bits of sunshine

And Then in a Twinkling ::

A few years ago, a dear friend gave me this little book for Christmas. 
It is a must read, with lines like ::

The true meaning of Christmas
can't be purchased or packed.
For Christmas brings goodness,
redemption and light
and helps reconnect us
to all that is right. . . .

And the illustrations are whimsical and precious.
Little stars twinkle throughout the book -
just as my friend is a little star, twinkling in my life.
Merry Christmas, Liz-e!
And Merry Christmas, all you dear readers!                                                                   

For now, in a twinkling,
It's Christmas, my dear.

The Shop

O.K.  I keep saying that I am going to update the shop.
But I haven't gotten to it. 
Partly because I have been sewing and baking
and answering LOTS of phone calls for snow removal.
Partly because I'm not sure how I want to list my little ornaments.
Partly because, well, I don't know. 
Every time I think about putting them in the shop -
I just don't.

So, this is what I decided
(while sewing tonight) ::
If there is one you like - let me know!
If you want to purchase one (or more)
I will put the one(s) you want
in the shop, so we have an easy way
to make the transaction.

And, I'd just like to know what your favorites are
and why.

So there.
Now I feel better.

P.S.  See them all bigger here.

out my window ::

Current Temperature : -11 °F / -24 °C * Windchill: -32 °F / -36 °C

The wind chill advisory ::
A Wind Chill Advisory remains in effect until 6 PM CST this
afternoon.
Westerly winds around 15 mph combined with temperatures well
below zero will create wind chill readings in the 25 to 40 below
zero range through this evening.
Winds will slowly subside after sunset... and the threat for
dangerous wind chills will end... although it will remain bitterly
cold with record cold temperatures around 30 below zero expected
by Tuesday morning.
A Wind Chill Advisory means that very cold air and strong winds
will combine to generate low wind chills. This will result in
frost bite and lead to hypothermia if precautions are not taken.
If you must venture outdoors... make sure you wear a hat and
gloves.

This goes along with the 10 inches of snow we got yesterday. 
Ben was out snowblowing all day yesterday.  He did 12 driveways,
2 he got paid for and 10 he did as gifts - it was Sunday.

Today he has been out all day.  By the time the day is over,
he will have done 12 more - a few with my brother's help.

And though it is cold, hard work - some of the drifts are 5 feet deep -
this has been a blessing.  Ben is a carpenter, and this winter has been
VERY slow so far.  We have had to hang in here and do little odd jobs
and cut out any spending we can. 

We are doing Christmas even more simply this year than we
usually do.  Thank goodness I had been collecting little gifts all summer
and that I had plans to make lots of gifts.  (Lots of works in progress
right now - lots of pictures to come.) 

The Bits of Sunshine Shop was born out of need.  Need for the guys to
have something to work on . . .
And we are so thankful for each and every sale.

And on that note - I will add to the shop this evening, as promised.
Also, there is time - until Wednesday, I would say, to get things to
people in the US in time for Christmas - regular post.  And until the
end of this week, there are post options that could have purchases to
you by the 24th.
 
We have also been blessed.  Greatly.  We have been given some gifts
of money and food and extra Christmas gifts for our kiddos from
unexpected, lovely people.  There are two good-sized jobs in the works
for January - March.  The guys are having meetings and writing bids and
we are all praying and trusting.

We have also been forced to - but are very much enjoying - being very
intentional about our Christmas, and about what we need on a daily
basis, and about what we can give to others - even while things are
very lean for us. 

Ben and I are planning the Christmas Eve Service for our church, and
I will be sharing some of that here.  We are very excited about how it
is all coming together!

I know this has been a long and soul-baring post.  Thank you for reading.
Know that there is always Sunshine to be found.  And sometimes it is
easier to see each single, beautiful ray when there are clouds all around . . .

A Christmas Tree!

Yesterday morning the guys went for a drive and came back with this ::

They cut it . . . somewhere . . . It was free!
Isaac was tired out ::

After supper, we decorated ::

And listened to Christmas music.
And Ben called his brother - who knows Santa Claus!  And somehow, Santa just happened to be at Uncle Jake's house for a visit - so Isaac got to talk to him!  This picture is fuzzy, but you can see Isaac's reaction to hearing Santa's voice ::

They talked for a while - we heard Isaac say he'd like a bow and arrow. 
Then we hear him say, "Not anything else.  I have lots of stuff."  Ben's eyes met mine and we both sort of teared up.  How amazing to hear your 3-year-old say that he has enough stuff.  He essentially said that one present was enough!  Wow!
Then Maddie had a turn ::

And she told Santa that she would like a new doll (a certain one).  "No, it's not old," she said.  "I gave my other one to my cousin.  And I would like to have one again."  And that was the extent of her list. 
They are getting it.  Our children are understanding that Christmas is fun for so many reasons other than what they are going to receive.  What a blessing! 

We have already received the greatest gift possible, the birth of Jesus Christ.  Here is a post from another friend of mine who talked about the amazing birth in her blog yesterday (you'll have to scroll down to her Dec 11 post).  And here is a post from another friend about what she really needs for Christmas - or anytime - and I have seen her live this out in the way she gives and gives all throughout the year (see her Kindness Bandit posts).

More Christmas goodness to come, of course!  And a shop update this evening.  I promise.  With lots of little ornaments and maybe some other goodies.

Have a lovely Saturday!

Edit ::  I should not make promises for a Saturday when I may be making piles of Christmas cookies with my family and planning the Christmas Eve Service for our church.  And today we have been shoveling ourselves and neighbors and friends out all day.  Crazy snow we are having!  I will update the shop tomorrow - Monday - I really will.

Little Birds of Christmas

See this little bird and other pretty little birds here.  He came all the way from Australia to live with me.  Rebecca over at edward and lIlly has them in all sorts of lovely colors!  Mine is red.  Like these :: 

This next bird came from Teresa at Affectioknit ::                     See this bird here.  I was one of many winners!  Such generosity!

This little bird is one I just couldn't resist ::   

And this one graces my Christmas tree every year ::  

This little bird will be in my shop today ::   

Along with these ornaments ::  Ornament Set

And, I have the perfect Christmas recipe for you.  When my brother tasted these little cookies, he said that if he had to sum up the taste of Christmas, this cookie would be it!  I agree!  If you go to my side bar and click on Christmas Cookies, the second recipe is Dutch Spice Cookies and the little story of how they came to be made at my house.  And they are, as of now, officially on my Christmas cookie list for every year.  Thank you, Geertrude!

The other Christmas Cookie recipe I have posted is for a really fun variation of Russian Teacakes - oh-so-yummy!

Pictures of our tree to come soon - we are going to cut one this afternoon!

And pictures of Christmas gifts coming, too!  I cut out 5 pairs of kiddos p.j. pants last night - tonight I'll be sewing them up!  And I've got some more Christmas presents partly cut out and the sewing started.  So, more finished products and cookie recipes to come!

I hope that you are all enjoying even the most trying moments of Christmas decorating and gift and food preparations.  I pray that all of the hustle and bustle can be lovely and peaceful and intentional.  That we all keep in mind our reasons for celebrating and giving and gathering together.  Whether your reasons are love of family, love of a season, or love of a Savior.

If you want some food for Christmas thought, read this post from Abbie.  Christ's birth was one of the most simple yet intentional happenings in all of history.  His mother had no words for the miracle of His birth, she quietly treasured and pondered it all in her heart (Luke 2:19).   

A Shop Update!

It is here!  The doll cradle!

The cradle will comfortably rock any 17" doll.  Read all about it at the Bits of Sunshine Shop!

I'll be making some doll quilts for the shop, too.  And the first cradle purchase will receive a doll quilt with their cradle, just as a 'thank you' from me!

{Little Red Birds, a Cookie recipe, and more ornaments coming tomorrow.  I promise!}

6 Random Things

1.  Maddie and I just finished her school lessons.  We have so much fun!  Sometime I will do a post about how our school mornings go.

2.  This afternoon I am going to do Christmas baking and sewing.  Pictures and recipes to come this week!

3.  Finally!  The winners of my random giveaway  ::  Renee - a friend of mine from Up North, and Bonnie - a new to it sty-at-home-mom and crafter.

4.  I have a happy little 'widget' in my sidebar for the Bits of Shunshine Store.

5.  I have a lovely new banner!  Thank you, Elissa!  You are AWESOME!

6.  My post tomorrow is going to be all Christmas birds (and maybe some recipes!).  It's going to fun!

** The Hand-Print Quilt **

Do you remember this quilt?

Well, here it is!                                                     
Finished!  (A tiny bit late . . . )  And going in the mail tomorrow!

I was quilting with no pattern, just an idea in my head - sometimes it works.  Other times, like this time, it took a LOT of tweaking.  I had it mostly sewn together and it was WAY too big to be a lap-quilt for my 90-year-old grandma.  So I took it almost all apart.  Did more cutting, more laying out and more sewing.  I put some things on the back,           
and I got it down to a reasonable size.  I think it is about 5' by 3 1/2' or 4' - a comfortable lap-quilt. 

I did all the embroidery by hand.                             
I machine sewed the pieces together.  I tied the quilt with a double strand of embroidery floss.  And I made the binding and stitched it on by hand.  And I am so excited for my grandma to have it in a couple days!

I showed it to her at her birthday party - in progress.  So she has seen it and knows it is coming!

{This post is all about this lovely grandma of mine.}

ANOTHER giveaway!

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Comments are now closed.  Winner to be announced tomorrow morning! 

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Because I am addicted to this giveaway thing, I am offering ONE more.  :o)

Leave a comment on this post by Monday morning and I will send a surprise package to one random entrant!

In the comment, you must tell me your favorite crafty thing to make (quilts, doilies, clothes, cards, scarves, collages, etc.) and your favorite crafty thing to use(buttons, trim, yarn, paper goods, etc). 

You must also look at the Bits of Sunshine Shop and tell me your favorite item and why. {More items will be added later today!}

So, happy commenting!

And Merry Christmas - still a wee bit early!

Oh!  The winners from my previous giveaway ::

The pile of fabric and goodies goes to Ellie at Petalplum.

And the blocks are going to Kristin at See Mommy Sew.

Congratulations, Ladies!

And thank you, thank you, thank you everyone for visitng my blog!