The Enchanting Rose

What Greater Gift Than The Love Of A Cat

2019-03-27T06:30:00.000-06:00

No home is complete

without the pitter patter

of kitty feet.

Guess who turned the big TWO

on Monday the 25th. . .

Stripester, Duke, and Melly.

These three cats have been such a sweet gift to us
and we can't help but love every moment we have with them.

They make us smile, laugh, and yes,
they sometimes make us want to pull our hair out
because they're cats and you know cats. . .

Cats have 32 muscles in each ear
to help them ignore you.

Many of you who have followed my blog know about these cats
and how they came to be born in our home,
but if you don't know their story
than please feel free to read about it HERE.

Let's take a trip down memory lane
and go back to when these rascals were born. . .

Stripester
{lovingly named by my son}
was the firstborn.

Stripester was the most playful

when the kittens were younger,

but now she tends to sleep the day away.

Although, every day like clock work,

she wakes up at 2:00 in the afternoon

and becomes extremely affectionate.

She will find either my son or myself

and follow us around until we love on her.

Here is Stripester snuggling with Burrito.

The two of them could be twins

even though Burrito was born in July.

This is lovely Stripester on her birthday.

You can see her colors have darkened with age.

And this is her favorite place to sleep.

The other cats know to leave this bed alone

because Stripester has laid claim on it.

Don't you just love the way cats curl their paws?!

Duke was the second born
and this guy is like a big teddy bear,
very sweet and loving.

He had the cutest face when he was a kitten

as it was rather round and chubby.

This picture cracks me up.

It's like he is smiling up at the camera.

The older he got

the more his face "thinned" out

and now he is very large and muscular.

Collect moments

not things. . .

unless those things are cats.

Duke is a big snuggle bug

whether it's with us

or the other cats.

Here he is cuddled up with Burrito.

Melly was the last kitten to be born
and oh, what a tiny thing she was!
She was also very laid back and mellow
which is how she got her name.

Melly can be rather quirky.

In the mornings when I am getting ready for the day,

she will join me in the bathroom

and she goes crazy wanting attention.

She will gently bite my leg until I pet her

and once I start petting her,

she won't let me stop.

She will use her two front paws

to pull my hand back to her head.

She tends to be a loner with the other cats

and isn't big into snuggling with them.

Duke, Mr. Lover Boy, tries,

but usually gets told off by Melly.

All you need is love

and cats.

If you have a cat. . .or cats

than you know how wonderful cat naps are.

{{smiles}}

There is something sweet and comforting

when your cat curls up next to you.

For their birthday

I made a little birthday banner

and some cat accordion decorations.

They also got some special treats

in crystal dishes.

We have been incredibly blessed
with our cat family of six
and we wouldn't trade any of them for the world.
If you would like to read about Burrito and Buttercup's story,
please do so by clicking HERE.
Their story is my favorite.
{{smiles}}
They were born four months after
Stripester, Duke, and Melly.

There are only three things
this lady can't resist,
her cat. . .
and her other five cats.

Do you have pets, my friends?
I would love to hear about them
in the comment section.

Have a most beautiful day.
Hugs and love!

* * * * * * * *

I have had several lovely ladies contact me
about hosting a Spring Tea Cup and Mug Exchange.
While I would love to do so,
I find that I simply cannot right now.
I know this event is loved and enjoyed by many
so please forgive me for not hosting it this Spring.
I will certainly consider hosting one at a later time.
Thank you for understanding.

Caramel Churro Cookies

2019-03-20T06:30:00.000-06:00

Enjoy the sweet

caramel life.

Hello, friends,

and happy day to you!

I trust your week is going well

and I hope your days are being filled

with beauty and sunshine.

Today I have a tasty little treat for you

and it's one that is sure to be a crowd pleaser. . .

Caramel Churro Cookies.

Ingredients:

2 Pillsbury pie crusts

12 soft caramel candies, cut in half

1/4 cup butter, melted

1 cup granulated sugar

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F

and line a cookie tray with parchment paper;

set aside.

Roll out the pie crusts.

Use a 2-inch round cutter

to cut out 12 pieces from each crust.

You can reuse the crust

by simply rolling it out again.

Place a small piece of caramel candy

in the center of one piece.

Place another piece of crust on top of the caramel

and press the edges with a fork to seal everything together.

You may want to dip your fork in water

before pressing on the dough

as this will prevent the fork from sticking.

Place cookies on the prepared tray.

Bake at 400 degrees for about 8-12 minutes

or until golden brown along the edges.

Allow the cookies to cool completely.

In a small mixing bowl stir together

the 1 cup of sugar and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon.

Melt the 1/4 cup of butter

and brush onto both sides of the cookie.

Roll them in the bowl of cinnamon and sugar.

Place the cookies on a pretty serving tray

and enjoy!

Do you have a favorite recipe

that calls for cinnamon and sugar?

I would love to know

so please feel free to share in the comment section.

Thanks for visiting, sweet friends.

May you have a most wonderful day!

{{{hugs}}}

And may I wish you
a very HAPPY SPRING!

And Spring arose on the garden fair,
Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;
And each flower and herb
on Earth’s dark breast
rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.

- - Percy Bysshe Shelley, "The Sensitive Plant" - -

St. Patrick's Day Tarts

2019-03-13T06:30:00.000-06:00

May your blessings outnumber

the shamrocks that grow.

And may trouble avoid you

wherever you go.

- - Irish Blessing - -

Top o' the morning to ya,

my friends!

I truly hope you are simply delightful

and I trust your week is going well.

Before I share these oh-so-sweet St. Patrick's Day tarts,

I want to thank EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU

for blessing me with your kind words, precious prayers,

and loving thoughts on my last post.

I was greatly touched

and most appreciative of your concern

while being under the weather.

I was quite sick for a week

with aches and chills, a high fever, loss of voice,

and a lovely sinus infection.

I am now feeling human again

and yesterday I had the urge to make something sweet

so I whipped up some of these tarts

in honor of St. Patrick's Day.

These pretty little tarts are easy peasy, my friends,

and oh, are they ever tasty!

The tarts themselves are the Phyllo tarts

found in the frozen section at the grocery store.

I filled them with lemon and raspberry filling.

Mmmm. . . so good!

Then I made a whipped topping

with heavy whipping cream.

Let's see. . .

I probably whipped about a 1/2 cup of cream

and added a spoonful of granulated sugar to it.

I also added Confectioners' sugar to the cream

because it helps with stiffening the whipped topping.

I'm sorry to say that I did not measure any of this

and simply added the Confectioners' sugar as I whipped

until I got a nice stiff consistency.

While whipping the cream,

I added about 1/4 teaspoon of almond extract

which made the lemon and raspberry filling pop with flavor.

Finally, after the cream was whipped

I stirred in a few drops of green food coloring.

I piped the cream onto the tarts

and finished with green sprinkles.

For each petal on the shamrock

this brings a wish your way-

good health,

sweet blessings,

and happiness

for today and every day.

- - Unknown - -

Pour yourself a nice cup of tea

and enjoy a few tarts,

my friends.

Thank you for visiting,

lovely friends!

And again,

thank you for the kind thoughts and prayers

while I was sick.

I am incredibly thankful for each one of you.

After you've enjoyed your tea and tarts

maybe a nap is in order. . .

Have a beautiful day!

Irish Kisses

and

Shamrock Wishes!

Under The Weather

2019-03-06T06:30:00.000-07:00

My bed wasn't feeling well

this morning

so I stayed home to take care of it.

- - Unknown - -

Hello, my friends!

I'm a little under the weather right now

so unfortunately I don't have a post for today.

As you can see,

I am in good company.

{{smiles}}

I hope to feel better soon

and I will "see" you next week!

Love and hugs!

An Invitation To Tea

2019-02-27T06:30:00.000-07:00

Hospitality should have

no other nature than love.

- - Henrietta Mears - -

My sweet friends,

the other day I was reading in my

Tea Lover's Devotional by Emilie Barnes

and I was truly blessed by her words

so I thought I would share them with you.

Take a moment

and slow down, dear ones.

Enjoy these words written by Emilie Barnes.

There's no hurry about the ritual of tea

since you can't go ahead with the tea

until the water is boiling.

And there's more waiting to do even then,

because the tea leaves or tea bags

must steep in the pot.

But while you are waiting for the liquid

to turn its fragrant amber,

you can carry the tray to a comfortable nook

and wait in peace.

If you are with friends,

this is a wonderful time to reconnect with one another.

If you are alone,

you can read or think or pray or just "be."

The brewed tea is too hot to sip quickly,

but it will cool.

You can simply sit and wait until the boiling liquid

settles into comfortable warmth.

Maybe you can read yet another page of your book.

Or you can politely pass the cream and sugar

and cookies or fruit to your friends - more ritual.

Then your cup is ready to enjoy.

And somehow as you sip,

your mind continues to settle down

from its habitual rush.

Your words and your musings slow down

and sink deeper.

Your relationships - even your relationship with yourself -

are granted space for a leisurely stretch.

And the beautiful thing is,

all this slowdown takes so little time!

Enjoying a cup of tea

is not like taking a summer off

or going away on a retreat.

It's an island of calm

you can reasonably visit in the course

of your busiest day.

Once you make the decision to adjust your pace,

you can relax and enjoy the journey.

You may need to change your mental gears

to enjoy it fully.

You may need to practice waiting

and learning to enjoy the repetitive freedom

of the ritual of tea.

But once you do,

the change of pace will renew your mind

and refresh your spirit.

Plan a tea party to gather some old friends or new friends.

Even having just one person over

for a cup of tea and good conversation

will create a time of hospitality and connection.

Make it simple so that you enjoy it

and can focus on sharing your heart with your guests.

Last week I held a giveaway for the children's book

Busy in Boots by Madison Meadows

and today I am announcing the winner.

Many thanks to all of you who entered the giveaway.

The lovely winner is. . .

Sheri from Red Rose Alley

One last thing. . .

many of you know my dear mom

who blogs over at

She Graces Her Home in God's Beauty.

Today is her 60th birthday

and I want to wish her a year

of happiness, love, and sweet blessings.

She is a beautiful woman inside and out,

and it's an honor to call her my mother.

Happy Birthday to a rare

and truly amazing gem!

Have a most wonderful day!

Love and hugs to you, my friends.

Melt-In-Your-Mouth Sandwich Cremes & A Giveaway

2019-02-20T06:30:00.000-07:00

Peek-A-Boo!

Here's a cookie for you.

Hello, beautiful friends!

Today I have an extra sweet treat for you,

melt-in-your-mouth sandwich cremes.

I shared a picture of these cookies

on my Valentine's tea post last week

and several of you lovely ladies asked for the recipe.

I want to personally thank Janet Karst

for following my blog and leaving a comment for the first time.

It's always a pleasure to hear from new readers

and please know that I enjoy and appreciate
every one of your comments.

Thank you, friends,

for faithfully visiting and commenting.

Many of you also inquired about the Lamingtons recipe.
I will share the link to that recipe at the end of this post.
Now let's get to the cookie recipe!

- - Melt-In-Your-Mouth Sandwich Cremes - -

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, softened

1/3 cup heavy whipping cream

2 cups all-purpose flour

sugar for cookie coating

In a large mixing bowl,

combine the butter, cream, and flour.

Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours,

or until the dough is easy to handle.

Divide the dough into thirds

and on a floured surface,

roll out the dough to 1/8-inch in thickness.

Cut with a floured cookie cutter.

Place the cutouts in a shallow dish

filled with sugar, turn to coat.

Place 2-inches apart on a baking sheet

lined with parchment paper.

Back at 375 degrees F for 7-10 minutes.

Remove to wire racks

and cool completely.

Filling:

1/2 cup butter, softened

1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

food coloring

In a mixing bowl,

cream butter and sugar.

Add vanilla and tint with food coloring.

Spread about 1 teaspoon of filling

over half of the cookies;

top with remaining cookies.

Just look at this flaky goodness,

my friends.

Yes, these cookies

will melt-in-your-mouth.

Life is short.

Surround yourself with kind and loving people. . .

and eat only good cookies.

Some of you also asked about the Lamingtons recipe

that I shared on my post last week.

You can find the recipe here.

The recipe called for dried coconut

which I could not find

so I used fresh and while it tasted good,

I think dried would have been much better.

Also, I did not make the chocolate syrup

that the recipe calls for,

but rather made one with confectioners' sugar.

Here is the recipe for the glaze icing:

1 pound of sifted confectioners' sugar

3 tablespoons of butter, softened

1/2 cup of milk or water

(you may need a little bit more if the glaze is too thick)

food coloring

(add it before you heat the glaze

and add it sparingly if you want soft pastel colours)

Mix it all together in a small pan

and heat it gently until warm and pourable.

And now for the giveaway. . .

a lovely friend and talented author,

Madison Meadows,

offered to give away one of her sweet books

Busy in Boots.

This book teaches respect of all professions and people

and shows how important it is for everyone

to have that special person in place

to make the city a safe and fun place

to live, work, and play.

The book itself is charming

and the illustrations are simply adorable.

Busy in Boots is perfect for families

with children of all ages.

I have a signed copy of the book

and I would be most happy to send it to someone special.

To enter the giveaway,

please leave a comment below

sharing who you would share the book with

whether it's your children, grandchildren,

nieces, nephews, friend's kids, etc.

I will announce the winner

next Wednesday, February 27th.

You can also find a copy of this book

on Amazon.

Enjoy the remainder of your week, sweet friends!
Love and hugs to you.

A Valentine's Day Tea Party

2019-02-13T06:30:00.000-07:00

Hugs, kisses,

and Valentine's wishes.

Join me, lovely friends,

for a cup of tea

and some Valentine's Day treats.

The table has been set

and the food has been served.

My son and I hosted this delightful tea party

for a very special lady. . .

my mom.

We wanted to spoil her

and show her just how much we adore her.

With Valentine's Day just around the corner

it seemed like the perfect time

to shower some extra love on her.

I filled mini black buckets with chocolate hearts

and set one at each place setting.

The bucket had handles so I tied tulle around them

for added charm.

Black sparkly balls

and small pink crystals

adorned the center of the table.

My mom loves pink, turquoise, and black

which is why I used those colors for the tea party.

I searched high and low

for a pink and black tea cup

because I wanted to give it to my mom.

I found this little beauty on online

and it was simply perfect.

And because my son was joining us

I wanted a "manly" tea cup for him.

He is into knights and kingdoms right now

so when I saw this tea cup

at this lovely Etsy shop well,

I just had to get it for him.

And it being in black was an added bonus.

I used my pink rose dishes

and the turquoise linen napkins

added a nice splash of color.

I found the "LOVE" sign at Hobby Lobby

and I made some pink hearts

to place around the sign.

This is what we had on the menu. . .

Thick and creamy potato soup

along with cucumber sandwiches

and mini BLT's.

Oreo and mint

cheesecake trifles

topped with fresh raspberries.

Homemade Lamingtons.

Lemon and raspberry tarts.

Chocolate wafer cookies

dipped in white chocolate.

And butter sandwich cookies

that literally melted in our mouths.

I was truly blessed as we sipped our tea

and nibbled on food throughout the afternoon.

I am immensely grateful to have my precious mom in my life

and I truly cherish the moments my son and I have with her.

She has poured, and continues to pour, so much love on my life

and the life of my son that it's a joy and gift

to be able to shower her with love as well.

I hope you have a most beautiful Valentine's Day,

sweet friends.

Pour a little love

on someone special in your life.

You have this incredible way

of making my heart happy.

- - Unknown - -

Last week I shared that I had been absent from blogging for good reasons.

Well, on February 1st my husband, son, and I

took off for Arizona for a nice 10 day vacation.

Oh, what a lovely time we had!

We so love Arizona and any time spent there

is truly a blessing.

We were able to see my grandmother and mom

which was simply wonderful.

I hadn't seen my grandma since last summer

so it was a joy to spend some time with her

and to see that she is doing well.

Thank you for visiting, dear friends.

Love and hugs to you!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Flower and Lace Coasters

2019-02-06T06:30:00.000-07:00

You keep calm. . .

and I'll drink coffee.

Hi, friends!

Need a coaster for your coffee mug?

Or maybe something to set your tea cup on?

Well, these charming little coasters will do the trick.

And the best thing

is that you can whip up a set in no time.

Here is what you will need:

scrap fabric, or better yet, charm squares

fusible fleece

crocheted lace trim

mini silk roses

For one coaster you will need two 5-inch squares

and one square of fusible fleece that measures 4.5-inches.

Iron on the fusible fleece to the back side

of the front square.

Does that make sense?

Sew a strip of lace to the front square.

Place the two squares with right sides together

and sew along all four edges with a 1/4-inch seam allowance.

Leave a small opening.

Also, trim the corners,

but be careful you don't snip your seam.

Pull the coaster right side out of the hole

and press with a hot iron.

Top stitch along all four edges.

For the fabric flower

cut a strip of fabric that is 1.5 x 8-inches and fold in half.

Sew a gathering stitch along the raw edge

and gently pull to create a flower.

Sew the two ends together.

Apply a bit of hot glue to the flower

and press onto the top of the lace.

Add a silk rose to the center.

Heart warming tea

on a cold rainy day.

It's always a pleasure to read your comments.

I appreciate the time you take in visiting.

Forgive me for not being around, dear friends,

but I have been absent from blogging for good reasons.

I will tell you more about it next week.

Love and hugs to you!

Buttons And Hearts

2019-01-30T06:00:00.000-07:00

You

make my heart

smile.

A very happy day to you,

lovely friends and followers.

I trust your week is going well.

Today I have a fun little project

that is oh-so-easy to make.

It's the perfect thing to make

while sitting by the warm fire

and drinking hot tea. . .

and maybe snacking on a cookie or two

{{smiles}}

These charming hearts have been cut out

of pretty paper and glued onto striped paper straws.

A simple but fun project for Valentine's Day.

Here is what you need

to make your own heart bouquet:

card stock

heart punch

paper straws

tulle or ribbon

stamps

ink

embellishments

hot glue gun and glue

Hot glue two hearts together

so that you have a nice front and back.

On the backside

apply a dab of glue and place the straw on it.

Tie some tulle or ribbon

at the base of the heart.

I made paper banners out of card stock

and stamped words on them,

such as:

love

true

hugs

kiss

and wrapped them around the straw.

I used hot glue to hold them on.

Then, I added an embellishment.

Easy peasy,

right?

And oh-so-cute!

I tucked my hearts

into a jar of buttons

that I had in my craft room.

I also tied some tulle around the jar

and added a pretty little gem to the center.

I placed my bouquet of hearts and buttons

on my tea cart in the dining room.

To finish off the look,

I added three gold frames to the tea cart.

I found the frames at Hobby Lobby.

Good ol' Hobby Lobby, right?

I used some sparkly card stock

along with wooden hearts

to create a sweet Valentine's Day look.

I like the look of the frames so much

that I might make different backgrounds

for each season and holiday.

All I have to do is switch out the card stock

and then I can leave them on my tea cart year-around.

Last week I hosted a small giveaway for the book

Stories Behind The Great Traditions Of Christmas.

The lovely winner of the book is. . .

Kathy from Looking At Life Through My Bifocals.

Thanks to all of you sweet ladies

for entering the giveaway.

I wish I could send a copy to each one of you.

Have a most beautiful day!

{{{hugs}}}

A Sweet Little LOVE Banner

2019-01-23T06:30:00.000-07:00

A hundred hearts would be too few

to carry all my love for you.

- - Unknown - -

Happy day to you, my wonderful friends!
I want to thank all of you
for leaving such sweet comments on my last post.
I truly appreciate your love and support
as I slow down on my blog.
I look forward to "seeing" you each week.

Today I want to show you
a delightful little "LOVE" banner
that is made with sparkly paper
and plenty of "bling bling."
You can't go wrong with sparkles, right?

If it's pink or sparkly
YES.
I want it!

Here is what you will need

to make your own banner.

{2} sparkly 12 x 12 pieces of card stock

{2} heart 12 x 12 pieces of card stock

tulle

glitter letter stickers

gemstones

buttons

hole punch

hot glue gun and glue

Cut 4 pieces that measure

6 x 8 from the sparkly paper.

Cut 4 pieces that measure

4 x 6 from the heart paper.

Place the heart paper

onto the center of the sparkly paper

using hot glue.

Apply the glitter letters

to the center of each heart paper.

Add some gems

to each piece.

Punch out holes in the corner of each paper

and slide the tulle through the holes.

Then add the buttons in between each piece.

I simply hot glued the buttons on

and added a small piece of felt to the back side.

I used this elaborate button

for the center of my banner.

And volia!

You now have a beautiful banner

to hang in your home for Valentine's Day.

Everything I used to make this banner

was found at Hobby Lobby,

including the buttons.

Loved you yesterday,

love you still,

always have,

always will.

- - Unknown - -

- - LOVE - -

Love you

Only you

Very, very much

Every day, more and more.

I have my banner

hanging in my dining room.

Someone wanted to be in the picture. . .

can you find Burrito the cat?

{{smiles}}

And before I wrap up this post,
I wanted to share a charming little book with you.
Now I know it's a Christmas book,
but it's one I think you will enjoy reading any time of the year.
Or you can get it now
and save it to enjoy during the next Christmas season.

Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas
brings you the fascinating stories and origins
behind Christmas traditions such as the colors of red and green,
the Christmas tree, caroling, nativity scenes, the Yule log,
gift-giving, stockings, advent wreaths, mistletoe, and holly.

The traditions of Christmas lend beauty,
awe, and hope to the holiday,
causing people all over the world to anticipate it with joy.
The stories in this book will warm your heart a
s you rediscover the true and eternal significance of Christmas.

Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas
by Ace Collins is truly a fantastic and remarkable book.
The introductory alone held my complete attention
and left me shaking my head in awe
at how little I really knew about Christmas.

"Before we brood and protest too much over the ruin
of what we think Christmas must have been like
in generations long past,
we might actually feel encouraged
about the season we celebrate today
when we consider what Christmas was really like
in the days of old."
- - Ace Collins - -

This book may be small in size,
but it's quite large and rich in detail and history.
Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas
will offer some wonderful and insightful information.
I can honestly say that I was utterly captivated
by the history of Christmas
and the traditions that have formed over the years.
I highly recommend this book
as I believe it's one that will encourage and inspire the reader.

** I was given a complimentary copy of this book

from BookLook Bloggers for an honest review.

All thoughts and opinions are my own

and no other compensation was received. **

Because I found this book to be so delightful,
I am giving a copy away.
To enter the giveaway,
please let me know in the comment section
that you would like your name entered.
I will announce the winner
next Wednesday, January 30th.
This giveaway is open to all USA and Canadian residents.

Hugs to you, sweet friends!

New Year...New Hopes...New Dreams

2019-01-16T06:30:00.000-07:00

To accomplish great things,

we must not only act,

but also dream;

not only plan,

but also believe.

- - Anatole France - -

A very HAPPY NEW YEAR

to you, sweet friends!

I may be 2 weeks late

in wishing you a happy new year,

but please know that I hope 2019 is extra special

for you and your loved ones.

I hope this year is filled with a million moments

that contain joy, love, hope, and peace.

I pray that this year is truly extraordinary!

And now we welcome the new year.

Full of things that have never been.

- - Rainer Maria Rilke - -

Another year is dawning:

Dear Father, let it be,

In working or in waiting,

Another year with Thee;

Another year of progress,

Another year of praise,

Another year of proving

Thy presence all the days.

Another year of mercies,

Of faithfulness and grace;

Another year of gladness

In the shining of Thy face;

Another year of leaning

Upon Thy loving breast;

Another year of trusting,

Of quiet, happy rest.

Another year of service,

Of witness for Thy love;

Another year of training

For holier work above.

Another year is dawning;

Dear Father, let it be,

On earth or else in heaven,

Another year for Thee.

- - Frances R. Havergal - -

'Tis a new year, my friends.

It's a year for new hopes,

new dreams, new aspirations.

It's a year for being adventurous,

seeing new places, trying new things.

It's a year for deepening our spiritual lives

and growing closer to the Lord.

I asked the New Year

for some motto sweet,

some rule of life

by which to guide my feet.

I asked and paused;

it answered soft and low,

"God's will to know."

- - Unknown - -

With this new year comes some changes. . .

My sweet and lovely friends,

I feel the need to slow down on my blog

and have decided to post only once a week.

I will do my very best to share beautiful creations,

delicious treats, encouraging words, and all-around loveliness

on a weekly basis.

I am also stepping away from my online shop.

I don't know for how long,

but for now I simply want to create

and make treasures at my leisure.

Often I get too wrapped up in trying to keep my shop fully stocked

that I forget to enjoy making something just because I feel like it.

You are never too old

to set another goal

or to dream a new dream.

- - C. S. Lewis - -

I have dreams. . .

my husband and I have dreams. . .

and maybe this is the year

that some of those dreams will come true.

{{smiles}}

I am truly hopeful that this year will be extra special

filled with an abundance of blessings.

I hope the same for you, sweet friends.

Every day take the chance
to do something new.
It won't cost much more
than the courage it takes to do it.
- - Unknown - -

It's good to be back, my friends,
and I look forward to catching up with each one of you.
I hope you have a most beautiful day
and I will "see" you next week.

Love and hugs!

A Bound Heart - Book Review

2019-01-07T15:00:00.000-07:00

Though Magnus MacLeish and Lark MacDougall

grew up on the same castle grounds,

Magnus is now laird of the great house and the Isle of Kerrera.

Lark is but the keeper of his bees

and the woman he is hoping will provide a tincture

that might help his ailing wife conceive and bear him an heir.

But when his wife dies suddenly,

Magnus and Lark find themselves caught up

in a whirlwind of accusations,

expelled from their beloved island,

and sold as indentured servants across the Atlantic.

Yet even when all hope seems dashed

against the rocky coastline of the Virginia colony,

it may be that in this New World

the two of them could make a new beginning together.

My Thoughts

Laura Frantz never disappoints

and her latest book A Bound Heart

is truly a winner.

Laura has an eye for detail

and that attention flows through to her writing.

When I began reading this heartwarming tale,

the words were like artwork. . .

they were a feast for the eyes

that brought beautiful images to the mind.

With the lyrical Scottish words

and the talent of Laura's writing

well, you're bound to be captivated by this book.

A Bound Heart will take you

on an epic and unforgettable journey.

Lark and Magnus face many hardships,

but love, hope, faith, and grace will prevail.

One of my favorites things was the delightful quotes

at the beginning of each chapter.

Here are just a few to give you a taste

of A Bound Heart.

A gaudy dress and gentle air

may slightly touch the heart,

but 'tis innocence and modesty

that polishes the dart.

- - Robert Burns - -

I find as I grow older

that I love those most

whom I loved first.

- - Thomas Jefferson - -

The true measure of a man

is how he treats someone

who can do him absolutely no good.

- - Samuel Johnson - -

I highly recommend this book

especially if you enjoy and appreciate historical fiction.

Laura Frantz is an extraordinary storyteller

and you will not be disappointed if you add

A Bound Heart to your library.

** I was given a free copy of this book from Revell Publishers for an honest review.
All thoughts are my own. No other compensation was received.
Thank you Revell! **

About the Author

Laura Frantz is a Christy Award finalist

and the ECPA bestselling author of several books,

including The Frontiersman's Daughter, Courting Morrow Little,

The Colonel's Lady, The Mistress of Tall Acre, A Moonbow Night,

and The Ballantyne Legacy series.

She lives and writes in a log cabin in the heart of Kentucky.

Learn more at www.laurafrantz.net.

Code Of Valor - Book Review

2019-01-04T08:59:00.001-07:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

My dear friends,

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas Season

and I trust your New Year is off to a beautiful start.

I am still on my blogging break,

but I have a few book reviews to share with you

in the next week.

I look forward to returning to my blog

and hearing about your holiday festivities.

Until then,

know that you are thought of!

Love and hugs!

Book Review

What Detective Brady St. John really needs

is a relaxing vacation.

Unfortunately, just as the sun is setting

on his second day at a friend's cabin on Lake Henley,

he hears a scream and races to rescue a woman from her would-be killer.

When the killer escapes only to return to finish the job,

Brady vows to utilize all of his many resources to keep her safe

and catch those who would see her dead.

Financial crimes investigator Emily Chastain

doesn't trust many people.

And even though she's trying to cooperate

with the detective who saved her life,

there are some things she doesn't know-

and some things you just don't share with a stranger.

Little does she suspect that what she doesn't know

just might get them both killed.

My Thoughts

Woooeee, Lynette Eason does not hold back

in Code of Valor.

This book is a real page-turner

and when I say page-turner, I mean it.

From the very first line in the book

to the last word of the story,

the reader will be spellbound by Code of Valor.

Lynette Eason has been one of my favorite authors

for many years and the story of Brady and Emily

is just another reason to admire her work.

This book is packed with all of the good stuff. . .

suspense

mystery

intrigue

action

forgiveness

compassion

hope

second chances

love.

Emily is quite the lady.

She is someone who allowed the Lord to pull her up

from the deepest, darkest pit and live a life full of hope.

As I read further into the book

I couldn't help but admire her tenacity and outlook on life.

She's a gem and if you read this book

I think you'll enjoy her unique character.

Brady is a true gentleman with honorable intentions

and a desire to protect those he cares about.

What can I say. . .

the reader will like him immediately.

While Code of Valor is the book three in the Blue Justice series,

it could be read as a stand alone.

If you would like to get to know the St. John family

than start from book one because this series is about them.

But if you just can't wait and want an amazing book to read now

than start with Code of Valor.

You'll not be disappointed with Lynette Eason

and her skill for writing a phenomenal story.

Also, I would personally recommend this book

for an older audience such as 18-years and older.

** I was given a free copy of this book from Revell Publishers for an honest review.

All thoughts are my own. No other compensation was received.

Thank you Revell! **

About the Author

Lynette Eason is the bestselling author of the Women of Justice series,

the Deadly Reunions series, and the Hidden Identity series,

as well as Always Watching, Without Warning, Moving Target,

and Chasing Secrets in the Elite Guardians series.

She is the winner of two ACFW Carol Awards,

the Selah Award, and the Inspirational Readers' Choice Award.

She has a master's degree in education from Converse College

and lives in South Carolina.

Learn more at www.lynetteeason.com.

Have A Joyous Christmas

2018-12-20T06:30:00.000-07:00

All is calm,

all is bright.

My sweet and wonderful friends,

Christmas is almost here.

Can you feel the joy,

the excitement,

the anticipation?

How I love the twinkling Christmas lights,

the smell of cookies baking in the oven,

the cozy nights sitting by the Christmas tree

while the snow gently falls to the ground.

How I love curling up by the fire

with a charming Christmas story,

playing family games late into the evening,

and seeing the joyful smiles of others

when they wish you "Merry Christmas."

While I love all of these things,

the most precious thing I love about Christmas

is the celebration of the birth of our Savior.

It's truly a delightful time of the year,

isn't it, my friends?

'Tis a joyous season. . .

one filled with rejoicing.

Even the angels sang and rejoiced

over the newborn King.

Hark the herald angels sing

"Glory to the newborn King!

Peace on earth and mercy mild

God and sinners reconciled"

Joyful, all ye nations rise

Join the triumph of the skies

With the angelic host proclaim:

"Christ is born in Bethlehem"

Hark! The herald angels sing

"Glory to the newborn King!"

- - Charles Wesley - -

Angels we have heard on high

Sweetly singing o’er the plains

And the mountains in reply

Echoing their joyous strains

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Shepherds, why this jubilee?

Why your joyous strains prolong?

What the gladsome tidings be

Which inspire your heavenly song?

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Come to Bethlehem and see

Him Whose birth the angels sing;

Come, adore on bended knee,

Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

See Him in a manger laid

Jesus Lord of heaven and earth;

Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,

With us sing our Savior’s birth.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

- - French Carol - -

And she brought forth her firstborn son,

and wrapped him in swaddling clothes,

and laid him in a manger;

because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country

shepherds abiding in the field,

keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them,

and the glory of the Lord shone round about them:

and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them,

Fear not: for, behold,

I bring you good tidings of great joy,

which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day

in the city of David a Saviour,

which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you;

Ye shall find the babe

wrapped in swaddling clothes,

lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel

a multitude of the heavenly host

praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace, good will toward men.

- - Luke 2:7-14 - -

There's a song in the air!

There's a star in the sky!

There's a mother's deep prayer

and a baby's low cry!

And the star rains its fire

while the beautiful sing,

for the manger of Bethlehem

cradles a King!

There's a tumult of joy

o'er the wonderful birth,

for the virgin's sweet boy

is the Lord of the earth.

Ay! the star rains its fire

while the beautiful sing,

for the manger of Bethlehem

cradles a King!

- - Josiah G. Holland - -

What a beautiful scene is drawn for us

in this joyful Christmas hymn!

As we visualize once more

the glorious chorus of angels,

the brilliant star,

and Mary watching over her babe

in the lowly manger,

we feel like joining the "heavenly throng"

in their "tumult of joy"

to greet our Savior and King!

- - Kenneth W. Osbeck - -

Sing, my friends!

Sing with exuberance!

Sing as though you were actually joining

the angels in their song that continues to ring.

The shepherds had an angel

The wise men had a star

But what have I, a little child,

To guide me from far,

Where glad stars sing together

And singing angels are?

Christ watches me, His little lamb,

Cares for me day and night,

That I may be His own in heaven;

So angels clad in white

Shall sing their "Glory, glory"

For my sake in the height.

- - Christina Rossetti - -

O come all ye faithful

Joyful and triumphant,

O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.

Come and behold Him,

Born the King of Angels;

O come, let us adore Him,

Christ the Lord.

Sing, choirs of angels,

Sing in exultation,

Sing all that hear in heaven God's holy word.

Give to our Father glory in the Highest;

O come, let us adore Him,

Christ the Lord.

- - John Wade - -

Are you feeling the Christmas JOY,

sweet friends?

It's contagious!

Joy to the world, the Lord has come!

Let earth receive her King;

Let every heart prepare Him room,

And Heaven and nature sing,

And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

- - Isaac Watts - -

Did you know that Joy to the World

is a paraphrase of the last part of Psalm 98:

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD,

all the earth: make a loud noise,

and rejoice, and sing praise...

Let the floods clap their hands:

let the hills be joyful together

Before the LORD;

for he cometh to judge the earth:

with righteousness shall he judge the world,

and the people with equity.

- - Psalm 98:4, 8-9 - -

Although it was originally a song of rejoicing

for Jehovah's protection of His chosen people

and the anticipation of the time

when He would be the God of the whole earth,

this psalm was intended by Watts

to be a New Testament expression of praise.

It exalts the salvation that began when God became incarnate

as the Babe of Bethlehem

who was destined to remove the curse of Adam's fall.

The text was originally titled

"The Messiah's Coming and Kingdom"

when it first appeared in a hymnal of 1719

by Isaac Watts.

- - Kenneth W. Osbeck - Amazing Grace - -

Sweet friends,

I hope this post has brought you much joy.

I hope you are rejoicing over the birth of Jesus.

What a precious, precious gift we have been given.

The time has come for me to take a break from my blog

to enjoy this blessed Christmas Season with my family.

It is my hope that you have a lovely Christmas

filled with love and tender moments.

We celebrate at Christmas

that Christ was

BORN,

but also that He

LIVED.

- - Craig Christensen - -

Love and hugs to you, friends.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Ornament Swap Reveal

2018-12-17T06:30:00.000-07:00

Nothing can compare

to Christmas in the air.

A very happy day to you,

sweet friends!

Last month I hosted a Christmas Ornament Swap

and today is the big day for the reveal.

It's the day we get to see oh-so-many sweet

Christmas ornaments and treasures

that were sent across the states.

Won't you join in on the festivities!

Pour yourself a nice cup of hot cocoa,

hot apple cider, egg nog, tea, or coffee

and enjoy the pictures.

You may even want a piece of fudge

or a cookie. . .maybe even two.

{{smiles}}

Before I share what I received from the lovely Ronny,

I want to thank the 63 sweet participants.

It was truly a joy to host this event

and I appreciate you ladies for joining the fun.

Now let's get this Christmas party started!

Ronny was the sweet and incredibly thoughtful lady

that sent me my ornament package.

Get this, my dear friends,

Ronny sent not one, not two, not three,

but four Christmas ornaments!

Just look at these beauties. . .

And not only did she send three ornaments,

she also placed them in darling little boxes.

My oh my, what a darling lady!

This reindeer is ever so pretty with its glitter

and the lace butterfly clips beautifully

onto the Christmas tree.

She blessed me with this amazing pink ball.

Oh friends, it's even more lovely in person.

The top has gemstones around it

and the pink shimmers and shines in the lights.

And this winter bird. . .

what a dainty little piece.

The bird is glass

and has snow inside of it.

She looks very pretty

sitting in my Christmas tree.

Ronny also included a beautiful snowflake doily,

a hand towel with a cardinal on it,

and these delicious coconut chocolates.

The chocolates. . .well, they were very, very, good.

And I just ate my last one while typing this.

They didn't last long. . .

and I may not have shared with my husband and son.

Oops. . .

A very big, heartfelt thanks

to my new friend Ronny!

I felt ever so spoiled and blessed by her.

I had the pleasure of sending to Mari

from Life in a Simple Cottage.

Here are the goodies I sent her way. . .

Enjoy the many pictures below, my friends.

I am sure you will oooh and ahhh

and the lovely Christmas treasures.

For the bloggers that joined the swap,

please find the link-up at the end of this post.

* * * * *

To Lisa - From Peg

To Penny - From Cheryl

To Kelly - From Mary Anne

To Jacqueline - From Ann

To Sue - From Diana

To Deb - From Chris

To Shirley - From Cheryl

To Sam - From Wanda

To June - From Marlene

To Debbie - From Sue

To Diana - From Kate

To Chris - From Debby

To Lynn - From Shirley

To Carol - From Angela

To Gina - From Regina

To Cindy - From Abby

To Marlene - From Wanda

To Peg - From Jackie

To Marina - From Sharron

To Dixie - From Debbie M.

To Wanda - From Becky

To Mary Anne - From Marina

To Krishna - From Janae

To Cheryl - From Adria

To Abby - From Allison

To Darla - From Kelly

To Allison - From Debbie

To Mrs T. - From Ashley

To June - From Maria

To Adria - From Nora

To Janae - From Rebekah

To Jody - From Penny

To Ashleigh - From Marilyn

To Sharron - From Darla

To Regina - From Sam

Thank you for visiting.

I hope you enjoyed seeing

the many Christmas ornaments and treasures.

You will find a link-up below

for the bloggers who joined the swap.

If you have time,

I hope you are able to visit their blogs.

When you click on a blog link

it will likely send you to a page

that says it will redirect you to the blog.

Simply wait 5 seconds and voila!

You'll be redirected.

Love and hugs to you, friends!

Silent Night! Holy Night!

2018-12-16T06:30:00.000-07:00

For unto you is born this day

in the city of David a Saviour,

which is Christ the LORD.

- - Luke 2:11 - -

Silent night! holy night!

All is calm, all is bright

round yon virgin mother and Child.

Holy infant so tender and mild-

sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night! holy night!

Shepherds quake at the sight;

glories stream from heaven afar,

heavenly hosts sing alleluia;

Christ the Savior, is born!

Silent night! holy night!

Son of God, love's pure light

radiant beams from Thy holy face

with the dawn of redeeming grace

Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.

- - Joseph Mohr - -

When this beloved hymn

was written by two humble church leaders

for their own mountain village parshioners,

little did they realize how universal its influence

would eventually be.

When they had heard the king,

they departed; and, lo, the star,

which they saw in the east, went before them,

till it came and stood over where the young child was.

When they saw the star,

they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

- - Matthew 2:9-10 - -

To give knowledge of salvation unto his people

by the remission of their sins,

Through the tender mercy of our God;

whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,

To give light to them that sit in darkness

and in the shadow of death,

to guide our feet into the way of peace.

- - Luke 1:77-79 - -

Have a blessed Lord's Day!

Christmas Cat Toys

2018-12-14T06:30:00.000-07:00

HOME

is where the cat is.

Hello, my lovely friends!

Today I thought I would share

some cute little cat toys

that I made for our 6 cats.

After all,

I can't leave them out

of the Christmas gift giving.

To make these fun stockings, ornaments,

and Christmas trees,

I simply used felt, decorative trim,

and jingle bells.

Once I sewed the pieces together,

I filled them with catnip.

The pom pom trim on the tree

is perfect for our cats curiosity.

Oh, look. . .

it didn't take Burrito long

to find the toys.

My dear friends, I have to tell you

that I've had these toys hidden in my dresser drawer

because the cats can smell them a mile away!

When I pulled them out for pictures,

I tried to be "sneaky" and quick,

but as you can see, it didn't work.

Burrito was rolling all over the toys.

Naughty boy. . .

Then he laid on top of them

trying to keep me away.

Like I said, naughty boy!

I was able to gather up the toys

and now they will stay safely hidden

until Christmas.

These little toys were easy and fun to make.

If you have some furry feline friends in your life

well, these would be a delightful Christmas gift for them.

And before I bring this post to a close,

I thought I would share a few photos

of our 6 precious cats.

It's been a while since I've given an update on them.

Crazy Cat Lady?
I prefer the term

dedicated feline enthusiast.

Stripester is still very "motherly"

and tends to take care of the other cats.

This is Melly all tucked in.

Yes, she actually tucked herself in.

There is one word that describes Melly perfectly:

Quirky.

Buttercup has affectionately been renamed to "Buzz Buzz"

because she buzzes around the house like a bumblebee.

This cutie pie can't sit still. . .

unless she is sleeping.

Duke is just as handsome as ever.

He is one of the sweetest cats

and can definitely be a big ol' baby at times.

He gives the greatest hugs.

When all else fails. . .

hug the cat!

And Mama Hanny

is happy and healthy.

She spends most of her days playing outside

and her nights all curled up in a cozy spot by the fire.

The two boys, Duke and Burrito,

found my jean skirt and decided to play in it.

They are looking at me like,

"Hmmm...us?! We're not doing anything!"

Silly cats!

No matter how bad your day is,

your cat {or cats}

will always make you smile.

Thanks for stopping by

for some feline fun, my friends.

Have a beautiful weekend!

{{{hugs}}}

A Spool Full Of Love

2018-12-12T06:30:00.000-07:00

"Christmas is a togethery

sort of holiday,"

said Pooh.

"That's my favorite kind,"

said Piglet.

Hello, sweet and faithful friends!

I'm so glad you're here.

Today I thought I would show you

a fun little Christmas ornament
that is a cinch to make.

I found the large wooden spools at Hobby Lobby

and they came in a package of 4.

I purchased two things of greenery,

one red and one white.

The metal snowflakes were found in the

miniature Christmas tree aisle.

And the finishing touch was a Scrabble letter

which can be also be found at Hobby Lobby

or antique shops.

To begin with,

I tied a strip of lace around the spool.

Then I clipped off some greenery

and hot glues it onto the lace.

After that I applied the metal snowflake

and topped it with the Scrabble letter.

Easy peasy, right?

No sewing involved,

just hot gluing.

{{smiles}}

These would make lovely little gifts

for friends and family since

you can easily customize them with the letters.

Happy creating,

my friends!

Have a most beautiful day!

Love and hugs!

Pumpkin Caramel Poke Cake

2018-12-10T06:30:00.000-07:00

Life is too short

to say no to cake.

Hello, friends.

Boy, do I have a treat for you today!

This pumpkin caramel poke cake is

oooooh-sooooo-goooood,

and it's the perfect treat to serve to guests. . .

or yourself.

A moist cake,

creamy frosting,

and ooey-gooey caramel,

what's not to like?!

These are the ingredients you need:

1 box, spice cake mix

1 cup canned, pumpkin puree

1 cup water

3 eggs

1/2 cup vegetable oil

3/4 cup caramel ice cream topping, divided

1 {8 oz.} pkg, cream cheese, room temperature

2 tablespoons milk

1 cup Confectioners' sugar

1 1/2 cup whipped topping

{I whip my own, but you can use Cool Whip)

Let's get to baking, my friends!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Lightly spray a 9x13 pan with baking spray and set aside.

With a hand or stand mixer,

mix together the cake mix, pumpkin, water, eggs and oil

stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl.

Mix until nice and smooth.

Pour batter into the prepared pan

and bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes,

or until toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean,

and crumb free.

As soon as the cake comes out of the oven,

while it is still hot,

poke holes into the cake with the end of a wooden spoon.

In a microwave safe bowl, heat up a 1/2 cup of the caramel sauce

for about 20-30 seconds, just to warm.

This will make is easier to pour over the cake.

Pour the warm caramel sauce over the top of the hot cake,

making sure to get the majority of the sauce into the holes of the cake.

Let the cake cool completely.

Once the cake is cool, prepare the cream cheese frosting.

With a hand or stand mixer, cream together the cream cheese,

powdered sugar and milk until smooth and creamy.

Add the whipped topping, and fold into the cream cheese mixture.

Spread the frosting over the top of the cake,

gently pressing the frosting into the holes of the cake.

Smooth out evenly.

Drizzle the top of the cake with the remaining 1/4 cup of caramel sauce.

Refrigerate any leftovers

{if you have any}.

Nothing says HOME

like the smell of baking.

PRO TIP:

Keep cake moist

by eating it all in one sitting.

Thank you for stopping by!

I hope you have a very "sweet" day.

{{{hugs}}}

'Tis The Lord! O Wondrous Story!

2018-12-09T06:30:00.000-07:00

Who is He in yonder stall,

At whose feet the shepherds fall?

Who is He in deep distress,

Fasting in the wilderness?

Who is He the people bless

For His words of gentleness?

Who is He to whom they bring

All the sick and sorrowing?

Who is He that stands and weeps

At the grave where Lazarus sleeps?

Who is He the gathering throng

Greet with loud triumphant song?

Lo! at midnight, who is He

Prays in dark Gethsemane?

Who is He on yonder tree,

Dies in grief and agony?

Who is He that from the grave

Comes to heal and help and save?

Who is He that from His throne

Rules through all the world alone?

Chorus

'Tis the Lord! O wondrous story!

'Tis the Lord! the King of glory!

At His feet we humbly fall,

Crown Him! crown Him Lord of all!

- Benjamin Russel Hanby -

{picture of the manger scene drawn by my son 4-years ago}

Lift up your heads, O ye gates;

even lift them up, ye everlasting doors;

and the King of glory shall come in.

Who is this King of glory?

The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory.

Selah.

- Psalm 24:9, 10 -

Have a blessed Lord's Day, lovely friends!

Lady Of A Thousand Treasures - Book Review

2018-12-08T06:30:00.000-07:00

Miss Eleanor Sheffield is a talented evaluator of antiquities,

trained to know the difference between a genuine artifact and a fraud.

But with her father’s passing and her uncle’s decline into dementia,

the family business is at risk.

In the Victorian era, unmarried Eleanor cannot run Sheffield Brothers alone.

The death of a longtime client, Baron Lydney,

offers an unexpected complication when Eleanor is appointed

the temporary trustee of the baron’s legendary collection.

She must choose whether to donate the priceless treasures to a museum

or allow them to pass to the baron’s only living son, Harry—

the man who broke Eleanor’s heart.

Eleanor distrusts the baron’s motives

and her own ability to be unbiased regarding Harry’s future.

Harry claims to still love her and Eleanor yearns to believe him,

but his mysterious comments and actions fuel her doubts.

When she learns an Italian beauty accompanied him on his return to England,

her lingering hope for a future with Harry dims.

With the threat of debtor’s prison closing in,

Eleanor knows that donating the baron’s collection

would win her favor among potential clients, saving Sheffield Brothers.

But the more time she spends with Harry, the more her faith in him grows.

Might Harry be worthy of his inheritance, and her heart, after all?

As pressures mount and time runs out,

Eleanor must decide whom she can trust—

who in her life is false or true, brass or gold—

and what is meant to be treasured.

My Thoughts

My dear friends,

Lady of a Thousand Treasures

was an enjoyable read.

I appreciated the fact that the story itself was clean

and an audience of young and old can enjoy the book.

The historical aspect of the story was very well researched,

rich with detail, and all around quite fascinating.

The characters were well portrayed,

especially Eleanor.

I greatly appreciated her honesty,

integrity, and purity.

Eleanor herself was a breath of fresh air.

She was a lady that loved antiques

and she knew exactly what she was doing

when she handled old items.

Her love for antiques can almost be felt

through the writing of Sandra Byrd,

and that love flows onto the reader.

While I enjoyed Harry,

I never could connect with him.

I felt like he needed to be more present in the story.

Like I said,

Lady of a Thousand Treasures

was enjoyable.

My only fault in the book

is that there were some parts in the book

that seemed to drag on and on,

and I found myself skimming over the words

in order to get to a more engaging section.

Overall, I would give this book 4 stars.

** I was given a free copy of this book from Tyndale Publishers for an honest review.

All thoughts are my own. No other compensation was received. **

Our Christmas Tree Adventure

2018-12-06T06:30:00.001-07:00

Fresh cut Christmas trees.

Free sleigh rides.

Sweet hot cocoa.

Warm memories.

Hello, and happy day to you, sweet friends!

Last weekend my husband, son, and I

enjoyed a day in the woods finding a Christmas tree,

and I thought I would share our adventure with you.

We piled in to our Jeep and headed up the mountain. . .

My dear husband enjoyed finding roads

that haven't been driven on.

Up, up, up we went.

The day was incredibly clear

and oh, the views were just beautiful!

I loved seeing the snow blow

across the mountain tops.

We came to a spot where the trees had burned in a fire.

For some reason I found the bare branches

to be quite pretty against the snowy scene.

Even when there aren't flowers or leaves on the trees,

beauty can be found in the bareness of December.

We continued our search for a Christmas tree

and along the way we found an old Jeep.

We hopped into the "ol' classic"

and found ourselves being driven by our son.

{{smiles}}

But then this happened. . .

I think we will wait a few years

before we let "Junior" behind the wheel again.

We enjoyed walking on the mountain side.

The sun was beautifully bright

and the sky was crisp and blue.

The snow crunched beneath our feet

and the air was frosted with our breath.

The best things in life

are the people we love,

the places we've been,

and the memories we've made

along the way.

- - Unknown - -

I think it's time for some hot cocoa

and sugar cookies.

Join us, dear friends.

After the cocoa break,

we headed back down the mountain.

We actually found our Christmas tree

at the beginning of our journey,

but we wanted to make sure

we looked at all the trees.

The first one we found was hard to beat,

as you can see. . .

Hubby and son pulled out the saw

and to cutting they went.

We found a cute little Christmas tree

to put in "Junior's" room.

After tying the tree down,

we headed home.

It's the little memories

that will last a lifetime.

- - Unknown - -

Thanks for coming along on our adventure,

sweet friends.

May you have a most blessed day!

Shabby Pinwheel Ornament

2018-12-04T06:30:00.000-07:00

The best of all gifts

around any Christmas tree

is the presence of a happy family

all wrapped up in each other.

- - Burton Hillis - -

My dear friends,

gather some fabric and sewing supplies,

and we'll make an ornament or two.

These sweet pinwheel ornaments

are ever so easy and fun to make.

They can be used to decorate the Christmas tree

or top beautifully wrapped gifts.

Today is next year's Christmas memory.

Make it one that you will always cherish,

and be sure to enjoy every single moment.

- - Unknown - -

Supplies:

16 5-inch fabric squares

{use a charm pack or cut your own}

scrap fabric

batting

sewing needle, thread, and scissors

embellishments, optional

You will need 16 5-inch squares

for this project.

Fold each square in half

and press with an iron.

Fold one more time

and press with an iron.

Do this with all 16 squares.

You will need to cut 2

4.5-inch circles out of some scrap fabric.

Sew them together.

Carefully cut a slit in the center

of one fabric circle-

make sure the slit doesn't go through both circles.

Gently fill with batting.

Make sure it's nice and full.

Stitch the opening closed.

Thread your needle and knot at the end.

Take one folded square

and place one corner on one side of the circle

and the other corner on the other side of the circle.

Pull your needle and thread through the square and circle.

Continue to do this

with all 16 squares.

When you have attached the last square

make sure to knot your thread

so that everything is held in place.

I added flowers to the front and back side

by simply folding a piece of fabric in half

and sewing a gathering stitch along the raw edge.

The size of my strip was 1.5 x 10-inches.

You will want to use lace or ribbon

for the purpose of hanging.

Sew the ends to the front and back side.

I also added a pretty button

to the center of my flower.

I attached the flower to the center

with good ol' hot glue.

Here is the back side of the ornament.

As you can see,

I added a pretty pink rose.

I found these ornaments to be quiet addicting to make.

Once I started I couldn't seem to stop.

They are the perfect project to enjoy

while sitting by the fire

and listening to Christmas music.

Christmas presents come and go,

but Christmas memories last a lifetime.

- - Unknown - -

I always appreciate your visits

and sweet comments.

Have a splendid day!

{{{hugs}}}

I Will Be Glad and Rejoice In Thee

2018-12-02T06:30:00.000-07:00

How tedious and tasteless the hours

When Jesus no longer I see!

Sweet prospects, sweet birds, and sweet flow'rs,

Have all lost their sweetness to me.

The midsummer sun shines but dim;

The fields strive in vain to look gay;

But when I am happy in Him,

December's as pleasant as May.

His name yields the richest perfume,

And sweeter than music His voice;

His presence disperses my gloom,

And makes all within me rejoice;

I should, were He always thus nigh,

Have nothing to wish or to fear;

No mortal so happy as I;

My summer would last all the year.

Content with beholding His face,

My all to His pleasure resigned,

No changes of seasons or place

Would make any change in my mind.

While blest with a sense of His love,

A palace a toy would appear;

And prisons would palaces prove,

If Jesus would dwell with me there.

Dear Lord, if indeed I am Thine,

If Thou art my sun and my song,

Say, why do I languish and pine?

And why are my winter so long?

O drive these dark clouds from my sky;

Thy soul-cheering presence restore,

Or take me unto Thee on high,

Where winter and clouds are no more.

- - John Newton - -

The gospel of Jesus Christ

revolves around the two Advents of the Savior:

the first when He came as the humble baby

in Bethlehem's manger;

the second when He returns as King of kings

with power and great glory

to establish His eternal kingdom.

Christ's first coming assures us

that we now have a God who identified Himself

with us in every aspect of life

from birth to death.

The anticipation of His second coming

assures us that we will live and reign

with Him forever.

Such a hope keeps this life from becoming

"tedious and tasteless"-

regardless of the seasons or situations.

The ultimate source of inner joy is God Himself,

not our circumstances.

Without an intimate sense of His daily presence,

however, our lives can easily become winter and frigid.

"But when I am happy with Him,

December's as pleasant as May."

- - Kenneth W. Osbeck - Amazing Grace - -

I will be glad and rejoice in thee:

I will sing praise to thy name,

O thou most High.

- - Psalm 9:2 - -

Let all those that seek thee rejoice

and be glad in thee:

and let such as love thy salvation

say continually,

Let God be magnified.

- - Psalm 70:4 - -

Whom have I in heaven but thee?

and there is none upon earth

that I desire beside thee.

- - Psalm 73:25 - -

Have a blessed Lord's Day,

sweet friends!

Fashion Friday and A Winner

2018-11-30T06:30:00.000-07:00

Dressing well is a form

of good manners.

- - Tom Ford - -

Greetings, my friends!

How are you on this beautiful Friday?

Do you have any special plans for the weekend?

My husband, son, and I are planning to head up into the woods

to find our Christmas tree tomorrow.

Oh, we can't wait!

We'll be taking sugar cookies, fudge, and hot cocoa

along on our adventure.

Hot soup and grilled cheese

will be waiting for us when we return.

It's been snowing so we may even squeeze in some sledding

while we look for the "perfect" tree.

* * * * *

As promised,

I will be announcing the giveaway winner today.

Keep on reading

and you'll find out who won at the end of this post.

* * * * *

Now for a little fun fashion. . .

I found this charming skirt at the craft show

where I sold my handmade items at.

It was hanging up on a mannequin

and it was love at first sight.

The tiny pleats, the roses, the color. . .

yes, please!

I walked away from it

and for about 2 - 3 hours I kept telling myself I didn't need it.

Well, as you can see that "pep talk" didn't go over well

because it came home with me.

- - Blouse - -

ModCloth

- - Booties - -

ModCloth

- - Skirt - -

Made by "Skies Are Blue"

Life is short.

Buy the dress.

- - Unknown - -

You may have noticed my hair is shorter.

A couple of weeks ago

I went in and had 4-inches cut off

and now I'm "sporting" a new long bob.

I've always had layers

so the blunt cut is something new and fun for me.

Anyway, moving on to the jewelry. . .

you'll see that I'm wearing my sweet tea pot necklace.

As mentioned before,

it was gifted to me from a dear friend.

- - Stud Earrings - -

Old Navy

- - Hoop Earrings - -

Found at a craft show

Dress shabbily

and they remember the dress;

dress impeccably

and they remember the woman.

- - Coco Chanel - -

Keep your heels, head,

and standards high.

- - Coco Chanel - -

I want to thank all of you lovely ladies

for entering the giveaway for the book

Dear Christmas Mothers.

I so enjoyed reading about your Christmas memories.

Each one was simply precious

and all of them brought a smile to my face.

I am truly honored that you would share

such sweet and sentimental memories with me.

Thank you.

The delightful winner is. . .

Cheryl from Homespun Devotions

Cheryl shared this Christmas memory:

"One of my favorite Christmas memories

happened in 2000.

I went into labor Christmas night

and had our precious baby boy the following morning!

The sweetest earthly gift I have ever been given!

God is SO good. "

Have a beautiful day

and a blessed weekend, friends!