Fun & Easy Cards for Kids and Lots of Thanks

Early last week a friend called and asked if she could come Friday and make cards all day. Umm, let me think...yes, yes,YES! I had no plan, just asked her to bring along her "All Wrapped Up" set. The only thing I had ready when she got here was the cinnamon coffee cake in the oven. Guess that reveals the real reason I like to have folks over...I tend to have something in the oven cooking when they get here. We both had a set of SU fresh-cut notes and that became the first thing we tackled. I saw some great cards on SCS and we both decided to case the same one. The result - the black and white cards in the middle...and the first fifteen cards done!

The cards on the left are packages of embossed thank you cards. That's another 32 cards.
I needed valentine cards for Bree and Ty and also made them 2 gift pouches that I filled with dollars instead of candy.
Don't think that I made all these cards on Friday. Other than the fresh-cut notes, I only stamped images from Donna's stamp set on Friday. I finished the cards on Saturday and Sunday evening. Here's the result. There were 19 of these cards - I used 2 already!

It's sounds like it took a long time - but it really didn't. I only spent a couple hours on Saturday night, about 2 hours last night and then finished up this morning. Here's what they look like all together!

Mmm...Yummy Mocha Cupcakes!

Last year I found Transformation Thursday on The Shabby Chic Cottage blog. Then while browsing that blog I found a few more blogs which are now are favorites. One of these is Inside BruCrew Life...lots of great ideas and recipes. And, last night I tried one of her recipes! Here's the picture of my first Caramel Mocha Cupcake.

I love the cupcake...it's so me - dark chocolate, mocha...mmm! They look better than I expected and I will definitely make these again especially since Julie is so far away and can't taste one of these. You can find the recipe here on Jocelyn's blog.

2010 Book List

Last year I set a goal of 52 books to read. I'm happy to report that this is one goal I met last year. Looking over the list I see that free kindle downloads play an important part in the books I read. Some of them I probably would not have read if they had not been available as a free download. Some of them I liked well enough to purchase other books in the series. The Wimpy Kid Diary books were read for my nephew Caleb. He and I sat on the swing on my mom's deck and started the first book, then I finished it that evening and asked for another. The next week we went to see the Diary of a Wimpy Kid movie playing at the Maumee Theatre...perfect! Some of the books are written for young adults (8th-high school perhaps). These are some of the free downloads and are quick reads. I read them looking for books I could recommend to my nieces and nephews.
Books that stand out - Setting the Record Straight: American History in Black and White by David Barton; Tuck by Stephen Lawhead; Spiritual Depression: It's Causes and Cure by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones; and The People of the Mist by Henry Rider Haggard.
Well enough said. Here's the list:
Books I've Read (2010)

* ESV Bible
* The People of the Mist - Henry Rider Haggard (free kindle)
* The Judge Who Stole Christmas - Randy Singer (free kindle)
* Safely Home - Randy Alcorn (free kindle)
* A Simple Amish Christmas - Vanetta Chapman (free kindle)
* On the Run - Bill Myers (free kindle) (y)
* Counterfeit Gods - Timothy Keller
* I Come Quietly to Meet You - Amy Carmichael, arranged by David Hazard
* Dawn's Prelude - Tracie Peterson (free kindle book)
* Buried Sins - Marta Perry
* A Christmas to Die For - Marta Perry
* Wild Goose Chase - Mark Batterson
* Hide in Plain Sight - Marta Perry (free kindle book)
* Staying True - Jenny Sanford
* The Malacca Conspiracy - Don Brown
* Nightmare's Edge - Bryan Davis
* Eternity's Edge - Bryan Davis
* Beyond the Reflection's Edge - Bryan Davis
* Setting the Record Straight: American History in Bland & White - David Barton
* Stealing Bradford - Melody Carlson (free kindle
* Mixed Bags - Melody Carlson (free kindle)
* The Scarlet Thread - Francine Rivers
* Her Mother's Hope (Marta's Legacy series) - Francine Rivers
* War of Words - Paul David Tripp
* Living Organized - Sandra Felton (free kindle)
* Highland Blessings - Jennifer Hudson Taylor (free kindle)
* The Overton Window - Glenn Beck
* Homespun Bride - Jillian Hart (free kindle)
* The First Drop of Rain - Leslie Parrott (free kindle)
* A Passion Most Pure - Julie Lessman (a free kindle download)
* Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - Mary Ann Shaffer, Anne Barrows
* Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Jeff Kinney
* Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days - Jeff Kinney
* The Edge of Apocalypse - Tim LaHaye & Craig Parshall
* The Slave Across the Street - Theresa L. Flores
* The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie - Alan Bradley
* Reflections on the Psalms - C.S. Lewis
* Same Kind of Different as Me - Ron Hall & Denver Moore
* The Still of Night - Kristen Heitzmann
* A Rush of Wings - Kristen Heitzmann (free kindle)
* Spiritual Depression-It's Causes and Cure - D.Martyn Lloyd-Jones
* Breaker's Reef - Terri Blackstock
* River's Edge - Terri Blackstock
* Southern Storm - Terri Blackstock
* Cape Refuge - Terri Blackstock (free kindle)
* Christmas in my Heart #13 - Joe Wheeler
* Vanish - Tom Pawlik (free kindle)
* Christmas in My Heart # 12 - Joe Wheeler
* La's Orchestra Saves the World - Alexander McCall Smith
* The Shunning - Beverly Lewis (free kindle)
* Where the Blue Begins - Christopher Morley
* Parnassus on Wheels - Christopher Morley
* Summer of the Midnight Sun - Tracie Peterson (free kindle)
* 12-Day Body Shaping Makeover - Michael Thurmond (free kindle)
* Dark Pursuit - Brandilyn Collins (free kindle download
* Tuck - Steven R. Lawhead

Operation Write Home

Operation Write Home is an organization whose mission is to support "our nation's armed forces by sending blank handmade greeting cards to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them." This is something I've wanted to do and finally stopped long enough to make it happen. I had a stash of Christmas cards and also stamped for a couple of hours yesterday to give me this assortment. I hope to make another quick dozen before I send them on their way next week. If you're a stamper/crafter, you may have an abundance of supplies that could easily translate into cards for soldiers. What a perfect way to support our troops and clean out that ever growing stash of paper, ribbons, stickers...

Loving this transformation stuff!!!

A few months ago I stumbled upon Transformation Thursday at "The Shabby Chic Cottage." There are some talented people out there and lots of great ideas. I've been wanting to replace the dated light fixture in my dining room, and with all the other makeovers and repairs going on, a new light just keeps pushed back. A few years ago, when I could no longer stand the brass light, I borrowed some of Julie's silver rub and voila...new light. I added some small shades (never really liked them) and then one Christmas added the beads and just decided to let them stay a while. So the picture on the left is what I started with today.
I really wanted to use black rub to cover the light...I have a tube somewhere...but after searching for a couple of months, I gave up and bought some metal paint at Lowes. I listened to 2 lectures on C.S. Lewis while I worked on the light. That really helped make the project go by faster. The picture on the right is what I have now and as you can see, I need to buy 8 light bulbs that match. Gary should be bringing those home tonight.
The two pictures below are Julie's. She repainted a couple of frames and made them chalkboards. They're hanging in her home office and help her keep track of her photography events and work schedule.

Mojo Sketch Inspired

Yeah, I know, it's been ages since I've posted any work. It's not because I haven't made anything...I just haven't had the time. You know how it is - 45 min trip to work, 45 minute trip home, dinner, dishes, do this, do that and it's 11pm. Fortunately, I'm taking advantage of a few weeks off (thanks, Gary). While I'm tackling a list of long overdue projects, I'm pausing occasionally to share some of the things I've been making.
This afternoon I looked through some old mojo monday sketches and decided to try one from April. I used the new SU color coach to find a color combo for real red. It had real red, early espresso and pumpkin pie (wasn't really sure about this combo at first). But since I wanted to add some designer paper to the mix, I decided to switch to choc chip. It worked, I'm done, and I have another card to add to my growing stash!
Stamps:Pocket Silhouettes, Sanded, Matchbox Messages
Ink: Chocolate Chip Classic Ink; Real Red Marker, Pumpkin Pie marker, and Soft Suede marker

My Perfect Little Model

I've been busy making fabric flowers using the Big Shot and the SU flower folds die. I thought the best way to share some is by using my perfect little model - Bree. And even better...we were at Julie's and she took the pictures. They took a walk in the woods and Bree had fun posing in front of the camera for her Aunt Julie.
Here's a sampling of their "work"

After many weeks...

...and what seems like months since I shared any cards I've made, I finally grabbed my camera and took a few pictures. This whole thing takes a few days. I took the pictures last Monday when I had an hour of sunlight in my computer room. You know that little room we used to call the black room. The room where Julie watched a lot of movies, I had early morning devotions, Gary now has early morning devotions and it is now my home office. That room (just a bit of information that is not really necessary but shared nonetheless)! Yesterday I thought about editing the pictures, but took some medicine for my cold and went to bed. So today I took advantage of having a day home from work and uploaded the pictures and voila...a post! Anyway, here are 3 pictures of some recent projects. I used a sizzix die to make the tiny envelope on the first card. The white border was created with the new Stampin Up border and corner punches. And the border punch was free - it's a Sale-a-bration product.
The next little card (yes, it is only 1 3/4 inch square, tiny) was one of the projects made at my valentine card class last month. I then made several more to go with boxes of heart truffles. The glassine envelope is a new item in the SU occasions mini catalog...so cute! I named the little cards hugs and they add a nice touch to the top of the truffle boxes.
The last 2 cards are from a shoebox swap that I participated in with other SU demonstrators. It was fun to go to somewhere else and use other people's "toys" to make cards.
Okay, that's enough for now. Gary is coming in the door...gotta go!

Books Read in 2009

It's time to start a new list for Books I've Read this Year (2010). I like to remember what I read the year before, so listing them in a post helps me find them later. I'd really like to read more this year. Cheryl keeps telling me about free kindle books, so I should always have a bunch of free material to read. I downloaded 5 on New Year's Day and started the year off by reading one of them that night. One down! Now if I could just read and exercise at the same time...

Anyway here's my list of books read in 2009
ESV Bible
Christmas in My Heart (#5)- Joe Wheeler
Christmas in My Heart (#10) - Joe Wheeler
Fireflies in December - Jennifer Erin Valent
The Christmas Lamp - Lori Copeland
Christmas Stories by North Carolina Writers (didn't really enjoy this one- there was only 1 or 2 stories worth reading)
The Christmas Bus - Melody Carlson
The Help - Kathryn Stockett
Shopping for Time: How to Do It All and Not Be Overwhelmed - Carolyn Mahaney
The Women of Troy Hill - Clare Ansberry
Scarlet - Stephen R. Lawhead
Tea Time for the Traditionally Built - Alexander McCall Smith
The Miracle of Speedy Motors - Alexander McCall Smith
The Good Husband of Zebra Drive - Alexander McCall Smith
Blue Shoes and Happiness - Alexander McCall Smith
In the Company of Cheerful Ladies - Alexander McCall Smith
The Cupboard Full of Life - Alexander McCall Smith
Hood - Stephen R. Lawhead
Liberty and Tyranny - Mark R. Levin
The Kalahari Typing School for Men - Alexander McCall Smith
Morality for Beautiful Girls - Alexander McCall Smith
Tears of the Giraffe - Alexander McCall Smith
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
The Principle of the Path - Andy Stanley
it - Craig Groeschel
Respectable Sins - Jerry Bridges
A Violent Grace - Michael Card
44 Scotland Street - Alexander McCall Smith
The Cross Centered Life - C.J. Mahaney
Humility: True Greatness - C.J. Mahaney
Treasuring God in our Traditions - Noel Piper

These Are A Few of My Favorite Things...

...baking, decorating, creating, giving (& wrapping) presents, blessing someone in need, listening to carols, watching Christmas movies, my special time with my close friends, and having my family home. But all of these things would be meaningless if I didn't reflect on the person around whom the season revolves, Jesus Christ, God's gift to us. I try hard to keep Him the center of my thoughts and daily life. So I read! I read the Christmas story. I read advent stuff. I read books like Joe Wheeler's "Christmas in my Heart." I listen to Christmas music while at home by myself (a favorite this year, Chris Tomlin "Glory in the Highest"). And what was so very, very cool this year...Gary and I were able to attend PC3's Christmas Eve Service. It was incredible!
I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas. Blessings, Doris

Caroling Parties

Another memory from Jill...
When I think of Christmas I think of those awesome Caroling Parties. They were so fun. These didn't start until we were in high school and we try to continue these as best we can; there's nothing like the old Calabash neighborhood. They so loved to see us and listen to our carols (that's because we had those awesome singing Walters! ;) and others of course, like Becky Stover.)
Lots of fun memories from these parties...
Like the year I leaned back on the bar and caught my hair on fire! Yes that's right I went up in flames, but everyone quickly got it out, nothing bad just a few singed hairs! We enjoyed learning a couple of country line dances one year. And simply all of the faces of appreciation from our neighbors (most were elderly) who enjoyed our company so much! And of course the gobs and gobs of cookies and yummy Snyder food!

Jill Writes...

When I think of Christmas I think of...
Baking, baking, baking. I remember helping Mom bake cookies at Christmas time. We still do today. We bake so may different kinds of cookies. And then we make trays to give to customers of The Shipping Station (used to be all of the beach realty companies too when Dad still had Snyder's Lawn Care). I hope we continue this tradition, even though I don't own a business that requires that I make trays and trays of yummy goodies for my customers! I love to look through Mom's cook books. Although I now like to collect my own too! ;)

Gingerbread Men

When Becky and Richard were preschoolers -many years ago- I used to read them the story of "The Gingerbread Man." I remember reading it over and over and over. After Jon was born I remembered the gingerbread story when I saw these cute cookies at Apple Annie's in Wilmington. So I bought one for Jon and sent it with his Christmas present. The first set of pictures was taken that year. The next year I sent another gingerbread man from Apple Annie's and you can see from the pictures that Jon was very excited when he recognized the box.

Every year I send Jon, Caleb, Butch and Becky each a gingerbread man. A couple of years ago I started making my own gingerbread men. I don't know if they are as good as Apple Annie's, but I do enjoy making them for the Rahes and for my family. Of course now, I keep the storybook on hand to read to Bree...especially at Christmastime when the gingerbread men make their annual appearance. Somewhere I have pictures of Bree with her gingerbread men. Hopefully I will post them soon.

Cookies and Peanut Brittle

Whew! I am finally sitting down. I just finished stuffing over 90 little bags with peanut brittle..and I should add...after making 3 batches of cookies. Yes, it's that time of the season when Gary and I are busy making lots of goodies for his customers. I have no idea when this tradition started, but we've been doing this for many, many years. In 1993 I started keeping a journal of some of our special dinners, celebrations, parties, etc. Most of the entries tell my menu and the guests. Occasionally I actually made comments about food that didn't turn out or something that became a new favorite. It has definitely helped to have a Christmas cookie list from years past. So what did I make in 1993 that I am still making? Cranberry cheesecake bars, mexican wedding cookies, buckeyes, chocolate dipped social tea & vienna finger cookies. What did I make then that I haven't made in a while? Chocolate walnut minis (a small tart), Barb Weaver's sugar cookie recipe, and raspberry coffee cake. The first 2 take a lot of work and I can't get the raspberry filling to make the coffee cake (but I still look for it every year.)
Oh, the cookie trays will be done tomorrow! Yeah!

Julie remembers...

"I remember before Jill got married we would sleep in the same bed the night before Christmas. I think it was so that Jill could wake me up. I knew the presents would be there when we woke up, but I guess Jill thought we better get to them before they disappeared. I remember being kinda sad when Jill got married and we couldn't keep that tradition up. But. at least I'm married too." Julie Snyder Mixon

Thanks for sharing

Christmas Stockings

"When I think of Christmas I think of...stockings.
Stockings are my favorite. I love all the different stuff that would be in there! And we had really long stockings when we were growing up. So the gifts just kept coming and coming. I love to load Bree, Ty and Chris' stockings with unique candy that they will love and cool gifts too." Jill
I think what Jill really, really likes in the stockings is chocolate...especially if that chocolate has peanut butter with it! I don't think Julie complained about the chocolate either. And I will admit I always made sure there was chocolate for me and Gary! Wow...all this talk about chocolate...just gotta have some!

Christmas when you're 1

More pictures of Christmas at the Naves home. Just think, there were only 3 grandkids at this time. Can you imagine what it looked like a few more years down the road when the grandkids kept coming and coming! Stacy had just turned 1 in November, Jill's birthday was just a few days away. I'm not sure they were all that impressed with the whole thing.
Becky, Richard, Corey, Stacy and Jill. I wonder if this picture was taken before the presents were opened. Either that or mom had already cleaned everything up...or maybe this is another room???
This is Julie on her first Christmas. She looks like she hadn't been awake long and was probably wondering what the big deal was all about.
I know it seems like presents are a big focus of our Christmases, but these are the glimpses we have because of pictures taken. We don't have pictures of singing carols or reading the Christmas story, or advent devotions. So enjoy these old pictures and I'll share stories about the other traditions and celebrations later.
Blessings

Holden Beach Christmas

In August of 1984 we left family and friends behind and moved to Holden Beach, North Carolina. We rented a house on a canal on the island and somewhat enjoyed beach life for a while. The girls were so glad to have their Aunt Becky join us. It really helped adjusting to life away from cousins, grandparents, etc. Twenty-five years ago the beach became practically deserted after Labor Day. So we had a very quiet (silent) holiday. One thing I remember was walking on the beach on Christmas...barefoot. It wasn't really warm enough to be walking around barefoot...we just wanted to be able to say we were on the beach with sand between our toes.
I asked Gary what he remembered about our first Christmas here and he said, "We got the girls bicycles, it was 70 degrees and the girls were able to ride their bikes. So perhaps it was warm enough to go barefoot.
On the back of the Becky's picture I wrote, "Becky's First Christmas Away From Home." I'm sure she missed Mom & Dad and Richard, but we were all very glad she was a part of our home for our first Christmas here. (At least it looks like she enjoyed her gifts.) Don't the girls look so cute in their Strawberry Shortcake nightgowns!

From John

I can always remember dad running out at the last minute to buy something from mom. We always opened gifts on Christmas eve, and one year I got a lionel train set. We set it up on the kitchen table, and dad had it going wide open. It flew off the table and broke. Then I was sad, but dad went out and got a new engine for it!!!
God speed...John

Thanks for sharing that memory with me. I had forgotten all about dad's last minute shopping trips. And opening gifts on Christmas eve must have started after I was older ...maybe after I left for Nashville? I guess you guys got a jump start before the crowd came in on Christmas Day. In one of the pictures from Friday's post there is a huge dog. This was John's dog, a great dane (?) named Goliath. Man, that dog was like a small horse! Merry Christmas, John!

North Myrtle Beach Traditions

When the girls were young, we bought a timeshare at Peppertree by the Sea in NMB. Our week is the one following Thanksgiving, so I guess you could say that it became one of our Christmas traditions. But like many traditions it too has changed over the years. When we first started going, the girls were homeschooled so part of the day was spent studying, part going to gymnastics and the rest enjoying the beach and the indoor pool. The last couple of years Jill and Bree have been able to come a couple of days. Jill would bring her computer and work from there, Bree and I would just hang out and enjoy the beach on warmer days. I'm not sure but I think one year Julie took some pictures on the beach that are now on her website. They're in the art section - alternative processes. - (I think #s 12-14 in the slide show - Is that right Julie?)
Anyway, over the years it's provided an opportunity to get some shopping done, Christmas cards done, catch a movie or a show, make truffles and buckeyes, and just enjoy family time at the beach. I love to watch the sunrise over the ocean and love to hear the waves crashing. It provides a glorious backdrop for morning devotions. Both Gary and I cherish these peaceful moments. I think that's the best part of the week.
"With the loving mercy of our God, a new day from heaven will dawn upon us. It will shine on those who live in darkness, in the shadow of death. It will guide us into the path of peace." Luke 1: 78-79
"Thanks be to God for his gift that is too wonderful for words." 2 Corinthians 9:15
blessings!