Happy New Year!

May this new year be exciting 

and full of wonder.

Christmas Wonder

"And she gave birth to her Son, her Firstborn, 

and she wrapped Him in swaddling clothes 

and laid Him in a manger..." Luke 2:7 (Amplified version)

"Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing (saying) that has come to pass, 

which the Lord has made known to us. 

So they went with haste...
and found Mary and Joseph and the Baby 
lying in a manger." 

Luke 2:15-16 (Amplified version)

Who is this Baby?

As we celebrate Christmas, may we truly REJOICE

for God's unspeakable gift to each of us.

Christmas Goodies

Christmas is a special time of the year. Often it includes entertaining and having family and friends over. So time for some ideas on what to serve.

Does it include baking or some other kind of goodies?

I'm not much of a cook, soooooo it has to be simple and fast to make. Off to the web I went. Yeah!! Found some things that I can handle. Will use them several times.

From Sally's Baking Addition

http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2012/03/12/pretzel-hugs/

Found on Pinterest from Anderson & Grant

http://www.andersonandgrant.com/2013/08/bacon-and-ranch-cheese-ball.html

From Eclectic Recipes

http://eclecticrecipes.com/christmas-tree-pull-apart

Hope you have some of your own goodies. But if not, maybe you would want to give some of these a try.Have a blessed Christmas

Scrappin' Christmas

It's hard to believe that Christmas is almost here. But what a delightful time of the year. Thought you might enjoy a music slideshow called "Scrappin' Christmas." I created it with several digital scrapbooking kits from http://www.digitalscrapbookingstudio.com/

Here are a few pictures to get you started.

Hope you enjoy the beauty of the slides and the music. Here is the YouTube link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-o-wDlAhhYo

Thanksgiving Tidbits

The first Thanksgiving was celebrated by the Pilgrims 

after their first harvest in the New World in 1621. 

The feast lasted three days 

and was attended by 90 Native Americans and 53 Pilgrims.

It is such a very special holiday 

when we can stop and be thankful for all that we have

and for how blessed we are.

Enjoy being creative with the decorations

and the healthy snacks.

Gratitude

This is the time of the year when we are especially reminded to be grateful and to show gratitude.

grat-i-tude

noun--the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.

How many things can you list in 15 seconds 
that you're grateful for? 

Start now.

1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15

Being grateful helps us to be satisfied with what we have 

and to be appreciative.

Does that even include the difficulties of life?

Truly, we are blessed!!!

Here is a little craft you might enjoy making for the holidays.

Each time you light a candle in the jar, use it to help you remember to be grateful for something or someone.

During this special season, 

my desire is to cultivate a grateful heart.

Veteran's Day--A Day of Remembering

Freedom in America

Isn't really free;

We often pay a price

To keep our liberty.

Remember those we loved,

Who fought for us, and died;

And those we never knew

For whom others mourned and cried.

--Joanna Fuchs

Let's honor our military, 

The men and women who serve,

Whose dedication to our country

Does not falter, halt or swerve.

Let's respect them for their courage;

They're ready to do what's right

To keep America safe, 

So we can sleep better at night.

Let's support and defend our soldiers,

Whose hardships are brutal and cruel,

Whose discipline we can't imagine,

Who follow each order and rule.

Here's to those who choose to be warriors

And their helpers good and true;

They're fighting for American values;

They're fighting for me and you.

--Joanna Fuchs

On Veteran's Day we honor

Soldiers who protect our nation.

For their service as our warriors,

They deserve our admiration.

--Joanna Fuchs

* A special thank you to Joanna Fuchs for poetry. http://www.poemsource.com/patriotic-poems.html

Turquoise, How Lovely

Thought I would focus on a color this time--one that I especially like. TURQUOISE!! This color means open communication and clarity of thought. Just what we all need. According to the psychology of color it recharges our spirits during times of stress and tiredness and alleviates feelings of loneliness.

So found some things that are turquoise--painted pumpkins (see http://bravegirlsclub.com/archives/14597 for the tutorial), pottery with flowers, rock, butterfly, border, rust. What are some others things you know that are turquoise?

Found some pictures of turquoise butterflies and used Dynamic Auto Painter software to turn them into paintings.

"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly,
but rarely admit the changes
it has gone through to achieve that beauty."
--Author Unknown

Have a Perfect Moment today!!

Fall Splendor

Autumn came with wind and gold.

Such a beautiful time of the year!!!

Here are some things I originally created in Photoshop Elements 11 with digital scrapbooking materials. Then I took them into Dynamic Auto-Painter and used the Benson effect. Hope you enjoy them. 

Remember to take time in your busy schedule to stop and view all the beauty around you. It is a special gift from the creator of such splendor.

Autumn Creativity

Crackling  Crunchy  Beautiful  Colorful  Crispy Spectacular  Enchanting

What words would you use to describe autumn? See how many you can list in 30 seconds. Start now. How many did you get?

Autumn is one of my favorite seasons. It's such a delightful time of the year and so many beautiful things to make or cook.

Three Things for the Price of One Post

(1) Thought I would start with something I did in Photoshop Elements 11 using scrapbooking supplies and a bubble brush. Then added the "Watercolor Painting" filter from Filter Forge. What do you think?

(2) I was so excited when I saw how to make a very lovely wreath from coffee filters. Not that I'm a coffee drinker but I could purchase filters to make a wreath.

These pictures are just a few of the steps. Does it wet your appetite for more? OK then. Here is the link to the website for all the instructions. 

http://jonesdesigncompany.com/create/a-pretty-autumn-wreath/

(3) I'm not much of a cook, but I really like anything that contains pumpkin. What about you? Yes!! Here are 50 recipes that should keep both of us busy for a while.

http://parentpretty.com/pumpkin-dessert-recipes/#_a5y_p=2460020

That should do it for today. 

Enjoy Autumn and all it has to offer.