~ All is Merry and Bright ~

 I'm dreaming of a white Christmas,

 Just like the ones I used to know

 Where the treetops glisten and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow

 I'm dreaming of a white Christmas,
With every Christmas card I write

 May your days be merry and bright,
And may all your Christmases be white.

 We are dreaming of a white Christmas..
as for now, there is no snow on the ground.
So, I added a bit of frost and a bit of snow to my pictures... just for that wintery feel.

Perhaps through the magic of this Christmas season , we will have a white Christmas.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, and I will see you in the New Year!
Enjoy this time with those you love.....

{* The leaded glass window that I repainted the frame on.
I am loving the black paint, as opposed to the white color it had previously.
Hanging in the library window, with twinkle lights behind it.}

Attitude of gratitude:
~Feeling grateful for warm socks
~Feeling grateful for Christmas carols
~Feeling thankful for "clickers" that turn on my light and lanterns, etc.. with just a click of a button.. it's so nice to just click a button and have the twinkling Christmas lights all come on!
~Feeling grateful for prayers from kind family and friends, on our behalf.  I know that our Heavenly Father blesses me every day.
~ Feeling grateful for each of you... thank you for being my blog friends.

* A few of my favorite things.. Christmas Edition *

 It's that time of year, when we gather together, pop popcorn, and break out the candy canes.

It's time for our favorite Christmas movies.

I'm just highlighting a few of my favorites.

There are so many wonderful, funny, heartfelt, and witty Christmas movies.

 

*Elf

 Finally, a movie that made us feel OK about liking candy, Christmas carols, and smiling.

Oh, and of course SANTA CLAUS!!!

 

 

 

* It's a Wonderful Life

Oh that Jimmy Stewart.
I think I fell in love with Jimmy Stewart after seeing him in "It's a Wonderful Life".
Here was a man that could see the potential in old houses!
Making him even more lovable, is how hard working and honest and benevolent he was.
Swoon.
Just that kind of man, every girl needs.

 Must be on the top of my list : White Christmas.

Oh, those crooners!
Bing Crosby! I still have tons of his music.
I wanted to live at the lodge so much... the fireplace, barn, etc.. etc..
I guess I really fell in love with country living after seeing "White Christmas".

A Christmas Story
We can all relate.

One of my favorite memories of watching A Christmas story, is my Dad laughing until his cheeks hurt.

 

More favorite Christmas movies:

Holiday Inn

A Christmas Carol

Christmas with the Kranks {I've already watched it 3 times this season}

The Holiday {not necessarily just for Christmas}

Just a few of my favorite things.. Christmas Edition.. Movies
If there is one movie that you absolutely must watch during the holidays, what is it?
OK.. you can pick two.... *smile**.

~Shake it off~

Shake it off and take a step up

One day a farmer's donkey fell into an abandoned well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old and the well needed to be covered up anyway; so it just wasn't worth it to him to try to retrieve the donkey.

He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They each grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. Realizing what was happening, the donkey at first cried and wailed horribly. Then, a few shovelfuls later, he quieted down completely.

The farmer peered down into the well, and was astounded by what he saw. With every shovelful of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing some thing amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up on the new layer of dirt. As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up.

Pretty soon, the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and trotted off, to the shock and astonishment of all the neighbors. Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to not let it bury you, but to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a stepping stone.

We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up! 

 

Attitude of gratitude:

~I am so grateful for my sweet husband. He supports me, loves, me, and is my best friend, and number one cheerleader.  He helps me "shake it off" and move forward, each and every day.  He prays for me, and has my best interest at heart, and for that I am so thankful.  

*Chalk It Up To The Season*

What is it about the holidays that makes us want to spruce up our homes; fluff our nests?
Is it the thought of company coming?
For me, it's wanting to be comfy and cozy in our home throughout the winter months.
It's a happy feeling, nothing in the world can buy... to have a orderly, cozy, and charming home.
A home filled with welcoming touches, comfortable places to sit and rest and visit with others.
 A sprinkling of twinkle lights on the tops of hutches, and candle warmers or stovetop potpourri filling the house with delicious smells.

The old lead glass window, that my sweet husband found for me is getting spruced up for the holidays.

 Homemade chalk paint in black.
{Instructions for making your own chalkpaint are easy to find on the internet.}
After it dries, it will get a quick swipe with fine grit sandpaper.
A little texture and personality added.
The frame was originally white, and I am in love with black trim right now.
Chalk that up to my love of old manor homes, and their black painted doors with white trim.
I  adore that look, and have plans to paint the French doors on the library with black paint, as well.

 More projects in the works....
including a project with black and white pictures of the  Manti Temple : http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/manti/

 Architectural details : Door Knob

 Wrought iron fence.
I have a special plan for these black and white photo's .
A little Christmas gift for a friend.

Finally, a shot of a sunrise this past week.
Just a little dusting of snow left on the mountains, and molten colored clouds.
Beautiful.

Ok... it's back to the holiday projects for me.

Attitude of gratitude :
~ I am grateful for a great vacuum! I love to vacuum, and sometimes I vacuum twice a day.
I just love those fluffy fibers in the carpet, and love the lines that the vacuum makes.
~ I am grateful for my recipe book collection.  I enjoy reading recipes, and trying new dishes.
Sure breaks up the monotony of meal time for me, and I'm sure for my family as well :)