The Blessing of Giving

"A Season of joy for those who believe that it's more fun to give than it is to receive" T.J. Mills

I was pleasantly surprised when my precious friend Carmella @Southern Fried Gal gave me this ornament last night! What is even more special is that she made it with her own two hands...Those are the best kinds of gifts!

Don't you just love to watch the look on people's faces when they open a gift from you? You become the bearer of a happy moment for the folks you care about, and it just couldn't feel better! When their happiness brings you great joy and satisfaction you are experiencing The Blessing of GIVING.

Give Freely of yourself and the gift will you yours!

"When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh."

Matthew 2:10-11

The Blessing of Warmth

Excerpt from "The Twelve Blessings of Christmas" by T.J. Mills

Christmas is more than a span of time on the calendar; it's a place in our hearts. Each year we welcome this season of splendor like a much anticipated visit from a cherished old friend. We embrace its advent with a flurry of Yuletide activities that reflect the spirit of our deep faith in this celebration of God's love for us. The arrival of Christmas is the blessing of WARMTH in our hearts.

Can't you just smell the aroma of baked cookies and candies? I love making and decorating Christmas cookies and candy with my family....and then give them away to our neighbors and friends!

Or how about coming in from the cold and having a nice, warm cup of hot cocoa...mmm, I can just taste it and feel the hot mug warming up my hands!
We can't forget how much fun as a child we had making "homemade" projects with glitter, glue and ribbon...Take time and be a kid again! "Enjoy every warm minute and have a merry little Christmas!" T.J. Mills

Please share things that you do each year that are traditions...or things you hope to do this year to slow down and enjoy the Blessing!!!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Thanksgiving is Over and the Christmas Season has begun! I haven't completely finished decorating my home yet but the Mantle and Tree are done! That's the most important part right? The Mantle is my favorite to decorate!! I change it up every year, however this year I had to work with what I had...not much extra $$ these days to spend on "fun stuff"
I made the wreath out of an old wreath that looked pitiful! I tore it apart and started over. I had some extra red mesh and ribbon...I would have loved those Big, pretty ornaments to hang on there but all I had were small balls...so I just grouped them in three's. I don't think it looks too bad!
Over the past few years, I have collected these fun, metal, spiral Christmas trees..I didn't realize it but I have five! So, I used those as my "bookends"

On one side, my tallest one with these wooden reindeer...
On the other end of the mantle I grouped 3 more! All of these were varying in height which is appealing to the eye! I also wanted to add this little grouping all because of the book that's laying on the table. My husband gave this book to me last year at the beginning of December. It is called The Twelve Blessings of Christmas by T.J. Mills. This little book is filled with treasures to help us not get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays but helps us to truly enjoy every minute! Be sure and check back with me as I share from this book throughout the month of December!

More Thanksgiving FUN!

Aren't these Lunch Note Printables PRECIOUS!! I used these all last week in my daughter's school lunch. She absolutely loved them. I got them from Erin at Craft's and Sutch! What a fun way to show your child that you are thinking about them while they are at school.
Here is another cute Thanksgiving craft that Marlee made at school! On each finger (or feather she got to tell something she was thankful for! Notice Food and Drinks...she is for sure MY DAUGHTER!! Ha! Ha!
Since I had all of Marlee's artwork on the previous post I just had to add a little of my three year old, J.P. Too cute! I think it's supposed to represent FALL :) Lastly, I must share a little story!

Lately, we have been having some tough times financially. My husband is in Sales and we rely heavily on commission. Sometimes we are not sure where the money is going to come from to pay all the bills but it always shows up just in time! One night we were looking at our finances and talking about how and what we could do to cut corners, sacrifice, etc...Needless to say, I can get a little emotional and weepy! As my husband was cleaning up he looked down and had a little frog in his hand! The Frog had a Bible Verse on it that my son is learning at church. We felt that the Lord was speaking to us directly in that moment! So this Frog has been on our kitchen cabinet ALL MONTH! Thank you Lord for the little things and Thanks for providing and meeting ALL our needs!