And The Winner Is!

I am so happy to announce Gwendolyn Kay from Gwennys Place is the winner of my GIVEAWAY!

Congratulations Gwenny and as soon as I have your mailing address this little beauty of a necklace will be going in the mail to you! Have fun wearing it cause I sure had fun making it!

I appreciate everyone taking the time to enter and for your support during this my first GIVEAWAY!

Yep, my first...How about Mother's Day for the next GIVEAWAY? Sounds good to me! Mother's Day will be here before we know it and who knows what I'll be putting in that GIVEAWAY!

Thank you to everyone and congratulations again to Gwenny from Gwenny's Place!

My Christmas Wish List !

May you be blessed this day
And may these blessings continue everyday that follows.

May your heart be filled with love
And may you sprinkle this love on everyone around you.

May your days be filled with joy
And may this joy be shared with all.

May your life be filled with peace
And may it spread throughout our world.

May your prayers be answered
And may they include others in need.

May you know you and your endeavors are truly appreciated
And may each of us thank you and often.

May you walk with God in your heart
And may you share.

May you reach out for encouragement when needed
And may you return the favor when asked.

May your creative spirit be boundless
And may each of us learn from you.

May you know you are beautiful
And may you know your beauty never fades.

May you know with every word you write you too leave footprints in the sand of this wonderfully special Land of Blog and may you know others will follow you on this magical journey therein.

And finally to each and every blogger friend…you make this The Land of Blog a very special place and each time I venture in…whether to stroll along and enjoy the trip…or to search for guidance which is easily found…or to strive to emulate your talents…I know I can look up and figuratively I will see the hand of another blogger reaching out to help during my ascent through the sometimes difficult steps of Life…Thank you one and all!

Merry Christmas!

Don't forget the GIVEAWAY, I hope y'all will join in the fun...it's my way of saying THANK YOU to one and all!



The top photo is from a Google Image Search and here is the website I pilfered it from...hope they don't mind...

A GIVEAWAY!

As I sit here typing my words into the computer and figuratively tapping my chin while deep in contemplative thought...oh excuse me...once again I've attempted to fire up too many of my brain cells at one time...FOCUS...that's what I need to do...or is it?

During the Holidays my brain, my body and my emotions are running on overdrive...and I know I'll be facing the post holidays dull drums all too soon. Are you familiar with those feelings of being just plain worn out...way beyond the point of redemption? Does anyone else go through the same emotions? If you do...perhaps this will help...

I'm going to GIVEAWAY this necklace!

I made this is a 21 inch, double strand necklace of greenish-blue magnesite with lovely swirls of taupe throughout the beads and I added flat finish bronze seed beads with tiny sterling bead caps for a little dramatic emphasis.


Here's a close up of this pretty magnesite necklace! The first photo on this post shows the true greenish-blue coloring of the magnesite.


So here's all the giveaway info you'll need! I have to be honest...I got the ideas for my criteria information from Gwenny for her "Giveaway" you can find her information here! Thanks Gwenny...as always...you inspire me!

ENTRY CRITERIA
1. Existing or new followers of my blog who leave a comment about my Giveaway on this blog post will receive 1 entry for the Giveaway!

2. Mention my Giveaway on your blog, leave me a comment directing me to your blog post and you'll receive an additional 1 entry for the Giveaway!

3. Add the first photo at the top of this Giveaway post to your sidebar, keep it there until the drawing is completed and notify me of said actions to receive an additional 1 entry for the Giveaway!

WHEN?
The Giveaway entries begin December 11, 2010 and end at 10 p.m. CST Thursday, December 30, 2010.


RULES
Since I'm just not a RULES kinda gal...we'll go with TWO RULES...this time.

#1 RULE Continental United States entries only. I apologize for the strong boundary limitations. In the future as I have more giveaways perhaps I can expand the area.

#2 RULE My family members may not participate...don't worry they won't be upset I gift them with jewelry all the time!

DRAWING
Ooops! I almost forgot...the winner will be chosen 7pm CST Saturday, January 1, 2011!in a random selection process or in other words...Miss M (my youngest daughter) will select the lucky winner's name from the proverbial fish bowl...but in this Giveaway the entries will be placed in an antique metal colander...it's huge...do you think I'm too optimistic...I hope not!

ANNOUNCING THE WINNER,
WINNER NOTIFICATION AND
MAILING THE NECKLACE TO THE WINNER!
Right after the drawing, I'll announce the winner on my blog and then I'll contact the winner for their mailing information.

I will mail the necklace via USPS FIRST CLASS/INSURED/RECEIPT REQUESTED the first working day after I have received the winner's mailing information.

So what do y'all think? Are you tempted to participate? Aw come on...join in the fun, tell your friends and let's see how much this giveaway helps all of us get past those pesky Post Holiday Dull drums!

The Christmas Box Surprise!

I've had this tiny Christmas Box for many years. It has held prominent position in my china cabinet just as long. Well...today Mr. B was looking for a place to put his "Santa's helper" receipts...so I picked up this special box, opened it and...

SURPRISE! These are seed pods given to me many years ago from a dear gardener friend, her name is Diane and unfortunately she passed shortly after I was presented with these beauties. I must have placed them in this special box upon being gifted with them...


They look like little Oriental lanterns!


Each pod holds an great number of seeds!


These are the seeds...tiny...hopefully safe and sound!


I promptly found a pretty glass jar for Diane's gift from long ago.


Now the Christmas box has a new job...it holds Mr. B's "Santa's helper" receipts...cause we all know the best toys come from Santa's workshop! So when Mr. B does his part to help out Santa...well we just have to be prepared for returns...funny it never happens with Santa's workshop toys!

Diane's memory is safe in a pretty glass jar and every time I look at it...I remember...my sweet friend...a prolific gardener...an animal lover...a very interesting and funny woman...oh how I remember!

Diane's gift of the seeds are stored safely wrapped in a paper towel and then in a plastic baggie while we await Spring...so that these seeds will be planted, nurtured and then the cycle of life begins again!



P.S. The moral to this story...if you ask Sandy to put something in a safe place...you better witness the event...cause Sandy will never find it again...unless by accident...and what a lovely accident this was!

A Very Special Project!

Today I've been busy on a "VERY SPECIAL" project! It's a Christmas stocking for my sweet grandson...yes his nickname is JR! Hopefully he'll enjoy this present from Grandma.

Tomorrow it goes in the mail and this little stocking should be hanging on their fireplace by the end of the week!

Take care and enjoy the holidays!

Christmas in Our Little Home!

Our little home provides me with the opportunity to decorate in creative ways...A Christmas Tree just won't fit so instead I choose several (well okay quite a few) small "TREES" based on sparkle, color, shape, whimsy and architectural pieces that touch my fancy. I group them all together and then I sit back and enjoy our Christmas Tree Forest!



This is my favorite Santa figurine! I love the textures and the details!



Then there is Santa's Workshop...so full of busy elves, Mrs. Claus and of course Santa!



Cardinals are a treasured gift any time of year but at Christmas their "red" color is even more special!



There's always room for a cherished photo of 3 year old Miss M with Santa Claus!



This little snowman has been with us for as long as I can remember...even though his nose is a little scuffed up...he is still an important part of our Christmas decorating theme!



Imagine Christmas music ...cookies baking in the oven...hot spiced cider brewing...sparkling ornaments, soft scented candles and colorful Christmas lights...Ahhhh! So come on over, hang your hat wherever you want and join our family as we celebrate Christmas in our little home!

My Favorite Fall Flower from Mother Nature!

Now this little jewel first appeared in my gardens about 3 or 4 years ago. The plant first appears out of the soil in early June, grows all Summer to a height of 3 or 4 feet and I cut it back to a height of 3 or 4 inches every chance I get. WHY? Well, the plant becomes fuller and besides the blooms don't appear until mid Fall. After the first freeze the blooms start to turn into a milky white puff ball of seeds. That's when I swoop down upon the seed heads, pinch them off and scatter them throughout the gardens...ahhhh just helping Mother Nature along!


They are probably some sort of weed but I love 'em! They require absolutely no special treatment, they survive throughout our HOT Summers with little to no water, every Fall without fail they provide the prettiest blooms and they self seed! What more could I ask for?

Thanksgiving Wishes!

May this symbolic day be one of joy for all. May your homes be filled with the people you cherish. May your tables be filled with the foods you love. May you and yours be blessed with health, happiness and the opportunity to savour these moments.

May the football games be exciting demonstrations of skill, determination and sportsmanship. May the parades be colorful and filled with whimsy. May the Fall air be crisp and the colors of the fallen leaves be rich.

May you be greeted with a smile and a resounding "Happy Thanksgiving" wish from everyone you encounter! May you take the time to return that gift. It only takes a moment and you will find your heart is filled with joy each time you do so!

May each of us have time to reflect upon our blessings...some may be grand...some may be insignificant...but when you start putting them together they can surround your heart and soul with happiness.

So...with a smile upon my face and a warm glow of love in my heart I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!

The Life Cycle of a Rose

This photo captures several roses in the various stages of their life cycle...

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


there's a rosebud at the far left of the photo...so new...so perfect,


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


at the far right is a rose bloom as it's petals begin to open in their full glory...


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


to the upper right is a rose in it's later stage of bloom with magnificently mature petals...


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


in the center is what's left after all the petals fall, leaving behind a striking vision of Mother Nature's wisdom, beause if I'm fortunate it will continue to develop into a rose hip!



You can go here to read all about rose hips and their many uses!

Good Morning From Our Little Home!

This is a view of our Kitchen table this morning...it holds Miss M's breakfast...Apple Cinnamon Muffins! You should smell the aroma!

Miss M woke up as soon as they were placed on the plate! Don't you just love seeing a smile on your teenager's face first thing in the morning?

Have a great day!

5 Seconds...

Recently there has been an outpouring of personal tributes to "It will get Better”. After our family's loss, I wrote these words....

"Each of us will face life experiences that will test our will to the limits of personal endurance, to a place we'd rather not visit with everything emotionally imploding around us. Therein, we are overwhelmed and only seek relief. Some of us will build a facade to hide our sorrow while the pain festers and grows more intense. Most of us cringe at the very thought of past, present or the potential for future pain BUT please remember these words...

5 seconds, 5 minutes, 5 hours, 5 days, 5 weeks, 5 months, 5 years or more from now...you will have survived. Yes it was painful and upon reflection you will have learned more about your personal tenacity and your special place in this world but most of all you will be here with your family and friends.

So tell someone about your pain, let someone know, allow them to help until you can again hold your standard high. Always remember you matter and please believe… it will get better, take a breath...reach out...ask for help...and believe.

Take a moment to remember the worst moment of your life...who helped you? Have you felt the moral obligation to do the same for someone in your life? If the opportunity presents itself please help them find a way to wait that 5 minutes before they make choice that can't be undone; a choice that leaves those left behind searching for answers, battling lifelong grief and every minute for the rest of their lives attempting to redefine normal.

Pain is best defined by the owner...
Compassion is best defined by understanding...
Hope is best defined by example...
And it will get better…I promise!"

May I Introduce....

This is the newest addition to our little home...She sits near our Welcome sign on the front porch.

I have always loved lizards and we have a variety of these special little creatures who live in the Wood Ferns surrounding our front porch. On hot sultry Summer nights they come out to feast on all the little critters that are drawn to our porch light. This time of year they don't appear as often, perhaps they're preparing for Winter,

Upon researching the symbolism of the Lizard in Native American cultures I came upon this site.

This special creature's symbolism is ...•Lizard: Promotes dreaming, agility, and conservation.

I love these words as they are presented and now I better understand my affinity for Lizards!

Friends!

Friends, ah just the sound of this beautiful word as it rolls off the tip of the tongue ignites the smoldering embers of a part of life that is so, so important.

The literal definition is, "one attached to another by affection or esteem" there's more to the definition and it can be found here.

I have been blessed by having the opportunity over my lifetime to have incredibly wonderful friends. They each are unique in their beauty, talent, wisdom, thoughtfulness and patience. I remember my first friend in first grade and each and every one up to today, for that I am grateful.

In today's busy world, with all of life's responsibilities there isn't always time to see each other as often as we'd like but when we do get together it is a celebration of caring.

Stories to be told. Secrets to be shared. Hopes and dreams come alive. Recognition of the bond we share. Tears to be shed. Hugs to comfort. Laughter to be relished. Trust is the major component of these acutely special relationships and for all of this I am grateful!

May each of you who I love dearly (and you know who you are) please remember...I cherish you being a part of this lovely life because with every turn, every high point, every low point, through the dull times and especially the fun times...you've always come to share the moment with me and I love each of you for that gift.

Thank You, one and all!