~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!!