One Special Christmas

I've been thinking alot since Thanksgiving about meaningful gifts. I've come to realize over the years that the most meaningful gifts are the ones that people have made themselves. I know that sounds like a cliche, but it's true. Whether it's something knitted, sewn, baked, or fashioned from craft supplies, it always tugs at the heart strings. The one thing that comes in second to that is when you receive a gift that encourages you to be creative. When I was a teenager in high school (about 150 years ago in dog years), I had a fascination with doll houses. My parents and my two brothers built this doll house for me, including the furniture. My Mom sewed the curtains, crocheted doilies, braided rugs and even used the awful 70's bedspread from my room to make the doll canopy and bedspread. I have purchased all kinds of items since then and a wee little family moved in a couple of years ago, but the most precious items are those that my family made by hand. The doll house currently sits in my dining room below a picture that my Mom cross-stitched for me of a little girl leaning against a table filled with items set for tea. This picture was another gift made by loving hands. My Mom said that the little girl reminded her of my daughter who was small at that time. I hope this Christmas I can give meaningful gifts that people will remember for years to come. What are some of the most meaningful gifts you have received for Christmas?

Quilt Giveaway!!!

Happy Saturday to all of you! I want to share a fun giveaway from Marie-Madeline Studio. You can enter to win one of these quilts by clicking on their link located on my side bar. They will tell you how to enter to win. Aren't they beautiful? If you have not been on their blog or website before, you are in for a special treat. A wonderful family with fabulous patterns and fabrics. You will enjoy it whether you sew/quilt or not. They are truly an inspiring family. Enjoy!

I am thankful this year for many things but I must take a moment to thank all the friends and family who have been so supportive of my adventure into the world of blogging. Thank you to other bloggers who have extended their kind words of support. I have enjoyed dipping my toe into these waters and look forward to what the future holds. A verse to help you celebrate this most blessed of holidays, "Come let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song." Ps. 95:1&2

Bright and Cheery

I want to share with you the quilt that currently hangs in my kitchen. It was made with reproduction 1930's fabrics and Moda's reproduction children's hankies. I ventured away from my usual shabby soft fabrics and did a quilt much brighter. Funny thing is, the more I play with color, the brighter my quilts are getting. Much like cooking, the more I cook, the bolder my recipes are getting. It's all so fun, isn't it?

It began raining here late tonight. The forecast calls for a mixture of snow and rain tomorrow. Though the weather makes it easier to stay inside and bake for Thanksgiving, it will still be rather dreary. It will be nice to have this quilt nearby to keep things cheerful as I work. Be blessed today, be joyfilled!

What's Important to You?

Today marks the kick-off of the holiday season. We will no sooner finish the Thanksgiving meal and Christmas will be upon us. I managed to get the groceries bought today and am about to tackle the cleaning. My son comes home from college tomorrow and my daughter will begin her break from highschool as well.

I love this time of year, but it also brings up that feeling of being on a hampster wheel with no way to jump off until after the first of the year. I will take to heart the words of scripture that hang in my kitchen and then I will really, truly, try to slow this season down and spend more time doing the things that matter. Can any of us remember what we received for Christmas last year? I can't. But I can remember the people I saw and the special times we shared. I remember the Christmas concerts at church and how everyone looked so nice dressed in their holiday best. I bet that next year at this time we still won't remember what we recieved under the tree, but we will remember the son or daughter who returned from war, the last Christmas we spent with Grandma, the fun we had baking with our children and the way that the sanctuary at church looked with all those decorations. The one thing we must remember at Christmas, above all else, is that God became man and spent time here on earth so that He could show us how much He loves us by sacrificing His life for ours as a randsom for our sins and He came back to life so that we might have eternal life with Him. All we have to do is believe that He did this for us and confess all our sins and shortcomings to Him and He will take it all. All the fear, disappointment, pain, illness and give us His peace and a life with Him when ours is finished here on earth. What a gift, what a Savior. May I keep this in my mind and heart as this holiday season begins.

Just Pondering

It's just past 6:30pm and it's pitch black outside, yet another reminder that winter is on it's way. A beautiful sunny day in the mid 50's. Wednesday's forecast is predicting snow. I'm wondering how this will affect our Thanksgiving travelers. The wind has just picked up outside, it's alittle erie to be honest. So much left to do to get ready for the feast. I haven't even gone to the grocery store yet, or cleaned my house. I really want to sew, but can't seem to decide what to do. I could read but that doesn't seem very productive either. I guess you could say I'm feeling alittle out of sorts today. My dear friend, Amy, and I call this "feeling outside ourselves." I did go to the baby shower today and the elephant was a huge success. I love giving gifts to people, especially things I'm able to make myself. I hope all of you stop to reflect on all the things that you are thankful for this week, amist all the preparations. After a wonderful service this morning, I'm going to start this moment being thankful to Jesus for my salvation. How about you?

What Makes Your Heart Sing?

Don't you just love pretty things? They make my heart sing! When I get a pretty stack of fabric or finish knitting one of these cupcakes, I like to leave them out and enjoy them as I walk through my kitchen. Even if the day is gloomy outside, I can get my heart singing inside. I hope that you can enjoy today doing something or looking at something that makes your heart sing. If you would like to know where I got the pattern for the cupcake, leave me a comment and I'll get back to you. Have a joyful Saturday!