Jumping the gun….

OK….. I know this is early, but…. I really wanted to do my christmas decorating early this year so I could enjoy what I've done a bit more. I've had this selection of hallmark ornaments for a number of years. I think they first came out in 1991. I have sense made a few things to go with what I bought, and this year added the tree skirt, wreath and mantle decoration. I also made some new decorations which you will see.
  So to begin with, here is the front door wreath.

This year the colors are royal blue, periwinkle, and purple or lavender.
All the colors for Hallmark;s Frost fairies. I really loved that collection and so have pretty much gotten everything they came out with.
 
  Behind these doors….

Is a wonderland of frost fairies, Fairy dust and a silvery frosted fiber optic glow.
L really loved the frost fairy idea, and Hallmark made some really pretty ornaments for this collection.
So, open the doors and take a look…. I hope you enjoy this as much as I do.

I forgot to tell you it's a white tree this year.
 

Now for a closer look.

Top of the tree is the fairy queen.

Some of the glass bulbs and fiber optic flowers. Of course blue and white lights as well.

These little fairy tutu's were some I made, like the one I bought so long ago. I also added fairy wings as it just seems right to have them.

I also made little drawstring pouches that hold a tiny little glass bottle of magical  Fairy dust. The one I bought was much larger, and I felt these tiny ones would be better.

These little lavender bags hold frosted berries as a late night treat for a hungry fairy.

These tiny lavender bags hold what the fairies find fallen from the sky on a cold frosty night. Perfect little frosted stars.

I also created frosted diamonds capped with a blue daisy & a satin flower and one little pearl.

There are some clusters of frosted candy pieces and crystal drops as well.

It is said that to have a bird in ones Christmas tree is to bring good luck all year. This pert little jay seems to agree.

The mantel was also decorated with silver and blues, and frost fairies.

 a closer look shows the details.

The quite beauty of the frost fairies winter-wonderland.

The last Rose of Summer

  From time to time, I get lonely. Just like everyone else, it happens. So today I went out into the cold air and sunshine to check on the pond and my koi. This is what I found on the rose bush over the entrance to my garden.

Last night there had been a hard frost, so I was really surprised to find this one last beautiful rose of summer in full bloom. A simple thing, but a very big surprise.
  Then, as I was trying to clean some algae from the pond I had another surprise. A Steller's Jay like this one…..

flew up and landed in the tree next to the pond. He sat there for several minutes bright eyes and watching me. Then flew off across the garden. A second little surprise out of the blue.
   So many people ask for big things to happen to let them know someone cares. I'll take these few simple little surprises any day. My belief in God and his caring has never stopped, even through the lonely times. He always seems to let me know He's out there, and by these simple little things… a rose blooming when it shouldn't be, and a beautiful blue bird  {I call them blue birds of happiness} landing in the tree, when I hardly ever see them, let alone seeing a Steller's Jay.
  These simple little things lift my spirits and gladden my heart. I know someone cares, even if family or friends do not. So I guess I'm trying to say…. look for those simple little things. You will be surprised how many times there is a message just for you in them. And know…. He cares.

The threads of our lives….

  Like the threads of a spiders web, our lives have been a woven masterpiece. Even if one doesn't believe it to be so, there is no other like your intricately woven life.

Some spaces between events are perfectly spaced, even, and follow the pattern.
  Others are a little wider, not so perfect, and sometimes even distorted. But when you look at like this web, it can be no other way. It all comes together to form an artistic design, that will only be made and woven, once. You will have contributed your own unique outlook on life, and there will be many who will have been touched by your having woven the threads of your life in just such a way.

This web is bigger, and very different from the first. It evens looks imperfect. But is that because it catches more flies? Thus serving it's purpose, better? I don't think so. I think it's just different, but created with the equally same intent as the first.
  Our lives are all created as we direct them to be. To best of our ability, each web will be not lies and deceit, but an imperfectly woven design.
       May yours serve you well.

And remember, you have the power to change it.

A New Look

At last, the house and everything has been painted, and it looks so beautiful! So like it belongs together, instead of a collection of buildings. Take a look and tell me what you think?

This is Koi pond green and tea chest brown, with a touch of alabaster cream.
I love it!!

A Lush Garden Surprise

It seems like it was only yesterday, that the garden was bare, trees and plants were dormant, and nothing looked very special. Yesterday I went out into the garden to look around and was so surprised to see green, and flowers, and a lushness everywhere. It has rained a great deal this spring, and turned everything a rich green shade. I can't help but want to share this with everyone. I have worked so hard to make this garden grow and turn it into someplace to enjoy {even though I don't sit still for very long.} So following are pictures of my garden….. and this phrase to remember.

  In search of my mother's garden…..
                                                             I found my own.