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~