Treasure: To Regard Or Treat As Precious; Cherish

I have found in a most recent experience that there are little "life treasures" hidden for us to discover. Regardless if experience is defined as “good” or “bad”, these little "treasures" allow us to see "what is" and "what could be" within our own lives and to those lives we touch, everyday. If I dig and unearth this treasure, then I will go down this path, and if I unearth that, then, behold, something altogether different, and maybe a bit more glorious, may be waiting for me. Forgive my babbling, but these experiences keep occurring and I feel the need to share.....

We, as humans, seem to have a knack for interpreting “bad” experience as something evil, a sort of, “What Have I Done Wrong To Deserve This”? But lying, just beneath the surface, a bit murky at times, is the chance to unearth a “treasure”.

My Mother had a recent stay in the hospital. She came to the hospital by ambulance, which always sets the anxious tone we begin to feel; praying all the while that upon arrival, I would find her OK, and without a terribly serious medical involvement. My Mother was admitted for a potential heart problem, and after much testing, she was “pronounced” just fine ~ just a bit of hietal hernia and much anxiety. Praise the Lord for that outcome.

During Mom’s 3-1/2 day stay in Cardiac Care, I met the most wonderful people. Her roommate, “Vanetta” was dealing with pneumonia and other complications. She was “healing medicine” for my Mother. Vanetta was sweet but vocal, and had a richness of faith and family. My Mother tends to stay to herself, but this woman brought her out of her shell. I would walk into their room and Mom would be helping her in or out of bed, calling in their lunch order and/or ringing the nurse bell for something needed. Mom got to unearth her own treasures during this stay. She called Vanetta after she was released from the hospital, and now, they plan on staying in touch. If you knew how difficult this was for my Mother, you would know how much of a true treasure this is. :)

One of my very own treasures was the opportunity to strengthen the bond between my Mother and I. This opportunity comes in the most unexpected ways, when I least expect it. I'm usually absorbed in the moment or some task I need to perform. And then, there it is, the treasure awaits.

Another treasure was meeting so many caring doctors and nurses; even those working in the gift shop and snack shop, all giving a caring glow to my day, each day.

So thank you to all those that work in the health care field, the hospitals, the ambulance attendants, the ER nurses and doctors, the medical test specialists, those that deliver the patients to and from. Due to all of you, Mom and I found treasure. We can’t thank you enough.

Heather’s post on saying “Thank You” is well timed. I would like to take that lead, and join with her to say, Thank You, to all my dear blogger friends, family, and readers who “honor” me every day with their thoughts, comments, and words of inspiration. To know I am a tiny thread, intertwined among many, creating this beautiful blogging community gives me much comfort. For this I am so very grateful.

God Bless You all this year through. Wishing you “glorious experiences” when finding your own life treasures.

Blessings,
Kitty

Much thanks to Karen at the Graphics Fairy for all of her beautiful clip art that brightens my day and alot of my blog posts! Blessings to you, my dear friend....

Longing For Lace....

I received my new issue of Victoria Magazine in the mail the other day. OOOOHHH! Such a wonderful issue, with beautiful photos of ironstone, lace, dolls and sumptuous food. When Victoria re-started publishing about a year ago, I didn't feel sure it was of the same caliber as "the old issues". But, as the year progressed, I have to say, I am not disappointed one tiny bit, but rather, I can't wait to reach the mailbox when I know the next issue is soon arriving.

The article that caught my eye, this time, was "Vintage Lace ~ A Lovely Legacy". There is nothing better than the sheer delights of vintage lace with its subtle shades of cream, white and tawny brown. To touch it, and feel the "nothingness" of its weight is a pleasure unto its own. To study each intricate tiny stitch, and the patterns woven, just perfectly; well, need I say more?

Such patience. What did those women think of while they were doing these tasks? Did they think of their problems? Did they take this time to reflect on their day, or were their minds busy with what they had left to do, or where the children were, or was hubby coming home soon. I can't help but think they were not nearly as "scattered" as I feel a great deal of the time. Could it be I am conjuring up an image of a life that really wasn't so? Let me have my thoughts and think otherwise....

I am not a person that knows the names of all the different types of laces, years they were produced/stitched/woven. But, I don't think you need to be a "learned scholar" of lace to just simply enjoy its beauty.

The affect lace has on a woman cannot be explained. It's like slipping into a scented bathtub, sipping the perfect tea in a precious china cup, slipping into bed with newly laundered sheets dried in the sun, or the coo of a sweet little baby. You know, that kind of feeling. It stirs the emotion, almost makes one "giddy" at times.

Thank you Victoria for sharing these wonderful images, you have captured my heart. What could be more lovely than a winter's day and the latest issue of this dear magazine. So, enjoy the pictures, and run now and get your copy and enjoy some blessed "BLISS"....

Blessings,

Kitty

A Story So Old.....

The fire is bright, a crackling sound
The wonderful smell of wood smoke abounds;
A sigh slips out, as I hang my head
A feeling so heavy, a feeling of dread.

I look to the window, the snow falling down
A curtain of white, a carpet is found;
The twinkling of lights, the shine of the tree
Such beautiful things, it must mean something to me!

The smell of the baking, those cookies, divine
Out of the oven, they cool in a line;
The presents all wrapped, colors red, green and white
It all works together, such a beautiful sight.

So, why am I feeling this sadness, so low
I sit and I question, as I add one more bow;
The toiling, the cooking, the work, all aplenty
It’s nothing so different, the lists are so many.

I go to the shelf and pull down one “Old Book”
This maybe will cheer me, I’ll have one more look;
I flip through the pages and find the old story
I know it by heart, I can see all its glory.

A mother so young, and a man full of faith
The journey they took was more than a place;
Such blessings bestowed, on these two, did they know?
The wonderful gift, she surely would sow.

Such darkness with starlight, and straw, all aglow
A beautiful child, in a manger, so low;
The sheep and the donkeys, the cows lying down
A cry and a smile, such love did abound.

A humble beginning, but lessons were learned
I thought of my Saviour, my heart was up-turned;
No longer the sadness, no longer beguiled
The gift of “The Father”, Jesus, “His” child.

I finished the story and sighed once again
Only, this time, a sigh of rejoicing within;
A tear of the joy from the story, I shed
Like sheep with the shepherd, I too felt led.
To tell you just read it ~ accept his great love
An act all too simple, it comes from above;

So, bless you, my dear ones, a moment, just take
This glorious Christmas, Oh let us awake!
To sit and remember the story, so old
The Christ Child, our Saviour, “The Book”, it has told….

Merry Christmas
Kitty
December 25, 2009

Christmas Decorating ~ Take Two......

I thought I would do another "Christmas Decorating" post before Christmas. This is the final, for sure. No more decorating. I hadn't shown pictures of my old dry sink or the mantel decorated in the last post. These are close ups of what is inside the dry sink. I lined everything with buffalo snow and then this new snow that I found at a local gift shop. It is the texture of buffalo snow, only little balls. You can see it in the pics. It is great to work with. I then printed out some of my favorite Christmas card pictures and some "words of the season" that I absolutely love and edged in silver glitter. Hope you like the results.

The birds are in honor of my Dad as he loved the birds. This is the third Christmas he has been gone. I know he is celebrating with us....

I don't usually do alot with the mantel, as it is small, but, I cleared it all of except 2 sets of candlesticks. Put more of "the snow" down, and added my collection of sheep, and more Christmas cards. Wish you could see the glitter of the cards. They are so pretty.

A full picture of the mantel. I used vintage tinsel to loop underneath with some very sweet Bethany Lowe ornaments I found at T.J. Maxx.

And finally, a few shots of ornaments that I love on the tree. I have vintage mercury glass bead garland on the tree. And, I usually add "more snow" (LOL!) on the branches, but decided to "go green" this year.

The year my Dad died, I decided it was time to hang pictures of family that had passed, on the tree, in memory. This is just to show you what I did. This is my Dad's parents. They have been long gone, but not from my memory. I look forward to the day I get to see them all again!

I started a new tradition this year. I have many pictures of my family at the holiday gatherings, pictures of "all of the trees" we have had in the past, and of course, the infamous "snow pictures". I collected as many as I could, quickly, and put them in a red scrap booking album. No fuss, just put them in there, randomly, and will add to the collection when I print out more, or find more in the old photos. "I LOVE" the results. I LOVE sitting there and flipping through all the old photos, remembering (and sometimes not remembering), the time of the picture and what was occuring in life then. And laughing, too. I'll add a nice cover to it that says "Christmas At Our House".

God Bless You all this holy Christmas season. May you remember all who have passed on, and hopefully start a new tradition of your own this year...

Merry Christmas

Kitty

xox

I Wish We Could Put Up Some of the Christmas Spirit in Jars and Open a Jar Of It Every Month...

It seems we are all getting far enough along now with our Christmas decorating to show a few pictures. I am no exception, and decided I'd better get out what is accomplished. I have cut back a bit this year, in the decorating, and the rushing. I really am trying to "enjoy" this blessed season.

The big question for me this year, was whether or not to put up the 9 foot tree. You see, 2 years ago, after many years of buying "real" trees, we decided to go fake. I know, I know, it is true, it is just not the same. No beautiful pine smell, no red rash on my arm from the tree, no pine needles to sweep up. So, we bought the fake tree. Am I happy, you ask? Not a chance.

The argument this year was, "Honey, can we get a real tree, but this year, can we get a 6 or 7 footer?" He tried the many ways he knows of to get me to re-think my proposal, and in the end, I did, mostly because of the work it would cause for him and the cost. You see, I am a Christmas tree "snob". Yes, I know. You're thinking *gasp*, I can't believe she said that. But, I am. I admit it whole heartedly. A real tree is never quite right, I critique, and critique, and critique. I am not happy with the results after it is decorated, and always have been in pursuit of "the perfect tree". You know, it has to be straight, no holes, and most importantly, the branches had to "almost" reach the floor. Not too high, and not too low. So, the dilemma of always cutting off just the right amount of tree trunk.....

Well, I hate to tell you, but I have passed this gene onto my dear daughter, Heather. Yes, yes, she is a "Christmas Tree Snob". ~ She probably doesn't want me to tell you this, but the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. She hinted of this in a recent post, driving her own dear hubby crazy when putting up the tree. So, I thought I would just come clean. There's nothing like "telling all" to cleanse the soul. I hope you all will not judge me (or Heather), and I hope NONE of you out there have this same illness. It has taken me years to get this far.

So, please enjoy my "fake" tree, and I promise, I WILL ENJOY this year's tree. :)

On with the Christmas decorating ~ :)

This Bible was given to my father when I was 8 years old by his Dad. It is one of the things I treasure so very much, and it was given to our family at Christmas, 1963.

The nativity set is not vintage, but I do love it and the banner (which, I hope you all can see), "Behold The Child", was given to me by my dear friend Madai of Wren Cottage. It is the perfect touch in my little bay window...

Garlands on the stairs.

Angels watching on the landing.....

An all white vignette....

And here is my beautiful tree, (without the flash), in all its glory....

Blessings to you all this blessed Christmas season. Praying for a most memorable holiday for all of you....

Merry Christmas

Kitty

Title Quote by Harlan Miller

Pretty Petals Garland Class....

Heather told me about her idea for this sweet Christmas Garland, and I thought how inventive, how creative, and "Why Didn't I Think of That"! LOL! LOL! She is so very talented and creative ~ I just love my daughter, and couldn't be more proud of her.....

So, I just wanted to give all you gals a heads up to pop over to her boutique and sign up for her "on-line" class on how to make the "Sweet Messengers of Christmas Garland". I'm adding it to my list to do. Of course, that will be right after I finish her class on making the art journal. I'm nearly done with that one, just a "little pokey", as my dear Mom says.

I'll be doing a post very soon of Christmas decorating. My sweet friend, Madai from Wren Cottage gave me a banner to use over my nativity in a swap we had this past summer. It is in place, and I couldn't be happier. As soon as I have a good "light day", the camera will be buzzing.

Talk to you all very soon...

Merry Christmas,
Kitty