Merry Christmas!!!!

"Whatever else be lost among the years, let us keep Christmas still a shining thing. Whatever doubts assail us, or what fears, let us hold close one day, remembering its poignant meaning for the hearts of men. Let us get back our childlike faith again."
~ Grace Noll Crowell



Remembering the true Reason for the Season, and why He came!

I hope each of you has a blessed Christmas day!!

Days of Christmas 2010: Day Twenty-two

Do they still make wooden Christmas Trees?

Charles Schulz

Linus Van Pelt in Peanuts.

  

Last year a friend gave me a sweet gift of a little potted Christmas tree. I loved having it in my kitchen!! Unfortunately, it didn't quite survive for this Christmas. I was looking forward to seeing how it grew each year, but I guess I kept the roots too wet. Oh. well... I still thought it was kindof funny.... I make even Charlie Brown's tree look good!! 

Source

At least his was green!! :)

Days of Christmas 2010: Day Twenty and Twenty-one

My idea of Christmas,

whether old-fashioned or modern,

is very simple:

loving others.

Come to think of it,

why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?

~Bob Hope~

Yes, I'm combining two days... is that cheating? :) But both things I want to share are in the same spot! :)

I love it that my Christmas card wreath is filling out so beautifully! I love getting cards this time of year! (Well, I like getting cards any time of year, really. Christmas just makes it more special!) :)

I love my Christmas apron! It is so simple, but so sweet! Can you see the embroidered tree? I love that it was handmade. I don't know who made it... I got it at our favorite sale! :)

Christmas Blessing

Into my heart,
Into my heart,
Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.
Come in today,
Come in to stay,
Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.

We had our children's Christmas program this morning. After the kids sang the song above, they gathered around the manger. I'm so glad they know the real reason for Christmas!!

I hope each of you has a blessed Christmas Sunday!

Days of Christmas 2010: Day Eighteen

"If there is no joyous way to give a festive gift, give love away."

Author Unknown

Today I hosted our Sunday School Christmas party. We had seven little kiddos and 4 adults - a nice balance, don't you think? :) They had a blast coloring ornaments, eating pizza, decorating cookies and playing with all my fun toys. (Most of them are from when I was a kid. Isn't it amazing that those toys have the same appeal?  ...ok. maybe I'm not THAT old yet, but you know. Toys are a lot different than they were twenty-something years ago!) :)

The cups on the table say "Happy birthday, Jesus!" (Thank you, Hobby Lobby!!) They loved them! and we sang "Happy Birthday" to Jesus before we prayed for our food. :)

I loved seeing my family room living up to it's name. Most of the time it sits vacant....

You know, it's kind of a mess, but I wish it were that way a little more regularly!

Days of Christmas 2010: Day Seventeen

"When we recall Christmas past,

we usually find that the simplest things

- not the great occasions -

give off the greatest glow of happiness."

Bob Hope

Friday, Mom, Angie and I went to my Mother-in-law's annual Christmas tea. We had such a wonderful time. She works so hard and puts everything together so beautifully!

Finished Object Friday

This Finished Object Friday is mostly for fun! :)  Of course, I'm not sharing my Christmas projects yet!

So... what do you do with a perfectly good pumpkin after you have put away all your fall decor?
Why spray paint it, of course!

Actually, I got this idea from my Dad's Uncle Bobby, who spray painted their pumpkins red and green one year. I thought it was a fun idea and I happened to have some red spray paint! :)  I painted the stem gold and now I have an oversized ornament on my front porch. It makes me smile! :)

So it's your turn to share! Maybe you can share something Christmassy too! :)

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1. Bubble magnets 2. Paper ornaments 3. Finished Felt Flower 4. Winter Wreath

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Days of Christmas 2010: Day Fifteen

"Caroling, caroling through the snow. 

Christmas bells are ringing.

Joyous voices sweet and clear, 

sing the sad of heart to cheer."

Tonight was our annual Christmas caroling! We had fun singing to different people, and I think they enjoyed it! :) And you may remember this house from last year. It was once again beautifully decorated! :)

Days of Christmas 2010: Day Fourteen

The joy of brightening other lives,

bearing each other's burdens, 

easing other's loads 

and supplanting empty hearts and lives with generous gifts 

becomes for us the magic of Christmas. 

- W. C. Jones

 

I got a special Christmas box in the mail today... since it had no "Do not open until Christmas!" tags on it... I opened it! :) Thanks, Melissa!! Everything is so cute - and the chocolate sooo yummy! :) I'll be using the mug for my coffee in the morning! :)

Days of Christmas 2010: Day Thirteen

Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories 

and love of kindred, 

and we are better throughout the year for having,

in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.

~Laura Ingalls Wilder

 

My Uncle Bill reading to his grandkids. We got little B that book for Christmas... I think she liked it!! :) 

Christmas Blessing

Away in a manger, no crib for his bed

The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head

The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay

The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,

But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.

I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky

And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay

Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.

Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,

And take us to heaven, to live with Thee there.

I brought my little manger scene (remember it?) to our family Christmas dinner. It was a hit with the little ones! They played and played with it. It's so fun to see them enjoying such a wonderful scene. :) 

Days of Christmas 2010: Day Eleven

"The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree:

the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other."

Burton Hillis

We had our annual family Christmas dinner today. It was so nice to be able to visit with everyone. Such a wonderful tradition in my Dad's family - we would hate to miss out. Please pray for my Dad's Aunt Peggy. She an her husband, Uncle Bobby, almost always host the annual dinner, but she has recently been diagnosed with cancer. We sure missed them today! But we are praying for a quick recovery!

Days of Christmas 2010: Day Ten

Love came down at Christmas,

Love all lovely, Love Divine;

Love was born at Christmas;

Star and angels gave the sign.

~Christina Rossetti

Today was a busy day at home for me. I finally finished up my outside decor! :) 

Days of Christmas 2010: Day Nine

"It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air."

W. T. Ellis

I had a quick checkup at my doctor's office earlier this week. I loved how they used what they had for Christmas tree ornaments! :)  Especially the sign at the top... :) (In case you can't read it - fuzzy picture... it says "No Coffee... No Workee!")  :)

Days of Christmas 2010: Day Eight

It is good to be children sometimes, 

and never better than at Christmas 

when its mighty Founder was a child Himself.

~Charles Dickens

Tonight we took our Sunday School kids to see a local living nativity (and Bethlehem recreation). They loved it! Their favorite part was the nativity itself and the youngest also loved the "Sheep!"  :) It is so wonderful to help someone understand the true meaning of the season for the first time!

(thanks to Angie for sharing her picture for my blog!!)  :)

Days of Christmas 2010: Day Seven

"Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree.In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall."

Larry Wilde

This one is only about 4 1/2 feet, but it sure is fun! It is my "new" tree, CocaCola themed! And it's in our family room, of course! :)  I love it!! :)

Christmas 2010

Gorgeous White Ribbon Christmas 5x7 folded card

Make a statement with Shutterfly Christmas photo cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

Days of Christmas 2010: Day Six

Christmas crafting... unfortunately  the seam ripper WILL be playing an important part in this project! (Why can't I "accidentally" do it the right way? It's theoretically just as easy, right?  :)

Christmas Blessing

Wrapped was the world in slumber deep,
By seaward valley and cedarn steep,
And bright and blest were the dreams of its sleep;
All the hours of that wonderful night-tide through

The stars outblossomed in fields of blue,
A heavenly chaplet, to diadem
The King in the manger of Bethlehem.

Out on the hills the shepherds lay,
Wakeful, that never a lamb might stray,
Humble and clean of heart were they;
Thus it was given them to hear
Marvellous harpings strange and clear,
Thus it was given them to see
The heralds of the nativity.

In the dim-lit stable the mother mild
Looked with holy eyes on her child,
Cradled him close to her heart and smiled;
Kingly purple nor crown had he,
Never a trapping of royalty;
But Mary saw that the baby's head
With a slender nimbus was garlanded.

Speechless her joy as she watched him there,
Forgetful of pain and grief and care,
And every thought in her soul was a prayer;
While under the dome of the desert sky
The Kings of the East from afar drew nigh,
And the great white star that was guide to them
Kept ward o'er the manger of Bethlehem. 

The Christmas Night
by Lucy Maud Montgomery
 

Days of Christmas 2010: Day Four

The joy of brightening a child's heart 
creates the magic of Christmas.

--W. C. Jones

Christmas Gifts 101: How to know you have found just the right present

Faces like these:

Check and check... Love it!! :)

We had our church Christmas dinner today... I think the two youngest girls liked their gifts, don't you? :) 

Days of Christmas 2010: Day Three

May the echo of the teacups' message be heard

not only at Christmas,

not only on special occasions,

but anytime friends come together.

~ Emilie Barnes  - A Cozy Christmas Tea

My teacart got a new look for Christmas! I love this line from Dayspring and I knew it would be perfect for here. :)

Finished Object Friday

I love making these ornaments! These pictured (not the solid red - the others...) are actually from three years ago, I think.  (Wow! Really? THREE years... I guess they lasted longer than I thought they would - the trick is storing them in the house, vs. in our hot shed.)

Here's how:
You buy the plain ornaments , these are iridescent, and drip paint along the edge inside, then tap it against your hand. "Divide" the ornament into thirds with your main color and then add the contrast. Continue tapping until the paint coats the inside of the ornament, then turn upside down in a disposable container for at least 24 hours for the paint to drain and dry. (borrowed from my earlier post..)  

You could do them in all sorts of colors - I love adding a bit of silver or gold paint for extra sparkle! It's been so crazy around here, I haven't had time for much crafting... and what I have been doing can't really be posted, at least not until after Christmas!! :) 

but maybe you have something to share?

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1. Nikki (crocheted sweater vest) 2. The Pink Parsonage

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Days of Christmas 2010: Day Two

The perfect Christmas tree? All Christmas trees are perfect!

~Charles N. Barnard

Well, I don't know that this tree is quite perfect, but it is a fun little addition to our kitchen! :)  This is my second of three trees this year.

Days of Christmas 2010: Day One

Christmas is not a time or a season but a state of mind. To cherish peace and good will, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.

~Calvin Coolidge, 1927

Our living room all decked out for Christmas!

I am once again joining Melissa in Days of Christmas. I will be posting a picture every day until Christmas... at least that is the plan! :)  I have really enjoyed this the last couple of years and I hope you will too!! :)