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

and sweet Leena-Pink Cherub Moon

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-

Sheri-Red Rose
& 
Amy-Masion Decor

are just two that come to mind.
We have enjoyed wonderful

GIRLFRIEND PARTIES-

Kris-Junk Chic Cottage

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 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!

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!

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~

https://youtu.be/UHwPutg4QJY

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.

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

Musings of a Vintage Junkie.

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!

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

A COTTAGE ON THE COVE

Have a blessed, wonderful weekend!!!

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:

A Cottage On The Cove

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!

SNOWBOYS AND SNOWGIRLS ARE WAITING FOR ADOPTION!

When I went to my friend's house

Kris-JunkChicCottage

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

Cottage On The Cove.

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!

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.

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.

Image

Have a Wonderful Wednesday