Happy New Year from Texas

(Click on photo, if you'd like a closer look at a Cowboy boot full of "the Yellow Roses of Texas")

This photo was taken at the Moody Garden Festival of Lights, in Galveston, Texas......

As we bid farewell to 2010, my heart is full of thankfulness, and memories, from this year that is so quickly fading into the past....

God has been merciful, good, kind, loving, gracious, and full of compassions that never fail..... I love Him more every day.... as I was in prayer the other evening, a poem came to me.... it says what my heart is feeling, what I want to strive for and work for in the New Year ahead......

"Goals For 2011"

To Pray, to fast, to seek You more

To Spend time with My Precious Lord

To Lay aside My Stubborn Will

To Hear Thy Voice, and be Still

You, Lord, are All I need to Know

Where You lead me, I Will Go

I am sending out love and prayers, and hope that for each of you, 2011 is a year filled with hope, and joy, and peace, and most of all, of drawing closer to Him.........

Have a Wonderful New Year

Another look at the basket.....

(Cick on the pic for a closer look)

I thought I would add one more picture of the Winter basket, so that y'all could see the front. It turned out really sparkely.... and I just love sparkle and shine.....

A Winter Basket

(Click on picture for a closer look, if you'd like)

This Holiday Season I had fun creating a "Winter" basket for a friend. It started out as a Christmas Basket, and then sort of turned into a "Winter" themed basket, since I could not find the exact materials I wanted for the Christmas theme...

Anyway, my friend said she really liked it, so I was pleased with how it turned out! Isn't it fun to make things? Now, I had plans to make several more things for friends... etc... but wasn't able to finish it all... oh well, maybe next year.....

Merry Christmas!

(Click on photo for a closer look, if you'd like!)

A Very Merry Christmas from "Santa Paws" aka Jazz!

Jazz on Christmas Eve.....

(If you'd like a closer look at my "Baby dog's" face, just click on the photo)

It is my family's tradition to open gifts on Christmas eve, every year. So I made sure to snap a pic of Jazz among the presents before everyone tore into them.... Isn't he cute? He is such a darling, patient, and obedient dog..... in case you didn't know.... he's my baby....

**Smile**

I hope each one of you is having as wonderful a Christmas as we are! If things are a bit difficult for you, or your family this year, just take a moment to remember why there is a Christmas, and let it encourage and bring comfort to your heart. God came to earth as a tiny baby so long ago because He loves YOU and me....... isn't that the Greatest Gift of all?

A Blessed Christmas

(Click on photo to take a closer look, if you'd like)

Tonight, my family and I went to Galveston Island, Texas, to the Festival of Lights. Above is a picture that I took of the Nativity Scene that lighted up as the story of the birth of Jesus was narrated. It was beautiful. That ages - old history is one that will never lose it's beauty and radiance and glory; for it is just as meaningful and wonderful today, as it was when it was lived, so many, many years ago.

If you have never read the story of Jesus' birth, I urge you to do so, this Christmas. Trust me, learning more about the God of Heaven, Who loves mankind so much that He came to earth, put on a robe of flesh, was born in a lowly, simple stable, and then headed straight for the Cross of Calvary to die for our sins will change your life. Please read the Book called Luke, in the Holy Bible. And when you have read Luke, please read the Book called Acts. You will be so very glad that you did!

I hope and pray that each of you, and your families, have a most blessed Christmas. May your joys be many, and may love warm your hearts and homes. And most of all, may you draw closer to Him than ever before. Merry Christmas!

"I'm being a good Kitty, Santa!"

Here's Toulouse - the - cat being good, not even bothering the little Annalee mouse beside him. (Or the presents, either, for that matter) He's such a sweetie. That should earn him lots of kitty treats this year, right, Santa "Paws"?

Can y'all tell we had fun this past weekend? **Smile**

Petsitting Fun

(If you'd like, click on photo for a close up of that darling face)

For several years now, my sister and I have been blessed to Petsit for some friends when they go out of town. This family is very dear to us; almost like our own family, actually. They have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named "Jazz" and two beautiful long - haired cats (brothers) named "Alex" and "Toulous".

My sister and I were over there this past weekend, and got to play with, hug, and love these three adorable animals. We also got to finish up our Christmas shopping, which was nice, too. Above is a picture I took of Jazz, sitting like a good boy beside his "Mom" and "Dad's" Christmas Tree.

"What a Friend We Have in Jesus"

My family has been going through something rather frightening since last Friday.... it has been stressful and worrisome....

About an hour ago, however, I heard that Beloved Voice speaking to my Soul....to come and spend time with Him.... and to lean on Him.... and to tell Him all about it.... and to rest in the Comfort of His Spirit.....

Oh what a beautiful call! Oh what a Beautiful Voice! There is no music ever written; no melody yet to be created that can match the beauty of that much loved voice.....

And so I talked to the Master..... and those moments spent in His Prescence are beyond precious to me... for I found the peace and reassurance that I so need right now...... as I prayed, the words to an old song came to my heart, and so I thought I would share them with you......

"What a Friend We Have in Jesus"
words by Joseph M. Scriven, music by Charles C. Converse

What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear
What a privilidge to carry, Everything to God in prayer
Oh what peace we often forfeit, Oh what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry, Everything to God in prayer

Have we trials and temptations, is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged, take it to the Lord in prayer
Can we find a friend so faithful, Who will all our sorrows share
Jesus knows our every weakness, Take it to the Lord in prayer

Are we weak and heavy laden, Cumbered with a load of care
Precious Savior still our refuge, Take it to the Lord in prayer
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer
In His arms He'll take and shield thee, Thou wilt find a solace there.

A "Dear" Christmas deer...

(Want a closer look? Just click on the pic)

Here's a detail from my Christmas piano decorations; a sweet gold deer that I decorated last year with odds and ends that I had left from another project... and I love working butterflies into the scheme, too, anytime I can get away with it....

(oh, and that's a gold butterfly, by the way... even though it looks white for some reason...)

A Very Merry Piano

(Click on photo for a closer look, if you'd like)

Here's a picture of the entire piano, all decked out in Christmas colors. After I took the picture, I noticed something. I think one of santa's reindeer is hiding behind the tree... do you see his antlers? Hmmm.... is it Dasher or Dancer; or maybe it's Rudolph.... LOL! I am no photographer, as you can tell from this photo...***Smile*** We have a big mountain scene on that wall with a magestic elk standing tall and proud. But I just happened to catch it at the right angle, so it looks like one of the reindeer got loose and is hiding behind the Christmas tree....

As I look at the photo more, I see that the colors, especially the green looks funky and almost teal instead of the brilliant emerald green that it really is.... hmmm... I wonder why? Is it because of the lights? My goodness! Sometimes I wish I knew more about taking pictures....

Oh, and I have gotten some of my shopping done online this year. How about you? Have you gone the traditional mall route, or are you shopping mostly online? Now, we are planning on going "mall-hopping" tomorrow...... hope there's some good deals.....

More "Decking the Halls'...

(Click on photo to take a closer look, if you'd like)

As I discussed in a much earlier Fall post, I like to decorate our old upright piano according to the Seasons. I treat the top of it much as one would a fireplace mantel.

Now, I would LOVE to have a fireplace and a mantel, but I don't, so this is the best I can do! (Hey, I can pretend it's a mantel, can't I?)

Well, this year I chose to play up the Red, Green and Gold. Oh my goodness! I had such fun! (I will post pictures of the entire thing later on)

I thought I would share this "detail" with all of you first, though. Isn't Christmas time wonderful? I just love this time of year.....

Aiden named him "Frosty"...

Something cute happened at Piano Lessons the other day. I had set this Snowman on a snowy wreath, and added white lights, and placed him in the room where I teach lessons. One of my cute little five-year-old students came into the room and immediately saw him. His face lit up, and he said "Miss Jen, what's his name?"
"He doesn't have a name," I answered.
"He doesn't have a name?" Aiden asked in shock.
"No, he doesn't. Would you like to name him?"
"Uh huh!"
"Ok, what's his name, then?" I asked.
"His name is Frosty!" he said excitedly.
"Wow! That's a good name," I answered. "From now on, his name is Frosty!"
So now we have our very own "Frosty the Snowman".... proudly named by Aiden Marquis!

After we began the lesson, I had Aiden play "Jingle Bells," and we sang the lyrics together after he played it, and then we sang the note names, as well. He has a sweet little voice, and can hold the tune very well! I had to smile, though, because everytime we would get to the word "sleigh" he would get excited and REALLY sing it out! (It was so cute! I wish y'all could have heard him) Well, then I asked him to play the song, not singing, just playing, so he could listen to himself playing the notes. As we neared the end of the song, I thought: "He won't be able to resist singing out that last word!" and sure enough, after playing in silence, he just had to sing "Sleigh!" with lots of enthusiasm.
He is such a doll, and I always enjoy teaching him. Frankly, I have a blast!! Every teacher should teach a cute little man like Aiden.

The "Happy" Bow

(Click on photo for close - up, if you'd like)

I just had to add one more picture of the big, colorful bow I made for the top of this tree. I just love those bright, Cheery Christmas-y colors!

On a side note: Ok, Jenni, put down the tub of Orville Redenbacher's "Poppycock" glazed popcorn..... yes it's fun to snack while trimming the tree, etc.... but you can do it! LOL!

Decking the Halls...

I thought I would share a picture of one of our cute little table - top trees. I had so much fun decorating it! I wanted to put something colorful on the top, so I made a huge 'ol sparkely bow out of green, red, gold, and purple ribbon. It's a "happy" bow... **Smile**

I hope each one of you is having a wonderful time decking your "halls", too!

Take Joy! This is the Season in which God's Love for us is at the forefront of our hearts and minds. Think about it today, and let it make your heart glad.....