End Of Year.....New Beginning.

Well we are about to close the door on another year. And in doing so we get to turn the page andstart a new chapter in this book of life. 2014 had its good times and its bad. Happy and sad will always be a part of any year. But let us embrace this New Year and do all that we can to enjoy all the happiness thats in it. 

I hope I will grow to a deeper understanding in my knowledge of the Lord. And will allow myself each day to be a willing vessel to be used as he sees fit.

May all of you have a safe a healthy New Year!

The Best Gift

Merry Christmas! I hope everyone enjoys the day spent exactly how you like it.

As this year has progressed I have been giving great thought to things in my life, both past and present. Sorting through those things that have been stored in my brain for future use. You know what I mean? Like you learned something, but did not need it at the time so it was stored away till the need arises to use it! It seems when I do this that as I realize something it seems like, ( oh I knew that!)

Well I know people always say it is better to give than to receive. But how many really believe that? I truly love to give gifts. It is the greatest! But no matter how thrifty I am, I can in no way, shape or form buy or even make a gift for everyone I would like to gift to. But this all got me to thinking and the lightbulb went on! 

As a believer I know that the greatest gift of all was Gods gift to us. The miracle of the " virgin birth" and what it means. So I did not have to look far this year to remember that the best gift to give was the gift of Jesus. I have shared at every possible opportunity and have received a blessing in one way or another each time I did. 

Christmas is so commercialized and everywhere you look you see parents buying gifts and running to make sure they can put their child on Santa's knee. But I wonder how many slow down and tell those sweet little ones about Jesus?

I hope everyone has a blessed day with family and friends. And just in case you are wondering or would like to share with those around you today, you can get the "rest of the story" in Luke 2:1-20.

Weekend review and Weekly Menus

Well this weekend was a bust! 

I had big plans like getting all the Christmas decor finished and the gifts organized and wrapped. I even had a Holiday Craft Show I wanted to attend. Well here is what actually got done.

Nothing!!

The stomach bug joined me for the weekend and my plans went out the window. So here it is Monday morning and I am trying to regroup and get back on track as soon as possible. Still need to organize the Christmas gifts and maybe get started on the wrapping by tomorrow. Christmas decor is coming along slow but sure. I am not doing a lot this year but it seems like it takes me longer each year to put up half what I used to do! 

Last weeks menus kinda got derailed since I did not eat anything from Thursday nights dinner till Sunday afternoon. So yesterdays dinner was the veggie pizza from fridays menu and I will move the steaks to this week.

Monday........chicken/sausage stew with a good crusty sourdough bread

Tuesday.......homemade waffles, turkey bacon and blueberries from my freezer.

Wednesday.........chopped salad, grilled chicken breast and grilled carrots and onions

Thursday........left over stew from monday and grilled cheese sandwiches from the sourdough

Friday...........grilled ribeyes, baked potatoes and chopped salad

Saturday..........Christmas Movie Night! Small cheese ball/whole grain crackers, cut up veggies and dip, homemade kettle corn and a few flourless oatmeal cookies with cranberries.

Sunday......not sure yet.......maybe joining friends for dinner.

So what is everyone else doing for the week? Do you have special nights during the holidays where you maybe don't cook a real meal? If you do please share as it is only dh and I at home now and I am trying to kick in some new traditions so the holidays won't seem so empty.

Weekend Review and Trying To Get In The Spirit

Well this was a busy weekend around here. I am sure everyone had that same experience. Yesterday was a bit more relaxing as we shared dinner with my son and his wife. And I got some baby holding time. It was a joy to have them visit.

I still have not put any holiday decorations up in or around the house. But I am trying to get motivated. I went the other day and got my nails done and here is the end result.

Today is also the "Changing Of The Mug". This mug ought to serve me well through December.

 Wow!! Did I just say that? December, D-e-c-e-m-b-e-r!! It really does not seem as if we are into the last month of the year. The 12th month that is. Boy did this year fly by. 

Menus for dinner this week are as follows:

Monday......leftovers from yesterday's "Low Boil" 

Tuesday........cabbage soup

Wednesday.......baked ziti with veggies and chopped salad

Thursday......leftover cabbage soup and grilled cheese on homemade beer bread

Friday.........homemade veggie pizza and a salad

Saturday......haven't made up my mind yet

Sunday........grilled ribeye steaks, baked potatoes, salad

I hope all of you are having a good holiday season and will share some of whats going on in your neck of the woods with me.

Weekend Banter And Menus

It warmed up so much this past weekend that the heat was turned off and the windows and doors were opened. I felt like I needed to let all the germies blow out the windows! The sun was shining bright until late sunday afternoon so the dogs were chasing the sun rays around the house to lounge in and enjoy. Overnight rains brought back the warm temps today along with some extreme wind gusts. But no matter what, it is all better than last weeks frigid cold February temps........in November! 

Trying to come up with some items for Thanksgiving dinner that the hubs can eat and enjoy (he is a diabetic) that will not make his numbers go through the roof. So along with the regular fare I am adding a big chopped salad, fried cabbage and a sugar free coconut creme pie. And he of course will have to add some activity other than walking from couch to table and table to couch! Anyone have any other suggestions?

Okay, on with the dinner menus for the week:

Monday..........Shepherds Pie made with my canned venison chunks and a Chopped Salad

Tuesday.........Chopped Salad and Ham & White Bean Soup 

Wednesday.......leftovers to clean out the fridge for Thanksgiving.

Thursday......Turkey, Dressing, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Sweet Potatoes, Fried Cabbage, Green Beans, Chopped Salad, Deviled Eggs, Rolls, SF Coconut Cream Pie, Tea

Friday.........Chopped Salad and E. Fagioli Soup

Saturday......turkey leftover made into something!

Sunday.....not sure yet. Its to far away.

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving. If you are traveling allow some extra time and look out for the other guy. Be safe!

Thankfulness and Thanksgiving Dinner

As the weather starts to get colder. And the sun shines less and less. Sometimes its hard to make ourselves stop and realize the thankfulness that is in our hearts. But it is no less important for us to do. So I try to make myself pause and actually write them down when I get in this kinda spot.

I am thankful for the health of my family. 

All of my grandchildren.

I am thankful for deer meat that I canned this week.

A home that keeps us warm and dry.

A husband that loves me.

I am thankful for a daughter-in-law that loves my son and is a wonderful mother to my granddaughter.

I am also thankful for the sunshine when it pops through the clouds, even though it is 20 degrees outside.

The weekend ahead is a full one, making lists to prepare for Thanksgiving and then Christmas beyond. It seems I must have a list for everything anymore. That has just manifested itself in the last few years, but I try to ride with the tide on it so I can stay organized. (a bit, at least!)

So tell me what is that one dish that must be on your Thanksgiving table? Now don't bomb out here and tell me turkey! I know all about the turkey. I want to know about that special side dish or salad or maybe a dessert that your mom or grandma always made and it just wouldn't be Thanksgiving without it. I can't wait to read the comments and see what special items I have been missing.

What Are You Making For Christmas

Every year I think of all the things I want to make for christmas gifts and every year the time catches me and I end up buying alternatives.

Well I have done better this year at making a few items, so far at least. I have worked on some handmade dish towels and dishcloths. 

I have made a couple of sets of wrist warmers and I want to make boot cuffs to match them.

As well as some hair flowers/bows for my darling little granddaughter. She is the sweetest thing on earth!

I know thats not much but it is better than years past. And I still have some time left to work on a few other things.

So what are you working on for gifts? Or what do you hope to get around to making? 

A Knock At The Door

Well there was a knock on the door and when I opened it this morning there was "ole man winter". It is cold, rainy and windy and they are calling for snow. Low tonight is in the teens. So I would say winter is here!!

This just might help me stay home and get some things completed that have been on the list for awhile. It seems that list gets longer and longer even though I mark several things a day off of it.(shaking head)

Yesterday I baked a loaf of Beer Bread and will use it with dinner tonight. We are having a big chopped salad and a grilled cheese and bbq venison sandwich. I call them "Bambi Sammies". And that is about as organic as you can get.

Here is my menu for the week:

Monday..........chopped salad, Bambi Sammies

Tuesday.........homemade pizza, salad

Wednesday.........chopped salad, spaghetti, garlic bread and fresh apple cake

(taking this to my dads to share dinner with them) 

Thursday.........chicken corn chowder and cornbread

Friday..........cabbage, kielbasa, onion and peppers and corn bread

Saturday.........a big pot of veggie soup. 

So what is on your menu this week?

Monday Morning

This is a beautiful morning. A bit chilly at 39* but beautiful anyway.

Lots of things going on around here, trying to get housework done and finish up outside things before a cold snap hits us this week. I am not wanting to put away all the porch furniture, in hopes of a decent day every now and then.

I have these listed in my etsy shop and they are starting to take off.

 

Shop here

There is a limited supply this year so shop early! I also have some other ornaments that will be hitting my shop in a few days. So stay tuned in for those. 

Most of the trees are now bare of leaves. So that means a never ending battle to keep up with mulching the leaves as they fall. Maybe one more time will do it!

I found turkeys this week at WM for 88 cents a pound. So I need to get some things used up in my freezer so I can fit one in there.

What things are you doing to get ready for the winter ahead?

Changing of the Mug

Well its November and time to change the mug.

It is chilly here in Virginia this morning. So this is what we did.

So I see on the news where several of you have snow. Check in and let me know where you are and what your weather is like.

Hump Day!

Wednesday is the middle of the week. But to me it screams " you are running out of time"! I completed a few more items yesterday and got several more to the final stages.

Today is a beautiful day so far. So my energy level is up and my creative juices are flowing. What more could a girl ask for? Perhaps several more hours in the day or days in the week? I really got to get back to it.

Don't forget my show this weekend is in Chillocothe OH at the Ross County Fair Grounds. So if you live in the area or want to travel for a day trip, stop in and see what all is being offered. And say hello, I would love to meet each and every one of you.

Busy with This and that

Got alot going on around here this week. I am attempting to complete as much as possible to take to a show that I am leavong for on friday. It is at the fairgrounds in Ross County Ohio. So if you are in the area stop by and see me, I will be in the floral building. Here is a few pieces I have completed.

I am working on a few more items today so more pictures to follow.

It has been chilly here at night, with a pretty hard frost saturday night.lots of rain has been falling from the sky so it is sage to say that Fall is here and winter is on its way.

I love your comments and I read everyone of them. So don't forget to say hello.

Inspiration and Creativity

We wake up in the morning and as we move through our day we look, we see the things all around us. Sometimes we take these things for granted, almost not even seeing them. 

As a creative soul I sometimes think I see things that some never notice. For instance I will be outside hiking with a friend and when the hike is over and we begin to reflect on all we saw around us on the hike, I will remember everything that she points out that she saw. But no matter what I bring up she will say, I didn't see that.

But one thing we can all agree on is that inspiration is all around us. We just have to open our eyes to it. And sometimes we find it when we are not looking for it, in the simplest of places. I was over at "What I Made Today" and found the cutest little spirit pouches. Rose does some lovely work and is always eager to share so I am sure she won't mind me sharing her with all of you! Check it out Here!

See how cute they are!

And since I got excited about these little cuties I had to try my hand at making one. I am sure they are not just like the ones Rose made but they will hold my cell phone, credit card, drivers license and some cash. So beware inspiration is everywhere!

And I find these to be just like potato chips, I just couldn't stop at 1!

So be on the lookout, you never know when inspiration will strike.

Changing The Mug----Enter to Win

Very crisp out this morning, but I am still having my morning coffee on the porch. I did change my mug yesterday though.

I like to change it with the seasons and so the jack-o-lantern was perfet for this month.

I am working on abit of crocheting when I sit down. But since I don't do much of that I need projects that are quick! And with a show coming up this weekend this little item was perfect to occupy my small tidbits of porch time. I will post more about the finished projects later.

Until about 3 months ago I was the proud owner of a stupid phone. And I also did not understand the need to upgrade. Well fast forward to now..........and lets just say, why on earth did I wait so long! It gives me so much more freedom. Now I am still "old school" and there by refuse to constantly be "on my phone". Sometime I just unplug and craft or sew or talk to those around me. But I have to admit it has its advantages. One of those advantages are getting to follow some great blogs that I had told myself were to time consuming before my phone came along. Now I don't have to stop what I  am doing and sit at computer. But instead I can check them out where ever I am. 

So while doing just that I came across the blog of a great lady that I belive alot of you would enjoy. And right now she is having a great give away that is sure to make your house smell like fall. So zip on over to Just Looking For A Bargain and visit with Char. Don't forget to sign up!

Need to get moving for now. See you later.

Jacket Required

It was a bit nippy (56) on the deck this morning with my first cup of coffee (and my second!). Not only was a jacket required but also a pair of sweat pants, but I do still have on my flip flops! I just hate giving up the porch time, so a girl does what ever it takes to hang on a bit longer. The sun finally peeked through the morning haze around 10 am. But even now it is still not strong and bright.

This has been a crazy week with car issues and my not being able to attend a show I had scheduled. A dear friend just did not understand that for what ever reason I am home from this show and this is right where God wants me to be. So there is no better place.

This is an item that came off my plate this weekend. I finished it yesterday.

I have another show in 2 weeks and hopefully all the vechile woes woll be over by then. In the mean time I am working to complete several mote items to take along.

Dinner menues for this coming week are as follows.

Monday----a big salad with a salsa chicken quesidilla

Tuesday-----grilled veggies(yellow squash, baby bella mushrooms, bell peppers) and turkey veggie burger grilled w/o a bun.

Wednesday----homemade chili(venison) with chopped fried cabbage added. Don't knock it till you try it!

Thursday------grilled turkey keilbasa with a big salad.

Friday-----homemade veggie pizza

Saturday-----breakfast for dinner. Veggie hash with a small amount of ham chopped for flavor and fried eggs.

Sunday----a big pot of something? Just not sure whats in the pot yet.

Now please tell me whats on your menu this week. 

Sunday Sunrise

I was sitting on the porch this morning with my first cup of coffee. Waiting for the sun to begin it climb. The air was thick with moisture, the leaves on the trees turning upward from the wind and the impending call for rain. I had plans today to get outside and finish up some painting, but those plans have changed.

I have plenty of tasks to achieve inside so I am glad for the change to my plans.

I am trying to slow down in life a bit and this is yet another reminder for me that the good Lord above is still in control.

The leaves are starting to change and fall.

I am noticing my dogs are shedding less as they prepare their coats for the winter ahead.

And I found this outside the other evening.

Now in my "neck of the woods" we take a solid black woolly worm as the sign of a hard winter ahead. Some may view this as an old wives tale, but I have seen them a dark caramel color and the winters were mild. So I am just sayin'.........!

Shorter days and cooler nights are also a reminder of his control and not ours. I am thankful for these signs. It allows me a certain peace of knowing I can let go and let God have the reins.

September......ain't it great!

September has got to be the greatest month, after all I was born in September! But seriously, I wake up to upper 50's every morning. Which means the heat pump is turned off and getting a much needed rest after all the heat of the summer.

The sun shines so pretty and adds warmth as the day gets along.

The humidity is low, low, low. And there seems to always be a slight breeze.

With the change  in weather, the grass is not growing as fast and once a week mowings is all it takes to keep up.

Things just seem to slow down a bit and that makes it easier to slow down myself. Although I can always find plenty to do, it seems like less pressure to "hurry up" with each task.

I also love being able to spend more time outside than I could on the heat of summer.

I also love all the fall festivals, some I just like to attend. But a few I actually sell at. I have one next weekend and I have been finishing up some little things to help fill tables. Here is what I finished yestetday.

So how about you, what do you love about fall?

Take a Clue

Sometimes I run around like a chicken with my head cut off! Never getting the list completed and adding more to it with each passing hour of the day. Do you have days like this too?

I am trying to make myself slow down and smell the roses!

Sometimes the Lord sends me gentle reminders to do so. When I saw this I knew exactly what it meant. And I went out on the deck, sat in a chair and propped my feet up for at least 15 minutes! But I really relaxed for the whole time. Well its a start!

Miz Maggie and Lil' Bit don't have to be reminded to seek out the warmth of the sunshine and relax awhile.

Monday Morning

I woke up to 49 degrees this morning with the fog just starting to lift. So a big cup of hot coffee was in order.

So hot coffee with pumpkin spice creamer and....yes I still read the morning paper. Then my morning devotion and I am off and running.

Lots of plans for a Monday, I have a show coming up the last weekend of the month so lots of painting to do to get ready. My show is in Lucasville OH. It will be at the fairgrounds so if you can, stop by and see us.

This is a busy week so I have my menus planned for the week. Breakfast is Greek yogurt with fruit and homemade granola or veggie omelets.

Lunch is always fruit with nuts or whole grain crackers with cheese or nut butters.

Dinners this week are as follows..... Monday-----large chopped salad with homemade BBQ venison chunks.

Tuesday-----chopped salad with home canned cabbage rolls.

Wednesday-----salad with whole grain pasta/home canned sauce

Thursday-----large chopped salad with tuna, cheese and sunflower seeds.

Friday------chopped salad with homemade pizza with a thin sourdough crust and lots of veggies.

Saturday-----dinner with friends.

Sunday-----turkey breast, fresh cooked greens and roasted corn.

Now I really have to get going. One load of laundry is on the line but the second one is about to be ready to hang.

Fall Like Stuff

A trip around my yard this morning revealed more "fall" looking stuff than I really wanted to see. 

I still had to admire the vibrance of the colors.

My grandmother always called this light purple flower " the last bloomer". As it is the last of the summer flowers to start to bloom in my garden. Also notice the spider web in the middle.

This little web has a tunnel right in the middle. See it? It is in the middle of the yard. There were several of them throughout the yard.

As you can see on close inspection, the Four O'Clocks are going to seed. I still like looking at them though. Later this week the temps are going to drop and night times will be in the 50's. So football weather is upon us.

I may not be ready to give up my flip flops. Or my tank tops! And I probably won't! But I will embrace the change and ready myself and my home for what is ahead.

So tell me what signs of fall are you seeing?

Relax and Create

Being at the beach is relaxing in itself.

Enjoying time with family is alway a good thing.

But we had to mix the two with some creative time. This is what my SIL and I did one afternoon.

This is what I made with one of my painted rocks.

Happy Labor Day Weekend

This is the last weekend of the season, a chance to relax and do what you want. I am spending it on the beach. What ever you decide to do, be save and happy.

Color Around Me

This time of year color is everywhere. It always amazes me at how many shades of green there are all around us.

Have you ever thought how lucky we are that our world is not black and white?

Here are some of the colors I am seeing in my world.

So Much To Be Thankful For

As I watched the sunrise this morning. I was reflevting on all the things I was thankful for. Here are a few. 

I am thankful for the gift of sight to be able to see the beauty that is around me.

I was thankful to have traveled safely to the beach with some of those I love.

The cooler weather this morning was truly a blessing.

I am thankful for my health and the good health of those I love.

I am thankful all the things around me this week thay allow me to exercise.