#7 Count down to Christmas match box swap - this one created by Michelle C.

Day 7 ~ If you haven't already, have some fun viewing all the beautiful match boxes. I believe there are 70-75 people who have joined this swap and we're sharing photos of our little treasures. Go to the Countdown to Christmas matchbook swap: www.aswapforallseasons.blogspot.com. 

 #7 matchbox was created by Michelle C. - Oh boy...I was hoping I would get one of these bottle cap arts & this one has a tiny Santa and magnet too...cute. The box is lined with silk fabric and has printed music notes and I really like all the different colors of glitter. Thank you Michelle! I will treasure your match box for many years.

My Christmas memory to share today December 7, 2010 ~ The music notes reminded me of a very special memory of long ago. Every year getting out to the Children's Christmas Program at Grade School was always a big high light for us about one week before Christmas. The children worked very hard and it was their gift to us. They sounded like angels. There was always a manger with the story of the baby Jesus being born.  Don't you love to hear children sing? I sure do.

#6 Count down to Christmas matchbox swap ~ created by Bonnie L.

Day 6 ~ Join in the fun viewing all the beautiful match boxes. Go to the Countdown to Christmas matchbook swap www.aswapforallseasons.blogspot.com. There is a list of those participating. You'll surely find the Christmas inspiration you are looking for.

 #6 matchbox was created by Bonnie L. http://www.bonnieclass1.blogspot.com/ - Isn't it beautiful? When I opened the box and found the little felt ornament...a memory came instantly! Thank you Bonnie for sharing your talent of creativity and sewing too. The little 'silver rick rack decoration' is so sweet.


My Christmas memory to share today December 6, 2010 ~ The little white & blue treasure I just received from Bonnie reminded me of  the three 'priceless' beautiful felt Christmas stockings that I made for my children years ago....when the kids were small. I worked so hard and long and remember how sweet they turned out. I loved putting them out every year as each one was uniquely different, very ornate and all the same size. Sweet memories watching the children dig into their stockings Christmas morning to see what Santa Claus left for them. No coals or rocks in the Christmas stockings at our house! My kids were really good kids...especially around Christmas.

#5 Count down to Christmas matchbox swap ~ from Sarah S.

Made by Sarah S. www.ourpumpkinandsweetpea.blogspot.com

  Day 5 ~ Countdown to Christmas matchbook swap www.aswapforallseasons.blogspot.com. Another surprise! I'm like a little girl...this is so much fun. Have a great Sunday friends.
 #5 matchbox was created by Sarah S. A little burst of spring and cute as a button! The embossed tree art on the tag is so interesting. I don't think I have near the patience as Sarah. Sure will treasure your gift...thank you Sarah! Do you know the meaning of your beautiful name? Sarah means princess.
  Merry Christmas Princess Sarah!
 My Christmas memory to share today December 5, 2010 ~ To celebrate one of our first Christmas' at our farm house...I just 'had to have' a real living Christmas tree. I love trees...especially pine trees. Because of the nature of a living tree I became concerned that the furnace heat would surely kill our little living 3' pine tree so I decided that we would keep it in our house addition (which at the time was an unfinished room we were adding on the main house) w/out heating vents hooked up. I remember all of us 'our family' taking turns running back and forth from the kitchen into that 'freezing' room to get Christmas presents. The kids were young and so cute!

Ummm...what was I thinking? Oh well, the memory is funny now. I can only image how confused Santa was.

#4 Count down to Christmas matchbox swap ~ Kim R. & some very exciting news....




Made by Kim R. www.blackberrycrowsprims.blogspot.com

  Day 4 ~ Countdown to Christmas matchbox swap' by www.aswapforallseasons.blogspot.com. Go check out this link...you will have so much fun.

#4 matchbox was created by Kim Robinson. Oh goodie!
The little girl in the winter scene is so sweet and the gift is the cutest little bell on a tiny red ribbon...it reminded of the Christmas memory of singing and ringing bells last Christmas morning and then another one I'm sharing below. Thank you so much Kim...this little treasure matchbox is the sweetest and I will cherish it for many years.

My Christmas memory to share today December 4, 2010 ~ BSOL (big smile out loud) When I was about 12 years old my best friend Joyce and I were walking from the TG&Y Store...she and I would go and watch my older sister and her boyfriend drink cherry cokes and make goo goo eyes at one another and spend our weekly allowance on candy. Those were the days before I had crushes on boys.

As we walked toward home from the store....along the icy street in the blowing snow, I noticed a pine tree laying in a ditch. I said 'That's a Christmas tree Joyce!' 'and I want to take it home...' 'Together we pulled that 4' pine tree 2 long blocks through the snow...through the trailer park...where we took the short cut home. We were so cold and the wind was whipping! By the time we reached my house, we were tired! I remember my wonderful Mom coming to the front door to see the tree on our little front porch. Money was tight in those days and we didn't have a Christmas tree yet. When I asked my Mom if we could have it for our Christmas tree...she instantly said 'Yes, it looks like a fine tree'. After we set it upright and placed it in a large coffee can (with water & dirt I think) I remember noticing that one side of  the tree was all smashed with some branches bent and missing. I remember becoming sad when I noticed it's condition. My sweet Mom said 'Oh, we'll just turn the tree around, placing the skimpy side in the corner and no-one will know.' It was a good Christmas tree and I knew I had the best Mom in the world.' She was a gentle 'one of a kind' who only sad kind words about everyone. Wow! Does this memory make me miss my Mom who was one of the best friends I ever had.
 ~~~
Some very exciting news today ~ December 4, 2010 ~ My little N2God dream is being launched this morning. Today is the beginning...the start of a little fascinating dream God placed into my heart many months ago. It has come alive. When you have time...please visit my new blogspot www.N2God.blogspot.com. The first post #1 God is up. Please stay tuned...there are going to be SO many neat and wonderful posts to inspire YOU to 'love life' and remember. We've (my husband and I) have been busy....working on this dream for a long while. If you love God and all He offers....I promise you're going to love the N2God.blogspot.com! Love to hear comments & any suggestions. Thanks in advance.

His faithful steward,
Patty

#3 Count down to Christmas matchbook swap ~ from Molly P.

#3 Christmas matchbox created by Molly Pearce

Day 3 ~ Count down to Christmas matchbook was created by Molly at her seashore 

Sure having all kinds of fun with this swap www.aswapforallseasons.blogspot.com Linda 'the planner' of this swap is amazing to say the least.
#3 matchbox is another so creative! The purple (my favorite color) glittered sea shell is precious. Molly probably didn't even know I love the sea! She wrote on the edge of the matchbox Proverbs 31 ~  MP From my shore to yours. How delightful is that? Honestly, I will look that scripture up later today. Thank you so much Molly! I'll treasure the sea shells from NC Kure Beach & your matchbox gift for years ahead.


"We wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy new year! " A Christmas memory to share today December 3, 2010 ~ Christmas day 2009 my two wonderful grandsons & I Christmas caroled early Christmas morning throughout the farm house singing ' and shaking jingle bells' waking everyone up at sunrise-

We had SO much fun and 'yes' everyone arose and quickly headed downstairs to open Christmas presents. I served cups of fresh hot Belgium coffee and savored every second watching happy faces with excitement as the packages were opened. Blessed...is the best word to describe how it makes me feel to share this memory with you this morning. Thank you for being out there to share with blog friends! Memories...where would we be without them? The good ones make my heart smile.

#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?"