Wishing you the Merriest, Happiest Christmas From our Home to Yours!!




The Meaning of the
Candy Cane

The fascinating story behind the candy cane ...
The birth, ministry, and death of
Jesus Christ are signified through
the elements of the candy cane ~

JESUS CHRIST is ....
our Good Shepherd (staff shape) ~ 1 Pt. 5:4
our Rock (hard candy) ~ 1 Cor. 10:4
our Sinless Savior (white) ~ 2 Cor. 5:21
our Sacrifical Lamb (red) ~ Eph. 1:7

The STRIPES symbolize pain inflicted upon
Jesus before his death on the cross and a bold
stripe to represent the blood he shed for
mankind. The three stripes can also represent
the power and presence of the Trinity
(the Father, Son and Holy Spirit).

The smell and taste of PEPPERMINT relate
to the herb hyssop. Psalm 51:7 states,
"Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean,
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."

The candy cane is meant to be shared --
broken into pieces for all to share. That
reminds us of Jesus' words, "This is my body
which is broken for you" (1 Cor. 11:24).
What a sweet way to share the Gospel !

And you just thought it was good candy :-)

Just CAUSE!!! LOVING the NEW CD!!

GREETINGS!!
Forgive me for not writing more.. with my new job venture I haven't made the time to blog.. I spend my nights cleaning the house so when I leave the next morning.. my heart won't sink.. if there is a sink full of dishes or laundry hanging around!

Thought I would share our Christmas tree that we cut down..

This was our FIRST choice for our tree... it was HUGE.. but we had all decided this was the ONE... until hubby bent down to cut it down.. and proclaimed that it wasn't happening because it had TWO bases.. NOT ONE.. so it was two trees grown together...
So we went with this one.. we trimmed up the bottom a bit so it doesn't look shabby...
TIMBER!!!!

It pays to have a BIG and STRONG husband.. he carried that tree and that was baled up!!
Now it's up and decorated.. and I'll share a picture of it later... I'm still playing with my new camera and want to get a GREAT night time picture...

On a sad note.. my dear sweet daughter got this letter...

I can NOT take the credit in writing it.. I got it off the twopeas message board.. I giggled the whole time preparing it.. BUT... get this.. Went to the post office and the lady would NOT.. absolutely REFUSED to let me buy ONE Christmas Stamp.. I could buy a book BUT NOT ONE stamp.. how ridiculous is that????? I did NOT buy the book.. you want to do something stupid like that.. I'm not buying it..

There is a fabulous blog out there.. that gave me this idea... Capture the Moment...they make great gift "packages" for $$


How are all your holiday preparations coming along????

This past Monday I had a day off... to do what I wanted... I had planned on cleaning the WHOLE house... and decorating it .. AFTER it was completely cleaned... I GOT sidetracked... as usual...I ran over to VT to run to a store.. and then I told hubby we were headed to the thrift store there... he wasn't impressed.. BUT OK.. about it..

I can't even BEGIN to tell you the SWEET treasures I found there... VINTAGE sweet TREASURES... I know some will look at these and say "she's crazy.. this is junk.. I threw this stuff away YEARS ago"....

I was TICKLED.. ELATED.. and I couldn't wait to get home and take pictures of it all to share here... sadly.. it's taken me 2 days to get the energy to share...

I found this tablecloth.. I am NOT a rose fan.. but I could not pass this up for .50cents...

This was probably my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE FIND!! a Cloth vintage Christmas Table Cloth.. My heart stopped.. then my feet stopped... I GASPED and touched it.. and quickly threw it into my arms.. and had such a GRIN on my face.. if I walked out with nothing else from there.. I would have been OK!

But it didn't stop there...

I found these...

Too CUTE for words..

I will definitely be using these on my holiday table!

And how AWESOME would I look wearing one of these?

I'm fond of the red trimmed one!

Do you remember these decorations??? The thick cardboard with only ONE side that was decorated... Well.. I found at least 30 different decorations... I started to weed out the ones I didn't want.. and then really decided I WANTED them all.. and for .10cents EACH.. it was a BARGAIN!!

This one has to be my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE.. I love that Santa truly looks Jolly and Happy.. and not trying to sell you a coke to help out the Coca~Cola company!! These were before his Coke Days... I won't begrudge him though.. I will only drink a coke out of a GLASS bottle.. because soda doesn't taste the same in a plastic bottle...

My array of decorations...

Another TRUE jolly Santa

This one "cracks" me up... probably my second favorite!!

Here's a "sneak peek" of my Christmas Tree... Can you SMELL it... I sure can.. all through my home!!!! it's heavenly!!!!!!

....

The Day has finally come.. A day I wished many times to happen.. and now a day I want to push back as long as I can... My daughter has turned 18. My hopes and dreams for her have exceeded my expecatations... She is driven.. She is strong and she knows what she wants.. my biggest wish for her now... is that her dreams .. don't stay dreams... but become reality....

Yes.. your eyes are NOT deceiving you.. this is a picture of ME.. 17 years ago...I was just 19 myself... with my daughter who just turned 1.. and barely walking...

In my daughter's eyes I am a hero
I am strong and wise and I know no fear
But the truth is plain to see
She was sent to rescue me
I see who I wanna be
In my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes everyone is equal
Darkness turns to light and the
world is at peace
This miracle God gave to me gives me
strength when I am weak
I find reason to believe
In my daughter's eyes

And when she wraps her hand
around my finger
Oh it puts a smile in my heart
Everything becomes a little clearer
I realize what life is all about

It's hangin' on when your heart
has had enough
It's giving more when you feel like giving up
I've seen the light
It's in my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes I can see the future
A reflection of who I am and what will be
Though she'll grow and someday leave
Maybe raise a family
When I'm gone I hope you see how happy
she made me
For I'll be there
In my daughter's eyes
Sung by Martina McBride

Eleven years ago I made bird feeders for Christmas Gifts. I just used a clay pot and it's base and glued them together like shown in the picture.. of course before I glued the two pieces together I put the rope through and secured it with a knot. I made about 5 feeders and left them to sit... for 11 years!! Not very frugal of me I would say..

While cleaning out my basement.. I decided to grab one and bring it upstairs.. I was not going to waste these. WHO doesn't love a snowman? I painted the initial pot white.. and then blue.. when that dried.. I painted the snowman on along with the "flakes" and "dots"...


From there I added the face and let the whole thing dry overnight.. The next day I applied an antique medium.. and wiped away until I got the effect that I wanted...


I then added a gingham ribbon with artificial greens with a pinecone...


I then added a bit of bird seed.. and voila.. your feeder is ready..


You can give it a clear spray.. but I didn't have any laying around.. when I make more.. I will add the spray to give it a protective coating!

I just finished reading this book and I have to tell you that I absolutely LOVED it.. I was sucked into the story starting at page one. Because I can't write a great review like others.. here's one I took from the web...

Book One in the REFINER'S FIRE series, tells the story of a timid southern girl who finds her voice as she begins to tell the truth about the atrocities around her. A short stay in the North confirms her abolitionist feelings, but when she returns to the South she finds herself torn between her home, a beloved suitor who doesn't share her feelings, and the principles she knows are true. Standing for right may mean standing alone. Does she have the courage?

I can't wait to read two and three..

I soooooooooooooo NEED one of these .. Anyone game in sending me a Christmas Gift... ???? Could you knit in an MP3 player while you're at it...?????

I didn't mention in the past few weeks that I had been working on my IN-Loves 40th wedding anniversary party... Luckily I had my wonderful sister in law to help with everything.. or should I say.. I actually helped her.. We were on a limited budget.. but all and all.. we did a great job I think!!
Part of what she wanted to do was make them up a scrapbook.. yes.. me being a scrapbooker.. I wasn't so sure if I "felt" like doing it.. UGH.. I know.. I know.. I need so many pictures to scrap.. that I just haven't been in the "mood"..
So.. I put it off...
And put it off...
And............ PUT IT OFF...
Til finally the day before the party came!! YIKES!! I had to do the cover page.. the guest list page.. and our page.. and I had to prod my son to do a page.. and remind my daughter to get on hers...Well.. I finished it the MORNING OF!
I thought I would share those with you today!!

I'm NOT good at photographing layouts.. so forgive me for the lack of a good photo...
Here's the front page...

The invitation we sent to everyone...

One of my two pages that I did..


I made a CD of Love Songs for them that I placed inside this pattern from a McDonald's fry holder.. and I wrote them a little something on the side..

40 years ago.....

Them today..

This is the wedding party.. the best man and maid of honor were hubby's' dads brother and sister...

And here they are today...

And just for fun.. I HAD to share this picture of hubby's uncle.. I would have LOVED to have known what was being said.. instead I snapped the effects...


My in-loves really aren't a big part of our lives.. ( their choice really).. Their church family comes first.. in everything they do..which, again is their choice...
However they DID raise an obnoxious little boy.. ( love my hubby) to a wonderful, loving, amazing husband... He has blessed me in so many ways.. through the good and the bad... My in-loves were a good example of what a great marriage is.. and I'm so proud and glad that my husband paid attention to them! I just hope we are setting the same example for our children!

This past weekend was my buddy's birthday.. little man "T".. however.. upon showing you his gift I made for him I realized that his name is on the box.. so his name will be no secret..
Ty as I said before is slightly autistic.. and I've just recently learned that autistic children LOVE boxes... it was really no surprise to me because all summer long he BEGGED for a box to put his baseball cards in.. just like my sons...

Well with finances being tough.. I was wondering WHAT I would be making for TY.. cause there was no other alternative..
My handsome nephew came over a couple weekends ago and hands me this box...


At first.. I'm thinking.. WHAT?? am I going to do with this??


Then it hit me.. a lightbulb went off.. BAM.. it's going to be Tylers Birthday Present..
I knew EXACTLY what I was going to do with it..
I had baseball cards.. spraypaint and glue.. I was going to spice this box up!!
I did have to run to homedepot and get a few bits of hardware.. but the cost was STILL minimal ..


Ty is a BIG TIME RED SOX fan... and being a "New Englandah".. it's super easy to get stuff for them.. BUT.. it can be pricey.. Hubby and I headed down to Olympia just to "peek".. I'm so glad we did because they were selling clearance stuff!! I got two pennants, 2 composition notebooks and a magnet for $2.09. I couldn't believe it!! I was so happy. I cut one of the pennants up for more design inside and outside of the box..


And in the box sits an official ticket to Fenway Park.. for this past July.. my daughter went to a game and gave up her ticket for Tyler.. GUESS what the FIRST thing all the kids did.. They tried getting the ticket out of the box.. I had to "gently" explain".. this ticket has been redeemed.. and is there for show...

These are the other little treasures I put in the box..
I think he liked the box.. however he also got a Nintedo DS.. and well.. that trumped the box.. lollol..oh well..He did say that his box is full of stuff.. so that's a plus..

So.. for under $10.. I didn't think this was a bad gift..

GREETINGS!!! Guess whose BACK!!!

ME!! I am super excited to have my desktop back!!
I do have a laptop.. but I have to tell you.. I LOVE my desktop better.. not sure why.. but I do..

My poor computer had a WICKED BAD ( for us New Englanda's) spyware on it.. It portrayed itself as a spyware update 2009.. it was NOT! and unfortunately through this process.. someone was able to get my Debit Card # and tried buying some prescription plan in my account.. NOT COOL!Fortunately I have a WONDERFUL credit union... and the money is back in the bank..

So for the past couple weeks.. I have been..

1) Thinking about how my daughter is turning 18 and hating it.. why does 18 sound so finalized?

2) Sweating the small stuff.. when I shouldn't be

3) Wondering where God is in a lot of situations right now

4) Looked into Nursing School and HATED the idea that I have to become and LNA first.. ( not knocking LNA's.. don't get me wrong.. ).. but having spent 15 years in the medical field.. I'm ticked that I have to waste time on stuff that I'll probably fly through..

5) Had a super clean house.. LOL LOL..

In truth.. it hasn't been that bad....

The neighbor across the street is in her 70's and she has a flattop driveway.. something we don't have.. so she lets the kids keep their basketball hoop in her yard.. and allows the kids to play in her yard as long as they are respectful... and most of them are!! So hubby and I decided that it was time for the neighbor kids to give back.. so two weekends ago.. we went to her house and made/willingly had the kids rake up her yard..so of course.. I HAD to take pictures.. and had to share them with you!!

This is my buddy T.. T is slightly autistic and some days when he comes to visit.. I feel like pulling my hair out.. BUT.. deep down inside.. he TRULY is a SWEET kid..He always comes in and comes up to me and kisses my arm and says "How's my buddy doing today"... to sweet!

This is T's brother K.. he is the TINIEST kid... but he surely can hold his own with the other boys!


Here's K again with the neighbor around the corner... Z.. Z has a brother N who has spent almost a month at Dartmouth Hospital fighting an Autoimmune disease.. I was told the name but can't remember it..The boys are twins.. so Z was feeling lonely and lost without his brother.. so we asked him to come on over and rake..

I would call this INTERMISSION...

Here's K again with my hubby.. we were getting him to stamp down the leaves so we could shove more into the bags.. we were trying to be frugal and NOT have to go buy more.. and it WORKED!!

And just to please my buddy T.. I took pictures of the "treasures" he found..


And because I haven't done this in awhile.. I wanted to share what I've read...
Quick Easy Read.. and LOVED it!! Although Debbie isn't a Christian Author ( cause we all know that I'm snobs to Author's.. Ü) She writes pleasantly.. and I enjoy her sense of humor.. and love her characters.. while searching for this book picture.. I found that she too has a blog.. ( ok.. who DOESN'T have one now adays).. she seems super SWEET.. so check her out.. DEBBIE MACOMBER.
Currently I am reading this.. My thoughts?? Well.. it's set in the early 1800's, which I love due to history.. and it is set in a Shaker Village in Kentucky. However I'm finding the story to be DRY.. I'm NOT grabbing it to read it to find out what happens next.. but grabbing it to read more of the history on the Shakers. About 5 years ago I was lucky to be able to take my Girl Scout Troop to a Shaker Village in Canterbury NH. It is jammed pack full of history and if you're like me.. I LOVE to TOUCH history..
The Shaker Village in Enfield NH is right around the corner for us.. so naturally I had to go there too.. If you ever get a chance to visit a Shaker village.. DO SO! They are not like the Amish or the Mennonite even... To my knowledge the religion is long gone.. but it's preserved for us to still learn about what they believed in.

It's so good to be BACK!!