Hint O' Winter

Dixie had quite the adjustment this morning.
She wasn't quite prepared for the change in her landscape.
But we both got our bearings and pursued on to a really nice long walk in the white stuff.
Amazing how a modicum of snow can change the most familiar environment.
While Dixie checked out her 'new' sniffs, I photographed some normal turned magical.

In true Southern Indiana tradition, by the time we returned from our hour walk, most of the snow had melted off.
An amazing benefit of living in southern Indiana; could be a heavy snowfall but in three days, it should be gone! Gotta love that!

So I removed my wet shoes and changed my dampish pants into a serious sewing uniform and headed for the sewing room....

More to follow......

And Now a Word from Our Sponsor...

Just in case you're a little rushed this season.
Just in case you're a little overwhelmed by what needs to get done (Does it really?)
Just in case you think the holidays are the worse time of year for all the stress it produces....

Just stop.

Rethink why you do what you do.
And retool.

Does that thing really need to be done, or do you do it out of habit or expectations (others perceived?)

I have found in my wizened years, that the more I cut out of Christmas, the more enjoyable it became...
I could focus on the giving that I want to do, not what was expected of me....
I found out that Christmas cards were a burden that distracted me from the season and stressed me out and most people threw them away a few days after Christmas. Most cards merely have a signature with a manufactured message.
I stopped doing that years ago.
HUGE relief of self imposed stress....

Then came the big year that our family quit buying gifts for each other...
HUGE.
Simplistic and stress free.
My husband and I started buying things for our children throughout the year, special things that they needed/wanted/mentioned that they loved, and indulged them right then, without waiting for Christmas.
Grand.

No wrapping. No shopping. Just enjoyment of the season and each other. Peaceful.
Lovely.

Please Enjoy the Christmas season however that looks for this year.
Do one thing that will bring you closer to the peace that the season stands for.
Spend time and conversations and meals together with those you love.

That's what they really want.....

Christmas Activities...

In the bible, Deborah is a judge.
So today, I took on my biblical moniker and became a judge.
Of sorts.
I was asked to be a part of the Christmas Fantasia, a fundraiser for our local county's food pantry.
The trees, wreaths and table decors are judged then all of them are auctioned off to benefit the very important non profit.
The pantry supplies sustenance for so many, not just at Christmas time, but year round. Many people rely on the leg up that the pantry signifies for them.
So, it was a pleasure to take a small part of this important work.
Turns it is was an easy gig too.
The other two 'wreath judges' and I were in nearly complete accord and our time at the Christmas Fantasia took a minimum of time.
Fun time. Lot's of work goes into this and I so appreciate all that took part in it, on both sides; those that made items to auction, the organizers and those that bid on the beautiful items.
And bless the recipients of all the good that will come of it...

And here's our local library director pinning the second place ribbon on this lovely offering.

And our first place winner...
It was really quite beautiful. My inadequate camera hardly does it justice. I now regret not staying and bidding on it.....

And more from the sewing room....
Library bags for two well read little boys.....(my young friend, Emily, gave me this idea from ones that she made years ago...You should check out her blog and see her amazing Halloween costumes from this year...apronwings.typepad.com)
Fun stuff....

Christmas Treasures...

One good, good thing about become 'elderly'...
'Gifts' at Christmas take on a whole new meaning..
Seldom do they come in a box...
Seldom with wrapping.
They are common items wrapped in the heart of a friend.
They are kind words spoken at the right time.
They are a renewed relationship after a bumpy patch.
They are memories of past times and lives intertwining.
They are inexpensive, meaningful and always from God.
HE knows what I need, want and will find joyful.
Today's journey brought my heart to a point of tears several times.
Good tears.
Knowing that this day was from the Father that has given me the Ultimate Gift, made it all the sweeter.
Enjoy my memories and may you be blessed in your journey as well....

In my journey around my Christmas gratitudes, I took this photo from my tree.
Simple, right? Nice little ornaments?
No.
The front little felt miniature stocking was made for one of my children from one of their childhood friends that was quite good at the crafts. Each year, as I place this little stocking on my tree, I smile, remembering the little girl that 'lived' at my house for many years, her relationship with my oldest daughter, beginning when they were three years old. Today, she left a lovely comment that brought me to tears.
Thank you Brandy....
Also, in this photo, is another ornament given to my husband and I long, long ago, by a appreciative Awana Cubbie mommy. She did not know that it was our anniversary on the day that she gave it to us.
But He did. The 'love' message on it reminds me again, each tree decorating day, that I am loved by my Father.
Also, in the photo, a tag from Baby Girls wedding last year, a glass red heart bought on another anniversary and a beautiful shell angel given to me from my sister years and years ago....
*sigh*


Having a mantel with an abundant fireplace is another treasure that my husband and I waited for many years.
Ten years ago, the move to our present location, with all it's upheaval and surprise, our Father gave us the 'bonus' of something our hearts had longed for in a house. He knew that we would need a little affirmation that only the three of us would be aware of...
We thank Him everytime we use it....
(and in the mantel photo is a little resin angel, given to me from a little friend that I met at Good News Club years ago.
She came to the Awana club that we were involved with, in all her shy, quiet self.
Last year, she had a friend of hers give me this little gift that she purchased at the school bazaar.
Can I tell you how valuable this little angel is to me?

My large jar of ornaments contain Christmas decorations from my in law's trees of the past.
A reminder of the wonderful people that my beloved husband of 37 years came from.
A new tradition as well; planting narcissus right before Thanksgiving for Christmas blooms.
Last year, they bloomed ON THE DAY of my daughter's wedding!
Coincidence?
I think not!
Thank you Father.

And then today.
I traditionally visit a local church's Christmas Bazaar.
I was introduced to it by my neighbor ten years ago.
The neighbor that I had prayed for when our world got a little rocked by our move.
I met this warm, loving woman the day we moved in, in our front yard, as she said to me: 'I'm so glad to meet you! I have been praying for you!!'
We shared property lines for several years, but still consider each other neighbors.
Today, while visiting the bazaar, there she was! Still helping her mom out with the details of a very involved Christmas event.
We were able to share a good church lunch, sharing our latest news, updating our lives....
So I had to buy another ornament from this craft show to remind, me again, of the special neighbor that God prepared for me before I even knew I would be moving! I smile each time I place the craft show ornaments on my yearly tree..
Thank you Lisa....
And today is another neighbor's birthday as well. Sweet Sharon will be moving away next spring and my heart is thrilled for her. But, selfishly, I am sad that the neighbor that introduced us to our first church here, will not be in visual distance from me...

Much emotion, many tears...
Joys of the Season...
Thank you Lord.....

Another Stocking!

I finished making three of those tied fleece blankets for Crazy Dee for her gift giving this year. I had also mentioned to her that I had just finished Miss Vivien's First Christmas Stocking. She immediately chimed in that her not quite one month old grandson needed a First Christmas Stocking!
And always wanting to please CD, I started making squares of the fleece scraps.
And now Jonathan Daniel has a fleecey new sockie. With a satin lining from scraps of long ago used bridesmaid dress material, Jonathan can be assured that many little toys can slink down to the very toe....
Yay scraps! Yay babies! Yay Christmas!

Comfort Night

Faithful Friend and I meet once a month.
Generally, at our favorite restaurant.
We usually stay there till they throw us out.
We linger longer than most of their customers, but they don't seem to mind. Too much.
Wednesday was our night to meet.
But it was cold and very rainy.
And FF had been at work all day.
Would be nice if we could just stay in near the fire.
Could I swing it on short notice?

Yes!

Crazy Dee had supplied me with enough leftovers from a previous feast that I could easily make FF and I a cozy meal near the fireplace.
Gather the wood! Turn on the Christmas music! Light the candles!
Make a Shepherds Pie from CD's gleanings, toss a salad and include CD's Youngest Daughter's most wonderful Squash/Sweet Potatoe/Chipotle Soup, brew a pot of hot tea and wait for FF to appear!

It was a lovely, cozy supper near the fire....
Thank you Lord, for Dear Friends....

From the sewing room....

Not much explanation, just teases...
(It's the Christmas Season after all...Secrets abound!)

Hmm...yarn, felt, soft peach cotton....

What looks like a humble stack of fabrics; what could they transmogrify into??

More felt....trims...free downloaded pattern from Heather Bailey...

And last but certainly not least...
One of my favorites things to do:
A Repurposing of the Best Kind...Memories turned into useable items with NEW memories....

Guess away!!!!!