Warmth of Home Wednesday- Reflecting on time spent with Family!

Christmas 2010 is over.  The house is once again quiet.  As I begin to deal with the aftermath of wrapping paper, boxes, leftover food, laundry etc.,I reflect on the time spent with my loved ones.

 First of all, my husband.  Here he is opening a present and holding his grandchild.  What a man of God he is!  He works so hard and always puts the comforts of his family before his own wants.  I helped him out with shopping for me and gave him a couple ideas which he followed through on but the thing that blessed the socks off of me was a card that he gave me.  He took the time to pick a card that was exactly what he wanted to say and it deeply touched my heart.  It made everything all worth while.  My worth and value rose about a 100%.  I know that it is not easy for him to put his feelings into words and that is why he takes extra time to find just the right card.  The card  was the best gift he could have given me.

A new granddaughter makes Christmas pretty special.  Here she is with her Mommy.  She is modeling a new hat which I knit for her.  It is another hat from the book, "Itty-bitty Hats" by Susan B. Anderson.  If you like the hat, you might want to visit her blog.

It was a blessing to watch my daughter.  As a first time Mommy, my daughter is a natural.  She is so loving and gentle with our granddaughter.  She has such a tender heart.  Seeing all that she has gone through the last 31/2 months, I realize that Motherhood is truly a sacrifice, it is a giving of ones all, for a cause bigger than oneself.  Motherhood is the Lords work!  There is little glamour in it, as one has to deal with dirty diapers, around the clock feeding and pants that don't fit anymore.   You might ask yourself is Motherhood all its cracked up to be?  Well look at that healthy, happy baby and answer that!!!  The potential within that child which will come forth with the guidance and nurturing of two parents.  Mollie I applaud you!!!  You are a wonderful wife and Mother.  Your value and worth is far above gold or silver. You are truly a beautiful woman of God, inside and out!

Thank you Lord for families.  People that care for one another, that serve you by serving others.  Families are your plan and never are we more like you than when lay down our lives to better someone else.

Cozy Blessing and Warm Christmas Memories!
Bev


 

The greatest gift of all-Jesus Christ!

In the midst of trying to create a beautiful Christmas one which lets my family know just how special they are, I find myself wanting to give my all.  I want the tree to not just be nice but to be beautiful.  From the moment they walk in the door, I want them to know this is the place where they are greatly loved. Consider the presents as an extention of the decorating, matching your style, color, etc.  Think outside the box and try something that you have not done before.  The presents this year were wrapped using the end of a roll of newsprint gotten free from a local newspaper co.  It already has a vintage look and after all it was free.  This was a little secret I learned from Traci, at Whimsy.        

 The goal is to have the present be just what the recipient wants, to make them oh and ah when they open it. I also want them to enjoy looking at the pretty presents and anticipating what is inside.  Maybe this sounds a little corny or too "Martha Stewart", but there is just something so special about receiving a gift that has been wrapped careful just for you.

The presents were tied with twine and a twig of fresh greenery.  The name of the recipient stamped on it.  Simple but so special.

On this package is a paper mache flower with a black button in the center.  Isn't that fun!

As I look at the tree and spot one of my favorite ornaments,  I am reminded of the important part the angels played in the birth of Jesus.  Announcing the birth of Jesus, "Glory to God in the Highest and on earth peace goodwill to men".  God gave us His very best, the very best He could give.  Why because He loves us, each and everyone of us.  He came not to condemn the world but that through Him you might be save.  If you have not yet received that gift, do it now.  Invite Him (Jesus Christ) into your heart, to be your Lord and Savior.
He will touch your heart and you will never be the same. 
From our home to yours,
Merry Christmas!
Bev   

Warmth of Home Wednesday-Hand Made cards!

The Christmas cards are done and in the mail.  Another item to cross off the "to do list"!  A family post card with a few hand written words was it for this year.  A few select people will receive a hand made card. 

These are some vintage gift tags I made for a rubber stamp party I had for a friend of mine.  Each person at the party made a set of 3.  The stamps are Stampin' Up.  They are embellished with glitter.

This is one of the projects for card club.  It is made with the stamp set "Bells and Boughs".   It is the same set used for the gift tags.  Very versatile!

This card uses the same set "Bells and Boughs",  and  "Bright Christmas"  The background is done with an embossing folder and ran through the Big Shot.

This card is from a stamp set called "Come to Bethlehem".  It is one of my favorite, well actually they all are.

Another card made from the set "Come to Bethlehem".  Love the colors used!  Most of the designs were found on "Splitcoast Stampers"  website.  A great place to get ideas!  Stamp classes will continue in January.  I will  post the class project, time and date for those of you interested.   Also I have the Christmas catalog for those of you who want stamps under the tree Christmas morning.  Hand made items are so much fun.  Fun to give and fun to get.  Take a little time to create!  It does the spirit good!  

Cozy Blessing! 

Bev

Warmth of Home Wednesday- Keep the Peace!

The days are flying by and my "to do list" is growing longer.  I think everyone feels the same way.  With the expectations of a perfect Christmas I am aware that if I lose my peace, Christmas will not be enjoyable for me or those around me.  My goal is to have a warm, cozy Christmas at home with those I love, cherishing  the time spent with my family.  That goal starts with me staying in peace even if somethings don't get done.

My husband and I are in a Marriage Small Group.  We just finished a study called "Love and War" by John and Stacey Eldridge.  The last chapter of the book really sums up our daily walk.  We are called to walk in love and that is walked out in a 100 little choices we make everyday.  Choose to listen when you want to speak, encourage someone when you are discouraged, give when you would rather receive. The old expression "little foxes spoil the vine", is really very true.  Little offenses build.  If we are honest, most of us are still trying to pass "Love 101".  Spending some time each day meditating on the word of God and just being quiet in His presence keeps me on track.  When I get too busy for that daily quiet time, look out!

  My husband and I spent the weekend at an old log lodge in a  beautiful state park.  As we were just about there it started snowing.  When we woke up Sat. morning, this is what we saw. It was like a scene right out of "White Christmas"

During the day we decorated for my husbands Company Christmas Banquet.  It was at a Country Club close to the lodge. This picture was taken coming home after the banquet.  What a wonderful time we had.

It was really fun to see the banquet come together.  I took a few pictures but you can really see the details of the amazing decorations at  whimsydecor.blogspot.com. Traci, from Whimsy's did the decorating.  She is very talented and super creative.

The centerpiece sat on a real log.  The table numbers were made of moss and attached to the log with an antique nail. There were individual arrangements by each plate. 

Each person had an individual small arrangement by their plate.

The charger was actual wood.  The menu was printed on wood paper.  It was really cool! 

This was the table as you enter the banquet.  The little logs had each persons name and table number on the outside and some goodies on the inside.

This was one of the many presents.

Be sure to check out the blog whimsydecor.blogspot.com.

Remember, keep the peace, walk in love, and let your home reflect what is in your heart!

Glory to God!   

Finished Friday- Decorating Inspiration!

Good Morning!  Well the Christmas decorating, for the most part, is done and that feels GREAT!  To continue on with what motivates me to tackle this project with enthusiasm, I will share with you a couple of my favorite shops.  I can go there and come home inspired.  They always have new and exciting ideas.  Some times Lots of times I come home with a treasure, other times I might just be inspired to try something new in my home using what I already have.  The shops motivate me to think in new ways.   Think about what you have and incorporate it in a new and fresh way.

This store is called "Whimsy".  It is located in downtown Morris, IL.  As you can see by the window the owner is quite creative and that is an under statement.  She is amazing! 

This was a must have!  On my last visit, I bought this oval chalk board picture.  It was the perfect shape for a spot in my dinning room. 

The owner, Traci makes a lot of the items.  Here are a couple handmade items.  As you can see they are so vintage looking!  I like the long cones they are very unique .  The ball was decoupaged with sheet music.  Great ideas!

This picture was taken at a shop called "DeJa Vu" located in Ottawa, IL.  It has a little different feel and is also very inspiring.  The store has a lot of architectural elements.  The rustic with the elegant appeals to me. 

 More old world elegance!  The store has two floors of Christmas delight.  If you are in the area its worth seeing.

The carolers are so cute and on my want list, I might add!

Came home with a few of these pretties!

Pure Christmas Inspiration!

 

 
 

Your Love Never Fails!

Whatever situation we find ourselves in, it is such an encouragement to know the Lord's love will never fail.  He is not an angry God but one who seek goodness for us.  His love never fails!
We sang this song Sun. in church and I loved it!  It is one of those songs that lifts you up as you soak in God's goodness.  I guarantee you will be blessed!

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Be encouraged!
Bev

Monday in the Making - Decorating Progress!

I can safely say the decorating is still in the making.  The progress is good but it is just not there yet.  No one wants to see the mess created while in a decorating frenzy, so I will spare you the agony.  Instead here are some bits and pieces of the big picture. 
Shelves are great for decorating.  They add so much character to any space.  It is a great way to display dishes, pictures and of course the beloved Christmas memorabilia. 

This shelf is in a small bathroom off the family room.  I just wanted a little touch of Christmas in here,  not too much.  The shelf allowed me to accomplish that tastefully.   Remind yourself sometimes just a touch will do. KISS!

This shelf is in my kitchen.  I saw an idea someplace and honestly I don't remember where, but it was of cascading plates. I tried it in the kitchen and really liked it.  The plates are changed with the seasons. 

This shelf hangs in the dining room.  The shelf was made by my husband.  The dark top is from and old upright piano that once was housed in our basement.  That is until it went to piano heaven (the recycling bin, and no I do not believe in reincarnation!).  The white back is an old headboard which I painted and antiqued.  I just love the way it turned out. 
I hung paper mache snowflakes from the plates.
Cozy Blessings!
Bev
  

Finished Friday - Its beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

The kitchen at least is beginning to look like Christmas!  It is a slow process as I have been getting up and down using my trust stool to decorate above my cabinets and shelves which are a little to high to reach without it. 
It would be great to be a decorator by profession but most of us are not.  The most important things is that your home reflect what is important to you this Christmas season .  Let your home be a witness of what is in your heart this Christmas.

 
It is always good to share ideas.  I hope these pictures will inspire you to do something that maybe you hadn't thought of trying before.

If you have space above your cabinets, use it.  Keep the counter tops to minimal allowing room to prepare food and remember you will needs lots of space for all those Christmas cookies your going to be baking.  Go with a theme, especially if you gravitate toward something.  I collect snowmen, so above the cupboard seems like the perfect place to display them.  Our families and friends do seem to gather in the kitchen, so why not make it fun and festive! Mix into the collection other items as well.  Do you have a family heirloom?  The brown pitchere above was my Grandmother,so naturally I love it!

The nativity was handed down from my parents so it has warm memories of Christmas with family that is no longer with us.  It is a goal to have a nativity in every room.  After all "Jesus" is the reason for the season and that is  important in our home. 

This plate was a gift from my daughters.  The message speaks volumes.  The best part of Christmas is being with those we love.  It is going to be great having everyone home for Christmas.   Just hanging out together!  How wonderful! 

I became a Grandmother this past year.  The square plate was a gift from my sister.  My sister is such a support to me.  We are now both Grandmothers so we have plenty to talk about.  The plate is proudly displayed in my kitchen.  What a blessing from the Lord to have a precious grandchild!

 Handmade items are always fun to display but especially at Christmas!  What do you love to do?  Think about putting it on display!  These little stitchery pictures are so fun to make.  My husband made the frames to fit the picture since some of the sizes are not standard.  I painted the frames with black craft paint.  

 These two patterns are from "The Basket Case XXX Needle Therapy".  The above picture is called "Lost Mitten" and bottom picture is called "Oh Christmas Tree".  Old buttons are sewn on the branches.

This week Hobby Lobby had pictures frames 50% off so I bought a few more.  I want lots of pictures of family on display for Christmas.  Events of the past year and some pictures  of Christmas when the girls were little.  I have tucked pictures around the kitchen.

Tomarrow I will share more ideas but for now its back to work.
Cozy blessing from my home to yours!
Bev
       

Warmth of Home Wednesday - Christmas Here We Come!

It's a gray, foggy morning outside and here I sit in my cozy kitchen with a cup of warm coffee.  As I look around the kitchen, I feel a bit overwhelmed.  The realization that its time to take down all the fall decorations.  Normal I wait till after Thanksgiving to do this but this year we will be gone for Thanksgiving and the really cool thing is that our family will all be home for Christmas.  Naturally I want the house to look great, so it is time to begin the transition.  Motivation!  This is key to any big project!   

Inspiration will take you from this to----well you will have to wait a few days to see!
Today I will share with you what motivates and inspires me to not only tackle the project but to do it with excitement, enthusiasm and gusto!

Books!  Take a trip to your local library and browse.  I have found some great ideas!  What excites you?  A book that I found last year which I just loved was called "Vintage Christmas Crafts" by Sara Toliver. Mary Carol Garrity, is a great decorator and she has a couple Christmas Books that I also like.  Anyway look for a book that stimulates you and helps you to in vision what you want your home to look like this Christmas.
Blogs!  A few of my favorites:  "My Romantic Home", "Everday Beauty In the Home"  "The Unpainted Cottage".  There are so many great blogs and the Christmas ideas will be inspiring to say the least.
Shops!  Nothing puts me in the mood to decorate like a day of shopping.  I have a few favorite shops that will blow your socks off!   
Today, however, I am bringing up the boxes and starting to dismantle fall.  If I make good progress today, I will shop tomorrow and share with you the inspiration of my favorite shops. 
Cozy Blessings from my Home to Yours!
Bev 

Monday In the Making

It is Monday morning and after being gone last week I must begin to focus again on the projects that are in the making, and there are many I might add.  I will however just share one with you today.  This project has been in the making for a long, long, time. 

Two more strips of fabric will be added around the blocks.  Roosters and stars are appliqued on the top of some of the blocks.  I do like rooster and have a few around in the kitchen and family room.  Not overly done, just a few.  The pillow is really cute and  would be fun to make too.  

This is the pattern.  It is one of those "Just Have to Make" patterns.  As you can see the finished quilt is amazing!   I will press on and someday it will hang in my home and be enjoyed by all who enter.
"Monday in the Making" reminds me that I too am a work in progress!   The Lord is still working on me!  Although we get down on ourselves, He has not given up on us.  A scripture given to me when I was confirmed, (a long time ago), was Philippians 1:6. "I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ (right up to the time of His return), developing that good work and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you."   I don't know about you, but boy have I needed that encouragement!  When I get down on myself that scripture encourages me to keep on keeping on, God's not finished yet.  I too am a work in progress.  Have a great week!
Cozy Blessing!
Bev               

Finished Friday

Projects, projects, projects, that is just the way my mind works.  There are so many great ideas out there and each one I want to make.  I catch myself saying, "I could make that!".   For that very reason, I have always gravitated to magazines.  Can't walk by a stand without picking one up for a quick browse, hoping to find the next great idea.  A habit that annoys my family greatly, I might add.  Now that I have my own lap top the problem has escalated.  Talk about good stuff out there.  Yes, there are lots of great ideas out there but the question one must ask is, "will I ever get this project done?".  Today instead of thinking about all the projects yet to be done I will share one that is completed.  Looking at the finished project spurs me on to do the next project, the one that will really excite me, the one that will not only bless me but those who enter my home.

Here is Friday's finished project.  Every fall I bring it out and hang it over the bannister in my kitchen.

The pattern has 5 blocks, each with an acorn. 

I used some recycled wool, flannel, felt and of course cotton fabric. When I saw this pattern, I just knew I had to make it.  Isn't is just sew cute!  It was allot of fun to make too!   

   Don't you just love the old crow!  The primitive stitches were really fun to do and it goes fast.

    

When thinking about all the projects you want to make look around and enjoy the ones already completed.  It will encourage and motivate you  to continue on to your list of , "Must Do's, Can't Live Without, Just Gotta Make It",  Projects! 

Cozy Blessings from My Home to Yours! 

Bev

Warmth of Home Wednesday - The Love Language of Soup!

A couple weeks ago my daughter called and said, Mom I am so hungry for soup.  She said, Mom remember when I was in college and you would make soup for me.  She went on to name some of her favorite soups that I had made over the years.  My heart just melted and at that very moment I would have moved heaven and earth to get her some homemade soup. 

Soup is one of my favorite foods to make.  It not only nourishes the body but the soul as well. It is a complete meal, all in one pot, and there is nothing like the aroma that fills the home when it simmers away on the stove.  A pot of homemade soup on a cold fall day is the language of love!  Bless your family with a bowl of warmth today.  The message of love will be remembered long after the soup is eaten. 

"Cream of Tomato" is one soup that I make often.  It makes a great lunch with a grilled cheese sandwich.  It is quick to make, tastes good, and will warm you up.  I am not sure where the recipe came from, I have had it for a long time.  Give it a try and see if it becomes one of your favorites today.

Cream of Tomato Soup
Combined one #2 can of diced tomatoes (approx. 2 1/2 cups)
2 slices of onion, diced fine
1 bay leaf
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. each of pepper and cinnamon
a dash of cloves.
Simmer for 10 minutes while you make the white sauce.
Make white sauce by melting 2TBSP. butter, add 2TBSP. flour, stir to make paste, and add 2 cups whole or 2% milk.  Be sure to stir often so it doesn't scorch.
Slowly add the hot tomato mixture to the white sauce and your soup is ready.
This recipe makes 6 servings but it can easily be doubled.
Enjoy!

Warm and cozy blessings from my home to your!
Bev

Warmth of Home Wednesday

Our homes are such a blessing from the Lord.  A house is just a building, but a home, well that has a whole new meaning.  The definition of a home in Webster's Dictionary is:  "one's dwelling place".  Home is a reflection of the very character of those who dwell there.  Let your home be filled with what is meaningful to you.  Items that reflect your mission in life, your journeys,  loved ones and the memories  shared with family and friends.  I remember my dear Mother  having pictures stuck all over her home.  She had them on cupboard doors, mirrors, walls, china cabinet, etc.  I used to find it somewhat annoying, but now older and wiser, I realize that the pictures of her loved ones and the memories of time spent with her beloved family were truly her greatest earthly treasure. The pictures brought her great joy and made her house a home .

Here are some pictures from my home, little things that make me smile, and delight me when I walk by them.  My home reminds me of who I am, where I've been, what is most important in life, and that my life is truly blessed.

A reminder of my Christian heritage, God's provision and abundance.

                                                  The changing of the seasons!  Love fall!

         Talk about blessed!  Man, do I love my family!  Nothing on this earth  

is more precious to me.  Great memories!  Mom, I understand !

                        The vase is a family heirloom, and the cloth pumpkins were a gift from my daughters,

                                    Really enjoy this plate,  the message speaks what is in my heart.

Thank you Lord for the warmth of home!  You are sooo good and your love to us endures forever.
Cozy blessing from my home to yours!
Bev