Happy New Year!

 

May God bless you and your family with divine light, love, joy, inner strength, guidance and peace throughout the new year.

Happy New Year 2013!

Today was a busy day....

Cookies were decorated and laid out for Santa,

then we headed to the children's mass which was

quite full but turned out very joyous for us all.

After, we drove around to see

all the wonderful holiday decorations.

When we returned home we celebrated our tradition

of Holy Night Supper which came out delicious

and Daddy finished the evening reading

The Night Before Christmas.

Now finally

the children are nestled all snug in their beds

and I hope visions of sugarplums

are dancing in their heads:)

 

 

Wishing you all a very merry Christmas!

 

 

 

Merriment Chain Day #25

He sees you when your sleeping,

he knows when your awake. 

He knows if you've been bad or good so......

 

 

Thank you for letting me share my 25 days of merriment with you:)

 

 

 

 

Merriment Chain Day #24

Well the merriment chain is about to come to an end.  It was a lot of fun visiting everybody and enjoying their merriments.  Thank you to Robyn and Misi for hosting...it was such a wonderful idea:)

 

Today I share with you some ornaments.  I bought a bunch of these from a store that was closing in Boothbay Harbor Maine.  At that time they all had the same images on them.  I figured since they were so inexpensive I would buy a bunch and paint over them.  Here are a few that I set up in a bowl on my living room coffee table;

 

 

 

 

I just painted a design and continued it around the ball.

Thanks for visiting and have a great evening:)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Merriment Chain Day #23

Cinnamon Applesauce Gingerbread Ornies....smell yummy!

I'm sure most of you have made these before but I wanted to share with you a few that I recently made. 

I needed something to hang on my garland that is above my kitchen mirror. 

I added some small baskets to the top but it just needed something else.  I wanted something quick so I decided to create some gingerbread men.

 

 

 

These take very little time to make, other than dry time.  I like to air dry mine for a few days or

you can pop in a warm oven...just be sure to keep flipping and checking.

 

Recipe

1 cup Cinnamon

1 cup smooth Applesauce

Spices you may have on hand: 

nutmeg, allspice, ground cloves etc. (anything yummy smelling:)

Mix together the cinnamon, spices and applesauce until they form a ball. If the mixture is too wet add cinnamon; too dry, add applesauce, until you get a consistency like cookie dough.
(If you want more dough increase by equal parts)
Cut out with cookie cutters and place on parchment paper for drying.
 

Here they are hanging on the sides of the garland.  Not sure if you can see them too well (obviously someone wanted to be in the picture) and please excuse the mess in the kitchen, it was homework time:)
 
 

 
 

Merriment Chain Day #22 & A Win

 

 

Peace on Earth:)

 

 

 

A Wonderful Win

 

Look what I got!  I was the winner of Vicky's 400th follower giveaway!

 

 

He's awesome...thank you so much Vicky. 

I will take very good care of him, and if you ever want to come visit, he isn't too far away:)

Go visit Vicky http://vicky-myart.blogspot.com/, she's one talented artist!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Merriment Chain Day #20 & #21

I realize I am a day behind and that once again I am posting two merriments in one day, but in the wake of everything that happened in Connecticut, my husband and I just wanted a day off with ourselves and our children.
 

We decided to surprise them with an early Christmas present - an overnight stay at the Hard Rock Hotel and an entire day at Universal here in Orlando.

Day #20
 

While my husband was out running errands on Saturday, I was secretly packing our suitcase.  They had no idea!  They thought on Saturday afternoon we were just going to mass and then come home but after church they were so surprised when we showed up at the hotel.
I didn't take too many pictures as I just wanted to enjoy the stay but here is one of them at the pool Saturday night.  We were able to take advantage of the heated pool, really fun water slide and a movie (Harry Potter) that played while we swam.

 

Day #21

On Sunday we woke up early and took a boat over to CityWalk.  From there we started at Islands of Adventure where we rode so many rides and saw the Grinchmas!   We eventually got over to Universal Studios, where we were so fortunate to see the Macy's Day Parade!

 

 

The kids had a blast!
Right after the parade, Mannheim Steamroller was playing a Christmas concert.

 

I couldn't get any good shots as it was starting to get dark and we were sitting a little ways back,

but it was excellent!

 

After all that, we ran back to Islands of Adventure as the park wasn't closing until 9.

My poor kids, they didn't want to leave but they were absolutely exhausted by the time we got home.  I felt so bad having to wake them for school this morning but they said that this was the best weekend ever - mission accomplished!  We had such a great time and appreciated every moment with them:)

God bless ~

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Prayer for Day #19

 

 

 

Lord our God, You are always faithful and quick to show mercy.

The victims of Sandy Hook Elementary school were violently taken from us.

Come swiftly to their aid, have mercy on them, and comfort their family

and friends by the power and protection of the cross.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

Merriment Day #18 & A Winner

Todays merriment is this little girl;

 

She is 9 years old today!  Born a day after me:)  My only girl & princess!

~ Love you Windsor ~

 

 

 

 

 

 

We Have a Winner!

 

I let my daughter draw a name from all those who entered my giveaway;

 

 

And in case you can't read that;

 

 

Cindi @ Cindi's Country Corner

Congrats Cindi! 

Please send me your info so I can get your ornaments out to you - I will send you an email shortly:)

Thank you to all who joined in and I am proud to say

that I reached my goal of 100 followers for the year!!

Wonderful meeting new friends:)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Merriment Chain Day #17

This is a carousel that my MIL gave me a few years after my husband and I were married.

She always put hers out at Christmas and I always admired it.  Somehow she was able to find another one and gave it to me as a Christmas gift one year. 

It plays 10 or more Christmas songs, lights up and the animals go up and down. 

 

 

 

I use to put it on my fireplace mantel but since we have moved and I do not have a fireplace anymore, I keep it on a buffet I have in my living area.

I love listening to it especially when we sit down for dinner and the kids really enjoy it as well:)

 

* Don't forget, today is the last day to sign up for my giveaway! *

 

And a little something for myself:

 

Birthday Prayer

Thank you, God, for giving me another year of life.
Thank you for all the people who remember me today.

Thank you for all the experience of this past year;
for times of success which will always be happy memories,
for times of failure which reminded me of my own weakness and of my need for you,
for times of joy when the sun was shining,
for times of sadness which drove me to you.

Forgive me
for the hours I wasted,
for the chances I failed to take,
for the opportunities I missed this past year.
Help me in the days ahead to make this the best year yet,
and through it to bring good credit to myself,
happiness and pride to my loved ones,
and joy to you. Amen.

 

I can't believe how fast the year went by!

Have a great day:)

 

 

 

 



Merriment Chain Day #15 & #16

Sorry, I was unable to post yesterday, so much going on and honestly, I was just plain exhausted and needed a break!  So here I am, actually posting at a decent hour:)

Merriment Day #15

My merriment is a Thank You to all the wonderful and creative ladies out there who inspire us
and share with us their wonderful talent, generosity and friendship.

 

I have truly enjoyed myself since I first started this blog almost one year ago. 
It was somewhat difficult moving to new area and hoping to find friends and a place where I fit in.
I decided that starting my blog would be a place where I could share my "new life" and get back into creating again since it had been a long time for me. 
I never thought I would meet so many people from all over the world who not only share my common interests but who are so welcoming and kind, never judgeful, always sharing and leave the sweetest comments. 
Thanks to you all!!


So with that being said,
I will first share with you my win from Brenda at the Rusty Thimble.
It came packaged with a little crystal heart ornament;

 

 

He is adorable and I love him, thank you Brenda....

which leads me to

 

Merriment Day #16

 

Another tree, this one I actually keep up all year long!

 

 

If you look closely you'll see Brenda's snowman hanging right in the middle!

(And Wendy's mouse sitting on the shelf)!

Happy hump day:)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Merriment Chain Day #14

Merriment wreath!

This is an adorable wreath that my sister made for me many years ago.  Every year when I pull it out I hang it on my front door.  He is always there to greet my guests during the holidays:)

 

 

What or who greets your guests at your front door?

Besides you!

 

 

 

 

Merriment Chain Day #13

The house that we are currently living in has a screen room that you enter before you get to the front door.  I love it because it means more space for me to decorate, especially during the different holidays!

 

Here is the tree that we put up out there;

 

 

 

And here is the room in the evening;

 

Sometimes I like to go out there and just sit and listen to the noises of the night, quite relaxing.

Good evening:)

 

 

 

 

 

Merriment Chain Day #12

On this quiet evening, I share a simple vignette.

Natural pinecones, my hand dipped candles and a little snow fellow of course:)

 

Have a peaceful night:)

 

 

 



Merriment Chain Day #11 & A Win

 

A few of my snowmen asked that I do a group photo:

 

Of course one of them had to go and spoil the picture by covering his eyes!

Happy snowman merriment:)

 

 

 

 

 

Look what I won!!!

 

I am the proud owner of one of Barb's Santa's!

www.barbsheartstrokes.blogspot.com

Look at how pretty this was when it arrived...I almost didn't want to open it...

 

 

well almost, I actually couldn't wait....

 

 

Isn't he great!  I love him Barb, thank you so much!

 

 

 

 

 



Merriment Chain Day #10

 

This is merriment!