SOME COMFORTS AND JOY...

I have been as busy as

 the frantic squirrels, 

hiding their bounty,

 in hopes that they will be ready 

for the days ahead

 -- in their case, winter 

-- in my case, Christmas. 

 There is so much to do 

and so little time 

to do it in...

As someone who loves to decorate

 and who keeps Christmas 

as the very best time to do just that,

 I still want to keep in mind 

that Christmas is a time for

 peace and joy 

and all the incidentals

 that come along with it,

 should not take away from

 the main focus.

One good way for me 

to keep a clear head is crafting.

  Even though I don't do

 as much as I used to, 

I still find it comforting

 to be able to see a plan and

 then take it through to the end. 

 At this point in my life, 

I find that being original in my designs, 

is not as easy to come by 

as it once was 

or as important, for that matter.

If I see something

 that has been done 

and I like it,

 it is not above me to be

 a copy cat.

 Cases in point:

Yvonne of Stone Gable

 posted about the paper lanterns 

she designed for her tree.

 Since I already use the lanterns 

throughout the summer months

 as the Grand Illumination,

 it seemed like a natural follow up 

to try a few for our tree.

  These are tiny,

 to be used as fill-ins.

 I am still working on larger ones.

I'm sure you have seen 

the pretty throws with pom pom trim.

  

This throw came from Target ($14)

 and with the help of my

 handy little pom pom maker,

 this will be a warm addition 

to the front porch rockers.  

Also a new mat from Lowe's 

to welcome the season and guests 

to this old

 Christmas Cottage.

For the 4th of July,

 I turned an old fence board 

into Old Glory.

 Now, for this time of year,

 I just used the other side 

to state

 the obvious...

...now the board 

will stay out of storage 

just a while longer!

If you really don't have

 any ability to draw,

 a good stencil 

will always be your friend.

  These are a few of

 some other signs 

I've been able to get done... 

...and here is one example 

that illustrates my point exactly!

With all that being said, 

when I have reached my comfort level

 of hand crafting...

there is always shopping...

funny,

 how I really seem

 to shine

 at that!

Thanks to some craft fairs

 and a few good stores, 

I have found 

these treasures...

Such a

 precious and delicate 

little beauty...

I love quirky little things

 and this is a great example 

to my eyes.  

It needs a little moss

 to finish it off, 

I think.

Antique Farm House 

is always a great place

 to find 

something unique...

...and Target

 has some great items,

 like this large bowl and

 festive wreath,

 for great prices.

Although, 

a real evergreen tree 

is the ultimate 

Christmas enjoyment, 

those dead needles

 covering everything,

 took their toll

 after a couple of years and

 we have decided to go 

faux 

once again...

...this one from Lowe's 

can go from colored to clear lights,

 blinking or calm,

 with the tap of a toe.

  We can change it up 

whenever we feel like it.

 Right now 

I'm feeling clear and calm,

 but you just 

never know.

...Judy...

Have a 

wonderful and grateful

 Thanksgiving 

everyone.