Happy New Year!!! 2009

Wishing you Peace, Hope and Joy in the New Year! Blessings & Hugs as we usher in 2009 together. God Bless You Friends!~

Lollishops in Somerset Life Magazine!!!

I'm so Blessed to be a part of Lollishops!! Here is a copy of our first ad in Somerset Life Magazine!! I have a little baby heart quilt featured in the magazine (top row-third picture) Yippeee!! There are so many fine artists at this exclusive online shopping venue...You won't find anything at Lollishops that isn't unique. For a gift, or for yourself, Lollishops offers a variety of Romantic Inspirations handcrafted by leading artisans of the 21st Century!! For an original design in cards, clothes, quilts, art, & vintage, come to Lollishops and prepared to be AMAZED!!! Fine Quality, Made in the U.S.A. Blessings Friends for a Prosperous New Year!!

~Almost Ready for Christmas!~

Well friends, we're almost ready for Christmas!! Shopping for food is the last item on my Christmas list! So I will brave the crowds this morning as I head off to Walmart for my last trip uptown!! I am so fortunate to live in a small town now, where the crowds are actually neighbors, and the whole shopping affair allows me the chance to wish, "Merry Christmas" to friends I won't be seeing until after the Holidays. It is so cold here....about 5 degrees, and the wind is blowing to beat the band!! Yikes!...I'm not looking forward to going out in this weather! Last night I was reading a dear lady's blog who took her kids to Chicago siteseeing yesterday! Cold, arctic winds and low temps. didn't keep them from having fun! Oh how I wish I were as adventurous as she is!! Heavens, I look out the window and get shivers!! My doggy wouldn't even go outside but twice yesterday...and only if I went with her!!! I suppose it is my Southern California upbringing that holds me back from enjoying sub-zero temps.....

But, I am able to thank the Lord that I CAN shovel snow, and drive on icy roads, and that when I am layered up to go outside I actually stay pretty warm-well kind of warm--warm enough, how's that?

I also read on my pal Joni's blog that the days from now on will be getting longer..that's a bonus!! She's in Nebraska, and it is these little things that mean a whole lot to us popscicles in the Midwest! :-)

Well, I'm off to shower, bundle up and head to the store! Wish me luck! Please, if you have a moment of time..say a prayer for the people in New England who are still without power! That must be horrible for them in this cold. Frankly, I do believe I would be burning the house down for warmth by now! Hugs & Blessings~

~It's A Winter Wonderland~

What a Wonderful time of the year it is! Hugs and thoughtful reflection, kind gestures and warmth. A time for new beginnings at the end of another year. I wish you a Merry Christmas with Blessings beyond compare. I wish you health & happiness. I wish you enough. Bless you!

~An Amazing Artist Spotlight Featuring Kathy's ScrapArt!!

Friends, in the Spirit of the Christmas Holiday I just had to share with you this AMAZING Christmas card I received in the mail yesterday! As some of you know, my dear, lifelong friend Kathy (artist/photographer) came to visit in October, and we celebrated 50 years of friendship! It was such a Blessing! Freeway (the doggy) thought so too! One morning as Kathy was having breakfast, before we took off for a day of fall photography, Freeway came up and rested her head on Kathy's (denim) leg, to make sure that Kathy didn't forget her if there were any crumbs left. *smiles* Laughing, Kathy snapped a photo of the Adorable Spoiled/Poor doggy begging ritual.

So you can imagine the surprise I felt when I opened up this Wonderful Christmas card! I was so in awe of this Fabulous rendering of Freeway! Kathy was able to capture not only a perfect depiction of the doggy...but the purpose and emotion that Freeway was trying so hard to convey! "Please, please won't you give me just one tiny scrap of food?" Aren't those eyes just Amazing? You can tell that Kathy is a very playful, intuitive lady, and that she is an animal lover! She is also Blessed with an Artist's eye for beauty and detail; and the sensitivity of a butterfly's wing. I will cherish this Christmas card (which will soon be framed and hanging on my wall :-), forever! Thank you dear friend, Mike and I just love this work of Art! Blessings~

A Gift From Tiffins Tidbits at Lollishops~Thank you Sweet Sally!

Good Morning friends! Just look at these darling items I was blessed to win from Sally at Tiffins Tidbits!! The recipe cards are Wonderful! Absolutely Perfect for my Country Kitchen!! I'm so excited! Sally makes Adorable Unique cards as well. This little birthday bracelet card will be lovely for my niece! Sally's cards are a gift in themselves! Quality, Excellent workmanship, and Adorability! Big Thank you to Sally at Tiffins Tidbits!! You can find her at Lollishops: http://www.lollishops.com/TiffinTidbits

~Colleen's Elegant Handcrafted Ornaments~

After several busy days away from you....I"M BACK! Saturday my mom arrived at O'hare Airport from Dallas Texas! What a splendid day! My husband & I drove into the city without snow & ice to hamper our day. Truly a miracle! Sunday mom, my husband & I spent the entire day and well into the evening putting up Christmas decorations! Where do they all come from?? So...with Christmas up and running :-), Monday, we finished our shopping, got everything wrapped and under the tree, and the rest of the packages sent out in the mail! Time for a rest?...not quite. Yesterday we were blessed with 5 inches of snow!!! So...I shoveled snow, and mom made muffins! Warm muffins with melted butter, just the perfect treat for a frozen snow shoveler!! I mentioned in a recent post that my mom made most of my Christmas Ornaments. This morning I took some pictures for you. These little ornaments are truly an expression of love...just look at the detail, and imagine the time involved in each magnificent creation! And she says she is Not an Artist!!! Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! I think she is a Wonderful Artist!! What do you think?? Blessings Friends~

World Treasures Party!!

Welcome to the World Treasures Party!! You will find keepsakes and treasures from around the world. Stunning creations of treasured pieces collected throughout the year. Please Visit Cielo at http://www.houseinroses.blogspot.com/

Above, you will find my contributions to the Party. These treasured pieces were given to me by my mom. I love the Florentine Tea Set with the Romantic courting couple. The platter is Flow Blue and features raised Chrysanthemums and trimmed in gold. There are so many beautiful and rare collections on display at Cielo's! You won't want to miss this!! Blessings~

Come Join The World of Treasures Party At The House In The Roses!!

Please don't miss this Exciting Gala at Cielo's House in the Roses! The World of Treasures Party beginning at 6:00 am at http://www.houseinroses.blogspot.com/ A feast for the eyes!! Beautiful Music~Extraordinary Treasures! Come join us!! Blessings~

Peppermint & Soap Bubbles The Blue Plum Shop!

What a Wonderful Surprise I received in the mail today from my Dear Pal, Joni (artist/owner) of the Fabulous "The Blue Plum Shop" A most Romantic & Festive Cake of Peppermint Sparkle Goat Milk Soap!! This Lovely Soap is molded into a Snowflake, Pure White with tiny pieces of Irredescent Sparkleys under the first layer! What a Wonderful Gift! A Thick, Rich Delicate Cake that feels so smooth on the skin...I'm not sure I will need a moisturizer! This little "Sweetie" reminds me of a most Elegant soap that I had the good fortune to find in Hungary some years ago. So Soft & Luxurious with a subtle hint of Peppermint! Of course, I couldn't wait to try it *smiles* so I hurried and took a picture to share with you! It is a Work of Art! Perfecto! I thank you Ms. Joni for your sweet spirit of giving in this most Holy Holiday Season. You have touched my heart with your kindness. Bless you friend!!
Joni offers her "Lovelies" at http://blueplumcrafts.etsy.com/

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas!!!!

Counting the days until my mom arrives..I usually wait until she gets here to decorate for Christmas so that we can share in the fun together! We decorate the tree, my mom made most of the ornaments throughout the years, and they are Lovely! She is also a glitter girl!! More importantly, we put up the manger scene, as we have done for so many years. As she unwraps each piece she tells the story of the person the piece represents. When I was younger, I remember being impatient with this project, always in a hurry to get things done!!...."I know mom! I know about the wise men. I know about the baby Jesus and how He came to be born in a manger. I know...I know...I know...." (truly I don't know how she put up with me:-) But she continued to recount the stories as she lovingly places the baby Jesus in the middle, with Mary & Joseph on either side. The cow and the sheep close by to warm the Messiah. The wise men following bearing gifts, their camels in tow. Angel Gabriel trumpeting the arrival of the birth of Our Lord stands to the side. There are so many beautiful pieces, that represent the story of life. This weekend she will unwrap each piece, and tell their stories, and place each piece with perfection..only now, I am so full of Joy to hear the stories once again, and can hardly wait to get started! This is one of my most treasured family traditions. Helping my mom with the manger...you see, it had been her manger and she had it for many years. Now it is mine as she gifted it to me about 6 years ago. What a treasure indeed! And what a time it will be!!

Christmas in the Pink~Featuring Renegade Rose from Lollishops!!!

Oh My! Just look at these Lovelies!! Every year my wonderful husband makes fudge for all of our neighbors, it's a tradition. This year, to top off the fudge plates I got these ADORABLE Little Cupcake Ornaments from my Sweet Talented Pal, Lori at Renegade Rose at Lollishops. Aren't they just the CUTEST things you ever did see? I must admit though....I'm keeping one for myself!! I can't stand it, they are just too Darling! Thanks Lori...You're the BEST!! Stop and see her Fabulous Designs at Lollishops.
http://www.lollishops.com/renegaderose

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle All The Way!!!!

Happy Holidays Friends! This is my Sweet Pal Freeway! She's licking her face because she knows that as soon as the camera clicks.....she gets a mouth-watering homemade doggy treat!! This little girl has been such a Blessing to me! She's a rescue doggy, and I really can't imagine what it was like...before she arrived. She's 9 years old now, we got her from a rescue shelter as a wee pup! She is so smart and has such a large vocabulary! She is well loved, and very very spoiled. When we have visitors, she is the first to greet them, because of course, they came to see her! :-) She sleeps on our bed, and keeps me awake at night, she's very serious about play time, and always needs to know where everyone in the house is & what they're doing. And she's very protective of her dog mom & dad. She's delightfully sweet and lovable. We are so Blessed to have this little Treasure in our home. As soon as we put our Christmas Tree up...she's snooping around to find something under the tree just for her, when she smells something good, she paws at it until it's in the middle of the livingroom floor. Then she just stands there grunting & stomping her feet impatiently as if to say, "Hey, I found it! Can I open it now???" Too funny! And she does open them herself!! It takes her awhile, and it is Oh So Hilarious! She's always so Proud when she finally gets her toy! I'll take some pictures of her this Christmas and post them for you. Priceless!

My Orchids Are Blooming!!

What a Beautiful way to begin the day! I came into my dining room this morning and what do I see? My two orchids are blooming together!! These girls are several years old, maybe 7 or 8 years, and they have never, ever bloomed at the same time! What a Marvelous gift! I love orchids and I have kept them for probably 20 years now, and these two are the only ones that have ever bloomed year after year. I bought very expensive orchids at flower shops, nurseries, etc. These two....Walmart!!!! How funny!! In the spring and summer, I keep them outside underneath a balcony patio along with all of my other plant friends. I bring them in before the first frost, and look at them! Bloomin' to beat the band! I will post some pictures of them when they open, they are just a delight to have all winter long! My last flowers bloomed from December until June! It is difficult to look at the beauties and not see the Creators' handiwork. I'm so thankful for the beauty that surrounds us, for the small things, for the wonder of nature. I can't wait for you to see the flowers! Stay tuned...it won't be long now!! Blessings~