Where I will be this weekend

Last year for the first time me, my sister, and a few friends rented a cabin up in Pine, Arizona. We decided to do it again this year..so starting tomorrow I am going to be in the

 COOL weather up North.

See yall when I get back!

I have a special announcement

Some of you may know...one of my DREAMS have been to have my own creative craft shop! 

Well....I am pairing up with a great group of blogs to have  

an Old Fashioned Christmas Craft Show...ONLINE! 

The weekend of NOVEMBER 11th, 12th, and 13th all of us bloggers will have 

WONDERFUL handmade things to offer for you to look at and purchase.

If you have something handmade and would like to join, please click the link on the right side of my page. There you will find other bloggers and a link to sign up!

I am SOOO excited!!  I love crafting, meeting new bloggers, and sharing an Old Time Christmas!

11 years ago today

Today is October 1st, a sad and joyful day. I wasn't sure if I wanted to post about it..yet here I am with tears running down my cheeks.

11 years ago today, my step dad Stafford passed away suddenly. it was unexpected and my family was literally in shock. It was a very hard time for us. This is my sisters dad, and she is a daddy's girl, this was very hard on her! I remember being numb on this day. 

(my sister when she was little with her dad)

11 years ago today, my sister gave birth to her son, my nephew Zander. Oh what a joy this little guy has been in our lives.  He is a great kid!

( this is Zander a few years ago)

The reason I decided to share this story was simply to show that God does work in our lives. It was time for my step dad to go home to his Heavenly father, and He knew this would bring pain and sorrow to all, especially my sister. 

He replaced her sorrow with joy with the birth of her son Zander. 

It took me many years to realize this and not be bitter. God has a plan for everyone's life..if we would just yield to the Holy Spirit and listen to Him, oh what joy we will have.  Life has its trials and sorrows, as we had on that early morning, but we also had JOY later on that same day.

I don't always understand the whys behind the things that happen in this life...

but I have learned to NOT lean on my own understanding but to lean on Him. 

Stafford you are missed very much in everyone's life here on earth, but one day we will see you again.

HAPPY 11th BIRTHDAY to my wonderful nephew Zander!! What joy you have brought to all of us!

A reminder to CHOOSE JOY

A while back I started reading a blog about a wonderful lady named Sara. Oh she could write so well...

she touched my heart with every word. She chose JOY even though she was living with a Chonic Illness

that kept her inside her home for some years.

Last Saturday...Sara passed on to be with her heavenly Father. 

Today, while browsing the internet I came upon this poem, 

I don't know who wrote it, but it reminded me of Sara and of My Grandma whom I miss so much.

If Only You Could See

I know you're feeling sad today
because I had to go.
I know you have so many things
that remind you of me so.
And though you cry as you recall
the times you spent with me.
I know your pain would turn to joy
if only you could see.
I'm in Heaven with Jesus now.
We laugh, we sing, we play.
He holds me gently in His arms.
I know no pain today.
And though we're apart for a little while,
Jesus has promised me
He'll someday bring you here
where we'll live for eternity.

If you have the chance...go read Sara's blog. Do as she does..CHOOSE JOY!

We have a Winner!

Howdy all, I hope your day is going well.

As promised I picked a winner for my halloween giveaway... 

I had 4 wonderful people leave me comments...I used the Random number generator

( unfortunatley I dont know how to post that here )

The number it picked was entry number 1

The winner is JoAnne over at  http://vintagedragonfly.blogspot.com/ 

Congrats Joanne! Please contact me with your address so I can mail it out to you! 

PS. If yall have not checked out Joannes blog PLEASE do. She has amazing talents and such wonderful things to look at and inspire!

Another Giveaway by ME

Fall is approaching here in arizona..HAHA..well what we call fall..meaning it was only 102 today.

In celebrating my FAVORITE holiday HALLOWEEN

I am having another GIVEAWAY!

This is a little door hanger...cute little pumpkin guy. 

He is in between some cardboard and hangs nice.

I made some Prim flowers using lace and gingham..love them!
He is hand stitched around the edges.

Rules: You have to be a follower and you have to leave a comment on this post. 

BONUS: If you post on your blog..you get an extra pull.

I will pull the winner on SEPTEMBER 17th.

From Lynn at Trash to Treasures

I am so behind on posting!!!

A few weeks ago..Lynn at  http://trashtotreasureart.blogspot.com/   

was holding a giveway..I didnt win BUT..as always she sends others that post a little something. 

She sent me a bunch of vintage goodies to use..Lynn you are awesome! Love Love this stuff! 

 Go visit Lynn's blog and see what wonderful things she creates!