Show and Tell Friday

I learned about Show and Tell Friday at my friend D's blog and that sent me to "There is no place like home" blog. This is my first time to do this. I have a number of things I collect. Today I'd like to share with you my Snowbabies collection.

It all began about 20 years ago when I received one from my neighbor whom I babysat for. I didn't know it was part of a collection until a few years later. My first figurine was of two little snowbabies on a toboggin, representing her liitle boy and mine. They loved to play in the snow and then would come in with rosy red cheeks.

I have since added more snowbabies on sleds. One of my favorite ones was a gift from my son, now grown, for Christmas. It's the one of the snowbaby holding a blue blanket. My son loved his "Minnie" when he was little so it reminds me of him. My mom has given me quite a few of these. My husband and son have given me the rest. Many of them have special meaning. One that isn't shown is playing a violin which reminds me of when our son took violin lessons in 3rd grade.

Thanks for visiting!

What is Christmas?

I started to comment on Lori's blog and realized my answer was more like a blog entry! So, now I know what I will write today...

What is Christmas?
For some people it's the most depressing time because they can't live up to the expectations their children have that are fed by the media. For others it's another excuse to party and get drunk. Others see it as an opportunity to gather with family and friends and give gifts, but why? Is it out of duty or love? Or just a family tradition? It is because they are celebrating Christmas or a holiday/day off from work? Do they remember St. Nicholas, Santa Claus, or are they remembering the birth of Jesus Christ and the gifts the wise men presented to him?
The other day a freind shared with me a song by Reba McEntire called "Happy Birthday Jesus (I'll Open This One for You)" . I wish I could share the whole song with you, but it spoke to my heart.

A friend on an email list sent a link to a YouTube video called Christmas with a Capital C which really says it all for me! It's a rather "rocky" song but the message is so clear. I hope you will take a look and share the message with others.

Why are you celebrating Christmas? What/Who does it make you remember?

As for me, I will be remembering the birth of The Christ, the Messiah, the Savior, Emmanual ~ Jesus, Son of God. Even though man put a date on that day and the world has distorted and corrupted the remembrance, those who do remember can make a difference. We can use this Holy-day to share with those who have forgotten, or who have never known, why this Christmas Day is so important to us.

Changes and Growing

Good Morning! First of all, you are in the right place! With winter coming on, the pink page was too "flowery" and I needed a a different look. :-) As for "growing", well it took a couple of friends a long time to convince me that I needed to start blogging. Less than a month into it, I decided I needed 2! I have started another blog to focus on handcrafted items made and received. Am I crazy???!! So, if you have a chance, I hope you will check out my Stamp Stitch Scrap 4 JOY blog.
Have a blessed day!

Preparations

Because I know the next few weeks will fly by, I am trying to work at getting myself prepared for Christmas bit by bit now. I know, many people have their Christmas cards mailed the day after Thanksgiving, but I have never been one of those people! I get my inspiration just before a holiday, and then I don't have time to do what I want.... I am in the process of making a calendar, a scrapbook, and a couple scarves for gifts as well as a cross stitch project! I wonder if there is some way to stretch the month of December. LOL!!

We are having a church Christmas gathering at my house on Dec 7, so I want to have my home decorated and ready! My hubby helped me get my Christmas village out and he cleaned it up for me. That was so helpful. I now have it sitting in my living room window.

Usually I try to make my own cards wih rubber stamps, but this year I decided to use one of my photos for the card as suggested by a friend of mine. I thought I would share the photo with you. I will stamp the inside text. I usually mail an annual letter too, but I have not yet begun it. Soon!

Maine pine cones © 2007 J-ME

Preparations .... I am reminded of the preparations God made in order to save us, in order to give us the opportunity of eternal life with Him. This time of the year is a remembrance of the beginnings of those preparations that one could see ~ Jesus the Christ, the Messiah, sent to be born a lowly birth. As we carry on with our preparations and family traditions this Christmas season, let us remember first and foremost WHY we are doing what we are doing.
I leave you tonight with Hebrews 2:9,17

"But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. ...Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people."

God bless you.

First Snow

We had a bit of snow yesterday, but more snow fell overnight. I just wanted to share with you a photo of our first snowfall - a bit of autumn and winter together! It might not last long but it brings to mind the old Thanksgiving song ~ "Over the river and through the woods".

I baked my pies yesterday ~ apple and pumpkin. I've also cooked my potatoes and squash. I am trying to do as much as possible so tomorrow can be "stress-free" - I hope! We will have a small gathering with just my BIL and mom joining us. My DS & DIL have to work, but they will be in our thoughts. (added later: So much for stress free - when I mashed my potatoes, they came out like wallpaper paste! They were so starchy. They tasted about as appetizing as wallpaper paste would, too. UGH. I will try again tomorrow. Does anyone have any cooking disasters to share to make me feel better??)

May you be blessed with family, friends and special memories on Thanksgiving Day.

Things You Didn't Know About Me

My friend, the writer of A Crafter's Chronology , tagged me for the eight things you didn't know about me meme. When tagged you must list the person who tagged you and post the rules. At the end of the post you must tag and link to 8 other people.

1. Jobs I have had include: Headstart helper, field worker for Soil & Water Conservation Dept., Telephone surveyor, Tutor, Teacher, Children's Librarian, Baby sitter, Substitute teacher, Care giver, and Life Insurance sales, but being a wife & mother are best of all.

2. I enjoy genealogy research when I have time.

3. I collect souvenier spoons (among other things!)

4. I like watching NASCAR, football, ice hockey, and the Olympics.

5. I hope to go to Scotland someday.

7. I am a fire auxiliary memeber and my dh is fire chief.

8. Though I have siblings, I am really an "only" child. No one else has the same mother and father.


Because I am new to blogging and the only ones I know well have already been tagged, so, I tag: YOU!

Thanks Giving revisited

As I read my friend D's blog this morning, something really hit me. We give thanks for the good things in our life. That's easy. God blesses us with so much. So much that we often take things for granted. But when was the last time you gave thanks for an affliction, an illness, a sorrow, even a death of a loved one? Can it be done? I think of Paul when he wrote that he asked God to remove his affliction 3 times and God said no. Why? God's grace is sufficient. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Have you thought about that for your own life? Are you praising God for the affliction in your life? Take a moment to read 2 Corinthians 4:8-18 and ask God to show you what you need to thank him for.

Blessings to you.

Thanks Giving

As we approach Thanksgiving Day, I am thinking of things I am thankful for. Aside from being thankful for having Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I am thankful for the family God has given me. I particularly want to honor my husband who is the fire chief in our small town and our son who is a volunteer firefighter/EMT and a 911 dispacher. Our daughter-in-law is also a fulltime FF. Today I will share a FF cross stitch sampler I made in honor of the fire fighters in my life.

Feeling stressed?

We all face stress at one time or another. Stress over things that need to be done. Stress over not feeling well enough to do the things we ought to do. Stress over matters that are beyond our control.

What do you do when you feel stressed? I guess all three of the above fit me today. What helps? Now I know the old saying that "stressed" spelled backwards is "desserts" and chocolate or a bowl of ice cream might seem to help at times, but not always.

How about the following:

Prayer for strength (Colossians 1:11).

A comfy chair in front of a sunny window (unless it's a migraine).

Easy listening music - I'm listening to Jim Brickman right now.

A cup of something warm to drink. (I like Chai).

Realizing that God is in control and everything will work out for His glory. (Romans 11:36)

Surround yourself with beauty. (Philippians 4:8)

© 2007 J-ME

What works for you?

Looking forward to the weekend....

Today I subbed at our high school in the special ed department. Sometimes it involves helping students during study halls, or going into classrooms to take notes and to help students with assignments. Two classes today watched parts of movies pertaining to a book they are reading and a time period in history. I was glad I took some knitting with me so I could be busy while I watched. I am working on a scarf for my secret pal at church and a second one for another Christmas present.

I have to get as much done in the next three weeks because on Dec. 3, I will begin to sub full time for a 4th grade class. This will be for 3 months. It will be fun, but tiring, too! I am so thankful that Jesus gives me the strength to get through each day. Philippians 4:13

Every so often I will share some of the things I am working on. Today I will post a couple of my autumn cards that I like. I hope you like them, too.

© 2007 J_ME

Entering the Blogging World

© 2007 J-ME


OK, I've done it.... Some of my friends have said that I need to have a blog. Why? What will I write? Will I share ideas, my thoughts, my feelings? Will I share about my days, my pet peeves, my hobbies, my life? Will I share about my Creator, His marvelous world, His great love and mercy, His wonderful gift of salvation? Yes. I will share those things that on my heart. What will I begin with? I don't know that yet. For now, this is the beginning.