Daisy's Merry Christmas Doggie Awards

 

Merry Christmas from Daisy and her new friend the very sweet Bella. 



Bella makes her mama Ashley over at Adevntures of Newlyweds smile everyday. 

We met Bella when they posted thier Christmas pictures.  Click Here. 




And to honor Bella for receiving the Merry Christmas award Bella's mama even wrote a special post all about Bella.  Click Here. 

Congrtulations Bella .  .  . 

Merry Christmas

We would love to feature your cute pup.  Leave a comment or email us to enter your K9!

Tips and My Favorite Holiday Decor

Joining Claudia at Mockingbird Hill Cottage for A Favorite Thing . . . ( Tips Count Down below)

My favorite thing is below in Tip 1.

Click here to visit Claudia for more Favorite Things.    And on with My Count Down Tips . . .

Today's tips are all about making memories with Family traditions.

Tip #1  . . . We began a Family Tradition a little by accident.  My children were about 10 and 12 when one Christmas I stumbled onto some Christmas dishes at a local store.   And I had the idea to buy them for the kids.  It all started innocently enough.  A complete set of 4 for a very good price. 

Here's a photo of the dishes I bought . . .


I had never seen them before and I thought;  how pretty as the children grow up they'll enjoy them and have a  complete set when they are married. 

I had no idea that first year what I had bought.  As it turns out the original set I bought at Sam's club at a great price.  But when I went to purchase more pieces I found out what I had invested in. 

I realized I had to save a little more for Christmas.  But now each of my children have a wonderful set of dishes!   

This was a wonderful tradition for our family.  You might not want to 'invest' in Spode.  And if I had to do it all over again I am not sure I would but the traditions of  collecting Christmas dishes gave us many wonderful memories. 

Tip #2
Yesterday I shared our plan to for our grandson's non toy gift.  Click here to read the post.    When our kids were in about 5th grade we began a tradition of giving them a Vintage book.   We wanted them to have gifts that they could keep not just play with for a few days or months and then discard.
(we did buy the one toy that they asked for)  

Because our family are horse lovers the vintage books we bought were horse themed.  They both have an amazing collection of books. 




Our daughter loved story books. 



Our son was a little older when we started this tradition.  He was interested in more techincal type books. 

Collecting vintage books is a great way to keep children interested in books and reading.

Tip #3  Wrapping presents . . .




I happened on another tradition purely by accident.  It was one that the kids loved.  And one we continue with even though they are grown and have families of their own. 

Our kids came home from school one day early in December.  (Our trees were up and decorated on Thanksgiving weekend)  This day they came home and there were about a dozen packages under the tree. 

They ran in excitedly and began doing an inventory to see how many packages had 'their' names.  They found none.  What they found were packages labeled "Aunt Flo", "Uncle Joe",
"Cousin Bob", "Cousin Sally" and a few more.  

We don't have any relatives names Flo, Joe, Bob or Sally.  Our sweet little daughter came up to me and asked 'Mom, who is Aunt Flo?"  I had to explain they were pretend packages. 

It became a fun tradition each year for kids to see how many packages each of the pretend relatives got. 

The real presents went under the tree on Christmas eve. 

Tip #4 . . .



If at all possible encourage the family to decorate the tree together.  This is one tradition that I gave up on when my children were pretty young.  My Cowboy has never been into decorating the tree. 
It was upsetting and frustrating to me for many years.   I finally gave up trying.  His non enthusiasm breed the same attitude with the kids.  Especially our son.  Our daughter would still get involved for a few years.  

After many years of frustration I finally gave up trying to get Cowboy involved and so I started doing all the decorating on Thanksgiving weekend while he and our son were hunting. 

It worked for us.  But, looking back.  And hearing what my daughter in law says about decorating the tree.  (My son does not help) I realize that just 'giving up' probably wasn't the best thing to do. 

I wish that I had encouraged Cowboy more.  I wish that I had pressure him a little more.  He would have given in and joined in the festivities.  But I didn't see the real importance. 

I was caught up in the need for everything to be 'perfect'.   

Many years later I realize 'perfect' isn't nearly as good as wonderful memories. 

This year I hope that you make some wonderful memories
with your family. 

May your Journey be filled with Blessings . . .

Merry Christmas

Counting Down with 5 Tips

Are you in Count down mode to Christmas Day. 



To celebrate and Count down beginnging today I'll be posting ideas,tips and suggestions...So here's 5

Idea #1


I love Advent Calendars. I have never seen one like the photo.  Have you? 
I have always wanted to make one for my children.  But, that was one project I never got around to doing.  I have a goal for the New Year.  Make an Advent activity for the grand kids.  There are some amazing ideas on Pinterest and on all the blogs.   Which makes even a bigger  challenge.  Choosing one!  

Are your kids in Count down mode? 
Idea #2


My family loved(s) the tradition of putting out cookies for Santa.
My daughter last year even put pretend snow around the mantle and a trail leading out the front door!  It was an adorable idea. 

How did you get into blogging?  OK weird ? to ask when I am supposed to be giving you tips. 

Hang with me. . .

Idea #3



Need some ideas for decorating?  Check out all the amazing home tours.  It was this one at Boomama's that got me started blogging. 
Way back in '08 I had no idea that there was something as marvelous as a blog.  A day or so after Christmas I stumbled onto this Tour of Homes.  And I was hooked!      Check out the Home Tours you'll get ideas and meet fun new friends. 


Idea #4
Safety....click here for tips about being safe with all those plugs. 

Seasonal Safety. . .Seasons change and so do safety hazards. Help protect your family by staying one step ahead. Take time to review your Home Safety Plan and involve your kids in learning all year round. 

And one more suggestion about lights.   This one is a 'Frebbie' . . .



These are amazing!  I got one at a resale store.  Brand new in package.  They work great!  And they are not just for Christmas.  I have one by the bed for the lamp on Cowboy's night stand.  

The one in the photo is available here.


And the last tip of the day . . .
Drum Roll please...





Tip #5 . . .
The perfect gift for the 4 1/2 year old that will get tons of toys . . .



Did I get your attention?  Yep that is what we are giving the grandson. We are giving our grandson a wallet.   Well his won't be filled with money....here's the tip part.
Do your grand children or kids for that matter already have tons of toys? 

What we are giving is a year of fun or a few months depending on how quickly he talks mama into having fun.   

We are including gift cards for Main Event (bowling,games etc.),  A climbing wall,  Terry's Game room (video games),  Putt Putt, a Water Park.  And we're including small gift cards for Chick Fila,
Steak and Shake (for shakes...yummy! I want to go!) and Sonic for drinks.    

And the best part . . .




And photo of Mommy. . . (this pic taken last year at Christmas with the mound of toys!  See what I mean! 


I'll be back tomorrow with 4 tips and Daisy's Christmas Dog award! 

And before I go . . .



Just sayin'

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

This one made me smile. 

May your day be filled with smiles.  And may your Christmas wishes come true!

My to do list is full.  Is yours filled with making little one's wishes come true!

Have a Beautiful Journey. . .

Wordfilled Wednesday Merry Christmas

Welcome to the last Wordfilled Wednesday before we celebrate
The birth of our Savior. 




. . . That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

(paraphrased) Phillipians 2:9,10,11

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you I will come back and take you to be with me that you may be where I am. "

John 14:1-3

(my original post click here)


May your day be Blessed and filled with Smiles along your Journey . . .

 

 

On My Heart

I am glad you stopped in. . . I am bearing my soul to you. 

You are here this moment in time because something or someone sent you here. 

I have prayed for you.  I have wanted you to come here.  God has brought you here to this place to be encouraged.  Or maybe to be the encourager. 

It is difficult to bear your soul.  It is difficult to put into words the feelings that I want to share with you.  I am praying that the words that are written here come from God . . .

Our House is Divided



This Christmas my Cowboy will not see his mother.  He will not see his brother or his sister. 
My grandson will not see his Great Grandmother.  



As I think about my MIL's home I wonder if her couch looks similar to this.  It's not in an abandoned garage but I have a feeling that the autmosphere in here home is similar.  I have a feeling she is 'alone' at least during the days before Christmas. 

Her son and daughter may come into town.  Or she may go to spend some time with them. 

But she won't be with us.  She won't welcome a visit from my Cowboy.   Even though we live 10 minutes away.

And the biggest Christmas wish he has I can't give.  

Through no real fault of his he is isolated from His family. 

Circumstances have torn His/our family apart.  Yes we have made mistakes.  We've  all made mistakes.  The sadness is in that no one wants to forget or forgive.  

No one seems to want to . . .



I can't put the pieces back together.    I have prayed for an answer. 




I see Cowboy in my minds eye alone.  I see the rest of his family alone in their bitterness and anger. 

I pray for hope.  I pray that God will someday shine some light down and wake up their spirits to His love and His grace. 

And that they will give each other grace. 

I don't talk to Cowboy about it.  There are sometimes you can't bring up things that are so hurtful. 

I light a candle and pray. 

The flickering light of a candle makes me smile.  I love the automosphere of a room filled with candles. 

And in the quietness I pray. 

And I pray for you.  I pray that if you came by here that God wants you to know that someone loves you. 

Maybe your House is Divided.  I pray that you can bridge the gap and bring your family together. 

I pray that if it is out of your hands 'right now' that God will open the doors for restoration. 

I pray you feel God's precense.   I pray God answers your prayers.

I would love it if you prayed for my family.  I would love to pray for your family.

Do you have enough . . .

Chirstmas Lights?   I thought I did but;  Daisy didn't think so. 

She invited a few friends over to help with the decorations. 

She wanted everything here to be all nice and festive because she wanted to invite you to enter your dog in here Bloggy awards. 

But first . . .
A few more lights need to be hung . . .



It's a little hard sometimes to get good workers.  Some spend a lot of time on break . . .




Some are very patient waiting their turn to ad a bauble or two . . .



Some are a little tired from the night before . . .


I think there is something on my nose . . .


Nope it's on mine . . .

Is it time for lunch?

                                                                      Photo Source

Well the house is finally over the top with the lights and so it's time to invite you all to  Daisy's weekly post.  

Each Saturday she awards a doggie friend.   Wanna see some past winners?  Click here to see Cocoa,Click here to see Maggie, and here to meet Izzy.  

We need your help though.  We need you to write a post featuring you dog.   

Leave a comment and let us know and we'll feature your pet in an upcoming post! 

Please leave a comment and invite us to meet your Dog.  Daisy is really the party girl and loves meeting new friends. 


Will you Please ask her to come over and play?  All these friends coming to a one bedroom apartment well you can imagine!

A word from the human...don't tell her but I am adding her own page.  Beginning in January all the award winners will be featured on a seperate page.   Come by and visit us! 

Merry Christmas.  May your day be filled with Smiles . . .

                                                                            

Blue Monday

Linking with Smiling Sally for Blue Monday. Click Here.

Savoring Sunday

It just came to my mind.  I have wanted to share with you or at least leave something encouraging, meaningful or uplifiting on Sundays. 




I have sadly failed.  I am sorry. 


Sundays usually end up including a nap. I thought I was getting old.
 


But someone said something to me the other night. 

I was speaking with a couple of ladies from our prior church.  We were all being 'nicey' you know how you are when you see people you don't really know and your trying to 'make' small talk? 

A comment was made by one of the ladies about feeling bad about taking a Sunday afternoon nap. 

I agreed although I really didn't say much.  I just kind of listened to the conversation.  Kind of agreeing in my head but not willing to open myself up to criticsm or critical thoughts.  ( I am a good 20 years younger than these ladies)  But I was thinking to myself about how often I usually feel like I need that Sunday nap. 

It doesn't always happen and when it doesn't it's not like I can't function or anything.  Some days we might stop in and visit my mother.  And on those days we usually always end up taking her on a shopping errand.  And then I spend some time playing around in her sewing room with her.  So I miss a nap. 

It was the comment that one of the ladies  got to me.  What  I really want to share with you is this. 
Well... she said.  It is a day of rest.

And, it hit me.  It was a well duh moment. 

 In the beginning . . .




By the seventh day God had finished the work he was doing ; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.  And God blessed the seventh day and made it Holy, because on it he rested from the all the work of the creating he had done.  Genesis 2:2




And as the sun set he paused.  He reflected.  He rested. 

And he gave us a day of rest.   We just forgot.


May your Journey filled with Rest . . .

 Linking with Joan at The Beauty of His Grip

Click Here.

P.S. I hope you enjoy the new festive look. 
Merry Christmas!