“They” said, yesterday on the news, that yesterday is considered the 'most depressing' day of the year. I hear ya! The sun has not graced us with it's presence for several weeks now. I'm sure I'll need sunglasses the first time it chooses to shine on us. I keep begging my sister, Nina to send me some – from Victoria, no less. Now that seems so strange, as they are on the coast where its usually rainy. To date, nothings arrived.

I woke this morning from a dream that Mr. Miles and I were at some social gathering, very casual, and that Michelle Obama gave me a hug. We were talking about her children. Weird. Very strange – we don't even live in the USA. Perhaps it had something to do with my plan to watch the inauguration today. The inauguration was a moving thing to hear – I say hear because I only watched the swearing in on tv, but heard the rest of the ceremonies on CBC radio while I worked out.

Our Melanie ♥

Layout Credits: KimB's HeartyTarty Kit
Barb Derksen's WreathFrame - white

Our daughter came home for a visit this past weekend and it was a wonderful time together. I'm sure you're hoping for a photo, but I left it late and she made me promise NO photos – she was not feeling photogenic. Oh, I've had those days too, so respected her wishes. I did though, ask her to send me some of her own cell phone photos, and thats the one I used in this layout which I made mostly with KimB's HeartyTarty Kit. What a FABULOUS kit!

Next time Melanie visits I'll have to take care of that taking pictures thing, first thing. She brought her boyfriend with her – our first time to meet him. He's very nice!

Our weekend was all about baking. I promised to show her the Artisan Bread recipe. Melanie has always loved to bake. We mixed up batches of dough and made buns, flatbreads and pizza. On Saturday night, the kids made us dessert, rich fattening dessert. Flakey fruit and chocolate filled puff-pastry turnovers served with ice cream. Of COURSE she went home with a bucket of dough which was nicely risen by the time they got there.

I did not mention that last week I went 'across the line' at the invitation from my friend Angie to do some grocery shopping. We live RIGHT on the USA/Canada border and so have the luxury to hop over whenever the urge hits. With our dollar down, its not so much of a deal as it has been at past times, but there is always something different to buy. Cheese always works out less, for sure. My favorite place to stop is a little gas station/grocery which is supplied by deli's which are only stateside so I always find some unique things. These are some of the items I bought to play with this trip:

This spaghetti, which is sold in the USA at a Trader Joes store, is looooong! I'm hankering to go to one of those stores, now. Have any of you been to one?

These noodles are hollow - like very long kraft dinner noodles, though I am sure they are better quality, being made from hard durum seminola!

Sorry for the poor quality of the photos - my camera does not do well in low light. This orzo should be a colorful addition to soups - organic to boot!


And some buckwheat. I've never really cooked with it before. Any suggestions?

This Sap Sago cheese is VERY interesting. It's produced only one place in the world. I love the story, the shape and the very bold and distinctive flavor. I've already found several ways to use it. You can read an article about it HERE at Wikipedia.

Then, as I was surfing around on the internet to find more recipes for it, I came across this incredible recipe site. I think you will agree that the photography is just stunning – and the recipes extremely innovative and interesting! My friend Gina and I spent an afternoon drooling over our screens together. And I did make the Scandinavian Sour Cream Apple Pie, only I did not put a crust on it at all, and I substituted vanilla yogurt for the sour cream. Mr. Miles gave it thumbs up.

Layout by Judy

Credits: KimB and Bunny Cates items!

Did you see this lovely LOVELY poem and layout my sister-in-law Judy posted for me on her blog over the weekend? Well, in case you didn't, here's her layout with it in. I was so moved! Judy has a post up today of the thoughtful and sweet parcel she recieved from KimB in South Africa. That Kim, she's got it all tied up in the giving department. I do believe her middle name is generosity! Judy also has some pretty photos of dragonflies she took this past summer. Oh * groan * don't say summer, please, unless you send sunshine.

Layout by Victoria
Credits:
Barb Derksen - Photo of Osoyoos Lake
Kris Myers Frosty Days Digital Kit

And here's a pretty layout made by my friend Victoria, who lives in Florida. She asked if she might use one of my frosty photos for a layout, seeing as she does not have such a thing down there. I think your layout is lovely and thanks for sharing!

Treasure Box fit for a queen

I recieved a gift at Church this past Sunday – a beeeee-youuuuu-teeee-ful treasure. I'd no more seated myself when I was approached by my little 6 year old friend Asia who was bearing a wrapped gift for me. She insisted I open it right then and there – to reveal this hand-decorated treasure box. Ohhh, so pretty! I've got some special things which shall be stored in here! Don't you just love little presents crafted by little hands? Priceless, I say!

♥♥♥♥♥

A few posts ago I bragged on my friend Penny Buhr Johnson, on the release of her second CD. Unfortunately her CD was not quite set up at CD baby for sale just yet, but it is now. You can visit Penny's website by clicking HERE and follow the links which will allow you to hear cuts of her new album as well as purchase it too!

Our good blogger friend Valinda is home after a week away - and she's got a gift for you on her website I won't spoil the surprize, but go on over and welcome her home, won't you? Just click HERE.

Here's an entertaining time-waster of a website for you. Don't blame me if you don't get your housework done today, ok? Its called Drawminos!

And finally, I decided to make a 'little sumfing' for YOU. I had this small wreath thing laying about. It used to be around the base of a candle, but the candle got used up. Before sending this to the thrift shop or trash... I decided it would make a neat photo frame. I think it worked quite well. I'll post another version in a day or two. I'd love to see how you use this – just send me a jpg of your layout and I'll post it.

Ohhhh and as I'm wrapping this up - this loooong long post, I recall Shirley emailing me to say she's awarded me .... I'll have to slip on over to her place and see whats in store for me. THANK YOU Shirley, in advance.

Personal Use

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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

Happy Birthday - Melissa!

credits:
KimB CATW Kit - papers, elements
Barb Derksen - festive sequins

Isn't Kim's kit perfect for this layout of my niece Melissa's birthday layout? I know, I'm sort of stuck on the 'cut people out and stick them in a frame theme' right now, but they do say practice makes perfect.

Melissa, we hope you have a LOVELY birthday - I'm sure your family has a lineup of fun great activities coming up, and ohhhh your gift, I'm sure its amazing. Melissa belongs to my SIL Judy, so you may want to pop on over HERE to leave Melissa a birthday wish and see Judy's layout too in honor of this special day!

I'd love it if you have a moment out of your busy day to check out the gorgeous card my sister has created - I love the writing technique, its giving me ideas. Just click HERE to see what I mean.

It is also my niece Rachel's birthday tomorrow, but I don't have a recent photo ... but I'm making a little free giveaway to say Happy Birthday to these two lovely young ladies!

And speaking of birthdays has reminded me that our countdown to Christmas is really a countdown to the day we honour the birth of Christ - the REAL reason we should be focussed on. So, I'm leaving you with this poem I found.

Somewhere amidst confusion in
the frantic Christmas race--
the deadline shopping, start and stopping
at a frenzied pace.

The name of Christ has been removed,
left off the Christmas scene.
Without the name of Christ, what then
does Christmas really mean?

No longer do the schools release
for Christmas holiday;
it's incorrect politically,
but Winter Break's O.K.

Now scenes of the Nativity
are banned from public streets.
Too much religiosity's
considered indiscreet.

Does Christmas portend Santa Claus,
whose sleigh and reindeers fly,
as Rudolph with a shiny nose
guides them through starlit sky?

For presents stacked high by the tree
the children eagerly reach.
What message does this scene present?
What lesson does it teach?

Is Christmas spirit portrayed here?
What it is meant to be?
Is it to wonder of those gifts
How many are for me?

There's nothing wrong with Santa Claus,
let's keep him on the scene,
but let's replace Santa Claus, with the name of Christ
to teach what Christmas means.

Another lovely place to visit to get into the Christmas spirit is over at my friend JanMary's place. JanMary lives in Ireland, and she's been blogging DAILY since Dec. 1st - all the traditions etc. Very interesting reading and wonderful photography... and its her daughter's birthday too! Just click HERE to be transported.

And here's my giveaway for you today - its fine for all uses, though you must credit me in your TOU upon use. Please do not share this file with your friends, I'd ask you send them here to download it for themselves.

I'd love to see how you use my products. Just send me a jpg and description and I'll post it here too!

fine for Personal, Commercial and S4H
(must credit me in TOU)

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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. At least I'm HOPING there's a Show and Tell today, for there's not much happening at Kelli's at the moment, but do check, it might go ahead.

Today I'd like to share a gift I just received from my dear friend Melanie. Melanie is very talented with crafts and over the past few years she's been experimenting with beeswax candles. She noticed I had a set of beeswax candles hanging on my tree last year, alas I had to throw them out because they were getting old and gummy and did not smell nor look so nice either.

Mr & Mrs Beeswax Santa Claus!

These are her version of the Santa Claus's in wax. Well, I think they are SO cute! I love all the small details she's tended to. They measure about 10 inches high and she was thoughtful to include the little dishes for them to melt down into - that is as if I'd ever actually BURN them...

Hmm... Santa's getting on in years, must wear glasses so he does not overshoot a roof anywhere? Or perhaps its for reading the small print on the googlemaps on his ipod...



And Mrs. C, well, she's got such nice pupils, must be straining in the dark to wait and make sure Mr. C comes home safe in the sleigh, right?



I love her hands. C'mon, we all know she's trained all those elves to do crafts, so its understandable the hands would be a bit swollen and arthritic, right?

I'm going to treasure these for years to come. Thank you Melanie, you'll be able to come and enjoy these sometime very soon, ok?

* * *

Its proving to be an extremely busy week. I was blessed to join over 100 women at an inter-church celebration on Wednesday - a warm time of fellowship with women from all through our valley and it was a nice way to begin the festive season.

And I'm expecting five guests for dinner on Friday night - so have put some time and effort into decorating and planning a tasty menu. And then ya, I try to do Christmas cards at the same time. I got real pretty fast though. I had to put everything on hold for an hour, take a deep breath and then p.r.i.o.r.i.t.i.z.e. Sometimes we get going 100 mph without knowing where we are headed!

And I ALWAYS take a few moments out to be blessed to visit with my one and only sister Nina (click HERE) to see what wonderful carding adventures she's been up to on her blog (she's a newbie, be gentle on her) only... she posts EVERY day... kind of like my friend JanMary (click HERE) who is blogging DAILY from now till Christmas, her Christmas decorating and traditions. I'm having a hard time keeping up, ladies? Not Complaining. I also love check in with my SIL Judy (click HERE) too, for she keeps me up to date on her side of the family along with some sweet layouts. Love my nieces to pieces, even if I rarely get to see them (hugs)

At any rate, I took a few moments out to finish up these little elements for YOU! I hope you enjoy them. I'd love to see what you make, so send me a small jpg of your layouts, along with credits and I'll publish you!

Thank you all so much for your faithful visits and especially for those comments... sometimes thats the very fuel that keeps me coming back.

And in case you live on Mars or somewhere just as far removed from earth and have not been told that KimB's and Linda's blogs are Christmas Central (meaning they ALWAYS have a fun post and a little 'sumfing special') then... if you just didn't know... then just click HERE (Kim) and HERE (Linda) to check them out!

personal use only
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Ohhhh - what are you wasting your precious time here for? Gina has some lovely crochet sponges waiting to be won! (Zikes, they look so pretty I'd use them for coasters or something - LOL!)

Just click HERE and you'll be there!

If you can handle being 'creeped out' (sort of halloweenish in December) - you gotta nip over to Bunny's blog, because - well I won't give it away, but its worth it. Just click HERE.

I'm speechless!

I open my mailbox to find yet another parcel awaits me. I've been totally spoiled over the past few months with parcels from my blog friends - first it was JanMary in Ireland, then Cicero from BC and now from my blog friend Betty - all the way from Paraguay!


Betty has been so patient to answer my ever pesky questions about her corner of the world and it was particularly touching to me that she included some home-made jam. She'd tried to explain what the flavor was like on her blog, but now I get to try it myself. I'm AMAZED it made it all the way here, unharmed! Why, I've sent items here within our own province which has not survived so nicely.

LOVE the little hat, Betty, it lives on my keychain now. Did you make the angel? Is there a story behind it? I will treasure it, thank you.

I'm sure your hand made jam gives me a much better taste of the fruit than anything I could buy here. Who knows, one day its not inconcievable that I might taste it right from the trees! Turns out we have a friend in common who is not so far away from you!


My friend Amalia was very excited when I showed her these photos, she says the chocolate is VERY good, and I can now attest to this!

As I said Betty - I honestly can't find the words to thank you for your generosity. I'm so blown away by how thoughtful and kind my blog friends are. (Miles is so incredulous too, by all your generosity, my friends!)

Betty has a blog HERE where you can find tons of interesting facts about Paraguay, her family, great recipes and some funnies too. Its a must-favorite blogsite.

*****

I'd like to thank Amy for sharing her blog header with us - she used my Worship the King Mini Kit. I think this is so wonderful - your girls are too cute! Why not stop into say hello to Amy today and you might just learn some new 'baby language' while you're HERE.

If you've used any of my elements or kits and would like me to feature you on my blog, just send me a jpg along with the credits and I'll do my best to post them here.