Almost a New Year

Did you all have a wonderful Christmas? I know we did. We are slowly returning to a rhythm around here, not the same one though, a *it's almost a new year* rhythm. A fresh start.

Jenny at Little Jenny Wren had a wonderful post today about this very subject.

I love her peaceful and eloquent words, she stirs me on the blessed tasks of the day. (Even though we are now hit with torrential type rains here, and I just want cuddle up in my favorite robe and knit~LOL)

Today, we have several kid visitors in our home, which makes for a fun day, albeit inside fun. I am going to get some tidying done, plan out a grocery list, and hopefully the rains will melt the remainder of the snow around my van so that I can get out this week. Our cupboards are in need of replenishing.

After all of the making and crafting of Christmas, I generally take a break for awhile. I am itching though to start work on a new patchwork quilt for the livingroom. Not a huge undertaking, more of a lap quilt. I have most of the squares already cut, so it should come together pretty quickly. I also have a sweet little embroidery project I want to do for my sweet daughter.

For the past few months I have been working on a shawl based on Jewels' daughter Rosie's design. Whenever I have a spare moment I rattle off a few rows. I am getting near to completing this, it will be perfect for the Spring when a bulky woolen sweater is too much.

I pray that you are all enjoying the prospect of a new year, a fresh start, and looking forward to all of the blessings that lie ahead.

I know that I am looking forward to fresh lettuce, spinach, and carrots as soon as the ground is workable in a few months.

Have a blessed and productive Monday in your cozy homes.

In God's Love, Tami

::Snowy Days::

Happy Christmas Eve!

These are some photos from this past week. We enjoyed lots of indoor and lots of outdoor fun.

I love the snow and I am so thankful we are having a white Christmas.

We are off to our Christmas Eve dinner in a few hours. All of our preparations have been lovingly completed.

Only a night of restful sleep is ahead, then the early morning excitement begins!

Have a wonderful Christmas! In God's Love, Tami

::Cozy::

We've had record amounts of snowfall this last week. A truly stunning 12+ inches where I live. (There are some winters that we never see any snow, so 12 inches is very unusual.)

We are truly blessed to be having a white Christmas.

We are planning a short trip to my Mom's house for Christmas Eve dinner, hopefully our van will cooperate in the snow.

Today, I have a lot of baking and making to do. Fudge, Rice Crispy treats, pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, and maybe some cookies.

It is times like these that I am so aware of how the Lord provides for our needs.

The gift of warmth on a bitter cold day, nourishing food to keep our bodies healthy during times of winter illnesses, loving families to cuddle up with on a stormy night, the gift of our Savior.

I pray that you are all having a blessed and peaceful Christmas.

In God's Love, Tami

Our December

I truly love this time of the year. I love celebrating the birth of Jesus, I love giving to others, I love Advent, I love Christmas programs at church, I love traditions.
Above is a photo of our sweet and simple little tree, decorated mostly with homemade-with-love treasures and vintage ornaments.

Our table centerpiece, a gift from my mom a few years ago. My favorite thrifted cotton tablecloth.

My treasured Mary and Jesus carving, a heirloom from my husband's family. A few Christmas candles lending a warm glow to mostly gray days.

Our Christmas village, a source of enjoyment for sure. My kiddos spend hours playing here and love making new pieces each year. We made the blue house out of a cardboard box last year. It reminds me of the beautiful Mica houses from the 1930-50's.

Another simple centerpiece. I love using natural (in this case natural looking) materials when decorating for Christmas. Pine cones, pine boughs, berries, straw ornaments,metal and wood. It brings me back to Christmases long ago when families looked only to Creation for inspiration.

My sweet daughter made this angel at preschool. Her traced hands are the wings and her traced foot makes the angels body-so cute! Don't you love the face, quite a happy angel. LOL.

I am of mostly Swedish descent. I love how most of the Swedish Christmas traditions began with Christ as their inspiration. One thing I would like to make or purchase for next year is a Advent Star (aka Swedish Star, Welcome Star) Here is the one I love. Maybe my dear hubby can figure out a way to make me one.

I will be mostly away from the computer the rest of the month. I pray that you are all blessed this Christmas season.

In God's Love, Tami

Thanks::Days 28-30

I has been a beautiful month, full of thankfulness for all we are blessed with. I am so excited for it to almost be December. I *love* Christmas. We were so excited that we put up our tree yesterday. We will finish the rest of the decorating today. We've enjoyed a blessed and restful 4 day weekend. I am truly refreshed after a very busy month. Bring on the Christmas festivities!

I am thankful for:

28. A clean house that recovered nicely from our houseful on Thanksgiving.

29. All Christmas gifts that are nearly completed, right on schedule.

30. For the gift of our Lord and Savior, and for this season of celebration.

I pray that you are all having a blessed and restful weekend.

In God's Love, Tami

Thanks::Days 22-27

This last week has been a whirl of loving preparations.
We are ready here to host 35 loved ones and spend a lovely afternoon together.
Good food, good companionship, yummy pies ~ BLISS.

I am thankful for:

22. The beautiful 23lb. turkey that my Mom brought to me today.
23. My dear hubby and children who helped clean our house this week.
24. Bits of sunshine and warmth breaking through the rain.
25. God's loving provision everyday, in every way.
26. My mom spending the entire day before Thanksgiving helping me prepare.
27. A beautiful evening church service - truly a blessing.

I pray that you are all having a blessed Thanksgiving. I am thankful for all of you.
In God's Love, Tami

Thanks::Days 19-21

Today........

19. I am thankful for my sweet neighbor and friend that brought us dinner Tuesday night.

20. I am thankful that this year's "birthday season" was such a special time for the children, and I am thankful it is over~I am one caked-out mama.

21. I am thankful for so many simple blessings that come our way~day to day.

I pray that you all have a blessed and restful weekend. In God's Love, Tami