Christmas Preparations 2013

 

Happy Saturday to you! If yesterday was black Friday, is today blue Saturday? Hubby and I didn't go in search of fantastic sales yesterday; I'm sorry, but those crowds are just too much. We had four of our granddaughters over for a sleepover on Thanksgiving night so their mom & dad could hit the sales; I feel like I contributed to the cause by keeping four children from the medley. After the grands went home yesterday, hubby and I began our annual decorating blitz; hubby got called to go over to the golf course early, so I ended up working alone. I now understand why seniors who live alone choose not to decorate. I can't imagine not having holiday decorations, but oh my, it is a lot of work for one person. Thankfully hubby always puts up the tree and puts the lights on it; he also works on our village which frees me up to adorn the tree and put out other pieces.  Most of our decorations are about thirty years old and I cherish them; I try to buy at least one new ornament a year for the tree.  Above, an end table in the living room shows off our focus. 

 

When I was a child, my parents had a manger scene that we put up every year; it was cracked and abused(by me I'm sure)but we all loved it. When my girls were preschoolers, I got this manger scene; it is almost 30 yrs old and one of my treasured Christmas pieces. Please forgive my shots today, no fancy lighting etc. I hope to tweak the photo of our tree over the next few days but for now, it will have to suffice.

 

 

For many years, I also collected Snowmen, all shapes and sizes. My kitchen cabinets hold my stuffed collection that I will share in another post. This corner is just a little niche-so I added snowmen there this year.

 

In our family room we have an antique dresser that we refinished; normally it holds quilts, but I will put seasonal decorations on it-hence the candles.

 

I've spent the day cleaning, doing laundry and trying to get caught up. The only shopping I did today was to the market. I pray you were blessed with a peaceful day and will enjoy tomorrow.
Blessings,
Noreen

Happy Thanksgiving

These images always make me think of simpler days with family. From our home to yours, Thanksgiving Blessings.

Enjoy your day!
Hugs,
Noreen & family

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl

 

Yesterday was a very special day-our little Miss A, on the right, turned four. This photo shows two cousins, six months apart in age, whose names both start with the letter A. They are such sweet girls! Miss A always wears a smile and makes my heart sing when she is with us. She can hold her own though, with her siblings; last summer we had a sleepover and some of the girls were talking, so she kept coming downstairs to Papa and with hand on her hip, would tell him they were keeping her awake. It was very hard to take her seriously, she was adamant and pretty dramatic. It is hard to believe she is already four-where or where do the years go?! We went over to our girls house to visit with her; got to see how new American Girl doll and visit-until my clean little white fluff ball, Hunter, decided getting into the mud outside was a great thing to do. Figures, since he just got groomed last Thursday. That ended our visit and we came home so I could bathe him.
 May your day be filled with all the blessings that make your heart sing! Happy Thanksgiving from my heart to yours.
Noreen

It Is Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

 

As I transition from Thanksgiving to Christmas, our pup is all about the goodies he gets for Christmas and ready for the season. I hadn't planned on starting to put things out until tomorrow; Friday is the day the house gets fully decorated-tree and all, but some loved ones(that shall go unnamed)have already started to decorate which has gotten me in the mood. I've got to box up all my harvest items and have already taken some Christmas boxes down; with Thanksgiving being so late this year, Christmas decorations will be up less than in years past. In the midst of all these thoughts whirling through my mind, I am busy sewing doll dresses; my table in the family room is covered in outfits and material. Hope to finish this project by the weekend.
I hope you have a wonderful day, filled with peace, love and the energy to get it all done.
Blessings,
Noreen & Hunter

Good Morning~I hope you had a fantastic weekend, enjoying every minute.  We were busy but found time to enjoy the Stanford-Cal games,  the KC-Chargers game and lastly the Bronco-Patriots game.  Of course, the first half of the Broncos game was the best and by the end, we were on the edges of our seats.  It is a funny revelation that until we lived here, I just didn't enjoy football.
 I also found time to work on doll clothes; it is very evident that the quality of my clothing is not quite as good as my daughter's, however I don't think the grands will mind.
This week will be pretty relaxed as our oldest daughter is hosting Thanksgiving; we will bring a turkey, yams and gluten free rolls- the least we can do.  I've got my list snap-dab in the middle of the door to the fridge; the last two years, I've managed to forget something-like stuffing or condiments.  Not quite sure what that was about, except that I can forget things if I don't write them down. 
Today, I am taking a birthday present by a close friends home-I shared it here awhile back, so I hope she will love it. 
I'm hoping the rest of the week will be centered on sewing and also finishing a wonderful book, written by two dear friends, so I can review it here. Also need to get some Christmas cards, so I can get them in the mail.
I hope you are staying warm and enjoying the plans and preparations for your Thanksgiving.
Blessings,
Noreen & Hunter

The Winner Is

Happy Friday to you! Can you believe that Thanksgiving is next week? Then Christmas is right around the corner. I know that the next month is going to fly by and before you know it we will be in a new year.
 I offered a giveaway on a book I had previewed; didn't get too many entries, but am happy to announce the winner.

 

Pam, of http://abidingwithlove.blogspot.com/ is the winner. Please go say hello to her; she is a wonderful gal! Pam please email me your address, so I can get the book out to you. 

Not too much on the agenda today besides sewing and getting a turkey for next week. I hope you have a wonderful Friday!
Hugs,
Noreen & Hunter

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

 

Old Man Winter has arrived in Colorado; the songs that floated through my mind this morning were "Baby It's Cold Outside" and it's "Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas", but then my girl called singing "Let It Snow". Whatever way you look at it, it is white and cold outside. We've had to run an errand already and actually, just for fun, ran by a big-box furniture store. We are back at home, ready for lunch and then I'll be in front of the sewing machine. I've made two pairs of doll pants and started on some dresses. Later today, I'll head over to church to help pack shoe boxes. I'm thankful tomorrow is supposed to be nice-I'm not quite ready for the snow to stay. I know my friends up north have gotten hit with the white stuff too. I hope you are enjoying the blessings of the day, wherever you are.
So very thankful for life!
Noreen & Hunter

Bringing You A Smile

Happy Wednesday to you! I just saw this video and loved it; so for all my animal loving friends out there or if you just need a cup of cuteness this morning-please enjoy.
Blessings,
Noreen & Hunter

A Review of Critical Reaction by Todd M. Johnson and Giveaway

Good Morning Friends~Hope your week is starting out well. Here is the latest book I received from Bethany House.

From the author: "After decades of turning out plutonium for the arms race, the Hanford Nuclear Facility has long been shuttered, though its deadly legacy cannot be fully contained. The men who guard the facility from sabotage or monitor its buildings for radiation leaks are told the risks are under control. They believe it, until the worst happens: a thunderous explosion in the dead of night. Two workers, lifer Poppy Martin and new hire Kieran Mullaney, believe themselves lucky to survive the blast. But as the debris is cleared, they discover their safety is not assured. Dead ends and closed doors halt their efforts to discover what really happened--and what radiation may have poisoned them. When stalling and threats force them into the hands of experienced trial lawyer Ryan Hart, they learn that theirs is no ordinary lawsuit. There is something still hidden in the desert of eastern Washington, and someone is willing to go to extreme lengths to make sure it never sees the light of day."
 I have never read a book by Todd M. Johnson, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I will say that this is a book you either love or one that won't be on your top ten list. A relevant story, a legal/environmental thriller that could come off the front page of our newspapers today. I love thrillers and suspense stories; one of my favorite authors is Dee Henderson, but for some reason I just didn't get into this story line. Maybe it was because it shadows reality; I'm not sure, but I do know it wasn't a book that kept me on the edge of my chair. I have read other reviews and their are many that found this a book they couldn't put down. Perhaps the story line was out of the norm for what I typically read; I thought the characters were authentic and the plot intense but it just didn't grab me.
 I want to thank Bethany House Publishers for providing this book to me for my review. I didn't receive any monetary compensation for my review.
 If this is a book that sounds intriguing to you and you would love to read it, please leave me a comment and I will draw a name of a winner this Friday. Make sure I have your email address so I can contact you.
 Have a great day.
Noreen

A New Lovey

Good Morning To You! I hope you had a great weekend! Ours was pretty good; on Friday hubby and I went to see Gravity, it was alright but don't know how I'd rate it. I also spent time finishing Peanut's new lovey quilt; her mama made the top out of Voile fabric that was picked by Peanut. I did the hand stitching that doesn't really show here but I am glad the quilting is done and hopefully today we will get the binding on.

 

The backing is as vibrant as the front; so very pretty. Peanut is waiting so patiently for Nana to bring it over.

 

Yesterday when Kim and her kiddos came over, they also brought Petrol; you can see her checking out the quilt and deciding if she is going to give her approval. Doesn't Petrol look cute in her sweater!

 

This afternoon, I am helping pack shipping boxes for Operation Christmas Child. Last year was the first time I volunteered and loved it, so had to sign up again. It is a great way to give to Samaritan's Purse, in order to minister Life to children.
The rest of the week is pretty open but since our SIL is away on business, I will try to spend time with my girl and her family.
May the blessings on the Lord be upon you today.
Noreen & Hunter

Cats and Dogs

Happy Saturday to you!  I just saw a very cute video about cats stealing dog beds and wanted to share. I've tried to upload it but can't get the URL to be recognized.  If you are an animal lover, check this out!

http://1funny.com/cats-stealing-dog-beds/

Noreen & Hunter

Happy Friday

Don't you just love it when you wake up and it's Friday.  WooHoo, the weekend is almost here!
I had a wonderful lunch with a friend yesterday; we went to our favorite place-Mad Greens and instead of just having a fresh salad(they make them in front of you), I had a small cup of Vegetable Soup and a small bowl of Kale Salad. The salad was one of the best I've tasted and I will have to try and find the recipe.  After that, I ran to the hospital to have coffee with  three friends; one's husband just had knee replacement surgery and we thought it would help break up her day to have a visit. 
Today we are going to look at a house that we have seen before; it is for sale and meets so many of our must-haves.  I plan to look more closely at the details today and also take notes-maybe photos too. 
We are having the outside of our house painted today and tomorrow, which means that Hunter would be stuck inside with strangers outside-so we are taking him to our daughter's for a play date with Lily.  We are planning on going to the movies this afternoon, but I'm not yet sure what we will see.  The weekend will be busy too.
I hope you have a great weekend!
Blessings, Noreen

An Early Christmas Present

Good Morning Friends~It is Thankful Thursday and I've just got to brag on my man a bit and say how very thankful I am for him! Last August, hubby and I joined some friends for a bike ride in Estes Park; after our ride, we went out to lunch and then shopped along Main Street. At the time, we went into one store that I love and happened to see antique Dough Bowls that were priced so reasonably. I really wanted to get one; you see I've fallen in love with their look; I've got a dear friend in Ca. that has one and I have seen them around blogland. Anytime that is an antique grabs my heart. So at the time we were in Estes my sweet hubby told me to get one if I wanted it; I declined because the one I saw was pretty big and I knew I'd have to carry it while riding my bike. Big mistake, should have gotten it then! So all these months later, I've still been pining over them and couldn't wait to get back up to the mountains to see if it was still there. The store had about six of them, from Hungary, when we initially saw them. So this last Sunday when we drove up, hubby planned that we would go back to the store and check to see if they still had it. Sadly, the one I loved was gone but they had three left. Here is the one I came home with.

 

You can't tell but there are some distinct marks on this that makes it even nicer. This is my early Christmas present; now I have to figure out what types of items to put in it for the holidays. I'm thinking Pine Cones; I'm also watching blogs to see what others do with theirs. It may just end up empty, showing the beautiful hand work. If you have one or have ideas, let me know.

 

A huge Thank You to my man! You're the best. Love you babe.

 I hope you have a wonderful day; mine is crammed with errands etc. Don't forget to have a thankful heart today!
Noreen

Lyons Disaster of 2013

Happy Wednesday to you! On Sunday, hubby and I took a drive up to Estes Park and RMNP to support the economy there. As you know, Northern Colorado has a major disaster in Sept. and the loss was huge from flooding. They have finally gotten one highway open that goes up there and hopefully the other two will be open in Dec. Please know that I am sharing these photos to show the extent of havoc that nature can unleash and remind us to support those who have lost so much. My hat is off to the National Guard and other agencies rebuilding the roads and helping with clean up.

 

 

 

 

You wouldn't believe the destruction-this is just a small bit. WE saw concrete bridges that were a pile of rubble along the river, taken out like they were made of sticks.

 

If you look closely on the left side of the next photo, you can just barely make out a roof from a house that stood in the path of the water.

 

 

 

 

We often pay a high price to live out in open spaces, along rivers and in forests. When we lived in Ca., almost every year the Russian River would flood taking many cabins and homes. People so loved living there that they would rebuild time and time again. I understand being out in wide open spaces, but my heart goes out to those who lost their homes this last year in wildfires and then the floods. Many still are living in hotel rooms.
We must seize each day and live it to the fullest, for we never know how quickly our lives can fade away.  May the Lord heal the brokenness of those who have lost so much.

Blessings, Noreen