~* Jesus Is The Reason For The Season *~

~* A Blogging Break *~

Dear friends, I always appreciate your visits and sweet words! I just wanted to let you know that I am taking a little bit of a blogging break. There are many things I need to do for my family and they need my undivided attention at this time. I hope to get my decorating done soon so I will be able to show you my Christmas decorating before the end of this year!

I decided to post a picture of the barn that was taken several weeks ago when we had snow. Although there are no horses housed in the barn at this time, there will be some coming to live there this spring...my dd is very excited about that!

Thank you for stopping by.

p.s. I promise that I will get back to my regular visiting and posting once we are into the new year!

~* A Christmas Version of Corinthians 13 *~

This poem was in our church bulletin last year and I thought it was so good that I had to share it with you!

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If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I am just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging beautifully adorned table, but do not show love to my family, I am just another cook.

If I work in the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing homes and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata, but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops cooking to hug the child.

Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.

Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated china and table linens.

Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of he way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.

Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can't.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails.

Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure!

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Glad you enjoyed my "Getting To Know Me Post"!

~* Getting To Know All About Me *~

Thank you so much for your sweet comments about my bathroom decorating. I appreciate all of you taking the time to visit me!

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I received the following e-mail from my friend, Patti, and wanted to share my responses with all of you, to help you get to know me a little better. If you feel like participating, then please let me know so I can go to your blog and read your answers!

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Kim Novak...movie star from the 60's

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? a couple of days ago

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? it's not too bad

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? lebanon balogna

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? 1 daughter

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? probably...I get along rather well with myself!

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? oh sure...all of the time!

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? yes

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? no way!!!!!

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAl? Quaker 100% Natural Granola

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? no, since I mostly wear slip-on shoes

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
I may not be physically strong but I've gone through a lot of things that have made me strong on the inside!

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? DQ Peppermint Chip blizzard

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Whether they seem happy or not.

15. RED OR PINK? red...barn red to be exact

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOU? nothing really...I'm happy with me...okay, you got me...I wish I was a little bit taller...I'm 5'2".

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My parents

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE WHO READS THIS TO RESPOND? Sure, if they want to

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? blue jeans and no shoes...I never wear shoes in the house.

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Archer Farms Butter Toffee

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? nothing...I'm enjoying the silence

22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Barn Red

23. FAVORITE SMELLS? cinnamon

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
My Neighbor, Bonnie

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Yes, I do...very much!

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? softball and volleyball (my dd plays these sports)

27. HAIR COLOR? brown

28. EYE COLOR? brown

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? no

30. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FOOD? pizza, especially from Jioio's...I could eat their pizza every day!

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? happy endings

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Hallmark's "Pictures of Hollis Woods"

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? peach

34. SUMMER OR WINTER? I really like both...I can't choose!

35. HUGS OR KISSES? hugs

36. FAVORITE DESSERT? carrot cake

37. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? The Borrower's (kid's book)

38. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? a kitty in a basket

39. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST LAST NIGHT? Rules of Engagement

40. FAVORITE SOUND? laughter

41. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles...I loved Yellow Submarine when I was small...the Beatles did sing that song, right???

42. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Florida

43. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? no

44. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Ligonier

45. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO READING? everyone's

One of my favorite pictures of me, my Mom and Dad...I was around 6 years old.

~* The Bathroom Reveal *~

I've finally gotten around to where I am satisfied (for the time being) with my bathroom decorating. To the shelf I added an apothocary jar filled with decorative Gawri fruit (the jar is a recent thrift store find - as I told Lynda, I am obsessed with these jars!). I have no idea what Gawri fruit is, but I liked the looks of them. The rose picture was a thrift store find (I had changed the finish on the picture frame) and to the decorative glass bottle (another thrift store find) I added some pipberries.

The cupboard in it's new home!

Let's take a look inside!
Here's a pipberry candle ring that I am using as a wreath. I attached a doily to the back of it. I used an ornament hook stuck through the back of the doily to hang the pocket watch from it. Heidi was my inspiration for using the doilies...thank you, Heidi!

This is a picture of me as a little girl...I think I'm around four years old. This is one of my favorite pictures. I have a yellow polka dotted dress on.

This jar belonged to our dear "Granny". I used a rub on transfer to add the "K".

Here are a few old bottles that belonged to my dear Dad. Beside them is a birdhouse that was a thrift store find.

Thanks for taking a look!


As always, thank you so much for stopping by...I do appreciate each and every one of you! It's so nice to be able to share my home and "treasures" with you!

~* My Roasting Pan *~

I hope all of my American friends had a wonderful Thanksgiving. My dh, dd, and I spent a quiet day at home. We had a nice meal, watched a funny movie, had a nice visit with our dear friends, Mark and Josie, and finished the night up by watching Christmas videos from when our dd was young. It was a good day...there is always so much to be thankful for!

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I wanted to share this picture of my roasting pan with you. This roaster was used by my dear Gram, my dear Mom and now by me. I hope to one day pass it on to my dd. This pan has seen many turkeys. I have a lot of wonderful memories that are associated with this pan...I will always hold them dear to my heart!

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As always, dear friends, I'm thankful for each one of you who take the time to visit me and leave me such sweet comments! Have a great weekend.

~* From Me To You *~

Wishing you and your families a very blessed Thanksgiving!

The "Be Thankful" figurine was a gift to me from my friend, Trish! Thank you very much...I just love it!

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Thank you so much, dear friends, for all of your sweet comments on my picture frame project. I've decided to hang the picture in the kitchen. Also, please be patient for the pictures of my bathroom. Although the cupboard and shelf are hung, it's proving to be a slow process getting them decorated...hopefully they'll be done to my liking soon!

~* Picture Frame Project *~

I found two of these metal picture frames at our church bazaar for .25 cents. I just love the detail of them. However, there was blue paint in the nooks and crannies which I didn't love. I decided to coat them with black paint and then rub the paint off. This allowed the paint to fill up those nooks and crannies...just perfect in my eyes!

I have a bunch of old pictures that I scanned for another project. I took one of those pictures (a picture of my dh when he was a year old) and mounted it on a piece of black card stock and put it in the frame. Would you believe that dh is standing in the same kitchen of the home we live in right now?...now you know why "Home Is Where The Heart Is" for me!

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Thank you to Jo-Ann, Colleen, Julie, Meggie, Brenda, Kristen, Adrienne, Louise (my new friend who has a blog called "The Home Is Where The Heart Is"), Pattie, Esther, Robin, Heidi, Wendi, Penny, Deb, Terri and Bob, and Dena for your kind comments about my cupboard and shelf. I can tell you that they have been hung, but now I'm working on adding my treasures to them...this is proving to take a little time...stay tuned though...pictures will be taken as soon as I'm satisfied with the results.

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Julie, I'm not one to jump on the paint band wagon, so to speak, unless the finish is bad. The little cupboard with it's dark finish was bad...some things look good not painted but this wasn't one of them.

Pattie, I am definitely not a painting expert...I know that I do it the wrong way, but it works so I guess that's all that matters. I do not sand or prime the piece I'm working on. I do clean it thoroughly though and then start painting.

Heidi, the shelf was not a yard sale or thrift store find. I actually got this shelf a LONG time ago from a Home Interior party that I had at my home. I have an idea of some of the items for my cupboard, but it's not filled yet. I also do not decorate for Thanksgiving per say...I decorate for fall and that pretty much covers Halloween and Thanksgiving.

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Well, dear friends, it's time to end this post...there are several piles of laundry calling my name. Have a great weekend!

~* Bathroom Cupboard *~

My $4.00 yard sale find has finally been painted. I'm really looking forward to having it in the bathroom. DH promises that he will hang it this week.

Before:

After:

I also painted this shelf from Home Interiors. It was brown, but I thought it would work better being white. I'm also going to have dh hang it in the bathroom.

Thanks for taking a look!

~* Thank You *~

Dear friends, my heart is so deeply touched by all of your kind words of sympathy. I appreciate it so much!

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I hope to be back to blogging again soon. I have a few things to show all of you! My cupboard is finally finished and now I need to have my dh hang it up in our bathroom...stay tuned!

Image by: Country Luv'n Clipart

~* When I Come Home To Heaven *~

When I come home to Heaven

How joyful it will be

For on that day at last

My risen Lord I'll see.

No greater happiness than

To see him face to face,

To see the Love in His eyes

And feel His warm embrace.

I've done nothing to deserve,

It was given freely through

The grace of Jesus' Love.

Then why should earthly cares

Weight down upon me so?

They'll be a distance memory

When home at last I go...

by: Beth Pluckwisch

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Thank you all for your kind words and prayers for my dh's "Granny". She went home to be with her Lord and Savior this morning and though our hearts are breaking we know that she is in a much better place!

~* A Prayer Request *~

I am asking for all of you dear blogging friends to please keep my husband's grandma, affectionately known as "Granny", in your prayers. She is 88 and has had a massive heart attack plus some other ailments. She is not doing very well at this time.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

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Graphic from Antique Clipart

~* Boo *~

May your day be filled with lots of treats...well, not too many...don't want those unwanted pounds creeping up!

If you've not gotten around to carving your own pumpkin, Click Here for some carving fun.

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Thank you so much for all of your sweet comments on my WOW finds. Julie, Robin and Abbie surprised me by commenting more than once...thank you!

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Kristen was kind enough to tag me to list seven interesting facts that you didn't know about me. Here are my facts: Click Here to read them.

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I feel bad...Marie tagged me a good while ago to do the middle name meme, but I never got around to completing it. I haven't been able to come up with something interesting or clever...think, think, think...the year isn't up yet...there's still time, right?

~* My New Goodies *~

If you don't find me at my favorite thrift stores, then most likely I am at my favorite discount store, The Wow Outlet. I am always amazed at the items they sell and the prices they sell them for. They have a lot of "country" items. It's one place I have to put myself on a budget because there are so many wonderful items in this store. Here's what I found on Wednesday:Crock Candle Holder for $1.00
Lantern for my Porch - I bought four of them at $8.00 each. They hold a little tea candle.
Wooden plate with star plate holder - $1.00 for the holder - $5.00 for the plateThree wooden plates for $4.50

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As always, your visits and comments mean so much to me...thank you for stopping by!

~* Fall Decorating *~

I have a few fall decorations around my home that I wanted to show you.

I found this pumpkin decoration at my favorite Salvation Army store for $1.99. It was brand new and is from Home and Garden Party (the tag was still on it).

A glass jar that was a thrift store find filled with potpourri (that was on sale of course!).

The dinning room table. Most of the items on here were bought at a discount. Why pay full price if you don't have to? The table cloth was on clearance for $7.00. The place mats were $1.00 each from Dollar General several years ago. The sugar bowl was one of my freebies at the Relay for Life. Domed candle holders for $7.00 each on clearance. Oh, I just noticed that the second candle is awfully crooked...don't worry I straightened it up!

And last but not least, a cornucopia on top of my china cupboard. I have a few more fall items out, but why put it all in one post...I want all of you to come back for more visits!

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Thank you Julie, Robin, Kristen, Brenda, Meggie, Terri, Esther, Becky, Heidi, Tara, Wendi, Kari and Kijsa, Deb, Utah Grammie, Maria, Dena, Susan, Manuela, and Claudia for taking the time to leave me a comment...you are so sweet!

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Dena, I just wanted to let you know that I have been to your blog, but I haven't been able to leave you a comment because your blog uses a popup comment box (for some reason I can't post there even with popup blocker turned off - it always comes up Internet Explorer can't display the page). Anyways, I just wanted to let you know that I haven't forgotten about you. I would never want you to think I was being rude. I wanted to e-mail you, but didn't have an address to contact you.

~* An Award *~

I am so deeply touched that three of my sweet blogging friends honored me with this award. A special thank you to: Julie, Robin, and Meggie. You make me smile as well! I know that you are to pass this on to 10 other people, but it is so hard to pick just ten so I am passing this on to you...all of my sweet blogging friends who have left me such kind comments since I started this blog some time ago!

~* Fort Days and A Dessert *~

Our local town of Ligonier, PA, has a celebration every year on the second weekend in October called Fort Ligonier Days. It is a three day festival full of music, food, crafts, and history. One of the highlights of the festivities is the parade on Saturday that lasts several hours. I have gone to Fort Days for years (ever since I was a small child) so I decided to take advantage of everyone being at the parade on Saturday to look at the craft booths. The only things I bought were a bag of potpourri and a small basket with pipberries in it. It was a lovely day, but a little on the chilly side when you were in the shade. I wish I would have taken a picture to show you how many people come out for this festival...it is amazing that a small town festival draws so many people.

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Our church is having a meal after church services today so I decided to make "Pumpkin Surprise". I love recipes that are super easy, but taste delicious...this is one of these recipes and I'd like to share it with you. It smells delightful!

~*Pumpkin Surprise*~

Mix together:

1 large can of pumpkin

1 can of evaporated milk

2 cups of sugar

2 beaten eggs

2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

Pour into an ungreased 13 x 9 baking dish.

Sprinkle the following ingredients on top of the pumpkin mixture in the order listed:

1 box of yellow cake mix

1 cup of chopped pecans

Melt 1 1/2 sticks of butter and drizzle over the top.

Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes.

~* A Few Of My DH's Favorite Things *~

I was inspired by Melissa's post to show you a few of my dear husband's favorite things in our home. My dh grew up around horses and has always had a love for them and all things western...I think he dreams of being a cowboy!

One of my dh's favorite horse pictures above our mantel.

Our most recent Montana Silversmith figurine purchase. (Becky do you see the glass container that is similar to yours?)

A curio cabinet filled with Montana Silversmith horse figurines.
An old lasso and spurs.

Our living room lamp with another pair of spurs.

So you see dear friends, my dh does have some input into the decorating of our home.

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Thank you dear friends for your very kind comments about my powder room redecorating. It did upset me that my favorite find of the day had gotten broken. Next time I will try to be more careful with my precious cargo!