I'm writing this Saturday night, going to save it as a draft and try the 'scheduled post' feature of blogger and see how this works out. I don't want to overwhelm you with two posts in one day, after all!

I'm sitting at my computer with a soft light on. The snow is falling outside, heavily and gently in big, fluffery flakes, turning our almost melted world back into a magic looking one. It makes me feel so peaceful. I had some music playing in the background and then I realized it was competing... with other music. And that music was LIVE. And that music was SO beautiful. Its the sound of Mr. Miles and his friend Nathan practicing worship music for tomorrow's service.

Songs like Blessed is the Name of the Lord, and Lord Have Mercy... and their voices and playing together wafting up through the floorboards is moving me to tears. I'm reminded, the God who can turn our melted away landscape into a pretty winter wonderland in the span of a few brief hours is all-powerful. His ways are beyond our comprehension. The weathermen can predict conditions all they want, but God can change all that in a heartbeat.

So it is with the economists. They're just reporting it like it is. They want us to be careful, live within our means. God wants whats BEST for us. Sometimes that just seems wierd, when you think of it. For, as the song says "He gives - and takes away" I'm sure it does not always feel like what we have is best. I'm sure if I got "it" all taken away from me I'd fall flat on my face. For its all nice, and good - but its all a crutch. If you're leaning too hard on that 'ol crutch, when its taken quickly, you'll fall.

And sometimes, thats where He wants us to be - flat on our face, though He'd rather it be a willing thing. Its when and where we are 'richest' - strange as that may sound. Its where we have intimate communion with Him. And the more 'stuff' we get to look after, the more easily we are distracted, tending to the things of the world.

I'm reminded of Solomon. He had it all. Knowledge and wisdom. Castles and cash. Slaves and animals. You woulda thought he'd be in luxury - always amused by all this things. But, even he summed it up like this:

Ecclesiastes 2

1 I thought in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good." But that also proved to be meaningless. 2 "Laughter," I said, "is foolish. And what does pleasure accomplish?" 3 I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.

4 I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. 5 I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. 6 I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees. 7 I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me. 8 I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired men and women singers, and a harem as well—the delights of the heart of man. 9 I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me.

10 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired;
I refused my heart no pleasure.
My heart took delight in all my work,
and this was the reward for all my labor.

11 Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done
and what I had toiled to achieve,
everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind;
nothing was gained under the sun.

So, I'm going to get down, flat on my face, freely and I'm going to thank the Lord for all my blessings (and not just the THINGS) I'll get used to being down there, so when my crutch is taken, I may already be flat - and the crutch will be... just a crutch. Something nice to use if its handy, but not something that I rely on when I should be relying on the Lord.

I thought today would be a great day to share some FREE stuff with you. If you go to the site of Phil Wickam you will be able to download this BEAUTIFUL worship album, in it's entirety, for free. So though I am blessed to hear my husband's and Nathan's awesome songs of Praise as they practice, you can have something good to listen to, too!

You will be asked to fill out a your name and email address and then he will send you the link. What a sweet thing to do - its a great album, I've been listening to it while working on my spirit while my machine works on my physical body.

click HERE to visit Phil and get his album!

And I found out about this free album through a newsletter I recieve which gives me MORE free music each month. If you've never heard of it before, its the FreeCCM Newsletter, and you can sign up for it by clicking HERE. This is a great place to hear new releases - the free songs this month are Mike Farris - "Streets of Galilee", Darlene Zschech - "Call Upon His Name" and Derek Webb - "She Must and Shall Go Free"

There are also new free desktop wallpapers and greeting cards from Crosscards which you can find by clicking HERE.

*****

BEFORE the big flurffy snowfall of last night (cause you are reading this on Sunday, so its last night - oh, I could get so confused prewriting this!) Before this snow, on Friday, I took some photos down by the lake again. I thought I would share a few. Click them to view a bit bigger.

I think a racoon mebbe, what do you think?

My friend Cicero always takes these looooonnnng shadow pics...
so she inspired me. Visit her blog(click HERE) and I bet you'll see one somewhere.
She does 'two headed' ones with her husband.
I'll have to get Mr. Miles to lend me his head soon.

*****

Thrift Store "Good Buy" alert!

I bought one of these at the thrift store the other day. It was still in its new wrap and I only paid $3 for it. I looked it up and it regularly goes for $9.99. I love gadgets. Its actually my gift to Sabastian, our van, cause it folds up nice and flat. It gets tight hauling a full size colander around when we are camping. This will be good for so much more.

I keep breaking things at the store too. Before Christmas I broke a lid to a beautiful teapot set. I made the mistake of telling the ladies and they would NOT accept payment. I tried every which way to convince them to charge me, but they would not. Sigh.

So, on Thursday, when I bought this colander, and was having a good look around, (and when I look around I really look AROUND - my whole self twists and turns and... well, they hide some good stuff either way down on the floor or way up near the roof for heaven's sake!) And, I'm clumsy at the best of times. Plus this with a big purse that day and ... I broke a picture frame! So, this time, I put it in with all my purchases and paid for it first, THEN asked the clerk to take it out and throw it away!!! LOL - she told me she would not have made me pay, so I'm glad I DID!

Do YOU have a 'breaking something in a store' story to share too?

Well... I've chewed your ear off for long enough this morning. I hope you have a great day!

(click to view a bit larger)

credits:
KimB's Geometric1 Patterns

Happy Birthday Zach!

Wishing a wonderful day to my nephew, who's an avid guitar lover. I decided, since I actually now have a functioning printer, after being 1 yr without one, to do my first hybrid. I think it turned out pretty cool! The wire on the card was a string from Mr. Miles guitar - no, I didn't steal it, they needed to be changed anyways. The pick is real too. LOVE Kim's Geometric Patterns, they are ideal for these masculine/funky projects. The card is my own design (I mean the way its laid out)

Uncle Miles says he KNOWS what you will be doing today!

You'll have to slip over to Nina's (click HERE) to view the card she's made for her son, and to Judy's blog (click HERE) too, where she's got a birthday greeting too!

BIG CONGRATS are in order for my friend JanMary, from Ireland, who has just had a layout published in a real, live PAPER, sold magazine!!! I'm so proud of you, girl, I could just BUST. Way to go! Just click HERE to check it out and see what I'm talkin' about!

Prayer requests:

Please continue to pray for my friend Gina's family as her husband (thankfully) made it through very adverse flooding conditions to go for a job interview. Please pray that if this is the right job for him it will come to pass, if not for the right one, and when. Gina is a true inspiration to me as her faith only strengthens through these trying times. Click HERE to visit and leave some encouragement.

Please pray for my friend Valinda for an unnamed need within the family. I'm not at liberty to share yet as I've not the opportunity to ask if I may share. But there is a NEED and could you please prayer, and leaving an encouragement HERE would surely bring her comfort too.

Thanks for visiting today, and for all your comments, they mean A LOT!

What I made for lunch today:

First came the dough - the peasant bread recipe from Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a day cookbook - laid into two small, buttered pyrex. You can use the master bread recipe, which is white, but I'd recommend you buy the book for the Peasant Bread recipe, its so worth it.

Then, I mixed up 3 eggs with spices and fresh green onion. Bacon bits and sun dried tomatoes wait their turn to go into the mix. I brushed the exposed crust with some nice Mediterranean cooking oil.

Just out of the oven. I made Mr. Mile's 'open faced' with cheese sprinkled ontop, while mine, slightly smaller, I added the cheese INSIDE and covered mine entirely with dough.

Very pretty to look at. A healthy, hearty meal. I'd recommend it. I loved making the muffin tin versions on the official Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a day website click HERE) , but these are a bit more of a full meal and also the cleanup is very quick.

Inside?

Well, it was pure deliciousness. Kind of like a Quiche inside a loaf. My Real Man, Mr. Miles - gave it a 'thumbs up'!

credits:

Chance of Rain Blog Freebie by Linda Walton

(ribbon color altered)

Birthday wishes go out to my niece Patty today as she celebrates!

GRRR... I'm ANGY!!! (baby talk for durn mad!)

Blogger has been misbehaving and I've wasted a precious hour trying to do this post. I had prepared it yesterday and saved it in a different way than usual, and thought I could be clever and copy and paste... well anyyyyywayyyyys, after monkeying around and grinding my teeth I came to the conclusion I must redo the entire thing by hand... sigh.

I'm so very proud and excited to share the following YouTube video with you. Its our dear friend Penny playing at a venue this past year. We've been friends with Penny for many years and used to be on the Worship team with her at Church.

Even 'way back when', Penny had a dream to RECORD her music, and to take her ministry on the road. Well, lots of us like that idea, but then life and logistics seem to get in the way. Mr. Miles is a gifted musician and would love to be out there too, but his time has not come YET... But, what a blessing and delight to celebrate the rising star of a close friend. What an inspiration to each of us - that if we persist, we are able to achieve our fondest dreams.



With perseverance, diligence and, of course much prayer along the journey, Penny was named the Country Gospel Music Association's FEMALE NEW ARTIST of 2008! We could not be more proud of you!

Penny's newest CD will be available soon and you can find out more by visiting her website by clicking HERE.

We are experiencing MUCH MOISTURE here in BC, Canada! So far, its been all in the way of SNOW, and loads of it. I don't mind so much as long as its fluffy and dry. While we tend to stay a bit cooler than the coast, I think we are ALL going to have a big melt in the next few days, at least according to the weather people. Hopefully they are off the mark, it happens.




Our friend Roger, who owns alpaca, sent me this photo of his pets cowering inside their shelter out of the big snowfall the other night. THEY are not impressed with the snow, no, not at all!

I sent Roger some photos I took down by the lake - last Saturday when we had an inversion, when every branch, leaf, thing is covered with sparkling crystals. This is what he replied:

"Those are really nice photos. You have such fancy snow and ice. Up here, there is just plain old snow."

ROTFL! He lives like 3 km away, same snow Rog!

Here are some more of those photos of the inversion. Click to view larger!



The Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day website was updated yesterday and I don't know if you've had a chance to check it yet, but Zoe came up with a very clever recipe to make bacon and eggs IN toast! SUCH a neat idea. Its amazing how versatile this recipe is - just click HERE to visit, and remember if you have any questions, Zoe and Jeff are VERY GOOD at answering. Sounds like a second cookbook is being 'cooked up' as we speak. I can hardly wait!

Speaking of food sites, I found another WONDERFUL site, actually through the Artisan Bread website, a while back. Its the Baking and Books blog, (click HERE) by Ariela. I LOVE her recipes, book suggestions and great ideas. She actually gives books away EVERY month!!

Her latest blog entry is a MUST READ. Ariela, though she is a terrific and adventurous cook, has managed to LOSE weight while experimenting and baking for her blog. She's done it with no gimmicks or tools - just good common sense. I ADMIRE THIS. I mean, I'm happy and all for all the celebrities who lose weight by endorsing with companies that make a business of it, but hay, how do the rest of us who are not sponsored for FREE and given the support/food do it? Ariela's advice and techniques are something all of us can relate to.

And I'm also WAY excited about the BOOT CAMP at SparkPeople.com (click HERE) I've been a member for several years, but wandered away for a bit *wink* Thank goodness for their newsletters, they kept niggling in the background all this time. Then I checked one out around Christmas Time.

Now, this is not a 'New Years Resolution' thing for me, just the logical end to the holiday eating etc, and Mr. Miles going back to teach and things getting back to normal. When I checked out what was happening at SparkPeople I found out about the BOOT CAMP, and though I can't sign up to participate, living outside the USA, I can still follow along and participate by watching the amazing YouTube videos they are (so generously and FREE) posting. Hay, at least I'll win my old, fit body back again! LOL!

Anyways, the BOOT CAMP videos Rock! Here's the latest one:



Last, but not least, if you use a Mac and have been envious of us PC'rs being able to use the photo editing program Picasa (put out by Google) - well its now out on Beta for Macs! I love Picasa and this is a wonderful thing. Just click HERE to find out more!

If you have a moment, won't you wander over to check out my sister Nina's beautiful card site HERE and my SIL Judy's HERE? I'd love it you had the time and I'd sure be glad you did! Judy has actually posted one of my original watercolor paintings on her site *blush*

I hope you have a wonderful day - and thanks for stopping by! (oh, and I'm not angry anymore LOL!)

My posts will be sporadic, just too much to do around home at the moment. Today is the first day my honey is back at school since mid-December, so its the first day I'm taking to just get caught up. Tell me, is anyone ever truly caught up?

I want to share my latest experiment with the Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day recipes. I'm going to have to start another entire blog on that subject if I keep going like this. The recipe is simply amazing, and flexible. I've turned it into nearly everything I usually make, and I'm still coming up with new things each day.

My latest experiment was (drum roll...)

Homemade Foccacia Crackers

I mixed up the master recipe for the Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day. After it was prepared and ready to go, I rolled some VERY THINLY onto a mixure of flour, foccacia spice and Parmesan cheese. When the dough was rolled out thin, I sprinkled a bit of salt on top and gave one more soft roll.

Next I used a pasta wheel to cut out squares, and then I used a empty pop bottle to cut the 'holes' out of the middle. I did this to give an interesting shape, and also to prevent them puffing up in the middle. I then placed then baked them and VOILA. They turned out very nummy!

(the holes left over baked into little round balls that would make a great snack food) The recipe contains no fat, and they are baked so would not be bad for the waistline.

I served them with some Hummus dip Mr. Miles brought home and they were a big hit!

You can visit my friend Gina's blog to find out how her FIRST experience with baking the master recipe for the Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day as she had her first attempt a day ago. She's published the master recipe there if you would like to see it. HERE'S the link.

Also, I always suggest going directly to the Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day OFFICIAL website where Jeff and Zoe provide you with tons of wonderful, delicious ideas and are always available for feedback and to answer any questions you should have. Just click HERE to be transported. I own the book and I can testify its totally more than worth it, its an investment!

Ice Crystals on the Lake

I wait all year for a day like this... on Saturday we experienced an 'inversion' and it caused ice crystals to form on everything in sight. This is a photo of what the lake looked like. We've since had a big snow and so I don't know if I'll have an opportunity like this again this year.

I will be blogging some exciting news about my dear friend Penny on my next blog post, not enough time to fit it in today and I want to do it justice.

I am giving away a goodie today - whipped it up to honour my dear friend Valinda - who I've been neglecting lately. Sigh, just too much going on and I'd assumed I'd visited only to realize I'd not been to see her since a 'coons age'... Isn't that what happens often with those we care about most? Its a dangerous little thing called 'familiarity'... come to think of it, when was the last time I did something nice for Mr. Miles? Sometimes we get so busy we take the ones we love for granted and thats not good. Why not forgo a comment here today and just slip on over and say a BIG hello to my dear friend Valinda? You can find her by clicking HERE.

personal use

download

Happy New Years, Everyone!

I'm back and refreshed from the holidays. Not caught up, but back and refreshed.

Before I launch into my first post of the year I want to thank each of you who blessed me this Christmas - you know who you are. I am a bit overwhelmed and it will take me a bit to properly thank everyone.

I feel so blessed, and at the same time, I'm hyper-aware of those who 'don't have'... of the economy and how so many are losing their jobs and my heart is moved. I'm going to really work hard in 2009 to find ways to minister to the needs I see. I'm not into 'resolutions' as such, rather into filling the needs I am able to. Instead of a resolution, I'm working towards filling this scripture - making it come to reality in my life and the lives I'm in contact with:

His divine power has given us everything we need
for life and godliness
through our knowledge of Him
who called us by his own glory and godliness.

Through these He has given us
His very great and precious promises,
so that through them you may participate
in the divine nature
and escape the corruption in the world
caused by evil desires.

For this very reason,
make every effort to add to your faith goodness;
and to goodness, knowledge;
and to knowledge, self-control;
and to self-control, perseverance;
and to perseverance, godliness;
and to godliness, brotherly kindness;
and to brotherly kindness, love.

For if you possess these qualities
in increasing measure,
they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive
in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

But if anyone does not have them,
he is nearsighted and blind,
and has forgotten
that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

Therefore, my brothers,
be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure.
For if you do these things
you will never fail,
and you will receive a rich welcome
into the eternal kingdom of
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:3-11

In other words - in clear language that applies to my own life, my desire is to simply LOVE - love my friends, my neighbors, the world. To open my eyes, to open my heart, to get my hands dirty, to waste less time on judging people and their actions and to spend more time helping.

I long to become more 'real', to be prayerfully bold and open when I need to, and to 'shut up' in other instances. That is a real hard one for me, when to speak out and when to hold back. Both things can really be a problem at times.

One thing I must say, I learned so much about love from my unsaved friends, who selflessly gave to me - teaching me some very Christian values. So many of you have impressed me and moved my heart!

So, on to the New Year.

A quick recap to the holidays - We went to the coast to be with our family. We left on a bitterly cold day, cold even for here (could have EASILY froze you a huge iceberg, Kim *wink*) We made it to a Princeton, thats a 1.5 hour drive from here - and at that point we considered turning back. It was SO cold and our van's inside heater was not putting out any heat. We had to keep what little heat there was on the engine so the gas lines would not freeze. Our toes and fingers were frozen and Jack Frost was painting up the INSIDE of our van windows. I heated some warmers in the microwave of a service station and Mr. Miles fired up our portable propane camp heater, enough we could stare moving around again.

We eventually did make it to the coast, and a good thing too, for it was the only day we would have been able to drive in the conditions.

The rest of the time there we were pretty much snowed in. With Mom and her fantastic and generous cooking and our sister in law and daughters, and our daugther Dez (who braved the drive all the way from Calgary in the bad conditions *spank* then hugs) It was a wonderful time of family. We came home the day before yesterday, after having to spend one extra day because our van Sabastian acted up on the freeway, but got him looked after with an oil change and checkup.

Good to go, good to be home. Its snowing here and looks like we're staying put here too.

I'm going to keep this brief but will return in the next few days. In honour of the new year I've created this New Growth Alpha for you - it symbolizes the new growth I'll be striving for this year. I hope you enjoy - and be looking for some coordinating add-ons in the coming days.

Personal Use
(I've used this alpha in my new blog header!)

download

http://www.ferryhalim.com/orisinal/g3/bells.htm

OK - playing with a pen and tablet I'm sure gives me a BIG advantage... and there are these angel things that flit out. So bet you can tell I never usually play computer games. This could be addictive. So c'mon, beat me already!

http://www.ferryhalim.com/orisinal/g3/bells.htm

5 mins after that last post. Now you have to play more, my score is higher.

http://www.ferryhalim.com/orisinal/g3/bells.htm

shhhh, I'm not really here. I don't see y'all or hear you (KIDDING) but I am just relaxing ... puttering around in a merry little tizzie. Aimlessly. Without a schedule. I just found this sweet little game - case you too, find yourself 'should be doing some task' but instead are wasting time. *wink* Can you beat my score?

Its snowing like the inside of a snow-globe here this morning - and it feels quite merry!

I’m not sure if this is my last blog post for the season... or not. It will entirely depend on if I get my list ‘knocked off’ Things are moving a TAD slower than anticipated here - how ‘bout you? Lets be real here today, there are always those last minute gifts you RECIEVE and then need to reciprocate – fast. All I can say on this end is “Thank goodness for Tim Hortons” (Famous Canadian Doughnut place)

I am going to take a good amount of time away from my computer, so don’t worry if you don’t see me for a bit – I plan to monopolize Mr. Miles’ vacation time. I’ve worked hard to finish up my projects and lessons and I want to see 2008 out being well rested – and start 2009 out that way too. We DO have a choice.

I’m sure I’ve missed responding to some of you – I’m sure there are things that won’t get done, and I apologise if I’ve left you hanging . Forgive me as I’m a bit overwhelmed at the moment with life and all the season brings.

I’d like to take a moment to say a huge THANK YOU to each and every one of you who have visited me this past year – my blog would still get written even if nobody came by, but it would not be the same. I can’t tell you how many times your comments, feedback and encouragement have lifted my spirits. Many of you have become dear friends – the internet is amazing!

The biggest blessing of all has been to be able to have my Sister In Law Judy blog and learn to digiscrap - she's grown in her talent in every way - and to have been able to create a blog for my sister Nina and be able to see all her beautiful and tasteful card designs. I love that we share this bond! Their links are always in my sidebar - definately worth visiting (plus it makes me warm all over when you visit them too!)

We Celebrate Your Birth

Dear Lord, as we celebrate Your birth,
let us remember that You are the true reason for Christmas.
Let every sparkling light remind us how You illuminate our lives,
a shining beacon to guide us in our thoughts and actions each day,
and how You light us from within
in the knowledge of Your love and truth.

Let the Christmas trees, standing straight, tall, unbowed,
remind us of Your uprightness, Your goodness, Your perfection,
and Your refusal to bow to worldly temptations,
no matter how great the challenge or trouble.
Lord, as we feast on Christmas treats,
let us remember that You are the sole provider
of everything worth having, that all good things come from You.

And as we enjoy our gifts, let us never forget
that You are the greatest gift of all--our wonderful Savior,
Counselor, Giver of an eternal life whose wonders we cannot imagine.
So as we delight in Christmas, the happiest and brightest of holidays,
let us remember there would be no Christmas without You, Lord,
and let us our hearts be filled with joy, and love
and thankfulness, this Christmas and all the ones to come.

In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

By Joanna Fuchs

I was out the past few days snapping photos - I always love watching as the edge of the lake freezes up, there is always some sweet beauty to be captured! I'll share some of my latest photos with you.

I hope you have enjoyed a little peek at what its like here right now.

I have been busy creating a few layouts. The first is of our daughter Melanie - she sent me some photos so I decided to scrap them while they were hot. I'm going to be sure to capture some photos of our other daughter over the holidays too - so be expecting a layout of her too!

Melanie at a Christmas Party Layout
(click to see a bit larger)

credits:
Papers and Elements by Cuddlebee's Christmas Blessings Kit
Confetti Element (recolored) by KimB from her Time Anew Kit

Don't you just love this? I'd done the whole thing with Cuddlebee's kit, but then there was just SOMETHING missing, so I peeked in KimB's AMAZING Time Anew Kit - and discovered this beautiful confetti - the perfect touch to finish it off. You MUST have Kim's new kit for New Years. Just click HERE to find out more about that!

Christmas Greetings Layout 2008 of Mr and Mrs Miles
(click to see a bit larger)

credits:
Elements - KimB's Chrismtas Around the World Kit
Elements - KimB's Timeanew Kit
Paper and Elements - Barb Derksen's Crazy Ol Christmas Kit
Elements - Barb Derksen - Glitter Berries

Seeing as how Mr. Miles actually provided a photo of myself... LOL - I decided to make a page from us too!

Last note - my friend JanMary is on day 16 of her 25 days of blogging to Christmas - a great place to visit! Just click HERE.

And with no further ado, I'm relaunching my Crazy Ol Christmas kit - for YOU! I've added in a few extra sprigs of pine as they were missing from the original one.

Personal Use Only
download

And since its a crazy ol time, and you might be wishing for a giggle - here's a neat YouTube video Mr. Miles showed me about Hambone - a form of body-slapping music.

Our new church sign

YAY! Our church has a new sign - something that is funky, fresh and ... totally does NOT go with the look of our building at the current time LOL! To be honest, the facade of our building is aged and worn, with some of the lettering falling off... but there is a NEW spirit within and God has been blessing us - and we are beginning to dig ourselves out and bring about some welcome changes. It has been a year of great growth and renewal and it will be exciting to see what 2009 brings about. We desire to be a church that does not seek only to who comes in... but more importantly, who will 'go out' from our body as missionaries.

My multi-talented husband designed the sign - he'll be blushing I said so, but I can't help but show him off.

Speaking of churches etc...

I will link you here to an article I heard on NPR radio - did you know that (and this is a sign of our times) some churches and synagogues are planting GPS chips in their nativity displays - to help locate them when they get stolen? Truly - you can read all about it (or listen, just click on the little red speaker symbol at the top) by clicking HERE. Who'd have ever thought there would be Geo Caching for Jesus?

Layout by Judy (my SIL)
credits: Barb Derksen (me) Heart Music Kit

Love this layout of my niece Melissa and her guitar instructor strumming out a tune on the guitar Melissa recently recieved for her birthday. I am impressed how you cut her out, Judy - looks great!

Tag by Nina (my Sister!)
credits: Music note image design by Barb Derksen (me)
Burgundy cardstock from Nature Preserve Recycled cardstock,
DCWV- Clear Glitter paper,
Figgy Pudding Kringle Designer paper.
Unknown elastic cord.

It is so exciting to see my items used in a hybrid project. Really - it sort of makes it 'come to life' I always get a new appreciation for my items - seeing them used this way. Thank you Nina, for sharing! I suspect we may see more items coming from Nina's blog in the future. In fact... speaking of which, she'd asked me to make a 'gift kitty' for a project, so I whipped one up. Only... when I showed her, she said she wanted a birthday kitty, not a Christmas one, so I'm going to share this one with you.

I've put a watermark over kitty in this preview, but the download will not have it on. I do this to prevent pirating in the form of just downloading a jpg - so my terms of use are included in the download. I hope you enjoy this purr-fectly delightful little kitty.

personal use only
download

And while we are on the subjects of kitty's ... here's a quirky, funny, typical kitty video which you will get a giggle out of, I'm sure.

Its so easy to get caught up in all the hustle and bustle this time of the year. Emotions run high and we're all in a rush to get it all done, yet for all our frenzy, it will somehow come together in the end. We're so busy running to and fro that we think we lose connection with God, for we've not managed to set time aside to seek Him. What we sometimes forget is that He is ALWAYS with us. He's not just there when we make some quiet time - He's here ALWAYS.

If you don't have time to get away from all the distractions, yet you need to know that He is with you, lift your prayers wherever you are. His love is ALWAYS with you. Every moment, every second of the day. He's waiting to share your every joy and sorrow. He can meet you the second you invite him to.

Be happy today - have cheer, knowing that God is with you.

The following song by Michael W. Smith is not your traditional Christmas song, but I hope it will speak to you the way it has me. I feel so joyous and hopeful through the words. 'specially the part about being in the crowd... for I feel 'crowded' this time of the year and long to know that God has time just for ME (and you) anytime we need it. I also am comforted to think of God's amazing love this way - that I can't 'escape' it - I might lose track, wander at times, neglect it or try running the other way to rebel ... but He's here.

ESCAPE YOUR LOVE
Michael W. Smith - Stand album

It's like starin at the sky above
When I look in your eyes
Now where in the world did you come from?
You're so beautiful
And I know

I can't escape your love
Escape your love
Escape your love
I can't escape your love
Escape your love
Escape your love

Everytime I turn around you're there
I get a feelin' that won't go away
Nothing else in this whole world compares
You're surrounding me
And I know

That I can't escape your love
Escape your love
Escape your love
I can't escape your love
Escape your love
Escape your love

And in the righteous crowd
Your face is all I see
I hope you know by now
That I just can't escape
I can't escape your love
Escape your love
Escape your love
I can't escape your love
Escape your love
Escape your love
Oh yeah
Yeah yeah yeah

The Lord is near to all who call upon Him,
to all who call upon Him in truth.

Psalm 145:18 NAS

My sister Nina needed to make a tag for a gift for a music teacher and so I whipped up this graphic for you, too, in case you have someone musical you'd like to bless! I'm going to make this one so you need only to click on it to download in PNG format. Please credit me if you use it by linking back to my blog. I'd love to see how you use this - why not send me a jpg of your project and I'll publish it here on my blog?

You can check out Nina's blog (lets pester her till we see how she uses the tag, right? by clicking HERE. She's been doing almost a card a day - whew!

You may also enjoy a visit to JanMary's blog - from Ireland. JanMary is into day 13 of blogging the 25 days of Christmas. Just click HERE to be transported.

click on graphic - then right click and 'save as' and choose PNG

PERSONAL use only

Soccer/Coach Card created by Me and My Sister, Nina
credits: Image and card design by Mrs. Miles,
Digital paper background by Louise (LouCee Creations)
You can find LouCee's kit at her blog by clicking HERE.
Burgundy and sage from Nature Preserve Recycled cardstock,
DCWV- Clear Glitter paper.

Isn't this just the NEATEST?

My sister asked me to help her design a card for my nephew's soccer coach who has a dog like this who amuses everyone with his ball playing antics. I love how she 'kicked it up a notch' by cutting out the soccer ball elements and then pasting them ABOVE the layout to give it a 3d look. Why not visit Nina today and check out her latest AMAZING creation. Just click HERE!

Umm... did someone say CHOCOLATE?

Well if that caught your attention you must head over to my dear friend Gina's blog, for she's got a link to a contest that could net you some HAND MADE ALMOND (or any nut) ROCA... plus, you'll want to check out some of Gina's handmade ETSY creations - there's still time to order for Christmas I'm betting! Just click HERE to be transported.

As I sit here blogging, we are getting a BIG snowfall. As I've been writing the world outside is quietly turning white with giant fluffy flakes. How appropriate for today.

Thanks for stopping by to see my show and tell items today. If you're visiting for the first time today and would like to find out more about the show and tell, or even sign up to join in the fun, just click HERE to be taken to Kelli's blog where you can find out all the details or add your name to the links list.

I'm showing off a special book I found two years ago at the local thrift store. Its so beautifully written and illustrated. I believe if you click on each image you can see them a BIT bigger than what you see here.








It has been such a busy week - its all a happy blur. I have been putting a bit of time aside each morning to pray and ask for my days to be ordered the way they are supposed to go, and though I've not marked all that I have on my own list, I've accomplished not only some of the bigger items, I've also been blessed to be able to do extra for others. I've found that when I 'make time' for a need that crops up unexpectedly, then somehow I wind up doing MORE than what I thought I had time for.

I want to thank each of you who come to visit me and leave comments. Especially now at this oh so busy time I know how it can be - and it touches me that you would choose to hover at my blog for a few minutes. You all make my blog something more than just a journal.

I created and sent a snowflake element set to some of my digi/blogger/friends and family this morning. Its not a set you will ever see here or for sale, its for each of the friends that I have who design. I have so many more who I could have made for, who do not design, but I just did not have time to do everyone. I'll find some way to thank anyone who's not a designer sometime in the new year.

The following is MADE from the snowflakes I sent to my friends, its an overlay and a few coordinating papers as well. I hope you enjoy! (so I guess I DID find a way to bless you all too *wink*)

Like snowflakes
floating gently,
unexpectedly
to earth,
small kindnesses
touch our lives.
First one, and then another
and another,
until at last the world is
bright and shining
with goodwill.
And once again...
its Christmas

~ author unknown

Barb's Flake Flake Friends Add-on
personal use only

download