Wednesday, December 31, 2008
2008 to 2009
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Favorite new product of 2008
Our wood line is amazing. We love home decor and with the letters, word books, clocks, shadow boxes, cursive words, calendar pieces and albums we are in business. We custom order names, we are always creating new looks, with different fonts or modifying something we have seen somewhere else. This is not only affordable its personal and a perfect gift. If you have not played with our wood products you truly are missing out.Monday, December 29, 2008
Walking toward the New Year
Zip Dry by Beacon is the best adhesive, it will adhere to anything and will wipe off in the first few minutes if you changed your mind. For just $5.99 how can you go wrong.
Cat Eye chalks, they will give just the look you are looking for to finish a project, we carry them in various colors and they are just $1.99
Crop-a-dile, I am not a tool junkie, but I do love this one. It will punch and set just about anything, I love how easy it is to use and so handy
Provo Craft trimmer, just for $9.99 this is a reliable trimmer, it cuts straight, I love the long ruler without any gaps and its the perfect price
Sunday, December 28, 2008
More shouts
Some of my favorite places continued...
James the funny girl; I could blog much without mentioning James. She is so stinkin' funny, she probably has 15-20 blogs in her mind at any given time, she makes me laugh and is a great break from a work day. (caution at times pg-13)
Scrapbooking Mecca; Let's be real if you need anything, go here. This place rocks, they have fun message boards, great ideas, fun items to purchase, challenges, classes and more. I am here all the time. Enjoy Two Peas in a Bucket.com
Sharing from the Heart; I have introduced you to Angie and her family in the past but I am constantly going back. Angie and Todd Smith from Nashville share their hearts and seek hard after the Father. When times are at their worst they take it to the cross. They are helping me thru this curvy road I am walking down.....Check out Audrey Caroline
Tomorrow.... some favorite locals who really make blogging fun
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Shoutin' to some friends
I thought it would be fun to feature some favorite blogs till the end of the year. Some that will make you laugh and some that will make you cry.
A place where I go to be encouraged; I have mentioned this blog before, its a church in Nashville, a regular guy named Pete keeps it real, sharing his heart and the love of Jesus. It is challenging and yet so comforting to read his blog. check out the video section as well. I would like to visit Crosspoint Nashville one day.
A Northwest girl; Living My life on Purpose is a place to get grounded, she shares the word, she encourages and prays. I love taking a long drink at her blog and being reminded of the Goodness of the Father.
Scrapbooking at its finest; BigPictureScrapbooking is a great place to take a class, get inspired and get recharged. You can find amazing ideas and layouts, projects and more if you take a look
watch tomorrow for more fun links.
don't forget the contest in the post below
Friday, December 26, 2008
fun list equals great prizes!
let's have a round of what did you get for Christmas...
weirdest/oddest gift
nicest or most sentimental gift
most likely to get returned gift
more functional or needed gift
most extravagant or you wouldn't have purchased it yourself gift
favorite gift of all time
enter and I will pick my fav's on Sunday and give out prizes!
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Happy Birthday Baby Jesus
May your Holiday be filled with friends and family
and the wonder of the Birth of Christ
Blessings to your and yours.
Love, Kristi Jan and all the girls
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad
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Monday, December 22, 2008
Carol Answers
1. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
2 Silent Night
3. O' Little Town of Bethlehem
4.Good King Wenceslas (or some believe in Jolly Old St.Nicholas)
5. Deck the Halls
6. Joy to the World
7. Hark the Herald Angels Sing
8. We Three Kings
9. Away in a Manger
10. Come All Ye Faithful
11. O Holy Night
12. I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas
13. Silver Bells
14. The Twelve Days of Christmas
15. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
16. Frosty the Snowman
17. All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth
18. I Saw Momma Kissin' Santa Claus
19. Walking Through a Winter Wonderland
20. Up on the Rooftop
Results:
15 – 20 Correct — You don’t need any Yuletide spirit!
10 – 14 Correct — You could use something in your stocking!
5 – 9 Correct — Are you sure you have the right holiday?
1 – 4 Correct — Surely you jest!?!
Name that Carol
Name That Christmas Carol
Answers in green at bottom
Quadruped with crimson proboscis
5 p.m. to 6 a.m. without noise
Miniscule hamlet in the far east
Ancient benevolent despot
Adorn the vestibule
Exuberance directed to the planet
Listen, aerial spirits harmonizing
Monarchial trio
Yonder in the haystack
Assemble, everyone who believes
Hallowed post meridian
Fantasies of a colorless December 25th
Tin tintinnabulums
A dozen 24-hour Yule periods
Befell during the transparent bewitching hour
Homo sapien of crystallized vapor
I merely desire a pair of incisors
I spied my maternal parent osculating a fat man in red
Perambulating through a December solstice fantasy
Aloft on the acme of the abode
(answers will be posted later today!)
Sunday, December 21, 2008
a Martha Stewart to do list!
December 1: Blanch carcass from Thanksgiving turkey. Spray paint gold, turn upside down and use as sleigh to hold Christmas Cards.
December 2: Have Mormon Tabernacle Choir record outgoing Christmas message for answering machine.
December 3: Using candlewick and handgilded miniature pine cones, fashion cat-o-nine-tails. Flog Gardener.
December 4: Repaint Sistine Chapel ceiling in ecru, with mocha trim.
December 5: Get new eyeglasses. Grind lenses myself.
December 6: Fax family Christmas newsletter to Pulitzer committee for consideration.
December 7: Debug Windows '95
December 10: Align carpets to adjust for curvature of Earth.
December 11: Lay Faberge egg.
December 12: Take Dog apart. Disinfect. Reassemble.
December 13: Collect Dentures. They make excellent pastry cutters, particularly for decorative pie crusts.
December 14: Install plumbing in gingerbread house.
December 15: Replace air in mini-van tires with Glade "holiday scents" in case tires are shot out at mall.
December 17: Child proof the Christmas tree with garland of razor wire.
December 19: Adjust legs of chairs so each Christmas dinner guest will be same height when sitting at his or her assigned seat.
December 20: Dip sheep and cows in egg whites and roll in confectioner's sugar to add a festive sparkle to the pasture.
December 21: Drain city reservoir; refill with mulled cider, orange slices and cinnamon sticks.
December 22: Float votive candles in toilet tank.
December 23: Seed clouds for white Christmas.
December 24: Do my annual good deed. Go to several stores. Be seen engaged in last minute Christmas shopping, thus making many people feel less inadequate than they really are.
December 25: Bear son. Swaddle. Lay in color coordinated manger scented with homemade potpourri.
December 26: Organize spice racks by genus and phylum.
December 27: Build snowman in exact likeness of God.
December 31: New Year's Eve! Give staff their resolutions. Call a friend in each time zone of the world as the clock strikes midnight in that country.
A Christmas Story
It was the night before, and Susan was now certain that no one from her family was going to show up to spend Christmas at her home. They'd promised before and she should have known better than to listen to their lies, but this year was different. This was the first year any of them had spent Christmas without Mark. And it wasn't going to be easy.Susan lived in a small town outside of Seattle, with her two boys Liam and Alec, and her daughter Kate. She and Mark had been married for seven years before they started their little family. It was a family they were both so eager for and so very proud of as, one by one they filled all the bedrooms in their home. Their home was where Susan felt she belonged, and so she had stayed at home to mother, home-school the kids, and be a wife to Mark when he came home from work at the end of his long hard days. That was back when Mark was still coming home after work. At first Susan accepted that he had to work long hours. After all, that's how they afforded for her to stay home. However little things started cropping up that Susan regarded as suspicious-phone calls late at night, hushed whispers on the phone when she entered a room-it was more than she could take simply beating around the bush, or pretending not to see what was happening right before her eyes. Finally she confronted him."Are you having an affair?" she asked Mark boldly one sunny fall day.Without so much as a cringe of his facial expression he simply answered, "Yes, I am."Two days later he moved out, leaving Susan on her own with no paying job, and a house and three children to fend for. Her family had always been distant. Susan had disappointed them many years ago by not becoming a doctor or lawyer like the many long lines of Kendall's before her. She had chosen instead to become a school teacher, and while she truly loved her job, she was far happier homeschooling their children than she was when she taught at Berkshire Elementary School.When Mark left, she had managed to find a job substituting at the school. She hated putting the kids back into public school, but she had no other alternative. They were bored. As homeschooled students they were all miles ahead of where the students in their new classes were.Money had become so tight that Susan had swallowed her pride and accepted the box of food and gifts that the local social services agency had offered. She wasn't sure who had alerted them to her situation, but she assumed it must have been someone at school.And so now on Christmas Eve she had wrapped the few gifts that came in the box -- a fashion doll for Kate, with a compact mirror and powder just like the one the doll was holding, a basketball and basketball socks for Liam, and an art set and large pad of drawing paper for Alec. It was obvious that whoever had chosen these gifts knew something about their little family. Liam had been playing basketball since he could walk, and just recently had patched the last possible hole in his old one, only to watch it deflate within a half hour. Alec loved to draw and paint, and was quite good at it, too. And Kate loved her dolls, but had informed her mother this year that it had to be a fashion doll."I'm too old for baby dolls," she had told her mother indignantly.Susan had smiled, as she remembered how she'd played with her baby dolls until she was almost twelve. At eight Kate was far more mature. It saddened Susan to think that their dad's leaving had made all of them grow up in a hurry.At least there would be a delicious meal for Christmas dinner. A twenty-pound turkey was thawing in the refrigerator. A few more hours and it could be stuffed. The fresh vegetables would last them the entire week.Someone had baked a pumpkin pie, too. And an extra box containing loads of kitchen staples was included, too. Susan was amazed as she pulled out peanut butter, jelly, coffee, cans of tuna fish and soup, and toiletries like soap, shampoo, and toothpaste. Someone knew just how difficult things had been, and they had made sure it was just a bit easier at Christmas time."Bless their hearts," Susan said out loud, as she put the generous donations away.This evening was going to be a difficult one. Susan could feel it already. She put on some Christmas carols, and lit a fire in the small wood stove. Thank God she had had the good insight to have the stove installed last winter. It would cost her far less to heat the house with the stove than it would if she had to buy oil for the winter. Plus it was cozy. Nothing warmed the room-and the heart-like a warm crackling fire. It would help to make the atmosphere a little more festive tonight, too.The tea kettle jerked Susan out of her daze. She had put it on the stove for hot chocolate. She thought she'd give the children each a large candy cane tonight, and they could stir their hot chocolate with it. Susan remembered doing that at her grandmother's house when she was just a little girl. She loved spending time there, as Grandma had been the only person in the whole world who loved Susan just for being Susan. She didn't have to pretend to be someone else, or better or smarter than anyone else -- Grandma just loved you the way you were. But Grandma had died when Susan was seventeen, and her own children never got the privilege of meeting her.Setting the steaming mugs of hot chocolate on the kitchen table, Susan called the children from their rooms.They eagerly sat down and began stirring the candy canes into the rich dark chocolate. Susan had fixed them crackers with peanut butter, and they were on a festive decorative platter than had been her grandmother's. She still cherished so many treasures that had belonged to her. And she had made her seem real to her children by constantly telling them stories and sharing recipes of things they'd made together."What time do you think Santa will come?" Alec asked."Not until he knows that everyone in the entire house is sound asleep," Susan warned."Aren't Aunt Emily and Uncle Jake coming?" Kate asked, her voice and face still hopeful."I don't think so, Honey. If they were coming, they certainly would have been here by now."Disappointed looks on the faces of all three of her children nearly drew the breath right out of Susan. She was tired and disappointed herself, but had tried so hard to put up a good front for the kids. Now sensing their disappointment was almost too much to bear. She took her mug and walked into the living room while the children finished their snack. The sparsely decorated tree with only a very few presents underneath made her sink to her knees on the rug and weep."Please, God," she prayed silently. "Please let this be a happy Christmas for my children. They deserve so much more than this past year has brought them. And I'm trying so hard to fill all of their needs. I just don't think it's working."Slowly getting up and sitting on the couch, Susan picked up the morning newspaper she'd barely had time to glance at. There, as if in a direct answer to her prayer, was the answer she'd been looking for."The Church of the Good Shepherd, Christmas Eve Services at 7:00 and Midnight."How she'd always loved attending church with her grandmother. And especially on Christmas Eve! It had often been the highlight of her entire holiday season! Yet sadly, she'd never even brought her own children to church. They hadn't been baptized either. Mark had said it was all nonsense -- just foolishness to keep people coming back week after week and giving away their hard-earned money. Susan had never believed him, yet had given in to his wishes.Now she knew exactly what is was that they would do."Alec, Liam, Kate?" she called to the kids in the kitchen. "Tidy your rooms up. I'm coming up to find some nice clothes for you to put on. We're going someplace very special!""Where?" they cried in unison."You have to wait and see," she said with an air of wonder on her face and in her voice."But Mom, it's so late!" Liam exclaimed."Yes, it is," she replied. "And that is part of the magic of Christmas."Before long Susan had found enough decent clothing to bring the kids to church looking dressed for the holidays. Kate wore a red corduroy jumper a neighbor's daughter had outgrown and handed down to Kate. A white turtleneck and a red bow in her hair made her look like she was ready for a Christmas portrait.Liam and Alec wore dark colored pants. They, too, had white shirts, and Susan spent twenty minutes cutting and hemming two of their father's old neckties to fit them. They looked very grown up in the shirts and ties. Susan was so proud of all of them.Thankfully Susan hadn't gained or lost much weight while she had been homeschooling the children. Her wardrobe of clothing she wore while teaching still fit her perfectly. She chose a black velvet skirt and a bright red sweater. What a picture their little family would make!Ushering the kids into the cold car at 11:30, they left for their fifteen-minute drive to church. Still eagerly anticipating their destination, they asked their mother questions constantly. Yet Susan's resolve wouldn't allow her to divulge the secret.As they pulled into the parking lot of the church, its bright lights and illuminated manger scene were instant attractions to the children."Wow," Alec said. "Check out those lights!""Who are the people, Mommy? And why are they out in the cold?" Kate asked."They're very special people," Susan explained. "We're going inside and you will hear their story."Slipping quietly into the church, they chose a pew near the back of the Sanctuary. An usher had handed Susan and the children bulletins, so they could follow along and see where the preacher was reading and what songs the congregation would sing."I know these songs," the children cried."Of course you do," Susan answered. "I'll bet you didn't know they were church songs, though."They joined the congregation in singing "O Come All Ye Faithful". The organ music and voices reached the high ceiling in the church. It was a wondrous sound, and Susan recalled the feeling of sheer joy she used to experience when she and her grandmother attended this very church. It had been the most important part of Christmas to both of them. The joining of hearts and voices for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ was a powerful and overwhelming feeling that had often brought tears to her eyes.The children sat mesmerized as the pastor began reading the story of Mary and Joseph from the Bible."And the angel said unto her, "Fear not, Mary. For thou hast found favor with God. And behold, thou shall carry in your womb and bring forth a son, and he shall be called Jesus."Susan smiled as she watched the intent faces of her children."And she brought forth her newborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.And the angels of the Lord appeared to the shepherds tending their flocks and said, "Fear not: for I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.""Mommy, is this really true?" Kate whispered.Susan nodded silently, and continued listening to the pastor read.When the story was finished and the choir joined the congregation in singing "Joy to the World", Susan felt the first true joy she had felt inside her heart in a very long time. She wanted desperately for her children to know this same joy-the joy she knew so well when Grandma was alive and attending church was commonplace, and not reserved for special occasions.As the congregation filed out of the church, the pastor approached Susan and her children. He was a young pastor, not at all like Pastor Martin who used to preach when Susan was small."Merry Christmas," he greeted them. "I haven't seen you here before. Are you new to the community?""No, pastor. In fact I came to church here when I was just a little girl," she said."I'm Don Marden, and you're?""I'm sorry, pastor, I've forgotten my manners. My name is Susan Kendall, and these are my children Alec, Liam, and Kate. Say hello, children.""Hello," they replied in obligatory unison.The pastor sensed something about this little family, but couldn't exactly put his finger on what it was. On a hunch he made an invitation."Several of the church members are gathering downstairs in the church hall for Christmas cookies and more carols. Why don't you come, too?""What do you think?" Susan asked the kids.Nods of agreement made the decision for her, and they followed the pastor down a steep flight of stairs. The church hall was decorated in bright Christmas colors. A tree in the center of the room had to have been ten feet high. The Sunday School children had decorated it with handmade ornaments. The smell of the tree and the cookies baking made for a very pleasant scene, one that was far removed from the little house they'd left less than two hours before.Susan and the children were welcomed by many members of the congregation. They all seemed so eager to invite them to sit down. Someone filled mugs of hot cider and passed plates of cookies. They were delicious, and the mulled cider warmed them. They were introduced to many people by the pastor, and introduced themselves to many more. When they finally noticed that only about a dozen people were left, they decided it was best to go home.Entering the kitchen, they asked a lady washing dishes where the pastor had gone. They wanted to wish him a Merry Christmas and thank him for including them in their celebration. It had been a wonderful evening for the children. Susan remembered so many evenings like this one when she and Grandma had walked to church, and after the services they entertained and joined in the merriment downstairs in the church hall. The evening had confirmed to Susan what she had felt true for so long -- that her children needed and deserved to grow up with the love and care of an extended church family. She knew what she had to do.Disappointed that they couldn't find Pastor Marden before they left, they thanked everyone else around them for the lovely time, put on their coats, hats, and mittens, and headed outside to their car. A light snow was falling and the moon was bright."What a beautiful night!" Susan exclaimed to no one in particular."It was beautiful in there," Kate said, pointing to the church. "Can we go again sometime?""Yes, in fact I think we might just make a habit of it."The four rode home in silence. The wonder of Christmas with a new meaning had struck the children, and they were buried deep inside their own thoughts.Returning home a few minutes later, Susan had to carry Kate into the house. She had fallen asleep almost as soon as the car began moving. Alec unlocked the door for his mother and Liam turned the lights on inside. Running up the stairs ahead of Susan, the boys turned down Kate's bed."Goodnight, Sweetheart," Susan said as she planted a kiss on Kate's forehead.Returning back downstairs, the boys asked their mother if they could go outside on the front porch and watch the snow fall."Aren't you tired?" she asked. "You know that Santa won't come when we're still awake.""Oh, come on, Mom. You don't think we really believe that stuff do you? We just go along with it for Kate's sake."Overwhelmed with the sweet gesture her boys had made, Susan allowed them out on the porch to enjoy their Christmas Eve. Putting the kettle on the stove, she decided a cup of tea before bed would hit the spot."Mom, come out here -- quickly!"Fearing it was alarm she heard in Alec's voice, she dropped the box of tea bags and ran out the front door.There in the far right hand corner of the front porch was a red velvet sack. It was decorated with a green velvet bow and was bulging from the inside."Where did it come from?" Susan asked."I swear, Mom, we don't know," Liam answered for both boys. "We just came out here and went to that side of the porch to scoop up some snow. That's when we found it.""Let's bring it inside!" Alec exclaimed.The boys dragged the heavy sack into the kitchen, and began emptying its contents onto the kitchen table and floor. There were a dozen or more wrapped gifts, and some apples, oranges, and a large bowls of nuts. A handsome nutcracker was tucked in a drawstring cloth bag."Just like the one in the ballet Kate loves so much!" Liam exclaimed."These presents have our names on them, Mom!" Alec cried.And indeed they did. There were twelve packages-three addressed "To Kate, From Santa, three "To Liam, From Santa", three "To Alec from Santa", and even three for Susan, too.At the bottom of the sack was a book. Large and heavy, it took both boys to pull it from the bottom of the bag to the kitchen table."A Bible," Susan said in amazement."What's a Bible?" the boys asked."It's God's Word," Susan explained. "It includes the story of Christmas that we heard in church tonight."And suddenly Susan thought she knew. The pastor at the church must have run out and delivered these presents while she and the children were enjoying everyone's company downstairs. That's why he hadn't been there to say goodbye.But how did he know their needs?That didn't require an answer, though. Susan remembered something her grandmother had told her many, many years ago, and she recalled the prayer she had said earlier in the evening."Ask and you shall receive."Their Christmas blessings that year were far more abundant than the mysterious gifts on the front porch -- so very much more.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
6 days to Christmas
this is going fast.
just 6 more days
Today.... buy 6 feet of ribbon get 2 free
zip dry is $5.00
the studio is open till 4pm
There is still fun to be HAD! Bring a drink and a snack and come craft!
Friday, December 19, 2008
Christmas countdown 6 days
I thought today was a perfect day to share some recipes that I love for this time of year, perfect for this wild weather we are having....
SPICED CIDER
1 quart apple cider
3/4-1 cup lemon juice
1 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
8 whole cloves
2 cinnamon sticks
cinnamon stick (for garnish) (optional)
In large saucepan, combine all ingredients except garnish; bring to boil.
Reduce heat, simmer uncovered 20 minutes to blend flavors.
Remove spices; serve hot with cinnamon sticks and sliced apples if desired.
CHILI
INGREDIENTS:
1 pound ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 (14.5 ounce) can stewed
tomatoes
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans
1 1/2 cups water
1 pinch chili powder
1 pinch garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS:
1.In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine the beef and onion and saute until meat is browned and onion is tender. Add the stewed tomatoes with juice, tomato sauce, beans and water.
2.Season with the chili powder, garlic powder, salt and ground black pepper to taste. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and let simmer for 15 minutes.
CORN BREAD
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup cornmeal
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup canola oil
1 cup milk
DIRECTIONS:
1.Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease muffin pan or line with paper muffin liners.
2.In a large bowl, mix together corn meal, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Add egg, oil and milk; stir gently to combine. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.
3.Bake at 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) for 15 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into a muffin comes out clean.
Will you share some recipes that you have this season?
Thursday, December 18, 2008
our Savannah and her recent photoshoot
we have met the most amazing girl; she is genuine, caring, kind, fun loving and most of all talented. she took a few mins last week and did a photoshoot for us. we were blown away with the results. thank you mich for your love of laughter and your grace with me and savan. we love you. (if you would like a referral I have her contact info)
Christmas countdown... 7 days!
Some pictures from a recent craft fair....
its fun to get out and meet new people. Also so girls working on the studio on mini albums, letters and Christmas presents.
7 days to go... doesn't seem possible.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
8 days to go and a Birthday!
Today is Amanda Lou's birthday!
She is such an angel to us at the store.
We love her smile and go to attitude
In honor of her birthday and to countdown to Christmas
All stamps are 20% off.
Check out the Christmas table of items, she has some items for sale!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
JOY Letter party and Home decor
We had the most fun party last weekend. A group of girls came in and made JOY letters. It was fun watching their eyes lite up as the letters changed colors, and were covered in paper. Thanks for letting me share such a great nite with you'all!
Book a party today!
Monday, December 15, 2008
10 days - Counting down to Christmas
What a GREAT weekend, it was filled with fun girls, lots of holiday music.. projects and excitement. There was Christmas music in the air and the spirit of giving.
With just 10 days to go we would like to keep the momentum going.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Another Christmas story to make you think
Two Babes in a Manger.
From Jay Raines
In 1994, two Americans answered an invitation from the Russian Department of Education to teach morals and ethics (based on biblical principles) in the public schools. They were invited to teach at prisons, businesses, the fire and police departments and a large orphanage. About 100 boys and girls who had been abandoned, abused, and left in the care of a government-run program were in the orphanage. They relate the following story in their own words:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was nearing the holiday season, 1994, time for our orphans to hear, for the first time, the traditional story of Christmas. We told them about Mary and Joseph arriving in Bethlehem. Finding no room in the inn, the couple went to a stable, where the baby Jesus was born and placed in a manger.
Throughout the story, the children and orphanage staff sat in amazement as they listened. Some sat on the edges of their stools, trying to grasp every word. Completing the story, we gave the children three small pieces of cardboard to make a crude manger. Each child was given a small paper square, cut from yellow napkins I had brought with me. No colored paper was available in the city.
Following instructions, the children tore the paper and carefully laid strips in the manger for straw. Small squares of flannel, cut from a worn-out nightgown an American lady was throwing away as she left Russia, were used for the baby's blanket. A doll-like baby was cut from tan felt we had brought from the United States. The orphans were busy assembling their manger as I walked among them to see if they needed any help.
All went well until I got to one table where little Misha sat. He looked to be about 6 years old and had finished his project. As I looked at the little boy's manger, I was startled to see not one, but two babies in the manger. Quickly, I called for the translator to ask the lad why there were two babies in the manger. Crossing his arms in front of him and looking at this completed manger scene, the child began to repeat the story very seriously. For such a young boy, who had only heard the Christmas story once, he related the happenings accurately-until he came to the part where Mary put the baby Jesus in the manger.
Then Misha started to ad-lib. He made up his own ending to the story as he said, "And when Maria laid the baby in the manger, Jesus looked at me and asked me if I had a place to stay. I told him I have no mamma and I have no papa, so I don't have any place to stay. Then Jesus told me I could stay with him. But I told him I couldn't, because I didn't have a gift to give him like everybody else did.
But I wanted to stay with Jesus so much, so I thought about what I had that maybe I could use for a gift. I thought maybe if I kept him warm, that would be a good gift. So I asked Jesus, "If I keep you warm, will that be a good enough gift?" And Jesus told me, "If you keep me warm, that will be the best gift anybody ever gave me." "So I got into the manger, and then Jesus looked at me and he told me I could stay with him---for always."
As little Misha finished his story, his eyes brimmed full of tears that splashed down his little cheeks. Putting his hand over his face, his head dropped to the table and his shoulders shook as he sobbed and sobbed. The little orphan had found someone who would never abandon nor abuse him, someone who would stay with him-FOR ALWAYS. I've learned that it's not what you have in your life, but who you have in your life that counts.
11 days... today...... zip dry is just $5
Saturday, December 13, 2008
12 DAYS of CHRISTMAS countdown
Let's see 12 drummers drumming... well we don't sell drums..but we do sell jewels.
All jewels and brads are 12% off,
buy 12 sheets of printed paper get a sheet free.
12 feet of ribbon and 1 foot free.
Friday, December 12, 2008
13 days and 13 things about this holiday
With just 13 days to go, there is a lot going on.
Tomorrow at the Lewiston High School there will be an amazing Ballet/theater performance. You should take the kids, it has great music and some talented local kids. Have you been to Peter Pan? I have heard that its a wonderful show.. you should check it out.
I am trying to get back to basics this week and be thankful. There is so much good admist the craziness going on around me...
13) Savannah is finished with her college class
12) I have an amazing secret sister at work
11) I am loving my diet coke and chocolate Tami gave me last week
10) My mom has her tree up and its so pretty to see
9) I'm having a huge party tonight at the store
8) I have friends that randomly call and check on me
7) My kids are both doing really well in school
6) our dogs are cuddily and make me laugh
5) we have a busy kids club planned for Sunday
4) I have amazing parents who love and support me
3) I have a great job with good insurance
2) I have this fun store to hang out with and GREAT customers
1) Jesus, He is the reason for the Season
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Another Heartwarming story...
Angel on a Doorstep
BY SHIRLEY BACHELDER
When Ben delivered milk to my cousin's home that morning, he wasn't his usual sunny self. The slight, middle-aged man seemed in no mood for talking.
It was late November 1962, and as a newcomer to Lawndale, Calif., I was delighted that milkmen still brought bottles of milk to doorsteps. In the weeks that my husband, kids and I had been staying with my cousin while house-hunting, I had come to enjoy Ben's jovial repartee.
Today, however, he was the epitome of gloom as he dropped off his wares from his wire carrier. It took slow, careful questioning to extract the story from him. With some embarrassment, he told me two customers had left town without paying their bills, and he would have to cover the losses. One of the debtors owed only $10, but the other was $79 in arrears and had left no forwarding address. Ben was distraught at his stupidity for allowing this bill to grow so large.
"She was a pretty woman," he said, "with six children and another on the way. She was always saying, 'I'm going to pay you soon, when my husband gets a second job.' I believed her. What a fool I was! I thought I was doing a good thing, but I've learned my lesson. I've been had!"
All I could say was, "I'm so sorry."
The next time I saw him, his anger seemed worse. He bristled as he talked about the messy young ones who had drunk up all his milk. The charming family had turned into a parcel of brats.
I repeated my condolences and let the matter rest. But when Ben left, I found myself caught up in his problem and longed to help. Worried that this incident would sour a warm person, I mulled over what to do. Then, remembering that Christmas was coming, I thought of what my grandmother used to say: "When someone has taken from you, give it to them, and then you can never be robbed."
The next time Ben delivered milk, I told him I had a way to make him feel better about the $79.
"Nothing will do that," he said, "but tell me anyway."
"Give the woman the milk. Make it a Christmas present to the kids who needed it."
"Are you kidding?" he replied. "I don't even get my wife a Christmas gift that expensive."
"You know the Bible says, `I was a stranger and you took me in.’ You just took her in with all her little children."
"Don't you mean she took me in? The trouble with you is, it wasn't your $79."
I let the subject drop, but I still believed in my suggestion. We'd joke about it when he'd come. "Have you given her the milk yet?" I'd say.
"No," he'd snap back, "but I'm thinking of giving my wife a $79 present, unless another pretty mother starts playing on my sympathies."
Every time I'd ask the question, it seemed he lightened up a bit more.
Then, six days before Christmas, it happened. He arrived with a tremendous smile and a glint in his eyes. "I did it!" he said. "I gave her the milk as a Christmas present. It wasn't easy, but what did I have to lose? It was gone, wasn't it?"
"Yes," I said, rejoicing with him. "But you've got to really mean it in your heart."
"I know. I do. And I really feel better. That's why I have this good feeling about Christmas. Those kids had lots of milk on their cereal just because of me."
The holidays came and went. On a sunny January morning two weeks later, Ben almost ran up the walk. "Wait till you hear this," he said, grinning.
He explained he had been on a different route, covering for another milkman. He heard his name being called, looked over his shoulder and saw a woman running down the street, waving money. He recognized her immediately -- the woman with all the kids, the one who didn't pay her bill. She was carrying an infant in a tiny blanket, and the woman's long brown hair kept getting in her eyes.
"Ben, wait a minute!" she shouted. "I've got money for you."
Ben stopped the truck and got out.
"I'm so sorry," she said. "I really have been meaning to pay you." She explained that her husband had come home one night and announced he'd found a cheaper apartment. He'd also gotten a night job. With all that had happened, she'd forgotten to leave a forwarding address. "But I've been saving," she said. "Here's $20 toward the bill."
"That's all right," Ben replied. "It's been paid."
"Paid!" she exclaimed. "What do you mean? Who paid it?"
"I did."
She looked at him as if he were the Angel Gabriel and started to cry.
"Well," I asked, "what did you do?"
"I didn't know what to do, so I put an arm around her. Before I knew what was happening, I started to cry, and I didn't have the foggiest idea what I was crying about. Then I thought of all those kids having milk on their cereal, and you know what? I was really glad you talked me into this."
"You didn't take the $20?"
"Heck no," he replied indignantly. "I gave her the milk as a Christmas present, didn't I?"
easy to make ornaments
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
more gifts coming your way!
15 days till Christmas
this is fun... Do you hang stockings? What do you put in them? We don't do stockings really but they are hung for decorations. Do you use colored lights or just white? What is something that you always do this season? Savannah likes to go to Locamotive Park and walk thru the lights.
I think that this year we'll all get new slippers and pj's for Christmas. I love to have new jammies.
Today, pay it forward, with all this stress. Give something to someone unexpected. Pay for the person's coffee behind you, leave a note on someone's desk or blog, shovel someone's sidewalk, or clean up the kitchen unexpectedly. It will be a real blessing for both of you.
We are paying it foward. Today spend $50 in the store and get a $10 coupon just for you. That's out thanks for being so thoughtful.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
NEED A GIFT?
with just 16 days to you, you need to come in and craft
We have GREAT ideas for the men in your life
We have hunting, fishing and camping albums
We have picture frames, calendars and more.
If you still need cards.. we have some that are quick and easy
Today all stamps are 20% off (mention this ad)
Monday, December 8, 2008
SNOWFLAKE decoration
I love "O Come all ye Faithful"
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Countdown to Christmas - a story
Each year during Advents (the four weeks before Christmas) our pastor shares stories, they are from this little book and when he gets it out we all gasp. We know from past years that there will be tears, there will be sniffles and people shifting in their seats. He has a purpose... he wants us to remember why we are in this season.
The Sunday's up to Christmas I will share a few...
In September 1960, I woke up one morning with six hungry babies and just 75 cents in my pocket. Their father was gone.
The boys ranged from three months to seven years; their sister was two. Their Dad had never been much more than a presence they feared. Whenever they heard his tires crunch on the gravel driveway they would scramble to hide under their beds.
He did manage to leave $15 a week to buy groceries. Now that he had decided to leave, there would be no more beatings, but no food either. If there was a welfare system in effect in southern Indiana at that time, I certainly knew nothing about it. I scrubbed the kids until they looked brand new and then put on my best homemade dress, loaded them into the rusty old 51 Chevy and drove off to find a job.
The seven of us went to every factory, store and restaurant in our small town. No luck. The kids stayed crammed into the car and tried to be quiet while I tried to convince whoever would listen that I was willing to learn or do anything. I had to have a job. Still no luck. The last place we went to, just a few miles out of town was an old Root Beer Barrel drive-in that had been converted to a truck stop. It was called the Big Wheel.
An old lady named Granny owned the place and she peeked out of the window from time to time at all those kids. She needed someone on the graveyard shift, 11 at night until seven in the morning. She paid 65 cents an hour, and I could start that night. I raced home and called the teenager down the street that baby-sat for people.
I bargained with her to come and sleep on my sofa for a dollar a night. She could arrive with her pajamas on and the kids would already be asleep. This seemed like a good arrangement to her, so we made a deal. That night when the little ones and I knelt to say our prayers, we all thanked God for finding Mommy a job. And so I started at the Big Wheel.
When I got home in the mornings I woke the baby-sitter up and sent her home with one dollar of my tip money-- fully half of what I averaged every night. As the weeks went by, heating bills added a strain to my meager wage. The tires on the old Chevy had the consistency of penny balloons and began to leak. I had to fill them with air on the way to work and again every morning before I could go home.
One bleak fall morning, I dragged myself to the car to go home and found four tires in the back seat. New tires! There was no note, no nothing, just those beautiful brand new tires. Had angels taken up residence in Indiana I wondered? I made a deal with the local service station. In exchange for his mounting the new tires, I would clean up his office. I remember it took me a lot longer to scrub his floor than it did for him to do the tires.
I was now working six nights instead of five and it still wasn't enough. Christmas was coming and I knew there would be no money for toys for the kids. I found a can of red paint and started repairing and painting some old toys - then hid them in the basement so there would be something for Santa to deliver on Christmas morning. Clothes were a worry too. I was sewing patches on top of patches on the boy’s pants and soon they would be too far gone to repair.
On Christmas Eve the usual customers were drinking coffee in the Big Wheel. There were the truckers, Les, Frank, and Jim, and a state trooper named Joe. A few musicians were hanging around after a gig at the Legion and were dropping nickels in the pinball machine. The regulars all just sat around and talked through the wee hours of the morning and then left to get home before the sun came up.
When it was time for me to go home at seven o'clock on Christmas morning, to my amazement, my old battered Chevy was filled full to the top with boxes of all shapes and sizes. I quickly opened the driver's side door, crawled inside and kneeled in the front facing the back seat. Reaching back, I pulled off the lid of the top box. Inside was a whole case of little blue jeans, sizes 2-10! I looked inside another box: It was full of shirts to go with the jeans.
Then I peeked inside some of the other boxes. There was candy and nuts and bananas and bags of groceries. There was an enormous ham for baking, and canned vegetables and potatoes. There was pudding and Jell-O and cookies, pie filling and flour. There was a whole bag of laundry supplies and cleaning items. And there were five toy trucks and one beautiful little doll. As I drove back through empty streets as the sun slowly rose on most amazing Christmas Day of my life, I was sobbing with gratitude. And I will never forget the joy on the faces of my little ones that precious morning.
Yes, there were angels in Indiana that long-ago December. And they all hung out at the Big Wheel truck stop.
Father, I ask you to bless our friends, relatives reading this story right now. Show them a new revelation of your love and power or let them be the ones bringing love and joy in someone else’s life. Amen.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Countdown to Christmas
19 days to go. Oh my! You need to create this book, it will help you remember all the moments this season, the comments, wish lists and events. Its a great way to have a small rememberance of special times and people in our lives. This kit is priced at $15 and comes complete with instructions!
Friday, December 5, 2008
Countdown to Christmas
You really should get to the store...
Have you seen our wood words, we can design and create your family name to hang on the wall. They are soo cool! They are special order and take a few days, stop by we have some family names in stock now.
We are almost sold out of Cosmo Cricket paper, and Kaisercraft as well. It just flew out the door, we are looking for another line if you have any ideas!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Countdown to Christmas secret sale
21 days till Christmas... that is just 3 weeks people! WOW!!!!
Jan is out of town today... so we are having a sale
stamps are buy 2 get one free
all storage is 30% off
all calendar rub-on's 20% off
all alphabets 20% off
photocopies 80 cents
Spend 50.00 get 10.00 off!
Spend 100.00 get 20.00 off
now thats a GREAT deal
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Countdown to Christmas- More CARD kits
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
The difference
I went to a site today and read a remarkable story.
I want this to be our store.
To make a memory,
to give from the heart
and to have you bring in your friends cause we make a difference
to want to stop by because you are just in the neighborhood
Watch this story..... a simple act
Countdown to Christmas a special today!
This is a fun post for me.
One of the reasons I opened this store was to have a place for girls to hang out and encourage each other.
With just 23 days till Christmas I thought it would be fun to think of all the girls in my life and how much I love to see their smiling faces. If you call today and book a party of 5 girls, that's you and 4 friends. Your project as the hostess will be FREE! We have projects ranging from $10-$24.00. Thats cheaper than dinner! We will provide the fun and clean up the mess! How can you beat that?
Monday, December 1, 2008
Christmas countdown CARDS
24 days to go! WOOHOO! We will be counting down fun projects each day until Christmas. I thought it would be fun to show you that some card stock, one sticker sheet and some adhesive could make colorful and fun cards! These would be fun to do with kids. We have a class planned or a kit for purchase! Call for more info
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Cute snowmen and Cute cousins
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Perpetual Calendar book, Advent Snowman project
Sunday 2-4 we are making these fun calendars! $10
Friday, November 28, 2008
the Weekend...
Saturday is fun day at CROP PAPER SCISSORS
Come make a snowman, a tree or a star
Decorate a book, make a frame. Do something!
Sunday is kids day. They are making amazing calendars 2-4 $10
You won't want to miss this weekend.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Thanksgiving and Thankful
Monday, November 24, 2008
Home decor, craft time, Crop, we have it all!
this week:
Tuesday - THANKFUL BLOCKS what a perfect way to decorate for Thanksgiving!
Wednesday- Calendars, easy and such a fun gift
Friday- oh me oh my!
Friday, November 21, 2008
Scrapbooks Etc Magazine and blocks
Did you know that we have the December issue of Scrapbooks Etc Magazine in stock. This is a great way to get ideas and see the new product....
We have so much to be Thankful for...come see these blocks, make a set of your own or purchase a pre made group....
TERESA COLLINS Christmas book
are you in love with this new Teresa Collins Creation!!!!
check out her blog at www.teresacollins.com
