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The Most Wonderful Time of the Year?

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Is it really? Or is it the loneliest time of the year? Or the saddest? Or the unhappiest? Christmases come and go and there have been years when there wasn’t enough money to buy the gifts that I wanted to buy. There was the year of the family home broken beyond repair. There were the years of loved ones recently passed and the years of estrangement from extended family who had once been close.

Stuff happens to change the dynamic of Christmas and can crush the idealistic dream of what it should be. I’ve been through a lot of changes in my life and, though I don’t really like change, I’ve learned that it doesn’t have to be a bad thing.

This year, for hubby and I, it is the first Christmas EVER that we won’t have any family with us over the holidays. Is that sad? Yes. Is it something to mourn and grow depressed over? Absolutely not!

I am thankful that I HAVE a husband to spend the day with. We will cook a good meal, watch old Christmas movies, and maybe go out in search of beautiful Christmas lights at night.

I am thankful that I have my family to love, and who love me in return, no matter how far away we will be from one another this Christmas.

I am thankful that instead of spending a lot of money on gifts for each other this year our family made the joint decision to bless others who are in need this Christmas.

I am thankful to have made new friends in this community, so far away from where we used to live. Enough new friends to have in for a Christmas With The Kranks Party the day after Christmas.

I am abundantly blessed (which in the Bible is the word makarios or a self contained happiness - happiness independent of circumstances) at this time in my life, but in my happy state I don’t mean to overlook or minimize anything you might be going through this year. Believe me, I feel for hurting hearts and I do understand the feeling of being so low that I thought I would never rise again.

All I have to offer you are the words, “I care about what you are going through.”

But God . . . He has much more to offer you in His Words. So here are some Scriptures that I hope will uplift you this Christmas season and bring to you the hope needed to push through to the change that is ahead. Because things do change, and when you are at the lowest of lows it is most times for the better!

  • Psalm 34:18 (NIV) The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
  • Isaiah 41:10 (NIV) So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
  • Psalms 55:22 (NIV) Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
  • Romans 8:28 (NIV) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
  • Revelation 21:3-4 (NIV) And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
  • Joshua 10:25 (NIV) Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous. This is what the Lord will do to all the enemies you are going to fight.
  • Prov 18:10 (NIV) The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
  • Psalm 46:1-2 NIV God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.
  • Psalm 55:22 NIV Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.
  • Psalm 118:14-28 NIV (A prophetic song of Jesus) The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: “The LORD’s right hand has done mighty things! The LORD’s right hand is lifted high; the LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!” I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done. The LORD has chastened me severely, but he has not given me over to death. Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter and give thanks to the LORD. This is the gate of the LORD through which the righteous may enter. I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation. The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. O LORD, save us; O LORD, grant us success. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you. The LORD is God, and he has made his light shine upon us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar. You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you.
  • And finally, Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. “Leave the broken, irreversible past in God’s hands, and step out into the invincible future with Him.”~ Oswald Chambers Click To Tweet

My prayer for you this Christmas is that, not matter what your outward circumstances, you will find joy in the celebration of our Savior’s birth. One of my friends said, let your presence be your present. God longs for your presence and for you to draw near to Him so He can meet every need of your heart.

I myself will be taking some time away from writing to enjoy the Season to the fullest but I look forward to “new things” to come for all of us in the New Year.

Abundant blessings to you dear, dear readers,

All photos taken in Boston, Massachusetts.

I’ve been known to link up to the following great parties!!!
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TheDIYShowoff, LifeOnLakeshoreDrive, NiftyThriftyThings, SilverPenniesSundays, SundaysAtHome, RusticAndRefined, Spiritual Sundays, Sunday Stillness

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Bird-in-a-Teacup Christmas Ornament

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This year as I was decorating our Christmas tree I came across an ornament that I’d completely forgotten. Have you ever done that? This little bird-in-a-teacup made me smile as memories came flooding back into my head and my heart. There may have even been a little overflow from the eyes as well. Decorating my tree is an emotion filled experience!

A couple of years ago I made several bird-in-a-teacup tree ornaments as gifts for some very special women who worked with us in Freedom Session and this is one I kept for myself. When I saw it again I was reminded of this dear group of women. I wondered, “Do they still have their ornaments?” and, “Do they think about me when they hang them on their trees?” I am a sentimental old gal, yes?

Looking in my photo archives I found some pictures that I took of the ornaments before I wrapped them to give away. I didn’t find enough pictures to give you a real step-by-step tutorial but I think you’ll get the idea of how they are put together.

The list of supplies for these ornaments includes small espresso cups and saucers (very plentiful at thrift stores by the way), glass glue (I like E-6000), dried moss, craft store birds and eggs, jewelry making wire, jewelry making pliers, beads, drop crystals, craft glue, and glitter.

I started by using glass glue to attach the teacup to the saucer.

After allowing that to dry overnight I wrapped wire around the cup and handle and made a loop over the top of the cup to hang the ornament from the tree.

The wire was “artfully” twisted and looped in a somewhat haphazard fashion. No perfection here!

The hanging wire was twisted into a loop at the top and then another wire was added that had been looped on two ends with a sparkly bead placed in the middle between the loops. A ribbon was added for extra color.

I attached one drop crystal on the wire near the cup handle for additional sparkle.

Finally, I glued some moss in the cup, glued the bird to the moss, dabbed a little glue on birds head and back, and sprinkled him with glitter.

Here is a close up of some more of my artsy twists and turns!

My bird-in-a-teacup ornament adds a nice bit of color to our Christmas tree . . .

. . . and reminds me of old friends who are now far away.

As I place the ornaments on my tree each year I am reminded of Christmases past and all those who have been a part of my life . . . and I am blessed.

Thank YOU dear readers for the part you play in adding fullness to my life. I pray that no matter how you spend this Christmas season you will know that you are important and you are loved.

Blessings,

I’ve been known to link up to the following great parties!!!
Sunday:

TheDIYShowoff, LifeOnLakeshoreDrive, NiftyThriftyThings, SilverPenniesSundays, SundaysAtHome, RusticAndRefined, Spiritual Sundays, Sunday Stillness

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Baby it’s Cold Chalkboard Hearth Bucket

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How in the world did this battered old white bucket with the goofy looking rainbow trout painted on it’s side make it’s way into the moving van and travel all the way across the country with us? When we were feverishly trying to lighten the load by selling and giving away things of value (like all of my thrifted furniture that was slated for makeover - TEARS) how did this silly bucket make the cut?

Perhaps we’ll never know the answer to that question unless maybe, just maybe, it was destined for some purpose all along. With Christmas right around the corner and some of the prettiest pinecones I’ve ever seen just waiting to be displayed, I took a little walk out to the garage where said bucket jumped right out at me and begged for a makeover. With a lumpy bottom (Hmmm, sounds familiar) from the water that froze in it one winter when it was the dog dish, this little bucket wasn’t worth much.

Being transformationally inclined I pounded out the dents in the bottom so it would no longer tip sideways. Then I printed off this free chalkboard art that I found on Pinterest.

That and a bottle of Mod Podge gave this old bucket new purpose in life!

I applied some Mod Podge to the bucket, carefully applied the chalkboard art, then sealed it with a little more Mod Podge over the top. Piece of cake right?

It’s the perfect thing to hold my pinecones and a few sprigs of berries.

And these are the most perfect pinecones I’ve ever seen, collected on Tybee Island this Fall.

I’ve pinned some of my favorite free printables and also some tutorials for drawing your own chalkboard art to my Chalkboard Art board on Pinterest which you can find right HERE.

Baby, it IS getting cold outside, even here in South Carolina. It is the perfect weather for enjoying an evening by the fire and the beauty of another Old Thing made New.

Blessings,

I’ve been known to link up to the following great parties!!!
Sunday:

TheDIYShowoff, LifeOnLakeshoreDrive, NiftyThriftyThings, SilverPenniesSundays, SundaysAtHome, RusticAndRefined, Spiritual Sundays, Sunday Stillness

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No-Sew Reindeer Pillow Tutorial

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“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” That’s Elf’s philosophy and I’m with him all the way. I wish you could hear me singing for you right now,

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year . . .”

Then again, maybe not, after seeing the way my dogs tilt their heads and scrunch up their ears as they try to understand what in the world is going on!

I love decorating for Christmas and creating Christmas projects for my home and today I want to share with you my simple No-Sew Reindeer Pillow Tutorial.

This is what I began with. An existing pillow that I use on all year long on the couch in my den. This pillow cover, by the way, came from Hobby Lobby where they sell a large variety of pillow covers for only $6.99 each. Anyhoo, when you flip the pillow over there is no decorative trim on the other side so it was perfect to turn into a Christmas pillow for this most wonderful time of the year.

I really wanted a deer head so I drew one free hand on a piece of cardboard to use as a pattern. If you’d rather not draw one yourself there is great Free Deer Head Stencil at the website Lolly Jane. It is a wonderful site with all kinds of crafty ideas. You will need adjust the size on your printer to get your pattern the right size for your pillow. Next, I used the stencil to cut a deer head out of red felt.

I didn’t necessarily want to leave my deer head on the pillow year round so I didn’t sew or glue it fully in place. Instead I decided to experiment with these Scotch adhesive dots that I purchased at Target.

These are very sticky and will stick to your fingers if you touch them. The best way to use them is to peel off the paper on one side of the dot and touch the other side down on your deer head.

Then carefully place it down on the pillow and smooth down the edges.

That’s it. Super quick and easy. I did test the durability of my sticky dots on my not so careful husband and there was a little peeling around the edges after the football game. Therefore, this pillow will be for decorative use only until I decide whether or not to glue it permanently in place.

I hope you enjoyed my little project. I’ll be back soon with some more holiday cheer.

I’m singing . . .

Blessings,

I’ve been known to link up to the following great parties!!!
Sunday:

TheDIYShowoff, LifeOnLakeshoreDrive, NiftyThriftyThings, SilverPenniesSundays, SundaysAtHome

Monday:
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TheBlissfulBee, Posed Perfection,
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