Merry Christmas

It's A Wonderful Life

Last Friday I saw It's A Wonderful Life on the big screen. It was like seeing it for the first time. The backrounds were so pretty. The interior of the houses were so ornate. The clothes were beautiful. Everyone should have the chance to see it this way.

The actress that played Zuzu was at the theater. She was there signing her cookbook and memory book. It was fun to meet her, very Christmassy.

Vintage Friday

Today's vintage item is a memory. For as long as I can remember my mother has had a Christmas Eve party. Our entire family was invited along with numerous friends. Each year people stopped by all night. No matter who else showed up, our cousins from my mother's side were always there. We could count on it. We always had so much fun. We would listen to Christmas records, dance, sing and play play play. Sometimes we went caroling in the neighborhood if it wasn't too cold. There was always enough food to feed a hundred people, and Bobby would set up his bar next to the sink. There were dozens of bottles and mixes. We opened presents all night, and many times Santa showed up with his red bag full of gifts. Later we would listen to the radio to get Santa reports. That's when we wanted everyone to leave. We were afraid Santa would not come if all those people were still at our house. We tried to go to sleep after our cousins left but people were still dropping by. Eventually we would fall asleep to the sound of their voices downstairs. This will be our last year having a Christmas Eve party at my mother's house. Mom passed away on Dec. 22, 2007. We had our party last year, she had everything done ahead of time, including most of the food. We did everything just as we had for so many years but this time Mom was not there. She was at the greatest party given, the one in heaven. We will start new traditions next year, we're not sure what they will be but we will bring as much of the old ones with us as we can.

Vintage Friday

Last week after Bible study I ran into a thrift store shortly before closing. I found these ornaments for $.60. I couldn't pass them up. I don't know where I will use them yet, maybe in a craft item. Any ideas?

Last Saturday, Jim and I went to Candlelight Carols at Moody Church. This was our third year attending. As always the music was beautiful. It was very honoring to God, a wonderful way to start this blessed season. Next year I hope more of our family can join us at this event.

Vintage Friday

I found this package of foil decorations at an antique store last week. All the ornaments were in the package. Some had string on them and others looked as if they had not been used. I put them on the tree in my bedroom along with other vintage ornaments. They would also make good package toppers, but I think for now I'll just use them on my tree.

Happy Thanksgiving

Enter His gates with thanksgiving
And His courts with praise.

Give thanks to Him, bless His name.

It was a very good day

Tuesday, instead of my usual Bible study, we packed boxes for soldiers overseas. This is our second year doing this. Last year we sent over 35 boxes to a unit that my husbands cousin was serving in. They are home now so we sent them to a girlfriends son who is now serving. We asked him to distribute as needed. We had so much to give them, the ladies really came through. The extra things we packed up and sent to the women's shelter. I am so grateful for the opportunity to do this. It has become a new tradition, one I look forward to. We have so much fun packing the boxes and people were very curious about what we were doing. We were able to be Jesus with skin on at Caribou.

Happy Veteran's Day

Hubby served six years in the U.S. Navy. I am proud to be the wife of a veteran.

Vintage Friday

When I was younger we knew Halloween was coming when CBS played It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. We watched it every year. I still mark the season by watching this classic. I've already seen it once this year and I plan on watching it again tonight.

5 Things

5 Things I'd like to do

1. Travel through Italy
2. Get a Masters Degree in American History
3. Have lunch with the president of France
4. Write a book about my friends

5. Dye my own wool

5 Things I enjoy

1. Taking a walk by myself
2. Listening to Christmas music
3. Hand sewing
4. Bubble baths

5. Going through Antique Stores

5 Things I don't like

1. Unloading the dishwasher
2. Talking on the phone
3. Sleeping in hotels
4. Brushing other people's hair
5. Eating in restaurants

Drop M&M Cookies

Every fall I bake M&M cookies with the Halloween M&M's. Everyone loves them.


Drop M&M Cookies

2/3 c. shortening 2/3 c. butter, softened
1 c. granulated sugar 1 c. brown sugar
2 eggs 2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. salt 3 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda 1 (12oz.) pkg. M&M's

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Mix shortening, butter, sugars, eggs and vanilla thoroughly. Stir in remaining ingredients. Drop dough by round teaspoonfuls on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8-12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool slightly before removing from baking sheet.

Vjintage Friday

I found these at a thrift store the other day. I never find things like this andthey were even half price. I hope to find more treasures like this.

Vintage Friday

I made this little purse using the directions found at www.inspiredideas.com. What makes it vintage is the brooch. I found it at an antique store yesterday along with the hanky. As soon as I saw the two together I knew they would be perfect for my little bag.

Invisable ladies

Vintage Friday

I recently brought these dishes home from my mother's house. They belonged to my grandma, then my mother, now they are mine. We rearly used these dishes, I mostly remembe seeing them tucked far back in the cabinets. Quite a few years ago I borrowed them so serve a brunch for my lady friends and continued to borrow them for this annual brunch. I think they are just beautiful. I am very happy to be the next keeper of this collection.

Three Little Words

You have cancer. . I did not hear these words, but once again someone I care about has. It made me think about how three words can change your life. Honey, I'm home, I'm leaving you, I'll be back. Words have such power over us. They can destroy us or lift us up. Mom is dead. Don't come back. I love you. I hate you. No matter what words we hear today they can change us forever. Christ said three words on the cross for the whole world... It is finished. I choose to remember these words today. My world has been transformed by them. I will try to use my words to make this a better world. You are loved.

Apple Picking

Jim and I went to County Line Orchard today to pick apples. The weather was just right, not too warm or too cool.

We picked apples for pie baking, apple sauce and just plain eating.

The flower patch was just dying back. We did find this beautiful sunflower greeting us.

The pumpkins were growing all over the place. Usually we go later in the season and miss this.

Jim and I both like going and spending time here. It is so peaceful and a treat.

Vintage Saturday ?

A few months ago I started collecting vintage greeting cards. My collections is small but it is growing. I enjoy the sweetness of these images. I have several birthday and get well cards. I would like to find more thinking of you cards. I do send some of my cards to people I know will enjoy them as much as I do.

Vintage Friday

I started doing Vintage Friday on my other blog and decided to do it on this one too. This charm bracelet is from the 70's. I used to wear it all the time. Some of the charm are from trips to San Fransisco and Hawaii. Others are from Band and other high school events. I would like to wear it now but I think I would need to add a few links to get it around my wrist.

Fall

Fall is my favorite time of year. I love the months of September thru December. I enjoy watching the leaves change colors and fall to the ground, and I like to go apple picking and bake pies. The cooler weather seems to give me energy that I don't have at any other time of the year. Another favorite fall pass time is making soups. I'd like to try making a vegetable soup this year. Maybe I could try a new bread, too.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Live Simply

This is exactly how I feel sometimes. I want all the bangles and baubles but I also want things to be simple and uncomplicated. Why can't I have both?

I wanna be a rockstar!

Last night Jim and I went to the Third Day concert at Northerly Island. Brittany gave us tickets for our anniversary. It was a balmy night by the lake. The music was great and we had very good seats. I have been waiting to see Third Day for a long time and I was not disappointed.