hearts. Peace in our homes. Peace in our relationships. Often, our struggle looks like the kitty here. Let's take some time together for a few reflections on peace. For several years, I hosted an annual Christmas open house in my home. One of the attendees had been there for quite a while when she said to me, "I love being in your home, it's so peaceful." How is it that my home was a peaceful place when ladies were coming and going and eating and laughing and chatting? … [Read more...]
Hello, friends! Thanks for coming by! Have you started decorating for Christmas? I LOVE having word art prints framed and set in a vignette for the holidays. So with that in mind, I created this lovely print with this Christmas verse... "Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful." by Norman Vincent Peale. I hope you'll download it, pin it up or display it somewhere special. Or... place it in a frame and give as an early Christmas or hostess gift. Download this Free 8×10 Christmas Quote Art Print for personal use HERE! If … [Read more...]
What are you hoping for? A good test result? An interview? A mended relationship? Hope is a funny word. To me, it's kind of a nebulous word for a nebulous idea or feeling. How many times do we say, "Oh, I hope so!" To your spouse or child, you might say, "I hope you have a good day." or "I hope you have a great time!" It's kind of like a wish. Other times it's an expectation for something to happen or for someone to make something happen. We often put our hope in things, in people, in events. Recently, a lot of people placed their hope in a … [Read more...]
Wouldn't you love to approach Christmas with a sense of peace and purpose and less craziness? In the midst of the festivities, busyness, and sensory overload, you really can discover peace and purpose this Christmas. I've discovered that when I plan to focus on Christ's coming and Advent... the season leading up to Christmas where we intentionally remember what it was like for people thousands of years ago to anticipate the coming of Christ... my joy and delight in Christmas and God's GIFT to us gives me much peace and purpose in spite of all the craziness of the world … [Read more...]
Praise God for this incredible, unbelievable, indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15 The Voice Most days are filled with the common, the ordinary, nothing spectacular happens. And we just keep rolling along in a field of gray. As I write this on Christmas Eve just a little more than an hour before the 11 p.m. service at church, I'm reminded that incredible moments come in the midst of pain and ordinariness. Early this morning I awoke with a terrific pain in my stomach. I am pretty sure it was that glass of egg nog cut with some Vernor's, in addition to the chocolate truffle I enjoyed earlier in the day. … [Read more...]
My desire to make coastal Advent candles comes from some very sweet childhood memories. Every Christmas, my parents would take me to services at the Swedish Lutheran church. A highlight for me was observing the Advent candle lighting. The Advent candles hung near the altar in a large circle of evergreen. There were four red candles on the wreath with a large center white candle. And though I really enjoyed singing the Christmas carols, I was mesmerized with that wreath. Once I was an adult I realized many families had Advent wreaths and candles in their home. Many even participated in special … [Read more...]
Today I'm joining up with some of my blogging friends for an extravaganza of Mason Jar Christmas Gift Ideas Each blogger has chosen a different theme and because my niece is having a baby mid January, I thought it would be fun to create a mason jar gift for her. Since my niece has selected green and pink for her baby girl... that became my color theme for the gift. I wasn't exactly sure what I was going to do when I got started. But, in shopping for the gifts to put inside the jar I came across this green rubber bath ducky and knew that it was the key to decorating my mason jar. Polka dots … [Read more...]
