A Christmas Prayer for 2013

               A Christmas Prayer for 2013

   If a smile to a weary soul, is all we have to give,
and we give it in the name of the Lord,
that smile becomes a gift.

   Whether our finances are meager or fair,
let's share what we can, and seal it with prayer.

   Our prayer for you this Christmas day, 
is that Christ's love abides in your heart to stay.

Merry Christmas Everyone, Trisha

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas...

9 ft.  Garland

 



   It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around our house.   I've been busy making garlands, wreaths, signs and lots more.  I took advantage of the warm day yesterday and put up my outside decorations.  This is probably the thickest garland I have ever made, measuring around 10 inches through and 9 ft long.

Framed Christmas & White Satin

   I made a few framed Christmas prints, the one at the top is 'White Christmas' in a weathered look frame, the small round one is a 'Joy to the World' printed on cloth and framed in an embroidery hoop, the large one in the center is a burlap trimmed 'Compliments of the Season' the last two were made with downloaded graphics from 'Graphics Fairy', on the wood hanger, I weather painted it, and applied 'JOY' graphics with Mod Podge and used it to hang a hand crocheted collar.  I also made a small white satin tablecloth, and framed a crocheted doilie in another embroidery hoop.

Signs of Christmas


Hope you are having a good week, 
Blessings, Trisha

                                                                                             
   I  had fun making these Christmas signs.
I applied peel and stick letters over black
painted boards and dry brushed them with white
to give them a weathered look. Then I removed
the letters, on some of them I mod podged gold,
and red letters over weathered look boards.

Christmas Should be about Christ

Christmas Nativity

   It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!  I love putting the Nativity out, more than anything else. 

   It just brings me back to remembrance to what Christmas is all about, it's about Christ.

   I am usually right in the middle of all the hustle and bustle of Christmas, but, this year for the first time, I've slowed down and am enjoying just taking everything in stride. 



   What's the rush anyway?  Christmas will come and go before we know it, just like all the Christmas's past. 

   Hope you are not so hurried this year; it's nice to take time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.
   A neighbor just told my husband, he hated Christmas, and then he said, " no I don't hate Christmas, it's just the money you have to spend.  He said he spent $1200.00 yesterday. 

   Christmas shouldn't be about presents, or the money we spend;  it should be about Christ. 

   I recall reading that one Christmas, Michael Landon and his family did an all homemade Christmas.  If they didn't make, it they didn't give it.  I thought what wonderful memories that left his family with, after he was gone. 

   This year, at our daughter's request, we are planning an 'Old Fashioned Christmas,' stringing popcorn for the tree, making popcorn balls, and taffy.  Now, I haven't made taffy since she was a little girl, so that might be a hoot!  However it turns out, it will be fine.  We'll have a good time, anyway. 

Hope you have a Blessed Christmas Season, wherever you are.

Trisha
  
 

Just What I Needed to get Me Started Crafting Again



Inspiration for Crafting

   We've just opened our booth, and it has already given me inspiration to start crafting again.  I've made Christmas wreaths, Christmas Aprons, Tree Skirts, and lots of Large Bows.  Things have been selling quickly, and it is a little hard to keep it stocked.  We were there setting up, and stocking, four days last week, and hope to stock again tomorrow.  We found some great vintage items to add this week.  Hope you are having a Blessed day, wherever you are.
                                Trisha

Kindred Spirits



The Year I Got the Same Gift, I Gave

   Several years ago, I received this book as a Christmas gift from my friend Evelyn.   
   Evelyn was a Southern lady and the epitome of grace.  She worked for the County Estension Service, teaching young women how to become thriving homemakers.  She was also a talented artist, in her own right. 
   Evelyn had been a special friend for many years, and we exchanged Christmas gifts each year.     
   That Christmas, when I gave her, her gift  she started laughing. For a moment I was almost hurt, thinking that she didn't think much of the gift that I had so painstakingly picked out for her. 
   I think she saw the uncertianty in my face and quickly gave my gift to me. 
   I opened it and laughed with her, when I saw it was the 
same book that I had bought for her. 
   She said she always knew we were kindred spirits,
because we thought so much alike.  She said she would
always treasure it, as I have always treasured mine. 
   Evelyn left this life many years ago, but, everytime I look
at this book, I'm reminded of our special friendship.  And,
I thank God for the special people in my life.

The Beauty of Christmas!



What Beauty God hath Bestowed Upon Us!

1.   And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2.   ( And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3.   And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
 4.   And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5.   To be taxed with Mary his espouse wife, being great with child.
6.   And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that should be delivered.
7.   And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8.   And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9.   And, lo the angel of the Lord came upon them. and the glory of the Lord shone round about them:  and they were sore afraid.
10.   And the angel said unto them. Fear not:  for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11.   For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 
12.   And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13.   And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14.   Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15.   And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16.   And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17.   And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18.   And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19.   But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20.   And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
                                                                                                                     Luke 2: 1-20

White Christmas in Kentucky



Fresh Fallen Snow, How Beautiful!

    

     We awoke to a rare and beautiful white Christmas this morning.  It's been a very long time since we've had a white Christmas in Southeast Ky. 

We've got to put out some seed for the birds this morning, before we have Christmas dinner ourselves.

                   Merry Christmas!

Happy Birthday to My Lord!

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           Happy Birthday Jesus!

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Merry Christmas Cards



Christmas Blessings

    Christmas is one of my favorite times of year.  And one of my favorite things about Christmas is seeing and hearing from family and friends.            Many, we do not see or hear from, until we receive a Christmas card in the mail.  It is a special time when we read that they are still doing well. 
    We wish you all the Blessings of Christmas!
   



    If you haven't received the Greatest Christmas Gift ever given to man, we pray that you receive Him into your heart this Christmas. 

Merry Christmas Everyone!

The Greatest Gift, given to Man.



   We received a lot of Christmas cards this year as usual.  All are beautiful, but, some really stand out.  This is one of my favorites, because it is true.

Something to Think About this Christmas.

         My Daughter reminded me yesterday that:  Mary Wrapped the First Christmas Gift.  Not in traditional paper and ribbons, but, in swaddling clothes; and what a Blessed gift it was!

Few Things Prettier than a Holly Tree



Holly Tree Loaded with Bright Red Berries

   Merry Christmas!  Just wanted to share this picture of a Holly Tree, loaded with berries.  We have been blessed to live in an area where we can get out and walk through the woods, and fields, and down to the lake.
    Kentucky is such a pretty state and has beautiful native trees and wildflowers.
    Sounds like we may be in for a White Christmas.  Two more rounds of snow are supposed to be heading our way.  The last round could end up being a Winter Storm.
    Need to make sure we have plenty of Hot Chocolate,  Popcorn, and Movies.  And wood for the cookstove, in case our electricity goes out.

A Christmas Prayer

 



Blessed Holy Season

                                                                             
              My Christmas Prayer

If it by Thy will, O Lord

I would ask a thing or two

Make me mindful of the plight of others

And make me even more like You

May I hear the slightest voice

If ever there be a need

Lead me down the righteous path

And ever my hungry soul, feed

Not just now at Christmas, Lord

     But forever is my Prayer

   And even in the darkest times

    Give me the strength to care                       

The Christmas Light



The Christmas Light

The Christmas Light

There was a Light,  that men could see

It led them to Him, the Babe, a King

Some came from fields, others came from far

Some guided by angels, others followed a Star

There's still a Light to guide the way

Through the Holy Spirit in whom we pray

 So come Dear Friends, from near and far

  Come to Christ The King, Come as you are

                                                        The best Christmas Gift, that has ever been given

                                                  For by His grace, we can be forgiven. 

                                                                              
                                                                                    I hope you like this poem,

                                                                                   I've written for you. 

                                                                                  Merry Christmas!

The Smells of Christmas, Cedar, Pine and Holly

Holly, Cedar and Pine Bowl

   Winter sunshine, and melting snow.  Really got us into the Christmas Spirit today.  It had been too cold to go out and find our usual evergreens to decorate our table, until today.
   The snow still lingered in patches across the fields and some places were slippery.  But, the warm sunshine took a little bite off the cold wind.
   We suited up in insulated coveralls and the like and headed for the woods.  We found the Holly in a fence row in the middle field behind the house, but had to go into the edge of the woods to find the Cedar, we clipped the Pine branches from low limbs on the trees in front of our house.  I put about a quart of water into an amber bowl and placed the evergreens in it.  The smell of Cedar and Pine, the bright red berries on the Holly, and the hot apple cider, and coffee we had, when we got home, all tells me it's beginning to look and smell a lot like Christmas.  The Blessings of Christmas, need not cost a thing.  They've already been provided, if we'd only have it so.

Christmas 1962.......Remember When

   Like so many Kentucky winters before, the cold weather came early and snow blanketed the ground long before Christmas.  The County schools had been closed for weeks and the snow packed mountain roads showed no signs of melting.  Snow blew through cracks in the ceiling and our water froze in the water buckets every night.  Our brothers got up early and built the fires in the heating stove in the living room, and in the wood cookstove in the kitchen.  Strings of shuck beans and dried hot peppers hung from the ceiling in the corner of the kitchen, along with a clean feed sack half full of dried apples; mom was saving for a Christmas stack cake.  We had plenty of water carried up from the spring, so little sister and I could spend the day playing with Walking Dogs, Jimmy Dancers, and our Fox and Geese board.
   Dark came early, so we had a lot of family time in the evenings.  Mom popped dishpans full of popcorn and told us ghost stories.  She put potatoes in the ash pan of the heating stove and shook the grates and let them bake.  She boiled molasses and made popcorn balls and tough jack candy.  We were happy and content with what God had given us.
   It was almost Christmas and the weather was brutally cold.  The clay dirt road that led to the highway had frozen and thawed so many times that it was nearly impassable.  That cold and snowy evening along about dark, a car drove up the half frozen, rutted out dirt road, and pulled into our driveway.  We wondered who could be out driving on roads like this and on a night like this.  It was our older sister and her husband from Ohio.  All the sudden things began to change around the old homeplace.  They drove mom to town and my brothers hurried out and cut down a little pine tree; brought it back and decorated it.  When the others got back from town they were loaded with Christmas presents and goodies.  The next day was Christmas.  The food was good, the presents appreciated, but, what I remember the most about Christmas 1962 was having the family together again for Christmas.

A Front Porch Christmas, and a Holy Mountain Sabbath

  
   What a Blessed Holy Season.  A light snow is falling in Kentucky and all is well.  God's peace surrounds us on this beautiful Sabbath Day.


A Front Porch Christmas, a Beautiful Way to Brighten Someone's Day. 

Welcome to Our Home 

Let Your Light so Shine

                                                                                                                                                  

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify the Father which is in Heaven.

Blessed Christmas Season

  I wish everyone a Hot Apple Cider Christmas!  A good warm fire to sit by, eggnog, apple cider, homemade gingerbread, and family and friends to share it with.  Let's make our Christmas, the best ever!  We've already recieved the best gift that could ever be given. 
  7.    And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swadling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
  8.   And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
  9.   And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them:  and they were sore afraid. 
10.  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord.
                                                                                                                     Luke 2: 7-11