Finally Finished Decorating

I have been a decorating fiend this year, always thinking there is one more thing I can do. Well today I declare I am officially done. I have added, tweaked, and re-arranged. Now satisfied, here are the final pictures of my holiday home! Click on pictures to enlarge.
I love snow babies, and filled my curio with as many as I could.

This stool sat at my husbands' family homestead for several generations.

I added a tea light to the wreath. I love these, they are little battery operated ones that through off the nicest glow, and no worry about it catching anything on fire.

Where From Here?

She never liked Christmas. As a child, as soon as gifts were opened, mostly from charity organizations which her mother greedily took advantage of, the tree was disassembled and put away, in wait for the next year. Rarely allowed to see her father, who was the only one that seemed to have true love for her, and held captive by an abusive mother and her influx of abusive boy friends, she retreated to a shell that became her only protection from the so called family she hadn't been blessed with. Once taken from her home after a report of abuse from her mothers next husband, Christmas became just one bad memory after another. Then years of foster care were no help either, and even after marriage and the birth of her daughters, mustering up any enthusiasm for the holiday was almost and impossibility. This year, she wanted things to be different, but it wasn't coming easily.
Then today, while at work, she received the devastating news that her dear father, whom as a young adult out of the grips of her mother was finally able to see and regain her beautiful relationship with, had died, his surgery for cancer just days away.
The grief and despair are more than she can handle. How do you tell this beautiful young woman, that things will be OK? Such empty shallow words. How do you comfort someone who's bitterness for the years taken from her and her father that can never be replaced and now their journey is over? How does she celebrate with her husband and two young daughters, when now Christmas holds another bad memory, another heartache?
My heart is breaking for her. I have had this beautiful young woman in my life for 22 years. She has been like a daughter to me, and I her mother, starting when she was 4 until she was taken away at age 11, and when a foster mother allowed her back into our lives 6 years later. You see, she is my husbands niece. We are the ones that reported the abuse, for which his side of the family never forgave us. She is my life. She is my daughter in every sense of the word. All I can do is hold her, cry with her, and listen. But it doesn't seem like enough. Please pray for her, pray that God comfort her in some way, that she be able to feel His love and presence, and somehow put this awful past behind her and move forward. And finally, please pray for me and Robyn, that we know what to say and do that will bring her some kind of comfort during the most difficult time in her life. To all of you, hold a love one, let them know how special they are to you and how valuable they are. Life is so precious.
Gods' Love to all of you,
Laurie

Slow Down Christmas!

I hope everyone is enjoying Christmas Delights. I know I am, have seen so many beautiful homes and inspiring decorating. Now, I wish Christmas wasn't coming up so fast, that it would wait just a little longer. There are so many projects I lined myself up to do, so much more I wanted to make, and nooks and cranies that need to be filled. It's getting late, and time isn't cooperating!!! Does anyone else feel the same way? Christmas comes and goes so fast, and before I know it my favorite holiday is gone for another year. But I'm going to keep creating, keep up with the busy schedule, and as I accomplish, I will publish it! Merry Christmas to all!

My Home For The Holidays

You Should Have a Pink Christmas Tree

For you, the holidays represent a time of friendship and sharing. You're happy as long as you're spending time with the people you care about. You are passionate about the holidays, and that start of the holiday season makes you very excited. You sometimes go a bit overboard in your celebrations. You just can't help it! Passionate, easily excited, sweet, giving, love, friendship, sensitive, caring Your pink tree would look great with: More pink! You should spend Christmas Eve watching: The Muppet Christmas Carol What you should bake for Santa: Rice krispie treats with red and green food coloring

What'>http://www.blogthings.com/whatcolorchristmastreeshouldyouhavequiz/">What Color Christmas Tree Should You Have?

I found it quite unique that it said my tree was pink! I love my pink tree this year, thanks to Deena for the idea. Everything else is right on, and the Muppet Christmas Carol is my favorite! If you've never seen it, do. It's the best Christmas Carol besides Alastair Sim.

Snow Man Mittens

I made some of these last year, but they ended up selling like hot cakes! This is such a simple project. Paint a 1 1/2" wooden ball using acrylics, add blush for the cheeks. Just use mittens, fill the bottoms with rice, or beans for weight, and stuff the rest with batting and tack the end of the thumb to the body. This forms a space to add gifts, or pieces of Christmas picks. Tack or glue the cuff to the body, so face will face forward, and glue in the ball. Make a scarf, and tie with the long part over the side without an arm. Decorate any way you wish. I also did some where I made little hats and used the cuff as a turtle neck. You're only limited by your imagination. If you try this, let me know and post a picture. I would love to see it.

Gift Recipient

My niece Robyn has been the recipient of several of my crafts over the years, as she is very sentimental, and appreciates them, making it easy to give them. Above is the Advent calendar, my sister Kathy made one for her family years ago, and so the tradition started. My other sister Wendy and I have made several of these, now we need to make ones for ourselves. Bible verse ornaments are in each pocket, and added to a special Advent tree each day until Christmas.
One of the stockings made for her triplet sons.
This years and last years hearts,one of her favorite ornaments to collect. Her tree is always beautiful with decorations that have sentimental value. Robin can tell you where each ornament on her several trees came from. It's too bad she doesn't have a blog to participate in Deena's Christmas Delights! It's awesome what she does for the holidays!