everlasting delights

"Keep me walking steadfastly towards the country

of everlasting delights,

that paradise-land which is my true inheritance.

Support me by the strength of heaven

that I may never turn back,

or desire false pleasures

that wilt and disappear into nothing.

As I pursue my heavenly journey by thy grace

let me be known as a person with no aim

but that of a burning desire for thee,

and the good and salvation

of others."

This beautiful prayer comes from the book,  Valley of Vision.

It is a collection of Puritan prayers {16th & 17th centuries} written in poetic form.

Jason gave a copy to each of us for Christmas.

It was the first gift we opened.

There wasn't a dry eye as he read one of the prayers,

"The Gift of Gifts," as we started our Christmas morning celebration.

~ ~ ~

A couple of weeks ago, Amanda and her boyfriend, Nick,

took a walk along the Hudson River Walkway.

She took the most beautiful photos.

She knows that I "stole" them for Sky Watch Friday  :D

~ ~ ~

I wish you all a wonderful weekend

filled with everlasting delights!

Momma birdie necklaces

 This weekend, Ann Voskamp posted about how

Joy nests in the encircling Grace of God.

What a beautiful way to think of joy and God's sweet gift of Grace.
...such inspiring words...

Ann also added a link to a tutorial for making these sweet nest necklaces:

Thank you, Sarah Ortega!

I have always wanted one of these nest necklaces.
Inspired by Ann and by Sarah's easy directions... I had to make one myself!

I bought two kinds of silver wire and two kinds of beads

and got to work.

I really enjoyed myself making these necklaces.
It was so much more fun than cleaning the house!

If you have read Ann Voskamp's book "One Thousand Gifts,"

do head over to read her recent post on what she was able to give as a result of her profits.

The story of Pastor Saul will fill your heart.

♥
I hope you have been having a wonderful week..
Here in the northeast, we've been spoiled with our weather...
I think that will change as we enter into the weekend,

but ohhhh

I am so grateful for this easing into winter!

Joy that Lasts

What a wonderful week we had

with much togetherness

my heart overflows

with joy that

lasts and

lasts.

I wish you all a wonderful

New Year

filled with Joy and Grace.

JOY

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.

This will be a sign to you:

You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 

A Savior is here to be a great JOY in our hearts

today and always!

Merry Christmas dear friends and family!

photos were taken Christmas Eve 2011 at St. Matthew's in Voorheesville.

The Nativity is the beautiful artwork of Fontanini.

Make some snow of your own!

One of my students taught me how to make these pretty paper snowflakes.

We made giant ones using 8 x 8" squares.

Here's how you make them!

To make a paper star or snowflake

step 1:  Get ready.
You will need six sheets of paper, scissors, tape {stapler optional}

step 2:  Cut.
Fold paper to make a perfect square and cut off excess.

step 3:  Fold again to make a smaller triangle.

step 4:  Open triangle and make 5 - 6 cuts toward the center fold.
Do not go all the way to the fold; leave 1/4 inch uncut.

step 5:  Do the same on the other side.
{If you feel brave, you can make easier symetrical cuts by keeping the paper folded}

step 6:  Open the paper completely to reveal all the cuts.

Step 7:  Start taping.
Gather the centermost diamond and tape the points together

Step 8:  Flip the paper over and tape the next diamond together.

Step 9:  Flip again and tape the next diamond.

Step 10. Continue this until finished.

Step 11: Make 5 more...and gather all 6 parts and staple or tape them together.

Step 12: Roll a little tape {or staple} the sides together.

Here are a couple of YouTube links that will walk you through it.

They are so much fun to make!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gr23zSj9ro
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gr23zSj9ro

Hang up your starry snowflakes from windows all around the house! 

Wouldn't they be great to hang in a room decorated for a winter birthday party!?!!

Snowy white

{photo taken this weekend while visiting Piers Flower Basket}

pretty whites for the inside

...not too much on the outside yet, just a little dusting of snow here and there.
Tomorrow night we're supposed to have 1-3 inches.
Not a lot for what the northeast can do!

I'm thinking too of white powdered sugar dusting my cakes
...maybe some light blue sparkling sprinkles for that icy snow look.

Getting ready for Christmas decorating and baking
but most of all
looking forward to lots of family time.
 ♥
Christmas, my child, is love in action. ...
Every time we love, every time we give, it's Christmas.
--Dale Evans Rogers 

Wishing you love and joy all through Advent and Christmas.

stars, hearts and flowers {bread tubes}

These bread tube pans make the cutest loaves.

Let's see...

I'll take one of each,

thank you!

 Why don't I use them more often?

Easy peasy

...they really do come out this way!

Have you started decorating for Christmas yet?

Chris and I brought up some boxes and our little tree

that is part of a Christmas village scene.

We always take our time.

...finding little treasures that we put away almost a year ago...

bringing them out a day or two at a time

slowing things

down to a sweet

pace is our

·:*¨¨*.·. wish ·:*¨¨*.·.