More to share...Christmas Ornament swap ~ what I created for Wendy

Creating a Christmas matchbox ornament for my swap partner was so much fun. The J is to represent Jesus...or J for the word 'joy' that I've come to love. The little snowman earrings I put together came out pretty cute. Wendy said she wore them right away.

Isn't little baby Jesus in the straw cute? Last year when I first discovered one of these little Christmas match box gifts, my heart just melted. Jesus is the reason for the season. I sewed on a little 'made with love' tag and glued little cute buttons on the end of the box.

Pictured above are the purchased store/made ornaments I picked out for Wendy; a stocking, star and mitten. She shared that she decorated all of her Christmas trees with one of the ornaments I sent to her.

A blessing to make a new friend especially at Christmas time.

Hopefully we'll stay  in stay in touch with one another on our blogspot journeys. Thanks for stopping by to see the ornaments sent to Wendy.

Swaps are so much fun aren't they? Thank you bloggertte sister Debi!

Bloggerette Christmas Ornament Swap

 'Here is my lovely wooden Christmas angel ornament handcrafted by bloggerette sister Wendy'
Wendy really outdid herself...she spoiled and delighted me with many pretties.
She made this from wood! It is so smooth and painted so gently...I just marvel at the talent people have and share so freely.



Little 'jingle bell' tree to the left and little Nativity.
How very sweet!



This is little bitty and matches the one in photo above.
Look at Mary smiling! Joy!



Wendy made these items for me...a Clip it and Zip it...to add flair to anything.
And she made the book belt for me. It is so clever. It's crafted with beads and I love books.

 

Don't you just love the painted angel face and the cross embellishment?
So precious and cute without any hair! I look forward to having her fly over head
in the N2God Tea Room this Christmas 2011 and many years to come.
Thanks a million Wendy. You have made this bloggerette sister's heart smile.
Merry Christmas Bloggerette Sisters and
thank you Debi for putting this fun swap all together!
 Patty in Oz

Our very fun Thanksgiving weekend November 2011...



"Thanksgiving weekend November 2011"

 -Last week was the l--o--n--g--e--s--t ....I'm not normally a clock watcher but yikes...I was one on Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving. Actually I did accomplish quite a bit at work...surprisingly!

Plans danced in my head of the fun time in store ahead to spend time with our daughter and her wonderful family. Oh my, her house is so comfy and Darian shares his bedroom suite with his Grandpa pa and I when ever we come for a visit. I love soaking in the tub...lots of hot water and so quiet...

My daughter e-mailed me at work Wednesday and said that the Menu was fit for Kings and Queens and she wasn't kidding. Amy is an excellent cook and the 'Thanksgiving Menu' was as follows:

MENU

Thursday-Thanksgiving!
Breakfast: Cinnamon Rolls, Bacon
Lunch FEAST: Turkey, Sausage Stuffing, Cheesy Corn Bake, Green Bean Casserole, Sweet Potato Casserole, Dinner Rolls, Deviled Eggs, Jellied Cranberry Sausage, Pumpkin and Pecan Pies
Dinner: Leftovers

Friday-
Breakfast Sausage, eggs and toast
Lunch: Turkey Sandwich Leftovers
Dinner: Seafood Bisque

Saturday-
Breakfast: Sausage Egg and Cheese Casserole
Lunch: Warrens burg, MO
Dinner: Spaghetti Pie

Sunday-
Breakfast: Eggs and Biscuits and Gravy
Lunch: Leftovers

Bon Appetite!

As I was heading home from work I noticed immediately that my 'what I thought was my oil light' come on in my car. Oh my...what's wrong now?? My car is 2003 and has high mileage. I thought to myself "No problems please."

When I arrived at the farm to my surprise...our son and all of his girls were there. I learned that they were there, enjoying the country since around noon. The hugs from all of my grand daughters as I made my way from the driveway to the house were PRICELESS. Oh what a huge smile appeared on my face as I kissed each one of them on the head. Watching Little Louise come running to hug me was so cute. She's only two and her head of blond curls delighted me. As I went onto the veranda I asked myself 'how will I ever be ready to leave for our trip with a houseful of family?'. I sat and visited with all the children and she shared their shopping adventure to the Novelty Store near down down. Our son is such a prankster and his girls are following his foot steps...."I'm sorry Mom....one of the girls has spilled nail polish on the kitchen table."  "No!" I said as I hurried to the kitchen. It looked authentic but as everyone laughed...and I took a closer look....it was a gimmick. It was a make-believe spilled bottle of nail polish. A spirit of fun was in the air. Next, one of the girls handed me their black 'long hair' fake wig. Of course I put it on...and looked quite funny at that. What really was funny was one of the girls putting it on little Helen's head. We laughed even louder and Helen's Mom quickly removed it saying "that didn't look too nice at all!" Next the funny eye glasses...Josie said "Grand ma ma, will  you take a picture of me?" She was so cute...looked like a movie star wearing her horn rimmed glasses purchased this afternoon." I had to tell her that my camera was packed away deep in my suitcase:".  Josie is quite a ham...cute at the dickens!

Good bye hugs and peanut  butter kisses and my hubby and I were off to our Thanksgiving vacation. Jason and his dad checked out the car trying hard to find the problems...checking fluids and such. Looking at the engine light still on...with concern...I said a prayer out loud asking  St. Christoper (patron saint of travels) for him to intercede for us to have safe travels. Off Randy, Mocha and I went....

Thursday ~ Thanksgiving day with family! The best!

Our daughter Amy decorates so special every year~

Friday ~ Up and atom shopping a bit before heading to my daughters work place for the afternoon. The afternoon went by quickly and as soon as we arrived back at my daughters, she immediately began preparing the seafood bisque. The aroma flooded the house and I especially liked smelling 3 garlic cloves steaming along side the lobster and scallops.  Crab meat, scrimp, lobster and scallops with a roux (blended butter and spices and half & half). Oh my goodness...was that bisque a treat! Honesty I'm not normally big on seafood but I'm changing. We enjoyed Cream cheese Povitica (Slovak bread) from Strawberry Hill Company. It was so good and twice as much interesting learning the process of how it is made. Po-va-tet-sa is a traditional Eastern European "swirled bread' hand-made using an old world recipe. They roll the dough into a tin "skin," coat it with layers of Scrupulous filings, hand roll into loaves and bake. After clean-up we watched a TV series called 'Gold Rush'...quite entertaining.

 

Saturday morning we woke to a raining cold day...perfect for antiquing 'Yippee'.  Six of the family loaded up in the van and traveled to Warrensburg, MO to visit 'Those where the Days'  Antique and consignment Store. It was spread out over 50,000 square feet!! The following are a few photos I took inside the shop. It was so much fun going to a new place!! It was really fun and then some!

Some of the family 'lite shoppers' headed over to the Bar & Grill to grab a bite a of lunch and find out who was winning the KU and MU football game. At half time KU was ahead so my 'Wonderful' son in law was in a good mood.

Saturday night, while most people are eating left-overs, our daughter is in the kitchen again creating a 'Spagetti Pie'.

'Mama mi! It was wonderful!'

The kitchen again smelled so good. Later on we had 'Show & Tell' with our shopping finds.  I did find a few treasures for the N2God Store.

On Saturday evening our friend Kim came over to visit. It was so good to see her! The three of us got busy working on our 'tie necklaces'. Our art project for the weekend~



~ Amy's ~



The 'tie necklace' I make for Karen turned out pretty sweet too.
Come on now...use your imagination...
Later, I will try to make a 'how to' post on creating these re-purposed item.
It can be worn with a sweater, Tee or blouse w/o collar.
Interesting? We think so. Can't seem to get my hubby to wear one these days..
many to choose from in the closet!



Sunday morning off to Mass at Prince of Peace, then we joined Amy's family and went to their church 'Indian Creek'. After arriving back at their home..we ate...you guessed it... 'left overs'.

 Hope your Thanksgiving weekend was great too!

Thank you, thank you, thank you Amy & Chris!! Love you all so much.

Christmas ideas are dancing in my head and heart as I plan the Christmas Open House 'December 10th'. Please make plans and mark your calendar because we  hope to see you there.

Blessed,

Patty in Oz 

"Fall" A most beautiful time on the farm!

Did you get fall fever this year? I sure did...I seem to get it every year.
I LOVE being in the quiet beauty of autumn! How about you?
The Kansas wind? Oh my, I can't get enough of it.



 "Our back door welcome wreath"

 

This was 'Tree Cat's' home for two winters. Tree Cat was very interesting...I guess that goes without saying since she lived in a tree...one of the wild cats who normally chose one of the old barns to hide in.



Our 'Blazing Glory' tree!

'Home Sweet Home'
Now it's where the grand-kids roam.



Mocha our grand-dog.



Do you see our 'Red Dinosaur' tractor behind the tree?
It has mowed many fields in it's day.



This is probably my all time favorite tree and the wood pecker's favorite tree.
More than once we have been entertained watching 'baby' wood peckers peck.



 

To the left is our VERY old alligator pear tree.
Many years ago, our horse 'Nicholas' almost foundered...
he loved the sweet pears too much! Because of the drought this
year, there was very little fruit produced.
One exception, our black walnuts were MANY. One little squirrel hoarded them
in a big hole by our road. We tried to figure out why and I've come to the
conclusion that he may be thinking about moving on....?


 

The skies in Kansas! So beautiful with changes very moment.



Free!...Make a Christmas ornament class...Free!

If you are looking for a little fun venture this weekend, please come visit the N2God Store Saturday, November 5th ~ 813W. 2nd ~ Wichita, KS. (free parking in front of store)


From noon - 1:00 p.m. we will craft Christmas tree ornaments, both wooden angels and the cutest snowmen. I have been blessed and can provide everything needed at no cost. No need to sign up...and walk-ins are welcome. If you'd like to know a little more about our gifts and store hours for November -
please visit www.N2God.blogspot.com or www.N2God.com


Hope you can come even if only for a little while. We can catch up on what is new and share our plans for Thanksgiving time. Thank you!


God is with us.
Patty in Oz

Outside Kairos #8 was great!

A rainbow in Oz

Yippee! A beautiful fall Saturday in Kansas it is. Seems like I've been waiting forever for a day like this one.  I love the crimson colors of the changing trees in the Valley and hope you are enjoying the same in your neck of the woods.
Back to my blogspot(s) to share a little about what I've been up to. More weeks flying by...life is full with family, work and lots of others....  How refreshing, it just started to rain and smells so lovely. Wish you were here with me to share a cup of tea at the N2God Store. It's quiet as usual and I don't mind a bit. Yep, in a delightful frame of mind and it feels so good!
Just last weekend I served on Outside Kairos Wheatstate #8. Have you ever heard of this ministry? A little explaining...Outside Kairos offers retreats designed to help women who have or have had someone they love incarcerated. The retreat begins on Friday night and adjourns on Sunday afternoon. Wheatstate is a Kansas camp ground with cabins and facilities. Each cabin has about 20 bunk beds. Can't really tell you many details except...to share it is three days full of love.
This Outside Kairos #8 was an amazing fun, healing weekend for 21 guests and 23+ team.  These retreats are designed to be a safe 'get-a-way' for women to be restored by the love of Christ and open to women without cost and more importantly without questions. "Who you see there, what you hear there...stays there". This three-day-walk is a spin off of Cursillo. A wonderful time to be both encouraged and inspired by talks presented by the team and Leader. Good company, good food and song. It's so true that when we share our troubles, we let people love us a little more. If you volunteer in your world....THANK YOU!
Wheatstate Camp is a very quiet serene place. Unfortunately because of the drought here, the large pond was bone dry. Again, I went to serve to give and come back with SO MUCH MORE. Like when you share a smile or a little bit of sunshine, it comes right back on you doesn't it? I made more wonderful friends for my journey of life. My favorite part of being on the team is serving with women of all faiths. The retreat is open to all women...even those who choose not to believe. The follow-up for guests and team are the 'Pray and Shares' which are held in Wichita and surrounding areas. There is even one held at the N2God Store. Awesome time of faith sharing and inspiration. I love and need my Kairos sisters on my journey of life.
Some ask me 'Why do you want to volunteer on such a weekend?' I quickly answer because people need people and we all need to know we are not alone in our life struggles. We are the body of Christ and He does work through all sorts of people and personalities. Some will admit that their world is slowly going to pieces economically, socially and sometime even morally. On the outside they seem to be holding their own, but deep within they know that all is not right. Within the Kairos ministry comes many blessings. We share His promises and remind the guests that they are never alone. God's love is so amazing, so divine and He wants relationship with all of us. We belong to 'The King'. It is unfortunate that bad things do happen to good people and my little 'call' is to remind others that it's not what happens to you, it's what you do about it. Yep, it's my own reminder to take hold of and every time I speak these words out loud...I believe them more. We don't always get what we deserve however the time will come when we do. That's the good news for the day or should I say the 'God news' for the day?
Blessed,
Patty in Oz

Join us for one of the 'Angels in August crafting classes' August 13th at the N2God Store

Things are almost ready for the 'Angels in August crafting classes' tomorrow, Saturday August 13th at the N2God Store at 813 W. 2nd, Wichita, KS. A few more strings of Christmas lights to hang up and those last minute details...

Will you win something? Not exactly however I can tell you that there is a Christmas surprise waiting for everyone that attends one of the two classes 10 a.m. - noon or 1 - 3 p.m. We have plenty of supplies on hand...walk-ins are welcome. We are crafting  Cute as a button Angel pins and Wooden Angel ornaments. They'll make the cutest gifts. Hope you can join us for this early 'Merry Christmas' fun. For more information please visit - http://www.n2god.blogspot.com/

God is with us always.

Patty in Oz

'Angels in August' craft classes ~ Saturday, August 13th at N2God Store



 

Create three 'Cute as a button Angel pins' (can be altered for wearing for necklace)

Create one 'Wooden angel ornament'  (you'll attach your personal message )

 

N2 God Store 'The Keeping Room'

813 West Second, Wichita, Kansas

'Angels in August craft classes ~ Saturday, August 13, 2011

• Morning class 10 a.m.  - Noon
• Afternoon class 1 - 3 p.m.

Dear friends,

If you are interested in attending the morning or afternoon class on Saturday, August 13, please send me an e-mail with  contact information and I'll be  in touch with you. You'll be stepping into a 'sneak preview of Christmas'...Christmas music, decorations and refreshments.

Each two hour class is $7.00 and this price includes 'art supplies for each guest to create (1) one Wooden Angel ornament and (3) three  'Cute as a button' pins. You'll have (4) four unique gifts ready for Christmas giving in August. Of course...yes...you can dig into your button can and bring some of your own buttons for crafting your pins if you'd like. White old buttons give the Victorian feel and chances are, they're probably from by gone days...at least some are in my button can.

This class is open to everyone.  A great time for friends or  family.  It's never too early to start crafting Christmas gifts and the unique little angel pin and tree ornament are sure to tickle someone in your life.


If you're out and about today (Saturday July 23rd) 10 am - 5 pm stop by the N2God Store...and I'll be happy to show you samples of the 'angels art projects ' we will be crafting on August 13th.

Plan ahead and join us for this early merry Christmas time! Or just come in for a cup of iced tea and visit. http://www.n2god.blogspot.com/ to check which Saturdays we are open. 

Thank you!
Patty in Oz
stwant2be@aol.com