A few guys...

I'm joining Litte Red House for Mosaic Monday. It's so neat to see what everyone is taking pictures of, especially at Christmas time.

I have been collecting Nutcrackers for about 25 years. My husband gave me my first one all those years ago and I've been hooked ever since. Below is a mosaic of my collection. The tallest ones are 24 inches high, the smallest {which are ornaments} are only 2 inches high.

The smallest ones don't have the friendliest faces {I guess they're tired of their work} but the larger ones are quite handsome!

...different views...
and perhaps friendlier faces ...

I'm also linking with Tam's The Gypsy Corner for her Three or More Tuesday. It's also a great place to visit to see everyone's collections!

Thanks for visiting...

Enjoy your day!

Things that inspire...

I've read several posts on things that inspire. That made me think of things that inspire me. I think this would also include, "Things that catch my eye" and "Things that make me happy".

I've been traveling that past few days and with my camera always with me, I took a few shots.

I have always loved clocks. This little park had one predominently displayed.

White painted churches always looks so crisp and clean...just friendly.

Doesn't this gazebo just say, "strike up the band?"

Love these quiet little spots...just a place to "be".

I know these aren't the prettiest birds but I enjoyed watching them wash off the day's dust in their little makeshift pool.

I love visiting neat restaurants...

...with simple lighting.

{I love diamond and square shapes.}

... all flowers...

...and pretty little votive candle holders.

I tend to gravitate towards things that are balanced, predictable...

... with patterns...

...great textures...and buttons too!

Something about neon signs...they are blasts from the past...

and of course, American flags day or night.

Who can resist Christmas lights...any time of year...

...crystal pieces with all their glory...

...and vintage items made with loving hands.

I just love these things.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you are having a wonderful day, one filled with friends and family.

As you are relaxing I also hope you have a minute to stop by Susan's Between Naps of the Porch for her Tablescape Thursday.

Thanksgiving is such a special time of the year... family and friends are near, the weather is crisp and cool... it's a wonderful day to slow things down  and reflect on blessings.

Blessings to you!

Candle centerpieces and chargers - Hobby Lobby

Dishes - Westerly Basket - Bed Bath Beyond

Small brown vase, creamer, vintage doornobs - maternal grandmother

Stemware - Lenox

Flatware, linen napkins - eBay

Incense "smoker" - Germany

Nature...

It's November 21. Here in Houston, it's a typical fall day. The weather is crisp and cool...only about 68 degrees. The sun is out, warming the earth. It's a lovely day.

To practice with my new camera...I thought I'd look to nature.

This plant is called Hen and Chick...I think the larger is the Hen... the smaller shoot is the chick.

The veins in the leaves are just amazing.

 New growth...

Look at the little circles around the perimeter of the leaves of this fern.

The center of this flower looks like it could just burst!

The detail is just beautiful!

 Don't these look like blueberries! They are actually from Indian Hawthornes.

Nature...awesome.

I'm linking with Outdoor Wednesday. Be sure to stop by for gorgeous shots!

Little Angels...

I added a new Christmas tree this year.

I wanted something in my foyer to welcome friends and family.

My new little tree is displaying a few of my favorite angel ornaments. They've been such fun to collect. Some I have purchased, others were gifts. I just love looking at them...they bring back such special memories.

I'm joining Mary at Little Red House for Mosaic Monday. This week Mary has a wonderful treat...a mosaic calendar{with tutorial!} Thanks Mary! Be sure to visit to see all the participants and their gorgeous compositions.

Prayer...

I'm linking with Ginger and Charlotte's Spiritual Sundays. It's such a refreshing place to visit. If you don't have time to visit all participants today, it's a great place to visit any day of the week!

To continue the series on prayer, I like to add something else to ponder...

"Prayer is a way to re-center every situation, every question, every need back on God. God in the middle. God as the source. God as God. What is going on in your life? What are you facing? What are you hoping for? What are you afraid of? Re-center...re-center on God. Put God and His kingdom in your equation. When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, this is the kid of prayer He taught."

If you'd like to learn more about prayer, you can visit previous posts here and here.

**********************************************************************************

I'd like to end my post with a few things: First of all, I hope that by visiting Ginger and Charlotte's site as well as all the others who contribute, that someone out there in blogland will be spoken too, helped, inspired, made to feel better, or become more interested in learning about God. Secondly, my posts are recaps of our Sunday's message, simply restated and with, perhaps a little of my two cents. Please understand that I am not a minister, only a simple sinner, one that wants to share the good news of Jesus and to hopefully help someone along the way.

My church, Gloria Dei Lutheran, is Missouri Synod and located in Nassau Bay, Texas ~ near Houston. If you're ever in the area and want to visit, please know that you'd be welcomed with open arms. If you are unable to travel and would like to listen to messages on line, those are available as well. There are even videos you might like to view too. The website is http://www.gdlc.org/.

Enjoy your Sunday...and the rest of your week!

Just a little bit...

I am feeling that old Christmas spirit a little early this year. I'm not ready to get everything out, but just a little bit isn't rushing it, right?

While out shopping, I found this super cute cardinal ornament. Following the tutorial on Be Tasseled, which is really "friendly", I made my first Christmas tassel!

It was OK...but something didn't feel right. After playing around with it a bit, I

changed the ribbon it hung from and that was MUCH better. Then I started thinking...

I have another cardinal in my Christmas "red" box...

and...

tada...

...here's his friend!

Today, I'm joining Susan with her TablescapeThursday at Between Naps on the Porch. Be sure to stop by to see her and the participants' amazing tables, you'll be inspired!

My new Christmas tassel became part of the centerpiece...

...with his buddy close by.

As the sun was setting, the table had an entirely different glow.

Looks like it was alright that I put out a little bit of Christmas, even Santa likes it!

Thanks for visiting. Enjoy your Thursday!

wrought iron centerpiece: IKEA via GW

stemware: Dollar General

silverware: International "Prelude"

dinner plates: Lenox "Opal Innocence Carved"

chargers: Hobby Lobby

Waterford crystal: Wedding gifts

candle holders: Tuesday Morning/Gardenridge

silver~plate tray w/sugar and creamer: Salvation Army

souvenir spoons - Salvation Army, Bavaria

Santa hat: Santa  ;)