Is it Wednesday?

John could perhaps begin to worry about me. Every day I ask, "What day is this?!" I ask him multiple times each day; he looks at his watch and informs me. You know, I don't think he knows what day it is either without his watch!

(We both want to thank you for your kind comments yesterday. He was touched and surprised by them having no idea that I was going to mention his wee Aunt Mabel.)

***

About photos. It helps to be a good photographer, which I am not, though I do aspire to do better. I need to read and read and reread my manual. These are my humble efforts and I confess that some have been doctored so that I could stand them.

This is the very first photo I took.

Molly, my faithful canine companion. It was either her or the Cat in the Hat. It took hours to get the disks downloaded so I could upload my photos. I don't know what that was all about. Waiting makes me crazy.

Just popping in a variety of photos not all good nor particularly interesting.

helping a neighbor

Just arrived by USPS before Eight AM this morning

The "Kids"

Mitten Example for Saturday Thanks to The Feathered Nest

Edited to Add: Imagine me dancing all about singing ♫She's figured it out! Dawn's figured it out!♪ The problem of viewing pictures in largest size that's what she's figured out! See *here.* Plus snag some free gift tags while you're at it.

This very short video is about my Caramel making on Monday (when the old camera wouldn't take pictures, but it would do movies. Odd.)

These caramels are very good. I found the recipe at The Country Blossom right *here.* Let us just say that John and I have put a fair dent in the caramels since then. To be frank, I have had to hide them. That's right. Only I know where they are! Bwahahhahahhaha...

A happy day to you.

Busy Days

If you're anything like me, life is really starting to speed up. There is so much to do! I know that you are saying the same thing. And just like what's going on in real life, this post is going to bounce all around a bit.

We learned yesterday that John's elderly aunt had passed away. I had only met her once. She was a delight telling fun stories and sharing that she really wanted a cat and couldn't we please find her a special one. John tells the sweetest stories of Christmas and of this aunt who, herself childless, made her nieces and nephews her focus at Christmas. "She made me feel very special."  I think that there is a special place in Heaven for such aunties.

My new camera arrived yesterday in a UPS truck that roared up and stopped with a lurch. I'd know that sound anywhere. When I learn how to take a picture and have the battery charged, I'll be back. Could be awhile though.

One of the dearest paragraphs I've read this holiday season was written by Dot at Picket's Place. If you have the opportunity to read the last bit she wrote on this post beginning with "Merry Christmas you guys," you'll be encouraged. Oh yes you will! (Oh go ahead and read it all! =) Dot's enthusiasm is infectious.)  [Edited to Add: Some time ago, Dot removed many of her posts. This was one of them.]

I totally bailed on the Linky Party for the Christmas Open House yesterday. There's an analogy here that I hesitate to make because it puts me in a bad light. The gist of it is this: I often don't participate in things I'd enjoy because it's going to cost me too dearly. There are so many talented bloggers and beautiful homes and I can not visit and comment everywhere so I just visit and tiptoe out without saying a word. And if I am going to visit without commenting I can't link. Just can't. I'm totally lacking in commitment. Ugh. See, told you it wasn't pretty.

On that note, I'm off for a busy day! I will catch up with you asap. Promise!


photo source

Christmas Home Tour Mosaic

At Christmas, all roads lead home.

~ Marjorie Holmes 

*So wanted to participate in Melissa's Christmas Home Tour that, even though my one and only camera croaked, I've gathered previously shared photos into a mosaic. (Either that or I'm just confused about which event I'm entering as I often participate in Mosaic Monday at Little Red House.)

Each photo speaks for itself, I hope. Otherwise, please wander back through the last few weeks to find answers to any questions one might have. (There's a home page just below the gingerbread garland to the right.)

And what's a Christmas Home Tour without something to eat? These two items are going to be a part of the festivities for Christmas 2011. The first is for candy canes, though I will add stick pretzels as well. The second is so cute. I adore easy, pretty and tasty in one nice package.

*Festive Candy Canes and Pretzel Sticks*

*Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Peppermint Stick Swizzles*

Please visit the tour at Melissa's The Inspired Room for lots of inspiration!

Thank you for visiting and do have a Merry Christmas!

Hallejulah!

God grant you the light in Christmas, which is faith;
The warmth of Christmas, which is love;
The radiance of Christmas, which is purity;
The righteousness of Christmas, which is justice;
The belief in Christmas, which is truth;
The all of Christmas, which is Christ.
~Wilda English

Just amazing! Gotta love these flash mobs. =)

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2: 9–11 NIV

A blessed Sunday to you!

Of Crafting and Photo Taking

The photo of my dining table at dusk is the next to the last one you'll see from here for a while. Amazingly, it turned out okay, but just prior to that and for the afternoon all pictures had horizontal lines running across them like the one below plus they're overexposed and I can no longer adjust my apertures. Oh great, make a liar out of me, little picture. Perhaps the lines are better seen on my car fender or perhaps my car just needs a trip through the car wash.

By the way, if a blogger talks to her pictures, is she crazy? Don't answer that! Perhaps you can see it better if I enlarge the photo.

 I can see the lines. Can you?

(And what's going on with not being able to enlarge photos to take a good look at them anymore? Did Blogger run out of room? Do YOU know the secret? If so, pray tell.)

Next weekend, my sister and I, and any of the following generation, are going to have some craft time. I am thinking of two crafts. This *Snowbird Ornament Tutorial* from Miss Sandy at Quill Cottage and this *Mitten Tutorial* from Dawn at The Feathered Nest. Both of these delightful bloggers are offering their tutorials free of charge with some guidelines that you'll want to check on. The Mittens could become a sweet garland similar (only better) to my own. It would have an elegant Victorian look over the country look. I'm going to find out! =) The Snowbird is so lovely. Please go check!

Soooo, where was I? Oh yes,  next time you see me, it'll be cute graphics all the way. Sigh.

 Graphics Source

Stay cozy!

Clean Up Ensues

Another busy day here. Online shopping until I was dropping and clean-up and decorating and I even ironed my tablecloth at long last. I am plum tuckered out. (I need excuses for why I'm posting later and later every day.)

Thanks to all who expressed sympathies that our tree branch blew off. I sometimes forget that it's not possible to remember all the finer details of my life here, but this is not my tree branch. We live on the proverbial postage stamp and everything beyond this way of the fence you see there belongs to my excellent neighbor who is outside even now trying to clean it all up with a toy chainsaw. John would take pity on him except he's in the midst of his own troubles trying to get this last/front side on the house. John knows he's on borrowed weather time.

Yes, there's my neighbor now. I can just see him. Isn't the light lovely at this time of day? All one minute and thirty-six seconds of it? It makes everything outside look as if it were bathed in a blue haze. Scrumptious.

Thanks also to the most honest group of gals I've ever been privileged to call friends. I'm going to make John read all those fantastic comments on yesterday's post. Not sure about reading Judy's though. =)

Have a delightful weekend...

Nag, Nag, Nag

Nagging is the repetition of unpalatable truths.

~Edith Summerskill

What an interesting name has Edith! Is it summers kill or summer skill?

Okay, I've been nagging. (I just know that you're shocked and find it difficult to believe that sweet me could be guilty of such a thing.)

The winds have been howling and I really didn't want John out on the ladder today. As I was making my case at the breakfast table and in mid-sentence, Crrrrrr...aaaaaaa...cccckkkkkk, down came a huge limb before our eyes. I've rarely felt so vindicated or had my nagging so well punctuated, though my niece may differ with that assessment as she's forever telling the story about the day I said something I should not have and there was a clap of thunder so sudden and violent that I jumped up onto the sofa apologizing to the Lord as I went.

Anyway, I shall miss this branch so massive that it could have been a tree all on its own. It has been featured here before...

And here is how it looks after this morning (forgive the reflections)...

So, tell me, do you ever nag? If you do, what does your husband think of it?

Rainy Day in December

Come on in! No tea today as I'm serving up

hot chocolate. Unusual for me, but so tasty.
Do you have any marshmallows on you?

Question/s for you: Do you ever deny yourself something for no good reason? Do you ever deny yourself something because that's the way you've always done it before? Do you ever deny yourself something for fear of what other people might think?

My epiphany for the day was to realize that I could so too have the Christmas lights on today even though it is daytime. I wanted them on because they are cheery on a rainy day. I told myself "no" because it was daylight. It took me a moment to realize why I was denying myself and now I'm wondering how often I engage in this idiotic behavior of parenting my inner child. =)

So here's to Christmas lights on in the daytime!

And fuzzing out the photo edges we don't like. And taking a nap in the afternoon. And not posting until later in the day. And making curtains out of painter's cloth...

Enjoy a great afternoon!

A Kitchen Project and More Decorating

Rolling right along here. No, don't look at the Thanksgiving dishes still waiting to be put away or the groceries on the counter or the wrapping paper on the floor. No, I am not even going to show you the last two. There's just something about a stack of dishes that I find appealing. Do you like bubble lights? We love them around here and use them as nightlights year round.

And an audible groan was heard throughout Blogdom...What?! That mitten garland again? You don't want to see the final result? (I just finally made it back to the grocery store this morning and remembered the candy canes this time.)



I am still in love with Gradient 6 (PhotoScape). Doesn't it look as if it's still autumn? Oh, that's right; it is still autumn. Okay, doesn't it look as if it is still November? Those oak leaves hang on forever.

So this is my Kitchen Project Story. You may remember that recently I removed a cabinet door in an experiment to see if we'd miss it. We don't miss it; we like reaching up and grabbing a glass or mug all easy-peasy like. The look, however, was not completely charming.

I went looking for Manuela who does this all the time and learned that she is not blogging just now. Wah! I hate when this happens and hope that she returns one day soon. Manuela, I miss you! So I Googled and found a Farm Chick who actually is already on my blogroll. Anyway, her directions are here. Mine follow.

You can not believe how complicated I can make a thing. First of all, my cabinets are not brand new like Serena's. I have gaps in the corners that needed covering so I opted for covering foam core rather than the method Serena chose. Then I learned right quick that foam core can get royally stuck and you will destroy it trying to get it back out of your cabinet. So I made "rip cords" for all of the panels. This is very good because you can see that I changed my mind about my paper choice. Someday, when I don't have groceries on the counter, I'll show you a better view. We like it. It'll do until I feel like getting out the paint brush again.

Many more pictures to show you, but it dawns on me that I've not visited you so I'll save them for another day.

Oh, have you found the candy cane pudding yet? Hmmm...

Sugar! Doesn't that Gradient 6 just get in the way sometimes!

Have a happy day, my friend.

Night Glow~Mosaic Monday

Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.

~Hamilton Wright Mabie

 Christmas Glow

Don't you just love peeking inside people's windows at Christmastime? Oh yes, from a safe distance, of course. These are photos of my own windows and my own yard so I'm definitely safe.

At last, I am participating in Mary's Mosaic Monday at Little Red House once again. I missed November altogether. And I still haven't visited everyone in October. I'm falling back on Mary's request to visit the ten listed before me and the ten listed after. I think that's what she said. Anyway, I think that that is definitely doable.

Wishing you a season of much love and joy.



Mercies in Disguise

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. ~Jesus (John 16:33)

...And what if trials of this life

The rain, the storms, the hardest nights

Are your mercies in disguise?

~Laura Story

One thing just leads to another. I don't think that I found this "by chance." Perhaps you'll find it as meaningful as I have.

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Little Inspirations Make Me Happy

This time of year in Blogdom is rather *magical don't you find? So many little inspirations pop out at me wherever I visit. You're such a creative one, you are!

Let's see, what have I for you today... Two little inspirations and  some tossed in things for good measure.

I found this little silver frame for a song at JoAnn's and have until last night had a small picture of a Christmas tree made of birds in it. This is so much better for its wonderful message.  I found it at Kim's Seasons of My Heart. (Edited to Add: I believe that I have tracked it down to its original source at Betty Crocker Wannabe. Thanks to all who were keeping me straight! Yes, it is available free. Thanks to Kristin who now blogs at A Simply Klassic Home.)

Can you tell that I really like my new kitchen window?

Whatever would give it away?

Actually, these photos were taken to make Auntie happy. Auntie who enjoys seeing photos taken at night in bad light and that's all right. As soon as there is snow flying, I'm going to take another photo just like my header photo only in Christmas mode. It may be awhile.

This is an idea I saw at Anne's blog Azza's Blather right there in her Christmas header.

See it? It's a little train coming through a book tunnel. I don't know about you, but I find it adorable. Perhaps it's having a grandson visiting this afternoon that is making me think of the whimsy that would delight a little boy. You just know that this arrangement is not going to stay this pristine.

And, right on cue, just as I suspected, Fioré hopped up there and messed it all up. By the time I returned from writing this post and to shut off the lights, this is what I found. The book slapped shut, the train on the floor, and Fioré enjoying her ease. She does love the tree.

I am undaunted. Stay tuned for the answer at the end of this post.

This next one cracks me up. Remember my mitten garland of a few days ago? Look what I found! A sweet mitten garland divider with red ribbons...now I can do the same. Here's my garland reworked a bit.

Oops. Guess you'll have to trust me on this one...red ribbons on either end and in the middle. Looks darling. No, really. I'm adding candy canes to the mittens next.

I just did that so I could use the mitten divider again. Such a child I am. That's what you get for playing with trains and children's books. Here we go again with a new interpretation for train and tunnel elsewhere.

Have a magical weekend! Have you been playing yet today? Hope so!

*magical always means Narnia magic here. Thanks, Brenda!

Christmas Wreath Reworked and More

There's a scene in Little Women, the 1994 version with Winona Ryder, where a Christmas wreath wearing a flannel bow is hung upon the door. I've looked for that scene high and low and short of putting the dvd in and taking a photo of the tv, I can't find it. Oh well. Here's my Christmas wreath reworked.

The ribbon was made from my flannel nighty. A worthy end for the nighty that gave me so much comfort.

Here's how the wreath came to me and how it looks now.

Before and After

Thought I'd toss in some of my "progress" beginning with a photo of John making his own lunch while I played. He's a good boy! Very good and dear. I'll have to make it up to him with a decent supper.

Click *here* to find out what he's eating and what the Haven looked like when John was working inside instead of outside.

Wreaths on Patio Doors

Cranberry Wreath for China Cabinet Door

Stars and Platters

Peace Out!



Keeping Christmas

Welcoming December first is always exciting. Sometimes good exciting and sometimes not so good exciting. This is the month when I, like so many of you, am at my busiest. My preference is that it will be exciting for all the right reasons: The Reason. To think that Jesus was willing to come to us is a profound thought.

John sometimes describes the bosses he's known on big construction jobs. One of them was a bossy boss the kind who knows what he's doing and bellows orders from his office chair. Another was a get-down-in-the-dirt with him sort of boss. He also knows what he's doing, yet when he sees that his crew needs help, he tackles the job right along with them leading the way. Jesus is that kind of a "boss." He knew that we were never going to make it on our own and He was willing to come to us and get down in the dirt with us and help us take on this task called life.

This year, for the first time, I welcome December without my mother's physical presence. It is going to be...wait for the euphemism...a challenge. Ohhhh I have my memories...she was the very best Keeper of Christmas. She loved the holidays and made her home a Christmas delight replete with all the aromas of the holiday — baking and fudge making and savory smells from her cozy kitchen. Her home smelled like a gift shoppe all cinnamony and warm. She honored the Lord and opened her home and shared her life and the more tangible aspects of it. I am still learning of all the things she did. (Until last week when I was asked to donate pies to the library bake sale, I had no idea that my mother baked three or more pies to donate each year on the day before Thanksgiving! My response? No, thanks, no time for that!)

The mantle has fallen on me. Oh dear! There has been a fair amount of fretting on my part because, you see, I have my Thanksgiving failings so fresh in my mind.

Then I am reminded of the little quote in the photo above, which I have shared more than once. I'm going to tuck in to the Lord and listen for His voice and do what He tells me to do. I think I'll be surprised. I always am.

Tonight the outside lights go on. I am celebrating the Christ of Christmas along with my neighbors and community and the world because He deserves celebrating...every day. I will not shut down and hide out because I am chafed by loss or fear; I will celebrate because, for this one brief moment of the year, most hearts are turned once more to Him. He's on people's minds, however far in the background. I will celebrate and keep Christmas as my mother and grandmother and others have done before me in the firm hope that one day we'll all be celebrating in heaven together. I will be a Keeper of Christmas.