Christmas Cookies!!

In the midst of the turmoil surrounding our family this Holiday season, we have taken the time to enjoy the little things in life! Here are a sampling of the photos from this year's cookie baking. Makayla is a bit serious and knows exactly what and how it all needs to be done! =)




Then its onto the serious work of decorating with Papa. And what is Holiday baking without a few samples, or two!



Yep, its the simple things in life that can give us the biggest joys!

Godspeed

Sharing.....

We've had some family issues that surfaced this past week, and now that it apears to be settling down, I'd like to get back to my mini album I'm making for this Holiday Season. Today I wanted my topic to be about sharing. Not with your loved ones, but a total stranger, a kind of paying it forward type thing. Every year we pick a name from the Giving Tree at work, but this year decided to nab two. We figured we already have lots of what we would want so why not spread some cheer to someone who may not.

Our little guy's name is Jesse and he's 4 years old. That's pretty much all we know, but it really doesn't matter. All he wanted was a Tonka truck and a warm winter jacket. The jacket request brought tears to my eyes. It makes my heart hurt knowing some little person may be out in the cold winter air without the necessary items to keep him warm. No child should have to live like that and I only wish I could help out more of them. With heavy hearts, we accepted the challenge and will hope and pray Jesse and his family has a little brighter Christmas!


We also decided to give a sack of groceries to the local food bank. They are in such desparate need this year and we are just trying to do our part. These are wonderful organizations to support, cause you just never know if one day you'll need a little help.

Godspeed

Life Preservers November Card Kit!

Life Preservers offered this awesome card kit for the month of November and I chose it as one of my winnings from the Big Scrapper House contest. Graphic 45 has such beautiful papers and Von sure knows how to piece a kit together with her embellie selection! Love the vintage look of all of them and they are sure to make for some wonderful cards and equally awesome layouts. Now, I just need to get some free time to scrap!!


Wish my picture did it justice, but I think you get the idea. =)

Godspeed

December TSR kits!

What a sweet set of papers for those Christmas layouts! Can't wait for these to appear in my mailbox! I'm sure Tammy has a few left, so if you'd like to get your fix, head on over to The ScrapRoom and reserve yours today!


And because I prepaid for 3 months, I'll be receiving these goodies to alter as gifts for those special people in my life. =)


Godspeed

What is your ideal Christmas?

"There is no ideal Christmas; only the one Christmas you decide to make as a reflection of your values, desires, affections, and traditions." - Bill McKibben

As Christmas approaches, I've had plenty of time to reevaluate what the day means to me and what I can personally do to make it enjoyable without going overboard. No, my home is not featured on the front of a magazine, nor is my tree so tall I need a ladder to place the ornaments at the top, and you won't find a fancy place setting for each of my guests.

What I do have is a home that welcomes anyone who may stop by. A home that is decorated with items which I've handcrafted with pride. The smell of freshly baked goods to tempt the taste buds. Our tree was decorated by a 4 year old since the ornaments don't have to be strategically placed to have the perfect tree, and our fine china is paper plates cause the last thing I want to do is miss any precious moments of the time I could spend with my family.

I love Christmas and I love what Christmas is all about. Not the gifts that we may exchange, but the love and joy that being together brings. Ya know, that warm fuzzy feeling inside that a nice cup of cocoa gives you when you've come in from the cold.


Godspeed

And it begins......

The Season Of Giving is upon us once again. We like to reflect on the little things this time of year, such as this little tree we have for Makayla. When I was younger, our grandparents had two trees, the fancy one in the living room and another on the enclosed front porch. I always told myself that would be something I'd pass onto my grandchildren, and it brings back such sweet memories as I watch Makayla decorate "The Kid's Tree".....


What sweet memories do you share with your children/grandchildren? I'd love to hear about them. =)

Godspeed