Christmas is Almost Upon Us

and the year is almost over. I was thinking, I used to be so good at this blogging thing. Almost everyday I would post something but I've gotten out of the habit. So I'm taking a moment to blog today. Not that I could do much else with a couple of feet of snow LOL.

The snow is so beautiful but it is so deadly. I was watching the news at all the accidents caused by it. How can something so beautiful be so deadly. I guess it's just one of those mysteries of life.

Christmas is almost here and thank God I'm finished. Everything has been bought and most things are already here and wrapped under the tree. I am hoping that Christmas doesn't bring us more snow. I would like to be able to spend this Christmas with my grandson.  He's so cute. He's  just 3 and amazed that Santa knows he has 2 houses and he will get Santa gifts at both houses. And also that he will get lots of gifts from other people in the family.  His big thing is "Why".  I told him, "Why? Because everyone loves him and he's special."  This Christmas will be even more fun because the Christmas thing is really making sense to him now.

I'm hoping we won't have more snow for Christmas. Glenn is working and I have to drive to his Sister's house. I'm not a fan of driving in snow...I should have gotten 4 wheel drive in my SUV...lesson learned...next time I will.

But I'm ready for the next snow. I spent yesterday doing lots of online shopping and one of the things I ordered was a snow blower..it was worth the money. I'm too darn old to do that shoveling anymore. It's electric so it's light weight. That way if Glenn is working, it's not too heavy for me to do myself.

The moon santa picture is a metal plate. It has a hook on the back for hanging on the wall. Click the picture to go to the link at my Bonanzle Shop it is $25.

Thanksgiving Reflections

Boy when I think about Thanksgiving I have a ton of things for which to be thankful. But today I reflect on my wonderful family & friends.

I am so lucky to have a wonderful husband of 33 years. My parents both in their 80's have been through quite a few health events but are still with me. My children..I have always said all mothers love their children but not all mothers like their children. I like mine (well at least most of the time LOL). Then there's that adorable little grandson, Mason. He is so cute.

In fact the other day I said, "Mason why are you so cute." And he said "Because" and I said "Because why?" And he said, "Because you love me." Then there's my brother, Joe. He's always there if I need him or if my parents need him. He just did a beautiful set of brick steps with the first step being a half circle...gorgeous. And crazy as it seems, I have online family...cousins who I haven't been in touch with for years who I've found online. Even though I don't see them, they are still a wonderful support to me.

I have so many friends online and in the flesh. The whole online thing never ceases to amaze me. For example, I had known an artist online for years on Ebay and not long ago we met for lunch in Baltimore. It is such a blessing to have so many people in my virtual life that sometimes carry over into my real life. Those people have always been a wonderful support for me too.

Anyway, if you are reading this, thank you. That means you are in some way connected to me, either in the flesh or virtually. Thank you for all the times you've given me encouraging words, for all the times you've made m laugh, for all the times you've prayed for me and my family. And thank you for us being you. God bless you this Thanksgiving and always.

I leave you with the following prayer from one of the Saints for this Thanksgiving:

St. John Chrysostom Prayer Of Thanksgiving

What praise, of what hymn, or what thanksgiving, or what recompense shall we offer unto Thee, the Only God, Who lovest mankind?

For when we were condemned to destruction and immersed in our sins, Thou didst bestow freedom upon us, and hast given us the immortal and heavenly nourishment of the Body and Blood of Thy Christ.

Therefore we pray Thee: Deliver us from judgment, together with Thy servants who minister unto Thee.

Keep us and them in honor and holy living; and those who pray with us, and who have been partakers of Thy Mystical Table, preserve free of condemnation unto their last breath.

May it be unto them a sanctification of soul and body, unto the keeping of Thy Commandments; and thus may we be granted tp attain Thy Heavenly Kingdom, together with all who have been well-pleasing unto Thee from all ages:

Through the prayers and intercessions of our holy, all-pure, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Birth giver of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, of Saint N. whose memory we keep, and of all Thy Saints, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Amen.

Sacrifices

I reflect today on sacrifices. The sacrifice a mother makes for her children. Sacrifices of those going into the religious life or priesthood. Sacrifices those who volunteer make to serve others.

And of course the sacrifice those who serve our country make. They give up their time, their families, their comfortable way of life and sometimes the greatest sacrifice...their lives. They do this to keep us safe, to preserve our way of life and our freedom.

I am eternally grateful for everyone who makes a sacrifice for others and today I am most thankful for the sacrifices made by the United State Military Men & Women. And I think of the military families like my cousin Tiffany Yori-Brown who awaits the return of her beloved husband. God Bless our military men & women and their families.

Pumpkins & Witches & Crows OH MY

The Fall Challenge for my Old Farmhouse Gathering Team (OFG) team on Etsy has begun. Our team members are a bunch of talented people which lots of wonderful things from primitive to cottage. Check them out. You can also search on OFGF in tags and titles on Etsy to see all of the wonderful crafts prepared for this Fall event.

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade JYWheeler.etsy.com

Circle of Seasons

This morning I had to run an errand for the people I used to work for so I was up a little earlier than usual. It was so chilly that I was pouting over the fact that summer is over. It was so cloudy and grey it kind of made it even sadder to me.

I really love summer and I wish we didn't have to have Fall because that means we get Winter. I'm not a fan of the dead depressing look of winter nor the cold. But then I remembered without the death of winter, we don't get the new life of spring nor the sunshine of summer. So I guess for the next couple of months I can put up with it. And I look forward to next summer!

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the picture is of a watercolor ACEO available in my Artfire shop. Click on it to go to the listing.

Crazy Dream

so last night I took a Benedril which always knocks me out. Well this morning I slept til a little past 9 am making me late for my normal 9 am Mass...I must have in my mind realized I was missing mass and I had this crazy dream:

I was late for mass in a very large double cab truck with Melissa Serafin (our youth minister), John Boyle (her fiance who was driving), Kevin Wajek (another youth group adult volunteer). There was an altar set up on Ft. Smallwood Road near the Stoney Creek Bridge along the street near the Shell Station (all you people from The Dena will recognize this spot).

There was Father Brian with 2 altar boys offering mass. No one else was there. They were in the middle of mass and I said to John are we too late in the mass to go and still get "credit" for it? Of course John knew everything about the church because he went to seminary. He said in a very official knowledgeable voice ' No according to the church rules (but he used another big word for it) we are able to attend and still be able to get credit for it). But he couldn't find a place to park is large truck.

He tried to get into one spot and hit a little yellow car so he left that spot. We had to park blocks away and run to Mass. Of course when we got there mass was over and we were very disappointed.

I was so upset I woke up and it was after 9 am which is when I generally go to Mass on Sunday morning leaving me to go to a later Mass. How weird is that?


--------------------ACEO "Before the Blessed Sacrament" Not for Sale - Painted for my beautiful daughter.

Chocolate Quesidilla Yumm

I'm not such a good cook so I'm always looking for recipes that are easy like no cook or minimum ingredients or just plan simple. Of course I just LOVE chocolate and I came across this cook recipe.

It would look great cut up in pieces and served on my tidbit tray available on Etsy. The tray is handpainted kiln fired porcelain so it's dishwasher safe & microwave safe. I would however take off the handle which just screws in before microwaving or putting in the dishwasher. Anyway if you are interested in the tray just click the picture and it willl take you to the link.

Chocolate Quesadilla

July 28, 2007 by Tracie on http://icrochet.wordpress.com

This recipe serves one, but make several if you want to share with others.

1 – fajita-size flour tortilla, either wheat or white
1/4 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
sugar & ground cinnamon, mixed
powdered sugar

To cook, place the tortilla on a flat skillet sprayed lightly with non-stick cooking spray. Leave just long enough to get warm, then flip over. On one half of the tortilla, pour the chocolate chips (add more if you want more–there’s no such thing as too much chocolate!), and sprinkle with a good heaping of sugar and cinnamon to your own liking. Fold over the empty half of the tortilla, press with a spatula, then flip and press again. Remove from heat when the chips are melted. Cut into four triangles, sprinkle with powdered sugar, and enjoy!