Well, we didn't get any snow...didn't get quite cold enough, although this morning it was very nippy, about 38 and frost on the lawns. Felt like Christmas.....it hasn't warmed up much either and its almost noon. We did get rain last night and everything is wet outside. Alan thought ahead and racked all the leaves so we don't have a soggy mess to clean up.

I don't know if you have heard of the mess in Washington State about the sign that an atheist organization put up right next to a nativity scene at the state capitol building...very poor judgment in my way of thinking.....the title of the exhibit is Symbols of Faith....and the atheist sign slams both the Christian and the Jewish symbols...not a symbol of faith at all. I do think they have the right to place a sign but in a separate area. But the more fuss that is made about it, the more attention the sign gets which is what they want...I think ignoring it is a better way to go...its not going to destroy anyone's faith..if so, their faith is not very strong...
We were talking and were noting that the atheist's wouldn't think of putting up a sign in front of a mosque, would they? They wouldn't dare.
The trouble I see with the atheist position is its not positive in any way and offers its followers nothing but negative thinking...there are no atheist hospitals....rescue organizations..or..soup kitchens. I haven't heard of anyone who had a addiction problem being changed and healed by atheism. No charities. nothing, nada, zero, zlitch... which is to be expected because an atheist has no reason to help anyone...life has no purpose or meaning... The sign does say
to enjoy the natural world and celebrate the winter solstice.....sounds like they are worshiping the creation instead of the creator ... like a Wicca.
Well, we are not going to let any atheist Scrooge spoil this wonderful time of year...to celebrate the coming of our Lord and Savior born as a newborn baby in a humble stable....The angels worshiped Him, the shepherds worshiped Him and wise men still worship Him....

I was busy yesterday addressing Christmas cards and have the majority of them finished....
we woke up cold weather and gray skies.....the heat is coming on constantly so its a cold weekend. The weatherman says there is a big storm coming in and snow down to the 2,000 ft. level so we may be a little of the white stuff.....although it probably won't stay on the ground.

I need to cover up the strawberries today just to be safe. We are so glad we planted fruit trees now that can tolerate freezing temperatures....no more citrus to have to protect!
I thought maybe you would like to hear more of the beautiful music of Celtic Women again..
This is Carol of the Bells......



Joko got a good talking to by his Uncle Squiggles...hope it did some good..even his brothers are telling him how foolish he's been.

Love the idea of a tabletop tree and from what I've read, they were really popular back in the Victorian days....we discovered that our new cat loves to eat plastic!.....I put down a small artificial tree on the floor to see what she would do and she immediately went over and started to munch....so we didn't put our big tree up this year.....I have a small (tiny, actually, only about 2 ft. high) I put up on a table and decorated but its not the same. The boys really want the big tree up but the danger to Bandit doesn't make that possible. Maybe we can eventually get a nice 3-4 ft. one in the future.
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Joko is really flirting with danger....he discovered the cats and since has been teasing them.....
the little critter just doesn't have much fear.....not a good thing in a mouse!

Christmas Cards

Here are a few of the cards I made...I have put lightly sprinkled them with German glass glitter but the camera doesn't show it. I can't take too much credit for them as its the old images that are the stars.....
When I got up this morning, I noticed that the smallest mouse, Joko Phat had been up to mischief.....
He doesn't have a very good look in his eye either...something tells me he will come to a bad end if this keeps up.

Wednesday Dog of the Week

Doesn't Rudy look warm and cozy in his little sweater? He is a Doxie-Chihuahua mix...still a puppy at 10 months old and weighs about 10 lbs... he is very shy....with time and love he will come out of his shell....they think he had some abuse at an early age but as he is still young..he is responding well. He gets along well with other dogs, can walk on a leash and uses a doggy door to do his business outside....
Most rescued dogs come from some sort of troubled past, really appreciate being rescued and seem to know it. They do need extra love ..just like humans, they grow with love, patience, and gentle training. Some have returned their dogs to the shelter, saying "he peed on my carpet" or "she barks too much" after only having them a few days.....there are bound to be a few accidents to begin with and sometimes dogs bark out of nervousness and stress...

Our new rescued cat, Bandit, didn't want us to pet her and would nip when you touched her head...but she doesn't now and enjoys the petting.......it took a month or two for her understand, she was in a safe place and no one would hurt her. No more nipping...Alan is working with her as she still doesn't want to sit on his lap..now she will for about 10 minutes at a time or so...she's become very playful and has quite a nice personality. Treats work amazing! We would give her a little treat when she sat on our laps and she realized laps were a good place to be...the same works with dogs..positive rewards, treats and lots of praise.
You can find Rudy and lots of other sweet dogs at the Sun City K-9 Dog Rescue..the link is on the left hand side of this blog, click on the Vintage Santa with the puppy postcard...Donny has recently updated the site, its quite colorful and charming.
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I have some errands to do today and then will continue working on the cards...sure, I will post a photo or two when they are completed....shouldn't take too long......I glued the main pieces together and then pressed them overnight to be sure they dried nice and flat...today will be the fun part, the embellishing.....
I also was able to get the ingredients for "Layered Friendship Soup in a Jar" from Razzle Dazzle Recipes.....for neighborhood gifts...I decided with the economy like it was, soup would be a good thing to give as it might feed a family a good warm lunch or supper...rather than sweets. Its basically a bean soup with a little hamburger and canned tomatoes added. Warm and filling.
That's about all for today......
John 10:10
"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. "

These little ones remind me of the Snow Baby series, don't they?
Not doing too much today...working on my cards as I got the pretty papers yesterday...we mailed out one gift to my MIL yesterday....I decided for our business friends to make some New Years cards...found a few public vintage card images and thought I would use them...here is an example-
May not use this image as it isn't too business like but sure is cute....
On my other blog, I have a link for how to make greeting cards if you are interested...mine will be similar to the design I show there...not to hard to do really and unique......
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Those of you who have been following the Supreme Court looking at the birth certificate issue with Obama, they declined to go forward with the first one, however there are 16 similar cases coming up about the same issue...the weird thing is Kenya swears that he was born there and even is building a memorial at the supposed birthplace...it would be good to know the truth one way or another.......

We got started!

Alan and I dug out all the Christmas boxes and started decorating..here is our Christmas village..still needs some tweaking as some of the lights were burned out and the top cabinet light is also.....


Here is a garland I made last year, using my prim mini donuts and gingerbread men...I used some homespun and jute with wooden red beads too..

The boys really like this little set I made using a old cigar box...the mice are visiting Santa.....the Phat brothers and little Tinny mouse.....Santa Mouse (really Uncle Squiggles) is giving out old Cracker Jack toys....


Here is Uncle Squiggles aka Santa Mouse


The Phat brothers....Joko Phat is wearing a little "bling", he found a old toy and a bit of string for a necklace


Little Tinny got his present already and is waiting for the others..

Mice don't spell for very well...I am not sure if Santa will be giving the brothers any presents this year, they may get coal. They have a little "attitude"...smiles..
I gave all the mice rusty wire paws so they can really hold their gifts...had a lot of fun creating these guys...and they all fit inside the box after the holiday...

Opps! Almost forgot the postcard


On our little antique kitchen cupboard...I have a Christmas plum pudding..


and a prim apple pie..

They both smell really great....

wishing everyone a great Monday!

Sunday, we woke up to gray skies and the hint of rain...sure hope we get some....I am determined to start Christmas decorating so its to the garage with me!

The pastor's sermon today was No Room at the Inn...and it is so true...many have no room in their hearts for Jesus and have slammed the door in His face....but I know most of my readers are not like that and welcome Him in their homes.
Rev. 3:20-"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me".
Christianity is the only religion based on a relationship...not a set of rules..but a intimate relationship with the Living Christ..who washes us clean of our sins and lives with us and through us....please be sure to turn off the music at the bottom of the blog before watching this video...

Saturday Evening

Hope you are all having a nice weekend.....we had several locksmith jobs today so I didn't post earlier....it was a lovely day today, in the 70s, clear and sunny....
We haven't done much decorating yet...can't seem to get into it but will soon, I'm sure...I found this funny video on Godtube so perhaps this will make you smile a little.....it did me!

I just got a notice that the pretty vintage style paper I ordered is coming! Can hardly wait to start the Christmas cards. We've only gotten two so far so I guess I'm not too far behind....but maybe there won't be that many sent this year with the price of stamps and our economy....are you sending out cards?
This has been a slow week for us and I am praying it will get better so we can have a good holiday....last year was very bleak and we had to ask for money to stay afloat....very humbling experience and I hope one day we will be in a financial position to help someone else. Alan is at a job right now.
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I've been tagged by Penny at Miss Pootsies's Primitives...and supposed to list 6 things you may not now about me.....
1. I am an early riser, usually up and dressed by 5:30..have coffee on and am reading the paper.
2. I am a early person,(can't you tell?) like to get everything done by noon and relax in the afternoons.
3. Our bed has to be made and dishes done before I go anywhere, its a compulsion....
4. I've let my hair grow out and its below my shoulders....its tied up most of the time. I really like how Sarah Palin puts hers up but can't figure out how to do it...I am a klutz with hair.
5. I do not like to exercise.....and it shows....sigh
6. I am getting totally burned out of Etsy and debating on going back to Ebay....

I know I am supposed to name others but as I just did it earlier in the week, if you want to put down 6 things on your blogs, please do.......and please to sure to visit Penny...she and her family are such talented prim artists...here are an example and a link to their auctions