First Annual Cookie Bake and Pajama Party!

This past weekend my sisters, two of my nieces, my friend Shelia and myself went to our farmhouse in WV for
a girls weekend. We watched Christmas movies, baked cookies, went out to eat and just laughed and had a wonderful time. I will share some photo's. I knew Stephanie couldn't come because she wasn't feeling well, she thought she had the flu like my grandson. She wasn't aware that the tubing at her site for her insulin pump had become occluded. She became deathly sick and was admitted to the hospital for a 3 day stay. She made my SIL and her dad promise to not tell me because she didn't want our PJ party to be messed up. As much as I had fun, I would have rather been with my daughter. I am glad she is feeling alot better, and improving. Please pray for a cure for type 1 diabetics, it is a horrible disease, and the holidays can be hard with all of the Sweets around to tempt them.

Almost Heaven WV

My sister Lena and niece Hillary

My niece Emily and sister Annable

My friend Shelia

My sister Lina arriving

Oh Christmas tree, my $3 tree

The girls

Canned food from Lena's graden

Us girls in our PJ's

I love these girls!

Me and my sisters

Hillary and Lena

Annabel, Emily and Lina

Magic bars

cornflake and chocolate chip cookies

Monster cookies

Santa came to my house early!

I am so honored to have Jean "Prim Crafts" as my friend and neighbor. We actually met though
blogging and found out that we only live 8 miles apart. Jean and I had such a nice visit yesterday.
She came with a gift bag full of goodies. Jean has such a kind heart and is always willing to help me
with any crafting questions.
 I am just thrilled with everything that Jean brought me. One thing she made me was a punched needle wall hanging. Now I want to learn to do punched needle.
I admire Jean's talent and am proud to own some of her goodies. Most of all I am
blessed to have Jean for a friend!  Thank you Jean!!!

Jean's pattern, and she is all rag stuffed

Adorable snowman in a can

My very first punched needle wallhanging

Bo, my little Christmas dog.

Pinkeep I just finished, done on 18 count aida.

New pinkeep and some Christmas decor

I recently finished a pinkeep, I stitched on 18 count aida cloth. I don't think I will ever be able to stitch on linen.But am right proud of it.  I also have done some Christmas decorating and will share some photo's.
I enjoy the entire Christmas season, I celebrate all month. I enjoy the beautiful lights, baking cookies,
the excitement on childrens faces, listening to the ringing of the bell for the salvation army kettle,
the Christmas carols, the Christmas parties and Christmas plays at church, Christmas cards, looking for that perfect Christmas bargain, wrapping gifts, putting up my tree and looking at all of the
ornaments that have special memories for me. I could go on and on.
 Some of my favorite childhood memories was going Christmas caroling and taking the older folks
baskets of cookies, fruit and candy.Then we would have a party afterwards with hot chocolate and other Christmas goodies. My siblings and I would go out in the woods and find our Christmas tree, many times it would be a cedar tree.
Our church Christmas program, was always a high light.We would practice for weeks and weeks.  I also love watching Christmas movies,
especially, "It's a Wonderful Life", and "A Christmas Story". I have to watch these
two movies every year.  What are some of your favorite Christmas things to do or memories? Wishing everyone a joyous Christmas, with beautiful memories. Don't forget to remember the
true meaning of Christmas, the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Anniversary Trip

November 17th. my husband and I celebrated our 35th. Wedding Anniversary,
 We have been blessed with two wonderful children and 3 extra special grandchildren.
 We took a long weekend trip to the Smokie Mountains, we went to several Christmas shows,
and enjoyed the beautiful Christmas lights there.

My hubby and me

Hatfields and McCoys Dinner theater

My hubby at the dinner theater

Smokey Mountain Opry Christmas show

Some of the Christmas lights

When we left for our trip we heard on the radio that in our area  there was a horrible accident where a tractor trailor hit a car. Little did I know that it was my cousin, and she lost her life in the accident.
 When we arrived in Tenn. I found out. I was so upset, but tried to stay busy
to keep my mind off of the accident. My cousin and I had gotten close the last year, and I cherish the precious time that I had with her. I keep reminding myself that she is in Heaven and that I will
see her again one day. She was a sister, mother, daughter and grandmother, she will greatly be missed.
RIP dear sweet Connie,

 I had been so tired and finally went to the Dr. Monday I found out that I am hypothyroid.
I started taking thyroid meds and am really having a hard time adjusting. I am weak, and can't concentrate, I feel like I can barely function. The Dr. told me to try taking the meds at night instead of the mornings and if that don't work to cut my pill in half and take a half pill. I am going to do that, and if that don't work, I think they will need to try a new med. I hate feeling like this, I just don't feel like doing anything, I am praying that I can work next week. I would appreciate your prayers.

Pumpkin in the Can !

I have been quite busy lately with working both jobs, I had this pumpkin doll cut out for weeks and finally was able to get her completed. I was inspired by a sweetmeadowsfarm pattern.
The can I grunged by first painting with brown craft paint, then after it dried I applied  mod podge which I slightly watered down. I then rolled it in cinnamon and let it dry. The label I applied mod podge under the label and then on top, I like the look that that gives. I am asking $24.99 plus shipping, please email me to purchase.Farmhouse Prims

I am beginning to think of Christmas, I love getting my Christmas cookbooks out and love trying new recipes. I also love reading Amish Christmas stories and stories from "Chicken Soup for the Soul Christmas", which always makes me realize the true meaning of Christmas. And Christmas movies have to be my favorite movies, I watch a few of the same ones every year, like "It's a Wonderful Life and "A Christmas Story", I just love Ralphie!
 I am working on a pin keep for a Christmas gift which has a Christmas theme.
  I am one of these crazy people who loves the excitement of finding that bargain on Black Friday,
and I will say I have gotten some great deals. But with Black Friday starting this year on Thanksgiving, it has taken the joy and fun away.
 Thanksgiving is a very important holiday to me, that is time to be with all of my family and to talk and enjoy a nice meal. I feel like it should be that way for the store workers also, they have families too.
 So I choose not to shop on Thanksgiving, which isn't black friday anyway.  Even though I probably will be missing out on some good deals.

New book Review

    My newest book review is an amish book "Becoming Bea" by Leslie Gould. It is the forth book in
"The courtships of Lancaster County". I am given a book to read by Bethany House and my only
requirement is to give an honest review on my blog.
 When I first started reading the book, I wondered if I would like it being written in first person.
But as I continued to read it I had a hard time putting it down.
 The story centers around Beatrice Zook, a strong willed amish girl who always seems to
have to get in the last word. Her family is planning a trip to Montana, and Bea's mother told
Bea that the only way she would be able to stay at home was to have a job.
 Bea found a job helping a couple who just had triplets. And Bea doesn't know a thing about
taking care of babies, but will do anything to get out of going on this trip.
 Bea also finds out that her childhood friend Ben Rupp also works for the same couple. Neither Bea or
Ben will admit they have feelings for each other due to their bickering.
 Will they eventually find true love, or is their relationship damaged beyond repair.
You will have to read the book to find out, a good read!!!!
  The amish have a special place in my heart, and as I read stories about the amish,
I learn alot about their culture and way of life, and this book is no exception.