Blessings to all who come by!

Good morning friends.  I've been busy riding with my hubby on some of his Tow trips enjoying not only his company, but all the eye candy we see in VA.  It's snowed a couple times in the past 2 wks, however nothing that caused any problems.  More to come on Sunday. 

Peace & Grace

Be My Valentine

Little Bunnies

Meow

Be my Valentine

Our Father is in Control

Thought I'd share some of the little ATCs I've created for trading....it's been ages since I made some.  They are so much fun to do I just can't stop creating them cold turkey. LOL  Here are some of them.

I'm stilling knitting and crocheting neck scarves, cowls, and baby blankets...three of my friends are having babies in the next couple months so I'm getting them ready early!!

Just letting you all know that I'm sitting around twiddling my thumps...did I spell that right??? hhehehe~~~

My memory problems is getting worse so please forgive me if I say something more than once or leave out a word.  I send lots of good blessings for each of you as you go thru the days in front of you...remembering worrying about days gone by is just a waste of time...it's now and how we live each day from here on is what matters...giving and loving those in need not only makes them happy, but it sure does make our hearts as well...(((hugs)))

Well it's finally come, my Birthday!

Today my twin bro and I celebrate our 69th Birthday....one I can't hardly believe is here...Most of the time I think of myself as middle aged...hummm do you suppose The 60s are the new 40s these days??  I actually don't feel any older, in fact I feel younger than I did a year ago.  I've recovered from the second knee replacement, and am walking much better.  I'm just so thankful God is allowing me to still be around...course I'm not afraid of dying cuz I know I'll go to a better place....but there are things I want to finish if it be HIS will.  I called my twin bro this morning finding him in good spirits too.  We have a connection even tho we don't see each other as often as we'd like.  He's in Maryland, I'm in Virginia...maybe a couple hours apart.  It's a shame we get so busy that we can't see our way to go visit.  I think this year will be different...I'm going to make a point of taking my hubby down so we can visit....I'm thinking of going to GA next year to visit my dear sister, Mary it's been about 3 yrs now since we last saw each other.  Perhaps I'll have a birthday party for our mom who will be 94 in April...that would give us all the chance to visit...

In the front yard

On the side of the house

Beautiful tree in the back yard

beyond our fence in the back

Love this tree with the sqirrel nest

Christmas Cactus blooming again

Napoleon running for the back door thinking he can

catch the dog on TV

Napoleon watching TV

Napoleon getting ready to pounce

Now I want to share some new photos of what it looked like very early this morning...what  a pleasant surprise, but it's now after 2pm and the trees are clear and the sun is shining some.  Of coursh I got the ones of Napoleon backwards..eheheh!!!

Hope all of you have a Birthday today our sometime in Feb. are having a wonderful day...God has been good to me and I'm so very thankful for His Love and peace and grace!!
Blessings to all my friends out there in Computer land~

I got this recipe from a friend, and love it...

Good morning, I was taking a break from creating new jewelry a couple days ago so decided to bake an "Apple Dapple Cake"  I have to say it was a big hit for those who stopped by before it was all gone..hehehe~~

Apple Dapple Cake
1 1/2 cups oil
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
3 cups (all purpose) flour
1 tsp soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup coconut (you can use the frozen if you like)
1 cup black walnuts chopped (you can use regular walnuts)
3 cups peeled apples ( I used apples I'd canned in water)
2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup raisins ( I used dried cranberries instead)

Mix oil, sugar & eggs at once.  Sift together flour, soda, & salt then add to mixture.  Chop together raisins, coconut, walnuts and apples, add to mixture along with the vanilla.
Bake @ 325 F for 1  1/2  hrs in tube pan.  Batter will be thick!
Icing
1/2 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup milk, 1/4 cup butter then boil for 2   1/2 mins.
If you want a more sweet cake use long picks to puncture cake so you can drizzle icing down into the cake.  I just brushed on the icing all over the cake...
I have to tell ya, I've baked many cakes, and I think this one is my fav.  I'll have to share my " Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake" (when I find the recipe) hehehe!!

Blessings as you go thru your busy day, and remember to start with God's word for it's the only true guide for our lives here on earth!!!  (((hugs)))

Well it's well into the New Years already!

Can't believe it's already the 5th of Jan 2012 and I'm just now post a Happy New Years to all of you.  It's been said the older you get the more quickly the time goes by.  I can't imagine it going any faster than it does now...at 68 soon to be 69!  heheheh!!

I've been doing some painting the past couple days after working for weeks creating jewelry to sell at the Christmas Bazaars during Nov and Dec 2011.  Now, we've had a little snow (maybe 2.5 inches), and the bitter cold we've experienced the past 2 days has changed to temps in the 40's and promises to be in the high 50's over the weekend.  Yay!

We've really had a very gentle winter so far so we can't complain here in the East.  My concern is that this will be the trend in the coming years making it difficult for many animals who thrive in the bitter cold.  We must get serious about changing things that will help, don't we?

I painted a black and white painting on canvas measuring 18x24" for my dear hubby.  He'd loved one I created a couple years ago, but sold to a friend who's actually made arrangements for him to get it in the event she should pass away before he does.  What a special friend I have in her.

I thought I'd share some photos of what it looks like here at home after the little snow we had a couple days ago, and of the painting in black and white, and the one I did for my daughter, Missy and her BF for Christmas.  She wanted a folksy village of sorts with NO animals. (not even a bird) hehehe!

Dewey's painting

Missy & Skip's painting

the tree that fell and busted the fence down back last week

A very cold morning!

The sun coming up this morning!

Beautiful...

Happy New Year to all

Blessings

Twas a Bright and Beautiful Christmas day

We Celebrate the Birth of our precious Jesus with joy and peace knowing HE is the perfect gift from God so those who believe and trust in God's word that we cannot be separated from God for all eternity!  I get goosebumps each time I think about how God created the way by coming down from Heaven as a child...not just any child, but as Jesus our Saviour who lived as a man for such a short time teaching that through HIM we could have an awesome relationship with God.    Over the years I have to admit I was consumed with the gift giving not the most important reason for the season.  Sure the giving and receiving of gifts is fun, and represents all those who came to the manger so many years ago with their presents for the new born KING....but now my way of thinking is the giving is so much more...it's giving to those who are in need not just at Christmas, but all year long.  It's amazing how you can help in so many ways even when you aren't doing that well financially.  I'm smiling to myself because some things have happened in the past couple weeks to show me how much some really care.  My dear hubby hasn't been working much cuz his business is slow, and he's been down with the flu.  My precious ex-daughter-in-law, Debbie invited me to lunch last Tuesday...when she drove up I noticed a huge box in the back seat of her car.  Yep, she brought everything (and more) that we needed to fix  for a wonderful Christmas Dinner even down to the Apple pie!!  I cried with tears of joy knowing how much her heart was enjoying the giving too. 

Friday night we started up to the mountains of Wardensville, WV to meet with family and friends for a Christmas Dinner.   It was good to see Dewey's exwife, and her hubby.  From the first time we met we became fast friends...that was 29 yrs ago. Lisa, Dewey's daughter, and her daugher, Harley and one of her sons, Cody was there.  My daughter and her BF and his two children got there later as it was their first trip up there.  We all had a great time celebrating the anniversary of the birth of Jesus. 

Saturday evening we went to see Janet, Hunter and Gracie...we miss seeing them since she and Lee split up...she'll always be a part of our family!  When we left we were going down one of the winding roads when Dewey stopped and asked if I saw that white thing in the woods...we turned around and got a better look!  It was a really pretty white deer all alone just staring at us.    As we drove on I saw a falling star...it was amazing as I hadn't seen one in years...to me it was like a reminder from God that we were about to celebrate the birth of our King, Jesus.  I thanked HIM for that beautiful sign, then continued to thank HIM for the gift of life with HIM through his son, Jesus Chirst.  I pray for those who still don't know HIM...that their hearts will accept that free gift so they will live forever too.
Many blessings to all who love our Lord and are waiting for Jesus' return!!
Now for some photos...there are many too!

The white deer

Janet & Hunter

Janet & Gracie

Dan our Santa Claus

Harley

Hunter with angel he made

Joanne & Dan's home

Lisa in the doorway

Sunrise

Beautiful tree

Awesome Sunset 122011

I'm thankful for.....

Knowing in my heart true peace comes only when I become submissive to God's will in my life why then did I try to do things in my own strength?  Too many times I'd fall into the snares of the world around me creating heartache and disaster.   Being a child of God creates a struggle in, and against the world,  by keeping HIS word uppermost in my heart and mind brings complete peace. Then  God takes up my whole heart!   Being in my Father's arms keeps me safe as a baby feels when tucked in his mother's arms.

But my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Jesus Christ.  Phil 4:19

Photoes of jewelry I've created for another Christmas Bazaar. 
Blessings as we think about all that we are thankful for during this Holiday season.. Bevie

very delicate

little goldtone earrings

Closeup of pendant on necklace

This is very long and spunky!

I love these little Elephants

Look at our old guy sitting beside a little statue!

Our mom is coming for Thanksgiving Dinner!

Shortly after our kids started having children of their own they decided to stay at home and celebrate Thanksgiving with them, and in some cases their husbands or wives.  At first it was a big disapointment, but as the years have gone by, we find it's really ok...we do get together for a big Christmas dinner at Dewey's daughter and her family.  This Thanksgiving we are pleased to have my 93 yr old mom coming to spend a couple weeks with us.  I was a little worried about her around the dogs since it's been a few years, but she says they will be just fine.  I've been so busy getting my Christmas jewelry and paintings ready for the different Christmas Bazaars I'm going to be in I haven't had time to do much cleaning, so you can guess what I'm going to be doing the rest of this week...hehehehe!!!  I do hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving sharing with your family...course our door is alway open just in case someone decided to come by....my daughter, Missy and her boyfriend will be coming too so it will be fun.
I finished a couple more necklaces and earrings and thought I'd share with you...Blessings, and if you travel thru the Holidays I pray for your safety!!

Giving makes my heart sing!

Good morning my dear friends!  I've been very busy getting ready for the Christmas Bazaar this weekend, Nov 5th at our local Fire Department.  I've never done one before so am really looking forward in meeting and greeting people who stop by.  I've got small earrings for just a dollar, and necklace and earring sets for $10.00 making it easier for those of us living on a very restricted budget to be able to find something nice for family and friends.  I'm adding some Christmas paintings to my table most of which are framed, and lots of scarves and hats that I made.
Many of us at our Church are members of our Outreach Program and I'm happy to say have make some lovely things for one of the local Nursing Homes in the area.  We also provide food from our "Closet" for those in need.  Here are some of the lap blankets I've made to give.

I know for me, giving makes me so happy...we don't have much money, but there other ways to give...your time, your love, compassion....just think about the ways you can give of yourself to others!!!

Blessings.

Bevie

We've enjoyed driving around the mountains and surrounding towns!

It's wonderful to share all these photos of the changing leaves on all the trees in the mountains of VA.  We've covered areas up near where we live that we've never seen so the photos were really fun to take...hope you like them too!
Blessings!
Bevie

The Church I attend

Just look at that color change!

This the entrance to our house

I can just visualize the family who lived here many years ago~

A fun Shop to visit!

We love to own this old house..huh

This place is usually filled with families picking out their

pumpkins...there's far more inside...All kinds of apples and baked goods. Yummm