Saturday, December 31, 2011

All things new…

016pk

God’s mercies are new every morning.

When we make Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, He makes us a new creation.

When Jesus returns, He will make sin-damaged creation brand new.

Therefore, we have every reason to enter this new year, full of hope and expectation.

May God bless you beyond measure in 2012!

Elizabeth



Thursday, December 29, 2011

Friday’s Favs…looking back on some favorite projects

Today I’m looking back at ten of my favorite things that I’ve made or made over this past year

with links to the original posts.

I continue to make and use my own Homemade Lavender Scented Laundry Soap

It’s economical, cleans well and smells great!

001

This simple white wooden box, made for me by my handyman son-in-law

is still one of my favorite things to decorate with.

(ok, so I didn’t make this one myself)

DSC_0001pk

The makeover of my old wooden rocking chair continues to make me smile.  I love it.

DSC_0162_edited-1

I’ve done a few projects with driftwood…

these boats and this sign.

005 copy

006_edited-1

and this driftwood hanger.

061

All it took was some Dollar Tree contact paper to give this shelf a quick, easy, cute makeover.

001

I “vintage-ized” two thrift store wooden caddys, this one…

009

and this wooden caddy.

016

This simple project to display some ironstone saucers is still one of my favorite pieces of wall décor.

001 copy

I wonder what projects 2012 has in store.

HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE and HAVE A BLESSED WEEKEND!

Elizabeth






vintage inspiration button1aaadoveladygfairy006Tidy Mom

 
bws tips buttonStuff and Nonsense
 

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Our blessings…

381579_10150436672045855_1815998448_n

Baby granddaughter is one month old today.

Her mama put two wee pony tails in her hair to show off how much hair she has.

24ad38d02f5411e1abb01231381b65e3_7

Big Sister got this strider bike for Christmas and is enjoying her Christmas week

with Mama, Daddy and baby sister at her other Papa and Nana’s house.

In the meanwhile, the Hubs and I are soaking up our time in South Carolina

with our oldest granddaughter and only grandson.

012

024

Today my daughter, granddaughter and I all got pedicures while the Hubs took our grandson for a haircut.

Afterwards we went to a local seafood restaurant and enjoyed southern hushpuppies and fish.

We ended the day with some homemade banana pudding for dessert and watching a movie together.

Did I ever tell you that being a Nana is the greatest?

I did?

Well, it’s true!

 

Still following,

Elizabeth

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Graham Family Home Tour…

Since flying cross country from Oregon to South Carolina on Christmas Eve and surprising our grandkids,

we’ve been enjoying the moments with them and our daughter and son in law.

019pk

024pk

On Christmas Day we feasted,

opened gifts,

feasted some more,

watched the grandkids play with their new toys,

and

feasted some more.

On Monday we took them on a nice walk around the lake,

then to see the movie, We Bought A Zoo, later in the afternoon.  It’s a great movie!

043

058

059

Today we all went to the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, North Carolina.

(It’s a wonderful place to see and charges no admission.)

On the property they have Billy Graham’s boyhood home.

It’s such a lovely home I thought I’d share the photos with you.

002pkr

004pk

The soft blue, cream and white décor is lovely.

006pk

007pk

I love those built in corner cabinets.

005pk

015pk

008pk

My grandson is motioning me to come and look at something.

009pk

013pk

The kitchen was my favorite room.

010pk

011pk

012pk

Hope you enjoyed the tour!

 

Still following,

Elizabeth


PhotobucketGood Life Wednesdays


Sunday, December 25, 2011

Surprising the grandkids on Christmas Eve…

 

                     We left Portland early Christmas Eve morning and flew to South Carolina to surprise our two oldest grandkids for Christmas.  My words can’t capture the moment as well as this video.

(You will need to turn off my blog music on the bottom left of my homepage first.)

 

Surprising the grandkids for Christmas…

 

I continue to count my thanks

piling up gratitude day by day

in my little green journal…

#1535-#1549

-soup and sandwiches shared with oldest daughter and her family

-an unexpected dinner out with the Hubs on Tuesday night

-a wonderful evening of fellowship at the home of a dear couple from our church

-celebrating Christmas early with our oldest daughter and her family

-an amazing Christmas dinner, service and outreach to the community on Friday night with our church, (Truelife Church), helping our son-in-law and daughter’s church, (Hope City),…over 300 came, over 20 new commitments to Christ

-all of the volunteers from Hope City and Truelife Church who made it possible

-more than enough food donated to feed everyone

-a safe, uneventful flight to South Carolina (bulkhead seat with no one else in our row too!)

-the joy when our grandkids saw us

-the Hubs annual blessing written out and read over our children

-a wonderful Christmas

 

Gratefully yours,

Elizabeth

Friday, December 23, 2011

Merry Christmas…

034pk

Praying that this Christmas you and yours

are overwhelmed with the love and goodness of God,

and that joy and peace fills your heart and home.

Elizabeth

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Almost Christmas…

The last couple of days have been filled with cookie baking…

(recipe below)

004

006

005

009

and cookie decorating…

050

Cinnamon, Cranberry Bread making…

(click for recipe)

027

and sampling…

028

Early Christmas dinner and celebrating with oldest daughter and her family,

(who are heading to the in-laws this year)…

014

015

A bit of early gift opening…

040

Newest grandbaby holding…

031

Just the usual holiday busyness and blessings! Smile

Our Favorite Sugar Cookies

1 1/2 cups butter
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 tablespoons whole milk
4 cups all purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Cream together butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla until light and fluffy. Stir in milk. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Add to creamed mixture and incorporate well. Wrap and chill 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Bake til edges are just golden on ungreased cookie sheet.

Enjoy!

Still following,

Elizabeth


vintage inspiration button1aaadoveladygfairy006Tidy Mom

 
bws tips buttonStuff and Nonsense