13 Things I Learned in 2013

I saw this idea on another blog

and thought it a really cool way to 

close out the year.

13 things I learned in 2013

1. Parents are irreplaceable

2. Joy can come even when there is sorrow

3. Detaching is possible

4. You can learn to be financially savvy at any age

5. Sisters are the best

6. A brother is the best

7. Crying in public is OK

8. A church can be a care center for the hurting

9. Eating too many burgers and fries leads to weight gain

10. Living in town is doable for a country girl

11. Pop is not a good substitute for water

12. Being transparent helps other people to be also

13. Friends who listen & pray are the hands and feet
of Jesus

That's quite a list to learn in one year!

I feel like its been time well spent.

Anyone else feel like posting on their blog

what they've learned?

Aging and Acceptance

Exhausted...

so tired...

looking forward to bed...

worn out...

had it up to here...

For some reason those kind of phrases

seem to litter my conversations these last few

days. This morning I told my sons that I feel

every minute of my 50 years today.

Sometimes everything hurts, 

my feet, my hands, my shoulders, my head

and my heart.

When I saw this picture taken on Christmas day

I felt ashamed of how old I look next to these fresh little 

souls. It took me several days to process 

and this morning I just had to accept that I have survived 

a very sad, painful and stress filled year,

if I look older than a year ago, it is no wonder.

I had to let go of my dad, my mom, 

and the love and support that had been my anchor all my life,

 the home I grew up in,
my brother-in-law,

my hopes for reconciliation in my marriage,

the company I was part of for 20+ years,

my house of 13 years, along with accepting an aging and growing

heavier body, a tired spirit and a weary soul.

The prayers I once prayed with such fervor, I no

longer feel right in praying for surely God

must have other ways to heal than what I have asked.

The hopes I once had grow more dim as each day

goes by and looking ahead requires a faith

I often cannot achieve.

This is where I stand today, it is not what I would choose

nor what I may feel is best for me

HOWEVER

God must feel that it is best, He must see that

this path is where I will grow less like me and more

like Him and I quote the song that Twila Paris

sang many years ago

"This is where I stand until He moves me on

and I will listen to His voice.

Could it be that He is waiting just to see

 if I will learn to love the dreams

 that He has dreamed for me?

Can't imagine what the future holds, 

but I've already made my choice, 

This is where I stand until He moves me on

and I will listen to His voice."

I felt the need today to share my "real" self

and perhaps to gain a little perspective

from the writing of it. I don't want to make

myself out to be miserable all the time

for surely this year has been joy in the midst

of it all and I have chosen joy above and 

beyond all else, but this is my heart today. 

Thanks for listening....

Christmas Day 2013

It came

It went

It's over for another year...

The sign above was given to me by my son and his wife

who apparently know me well!

The Gift

When we have been around the Bible

and it's wonder all our lives,

we sometimes become jaded and familiar

with its stories.

Sad, but true, for we have been

graced with the opportunity

to immerse in it like very few do in our

fallen world.

Every year at Christmas I ask

God to please help me to see it fresh

and new again, this old, old story,

and each year He gives me

what I have asked.

This year it was through a brand new

Christian, who came to know Jesus

two weeks ago!

Her observations and questions

about Christmas and its' story

brought a spark of light into

the season for me.

She saw in it's simple words

profound truths, 

which she stated very bluntly with no 

flowery "church speak".

In Joseph and Mary and their visions/dreams

she saw faith lived out.
In the shepherds how unmerited grace truly is. 

In the Wise men she saw foolishness

that they would actually go ask King Herod!

In their gifts she saw why we give gifts at 

Christmas time,

and in the flight to Egypt she saw

the liberation of Israel from slavery there.

Let us too bow down and worship with fresh

and simple faith that does not have to develop

over time but is whole from the moment we

realize that Christ is a gift to us personally!

A BLESSED CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

All through the House

 On the tree this year I used only white,

cream and other soft neutrals.

For the garland I used scraps of fabric 

and knotted them on twine.

the idea for the cars w/ trees came from 

Carmen Q

 I just love a mason jar snow globe

and had to laugh when my grand son (2 yrs)

said the people inside were stuck! He was

quite concerned about how they might get out:)

 Christmas card holder...just getting started, it will be
all full soon!

May peace and grace reign this Christmas season...

Christmas on the Porches

It is so fun to do up a porch for 

the Christmas Season,

and I have 2:)

Right after I finished decorating the weather dropped
into the teens and the water froze in my
antique canning jars and they all broke:(

Funny story for my sister Faith...
I was out in the ditches again cutting branches
and berries. I was in the mud and water so deep
that I was kind of wondering how I was going to get
out. Just then the mail man pulled up, stopped
and asked "do you want to be in that ditch
or are you stuck?!"
I quickly said "no, I'm ok!" and he drove off
shaking his head, I just laughed
and laughed thinking of how crazy I must've looked.
(see post)
Up to my boot tops

I'm Dreaming of a...

Cozy Christmas Bedroom

 The white pillow sham was made from a

vintage tablecloth and came out just

wonderfully crinkly and soft.

Catch Lights in Her Eyes

I used a great idea that I found on Pinterest,

in which, as an indoor studio you 

use your garage with the door open.

This is where I did my 5 year old 

grand daughters' photo shoot.

I was able to catch the light in her eyes

as the lighting was great. 

We just had to go in and warm up every few minutes

as it was in the low 20s that day.

She was a delight to work with 

and came up with creative ideas for

ways to pose;)

The back drop is a sheet that I covered in ruffles

and the floor in the top photo is strips of

pine paneling I painted to look weathered.

Ombre Cake and Birthday #5

My Grand daughter is 5..

so it was mermaid time.

The cake was fun as it was my first try at ombre. 

The mermaids were from the DT

and I just added the glitter so they matched.

5 year olds are so cute because everything

about a birthday is so exciting!