10 Bits of Sunshine

1. Candlelight on a Winter's Night ::                                                 
2. Unexpected and Lovely People :: You may remember the long and soul-baring post.  Well, for those of you who were thinking about us, praying for us, I wanted to give an update.  God sent us some totally unexpected gifts through lovely people.  Some of the people were very unexpected as well.  Most do not read my blog.  But for those who do, you know who you are.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Specific thanks to T+H, V, D+J, J+L, and G+B, J and E who helped put gifts under our tree.  Thanks to J+B, M+N, G+B, J+A, P+C, and our little church, who sent gifts of money.  Thanks to G+B and M+C, who gave us grocery gift cards.  Such generosity.  And such unexpected love.  We are so grateful.
3. This Christmas Letter :: 
These lovely people 'adopted' me when I was a freshman in college, far from home.  They had me sleep over in the coziest of bedrooms.  They fed me home-cooked meals.  They included me in family outings and get-togethers.  And this past year, he has been fighting cancer and she has had a heart valve replaced, and yet here they both are.  Smiling.  Together.  Hosting Christmas parties.  Living.  Praising God. 
4. This Beautiful Note 
From a lovely blogger, who is becoming a real-life friend.
5. This Happy, Patchy Wall-Quilt ::  Which I won in the December 3 Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day.  Thank you, Helen!  It will soon have a fun spot to hang - coming in a later post.
6. My Neighbor :: Who pops over on very short notice of an afternoon to sit with my napping boy so I can run my girl to gymnastics.  You rock!
7. These Curls ::

The sponge curlers were mine when I was a little girl.
8. My Little Working Man ::

(who is into hiding from the camera or being REALLY silly whenever I want to take a picture)
9. Snow ::

10. The Smell of Fresh Bread Rising ::