Is it the End or The Beginning?

Kinda like is the cup half full or half empty?

We find ourselves here at the end of one year with another one right around the corner. But we do have some time left to complete those tasks that we had marked for 2013. So what are you trying to get completed before the bell chimes on the end of the year? Now I know that some of you will be determined to get all the Christmas decoration back in the basement/attic. Some may just be spending the week with the kiddos while they are off from school. And still some of you have another get together to host for family before you can call it done.

Well a nasty virus has fell on me and I have taken this as Gods way of saying, be still and listen. So I have had plenty of time to listen. And what I have decided is....... I have been moving at much faster pace with much to much on my plate in these last few weeks. So as I am resting and trying to heal I am pondering how I am suppose to approach 2014. You see we all have an entire year stretched out in front of us. 365 days waiting to be filled with adventures, experiences, a million tiny moments to be savored. Wow, what possibilities! I want to hold on tight and make this the best and biggest year ever. But then I also want to hold it loose enough to allow his will to unfold in my life. I want to do my part, but in such a way as to allow him to do his. That is when I know my year will be perfect. So I have been spending a lot of time in prayer and thinking about what he wants from me and not just what I want to do. After all, what I want most of all is to be in his will and do it his way.

So how do you approach life with a new year stretched out before you? What changes will you make from last year? Maybe not any changes, just keep right on truckin' just like before? I am sure there will be some changes on my end so more on that to come. Share with us and let us hear about your plan.

Happy New Year to you all!

Merry Christmas

Wishing all of you a wonderful and relaxing Christmas as you spend the day with friends and family.

Hoping that you remember all the ways you were blessed in 2013 and that it was all because of this.

Be safe my friends.

Traditions

All of us have Christmas traditions. Maybe it is making special ornaments or cookies with the kids.

Or setting up the nativity and sharing the story of the birth of Jesus.

Perhaps it is touring the neighborhood to see all the lights.

To some families the most remembered tradition revolve around the dinner table, candy yams, pecan pie or maybe just those wonderful mashed potatoes that bring us comfort and joy!

So we all agree that traditions are a big part of the holidays. If you have small children then you know what I am talking about. Maybe your children have grown and are married with families of their own. If that is the case then the traditions in your home have changed over the years. Perhaps after the birds flew the nest you found yourself struggling with the holidays and what you could do to enjoy them. 

Well as years go by and children grow up things just change. No one said it was easy, but then no one said it was this hard either. But one tradition that we have always hung on to thru the years is the reading of the Christmas story. My husband and I gather together and read it and then talk about what it means to us. This is something we did when our children was home as well. So a family tradition that still goes on.

We are even thinking of starting a new Christmas tradition, just the 2 of us..........more on that later!

So what kind of tradition do you have or did you have? Tell me how your family traditions have changed over the years. What is your favorite tradition of all?

Its Time To Fall Back

November 2, 2013

The days are getting shorter as daylight comes later and dark comes earlier. 

But tonight at 2am. we will set our clocks back. 

Now in the past this has not effected me in the least but some say it throws the sleeping off for weeks. Does it effect you? If so, how?

I guess we will all know those who forget to set the clocks back tonight. They are the ones that will get to church an hour early in the morning! Don't let that be you!

I Am In A Magaizine

I got the most wonderful surprise!

It is so very pretty and I am sure I will spend many hours

 sitting with a warm cuppa coffee

as to enjoy each page to the fullest.

What makes this even better is that my etsy shop is featured with such beautiful and lovely wedding ideas. The folks at WV Weddings are wonderful people and I thank them from the bottom of my heart.

If you or someone you know is planning a wedding

 this magazine is a must have for sure.

A great Magazine

 There are so many talented Artists from West Virginia included in this issue and I get to be a part of it. WOW!

Also some spectacular weddings from venues all over this beautiful state. 

If you are planning a wedding or even just a trip to West Virginia, it would be worth your while to  take a look at all the beautiful sights in this magazine. The Magazine also gives you directions and connections to all the fun things to do and places to see and stay.

They will also help you with your check list so no stone goes unturned. So whether you are setting your sights on the perfect wedding or are just a romantic at heart, you will want to grab a copy and sit down with a cup of coffee and enjoy many hours of beautiful photos and terrific ideas!

If you get to see the magazine and wish to find me, just turn to Page 48.

******I was in no way paid to prepare this post. It is just my opinion******

I Been Busy!

Although I have been very busy I am not complaining one bit. My mind can always think of something to do and my hands  are real good at following along. I am still preparing for the  Brown County Fair it is in Georgetown, Ohio and it runs from September 22nd thru the 28th. Lots more to do before time to leave but I am getting excited to go and spend a week with  friends.

I  love "em!

Each set is  slightly different from the others.



These earrings have been fun to work on!



So now that these are completed I am on to the next good item. I love to hear from you all and I read each comment and will do my  best to respond when needed.

So do any of you live close enough to attend the fair? I  would love to meet some of you.

Diamond Teeth Mary Festival

It took place in Huntington WV on August 24th. And I am proud to say I was there. I set up a artisan booth along side many talented artists from in and around Huntington. There was great music all day long as ewll as some wonderful festival food.

I took some photos which I will share with you. But after looking through my pics I realized how many shots I wish I had taken that I did not. But like they say, hindsight is 20/20!! So here are the pics I have. I hope you enjoy them all.

This "Lucy" she is attending shows with me this fall.

These are some of the jewelry pieces I have done recycled  materials.

More of  the jewerly  pieces that are  upcycled. These sell  well  for  men.

One of the booths that brought some  fall decor pieces to sell.

One of  the local photographers that was selling  prints.

I just love the bottle tree!

The  customers did not seem to mind the heat at all.

But the vendors were searching  for shade as the temps soared toward 90 degrees.

So tell me now, do you like going to festivals and art shows? Do you go to look or do you exhibit your wares?  I look forward to hearing all about it!

More Creations!

I  have been staying busy which I am sure is not any different than the rest of you.

I  thought I would just post a few pictures of some more completed items. But then I discovered  that alot of my photos did not turn out. So not as many pictures in this post as I would like but  you will get the idea and I will have more pics for a later post.

So what have all of you been doing to stay busy?



August

August is the 8th month. It is half way through the 3rd quarter.

It marks the end of summer  for some as they start back to school.

It is the beginning of  football  season.

And in my neck of the woods it is  the beginning of cooler weather. A time when at least at night you can open  the windows and allow the  outside in.

I guess one could derive that August means many things to different. Well let me tell you what it means to me.  It is  the time of year that has festivals and shows sneaking up on me. And with several on the book this fall I am now to the point that I am locking myself  in the studio on a daily basis. AND I AM HAVING THE TIME OF MY LIFE!!!!

Here is some of  what I have been up to.



Summer shoes

As most of you know I am not and never will be accused being a fashionista!

I think it is wonderful to see ladies out and about with the outfit and the shoes and the jewelry all matching to a tee. And I do on occasion get dressed that way. Those are the times we are going out to dinner or a movie.

But for everyday chores and running errands. You will find me dressed for comfort. Both  my clothes and my shoes. And I might add that as long as it is above 55 degrees you  will probably find me with my toes out. Thats right! No closed toed shoes for me.

 

These  are what I wear on a daily basis. They are comfortable and I love them.

They are Butelas which are made by Burkenstock. They are form fitting to my feet and I  could and do walk miles a day in them.

Around the house you will find me wearing shorts and a t-shirt or tank top. For errands  or shopping it  would be capris and a top or a skirt and a top. All of which work nicely with my shoes.

But look what I discovered has happened!

Now I am not a sun worshiper and I do not sit in the sun. But from just going about my  daily routine and being out and about. This is what happened!!!

It is a good thing my "dress-up" shoes are made like they are. More on those later on.

So tell me about what your favorite summer shoes are like.

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Disclaimer...........I was not paid to discuss Butela shoes. I like  them,  I wear them and I  blogged  about them! This was my opinion only.

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Sometimes Things Just Strike Us Funny!

So this morning I went out to the mailbox, just like any

other day. Came back in and started thru the mail

(mostly junk). Well while going thru the weekly ads I came

across this and I just had to share it with you. It made me

chuckle!

                                                                             Get It?

Earth Day

Happy Earth Day

Today is the day we need to remember how important all the things in our life are that we take for granted everyday. Things like the trees, water and soil. Where would we be without good soil and water to grow fruits and vegetables? Trees to provide shade, oxygen and soil erosion. It is up to us to take care of the land and all that god has given us.

Do you do your part to reduce your carbon foot print in this world? We all should be aware and do all that we can, if not for ourselves, then for our children and grandkids. Does your household live by the repurpose,recycle and do without way of thinking?  Well I am proud to say that we do, now I am not perfect at it but I make myself stop and think about buying things and if I can make it at home from things in my cupboards or reuse something I already have then that is the way we go.

One way we roll around here is that I make all my cleaning products and laundry detergent. I also do not use my dryer except in extreme weather conditions.You see anytime you go past my house you might just see laundry blowing in the wind. I prefer hanging laundry out, to drying clothes in the dryer. The sheets and towels are wonderful and it saves around $30+ a month on the electric bill. So I recycled/repurposed and came up with a cute way to hold your clothes pins. If you will look closely you will see I even made an adorable clothes hanger to go with it.

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These are for sale here on my blog. They are $10 a piece and shipping will be $2 if you are in the USA (48). Just post in the comments if you are interested and let me know which one you would like. Leave me your email and I will get back to you. It is all first come, first serve.

April 1st, 2013

I just wanted to tell you that today is a special day. You know that pair of jeans in your closet that were alittle snug the last time you had them on? Well go get them out and try again, I bet they fit like a glove today.

And if your vehicle is anything like mine it is your second home and it gets far less cleaning than need be. But today is different today you will find it tidy a nd well swept.

And the best part is that all those yummies that you usually shy away from because of the calorie content and fat grams they contain. Today it won't make a difference, because today all food is devoid of calories and fat. So you can eat any and all of what ever you want. It will do no damage.

April Fool!

Happy Easter

Today is a day of Sunrise services, easter dresses and bonnets galore.

 Some spend the day hunting those eggs that they spent hours coloring yesterday or maybe the plastic eggs that are stuffed with candy and other goodies

.

Every family has their own easter traditions.

 The most important part of my day is taking time to remember that, "He is not there, He is Risen!

Good Friday

I love spring and all the sunshine and freshness it has to offer. We see the daffidils popping up and showing their pretty faces, as well as the pansies with all their bright colors. Everything is starting new after the long cold and wet winter we have had.

It is a time for us to stop and think about what is before us.

But even though all of these things are the things that we see and think of as spring and a new beginning. I know in my heart that the true "new beginning" is because of our Lord.

After all it was Jesus' death, burial and resurrection that allows that new beginning for us. This is something that we could not do for ourselves.  

I fixed it......!

I was having some major problems with blogger......Grrrrrr! it would not allow me to load photos from my picture stash on my own computer. This was not the way I wanted to start out 2013. But  blogger did not ask my opinion! No sirreee!!

Well I just wanted to let you all know that I finally figured out how to go in the backdoor and get a picture loaded. I just hope it works next time I try. Oh well what I am really saying is that I hope I can remember how I did it so I can do it again!!!

But just an idea of what is going on in my neck of the woods. The picture of Ms. Maggie shows our first snow fall of the season, it was taken on October 30, 2012. We thought we were in for a bad winter. Today it reached 62 degrees and the sun was shining bright. I even sat on the porch for a while in the sunshine. But of coarse my camera was dead as a door nail. So know pics of the sunshine. 

But it is good to be back and the camera is charging. So stay tuned for more to come soon!

Need some help please.....

*********I am having a bit of trouble with blogger. When I go to link a photo up to a post it will not allow me the choice of getting a pic from my computer...which is where all my pics are. I use to be able to do this but not now.  Did blogger change something and does anyone know how to work this out? Thanks for any help you might have to give.

2013

I feel like I just need to sit and write that over and over again till I finally "get it".

I remember when I was back in school (yes I can remember that far back!) when I used to have so much trouble at the first of a new year , and was always putting the wrong date on my papers. Then as I got older I was always writing checks and putting the wrong dates on them and then trying to change it so you couldn't tell you had made a mistake! Yeah right! After I had made the change it looked like a big ink blob in the upper right corner. But now in this day and age do you have trouble writing the wrong date anymore?  I really can't think of anything that I put the date on anymore. Everything on the internet date it for us. I haven't written a check in, who knows how long. So it got me to thinking how much things have changed, at least for me. How about you?

Well that is enough of that subject and I just wanted to touch base and let you know that I am really not one for resolutions. But I do believe that if you see something in your life that needs changing then as adults we should change them. You see if god calls something to task in my life, well it doesn't take a new year so why wait for a new year to fix it. I want to be mindful of his hand in my life as I set goals and make plans for each day. Not just because it is the beginning of a new year. 

I wish all of you a great 2013!