#2 Count down to Christmas matchbox swap ~ from Jill D.

#2 matchbox from Jill D. ~ http://file-under-misc.blogspot.com/

Day 2 ~ Countdown to Christmas matchbook swap' by www.aswapforallseasons.blogspot.com. So much fun to wake up with to this sweet surprise waiting for me. I'm still undecided where to put them yet. Probably in my purse to show and tell my girl friends at work as they want to see each one!

My #2 matchbox was created by Jill D. The little treasure I found inside is the sweetest paper clip. I decided to clip Jill's note to it. Cute huh? The glitter detail on the snowflake doesn't 'show' in the photo so pretty!
Thank you Jill D.!  I will enjoy your matchbox gift for years to come. I'm  sure noticing how talented you blogger friends are!!!


My Christmas memory to share today December 2, 2010~
Jill's snowflake reminding me of Christmas, 2009...our family and house guests were snowed in on Christmas day. The snow was so pretty! Blessed we were because we attended the Christmas Mass at 5:30 PM, Christmas eve.

It sure was a Christmas day day full of excitement because Grand papa and Darian went for a driving lesson in Darian's first car. I was totally against the whole idea but they got out the door quickly ...off in the deepest snowiest day ever. We waited and waited for them to return and finally they did....walking back to our farm house...half frozen. They forgot their cell phones and of course (the car a little black sports car) was stuck off the road in deep snow. They tried every effort and eventually it was pulled  home after much effort and calling a neighbor to help. To make matters worse the huge chain broke (in the first try) and made indention's that look like 'machine gun' bullet marks up the hood in a line. Grand papa and Darian thought it was kinda cool. Myself...at the time 'I was not too happy' now...I think it's funny. It was a great day being snowed in and having house guests.

#1 Countdown to Christmas matchbook swap ~ from Angela & Christmas memory to share with you...

#1 matchbox from Angela ~ http://www.pagesbythesea.blogspot/

It's starting to look alot like Christmas! Woke up this morning so excited knowing that today is the first day the 'Countdown to Christmas matchbook swap' by www.aswapforallseasons.blogspot.com. It took all the patience I could muster up to wait. Memories of a child waiting for Christmas morning gave me a big smile.


My #1 matchbox was created by Angela and it is simply precious filled so much pretty detail. I especially like the itsy bitsy snowman art that is attached to the stick pin on lace and the art which looks like a stamp with a tiny greeting 'Merrymerry Christmas' in the corner. Snowmen melt my heart! I wonder how Angela did that.


Thanks a million Angela! I will treasure your sweet gift for many years to come.


My Christmas memory to share today December 1, 2010~
"When I was a little girl about 8 years old I remember my little sister Cathy and I receiving 'Thumbilina dolls' (sp?) from Santa. The dolls wore white lace bonnets and gowns and their heads moved about after winding them up. I loved that doll and still love the smell of a new doll don't you?"

Speaking of spices...make a lemon clove pomander! Umm...

 

You will need-

Lemon, 5-6 ounces cloves (whole), lace or ribbon, 2 tbsp nutmeg, 2 tbsp orris root (which will help preserve), cinnamon and lemon or cinnamon oil.

Push the cloves into the rind of our lemon or orange carefully with an ice pick. This is an adult craft you need to do with a steady hand (children will want to watch and can help handing you the cloves, one by one). The goal is to cover the whole surface. I place it into the ice box when I'm not working on it however you will want to complete it in a day or two. Smells...umm...so good.

Be careful using the ice pick, it is VERY sharp and dangerous. A cork on the tip (when not being used) is a great safety tip and a few of band-aids close by...a good too!

Next, mix together orris root (from the spice shop), cinnamon, nutmeg and lemon or cinnamon in a small bowl or plate. Roll the fruit around in the mixture (I cover my hands with a plastic bag. The oils are poisonous even though they smell wonderful.

Lastly, wrap the fruit in tissue paper, cheesecloth or netting and it's ready to place in a drawer or hang in a closet. I placed the ones I made 'out' in a dish.

 To make  Christmas decoration or gift, cut a ribbon or lace, 34-38" long. Place the middle of the ribbon at the top of the fruit, and draw the ends down to the bottom. Cross and twist the ribbon and draw it back up to the top. Secure it with a pin or dab of glue at the bottom of the lemon where it crosses (+).

Lemon and lace pomanders are an old time craft, ask your Grandma if she remembers them. I have a memory making one with my mom with my children looking on. Mom's 'everything' always looked better than mine. She said it's best to 'take your time'.

If the lemon is prepared/preserved correctly your pomander will keep for at least one season. Enjoy!

Now and then...A very happy 36th Wedding Anniversary for Randy & I



Now...a photo of Randy and I taken not too long ago.



And back then...Our Wedding Picture
I married my best friend-
November 16, 1974
 Blessed? From the roof top..."YES"



Inside the card Randy created, oh so sweet...
'I love you 36 times more today than on our Wedding day.
I am praying for a very happy 36th Anniversary.'

 

He typed 'Patricia'...that is rare and lovely. :-)




A funny card from our great friend Jim,
"Burrito for Lunch?"  "Broccoli."   Love means never having to say, "Excuse me."...just kidding!

Beautiful red roses delivered to work. I was VERY surprised.  Our Anniversary REALLY bloomed as we sat out on the veranda talking and watching the sunset and our dogs Benedict and Mocha acting goofy. The night sky filled with stars and white clouds. Our veranda is the place that our family has the best conversations about God and life.



Randy said  "A blue bottle for you".
I replied "Thank you, you know I'll create something special with it."

   
This morning I just had to get a little memory post of our 36th Wedding Anniversary together to share and a little message to my husband and blogging friends...

Randy, thank you for your love and kindness for the most beautiful 36th Wedding Anniversary. My heart is smiling really big at this time in our life. We are very blessed to have the attention of one another and I am looking forward to many more years with you. I thank you for going to Mass with me yesterday morning, the gifts...the fantastic dinner, gorgeous roses, the message in the cards (one home made...cool!) the gift tucked inside and then you insisted to wash the dishes. In case your wondering if we have a dish washer...we are 'it'.

Friends, we have learned over the years that true love IS having to say you're sorry, it's very VERY important to be fast to forgive and oh yes don't forget to say... "Excuse me."

Randy, thank your for your prayer as we know it was answered best friend...you have all my love and attention.

God is so good.
Blessed,
Patty

Fall findings



'fall findings for friends'

This last week I marveled over and over at the beauty of Autumn this year! I'm one of those 'gotta pick the leaves up and do something with them' gals. I pressed leaves in books, I wrote on them, placed some on my dash board, gave them away and even preserved a few small branches glycerin in a cool dark place. My husband and I are both very thankful there weren't any early Kansas freezes...the show went on a little longer and we watched it all. I hope you find some fall findings too. God is so good!

Happy Fall everyone!

So thrilled to see all of my precious grand daughters and their parents! From the stories they shared I missed a load of fun being away visiting one of my sisters for the weekend. 

As I drove home north on Ridge Rd. I spotted the 'Charlie's Pumpkin Farm' sign. Of course...I headed in that directions and bought 5 pumpkins for 5 little ladies.

My son waved me in the drive way saying 'hurry!' They made a little camp fire in the middle of the drive last night and I guess he was worried it may still be hot...and I was driving too slow. Little camp fires? In the drive way? Yep, we do things like that all the time. It's one of many privileges of country living.

One of my grand daughters I spotted instantly as I drove in. She was disappointed about something and was drying away her tears. As soon as I gave out some hugs and kisses I went over and swooped the little one up in my arms and told her how wonderful it was to see her. It reminded of my Father in Heaven, how he swoops me up in His arms when I call on Him. I can trust Him to always be there for me. Life sure has it's ups and downs.

The girls giggled when I told them that I had pumpkins in my car trunk. They all looked to their Mother to see her expression because they were not sure if they should share that they already had pumpkins at home and bigger ones at that. "Oh that's OK...I'll decorate the porch"...BSOL (big smile out loud). I then had the feeling and was right... one of the girls wanted to take one of the pumpkins home.

The only thing that could have been better would have been a MUCH longer visit catching up on all of their lives.  My daughter in law...oh she's the best! She left me a story in the visiting book in the little ladies play room. Words are priceless and I will read her delightful sharing of all their activities all weekend many times...

Sister Rebecca 'You are the real gift'

Yesterday I gave my 'just because' gift to Sister Rebecca. Sister Rebecca is my friend, a beautiful young lady who has recently joined a Carmelite Religious Order here in Wichita. My heart and gift are both full of joy and excitement!

I am inspired by all of my Sister friends...who answered 'Yes' to His call. Blessed to have their friendship, a treasured gift. 'Heaven's Rejoicing to include Sister Rebecca in their Community'!

The gift, I'll describe...a little pot of bright pink flowers with whimsical petals...each petal twisted slightly like a whirly bird. I hot glued a bow with silk flower and I tied a little St. Anne medal outside the pot. For some reason I think that was the 'just right' medal. Maybe Rebecca's Grandmother has played a very important role in Rebecca's life as St. Anne, Mother Mary's Grandmother did. I'm not sure.

A few books went into the bright JOY gift sack. One book was written by a woman titled 'Falling in love with Jesus' and the other an old school book about drying flowers. Their Community nurture's the most beautiful flowers. A soft pair of flowered socks for fun, pretty little pads of note paper and last but not least a letter of love.

Sometimes I just leave the gift sack tag (which hangs with a string) blank to recycle but not this time. I love how the Holy Spirit prompted me to write....."You are the real gift". What a perfect Monday morning to celebrate Mass to include Father's Homily talking about famous 'St. Francis of Assisi' life. Before I headed to work I enjoyed a few savored minutes visiting briefly with my Sister friends at their car. Sister Rebecca gave me the best smile and hug. They are precious to me and I can only imagine how precious they are to our Heavenly Father! So many good works come from their hands and hearts.

(The photo is Patty Cake holding one pretty flower God left for me on the floor board of my car... it fell from Sister Rebecca's potted plant. Blessed to share the experience of my great morning with you. The flower I carefully tucked in my cool lunch container and on my lunch break I had a quick photo shoot with Patty Cake. God is so good to me.)