Not an Octopus and a Very Merry Christmas to YOU!

Where has the time gone? 

I’m not an Octopus - I could sure use the extra 6 arms these days.  I feel like these elves (this silly little ornament is at my Mr’s school and each year begs me to take a photo and add some funny captions)  I feel like time is out of control.  So today I protest - put my foot down and just spending an hour with YOU before I sign off for the holidays to enjoy with my family. 

Every time I turned around to post here I found another kind deed to do, another event to take part in, another friend to be spending time with.  Here’s an overview of what I planned to blog (and perhaps will have an opportunity to re-visit in January)

 

Thats my Mr performing at the event my church hosted this past Sunday night.  It was an excellent event, not just bragging here - but it was because of all of the 8 musicians who blessed us with their talents.  We did something unique this year by inviting people from the community to bless us with their own choice of songs so there was great variety of styles!

Sonny Black performs “Blue Christmas”

We were all treated to everything from Jazz, Rock, Folk and Blues.  We had a full house of 100 people!  Thank you to all those who made this possible and for YOU who braved the very snowy and icy conditions to make it here.  It was totally worth it and we are thinking of repeating this venue around Valentines (I’ll keep you posted!)  Thanks so much to the Osoyoos Times Newspaper for coverage of our event!

 

One has to go jump around in the snow and stay fit especially when we are busy so my friend Janice and I went “Dashing Through the Snow” on Wednesday. 

I tell Janice - “Suck it up, Buttercup! (or cupcake)”

I have been blessed to mentor to Janice over the past couple of months.  I could not ask for a more wonderful and joyful person to “pour into”.  Janice is a delight to be around.  We do things like pray together - for our church, our lives, our husbands.  We work out. We bake.  We craft.  We learn to be frugal.  A huge part of our time together is marriage oriented and I find as I mentor to her, I’m being mentored back.  I’m a far better one-on-one mentor than any group setting.  I think I can sew more value into one person than groups. 

She ASKED for it!

I like Janice’s terrific sense of humour.  So when she and I wriggled out of a big workout last week at the gym, we only clocked about 3/4 hour at the gym, this week I not only made us run “the loop” (one hour) - I fashioned festive bells for us as an additional audio incentive for our run and I included some hill runs.  I think she actually appreciates my torture!

And by the way, Janice TOTALLY blogged me on her last post as well….

Like Janice, I’m surrounded by good friends, like my friend Mel O who is like a sister to me.  I don’t know how I would have made it through this season without her love, support and help.  I ♥ you with all my heart.

My sister Nina - you rock my world.  You are part of me.

Judy, thank you for all your ♥ and encouragement. 

I thank all my online friends too - you know who you are!  Debbie, I’ve loved hearing your voice in “real life” and Valinda I don’t know what I’d do without your constant companionship online. Janmary and Eileen  and Kelly I could go on and on!

Thank you to the Silhouette Plus Forums, I  LOVE you people and hope to spend loads more time with you in 2013!

I wanted to blog my Thrift Shop buys, the latest of are these Hannah Montana skates, BRAND SPANKING NEW with the sticker still underneath.  Ok, nobody is going to see them way out here, and besides they were $5 and are way better constructed than my old white ones!

I wanted to blog my handmade gifts.  Two of my favourites (which I only just got blended and packaged) are this Rosehip Tea which is made of hand harvested wild rosehips, apple bits, marigold petals,clove, dried pineapple, peach, plum, ginger, lemon and orange zest.

 

Vanilla scented sugar!  Its super simple to make this, just takes time for the flavors to meld. 

And I really wanted to share a bit of inspiration with you. So this is what is laid on my heart at this time:

Great blessings belong to those who work to bring peace.
God will call them his sons and daughters.

Matthew 5:9

Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

AND I wanted to tell you I’m now listed in the blog directory of FANCY LITTLE THINGS

A warm and wonderful, inspiring and uplifting blog - just click the preview to be transported there.  Why not consider joining up, its FREE and a beautiful place to visit!

ANDANDAND (like one of the kids being annoying and trying to fit it ALL IN AT ONCE) - I am buying Margaret Feinberg’s Wonderstruck book today - its my gift to myself!  If you do one good thing for yourself, this should be it.  I’ve previewed a goodly section and it had the effect of re-awakening my joy!   RIGHT NOW is the time to purchase her book as you will also qualify for $300 worth of “extras”.  Just click HERE to check it!

AND finally. 

I could not leave without blessing YOU, dear blog readers, without giving you a FREE GIFT from my heart to yours!  So I am releasing my Festive Doodles for you to enjoy.  These are for your personal use - they are beautiful “digital stamps” or elements!  These could easily be “traced” for use with your Cameo or Silhouette SD  Enjoy!

 

Please don’t share the direct download link, but have your friends

come here to download!

DOWNLOAD

personal use only

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