Santa in my mailbox!

Lucky me!  My Secret Santa is the very talented, creative 

Madame Samm!

Look at the sassy little mug rug she made....just too stinkin' cute!  It is going to work with me tomorrow, it will brighten everyones day, mostly mine.  Everyone can just drool on it ....just a little bit.

The stitchery is divine...cardinals are one of my favorite birds, so this is just perfect!

Thank you so much, Madame Samm! 

Rejoice!

Jack and Caleb

Where is the joy?  Where is the party?  Where is the enthusiasm and celebration of faith?

Truthfully, I am struggling to find the joy....fatigue has set in, now apathy.  Juggling a busy December schedule is overwhelming and stealing my joy.  In this season that celebrates the Christ child, why am I not finding the joy?

It's time for me to push the "pause" button....stop and listen,  stop and look around....the joy is there, I am just to "busy" to enjoy it.  Joy is everywhere I go...it is in the ringing bell outside the department stores.  I hear it in the giggle of children as they stand in line to visit Santa.  It is present on the faces of  loved ones as they gather around the holiday table.  It is present on the faces of the less fortunate that we give to.  It is present at every Christmas pageant and in every Christmas carol we sing.  It is in every reading of the nativity story.

"Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."

A big hug to my friend Sandi, for her reminder to me yestereday of where the joy is...it is right here, right now!  Hope all of you are pushing the "pause" button at least once a day and not losing the joy. 



Hallelujah!

Today was my day to hide in my sewing room and play! Made a few of these little mug rugs for gifts. I plan to put some goodies in the cup, like hot chocolate mix, or tea bags...maybe some sweets! These are certainly fun and easy to make...very relaxing! Love listening to Christmas music, lighting a pine scented candle, and sewing away.....bliss!

I might go to the mall if I thought this would happen while I was there!

May your walls know joy,
may every room hold laughter,
and every window open to great possibility

.

A bit of Christmas cheer for you...Enjoy!

Secret Santa

Secret Santa Table topper or wall hanging.

This is going to the post office today...hope my secret pal enjoys using it as much as I enjoyed making it!  This has been a fun swap...thank you to Joan and Kelly!  It is fun to see all the beautiful Secret Santa gifts that are in Santa's sleigh all ready!

We got back from Dallas on Sunday morning, and as soon as we got home and unpacked, started putting up the Christmas tree.  This Thanksgiving was spent in Dallas with my sister and her family. It is so much fun to be able to spend the morning in the kitchen with my sister and my mother, cooking, laughing, sampling the food....good memories! 

After five days off...it is hard to get in gear and go back to work!  Especially with so much that needs to be done here at home!  Tis the season to get stressed out...I am trying very hard not to! 

Monday musings

Can it really be mid-November????   Remember when we were children, and time seemed to just crawl at a snail's pace until Christmas?  My sister emailed me with some instructions for Thanksgiving last week, and said ...see ya in 2 weeks!  I hit the panic button, thinking my time is running out on all the things I want to accomplish...guess I need to remove a few things from the list!

Today, I plan to quilt my Secret Santa gift so that I can cross that off the list.  It has to be in the mail in 2 weeks, and I will be traveling for Thanksgiving, so today is the day!  I love Secret Santa projects!

Friday night, I went to my friend's Stampin' Up crop...we made 20 Christmas cards!  It was loads of fun and so nice to have them made.  Hoping I will have time to make a few more, as I bought some new ink and stamps.

Since we will be out of town for Thanksgiving, my children and grandkids, and other family members are coming on Saturday for our non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner.  The kids requested Mexican food, so that is what we will have!  Anyone have any favorite recipes for Mexican dishes? 

Guess I better get off the computer, and get busy at the sewing machine! 

What a great way to spend my day off!

Monday musings

Halloween has come and gone, the decorations are put away for another year!  These are a few of our costumes for this year. Jack did NOT want to put on his monkey costume...thus the crying fit.  But once he was out knocking on doors and got some candy, he decided it was fun.

 Jim dressed up like the Headless Horseman....some of the little ones were a bit unsure about him.  Our church sponsored a Trunk or Treat on Saturday night...lots of fun seeing all the cute little costumes! 

Today I started on my Secret Santa gift....here is a sneek peek!

Off to watch Dancing with the Stars...although I am a bit disapointed in it this year!  Cannot figure out what is going on with the voting and the eliminations?????