Saturday, December 30, 2017

AN END AND A BEGINNING

Life is funny,
isn't it?
We are ending the year-
Some of us are happy to see it end-
Some of us feel sorrow.

There have been endings this year
for some of us.
I think of bj-Sweet Nothings
both lost husbands this past year-
and their sorrow still hangs heavy.
Many more of you lost family members-
too many to mention here.

However, to balance that
we have 
NEW BABIES & GRANDBABIES-
are just two that come to mind.
We have enjoyed wonderful
GIRLFRIEND PARTIES-
and too many more births and
GOOD TIMES
to mention.

Some of us moved into 
NEW HOMES
and blogged about it-
Marty-AStroll Thru Life
and
Penny-Enjoying the Simple Things.

Many of us 
STOPPED BLOGGING
and are immersed in
INSTAGRAM
FACEBOOK
and other
SOCIAL MEDIA.

I miss some of the
old blogging days
but life changes and 
we need to move forward.
We need to embrace new ideas and outlets-
no matter how hard it is for us.

I have laughed with you as
you told funny stories about your families 
and life in general.

I have cried with you at your losses
and prayed for you as you,
or family members,
struggled with cancer and/or
ill health.

Many challenges are ahead of us
in the upcoming year
but I have faith that there 
are many joys there, too.

I will be back to share more
about what is happening in
our lives
in  a few days.
BIG CHANGES 
going on here again.

Here are just a few
bits and bobs of
CHRISTMAS-
just a sweet reminder that
the Holiday has come and gone.
Sweet Memories
from my daughter's home-
the last one we will celebrate there
as she prepares to move.
Onward we go----
I will wish you a 
VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Wishing you 
BLESSINGS & JOY
in 2018.

Love to all of you-
new friends, old friends,
and those I have yet to meet.

your photo name

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

YOUR LAUGH FOR THE DAY- THE DISAPPEARING GUM DROP TREE

This happened several years ago
but I have never posted it before.

Imagine 2 boys
sharing a room.
One is 15 and one is 5.

Every room in the house has a 
TREE of some sort.

The BOYS' ROOM
got the 
GUMDROP TREE.

Isn't it pretty?

So---what happens when the 
FIVE YEAR OLD
decides to 
EAT ALL THE GUMDROPS?

Well, he want 
SOME KIND OF ORNAMENT
on the branches to hide his dirty deed!

Here is a 
FIVE YEAR OLD SOLUTION
to bare 
GUMDROP TREE BRANCHES.

Wish you could have seen the 
FACE OF THE 15 YEAR OLD
storming out of the room
DEMANDING that we take
THAT TREE OUT
of his room.
He knew EXACTLY what was 
on the tree...
The five year old?
Clueless!

Did you ever laugh so hard
you almost wet your pants?
Insert THAT picture here!!!

Off to celebrate with 
THE FAMILY-
Both boys are grown now
and share their lives with each other--
but no longer want to share a room....

We will have 17 kids there today
and I dasn't count the #of adults! 
Have a beautiful 
Day After Christmas!

I am
OKAY! OKAY!
I might have lied about the
SWEET part!

your photo name

Sunday, December 24, 2017

THE CHRISTMAS ROSE-AN OLD LEGEND-

I wrote this several years ago
but thought I would share it 
again in case you didn't see it before.



THE CHRISTMAS ROSE
There is a legend old as time 
about the Christmas Rose,
If you've not heard it e'er before~
this is how it goes.

The night sky glowed quite splendidly,
and the girl could see a Star.
It brightly shone upon the land 
and beckoned from afar.

She left her door step quietly 
without a backward glance,
She knew that she must follow it
and take the risk-the chance.

She had heard the shepherds talking 
about the child so near,
That would change the world forever-
that could comfort every fear.

She watched behind a hillock 
as the Magi took their place, 
With their gifts of myrrh & frankincense
& gold in a fine case.

She wanted such a special gift 
for this baby oh-so-dear,
But she was poor, had nothing, 
and she cried a silent tear.

She quickly searched the countryside~ 
a flower was her thought,
But the winter was cold 
& damp & mean-
no flower to be sought.

She earnestly began to weep 
and softly shed each tear,
While an angel watched & marveled 
at the love she held so dear.

"Why are you crying, my child?" she asked 
as she met her on the ground 
"I long to give something to this child
- but nothing have I found."

The angel touched her tears 
where they lay upon the earth,
And a Rose sprung up beneath them-
a green & silent birth.

Now go and give your roses, child,
your gift of heart & tear,
And the Savior child will bless you 
& comfort you, my dear.

She gently picked the roses 
and took them to the place,
Where the baby lay in splendor
in His lowly birthing space.

She stared upon his countenance-
this ragged, humble child,
And He turned his little face up 
and looked at her & smiled.

Yes! That's the story of the Christmas Rose-
it's been heard by many ears,
But the Blessing it brings at Christmas time 
will carry us through the years.
~©Diana Kosmoski~


God bless each and every one of you 
this Christmas Eve, Christmas Day
and all through the holidays
and upcoming year.

Thank you ALL for being such
a beautiful part of my life.
I have made so many friends in blogland
and feel like I know so many of you 
on a deeply personal level.

I have laughed and cried for you
and your families and feel as 
connected to  you as I do to
"real people".
My kids are 
ALL WRONG
when they say 
BLOG FRIENDS
 are not the same as
REAL FRIENDS!

Using an old phrase
coined by SweetCheeks I say
PFFFTTTT!

Merry Christmas my friends!
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Friday, December 22, 2017

YOUR FRIDAY LAUGH--THE STAR

Just TRY NOT to laugh
when you see this!

My son-in-law posted this on 
Facebook
but I am posting it here, too.
Just click the link below
to see BrightEyes in action~
She is
Front and Center 
and
LOUDLY
showing off her 'talent'.

Turn your volume on to get
a real laugh.

Have a wonderful Friday.
I am off to CJK's school to
pop popcorn for the school party.

My wonderful son
VOLUNTEERED ME
to do this---
guess he didn't want to be alone
WITHOUT HIS MOM
with all those elementary school kids.

Happy Friday as we countdown
to Christmas.

your photo name

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO MAKE A SPECIAL 'TREE' FOR A GRANDPARENT OR PARENT

I wanted to show you
what I made for my 
daughter-in-love
for Christmas last year.

OMGOSH!!! 
I just now realized that I dated it
A YEAR A WHOLE YEAR LATER
THAN IT WAS MADE.
Lordy- I guess the blond in me
took over!!!

I watched our little CJK
one night and we made a
HAND MADE
Christmas Tree.
This is 16x20 and I framed it.
It is on a piece of foam board.

I took a brush and 'filled in'
between the finger prints
to give it a brushier look.

We did a 
TEST HANDPRINT
on a little piece of foamboard first.
It was too dear to throw out
so I made it into a 
LITTLE TREE
for Dad's desk at work.
This one is 8 x 10.
I painted his hand with 
acrylic paint and then pressed it down.
You basically paint their little hand
with paint and put it on the tree.
I started at the top and worked my way down
but you could do it either way.
He put the red balls on 
with the end of a dowel
dipped into paint and 
directions from me as to 
where to place the balls.
Didn't he do a great job?

Anyway, just an idea for you.
It's a real memory-maker.

Where did I get the idea
you might ask?
Well, over at my friend,
Ann-Marie's
I spotted it in her Christmas post
hanging on her wall and I
STOLE THE IDEA!

Off for the morning to work at the VA.
Love my vets and co-workers.
My co-workers are a crazy, fun bunch
so I fit right in.

I hope you have a wonderful day
as the countdown to Christmas begins.
I hope you all have family and friends
to share the holidays.
I have relatives coming from near and far....
Smile-You are loved!

your photo name

Saturday, December 16, 2017

LAST OF THE SNOWBABIES--A PERFECT LITTLE FAMILY- MOM,DAD,SISTER AND BABY BROTHER

I had just enough scrap
materials left to create this 
CUTE LITTLE SNOWBABY FAMILY.

It is the only one I will be making.
I just listed it in my Etsy shop
and will mail it out immediately
so you have it in time for Christmas.

I think I am gonna cry when
I box these sweet babies up
to send them to their new home.

You will find them HERE

Have a blessed, wonderful weekend!!!
your photo name

Friday, December 15, 2017

FILL THOSE CHRISTMAS CARD BOXES AND GIVE THEM AS GIFTS

I have done a post about this before
but I wanted to do it again
just in case you need a
Little sumthin/sumthin to take along
to give as a little gift.

AND you can use those beautiful boxes
that Christmas cards come in---
you know the ones that are so pretty
you don't want to throw them out.
Here is a use for them.
It's the sweetest little gift ever!


This is 
THE EASIEST HOMEMADE
PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE
ever.
I wish I could tell you where
I got the recipe but I can't remember.



Here's how to take the box below
and turn it into a 
special gift.
Don't you hate to throw them away
because they have such pretty
"faces"?
They make wonderful little
Candy Boxes.
Open the box and line it with tin foil.
Butter the tin foil.
Then make this:
In pan over medium heat melt
2 sticks of butter
When melted stir in 
1 cup peanut butter, creamy or crunchy.
Like this.
Stir in one teaspoon REAL vanilla.
Add 2-3/4 cups CONFECTIONERY SUGAR
(not granulated)
(That old tin scoop belonged to my Mom-Good Housekeeping 1954)
I beat it quickly with a hand mixer
(it sets up fast) 
and then pour it into the 
buttered foil lined box.
Put it in the fridge to harden
and as soon as it sets up
lift it out and wrap it in 
parchment paper,
then wrap it with a piece
of ribbon and place it
back in the box.
 I pick up knives all year here and there
and include one in each box.
The fudge stays fresh
until they cut it.

Put the lid on and it presents
like this when opened.
Recipe:
SMOOTH AND EASY
PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE
2 sticks butter
1 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
2-3/4 cups confectionery sugar
In saucepan:
Melt butter
Stir in peanut butter and vanilla.
Use hand mixer and quickly
mix sugar in. It sets up fast.
Place in tinfoil lined box and
set in fridge until hard.
This is the smoothest peanut
butter candy I have ever made.
This recipe makes two card boxes 
full OR 1 8x8 buttered pan.
It's quick, easy and just
a sweet little surprise.
Save a few pieces for your friends.
 Let them eat this while you sip
black coffee or diet Coke.
Remember...
The fatter THEY get the 
THINNER YOU LOOK
next to them!

It's nice to have some
HEALTHY SNACKS 
this time of year, too.
And-to finish up my blathering....
I have just a few
SNOWBABIES left in my
ETSY SHOP!
The little Snowgirls are all gone
but there are a few snowboys 
looking for a home.
You can find them here:
Have a GREAT DAY...
I will be finishing up a couple of 
Christmas gifts today and then
I AM DONE!!! 

CALGON--TAKE ME AWAY...
for all of you youngsters...
that is an old ad for relaxing 
in a bathtub!
(which I used to do while floating a
plastic bowl of M&Ms in the tub
while four kids were screaming
outside the door)...
now THOSE were the days!!!!

Have a wonderful Friday 
and a great weekend!




your photo name

Monday, December 11, 2017

SNOWBOYS AND SNOWGIRLS ARE WAITING FOR ADOPTION!

When I went to my friend's house
for her girlfriend party,
one of the hostess gifts that she received
was a cute little snowman.

I looked at that and thought
I CAN MAKE THOSE.

And-so- I did!!!!

Now--I am not bragging
but I think my own are 
CUTER than the one I saw....
Sorry-gift giver to Kris

I came home and started
STITCHING AND GLUING
and
TA-DAH!!!!!
You will find some sweet little
SNOWBABIES
over in my Etsy Shop

Each one is different and 
has its own
PERSONALITY AND A NAME!


Heads are sewn on 
and the bottoms are weighted
(kinda like my own...bottom that is)

I can't get any more of this material
so this is all I have.
My kids might have stolen a few!

I am off for an appointment
but got up early to get 
these posted to my shop.

Take a peek and I will be
back later tonight
to visit blogs and play catch up!
your photo name

Friday, December 8, 2017

A SNEAK PEEK AT WHAT I'VE BEEN WORKING ON

You know me!
I see something I like 
and I go into
MAKE IT MODE!

I saw something last weekend
that I thought was 
SOOOO CUTE
so I got busy and 
being the copy cat I am
made a few of my own.

I JUST MIGHT
put some of these in my
ETSY SHOP
which has been 
ON VACATION
since Halloween.

Here are a couple of them
A SNOWGIRL
&
A SNOWMAN
As you can see,
He is still in Nana's Workshop!
By the way- 
I am missing a few bits and pieces
of SKIN as I have been working
with a 
HOT GLUE GUN.
The snowmen are 
HAND SEWN
but the accessories are 
HOT GLUED ON.
If you have ever used a
hot glue gun you know
all about 
THE BURNS!

I have a party at my daughter's house tonight
but will be working on finishing these up 
TOMORROW.

Have a 
GREAT FRIDAY.



your photo name

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

RUN TO THE DOOR AS FAST AS YOU CAN- FIND YOURSELF A GINGERBREAD MAN!

I have done this post

a couple of times.

Several people said 

they had never seen anything like it.



I thought I would post before it

gets any later in the season--

in case you want make these for 

your own home.

I have been doing this since my

own kids were small.



You know how a front door says 

WELCOME

when you come in?

By the way-

Those sleigh bells are off the horses my 

father drove as a young man.

So -there's my 

Happy Hello!

BUT I like my door to say

GOOD-BYE

when someone leaves, too.

And I like to say it NICELY

Unlike some people that will say-

Don't let the door hit you in the butt on the 

way out.

How do I do that?

I let my visitors take a little memento

of their visit with them.

It is called 

Cut and Run Take

Here they are my sweet little

GINGERBREAD BOYS

hanging in a row.

Here's how to make this 

sweet little door hanging.

Roll out Saran Wrap about 2 feet longer 

than the side of your door.

Lay your Gingerbread Boys in a line 

on the center of the plastic wrap.

leaving about 4-6" between them.

You could also do this with any sturdy

cookie- like a sugar cookie cut 

like a snowflake or star.

Flip them upside down making sure that they

are still in the center

Pull the plastic wrap to the back

overlapping it so they are enclosed 

all the way around.

Gently flip them over and using ribbon

tie a knot above and below EACH one.

Hang some children's scissors on

some curly ribbon from the top

to cut the saran wrap.

When you cut them apart 

you will cut between the ribbons 

leaving each one fully encased 

In plastic wrap.


Here I am making a cut between the ties.

You start with the bottom one and 

each person can cut off a gingerbread boy 

to take along when they leave.

I hang them on a nail 

hidden on top of the door jamb.

shhhhh-MyHero hates nails anywhere

I dressed the top 

with some greenery and red balls.

I love  Gingerbread Boys, don't you?

Sometimes I feel sorry for them though.

Poor things.
pinterest image

The one on the right hears about like 

MyHero does-especially when it comes

to trying to get a chore done!


Now- get in that kitchen and start baking!

As for me..

Well, I am trying not to BAKE

so that I don't EAT

Gingerbread Boys!


OH!  And these are really cute with


SNOWFLAKE CUTOUTS

instead of 

Gingerbread boys.



Have a Wonderful Wednesday
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