May It Be Awesome . . . Happy New Year!

I'm so excited to see what this year brings my family and I.  We our off to a wonderful start . . . Thank you God for all your goodness and grace.  Blessings :O)

Christmas Recap

 Did Christmas come and go that quick . . . I just came back from dropping Brian off at LAX to return to Wisconsin, miss him already.  I'm not one for goodbyes, don't like to even say it.  We had so much fun and we ate too much as always.  Found time to update my glasses over this holiday.  Still trying to get used to them.  Every time I take pics with my kids, I feel like I get a little bit older each time or is it the other way around, they are getting older . . . LOL!  Davey looks a little sleepy (he's standing behind me).  I wanted to take one last pic before we left for the airport this afternoon. Buttons my dog slept most of the time through this holiday.  My Christmas tree still is fresh, been adding water every morning.  My cousin is coming from up north for a NewYear's visit and I would hope the tree can last a little while more.  I was really planning on joining my dear friend for Christmas Dinner, but my kids had another idea, we went out for the first time for a holiday dinner at Todai's, amazing seafood and sushi, definitely recommended.  It was so nice not having to cook anything or doing kitchen clean up afterwards.  Hope your Christmas was a beautiful one :O) xo

Mary & Jesus

M e r r y   C h r i s t m a s !

  We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him  . . . Matthew 2:2

Things sure do change . . . Don't they?

When these guys were little I used to love dressing them up for the holidays  . . .  especially to takes pics and show them to the family and friends.  I ask my boys tonight after dinner if I can take some pics of them for my blog . . . this is what I got.  I gave up trying to get a half decent pic of them or at least a little more serious.  Loving it anyways :O)

Seeking Peace

In such a busy season it so hard to find peace sometimes.  Focusing on whats most important makes it so much easier.  Christ makes all things right.  Blessings :0)

Getting ready for the Homecoming

Doing a little baking and some cleaning too. You all know how much I love it when all my kids are home.  So much good news to talk about this year.  Looks like my oldest son will be relocating to Colorado for his job.  Both of my boys will be living out of state.  Sort of bittersweet you can say, but I am so happy for both of my boys.  I wish my husband Dave was here to see how well the kids are doing and be part of this celebration.  I'm sure Heaven is having a huge celebration.  Blessing!

Finally got my Christmas Tree . . . a little surprise too!

Finally got my Christmas tree last night.  Home Depot had a nice selection of Noble Firs.  My daughter surprise me with a Samsung Galaxy II and I just can't believe how much better my post pics look with this camera.  So much more detail for sure.  Thank God for my kids keeping me updated with the latest technology.  Now I have to figure out how to use the phone.  Loving this Christmas season, I hope you are too :O)

Some Merry & Bright around the Homestead

 I hope you're all enjoying this holiday season, still need to pick up my Christmas tree, probably this weekend.  Here's a little peek of my place.

 Loving my Santa collection . . . some have broken over the years, the ones that are beaten up I seem to love the most.

You'll always find one of my trademark dolls in my house in any season . . . and of course, decorated for the holiday.

 I've had this doll house forever . . loving the tiny wreath on the door.

A little bit of cross stitch . . . isn't that a chubby sheep, it's a cutie.

Snowman on a stuffed star ornament . . . love his face. 

She 's the angel on top of the feather tree, normally I'll put my vintage ornaments on this tree, but this year I chose to display all my handmade creations with some simple felted garland too.

And to finish this posting I thought I would share something so precious to me, this little elephant is from one of my oldest son's birthday party cakes, moons ago when he was little, wrapped some seam ribbon around it and tagged it with the word love on polk-a-dot card stock.  Enjoy these holidays they go by so fast and remember, "No peeking because Santa knows everything" . . . Blessings!

Center Point

It works.  You know that "God thing".  I was not born into a religious family, or a family that even attended church regularly.  While growing up my family only attended service on Easter and Christmas, sometimes only one or the other.  But as far back as I can remember God was always part of who I am.  I don't know how it happened, no one ever introduced me to God, but I don't know my life to be any way different and I wouldn't have it any other way.  It's the peace that's addicting that comes with it.

I always get excited around the holidays, decorating and everything else that goes along with it.  Getting away from this worldly living and living a life where God is the center point, makes my life a whole lot "simple", it makes it complete.  Since Dave my husband has passed, I've had lots of alone time to think.  I remember when the kids were small how I often felt that I was missing out on things.  Dave was pretty much ill our entire marriage and required lots of hospital visits, doctor appointments and sudden change of plans. He suffered a heart attack at 29 years old, Bypass surgery at 41 years old.  I don't regret it.  I loved that boy like crazy.  His illness actually made us the close family we are today.  I believe that is why all three of my kids have so much compassion for others. Those times have taught me a lot about life, filled me with wisdom.  I know my life was a "unique one" to say the least.

You know that God that I always talk about  . . he has only been there for me, he knew I was going to need someone that I could always count on, give all my troubles and concerns too.  Call on him when I needed a "miracle" to happen, he was there.  Sometimes, Dave would suffer a "diabetic low" in the middle of the night and be in a cold sweat in our bed and I would jump out of that bed so quick to give him something to eat.  He would be sitting up on the side of the bed completely out of it, mumbling words that did not make sense.  Those were some pretty scary moments, feeling very much alone, not wanting to wake up the kids, because I knew it would scare them, but God was with me.  So when Christmas times comes around it means so much more to me than decorating and shopping.  It's a celebration of peace, a peace that only God can give you no matter what your circumstance is. With peace, comes freedom.  My God is a big God and he can do some big things for you.

Give God a chance to make a difference in your life . .  celebrate this season with him as your center point, I know I will.  Blessings :O)

First time for everything . . . some shopping too :O)

Well is your belly full, can we button our pants again?  Definitely having leftovers for dinner tonight. Thanksgiving dinner was at my place.  Believe it or not I have never made homemade gravy, always used a packet. Well this time I tried making it myself with the turkey drippings and it came out delicious.  Definitely will do it again.  Prayed on it before I made it.  Two of my girlfriends that were over, are fantastic cooks, so I knew this dinner of mine had to be good.  Cassandra brought home some Cashew Brittle and Truffles from Sees, real treat for sure.

  For the first time, one of my kids didn't make it home for Thanksgiving Day.  I knew it was coming, oh well.  My middle son Brian, travels alot and had been away already from his home in Wisconsin for four weeks.  He was so very missed at the table that evening.  Life is full of changes, isn't it?  Anyways, after dinner we headed over to "Black Thursday" at Walmart.  Oh my, that was an adventure for sure, but fun too.  My most favorite purchase, was my new Christmas snowflake flannel pj's.  Ok, now it time to have a pajama party . . .  Life feels good again for sure.  Blessings!

Happy Thanksgiving

Have a beautiful Thanksgiving with your family and friends . .  Gratitude is the key to a happy life. Lots of blessings sent your way :O)

Homemade is the best :O)

A vintage Christmas is the best kind of Christmas in my book . . . added a new ornament to my collection.  Some card stock from the thrift store, a faux cameo, seam binding and little bit of tinsel. 

 I found the pic below from Paper Whimsy.com on Pinterest and it gave me an idea for a Christmas ornament using some of the things I've collected lately.  Enjoy this cooler Tuesday . . . Blessings!

Many Thanks . . .

Much gratitude to the women and men who serve our country . . . which allows us our freedom.  God's Blessings :O)

Things that make me happy . . .

I sure do love this time of the year, so many things to do.  Yes, but they're things I enjoy the most and that is decorating and sewing.

I'm definitely a coffee drinker too.  Sewing and coffee, that can be lethal combination, that's probably why I'm moving so fast.  Anyways, if you haven't tried the Starbucks Anniversary Blend "Spicy and Bold", you are missing out, delic for sure :O)  I even love the packaging too,  I always like seeing the mermaid on the package design.

About two years ago, my sweet SIL Chris brought me a box of vintage sewing notions.  Her Mom, Jessica was clearing out her garage and Chris knew I would love it and definitely have a need.  Decided to make a cross stitch ornament for my TV cabinet.  This is actually a design for Halloween but I change it up a little.  Love the way it turned out.  I use some vintage gray binding to hang it on the knob of the cabinet.

I been going cross stitch crazy lately, started to work on something for Christmas already.  How many weeks away is Christmas now  . . .  I hate the rush yet I'm right there with it.  Happy Friday! xo

Leap Of Faith

You all know that I have three children.  Davey, Brian and Cassandra.  Being college educated was a "big thing" in our family.  Dave and I were always talking to the kids about it, how important it was and how necessary it was to instill in them growing up.  Davey and Brian have both gone to and completed college with degrees.  In Fall 2008, Cassandra started attending Cal State Fullerton, majoring in Social Services, she also joined a sorority and was absolutely in loved with the college scene.  Cassandra did not have a traditional run at her education.  She struggled and did not complete college.

 Many times, Cassandra and I would have conversations with her crying and being so upset that things were not working out the way she thought it would.  She has faced so many challenges over the past few years.  It started by being involved in a horrible car accident while attending college and being on a walker for almost three months afterwards.  Unfortunately, the car was totaled and the accident was her fault.   Then the passing of her Dad suddenly which affected all of us as a family, emotionally and financially.  Then having to move on top of that to a completely new city,  it was overwhelming at times for her.  She persevered and never stopped moving in a forward direction with a positive attitude.  I think I did most of the complaining not Cassandra. 

The aftermath of the car . . every time I view this photo, I thank God for my daughter.

Cassandra and her Dad were so close  . . . definitely Daddy's Girl.  This photo was taken Thanksgiving Day  2009.  This would be our last Thanksgiving with my husband Dave.  

 In Spring 2013, she made the decision to stop pursuing college and decided that she would continued working on campus at the student store.  Many times she would run into her friends and they would ask her if she was going to continue school.  Cassandra continue to socialize and do things with her friends at school.  She would come home and tell me who was getting ready to graduate and who got this great job and I would see a sadness in her.  I would encourage her to hang on and tell her that God has a perfect plan for her and stay in faith.  Meanwhile, she took on another part-time job to help out at home.  I've watch this daughter of mine which was once treated like a princess literally, turned into a mature, grown up, independent, hard working young lady.  At the end of Summer 2013, Cassandra made the decision to work full time at one of the part time jobs she had and stop working at the student store on campus.  I know how hard this decision was for her, because working at the student store kept her linked to the college, thinking that was the only way success was going to come and a dream she would not let go of.

Well . . .  you know when you hold on to something so tight and when you finally realize nothing is coming out of it and you let go and you take a leap of faith with it, that's exactly what she did and it blessed her.  Cassandra received a promotion this past week after working for a year with this corporation and now does as well as her college graduated brothers do.  We are all so very proud of her and happy for her most of all.  The pic below is my Cassandra today . . . you go baby! xoxo

Thinking lately . . .

Hello Blogworld . . . been thinking about how long I've been blogging,  since December 2009.  As you all know having a blog requires a lot of energy, constantly updating and posting pics and trying to keep it somewhat interesting.  I know I have failed at times, but I love my blog.  Actually, I'm rather a quiet person, sort of reserve too.  So to share the things I have shared on this blog has really surprise me, but it's been good, really good for me too.  I get to "dream" a little.  Making a little bit of progress makes me "so happy".  Whether that's talking about my kids aka adult kids,  completing a cross stitch project that's been laying around forever (like when my kids were in elementary school), creating one of my dolls or decorating for a holiday and wanting to show it to the Blogworld.  When I think about ending my blog . . . for some reason I can't seem to depart from it.  Blogging lets you have friends from all over the county and sometimes from other countries as well.  Receiving a response via email from a comment I wrote is always a treat.  I appreciate the friendship more than you know and some of these comments really make you stop and think how many "kind people" are out there in this world.  My heart is full of gratitude.  Enjoy this beautiful Sunday and have a piece of that beautiful pie above, Pinterest love of course . . . God's grace is never ending :O) xo

Wanting Spooky . . . Getting Cute Instead

My Halloween decor is suppose to look a little spooky, but it actually looks more cute.  I bought some black crows a few years ago from a yard sale around Christmas time.  I added a new cross stitch project to my wired basket on my kitchen counter and thought the crow would make it look a little wicked but the crow looks sort of cute there instead, don't you think so?  Blessings :O)