Mr. Grinch....

A little note to say that Mr. Grinch - yes, that nasty green faced creature - snuck into my home PC and left a nasty little Grinch style present .... a much unappreciated and most annoying of gifts - a virus. I had hoped to sit down with a hot cup of coffee, some toast and sit in my jammies to catch up on your lovely blogs and emails. HOWEVER, our PC is compromised and it may take some time to get it to a "safe" place to log into it with personal info. I am writing this from my nephew's PC - thank you, Mr. L.!!

Till then, just be on the lookout for that creepy green faced Grinch who is sneaking into your system to tell you that you are infected and MUST download THEIR software to get rid of the virus. It is a solid green screen (so Grinch style) and reads: YOUR SYSTEM IS INFECTED.

Till next time, stay safe, warm and cozy.

Christmas Then & Now ~ Merry Christmas To You!

I was going through photos of Christmas decorations that we had last year and comparing them to this year. Looking through these brought back a flood of memories...funny how a photo will do just that! Just thought I’d share some of last year's photos and then some from now. The dining room sure has made some transformation, too. These are from last year......

Precious Jordan, age 5.

This is the “sitting room before the dining room transformation.

This is how the sitting (now dining room) looked last year. The old green hutch got painted white. The photos after this one are our decorations for this year. I have to admit, I love the room as it is now.

This BEAUTIFUL quilt was sent to me, as a surprise, from a dear and sweet blogging friend, Sinta. She made this quilt and kindly shared it with us to “keep us warm and cozy” this Christmas. What a blessing….

Thank you, Sinta!

Simple tree with burlap, dried hydrangeas, ornaments from friends, and pinecones that are from my mother’s yard. Kathy, there is the butterfly that you sent to me to put on the tree in memory of Jordan. I hung it with love from YOU.

The Christmas morning table is set with the hand crocheted tablecloth that my dear Grandmother Katie made. For the center of the table, I flipped over a vintage green pottery bowl and put a plate on top to hold Santa and some red balls. The dishes are old pink and white restaurant dishes. For the chargers I used a 15” wreath from the Dollar Tree. (I love that store!). Each person gets an old creamer to hold their pancake syrup in.

Hold on to all of your memories…..

and may you have a sweet and cozy little Christmas.

Best wishes from our cottage to yours....

Happy Birthday, Jesus!!

…and the winner is….

Now you don’t need to “sit pretty” to get your little giveaway treat here…..but Mr. Duhgall has it down pat, wouldn’t you say?

Before we get to telling you who won the giveaway, I should address something….something scottie-ish.

Many of you ask how Duhgall and Fiona are so well behaved when it comes to having their pictures taken. Well, it doesn’t always work out that they sit like little models……

….like here……which this just cracks me up! It is as if Fiona just told a good joke and Duhgall is looking at her as if to say, “WWWWWhat!!????” She cracks herself up! Really, she is such a clown!

Ok, come a little closer……shall we tell everyone who won the burlap cones?

No? You’d rather go unwrap more of your birthday treats? Or is Duhgall going to help you some more?

I think he got a whiff of something “pink” and "girlylike". I am glad that he was a gentleman and ….

….allowed you to open your new pink collar full of marvelous little bling-bling charms. Fiona celebrated her first birthday the other day (can you believe that?) and had fun opening her gifts. My handsome son, Spen Man, and Fiona share the same birthday! Isn't that a coincidence? They were both lavished with love, presents and prime rib!!

Now, the winner of the little burlap cone giveaway is Rhoda at Southern Hospitality Blog!! Congratulations to Rhoda!

Thank you to everyone who took time out of your day to visit and to leave such wonderful and encouraging words. I am so happy that many of you enjoyed the beautiful poem that was shared with me by two lovely blog friends. It warms my heart that so many of you took comfort in the poem and will share it with others who, like me, have sweet little angels having their first Christmas in Heaven. I can only sit here and marvel over the thought of how super fantastic that must be!!!!

I wish you all PEACE, LOVE and JOY. May you find comfort and happiness in all of your days. Know that you are loved - from here on earth and from above. xxoo

Comfort and Joy ~ Gratitude ~ A Lil’ Giveaway

I just would like to thank each one of you for sharing your hearts ~ and life ~ with me. Each comment left for me, here and at Kim’s, means the world to me. You are all so kind. Each one of you touched my heart ~ and my family’s heart. It’s people like you that make this world a better place to live in. Peace to all of you...in good times and in sad.

See the three little burlap cones above? I am having another little giveaway, so if you’d like to win these, just leave a comment on THIS post and I will pick the winner on Thursday, December 17 at 9PM Pacific Standard Time.

I’d like to say congrats to Jolie Anne for winning the giveaway over at Kim’s.

And thank you, Kim, for having me as your guest!!!

These two little angel faces aren’t part of the giveaway, but aren’t they just cute? Just thought I’d share this photo of them…

…as well as this beautiful photo of the sky. I took this the other day and loved the way the rays of light shined through the clouds.

Can you see Heaven? And speaking of Heaven, I would like to share this beautiful poem that Anne and Leigh shared with me over at Kim’s. It just made me cry….

"I'm Spending Christmas with Jesus this Year"

I see the countless Christmas trees
around the world below
with tiny lights like heaven stars
reflecting on the snow

The sight is so spectacular
Please wipe away that that tear
For I'm spending Christmas
with Jesus Christ this year

I hear the many Christmas songs
That people hold so dear
O', the sounds of music can't compare
with the Christmas choir up here.

For I have no words to tell you
of the joy their voices bring
for it's beyond description
to hear the angels sing.

I know how much you miss me,
I see the pain inside your heart.
but, through our memories so dear..
We're never far apart.

I can't tell you of the splendor
or the peace here in this place
Can you just imagine Christmas
with Our Savior.......face-to-face.

I'll ask him to light your spirit
As I tell him of your Love.
Then I'll pray for 'One another'
As you lift your eyes above.

So please let your heart be joyful
and let your spirit sing
for I'm spending Christmas in heaven
and I'm walking with the king.

I have been so blessed the past few weeks and would like to share with you some of the lovely handmade items that I have won. Above is an apron that was made by the sweet Abbie ~ isn’t it just perfect for Christmas? She also tucked in a wonderful smelling fresh balsam sachet and these little German stars that she made from old sheet music. Abbie not only shares with us how to make things on her blog, but she also is generous with her free graphics for us to copy and paste. Thank you, Abbie!!! I love everything!

The second beautiful blessing is this MERRY CHRISTMAS pillow that I won from Rebecca at A Gathering Place!!

I have been a fan of her handmade pillows and painted goodies for years and cannot believe that I actually won this lovely pillow! Infact, years ago Rebecca had made a similar pillow and had it for auction on eBay. I had bid on it, but didn’t win. ..sad face...

Look at the perfect stitches!

Every detail is precious!

….and it is the perfect touch on our guest room bed!

Thank you so much, Rebecca!

I love it!

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