~ Snow Day ~

I LOVE this vintage image. It reminds me of how our home felt today. Of course we did not have nearly this much snow. But the lights and the warm glow inside made my soul happy. The sun comes up about 7:30 and begins to go down a bit after 4:00. I like to look out my front window and see the neighbors' houses as they turn on their lights.

Now that we are less than six days away from the big day, all my creative switches are turned on and the rush begins. I tried to explain to my husband that I do get ideas long before the middle of December, but they are like unhatched chickens in various stages of growth. One idea is 90% cooked, another is 35% cooked, and yet another only 15% ready. Then suddenly, within the span of about 12 hours, all ideas become fully mature! I don't understand it but what can I do. That's the wonder of me.

Quote of the Day

"Oh PLEASE, be a man and suck it up! It's a scratch, from a thorn. Girls like sensitive, not wimpy."

-- my husband in response to our teenage son's kvetching about the two inch scratch on his leg.

(It's so fascinating being involved in the building of a man from the ground up.)

And the winner is......

Holli of Cozi Moments. I apologize for being two days late with this post. The stomach flu (a snow dog's) and tendonitis (mine) have thrown me off schedule. Holly will receive her choice of $20.00 worth of merchandise from our Etsy store or our web store.

I see by reading Holli's blog that we have lots in common. She is originally from Seattle, and like me, is blessed to be married to her Prince Charming. I thank the Lord several times a day for my husband, and I bet Holli does too.

I am busy decorating my home, and trying to convince my son to allow me to do some kind of small, tasteful display in his room. So far, no luck. Last year my hubby made a beautiful wood stocking holder for our fireplace, but didn't have time to stain it. Once the holidays were over I forgot about my plan to decorate it myself, altered art style. So that's on the list too.

We are expecting a good bit of snow tomorrow. I am so grateful to live in the beautiful state of Washington, with the crisp, clean air and gorgeous trees. And, some holiday snow :).

A Sharp Dressed Man

Here is a photo of my offspring that hatched. He is in his last year of middle school and tonight they have a Christmas Dessert. The lunchroom gets all decked out and gourmet desserts are served. It's the social event of their season.

He fussed about the tie being too long. He's too big for a youth tie and this is a man's tie. The only tie hubby has is a navy blue one from his Coast Guard uniform and we couldn't use that. We aren't fancy folks that's for sure.

As we shopped for the shirt and tie, my son told me the ZZ Top song named above was on his mind. Of course I'm clearly not impartial, but I think he looks sharp, tie and all!

Holiday Giveaway ~ Gift Certificate

I haven't done a giveaway in quite some time. So, in honor of the holidays, I am offering a $20.00 gift certificate good at our web site and/or our etsy store. You may choose items from both places if you'd like. We will pay the shipping, so you will receive a full $20.00 worth of merchandise.

To enter please leave a comment under this post. To receive a second entry and double your chances to win, just copy my graphic above and link to me on your blog. The winner will be announced next Sunday, December 14th at 6:00 PM-ish.

I Miss Illinois

Just checked my list of recent blog visitors and saw someone from Champaign, Illinois! Don't know who you are, but Hi person from Champaign, Illinois. My late father graduated dental school at the U of I. We lived in Glen Ellyn and Elmhurst till I was seven and we moved to California....ick. We would go back often to visit friends and relatives. Frankfurt and Mokena, I remember them so well even though it was 30 plus years ago.

My husband I have this dream of someday being able to take off in the RV, with a couple of dogs, and just meander about the country. I know I'd want to stay a long, long time in Illinois.

Bunnies and Rats and Dogs, Oh My!

These are the family photos of a dear lady named Peggy (you can click on the photo and it will open full size in a new window). A fellow Washingtonian, she purchased some knobs with rats and rabbits on them and shared with me these images. I thought they were so adorable and I asked for her permission to post them here.

What a busy household this must be! I have yet to ask her how her fur children get along. I can only imagine the great stories this family has to tell over the dinner table. People who own rats are passionate about them. They talk of how intelligent and sweet these creatures can be. I would not argue with them, but I was born with an innate fear of rodents. We are talking screaming, up on the chair, shaking at the sight of even the tiniest mouse. A few years ago we bought my son a hamster (Spunky, may she rest in peace). I tried to face my fear, but it was not to be. Fears are funny things. I have big dogs with big teeth, yet I was more afraid of that yellow fang in Spunky's mouth. Spunky did not live long and we purchased Spunky the Second. STS lived even a shorter life and we are now done with hamsters.

I think rabbits are gorgeous creatures. Years ago I began to collect them in various forms (china, stuffed, ceramic). I have well over 100 scattered throughout the house. I discovered about 12 years ago that I am seriously allergic to rabbits. Just being in a house where a rabbit had been just about sent me to the emergency room. So...no rabbits.

I discovered Peggy has a very cool t-shirt business - designs one does not find every day. If you'd like to check it out, click here.

Thank you Peggy, for sharing your precious photos!

Mom Stuff

Parenting a teenager. I liken it to Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, or living with someone who has PMS 360 days of the year. On really bad days it's the Hormonal Highway to Hell. Occasionally I get a good day, a day which makes it all worthwhile. Today was such a day.

My 14 year old son has a new friend, a girl but not a girlfriend. A girl, who is a friend. She lives across the river in Oregon. He came to me tonight and told me she didn't own a Bible. He said "she is a Christian but her parents are not." He had told her to look up a verse and that is when he learned she couldn't. He told her he would send her a Bible. And he/we will. I guess I took for granted that every household had a Bible. I was proud of my son for promising her that she would soon have her very own. He is often about his Father's business - praying for others, trying to help people in any way he can, looking to God for guidance in all areas of his life.

When I think of the fact the Lord choose me to be the mother of this child, I feel both humbled and blessed.

A Wonderful Holiday

We had the most fantastic Thanksgiving dinner at Kay's home. She says it is her favorite holiday and that she loves all the cooking. It definitely showed in the incredible meal we enjoyed. Wonderful comfort food! The company was charming and there was laughter everywhere. Her youngest grandson has the cutest laugh I've ever heard. He would make Mr. Scrooge smile.

I have been praying for the family of the man who died at the Wal-Mart store in New York. It's hard for me to wrap my mind around the events that occurred. In many cities festival seating is now illegal. I keep hoping that idea will catch on and laws will be enacted to prevent tragedies like the one which happened today.

Blessings

I spent a bit of time pondering on what I would say for my Thanksgiving Day post. Each time I thought about what I was thankful for, the word blessing become most prominent in my mind. I finally figured out I am thankful that I know how blessed I am. I believe everything we are, everything we have or do - it all comes from God. As a very young child I was taught to count my blessings. I still do, every day. Sometimes several times a day.

The Lord has blessed me with a most wonderful son. A son who dedicated his life to the Lord at age 4, and has never looked back. I am always mindful of the great responsibility I have been given, to train him up in the way that he should go. Five years ago I married my best friend, my Prince Charming, my knight in shining armor. Every day I love him just a little bit more. We are blessed to share our home with two beautiful animals who provide us with unconditional love and are teachers in their own unique way.

I am grateful that God spared my life in a car accident two years ago. And also that He led me to caring, Christian doctors who truly "get" me. I feel blessed because I am not under the power of material possessions. I don't feel a need to compete with anyone. I know that money cannot buy love or happiness. I am thankful that I don't take things for granted. When I turn on the water faucet I often think about all the people in this world who don't have the luxury of clean water.

I am thankful to be a simple person - easily entertained, and never bored. Idle hands is a concept I have never been able to grasp. I am content in my messy house of creativity, with the dust bunnies endlessly hopping. Love and laughter and respect live here.

We will be sharing this day with good friends. May you have a peaceful Thanksgiving Day. Don't forget to count your blessings!