Christmas on the Plains

Whew! We made it home about 10:30 last night. It was nice to see all the family, but I was ready to sleep in my own bed. Being away from home is exhausting.

When we stopped for supper last night we noticed the speedometer. My poor van! It is only an '05.

I just thought I would post some random pictures from Christmas on the Plains of Colorado. (We also celebrated on the plains of KS.) They are just a glimpse of the things we saw and did.

We completed a 1000 piece puzzle. It is somewhat of a tradition to do puzzles at Christmas. My Grandma enjoyed doing them. She is in heaven now, but we still carried on the tradition.

My older brother let my son do some target practice. He doesn't get an opportunity to do that at home because my husband really isn't a hunter and we don't own a "real" gun. They even went coyote hunting. I'll spare you and not post the bloody picture.

It is always difficult to get a good picture of all the grandkids. This is on the stairs at my parent's log house. I love the stockings! Mom made them for the entire family a few years ago.

My younger brother is a farrier. When he is not shoeing horses, he does some creative metal work. These are some things we got as gifts this year. If you are in need of iron hooks, cookbook holders, etc. just contact me. He would love to make something for you. Hopefully he will have his own website soon to sell his creations and my SIL's quilts.

This is my dad's chuckwagon. He and mom do authentic chuckwagon cooking for family reunions, festivals, etc.

This is my parents in front of dad's new office. He built it with leftover logs and lumber from the house. I told him he needed to build another one next to it so my mom could have an antique store. Wouldn't that be neat?! If we lived closer she and I could have a fun little business!

This is a gift I made for my family's gift exchange. The spindles are from my inlaws. They have given me some great architectural pieces that were torn off their porch years ago. The porch posts are even still in their shed waiting to find a way to Arkansas.

This is the scripture I put below the four seasons pictures.

Like I said, this was a random glimpse of our time in Colorado. We are thankful that we got to spend time with family, that we had safe travels and we were blessed beyond measure. I hope that you have also been blessed during this holiday season.

{There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1}

Christmas JOY

The reason my son was holding the "Y" in the previous post was for our annual Christmas picture! It is very difficult to get a good picture of these three kiddos. Sweet Girl is constantly moving and rarely looking at the camera. The boys....well, they are just boys! I was pleased with how this turned out. I love my beautiful children!

For those of you who participated in my Read for Rett book sale, I just wanted to let you know that I made a donation (my sales commission) to RettHelp.org . I really struggled with which organization to choose. RettHelp is fairly new, but the founder, Kathy Hunter has been around for quite some time. Back in 1984 her daughter Stacie became the first child in the U.S. to be diagnosed with Rett Syndrome. Kathy has done amazing things for Rett research and support. Right after Sweet Girl was diagnosed, she called me personally just to offer encouragement. She has helped so many families through the struggles of Rett Syndrome. So, thank you Kathy, and thank you to those who purchased books.

Today we found out that one of Sweet Girl's appointments in Houston had to be moved to Wednesday morning. That means we will be leaving a day early - tomorrow! This afternoon and evening have been quite busy trying to get everything ready to go. We will head out tomorrow after school. Please pray for our health and safety on this trip. Also, please pray for my sanity as I try to get everything done.

I'm not sure if I will have a chance to post anything for a couple of weeks. I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! Now I have got to get off this computer and get busy!

{But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11}

M & M....& Y

Two different thrift stores in two different towns. One day and one perfect letter. Okay, I know I probably don't need any more decor for Sweet Girl's room, but when I spotted the vintage plaster of paris (?) "M" I couldn't pass it up. To my surprise, later that same day I came across the wooden "M" plaque. I guess it was meant to be.
In keeping with the letter theme - "Y" is my mom making me hold a stencil? I will show you in a future post.
With temps hovering right around 30° last Saturday, I ventured out to some garage sales. I found a few things here and there, but this quilt top was by far my best buy. It was folded up in a box without a price. When the lady told me $1 (is it weird that I'm always telling you what I paid for things?) I almost jumped for joy. I was on the lookout for things to sell in my booth. I figured even if it wasn't in great shape it could certainly turn a profit for me.
When I got home later and took it out of the box I really did jump for joy (okay, not really)! But seriously, this quilt top is fabulous. And big. It is at least queen size. And in great shape. There are a few spots on some of the white fabric, but I bet they would come out in the wash.
Look! Pink and chocolate brown! One of my favorite color combos! You've probably guessed by now that this probably won't be ending up in my booth. How can I part with something so beautiful?!

I was walking through an antique store (not where my booth is) earlier this week when a lady stopped me and said, "Are you Vanessa?" Turns out she "knew" me from this blog. It was so nice to visit with her. She used to live close to where I used to live and recognized the name of one of my favorite thrift stores. She said her husband moved her hear kicking and screaming several years ago. Sounds like we have some things in common. LOL! Several weeks ago I met another lady here in town who reads my blog. Thank you, ladies, for reading my ramblings and introducing yourselves. That brightens my day!

{Jesus got them all to sit down in groups of fifty or a hundred—they looked like a patchwork quilt of wildflowers spread out on the green grass! Mark 6:39}

Gasoline

I guess this is sort of old news now, but I sure am excited about the price of gas these days. Did you ever think it woud get below $2 again? I sure didn't. We traveled at Thanksgiving and will be traveling again for Christmas. We will leave here on the 17th and drive to Houston. Sweet Girl has doctor appointments on the 18th and 19th. From there we will drive to CO to celebrate Christmas with my folks. Then it is on to KS and hubby's folks before heading back here to AR. I just used mapquest to add that up. 2270 miles! Yikes! Now do you understand why I am thankful for the gas prices?

Since I've had travel on the mind, I did a little travel display in my antique booth. Vintage flashcards, state plates, dist-o-map.....

....more flashcards (not so vintage) and a train mug.

Here is another look. The leather suitcase isn't old, but it is unique. The framed picture is a map and a 50's TWA advertisement. Little blocks that spell "GO". A thermos (my Grandpa always traveled with a thermos full of hot coffee). Tourist glasses. It was a fun little display to put together.

I did hardly any Christmas decorating this year. Seemed silly to go to so much work for only a couple of weeks. We put up the tree and that is it. I really hate that I have BOXES of decorations out in my shed and I didn't get them out. Next year I seriously think I will start decorating before Thanksgiving so that we can enjoy it more.

The boys brought this in from the woods the other day. Is it some sort of holly? I really don't know, but I thought it was pretty and festive.

Sweet Girl got her new wheels! Doesn't she look happy? This stroller is so nice. It is significantly bigger than her old one (which is what she needed) so I am still trying to figure out the easiest/best way to get it in and out of the van. It is not super heavy - just bulky. We are going to donate her old stroller to Wheels for the World. What a great program!

The "guys" are in town at Upwards basketball. The 8 year old is playing, hubby is coaching and the 11 year old is "assisting." Tonight is their first practice and games will start after Christmas.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend. I plan to hit a few garage sales and finish up wrapping Christmas presents tomorrow. Along with the usual laundry, picking up the house, etc.....

{You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. Ephesians 4:4}

Holding On to Fall

I cannot believe it is December! Can we hold on to Fall for just a bit longer? I took this picture on Sunday. It is pretty much the last of the color for the season. It was cold here this morning (for Arkansas anyway) - 26°. Here is something funny. When we lived in ND the schools took the kids out for recess unless it was below 0°. In KS I think it was 20°. Central AR - 32°. Southern AR - 40°!

This is a little project I finished up yesterday. It is a Christmas card holder, but could also be used all year for other things. I used a scrap piece of trim from my shed and painted it red. I drilled holes and inserted a piece of old wire garden edging (from the thrift store, of course). I did add a bit of glue in each hole.
The clips are old Christmas candle holders. I glued on vintage buttons. You could also use binder clips, clothespins, etc. Isn't that a funny picture? It was stuck inside an antique book I bought one time.

Here is another shot of one of the clips and an old postcard. I love old postcards! I put this in my booth, but I am really hoping it doesn't sell. I want to use it at my house.

Kelly, this picture is for you! Sweet Girl and her cousin both had their Girl Power tattoos on this weekend. Speaking of Sweet Girl, she is getting a new stroller (wheelchair) tomorrow. It is very much needed. Her old one is too small and literally falling apart. Yesterday the foot rest just broke off. Anway, this may seem like a silly request, but please pray that our insurance pays for this new stroller. Our insurance does not preauthorize these things. The stroller had to be ordered and then the claim can be filed. Now we just pray that they will pay for the $4000 stroller. (Crazy, I know.)

Well, the morning is almost over and my "to do" list is still quite long. I better get busy.

{Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12}