My Favorite Christmas Card

Someone thinks I need a break. Ahhhh... God love'im. So I'm taking one for today. Have a relaxing weekend, Dear Ones!

Home Sweet Home Holiday Blog Party

Today I'm participating in the Home Sweet Home Holiday Blog Party sponsored by Whispering Poppies (long gone).

A few posts ago, I did something quite similar, but I have even more to share so please bear with me. I am not a trendy gal. My Christmas colors remain silver and gold, red and green. Hope that you enjoy my mostly pictures post.










Yesterday, I received the sweetest package from Kathy at Shocking Pink Thread (private blog). I ordered a doll that she made and put on her Etsy shop. The doll's name is Pearl; I think because of the vintage pearl button on her sweet little dress. Here's the picture story!







All the items circled in red are the extra gifts that Kathy sent to us. John says he has dibs on the maple Santa. That's fine...I have dibs on the candy cane!

I'm not sure if my grandmother will be receiving Pearl or not. I like Pearl mighty fine myself. Thanks so much, Kathy! (Did you see my repurposing of your beautiful ribbon?)

Christmas Lights and The Maestro

We've been out for the last two nights. Last night was shopping; the night before was for enjoying Christmas lights. We gathered up my mother and grandmother and off we set. Two and a half hours later, filled with Tim Horton's English Toffee Cappuccinos and Canadian Maple donuts, we were home again.

In our corner, I'd say that only one in ten homes has any lights on display. One can not complain about this when one has no lights on her own home. The photo above is the best of the lot.

My little grand was busy yesterday so that means that I was busy as well. Much too busy to follow him about with a camera. However, once he and his constant companion Ted E. Bear turned their attention to piano playing, I was able to capture these shots. You can see why we think he's going to be a natural even if he's not yet two. ;>











A wicked good Thursday to you all!

Need Decorating Inspiration?

Need Christmas decorating inspiration? Fast? Take a few hours, more if you can spare it, and go blog hopping. Leap right off from here as I have some of the finest blogs listed ever!


I'm going to show you what a morning of copying did for me. If you click on the photos, you'll see just whom I am copying, but I'll also link to each of my inspirations at the bottom of this post. Perhaps this could be a little quiz. I LOVE quizzes. See if you can figure out where I found each idea. Okay, I digress.











This is one I copied from a Christmas Home Tour I took a few years ago. Finally remembered it! I love the aroma of the evergreen as the tree is a big old fake. These are on each window throughout the house.



I'm off on Nonni duty today. This time I have the little one and he's coming here to play with me and keep me company while I bake cookies.

Hope you have a fun day, too!

**Thanks to the following bloggers: Melissa, Suzanne, Mary, and Catherine!

The Aprons Three and Free Gifts for Friends and Family

The two outside aprons are winging their way to John's daughters. One on the West Coast and the other in the Carolinas. Hope that they like them! (No, they don't read this blog so I'm safe to share.) The one in the center is for the home state daughter; she'll be needing the flannel. They are all made in part from their father's old shirts. Believe me, he's keeping a close eye on his shirts these days. ;>

Cleaning out my email folders last night, I found this piece that I've had saved for some time. It's from Inspire 21. Thought you might enjoy it, too.

Gifts For Friends For FREE!
~ Author Unknown

1) THE GIFT OF LISTENING...
But you must REALLY listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response. Just listening.

2) THE GIFT OF AFFECTION...
Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back, and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.

3) THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER...
Clip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, "I love to laugh with you."

4) THE GIFT OF A WRITTEN NOTE...
It can be a simple "Thanks for the help" note or a full sonnet. A brief, handwritten note could be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a life.

5) THE GIFT OF A COMPLIMENT...
A simple and sincere, "You look great in red," "You did a super job" or "That was a wonderful meal" can make someone's day.

6) THE GIFT OF A FAVOR...
Every day, go out of your way to do something kind.

7) THE GIFT OF SOLITUDE...
There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.

8) THE GIFT OF A CHEERFUL DISPOSITION...
The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone. Really, it's not that hard to say "Hello" or "Thank You."

Friends are a very rare jewels, indeed. They make us smile and encourage us to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us. Cherish your friends, and your family as they are what sustain us in our own times of need.

So, on that note, allow me to thank all of you for reading today. Create yourself a fantastic day!

Saturday Trains and Sunday Pains

This grand loves trains and most especially Thomas and crew — James, Neville, Emily, Fergus. You know, the names that flow trippingly from the tongue. The grand was going on and on about "cranky" Saturday and I thought he was mimicking something that his mother or father had called him. No, "Cranky" is a crane. It's going to take a while for this Nonni to catch up, but I'm trying. Oh, boy, I'm trying.

The grands have a train track that runs directly behind their home and a railroad crossing just one house down. Whenever the trains go by and the whistle is heard, Sam shudders and says "Bert." Bert is a dreaded diesel engine. :D



My mother, the grand's great-grandmother, had decided that he should see the vintage train show at the local garden. It was being held in the shed and barn...I now know where the expression "it's as cold as a barn" comes from...brrrrr. It was wonderful to see Sam respond to all the trains, but most especially to the set of Thomas. Thomas kept leaping the track and had to take a rest, which delighted Sam for some reason. The only time that he got upset was when we had to leave for he didn't want to say goodbye to the trains. Now I'm hoping that his father will get out his childhood Lionel set and place it under the tree this year because Sam will absolutely love that.

After lunch, Sam's great-grandmother had another surprise for him — creating a gingerbread train. Ohhhh boy! It provided us with an opportunity to practice that it's not about the product; it's all about the process. Here's the little picture story.











Oh yes, there was a whole lot of munching going on.

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Yesterday afternoon after church, John took me out to dinner. I hurriedly gathered my new sweater since I knew that it was bitter cold and the restaurant would be cooler than usual. (Every place is keeping the heat way low.)

As we finished our meal, John leaned over to pick at my sweater with a puzzled "What's this?"

I'll tell you what it was...the sweater size, one that I'd prefer not to advertize, boldly proclaimed in what might as well have been neon lights from my shoulder to my waist. Nothing like a little humble pie along with one's sirloin tips!

Have a delicious Monday, Dear Ones!

Christmas is a Time to Love

(Imagine a brightly lit Victorian Christmas tree with a family dancing around it hand in hand.)

He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree. ~Roy L. Smith

One of my children's favorite Christmas songs from their childhood was this:

Christmas is a time
Christmas is a time
Christmas is a time to love
Christmas is a time
Christmas is a time
Christmas is a time to love

We often start to worry and people get upset
When things don’t go all right on Christmas day
What we should remember in all the push and shove
Is Christmas is a time to love.

Maybe things don’t sound right or look the way they should
And maybe they’re not perfectly in tune
It really doesn’t matter, let’s keep our eyes above
Because Christmas is a time to love.
~Ernie Rettino and Debby Kerner-Rettino

My kids later added this chorus:

Jesus is the way
Jesus is the way
Jesus is the way to love
Jesus is the way
Jesus is the way
Jesus is the way to love

It's beautifully simple and the melody is sweet. I often find myself with tears in my eyes listening to it. I'm reminded again that Christmas is a time for love and that Jesus is the way to show it. I don't know about you, but I have some "un" lovelies in my world. Showing them love is very important all the year through, but, at this season, it's crucial.

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7