Thursday, December 24, 2015

For Unto Us



A gift that I made for my mother long ago has returned to me as a quiet reminder of the reason for our Christmas celebrations.



For unto us a child is born,
To us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

Till next time...
Christmas peace,

Gail

Friday, December 18, 2015

Santa, Santa Everywhere

Over the years it seems that quite a number of Santa's have gathered at our house. Typically I have grouped them all together on a shelf over my kitchen sink, but this year they are somewhat scattered about.

 
This fella is the only one left there along with a tray I found at World Market this year (sorry for the shadow caused by the cupboard above). And right below hangs a Santa mitten that I found in Omaha at the railway station many years ago. I see he is  missing a few buttons on his beard. I had better do a little repair. I love anything that has buttons on it!
 
 
 
My Santa on the polar bear was a sample that was given out at a showroom when I used to go to Market for The Cottage, and the little egg shaped Santa was one I found at a craft fair along with...

 
 
several of these.  Tall Santa was a gift with purchase at JC Penney's one year, and the cute little fellow with his feet dangling over the edge came tied on a package.
 
 
 Who would ever think of making a wreath out of Santa? He's been with me quite a number of years, ever since I spotted him at Landscape Garden Center.

 
These stacking Santa's have been a favorite of many children throughout the years.
 


And Santa in the Mason jar is new to me this year. For many years he was a part of my mom's Christmas decorations. You can't see the base because I've tucked him in the jar, but it says 1919, which was the year Mom was born, so she thought he was pretty special.
 

 
And finally we come to the Santa mug. He seems to be taking his job very seriously.
 
To me, although he is a mythical character, Santa is a reminder of so many of the good things within us. He is a symbol of the generous, giving spirit that lives in each of us - especially at Christmas!
 
Till next time...
Blessings,
 
Gail
 








Wednesday, December 9, 2015

A Simple Little Christmas Tree

This year I wanted a simple little Christmas tree to sit in the blank space next to the TV. After looking at Hobby Lobby and Target, I decided on a 3-foot "real" tree from Lowe's. Our last "real" tree was probably back in the 80's. We had listened to needles fall on the packages every time we walked through the room Afraid the whole thing was going to burst into flames at any moment, we quickly carried it out and planted it in a snowbank on Christmas Day evening.
 
So I situated the tree and put a piece of fabric around the base to serve as a tree skirt. It looked good - maybe I should just leave it naked.
 
 
No, it needed just a few lights. That's my favorite thing about Christmas trees...
 
 
Lights by themselves are rather stark, how about red and white ribbon for a bow on top and small bows here and there...
 
 
Some of my Snowbabies ornaments would add a little whimsy...
 
 
Then there's that red bead garland that I bought for another project and didn't use...
 
 
There, now I'm done. I think. My simple little Christmas tree!
 
Till next time...
Christmas Blessings,
 
Gail
 
 
 
 
 


Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Something Old & Something New

I pulled the storage tote out from under the bed, took it out and gave it a shake. The red and white 'Tree of Life" quilt was a wedding gift to my mother-in-law and father-in-law in 1941, and even though I've had it for quite some time I'm sad to say that I have never used it before. It is the perfect Christmas quilt!


For so many years I used red very sparingly in my Christmas decorating because the other colors in our home really didn't play nice with red.  You will see as I share our Christmas home over the next few weeks, red plays a dominate roll. And I love it.


And here is my something "new" for this year. I thought this little red Volkswagen with the tree on top was so cute. I ordered it online from society6.com They have quite a few pillow covers at reasonable prices..


Because I enjoy looking at other homes and gleaning ideas from them, I am taking you on a 'walk' through our home this Christmas season. There is no intention of boastfulness or attitude of "look what I did." I simply hope that you will enjoy, and perhaps it will spark an idea or two. It's always fun to share ideas - I would love to 'walk' through your home too!


Happy Christmas decorating!

Until next time...
Blessings,

Gail













Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Turkey for Two

 Because we don't have the space to accommodate all of our family, we no longer host Thanksgiving dinner. But I still thought it would be fun to set a mini Thanksgiving table.

 
But here's my problem...

 
I really enjoy setting a pretty table,
 

;I\
but since I don't enjoy cooking,
 
 
we very seldom have company at our table!
 
 
So, I'll just enjoy sharing them with you!
 
Till next time...
Blessings,
Gail
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Remember me?

It's been a while since you've heard from me via this blog. I set it aside for a while, and have been doing some mental gymnastics recently trying to decide if I should pick it up again. Anyway here I am, and hopefully I have things to share that will have meaning or be of interest to you.

I want to start it off by telling you about a hobby that I have come to enjoy very much, and that is photo scrapbooking - but not in the traditional sense. Years back I did traditional scrapbooking with all the trappings, and it was a lot of work! What I am enjoying so much is pulling my photos all together with journaling using the Project Life app. And I do it all on my iPad. It's fast and it's fun! I order the finished pages right from the app, and they come in the mail a few days later as a 12 x 12 sheet that I just slip into a page protector and add to my album.


After I did a bit of catching up with some special events, I have been tracking our family happenings on a monthly basis and having them printed as soon as the month ends. I close each month with a composite page of random family photos that I have saved from Facebook posts or messages I have received.


 
There are two other special projects that I'm putting together using this amazing app. The first is a photo/story history going back several generations. This one is a very slow process, and I need to get back at it soon. This takes a little longer since I need to organize and scan the photos. 

 
 
The second is a fun little project of putting together photos and stories or quotes from two of our younger grandchildren. Their mother is very good to relay their funny antics, so I am simply putting it all together and printing them as 8 x 8 pages for photo books that will probably be high school graduation gifts.


If you would like a quick way to get some of your photos put together in an album, I would recommend you check out the Project Life app. It is available for your Apple products now, and will be available for Android users around the first of the year. Along with the app you will find inspiration by following the App Scrappers - Project Life group on Facebook. I am glad to answer any questions you might have or help you get started. It's easy! It's fun! And it's so great to get those pictures in albums for your family to enjoy!
 
Blessings,
Gail

Coming up this week: There are two special events here in Beresford that I will be attending. My friend and former business neighbor is having the annual HoliDazzle open house at her business, Blooms 'n Lattes Thirsday, Friday & Saturday. And sweet Erin of the Irish Soap Company is having the Grand Opening of her cute shop on Saturday.  Fun opportunity to support these two local small businesses!