Merry CHRISTmas!

Tonight we took the girls to see the Festival of Lights in a neighboring town. I know every town has that ONE house that does an outstanding job with Christmas lights. But this particular house sets up an outdoor Festival of Lights. they play Christmas music and you can walk through a path in their backyard.

It is truly AMAZING.

It brings back memories from my own childhood. They have truly captured how a child sees Christmas.

"The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son,and they will call him Immanuel."
Matthew 1:22-23

Peace of Thread Giveaway

I was visiting Paige from Simple Thoughts today and she is hosting an amazing giveaway. She recently purchased a lovely bag from a non-profit organization called Peace of Thread.

Peace of Thread is a non-profit organization that empowers women AND has an amazing ministry.

The name of each bag has special meaning too. My favorite is the POM bag which represents pomegranate, or God's favor.

Please visit Paige over at http://paigeknudsen.blogspot.com for a chance to win one of these amazing bags!

DIY Placecards

On one of my many trips to Michaels, I purchased these cute little mini ornament placecard holders. I had seen them there earlier this season, and just the other day I purchased them for 50% off.

I just finished making name cards for everyone who will be having Christmas dinner with us. I printed the names on cardstock and then glittered the edges.

It is hard to believe that Christmas Eve is one week away. My husband and I just finished our Christmas shopping last night for the girls.

And now I get to spend the week attending my school's Christmas concert, Christmas pageant and Christmas mass. I am fortunate that I work in a school that focuses on HIM and not the commercial side of Christmas.

Yesterday was our faculty Christmas party. It was held at a prominent restaurant that happens to be owned bty two of our students' parents. In the middle of this busy restaurant bustling with the lunch crowd, we all gathered together in prayer thanking HIM for our food, friends and family. I am so blessed to have this in my life.

Now I am off to make some handmade gifts.

Leslie Janson Giveaway

I just wanted to let you know in case you have not heard that Miss Mustard Seed is having a giveaway for one of her sponsor's Leslie Janson.

I almost did a backflip when I saw Miss Mustard Seed's Blog title today!

Leslie Janson has one of those Etsy shops that just blow you away because of her talent. I absolutely LOVE her cuff bracelets.

If you have not checked out her shop, it is worth your while to do so, especially if you still have some Christmas shopping to do.

And then head on over to Miss Mustard Seed's blog to enter to win a $50 gift certificate for Leslie's shop!

Happy Weekend! XO

A few of my favorite things.....

Photos from Etsy and French Larkspur

I am linking up with The Nester today and showing you a few of my favorite things!

I found this cute candy cane wreath by handmadebyjennylou on Etsy. It is very cute. I am finding myself drawn to red and white this Christmas.

And I love this candycane necklace by buttonsoupjewelry on Etsy.

French Larkspur is having a sale at her shop and while I was browsing at work (shhh!), I found this beautiful picture of St. Rita. I think this is one I will have to purchase.

One of my favorite things about this time of year is Coffeemate Creamer's Peppermint Mocha! It is so yummy! I am going to need a cup or two tomorrow since I have Parent Teacher conferences tomorrow afterschool and tomorrow night.

Black Friday Sale

I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving!

I am having a 20% off Black Friday Sale in my Etsy shop!

Happy Thanksgiving

Early Monday morning my husband received a call that his father became ill. My husband immediately boarded a plane and headed out of state. So we will be celebrating Thanksgiving without him.

Yet I have so much to be grateful for. I will be celebrating Thanksgiving with my two favorite little girls, both of my parents and my mother-in-law.

Happy Thanksgiving!

XO

Thank You Martha

All images from marthastewart.com

I have been in the middle of a few projects for Christmas. My white pinecone wreath is still a work in progress, but I am halfway there.

Last winter I found a large bag of crocheted doilies at one of my local church thrift shops and I have been looking for some inspiration to use them. I really like these stiffened doily snowflakes from Martha.

My husband and I really would like to make an advent calendar with our girls that they will be able to use each year and be able to pass on to their children. I have seen ones similar to this one from Martha and I am really thinking of making one like this that can be hung with twine and clothespins.

And I really love these ornaments from Martha made with recycled Christmas cards! What a clever way to recycle them. I do usually try to save them and repurpose them as gift tags the following Christmas.

I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving and a creative week!

A Child's Thanksgiving Prayer and A DIY Pinecone Wreath

Image from hopeinrhodes.blogspot.com
White pinecone wreath from Pinterest.

I found this poem last week and I have been translating it to Spanish with my elementary students.

I wanted to share it with you because it is simple yet speaks volumes of the true meaning of Thanksgiving!

Thank you God for all that grows,
Thank you for the sky's rainbows,
Thank you for the stars that shine,
Thank you for these friends of mine,
Thank you for the sun and moon,
Thank you God for all you've done!

Did anyone get the Better Homes and Garden Christmas Idea Magazine? I bought it over the weekend and on the cover was a white pinecone wreath. I could not find an image of the one from the cover, by I found a similar one on Pinterest to show you.

Sunday was beautiful here so I took the girls out hunting for pinecones and I have been busy painting pinecones every night.

Over the summer I found a twig wreath someone was throwing out so I took it knowing I would put it to good use. I already pulled the fake flowers out of it and I am going to hot glue my pinecones onto it.

I will hopefully have it done soon to show you!

Gratitiude and Attitude

I have been trying to find strength in the Lord as my family and I are finding ourselves one of the MANY who are feeling the affects of this economy.

I will be the first to admit, I need an ATTITUDE change. But when it is happening, you think you are alone and there is not another person who is facing the same challenges.

Until YESTERDAY when I was reading one of the blogs I read regularly

Ann Voskamp's A HOLY EXPERIENCE

Ann tells the story of Lidia and her mother Blanca, a single mother of four children who works six days a week to support her children in Ecuador. Blanca is compleley devoted to God and finds her strenght in HIM.

While my own fears are real, reading the story of Lidia and her mom is a message from God that HE alone can help us through when times are tough.

"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

I also would like to express my GRATITUDE those men and women who serve and who have served our country for each of us.

Thrift Store Find and An Amazing Giveaway

I was able to find a little time yesterday to go thrifting, which is certainly a stress reliever for me after a long day of teaching. I happened to go to a store that I have not been to in quite some time.

I usually have one or two items in mind while I am shopping. I was hoping to find some vintage bottle brush Christmas trees. While I did not find any, I did find these amazing ornaments. They are a set of 6 vintage ornaments that I believe someone had painted with Biblical names and verses. And the box of six ornaments cost only a dollar.

I apologize for the lighting, but I took the photos in the evening.

I often mention how I am always in awe of so many ladies who blog. Each one seems to have a special talent whether it be photography, painting, or decorating. And all have blessed hearts. I have something to learn from each one of them.

And I am THANKFUL for each of you! I truly am.

This week Paige from Simple Thoughts is hosting an amazing giveaway to win one of THREE spots in Jeanne Oliver's e-course Creatively Made. I am heading over there now to enter for a chance to win.

My Birthday and a Giveaway at Hometown Girl

Photos courtesy of Hometown Girl

I am not sure why, but for the first time in my life I am feeling a little upset that tomorrow is my birthday. Perhaps it is because this is the last year I can say that I am thirty something. Or because there is so much I still would like to achieve. Aside from God blessing me with my two beautiful girls, there is still alot on my TO DO list!

I am so grateful for Blogging allowing me to be inspired spiritually and in so many other ways. I want to share with you Susan from http://hometowngirl.typepad.com. She is one of the MOST generous and talented ladies in blogland and she was one of the first I met.

I love her amazing photos and beauiful handmade items in her Etsy shop and this week she is giving away two of her vintage pretties! I absolutely love the vintage cuff!

Have a blessed Monday!

A Bumblebee,A Butterfly and A Budding Artist

My two year old loves to do whatever her four year old sister does. Half of the time. The other half of the time, they are complete opposites and totally independent.

As an only child, I have my work cut out for me!

This year my Big Sis was supposed to be a cowgirl for Halloween. And lil sis was supposed to be a ladybug (big sissy's costume from last year.)

Like any typical female, my Big Sis decided ONE week before Halloween that she wanted to be a Princess. They were both princesses the year my youngest was born.

Being FRUGAL, I went to my local children's consignment shop to see what I could find. I found a purple dress with wings. Purple just happens to be her favorite color. Of course, lil sis is not going to be happy unless she gets one too. So I continued searching and found a bumblebee with wings! I got both costumes for $14!

Big Sis started preschool this year and coincidentally happens to be a budding artist. She wanted a pottery wheel for her birthday last week. Since the one at the local toy store was $89, she did not get it. I told her we could ask Santa to buy her one.

Last weekend while out thrifting with my mom and the girls we found one for $2 and it works! So we have been with holiday crafts and making pottery!

BOO!!!

I was BOO'd at school! And fortunately my fellow teacher was not scaring or insulting me! She (even though it is a secret we have an all female faculty so it is safe to assume it is a she)left a wonderful Halloween bag filled with lots of treats for my students and my own little girls!

Have you heard of this tradition? I had never heard of this until my parents moved into their Retirement Community four years ago.

It is Secret Santa but for Halloween. You BOO someone in secret, leaving them a bag of treats. Once you have been BOO'd, you hang a BOO sign on your door and BOO someone else!

Morrocccan Inspiration

Ok, I am not ashamed to admit it. I am an HGTV junkie. It is the ONLY station I watch. And my favorite show is House Hunters. I have even convinced myself that it is educational. Aside from gathering great creative ideas and inspiration, I have learned so much about other cultures when House Hunters goes International.

One episode in particular features Maryam Montague, a human rights advocate who moved her family from the United States to Marrakech, Morroco. She and her husband have built a gorgeous guest retreat, Peacock Pavilions and developed an online shopping store, Red Thread Souk filled with beautiful Morroccan items for the home.

I hope everyone had a wonderful long weekend!

Farmgirl Paints

I have spent part of this Sunday catching up on my favorite blogs today. (I sort of like when I have to do that because I feel like a child at Christmas getting to open lots of gifts!)


I was inspired by Simple Thoughts today with her post today featuring inspirational jewelry by Waxed Poetic. I definitely have a few bracelets I would like to put on my Christmas list.

I also got to catch up today with Becky from Farmgirl Paints. As I was reading her post today, I noticed she had some new pretties in her Etsy shop.

It was definitely a sign. My birthday is a month away and I am loving the necklaces I have picured. Becky is such a talented artist and I love how her jewelry is inpired by God. Becky's work is a reminder of who we are and who we have been called to be!

Since returning to teaching this year after being home with my girls for the last two years, I truly seek to live God's word and to be a missionary to others. Part of this journey has led me back to a Catholic school after being in public school for many years.

A Retreat

Photo by Ron Nebrugge

Last week I went back to teaching after being home for two years with my girls.

It is a bittersweet time for me, but I know God has chosen me to continue my ministry for Him.

Our first day was filled with administrative tasks for the faculty.

And our second day of school was a faculty retreat, which I fully embraced.

The retreat opened with Christ be our Light, which happens to be the theme for this school year.

And the retreat closed with City of God, which happens to be a favorite of mine!

It is amazing how we can feel so moved but words!

I will leave you with a small part of the song and it's uplifitng words:

Awake from your slumber! Awake from your sleep!
A new day is dawning for all those who weep
The people in darkness have seen a great light
The Lord of our longing has conquered the night.

Let us build the City of God
May our tears be turned into dancing.
For the Lord our light and our love has turned the night into day.

Last Summer Outing, God's Word and Hurricane Irene

It is hard to believe it is the end of the summer and I am going back to teaching next week after being home with my girls for two years!

I have mixed emotions but I know financially I need to do this. I prayed to God and He answered. I am going to be teaching in a Catholic Elementary School which is new for me. I previously taught high school for over thirteen years!

The first two days of school are for teachers only and we have one whole day dedicated to a retreat. What better way to start the school year than a whole day talking to God?

My husband and I decided to take the girls for our last outing of the summer to Kittery, Maine. It was a gorgeous day and we never felt the Earthquake like our friends and family did back home in Boston. Funny what an hour and half distance can do!

It so beautiful there. And across the bridge from Kittery is Portsmouth, NH where my husband proposed to me!

After a little shopping at the Kittery Trading post for some back to school shoes for me, we had a lovely lunch at Robert's Maine Grill and Market. It has a gorgeous view of the marsh.

And now I am making preparations as Hurricane Irene makes its way to New England!

FALLing for Pottery Barn

I have been so excited to start decorating for the fall. Yet, I have not been thrilled with what I have seen in the stores.

SO I started looking at Pottery Barn's fall decor on their website and have decided there are a few things I can easily make on my own!

I have a wreath I found for free on the side of the road. It has twig branches and it is in great condition. However, I just don't like the fake flowers on it. It is a little outdated. So I am going to remove the flowers and add fake fall leaves from the Dollar Store.

I also saw some cobwebs and fake black spiders at the Dollar Store and after seeing how Pottery Barn decorated with it I am going back to buy some and put in a glass vase I have!

Ruffled Linens Giveaway at French Farmhouse 425

I was changing my sheets and making my bed a little while ago and thinking that I my bed linens need a little makeover. Then I headed over to French Farmhouse 425 to catch up and was pleasantly surprised to find out she is having an amazing giveaway! Ruffled Linens is giving away th emost gorgeous pillow shams!

Of course I am in love with everything in this Etsy shop! How perfect are these tablecloths for the fall and Thanksgiving dinner?

Have a great weekend!