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
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!
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)
The makeover of my old wooden rocking chair continues to make me smile. I love it.
I’ve done a few projects with driftwood…
All it took was some Dollar Tree contact paper to give this shelf a quick, easy, cute makeover.
I “vintage-ized” two thrift store wooden caddys, this one…
and this wooden caddy.
This simple project to display some ironstone saucers is still one of my favorite pieces of wall décor.
I wonder what projects 2012 has in store.
HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE and HAVE A BLESSED WEEKEND!
Elizabeth
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.
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.
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
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.
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!
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.
The soft blue, cream and white décor is lovely.
I love those built in corner cabinets.
My grandson is motioning me to come and look at something.
The kitchen was my favorite room.
Hope you enjoyed the tour!
Still following,
Elizabeth
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.)
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
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
The last couple of days have been filled with cookie baking…
(recipe below)
and cookie decorating…
Cinnamon, Cranberry Bread making…
(click for recipe)
and sampling…
Early Christmas dinner and celebrating with oldest daughter and her family,
(who are heading to the in-laws this year)…
A bit of early gift opening…
Newest grandbaby holding…
Just the usual holiday busyness and blessings!
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
