Sale Here and My Etsy Shop

Blogger is giving me fits. For some reason it thinks that I am a spam blog and I have to enter a verification code every time I post. I have sent an email to them so hopefully it will be fixed soon. I am listing some things here and some other things in my Etsy shop. Please feel free to visit either place. I have sewing and embroidery patterns - most brand new and never used. Apron, purse, tote bags, quilt patterns. Shabby cottage home decor items. Fabric - some pieces are new and some are vintage. Yardage, pieces, and quilt squares. I have lots to list so please check back each day as I will do a little at a time.

http://therusticcottage.etsy.com/

The Best Day

It's the best day because it's the first day of a four day weekend! I didn't get much done except be a taxi mom -- into town and back a couple of times.

It's the best day because I found out my dear friend, Elodie, is moving back to WA from Texas. She's been gone for two years and I've missed her so much. She and her husband bought a beautiful home on 5 1/2 acres. Elodie will be here in a month -- I can't wait!

It's the best day because I got to take a short nap today. Everyone was gone so I turned on the Christmas tree and laid on the couch snuggled under an afghan. Very peaceful.

It's the best day just because! No reason -- it's just the best day.

Hope you're day was a best one too!

It's Christmas Eve - A Magical Night!

I just love Christmas Eve. There is something so magical about this night. The preparations are all done and we are settling into enjoying our family. The hustle and bustle has lead to quiet reflection of Christ's birth.

When I was a young girl this night was when we had a big spaghetti dinner and opened presents. Then on Christmas Day we went to my grandma's nephew's house for dinner. There would be about 30 people there and it was a fun time filled with family and laughter.

Our family is spread out now with us being out here and the rest of the folks being in IL. Stephany is with her dad for Christmas Eve. I am alone with the cats for a while and enjoying the peace. Missy and Christien will be coming over so we can go to Christmas Eve Service at 6 and then back here to watch a movie together.

Tomorrow morning will be stockings and presents, cinnamon rolls and juice, then ham and all the trimmings for dinner. We will celebrate the birth of Christ!

Merry Christmas!!

Christmas Countdown

The shopping is all done -- I finished the last of it yesterday. I made my third (and last) batch of fudge tonight along with about 6 dozen sugar cookies. Tomorrow I will make some toffee bars along with peanut cluster cookies. Then I have to get the Christmas cheese ball done. My kids and grandkids expect that every year! That will be our thing to nibble on while Christmas dinner is cooking. I will wrap my presents tomorrow (yes, I know it's Christmas Eve but I hate wrapping and put it off as long as I can) and then will be ready for the big day.

And tomorrow night, after everyone is in bed, I will play Santa and fill the stockings. All the kids still expect their stocking and look forward to that almost more than the actual presents!

Aunt Jenny shared her Christmas cheese ball recipe on her blog (sound so yummy) so I will share mine here.

(2) 8 ounce pkgs of cream cheese
(2) cups shredded cheddar cheese
(1) pkg onion soup mix
dash of lemon juice
dash of worchestershire sauce

Bring the cream cheese and cheddar cheese to room temp. Add the remaining ingredients. Wash your hands and then dig in and start mixing. Pat into one large ball or several small ones. Serve with crackers. Enjoy!

Logan's Calf - God's Son

A friend sent this to me tonight. It touched my heart so much that I wanted to share with you. A remarkable phone call from a 12-yr old boy to Houston radio station KSBJ FM 89.3. So profound, the station has it posted on their website.

Early Christmas

Look what I got from my dear friend Sher in Kansas! Two handstitched pinkeeps! Each cross stitched with my grandmother's initials and the year of her birth. They are filled with sawdust and are so primitive! I love them! Thank you dear friend!

Big Sale Coming Up - New Year's Eve

Do you all remember my post about how I was changing my decorating from shabby cottage to primitive?? Well I have lots and lots of pink stuff, floral stuff, and girly fufu to get rid of. Fabric, dishes, pictures, and more. I'm also cleaning house and will have cookbooks, cooking magazines, and probably some crafting and sewing pattern and books.

The sale starts here on December 31st at Midnight!! Stop by to see what's listed. First come, first served!!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Christian Glitter by www.christianglitter.com

You're invited to a Happy Birthday Jesus Blog Party December 13th through the 20th! Just click the Happy Birthday Jesus graphic in the sidebar and you will be taken to Creative Call Studios where you can sign up. Let's spread the word about the true meaning of Christmas!

In God We Still Trust

A dear friend sent this video to me this morning. It touched my heart so much that I had to share it on my blog. The song is by Diamond Rio. Every time they play it at a concert they get a standing ovation. Sadly, it has never been released for play on the radio stations. Evidentally it is not considered politically correct. How wrong they are!! This is the most politically correct song I've heard in years. Be sure to mute the Christmas Music before starting the video.

My Prayer Journal

Do you keep a journal or prayer journal? I do, although I admit I'm not consistently writing in it every day. My book is just one of those plain jane composition books that I snagged at the office supply store. I have several others that I've almost filled.

Last night I was sitting on my bed preparing to write for that day. I decided to take the time to go back and read through the journal since we're nearing the end of the year.

I read my prayer list and all those that I've prayed for this past year. Some needs are still on the list with new added all the time. But many have highlighted lines through them and praise comments in the margin! Those praises I saw reminded me of how God truly does answer our prayers. Often times we pray and pray thinking that there has been no response. Or something that we had been praying for gets moved down the list as other things are added. Writing the answers helps us to know that God is working!

Some of those answers weren't exactly what had been prayed for. But God did answer in a way that was His will. Many were exactly right on. When I read these praises it just warmed my heart with love. Think of the millions of whispers of prayers that God hears every day. But He takes the time to listen to each whisper!

God is so good, so faithful -- what a blessing knowing that He is my Father and He listens to every whisper that I pray. I am excited to start my new journal for 2008 and watch what God will be doing in my life and others lives!

Christmas Is. . . .

CHRIST! God's loving and unselfish gift to the world. We celebrate the birth of the One that was sent to save the world.

Christmas is giving and caring and loving and kindness. Christmas is coming home from work early to start baking and making goodies to send to friends far away. Christmas is singing along with the music on the radio. Christmas is enjoying the lights on the tree. Christmas is going to your 8 year old grandson's program at school and being a proud grandma. Christmas is going to your 13 year old daughter's program at school and being a proud mom.

The gift of Jesus and the enjoyment of the simple things of this season -- that is Christmas.

I'm Here!

Thank you dear friends for checking on me! I know I've been MIA for a while and it makes me feel good to know that I'm missed when I don't post.

I've started working 5 days a week now and seems like there aren't enough hours in the day! Today has been Christmas decorating day - the tree is up and looks so pretty. I also listed a few things in my new Prim Sisters Shoppe - Rustic Cottage Prims. Stop by and let me know what you think.

We had a few snow showers today. Lots of big fat flakes for a while but it didn't stick. However, made for a nice atmosphere while putting up the tree. Next week starts my Christmas baking. I have 5 boxes to get out in the mail so I'll be super busy. On top of that there are two programs at the school next week. So - if I'm MIA until next weekend you'll know why.

Hope you all are having a beautiful Lord's Day!

Small Town Living

The latest issue of Small Town Living is available online. Just click the picture above you'll be taken to the site where you can read online or download and print to enjoy later. Tina and Paul do such a fabulous job with this magazine. Each issue just gets better and better.

Hockinson Holiday Bazaar

What a great bazaar yesterday! I was up at 5 AM, out the door with Patricia at 6, stopped at Starbucks (a must that early in the morning), and we were set up by 8. We were lucky enough to be in the main commons area which was a lovely place with one wall of windows.

Just about the time the bazaar opened it started to snow great big fat flakes. What a perfect setting for Christmas. Luckily the snow didn't stick but it sure was pretty to watch. This is the best bazaar I've attended. It was so well thought out, organized, and very easy parking and access.

I am so happy with my sales - 59 bars of soap, a few room sprays, and some gift tags. I do have some Christmas pretties left over that I'll be putting in my Etsy shop and in my Prim Sisters Shoppe this next week.

I had so much fun - got to spend the whole day with my dear friend Patricia, met new friends, and bought a few treasures. It doesn't get much better than that!