Friday, December 31, 2010

Winter Flowers

 We've had plenty of rain over the past few weeks, so I'm sharing some photos
taken this week of the flowers in bloom. The rain has been good for them.
 This little bee was busy at his work. 
My fear of bees kept me from getting many photos of him :-)
 
See more Friday Pretties at I Love Pretty Little Things :-)

We are still wishing for a little of this though....
maybe next month!
We really do get snow here in this part of Southern California :-)

Happy New Year to all of you...
and thank you so much for your sweet friendship!
Blessings,
Marcia

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

A Little Here...A Little There...

 The tree is already put away...the temptation to our new kitty was just a bit  too much :-)
Well, that...and the fact that the new Wii game system requires *moving about* space.
I played the bowling game yesterday with my family, and today....it seriously hurts to walk!
I definitely need to figure out the "Wii Fit" part of this system, and get "Me Fit" :-)
 Although the flowers outside are still blooming and cilantro is cropping up everywhere, 
This photo was taken today :-)
traces of wintertime and Christmas remain around my little kitchen...
 Once in awhile it does look neat and tidy,
 But more often than not we have a dose of reality :-) 
 And you're not seeing the floor, or the windows, etc. etc.  Also, the answer is  *yes*
to those who might be wondering...I do keep a clear plastic cover over my tablecloth.
 A family of eight creates a fair amount of chaos...and quite a bit of laundry. 
We call our laundry pile *Mt. Never Rest*.
This little added bit of protection keeps me from having to wash my tablecloth every day :-)
Remember, I am a *Simple* gal.

Thank you so much for all of your sweet comments over the past year. 
Getting to know you has been such a blessing in my life, 
Your kindness always touches my heart!

I'm joining Kathleen for White Wednesday over at Faded Charm. 
If I don't catch you before, I'll see you in the New Year!
Blessings,
Marcia

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Christmas Through the Years

 I know that you are all so very busy at this time of year so I'm just doing a little
picture post to share a few of our Christmas photos through the years. 
Were we really this young?
I love this one, but here Baby Jesus is actually a girl :-)

Jill, from Bailiwick Studio made these matching dresses
I know this wasn't grammatically correct, but we wanted everyone to be singing that song :-)
2010 :-)
I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!
Thank you so much for your sweet friendship. 
Enjoy your day with those you love :-)
Blessings,
Marcia
Isaiah 9:6  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government
shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor,
The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Winter Woodland Ideas {from Torie Jayne}

 I really love the Winter Woodland series of posts taking place over
at the beautiful blog, Torie Jayne
I asked if I could share a few of the beautiful items she's created and she 
graciously said yes. If you click on each photo, you will be taken to the 
post that tells you how to make these *sweet* items yourself :-)
A last minute tasty treat can be wrapped in either of these beautiful bags. 
She shares all of the instructions and printables with you.
She also creates sweet items from her kitchen and 
Isn't this a beautiful cake?
The recipe and how-to's are on the posts. 
There are so many wonderful *Winter Woodland* ideas. I hope you go by and see them all,
and say *hi* when you're there :-)
 Thank you so much Torie Jayne,
for allowing me to share your *sweet* creations, gifts and ideas!
Blessings,
Marcia 
(the link below will take you directly to her blog) :-)
Torie Jayne

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Candy Cane Story and Giveaway Winner :-)

 I love candy canes :-)
You've probably already heard the story,
"The Legend of the Candy Cane".
 It's a beautiful story, and a beautifully illustrated book too.
 
I have my own candy cane story too :-)
When I was a child, I grew up in a suburb of Los Angeles, not far from the ocean.
I don't know when it started, but from my earliest childhood memories, 
the people who lived on our block put lights on their houses. 
 Every house on that block of about 30 houses 
also had a tree out in front, near the street. One year, a man that lived on our street 
decided to put lights on that tree, and wrap it like a candy cane
  The idea caught on.
The next year, every family on our street had lights on their houses and on their tree, 
along with the candy cane wrap.
  A tradition started. 
 Ours became the street that people came to see. Someone even nicknamed it
"Candy Cane Lane". This went on for quite a few years. 
Then one year an energy crisis came along, and our President
asked Americans to forgo outdoor lights and cut back on energy use. 
People on our block honored that request. 
The tradition was never again practiced by everyone....
but I have a feeling there are a few others like me
 who grew up on that block,
and are still practicing the tradition today,
and I'll bet they still love candy canes too ;-)
Sometimes their neighbors even join in. Can you see that tree wrapped
across the street? That's my neighbor :-)
 We're all wishing for a little snow again soon!
 
Now on the giveaway....{sorry to keep you waiting}
Using a random generator {which I have no idea how to show you}
the winner of the Ramsign giveaway is #13.
 Congratulations to Michelle of Emerald Cove!
Have a wonderful weekend my friends...
Blessings,
Marcia 

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

White Wednesday { with a little red } :-)

 Our house has a red and white color scheme this Christmas.
 Toy wagons and painted pinecones have found a place,
 ribbon is piled up ready to wrap gifts...
snowflakes are showing up everywhere,
 and a few more little songbirds have joined us...
along with a couple of my children's pipe cleaner candy canes :-)

A few other colors have found their way in...
 I do love old books :-)
This beautiful "Joyeux Noel" picture was created by
Aubrey over at White Market.

We also have a few rules around here to help things run a bit more smoothly...
and a nice place to snuggle too.
 We're definitely getting ready for Christmas around here :-)
{and still wishing for a little snow}.
My giveaway is open until midnight Dec. 15th,
You can enter {here}.
Stop by and see all of the other White Wednesday posts at Faded Charm :-)
Blessings,
Marcia 






Friday, December 10, 2010

Peace and Wonder

Wishing you all a little *Peace* this weekend...
 and hoping that the hustle and bustle doesn't overwhelm you...
 but instead,  fills you with the true *Wonder* of the season.
 
  I've been a little more careful in my decorating this year. Everything has to be
done with a kitty in mind :-) It's almost like having a toddler (or two) again...
except this little guy can jump...very high!
I'm sharing a few Friday Pretties with you though,
and you can still enter my giveaway here
Blessings to all of you,
Marcia