My Christmas Decorations

This Bethlehem Village is my personal favorite Christmas decoration.

I decorate very traditionally... green & red, I  love to use the branches from a real Christmas tree, and I keep it pretty simple, except for the Bethlehem Village.

It takes up the whole top of the fireplace mantle.  I found it about 8 years ago and I haven't seen another one since...so glad I bought it then.

Thought I would share a little more of my decorating, I hope you enjoy :)

This cabinet holds quilts and afghans made by my great-grandmothers, my mother-in-law, my daughter, and myself.

Lots of memories and history behind those glass doors.

Some of the ways I use the branches trimmed from our tree.



Another favorite...I made this Baby Jesus & Kneeling Santa

 way back in the late 70's,

when I was doing ceramics and plaster!

      

And last but not least....
Our Christmas Tree:)

Hope you enjoyed seeing some of our

decorations for Christmas 2011. 

Wishing you all a Happy & Blessed New Year.

Remember to click on the pictures to enlarge them for a better view:)

Love & Hugs,

Terry

The Day After the Day After Christmas...

So thankful that the snow held off until today.

That allowed me to do some "after Christmas bargain shopping" yesterday.

I was able to take advantage of the super sales on

wrapping paper, bows, and cards.

Also spent most of my JoAnn's gift cards - great buys on

some scrapbooking goodies.  Thank you to my gift card givers:)

So today I am staying home and watching the beautiful snow fall...

While I organize/re-organize the house, and 

maybe start taking the Christmas decorations down...

or maybe I will just rest!

Hugs,

Terry

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer, present your requests to God.

                                                                                                                    Philippians 4:6

Christmas

Picture from: The Bible Is Right Pictures

Merry Christmas

to all my blog family & friends.

I hope that each one of you is blessed 

by the wondrous gift of this season.

Love & Hugs,

Terry 

The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring to you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."

                                                                                                                        Luke 2: 10 & 11

Christmas Sharing

Goodness, here it is, almost Christmas and I haven't shared in over a month...  I think I will start by sharing pictures of the gifts I have received from two absolutely wonderful ladies.

First is the gifts I received from my Dear Jane Secret Pal.  She has been an awesome Secret Pal all year.  Here is the pictures of my Christmas gifts from her, and now that it is Christmas I have learned her identity:)  She practically lives next door, LOL.  Thank you so very much, you have really been a blessing to me throughout the year.

So many wonderful gifts.  Love the towels   And the puzzle is beautiful, can't wait to get it started:)

~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*

And next is the gift from my Secret Santa from the SSSD group (that would be the card making and scrapbooking group I belong to).  This lovely lady showered me with way too much, and every last thing is very appreciated.  I will use every bit of it.  Thank you so very much Dear Secret Santa:)

Love the snowman ornament...kind looks like the snowman that we would have this year...yep, that's right No White Christmas for us :(  But we will definitely have blessed Christmas.

Well that's all for tonight.  Keep checking in over the Christmas weekend, I'm hoping to do a lot of posting.  Lots of catching up to do:) 

Merry Christmas

Love & Hugs,

Terry

More Snow People Arrived

This wonderful Snowman was made by Rebecca H.  The embroidery work is great. Everything except his body is embroidered.  Too cool.  And that face just makes me smile every time I see it:)

This guy is from Martha L, she lives in Texas.  According to her, his name is "Mr. Puddles". 
He's a Texas snowman.  And this is what happens after a rare Texas snowstorm!
            "hehehe" 

You just gotta LOVE the sense of humor and creativity of quilters:)

There just nothing better!

Love & Hugs,

Terry

Christmas Star Block Swap :)

Sharing pictures of the 2 blocks I have made

for the Christmas Star Block Swap

over at the Friendship Block Swap Group:)

The first block is called The Spinning Star.

My second block is named Carolyn's Star.

I am hoping to get one more set done

 before the mailing deadline...

A set is 5 blocks to swap for 5 different blocks.

These are 12" blocks, so it won't

take many to make a wonderful

Christmas throw-size quilt:)

We can use any star block pattern we want,

but we do have to use Christmas fabrics and

the background has to be white-on-white.

Thanks for stopping by:)

Hope everyone has a productive and blessed week.

Hugs,

Terry

God's Blessings are everywhere...we just need to take the time to look for them.



Christmas in the Mail

Today's mail brought me this wonderfully cute little snow guy:)  He is from Pat H over on a Dear Jane group.  He is the first "Snowperson" to arrive from the swap...
I do believe this is going to be a really, really fun swap and these blocks are sure to make a snowonderful quilt:) 

Also in the mail came these wonderful Christmas ornaments...they were made by Mary W. over at the  The Friendship Block Swap group.   Over there we are having a Secret Santa Ornament Swap... toooo fun!!!  I have my ornaments about ready to mail to their new home, but I can't share a picture just yet.  Will have to wait until they are received, wouldn't want to spoil her surprise:)



Lots of Christmas gift activity going on here at my house, but alas I cannot share yet :(
I don't want to ruin any surprises....

Thanks for stopping by, I hope everyone is having a great month.

Love & Hugs,
Terry
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.    1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

New Quilt Block Swap!!!!

My dear friend, Rosa is hosting a  "Snow person" block swap and this is the block I have chosen to make:)  I really love this block. I think this little Star Snowman is soooo cute, and he's really pretty easy to make!!! That's always a plus for swap blocks:)

I found the pattern over at Sindy Rodenmayer's site. 

Well 2 down, 12 to go!!!!! 

Hoping to get these done this week:) 

"Happy Stitching" to all those who sew.



Here's the link for the pattern
www.fatcatpatterns.com/images/holiday_designs/SnowStar.pdf   


Hugs,
Terry

Show me your ways O Lord; teach me your paths.  Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.     Psalm 25:4&5

What Happened to October?????

WOW....I can't believe it has been almost a month since my last post!

October was a busy and shocking month for me. 

I can't believe the month is almost over....

My Mom came to visit which was a true blessing.  It had been 2 years since

 we last had a visit...waaaay too long, that can not happen again.  She was able

to get most of her Christmas shopping done while she was here,
 so she saved a bundle on postage:)  It was nice to get out and see the Holiday decorations and the weather was perfect while she was here.  I would share pictures, but they are all on her camera
and she hasn't seen fit to share them yet (hint, hint).

I was able to get some Thanksgiving cards made for her.

She likes to send them to people in her Sunday School class.

Dear husband had an appointment with a cardiologists, (Family doctor saw a narrowing in an artery during a Cscan, so to be on the safe side
he sent us to the specialist).

Well that's where the shocking part came about.  The cardiologists says hubby has slightly high blood pressure and that at some point in the past he has had a heart attack... After a few dumbfounded looks passed between husband and I, we were like saying, "What????"  How can you have a heart attack and not know it or at least suspect something is wrong?  But they say it can happen.  
So next week he will have some more testing to see
what and how much damage has been done. 

Prayer is very very welcome, please and thank you.

Hoping to get started on some sewing and Christmas projects this weekend...

time is running short on the countdown till Christmas

and I have not one thing in mind, much less started!!!!

Thanks for stopping by.

Hope you all have a blessed week.

Hugs,

Terry

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer, present your requests to God.

                                                                                                                            Philippians 4:6

Sweets for the Sweets

Today's high was only about 60 F.  So I thought,

"Self, you need to bake something special for the Grands after school snack...

Ahhhh, Amish Whoopie Pies should do the trick"

And of course to celebrate the Fall temperature

I added some Fall color to them:)

Yes they were a BIG hit!!!

Oh, the grand kids liked them too :)

Blessings to All,

Terry

Life Thought

An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life.

"A terrible fight is going on inside of me between two wolves.

One wolf is evil with anger, envy, regret, self pity, pride,

lies, resentment, and ego."

"The other wolf is good and is filled with joy, love, hope, serenity,

kindness, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith."

"And grandson, the same fight goes on inside you, and everyone you know."

The child thought for a minute and said, "Grandfather, which one will win?"

And the old Cherokee simply replied.......

"Whichever one you feed!"

Story borrowed from a friend.

Picture from  Legends of America.

Hugs & Blessings,

Terry

Train up a child in the way he should go,

And when he is old he will not depart from it. 

                                    ~Proverbs 22:6



Finally...I got some sewing done!!!!

I found dear "Randy-Trace" (my sewing machine)

and was able to get some sewing done -YES, YES, YES!!!!

I have all 12 blocks completed for a swap over at

Friendship Block Swap Group.
(By the way an awesome group of women over there) 

These are 6.5 inch blocks and I am hoping

that they will make a really cute table topper or small wall hanging:) 

Now all I have to do is get to the post office and mail them to

our wonderful "swap mommy".

And Yes, I name my sewing machines...my other machine is named Miriam-Bess,

after my two grandmothers.  One taught  me to sew clothing, curtains and such,

while the other one taught me quilting:)   Now "Randy-Trace"....Well I love country music, so Randy is after Randy Owen of Alabama and Trace is after Trace Adkins.

What can I say...it just doesn't get any better :)

Terry

"A Bible that is falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn't."

                                                                            ~Amish Wisdom

September Paper Crafting...

Taking a break from canning and freezing...

Need to get my September card & scrapbook

swaps made and mailed:)  The above card

is for a "Pumpkin" themed swap.

 This card is for a "Sea Life" themed swap.

This little one is a 3" x 3" gift card/tag.

Next is a "Winter" but not Christmas themed swap.

Then I have a Color Of The Month swap.  We could use only the colors:

Certainly  Celery, Olive, Sand & White.

 And last of all is the scrapbook element swap. 

This month I was to make the poem or quote for

 the theme of a carnival or amusement park scrapbook page...

Well that's all for now.

Need to get back to the kitchen and do something with all

the apples in there...spiced apple rings, apple jelly, apple pie filling,

and maybe some applesauce:)

"Have a Blessed Day"

Hugs,

Terry

Remembering...

                                                                Picture - John Skelson
Meet Me In The Stairwell

                                      Author Unknown

You say you will never forget where you were when

you heard the news on September 11, 2001.

Neither will I.

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room

with a man who called his wife to say'Good-Bye.'

I held his fingers steady as he dialed.  I gave him the peace

to say, "Honey, I am not going to make it, but it

is OK... I am ready to go."

I was with his wife when he called as she fed

breakfast to their children.  I held her up as she

tried to understand his words and as she realized

he wasn't coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a

woman cried out for Me to help.  "I have been

knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!" I said.

"Of course I will show you the way home - only

believe in Me now."

I was at the base of the building with the Priest

ministering to the injured and devastated souls.

I took him home to tend his flock in Heaven.

He heard My voice and answered.

I was on all four of those planes, in every seat,

with every prayer.  I was with the crew as they

were overtaken.  I was in the very hearts of the

believers there, comforting and assuring them that their

faith has saved them.

I was in Texas, Virginia, California, Michigan, Afghanistan.

I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news.

Did you sense me?

I want you to know that I saw every face.  I knew

every name - though not all knew Me.  Some met Me

for the first time on the 86th floor.

Some sought Me with their last breath.

Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the

smoke and flames; 'Come to Me...this way...take

my hand.'  Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me.

But, I was there.

I did not place you in the tower that day.  You

may not know why, but I do.  However, If you had been

there in that explosive moment in time,  would you

have reached for Me?

September 11, 2001 was not the end of the journey

for you.  But someday your journey will end.  And I

will be there for you as well.  Seek Me now while I may

be found.  Then, at any moment, you know you are

'ready to go.'

I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.

God

                                                Picture from "Waldo's Life"

I received this in an email and thought it worthy of sharing.
Love, Hugs, & Blessings,
Terry

Good Bye August ~ Hello September

To every thing there is a season,

and a time to every purpose

under heaven.  Ecclesiastes 3:1

"Abide in me, and I in you.

As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,

except it abide in the vine...

I am the vine, ye are the branches."  John 15:4-5

Pictures from Inspirational Life Calendar.

Verses from God.



Love, Hugs, and Blessings,

Terry

Paper-crafting Projects...

I have forgotten to post my paper-crafting projects for August....

Guess I have been so busy with canning/freezing the garden bounty,

and the re-do of the multi-purpose room, and starting back in school

 that it just slipped my mind.

I have been making some really different things, different for me anyway.

Thanks to the new group I have joined...I've been challenged

and made to think outside of my little box, LOL

I have been having lots of F-U-N, that's for sure:)

I've made kids bookmarks, ATCs, and Fall cards.

Then there has been color challenges. 

A new technique using mousse and drops of ink

to make wonderful background paper.

I made a Monogram card as well as a card kit for the same card...

A sketch challenge that also had a animal theme ...

 And last but not least...

I got to work with beads and corsage pins to make

Hat Stick Pins, which can be used to embellish cards and scrapbook pages

or anything else your little heart desires!!!

Next month brings more new challenges...can't wait!!!!

Oh My Goodness!!!

I can't believe August is already over...

where are the months going???

So quickly they are passing by...

Love & Hugs,

Terry

Parents who are afraid to put their foot down usually have children who step on their toes.  ~Amish Wisdom

"Carrots & Pears ~ Pears & Carrots"

The past week was canning week at my house :)  I may be a little strange

but....

I think all the home canned fruits and veggies are beautiful!!!

...so I ended up with 15 jars of Pear Jam, 40 pint jars of Baby carrots,  6 pint jars of Pear Mincemeat, and 10 quarts of Pear Halves.

I am very happy!!!

May still get more pears later this week, and I still have to dig the sweet potatoes and the white, yellow, and red potatoes and can some of those.  And next month...APPLES!!!

And in October...Pumpkins & Persimmons!!!

~*~Thanks for stopping by and visiting~*~

God's Blessings to All.

Hugs,

Terry 

I lie down and sleep; I wake again. because the Lord sustains me.   Psalm 3:5

Secret Pal Gift :)

I have been blessed with a wonderful Secret Pal again this year.  That's 3 years in  a row that I have had Awesome Secret Pals...what a blessing each of them has been :) 
My August package arrived last week.  I am amazed at how much she can fit into such a small box!!!!!  Should I ever need to pack for a trip...I will be calling on her expertise.

I received the beautiful floral print fabrics with a pattern for an adorable little purse, and the pattern and panel to make "Therapy in Session" wall hanging.  This will be my first project since I just finished the re-do of my sewing room:)
She also sent me the great little quilting book, a needle sharpener strawberry and little tape measure, and the really cute notepad caddy complete with tablet and pen.  I am anxious to find out if she made it :)  I thank her so much for her thoughtfulness and kindness...she once again made my day.

Hugs & Blessings,
Terry

May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance.
                                                         ~ 2 Thessalonians 3:5

Raccoons, Cats, & Deere.....

Here are two of this year's babies... they are sooo cute!!!

The one looking straight at the camera has the sweetest face.

and he is more of a chocolate brown - he looks like a little bear cub:)

This little girl's name is Mercy.

She appeared in our old storage building about

three weeks ago...wild as could be!!!

My dear husband caught her in a live trap and we fed her,

talked to her and finally got to pet and hold her... so now she is a permanent

resident at our back door :)

Now for the "Deere" pictures.....

Yep, it's mowing time.

That would be my husband and myself

riding in that Deere  LOL  Had fun that day.

It's been a long long time since I had a tractor ride,

and the last time the tractor did not have an

enclosed cab with air conditioning!!!

And of course the grandkids needed to ride too... only 3 of 8 were at the house that day, so they were feeling pretty special :) 

This was their first tractor ride and they all loved it!






Hugs & Blessings,
Terry

The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and onfidence forever.                ~ Isaiah 32:17

Fun Kitchen Set

This is one of four Kitchen sets that I made for the granddaughters.

Each set was made from different fabric, that went with their

personalities:)  Each set contained a reversible apron, 2 pot holders, and a cookbook.

The cookbook contained cookie recipes.  One favorite cookie recipe from each family member going back to the girl's Great-Great Grandmothers.  Also included a set of cookie cutters, the old-fashion kind with little wooden knobs on them :)

Good thing about this gift is that each year we can add more family 

favorite recipes to it!  I had great fun putting these gifts together.

Hugs & Blessings,

Terry

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.       ~ 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18