Almost Gone....

Gingerbread cookies are by far my favorite Christmas cookies. I make a huge batch every year and by Christmas I have shared some and eaten most. There is only a small group of ginger cookie lovers, but that's ok with me. Unlike my husbands love for sugar cookie, mine last longer due to less people loving them.

Sometimes you just have to be different and that often pays off. For me this gingerbread cookie love affair is probably made bigger in my head because I only make them once a year. I think this is a great lesson for life. When you wait for something it makes it very special.

Merry Christmas to all my followers and I hope there is something special this year in your life.

Carol

Austin is coming home.

This morning John said that he wanted to give me a new spirit, puppy. And was I willing to adopt a homeless puppy. I started to cry and I haven't stopped. Yes, I said. Was I dreaming, would I wake up as in other dreams and find it not real. I don't know but if this is a dream...I plan to stay here for a while.

You all know how hard this has been. But I wanted to make sure that John wanted it as much as I did. Or at least want it a little. See having a dog is a full time job in the beginning and both parties have to be willing to hide socks, find paper chewed up and the many pleasures a puppy will bring.

When John and I are on the same page, the puppy will have the best world ever. And now Austin will be coming home. I don't know who she is or what she is, but I know she is going to steal my heart when I see her.

No picture today. No picture needed.

Christmas Retail Story

I was thinking about the retail world and the stories that are often passed between people working the floor in a store. I have taken many of breaks with people that are working hard to keep the store looking stress free. The salesperson is under a lot of pressure to keep things straight and folded. The fact that people can pick up an item and after deciding they don't want it, just lay it down somewhere, without thought of the person who has to put it back along with a hundred other items, saddens me. Now many think that people are there to serve them. That's not true. We are there to make their shopping experience wonderful. We work hard keeping the stock replenished and at the same time greeting and helping others get that stress free shopping they want. We are not there to SERVE YOU.

But really this isn't the depth of my thoughts, I wanted to thank those who bend over to pick up an item that fell off the shelf even when they didn't do it. Or leave an item on the hook until they decide what they want. Or bring it back to the department and leave it hanging close to the original home of the garment. These people are never thanked because we spend so much time picking up after others. So today I want those who do care and know we are working hard; to realize we do notice them and thank God for them. Otherwise we would become hard at heart and wouldn't that be a sad statement for such a wonderful time of the year.

Merry Christmas Shopping to all.

Carol

When Fun Rules.

The family has a Christmas party every year. Over the years we have thrown, what we consider, theme parties. This one year we dressed like our nationality. Even though others considered us silly for dressing up, we had more fun than the effort it took to come up with the costumes. By the way the outlaws, who are the in-laws, were also in full dress. Good sports all.

We found that everyone, had so much fun seeing us like the characters we picked, that the party was so much more colorful. Over the years, our nieces and nephews have great memories of the, so called, silly aunts and uncles. And I might add respected for our self confidence in wearing and maybe having more fun for our age.

What I am trying to say is having fun at any age, is what makes the family great. We can laugh at each other and still be respected. Because, we do everything with dignity. Something our parents taught us.

As always, thanks for stopping by.

Carol

Two smiles warm my heart.

I have been graced with wonderful people to support and just be my friend. Though out the years I have been blessed. But when two little souls entered my life and I found them so heart warming, it made me want to show everyone the faces that warm my heart. This is Wolfgang and Cordaye, when I first met them through their mother, and my dear friend, I was so taken by their personality.

Just before Christmas I was sent a picture of Cordaye being in a band, and a picture of Wolfgang with a huge fish, yes huge. I decided that I would make them each a Christmas card to tell them that Santa was surely proud of them. The mom was kind enough to take a picture of them holding the cards.

Cordaye is like her mom, so very talented and creative. Wolfgang has his fathers strength and loving smile. Please post pictures of your heart warming children you have met on your blogs to let them know how special.

But for today, Cordaye and Wolfgang warm my heart. And am blessed to know them. Love you guys.

Carol

A Christmas Failure

Glitter is only glitter if the meaning is lost. I know I'm late writing about Christmas, however, it's never to late to confess to a mistake. Christmas is my favorite holiday for love and fun. Birthday parties are that way. I view Christmas decorations as party favors and the light that comes from birthday candles.

You are probably saying where is the mistake, the mistake came with ease. We were invited to a house that we had never been before, with people that we had just met. Deciding to take sweets, the first thing that came to mind was birthday cake, with happy birthday Jesus on it. But what happened next really disappointed me. I didn't know how they would take it and backed down. I failed the simplest test. However, Jesus just smiled because I told him I was sorry.

I will never do that again. I decided that Jesus was more important than to consider the feelings of people I didn't even know. To top it off, I didn't stand proud of my belief.

I say, lesson learned. And may God Bless those who travel through my little world.

A New Creation.

Hi you, fan club. Giggle. I am in a great mood today. I found something new and am loving it. I found a scrapbook store called Funkie Monkie, here in Greer. I plan to do a blog about her. But today is about a get together called "Card Salad". It is held on the first and third Thursday of every month. When you go, Kim the get together brains behind the activity. Has baskets of designs and equipment. You can choose as many as you want. With a five dollar charge and the products you us from the store, you can have a world of fun.

The first time I though it silly, because I do my own designing. About a week later, while eating my fill of turkey, Thanksgiving dinner, I realized how many products, ink, pens, techniques I never could just try. So, I attended the next gathering and picked cards that had different techniques. Than proceeded to play. This is a card I loved. So I found different papers and added my own touch. Added my own words and learned a lot. What do you think?

God Bless those traveling through my little world.

Carol

A Christmas Wish

I know for many of you this is too early, but as an artist and retailer this is running late. I decided to sell a few package deals on my Artfire and Etsy site and than a few separate. So here is a card that will soon grace the stores. I love this because of the words. Hope you enjoy it.

More cards can and will be seen on the stores to the right of the page. Please visit and if something makes you smile, it will than make someone you send to smile.

God Bless those who travel through.

What month is this?

Working in a gift and framing store never leaves you without something to laugh about or gasping for air. This August is usually a month for deliveries of pumpkins and fall floral products to put out in late September or early October.

But today was different. As I walked through the back door I came past boxes stacked to the ceiling. This was my job for the day. But when I ask Kristi about them she replied. Sorry, these are Christmas decorations. Oh no I laughed.

Got my cup of coffee, and started to open the boxes. To my surprise was this beautiful display of ornaments staring at me. I rushed to get my camera and took a few shots. I hope you enjoy a touch of Christmas in August.

No, I didn't put them on the floor, I un-boxed them checked them, priced them and boxed them up for an undisclosed date, in the future.

Have a great day and remember take care and God Bless

Carol