New Year's Resolutions

So far two ideas have come to mind.

 

and

Joy -- I want to find Joy in all that I do and in all that is around me. It is a state of mind. I am often happy or sad. But Being Joyful just sounds like a good way to live.

Faith -- I do have Faith and don't think of it as faltering. I do live my life as a good Christian but we all have room for improvement. I do plan to return to spending more time "reading about my faith" and "talking to Jesus".

I know many people do not make New Year Resolutions or set Goals. They feel that these set them up for failure.  But in order to improve ourselves and our walk with the Lord we do need to have a plan. So maybe we could call them "Plans for the New Year".

Take Care and God Bless!

Preparing for the New Year

When I first started this blog, I did so to help me keep my house picked up and neat and as a way to log life in my home. Mostly for memories for myself and my children.

Did I succeed? In some ways, yes. In some ways, no. There are so many beautiful blogs out there to read and inspire me in my daily life. I spend way too much time reading blogs and too little time on my home and family. So, I am deciding what I plan to do in the new year.

I have thought about closing this blog and only updating the other one "Sew at Home on Pine Ridge".  But I think I'll go ahead and keep both of them going and updating when I have some news or something to say. Something important in our lives or something I want to record in writing for my children and, hopefully some day, grandchildren.

As I go about my day today, I am going to think about the new year coming up and make some goals (resolutions). I also plan to look over last year's and see how successful I was with them.

So, how about you? Do you set goals for each new year or are you successful just being and doing?

For God So Loved the World . . .

I am joining Chari at Happy to Design for Sunday Favorites where we revisit a previous post and to Spiritual Sunday.

I have found this week that the Lord works in mysterious ways to pull us in and ask us to take the time to praise Him, ask for His forgiveness, and just generally cause us to think about Him and all He has given us.


Yesterday morning, as I was golfing (on the WII), was one of those moments and I experienced one of those little pulls he often gives me. 

I looked up and the sun was streaming through my window focusing on this . . .

And the message  . . .

Take care and God Bless.

Christmas Vignettes

Today I am sharing one of my Christmas groupings. I'm linking to Southern Hospitality for the Holiday Home tour. 

I started out with an old chair that didn't have a seat.  I put a couple of green bushes on it and added a couple of red poinsettia bushes. Normally, I would have used Christmas garland but I already had this greenery on it from my fall decorations and just decided to leave it and add poinsettias.

The snowman pair I purchased in Branson, MO last winter. Don't you just love the glitter?

Isn't this the cutest wreath. It is made of wire. I received from one of my students about seven years ago. Each year I hang it in a different spot. This spot was calling it this year. I added the red bow to give it a Christmas look. That reminds me when I first go it, I let it out year long. I think I'll take the red bow off after Christmas and keep it out again this year.

It really is easy to take something that most would consider junk and turn it into a great Christmas display.

This is the first time I have participated in "Making the World Cuter". If you dropped by from that great blog, "Thank You" and it will make my day if you leave a comment to let me know your dropped by. If you did not drop in from that blog, I hope you take a few minutes to visit it and check out the linky party.

Take Care and God Bless.

Where's the Line to See Jesus? - Becky Kelley

I came across this video on SewCindy's blog yesterday and felt it was perfect for my Sunday Spiritual Sunday Post.  Hope you enjoy the message.




Take care and God Bless.

Santa's Play Land

Santa's Play Land is set up on my Fireplace Hearth. I guess you could say it it at the North Pole.

Even Santa is reminded of the reason for the season by this wall hanging. See the creche and the star by the "e".

The elves live at the edge of the forest and are really the ones who keep watch over the village.

This is the reindeer keeper's home. Doesn't he have a quaint little place. (He does share it with the rest of the stable workers.)

The barn. We have to keep the animals happy.

And the stable workers.

The reindeer have their own home. Look they even have their names above the window.

Santa's Solider Factory? They're really not soldiers--we want them to feel important as they go about making all of the toys for the good boys and girls and parents.

Santa and Mrs. Claus have an enchanted cottage closer to the main village. Mrs. Claus has to be in the middle of things, you know.

Chores must be done but they are a joy because everyone likes what they do in this town.

Shhhhhh! School is in session.

Everyone wants to live in Santa Land so we have two schools.


Ooops. Someone forgot to tell these little ones that recess is over.

The police keep the town in order. (They have a really cushy job.)

But . . . they are really serious about their job. Can't you tell?

Don't be fooled by the antiquated fire truck. It does the job.

Oh no! It's time to go.

Oh my! What are Santa and Frosty up to now.

I'm linking up with:
    French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Holiday.
    My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday.
    Southern in My Heart for Inspiration Friday
    Tinsel & Company for Deck the Halls Friday

Tabletop Tuesday

Usually I put my Christmas village in the Library/Office. But, we really don't use it very much so this year I decided to find a place in the living room. I had too many to put in one place so I made one display on my fireplace hearth (I'll show that to you later) and one on the side table in the dining room.

The only way to reach "Pleasant Hill" is to arrive by train. And this little train doesn't run very often.



But once you get there, there's plenty of shopping.

And a place to sit down to check your email or favorite blogs when you tire.

And don't forget to take a sleigh ride through the white and drifted snow.


Your kids will love to walk over the bridge and play in the snow.




But, you'll have to watch out for this little guy. He can cause problems. . .



A little more shopping.





Don't forget the tree.

The maid will have the house clean and hot chocolate waiting. And oh, she'll put the tree up also.

So come on over for a visit. You'll love "Pleasant Hill".



Don't forget to drop back by in a few days to see Santa's Play Land.

Take Care and God Bless!

And . . . be sure to stop by and pay a visit to Marty at A Stroll thru Life for more Tabletop Tuesday.

Joy, Peace. Love and Hope

Many people fuss about Christmas decorations and shopping starting earlier each year. Many say the holiday is becoming too commercial. I say it is all what you make of it and what it means to each person.

I always put my decorations out early. Either the day after Thanksgiving if not before. Why? Because to me the holiday decorations are a sign of joy, peace, love, and hope.

Joy . . .

Peace . . .

Love . . .

Hope . . .

As we await for our most loved Savior.

Take Care and God Bless!

         Linking to  Spitirutal Sunday   Please drop by and spend some time there.