Easter Preparations

                                          >>Hard boiled eggs

                                        >>We used natural egg dye this year!

                                                >> Blown eggs on the door

                                   >>>  Medallions...Inspiration from here

                                                        

                                           >>Blown egg trees

                                                   Medallions & Eggs

We're getting ready to celebrate Easter with both sides of our family. We've been planning, preparing and decorating. Here's a peek of the decorations strewn about our home.

Patty's day

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

p.s. don't get pinched...

Making History

                                                       Source: agoodyarn.net via C.j. on Pinterest

It comes once every twelve months. The beginning of a year. The end of the previous. Memories, adventures, many experiences, lessons learned. It makes me realize... everything that I think, every action, every word that I say, effects the future.
It might sound scary in a sense. It might sound exciting. Every choice made, makes history. That's why it's so important to take every thought (2 Corinthians 10:5) captive. (Because a thought becomes a word, and then an action.)  So my question to you is...
What do you want history to say about you?

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 3: 20-21 

 ...Happy New Year!

Rolling by...

 When ever December rolls around, I tend to ponder a lot of things. Sweet and sour thoughts. Fond memories of the year's events. But I also get to thinking about the purpose of the year. How much did I accomplish? Did I doddle through a whole year? Did I grow in my relationship with Christ? It makes me realize how precious time is. How every minute can be used and should be used productively. The end of the year makes me realize how short life is. How short my life is. The way we spend our short life truly does effect our eternity.

As the days pass through the 12th month of the year, There is one thing that I want to have accomplished. Growth. Most importantly spiritual growth. I look back on the past events of the year and see how they've effected me, sanctified me, and stretched me.

I've become more aware of faults, realized how to deal with them, I've realized the great need of God's grace in my life, which truly changes my perspective and actions here on earth.  I've learned, and learned and learned. I've realized more and more that I don't know everything.
I've become aware that a year is short compared to eternity, but long in the way it impacts life, -how it impacts my life.

What did you learn this year?

Necessities for any holiday...

A holiday would not be complete without yummy food, family, laughter, and at least one amazing dessert.
Sigh...I love my life. I'm so blessed!


By the way-- The picture is hair glistening in the sunlight. Congratulations to Annie for being the first to correctly answer the guessing game!
Everyone that commented guessed correctly. Did y'all know you are very smart?


Have a memorable thanksgiving!

My Daddy...

Today is a day to praise the Fathers in our lives and I wanted to take some time and brag on my Daddy.

My Daddy has the best sense of humor. He never fails to make me smile and laugh.
I didn't get many spankings when I was growing up. ( I am not saying I never made trouble! Honestly, I did!) Instead He'd sit us down and explain why what we did was bad. He gives us words of correction which have blessed me more than any other punishment.
My daddy makes me feel needed and makes sure I know that I matter.
He is supportive in my endeavors.When ever I have a question, He is more than willing to give me an answer.
He has not only been a great Father to myself and my siblings, but a strong provider for our family.

Throughout my childhood and now I’ve had heartfelt support and continued wisdom poured into my life.

The just man walketh in his integrity; his children are blessed after him.

Proverbs 20:7

Do you have a special Father in your life...?

Easter Sunday

...Tissue paper flowers.....

 ....and bright colored eggs are such fun to create,
       but not compared to the price that our dear Savior payed.


On Easter we remember and celebrate the rising Christ our Lord. His awesome acts shine bright and we praise His glorious deeds!

 

See what a morning

See what a morning, gloriously bright,
With the dawning of hope in Jerusalem;
Folded the grave-clothes,
Tomb filled with light,
As the angels announce Christ is risen!
See God's salvation plan, wrought in love, 
Borne in pain, paid in sacrifice,
Fulfilled in Christ, the Man, for He lives:
Christ is risen from the dead!

See Mary weeping, 'Where is He laid?'
As in sorrow she turns from the empty tomb;
Hears a voice speaking, calling her name;
It's the Master, the Lord raised to life again!
The voice that spans the years,
Speaking life, stirring hope,
Bringing peace to us,
Will sound till He appears,
For He lives, Christ is risen from the dead!

One with the Father, Ancient of Days,
Through the Spirit
Who clothes faith with certainty,
Honour and blessing, glory and praise
To the King crowned
With power and authority!
And we are raised with Him,
Death is dead, love has won,
Christ has conquered;
And we shall reign with Him,
For He lives, Christ is risen from the dead!  
Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
Copyright © 2003 Thankyou Music

 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 
 Romans 6:8-11

Better late than never?

Do you remember this project? Well I never did tell you what I made. After I had finished all the gifts I made, I wanted to give all my gifts before telling you, because I wanted to make sure no one saw their gift on the blog before I had given it to them. :-)

.

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Any way... I made a bunch of scarves! Red, white and brown.

I started with a long, straight, piece of fabric, cut with the stretch of the fabric going length ways. Than I hemmed the scarves on both the sides and because of the stretch of the fabric, it ruffled! 

So that's what I made in December.

                           I meant to share this with you all earlier, but better late than never!

I haven't been using a scarf very recently. It has been super warm. I hope it doesn't get cold again, but at least I'll have a cheerful scarf to brighten the weather. :-)

Valentine's day.

 The fourteenth of February.
A day to meditate on. So much love is poured into my life and showered abundantly on my soul. Not only today, but on every day should I remember the love that is given to me by the Almighty.
His hands are lovingly holding my heart and guiding my path.

  Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5 1-2

♥ Valentine Card Inspiration ♥

 

  Valentine's day is a great holiday to celebrate the love we have for our family and friends, with card making and card giving and a perfect time to meditate on God's love toward us.

Here are several tips to making cards. 

 Make sure to use a different types of scissors to make your cards unique in their shape.

Stitch cut outs on to your cards with your sewing machine.

                                                 Add lots of hearts!

Use a pen to customize your cards with simple doodles.

  Use creative paper for the theme of your cards.

 

Craft stores sell the cutest paper!

Use stencils for elegant designs.

Hearts make cute valentine-y flowers. :-)

 

Use paper animal cutouts to make your cards more friendly.

                               If you don't seem to have any inspiration, find some by
                                          searching through magazines and online.

When all hope seems lost, make your cards simple & have fun!

 Add lots of love to your cards and let your family & friends know you care about them. :-)

It's a new year...

...A fresh new year with no mistakes {yet}and twelve whole months of adventures to come! How exciting.

2011 is here! Are you ready? My list is made out of plans and resolutions...now time to follow through.

Thank God for a new year. May you have a beautiful new year!  God bless you all.

The end of a beautiful year...

 I am so amazed that almost one year has past in 2010. I have learned so much this year. Not only has a year past but so has twelve months of time spent with family, new books read, lessons learned, giggles laughed, tears cried, millions of new thoughts have raced through my mind this year. God has taught me so much through his word, through people he's brought to my life, books he's put in my path.
2010 has been a great year. Now it's time to make some more new year resolutions written and accomplished! Or maybe even get out some of my old ones. :-) 
      I don't know about you but I have a feeling that this new year will be monumental. I hope to learn a lot this year and I am getting my resolutions thought out and ready to face them with full fury. Here I come 2011! 

               What's been your favorite 2010 memory? 

Christmas musings...

Christmas is a joyful time to express thanksgiving, give to one another and most importantly celebrate Christ's birth and His beautiful gift of grace to us.

Every Christmas year my sisters and I enjoy making a gift for each person in our family. The past couple years our goal has been to make something practical. The most fun part is to try and keep every one's gift secret. It's harder than it sounds. Especially when certain people try to look...
I am making most of my handmade gifts out of this fuzzy fleece. I can't tell you what I am making other than it's warm and fleecy... I've been busy snipping and sewing. 

I love to think up gifts; the hard part is making sure you have a enough time to make them all. I try not to buy all the gifts. Handmade gifts seem more original and creative. I am almost done with my gift making and shopping. After a rampage of sewing, I should be done. ;-)

 The past several days we've had a blissful dusting of snow flurries.... the snowflakes don't stick, but it's exciting since we've never had snow this close to Christmas.

              I do hope it stays cold. I would be so happy if it snowed (dusted) on Christmas.
                             

                     
Gift making, gift wrapping, excitement building, smiles growing, joy flourishing;
and most importantly Christ is born!



What's your favorite part about Christmas?.....
            ..........What are your traditions?
                                             
                    
                                              

Heath Bars

                               Chocolate, peanut butter, saltine crackers.

                                                           :::                                    :::

                          Butter and... Sugar....

 I know that many people are participating in Annie's sugar free challenge. I am not....
I didn't think I had the will power when I heard that Annie was having the challenge and I was in fact correct. I have been pigging out on so many sweets! With Thanksgiving, so many tempting recipes, and my grandma visiting the Hershey store and bringing back chocolate, I have failed with just trying to cut down on sweets! On the other hand, I have been enjoying myself....
Up top our pictures of a some very yummy heath bars (Not health bars, heath bars) that I made with this recipe.
I apologize to those who are doing the challenge. I might be making you struggle, but these bars are good!
The holidays are a time to eat lots of sweets. Right? Okay, so I am trying make myself feel better.

I hope you all have a sweet Christmas season, sugar or not...!

Tis' The Season

My little brother... Isn't he darling? He is so photogenic....

 With celebration on Thanksgiving week with my mother's family on Thursday and celebration on Friday with my Daddy's family and a spend the night with our dear cousin Jenna, I have had a beautiful week. As the closing of Fall seems to be blowing goodbye, I have had to get out my coat and warm socks for the chilly days. I am not ready to give up the comfortable fall afternoons just yet, but as I see the temperatures drop, I guess I'll have to learn to like it. :-)

We took our annual trip to the tree farm and pick out our special tree. I am a little disappointed with how few decorations we are putting up this year... With the little ones, child proofing has to be in order, unless we want an abundant supply of broken ornaments... :-) I think our tree still looks quite nice. :-)

My family and I love to get out the Christmas music and dance to our favorite songs and I love to bundle up with blankets at night. Christmas is truly a special time every year. I am getting plans ready for Christmas gifts. Buying fabric, wrapping, sewing, and many other present making and gift creating are my plans this month. God is truly blessing our family this year and what an adventure it is to make Him the focus this season.

Thanksgiving blessings...

I hope you all are having a wonderful holiday! Much celebrating, fellow shipping, and eating are on my agenda for today and tomorrow. 

Here are only some of the blessings I am thankful for...

~...My salvation and grace... I am amazed that Christ made me and calls me His. Even when I sin, He forgives me for all my imperfections. I am blessed by being God's child. ~ ...My family. My two wonderful, wise parents. I am so blessed to have parents that love me and give me the best they can give. ~... My sisters. What would I do without them? They make me laugh. They are a joy to be around and an inspiration and comfort. ~... My brothers. I love them so much... They are an incredible gift from God. The joy they bring to our family. ~ ...Food. God always provides. I have never been with out food. I am so thankful for that. I am thankful for how yummy He makes it. So much variety and tastes. ~... A home. I wonderful home that gives protection and shelter. It keeps me warm and safe. It is not only a protection but a beautiful home. ~... My bed. What a comfortable sleep I get on it every night.~ ... Education. I am so thankful to not only have so many different sources and tools of how to learn, but I am truly grateful to be home educated. It is such a blessing to have a choice on who educates me and what is used to help me learn. I am so happy that I can learn and pray freely all day to God. ~... Health. I am healthy so often and so blessed with a working and functioning body. ~... Clothes. I am so thankful to be able to have something to wear. Not only am I blessed with clothing but I have so much of a choice as to what to wear. ~... Beautiful weather. God gives such a variety of weather and seasons. It's a joy to watch His hands in nature.~... Sunshine and Moon. The sun and the moon are such a great source of light. What would we do with out light? We would not be here. ~... Nature. God's lovely creations are awe inspiring.~...Medicine. I am so glad to have medicine to help feel better and be healthier.~...Friends.What a blessing to have like minded Christians in my area, who I can fellowship with and enjoy good times with.~... My Church. God has given me a wonderful church that I can attend and worship God with freely.~...Music. What would life be like with out melodies? ~...Violin and Piano. I am so happy that I have the opportunity to learn an instrument and am so blessed to have them in my home.~...Paper. I am so happy to have paper. I am able to write down words and sketch and draw on clean pieces of lovely white paper.~...Cameras. What would I do with out a camera? It is such a joy to be able to capture life in the lens of a camera and show with my abilities God's creation.~...The comforts of life. I have so many comforts. Everything I use is clean and comfortable. God blesses me. ~...The bible. I am so grateful God has given this book to all of His children. His words give me hope and a future.~...Laughter. What beautiful noises and joy laughter brings. One of my favorite pass times is laughing.~...Life! What a precious gift life is. Not just life here on earth but the life each of us has in store for us in heaven with God!

What a beautiful day to meditate on how blessed we are on this Thanksgiving day.

 

 We can always look at life and see God working in are lives.
                            What are you thankful for?