New Year's Eve

Have a happy and safe New Year's Eve!

Christmas Pageant

My girls and my niece and nephew performed a Christmas Pageant for us.  It was quite cute and quite amusing.  Doncha just love where the quilt landed??!!

There were plenty of giggles:)

They really did a great job and it was delightful to watch.  They even have a curtain made out of a rope and shower curtains that they talked their Grandpa into putting up for them last year when they did this.  Amazing what Grandparents will do:)  So thankful their Grandparents are so involved in their lives and enjoy spending time with them.

I'd share more pics here but as you can probably tell my camera is not getting any better.  And santa didn't drop a new one off here.  If I can get any more of my photos edited to the point they are viewable I will try to post more.  But now I'm off to spend time with my Sister while I can!

My Brother left today:(  Sniff Sniff.  I miss him already.

"Away in a Manger no crib for a bed.  The Little Lord Jesus lay down His sweet head!"

Dessert

Did you have a wonderfully, delightful dessert for Christmas??

Are you whipping up something exciting for New Years??

For Christmas I made the Chocolate Gingerbread Toffee Cake that was on the cover of 'Southern Living'.

For New Years I haven't decided yet.  Depends if I'm home enough to have time to bake.  And if I have any ingredients around to make something:)

If you've made something yummy, leave me a comment with a link to your photos of it!!  And I WILL post pics of my cake sometime in the New Year.  Right now I'm enjoying having my brother and my sister and her family here. 

Graphics Fairy

Another really cute image from The Graphics Fairy. 

~He's Everything to Me~

In the stars His handiwork I see, On the wind He speaks with majesty. 

Tho' He ruleth over land and sea, What is that to me?

What is that to me?

'Til by faith I met Him face to face,

And I felt the wonder of His grace,

Then I knew that He was more than just a God who didn't care

That lived away up there and now He walks beside me day by day,

Ever watching o'er me lest I stray,

Helping me to find the narrow way,

He's everything to me.

He's everything to me.

I will celebrate Nativity, For it has a place in history,

Sure, He came to set His people free, What is that to me?

What is that to me?

'Til by faith I met Him face to face,

And I felt the wonder of His grace,

Then I knew that He was more than just a God who didn't care

That lived away up there and now He walks beside me day by day,

Ever watching o'er me lest I stray,

Helping me to find the narrow way,

He's everything to me.

He's everything to me.

                                       ~Ralph Carmichael

{WISH}

Sew a Fine Seam would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas!



Legend of the Poinsettia

'The Legend of the Poinsettia'

Maria and Pablo lived in a tiny village in Mexico. Because Christmastime at their house did not include many gifts, Maria and Pablo looked forward to the Christmas festivities at the village church with great joy and anticipation.
To honor the birth of Christ, the church displayed a beautiful manger that drew crowds of admirers. Villagers walked miles to admire the manger, bringing lovely, expensive gifts for the Baby Jesus. As Maria and Pablo watched the villagers place their gifts in the soft hay around the manger, they felt sad. They had no money to buy gifts for their family and no money to buy a gift for the Baby Jesus.
One Christmas Eve, Maria and Pablo walked to the church for that evening's services, wishing desperately that they had a gift to bring. Just then, a soft glowing light shone through the darkness, and the shadowy outline of an angel appeared above them.
Maria and Pablo were afraid, but the angel comforted them, instructing them to pick some of the short green weeds that were growing by the road. They should bring the plants to the church, the angel explained, and place them near the manger as their gift to the Baby Jesus. Then just as quickly as she had appeared, the angel was gone, leaving Maria and Pablo on the road looking up into the dark sky. Confused but excited, the children filled their arms with large bunches of the green weeds and hurried to the church.
When the children entered the church, many of the villagers turned to stare. As Maria and Pablo began placing the weeds around the manger, some of the villagers laughed at them. "Why are those children putting weeds by the manger?" they asked each other. Maria and Pablo began to feel embarrassed and ashamed of their gift to the Baby Jesus, but they stood bravely near the manger, placing the plants on the soft hay, as the angel had instructed.
Suddenly, the dull green leaves on the tops of the plants began to turn a beautiful shade of red, surrounding the Baby with beautiful blooms. The laughing villagers became silent as they watched the green plants transform into the lovely star-shaped crimson flowers we call poinsettias. As they watched the weeds bloom before their eyes, Maria and Pablo knew they had no reason to be ashamed anymore. They had given the Baby Jesus the only gift they could--and it was the most beautiful gift of all.
Today, poinsettias are a traditional symbol of Christmas, thanks to young Maria and Pablo and their special gifts to the Baby Jesus. -- By Stephanie Herbek

LIKE ~ LOVE ~ LINK

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A Delightful Glow

Click the link above.  You will be glad you did.
Merry Christmas.



"Christmas is love tugging man back to God with the powerful clasp of a tiny hand reaching out from a bed of straw."


This quote is from a Christmas card my parents received years ago.  I remember my Dad using this in his preaching when I was just a wee lass.

Story of the Birth of Jesus

An angel told Mary that she was going to have a special son from God. Then the angel went and told Joseph. Then Joseph got upset because- well I'm not  sure why- and then they got married.

Then Caesar Augustus charged taxes and everybody had to go where they were born. So Joseph and Mary got all their stuff packed and went to Bethlehem for the taxes. And they needed a place to stay. So they searched, like, all Bethlehem. But then they found a man that said there was a stable. So there in a manger, er, a feeding trough, I guess, baby Jesus was born.

 And on the hill there were shepherds tending their flocks by night and behold an angel came to them and told them do not be afraid for baby Jesus was born and this will be a  clue to you-he was wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. Then a multitude of angels began to sing glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace and goodwill. And so they went and seen baby Jesus and then they went and traveled everywhere telling about the good news, right?

And in the east three wise men were following a star to see God's king, er, to see baby Jesus. And when he was about two or three years old they got there and presented their gifts to him. But then they went away really fast because Herod was wanting to kill baby Jesus. Fortunately he did not kill baby Jesus for a long time.

This was an English assignment done by my nephew.

you can find his mom's post here.

Christmas Cards

Have you mailed your Christmas cards?  Mine went out on Saturday - finally.

I started out so strong.  I had them printed and stapled and halfway hand-stamped back at Thanksgiving.  Then I got tired of putting 5 stamps on each card and let it slide.

I didn't have pictures taken of the girls yet anyway.

I let the pictures go WAY too long.  My poor photographer.  She probably wishes I was a better friend and didn't let it go so long.  Sigh.

But now they are done, in the mail, on their way to their destinations.  Well, except the 2 that I really felt like I needed to add letters to.  I'm terrible at writing letters:(

So do you send Christmas cards?  Or do you wait till Easter to send cards like my sister does?

Or do you just opt out completely?!!  I'm considering that option - every year I think about that one I think.  Then the cards and pictures start rolling in and I remember why I send them.  I love getting updates from so many of my friends I seldom see.

The Reason for the Season

The French Seam ~ Fabric Store

The beginning of November Travis and I went on a couples shopping trip for a weekend.  This year we went to Indianapolis.  I think I blogged about some of the stuff I bought.  But I never got around to blogging the best shopping spot we stopped at!  Well, the best to me anyway!!

It was a fabric store called 'The French Seam'.  Way cool name for a fabric shop:)

One of my purchases was this absolutely delightful laminated fabric. 

Don't know for sure what I am going to do with it but it seemed like a great fabric to have laying around for when inspiration hit.

This piece is 90% wool.  I normally don't EVER wear wool.  It itches.  A LOT!

But this piece is super high end wool.  (The price tag proved it!)

I just could not leave it there.  I actually just made this into a skirt yesterday.  And I plan to wear it to church tomorrow.  It's a little more of a green/yellow than it looks here.  It sort of changes with the lighting.  I made it short - EEEEEEK!  Well, short for me.  It's still below my knee so technically not a short skirt.  But a GREAT friend of mine has been telling me for years that tights are a good thing.  I didn't believe her.  I finally gave in and tried them because not all of my clothes this fall/winter are to my ankles.  Thus, I NEEDED tights.  And my friend was right.  I was wrong.  I love those things:)

So I will be sporting a whole new look for me.  I hope it's a good thing.

(pics of the skirt will be coming sometime soon.)

Another piece of laminated fabric that was marked down a little.  I can't get enough of the laminated stuff:)

Amy Butler's new line of fabric is called 'Lark'. 

As soon as I saw that I knew I had to buy a piece from the line for Middle Sister.

This is the one The French Seam carried that I thought looked the most like her.

It will be made for spring.  Hopefully.

And this lovely linen ribbon.  Pricey.  But Oh so fun!

If you are going to be in the Indy area make this shop a stop on your list. 

The link will take you to a website listing their store address and hours.

GPS will get you there! 

C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S

When I was but a youngster, Christmas meant one thing,

That I'd be getting lots of toys that day.

I learned a whole lot different, when Mother set me down,

And taught me to spell Christmas this way:

C is for the Christ child, born upon that day,

H for herald angels in the night.

R's for our Redeemer,

I means Israel,

S is for the star that shone so bright.

T is for three wise men, they who traveled far,

M is for the manger where He lay.

A's for all He stands for,

S means shepherds came,

And that's why there's a Christmas day!

Another song from my school days!

Peace Carol

The Garment of Life, be it tattered and torn,

The cloak of the soldier is weathered and worn,

But what child is this that was poverty born,

The Peace of Christmas Day.

The branch that bears the bright holly,

The dove that rests in yonder tree,

The Light that shines for all to see

The Peace of Christmas Day.

The Hope that has slumbered for two thousand years,

The Promise that silenced a thousand fears,

A Faith that can hobble an ocean of tears,

The Peace of Christmas Day.

The branch that bears the bright holly,

The dove that rests in yonder tree,

The Light that shines for all to see,

The Peace of Christmas Day.

Add all the grief that people may bear,

Total the strife and the trouble and care,

Put them in columns and leave them right there,

The Peace of Christmas Day.

The branch that bears the bright holly,

The dove that rests in yonder tree,

The Light that shines for all to see,

The Peace of Christmas Day.

This was one of my favorite songs from all the Christmas programs I was in at the school I attended.  It's a little abstract, a little quirky, and I love that about it.  I also really like the melody - sorry I can't share that with you here.  I can't find much about this song online.  Don't know who wrote it.  Just know that I like it:)

As the Angel said: 'Peace on Earth, Goodwill towards men'

Cutest Little 3 Year Old Around

 She was so excited! 

When we arrived she came running for my girls yelling "My best friend!"

(I think she said that to everyone.)

She really has an aversion to the camera so you KNOW she was excited about having a birthday party because we got her to smile.

Then she started giggling.  AND she thinks she's 15.  She's a ton of fun and says the most hilarious stuff.  Everyone around here thinks she's the best!

Helping a Friend

I love decorating my house.  And I especially love decorating for Christmas! 

This year I had the privilege of helping a friend dec out her home.  ( I actually had the privilege of helping more than one friend but I only got pics of this one)

The first thing we decided was that the wall above her fireplace needed a new paint color.

She was the one who mentioned painting it.  I just encouraged her to do it:)

The insiration for the color was this cute little end table.  She painted this for her photography studio so she had the paint.  Why not add a pop of color?!  It's only paint and a very small wall.  It can be repainted when she gets tired of it:)

So while she spent about 10 minutes painting the wall I worked in her basement.

This table you see as you walk down the steps. 

Basement sideboard.

Shelf in the basement kitchen.

And the finished mantle.  She added lights later since I had used all the working ones in the basement.  It looks darling all lit up now!

Centerpiece for dining room table. I just love this!  Might have something to do with the fact that it' white?!  She had made the paper ornaments.  I just love them:)

Cupboard in living room.

She had made this banner too and I thought we had to use it somewhere.  I really like it here.

Another cupboard in the living room.

(excuse the poor photos.  still no new camera.  add that to the list santa.)

Beautiful Nativity

Inside of Cupboard

This was one of my favorite spots!  So fun.

I adore Willow Tree Nativities. 

Cupboard in the kitchen.  Wish I'd have got some close-ups of some of the stuff inside.  It is really cute.  See the adorable puppy on the top shelf?  That's my kind of animal - no mess, no fuss!:)

And another paper ornament that she had made.  We added the cute vintage ornament to it with hot glue.  We set the large pear in her kitchen bay window.  It looks fabulous:)

It's fun to work with other peoples stuff and make their house look festive!

Worshipping at the Manger

We worship Him in a manger because we know we can worship Him as a 12 year old lad who astonished doctors and lawyers with His questions and answers. We worship Him in a manger because we know we can worship Him as a young minister who did and spoke things as no other man ever spoke or did. We worship Him in a manger because we know we can bow before Him on a rugged cross where we are ashamed because His suffering and shame were ours. We worship Him in a manger because we know we can worship Him victoriously standing outside His opened tomb. We worship Him in a manger because we know we can worship Him 24/7 on His throne right beside His Father's throne.

                                                                                         -by PJK (that would be my Dad)

Decor

Our tree.  $16 from Meijer.  The only one I found that didn't have cheesy ornaments already on it.  And while I knew I could take them off it seemed silly to be paying for them.  So I was very happy to find this one with no ornaments on it.  My girls were delighted to have a tree to decorate!!

I was delighted to find a way to use one of my new urns.  It just seemed so sad to me to have them tucked away unseen till spring.

The white cupboard just doesn't work very well in the living room anymore now that we have the piano.  But I haven't found a way to get rid of it yet.  Anyone interested?  I'd sell if for what I paid for it - $90.  I love it and I hate to give up the display I have with it but it just isn't working.  I've got an idea that will work - once I find a new home for this one!

Fontanini.  Love.

Boxwood starts.  These have been so fun to decorate with!  Have to water them but it's worth the effort:)

Notice my couch in the background!!!  I FINALLY got it slip covered and I'm liking the look of my living room much better.  It's much easier to put up with the cupboard that doesn't really fit - till I find it a new home!

Painted branches.

I found this Baby Jesus at The Little Shop in Verona.

The cool tinsel was from Target this year.  If they still have it get some.  It's worth it!

The ironstone bowl I found at Betty's Antiques.  I was rather excited about it!

White ornaments were also found at The Little Shop in Verona.

The weekend of their Christmas Walk Open House was a VERY productive shopping trip for me!

26 inch wreath made by 'Consider the Lilies'.

She does the most beautiful work and her prices are unbelievably reasonable!

'David' found a new spot for the holidays.  He never complains about being moved around.

Brooding and silent, he's quite the catch!

My living room now.  I want to reupholster the chair to the right.  And eventually reupholster the couch.  For now it's SO much better.  And it's so long!  Wonderful for naps - not that I ever take one of course.

Vintage church and clear ornaments stuffed with shredded antique sheet music.

Metal Nativity from the days of  'The Clay Pot'.

I really miss that shop!

Tiny trees.  I love trees!

White Nativity.  I got this one for my birthday back in May - from my Mom.

We found it after Christmas last year on sale.  Glad we got it!!  Thanks, Mom:)

Bowl full of cute ornaments.

'In the Cross of Christ I Glory!!'

Another shot of Baby Jesus.  Just 'cause He's so cute!

Porcelain white flower candle holder that's never held a candle.

My stairway.  I've missed having something hung on it.  But garlands are kind of a mess and I haven't done them for a few years.  This year I've gone all out with the burlap stuff!  It's been so fun.  It drapes and molds, and tucks, and folds, and is just so cooperative!  LOVE!

I made some ornaments earlier in November out of old music paper, crafting paper, and old maps.  It was too early to decorate for Christmas at the time but I was in the mood so I made ornaments.  I didn't end up using very many of them myself, but I took some of them to a friend when I helped decorate her house.  I'll share some pics of that sometime soon too.

My cupboard in my sewing/craft/school/computer room that holds crafty stuff got straightened and then got a few added Christmasy touches.  Nothing fancy but it was kind of fun.

A little quirky but I like it:)

Shelves in my sewing/school/craft/computer room.  These were about the last thing to get decked out so they kind of got the leftovers.  But I worked on it for awhile and I like it.

So do YOU decorate for Christmas? If you didn't notice I kind of enjoy it:)  I got to help 2 friends decorate their houses this year, helped decorate our church sanctuary, and am planning to help another friend next week.  Want help?  Give me a call!