Holly and Berries.

Merry Christmas everyone!

My table today was inspired by a set of vintage candle holders,

they belonged to my grandmother,

I don't remember her ever using them.

They are from Japan, prewar era.

Honestly, I haven't used them very much until this year...

because last year, 

while I was shopping Hobby Lobby, 

(during their after Christmas sale), 

I saw these plates.

And as I was going through my things,

I remembered these little dishes:

My mother gave them to me 

and actually made them in a kiln,

I'm thinking that's a lost craft.

Before I knew it, a new collection began...

The sugar and creamer was found at Cracker Barrel.

And a set of matching cardinal salt and pepper shakers as well.

My sister and mother found these at an estate sale:

vintage bells...aren't they cute?

Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

I'm joining Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch for her Tablescape Thursday.

Drop by for loads of inspiration! 

In case you're interested:

chargers - Pier 1

flatware - antique shop

dishes - Hobby Lobby

napkin rings - handmade

napkins - Marshalls

stemware - thrifted

sugar/creamer - Cracker Barrel

salt/pepper shakers - Cracker Barrel

bells - estate sale

NOEL candle holders - vintage

centerpiece - craft show

Jingle Bells...

I admit it,

I have a thing for dishes...

they catch my eye.

In fact, I have been watching a set, but they're in rough shape.

Kinda chippy, kinda stained...

but....

every time I see them, I kinda melt.

And I kinda made an agreement with myself, 

if they ever go on sale, 

I just might have to get them!

Now, I don't need any more dishes.

really.

 I just like to consider myself as transitioning over to the 

"collector" category.

(smile)

So, one day I saw these at a little shop 

and knew they'd be perfect for the holidays.

There's something special about white and gold for the holidays, 

don't you think?

Add a little crystal and whimsy to the table and it's a fun setting.

Enjoy!

I'm joining the following parties:

Let's Dish

Tablescape Thursday

As always,

thanks for dropping by!

In case you're interested:

peacock chargers - Z Gallerie

gold chargers - Hobby Lobby

peacock centerpiece - Norma's

plates, stemware - thrifted

flatware - Ebay

napkin rings - Home Goods

candle holders - antique shop

Transitions...

If you've been following for a while,

you know that recently,

we built a new home and moved across town.

..."recently" means

7 months ago...

Now for the Houston area,

across town is approx an hours drive

from our old address

to our new address.

We traded in suburbia

for

rural living.

I won't kid you

it's been quite an adjustment.

An adjustment that I knew I would be making.

However,

saying it 

and 

living it

are very different things.

I hope I'm not coming across negatively

because

that would imply that I'm

not happy.

And

that's not the case at all.

Life is just different.

For instance:

we see deer in our yard,

sweet little birds that love to visit,

and

a multitude of stars at night.

Guess what I saw today?

A cat being chased by three blackbirds.

That cat was running through the trails as fast as he could

and those birds were just a squawking!

I'm thinking they were all enjoying a game of tag.

Now, if my internet connections were consistent

I'd be set!

Happy Thanksgiving 2013

From our home to yours...

have a blessed day!

Spiritual Sunday...Have You Ever Wondered?

Thoughts and scriptures to share... 

Have you ever wondered what eternity will be like?

I have.

I've seen a lot of pictures and have an idea that's been forming in my head since childhood.

Today I thought I'd share a place in the Bible that gives a glorious description...

Revelation 21:11

"It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal."

Have you even seen jasper?

I'm not sure I have...

Here's a bit of background info:

In ancient times JASPER 

was a collective name for opaque stones but it is clear 

that in the New Testament the Jasper is a crystal clear 

transparent stone thought to be a high grade diamond. It is thus

 a fitting symbol to tell forth the glory of God.

http://www.christianshepherd.org/e_books/the_precious_stones_seen_in_the_word_of_god.pdf

Revelation 21:18-19a

"The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone."

The city walls are described in detail in verses Revelation 21:17, 19-20. The above site gives more information about the other precious jewels stated.

Revelation 21:22-23

"I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp."

Taken directly from my Life Application Bible...

"The Holy City, the new Jerusalem is described as the place where God will wipe every tear from our eyes...there will be no death, pain, sorrow, or crying."

Heaven.

I'm joining Spiritual Sundays

Quiet Times...Table for Two

In the hustle and bustle of the season, 

sometimes it's nice to relax and take a little break.

Welcome to my tablescape for this week.

As the morning sun filters in, it's a quiet place to begin our day.
Enjoy!

Table Information:

dishes: antique finds - Noritake "Embassy"

flatware: Ebay - "Shell"

napkins: handmade - re-purposed fabric

tablecloth: vintage

I'm joining the following parties:
Let's Dish
Tablescape Thursday

Thought for the Day....prayer

Welcome to Thought for the Day.

Today's verse comes from our pastor's message this past week.

It was something that struck a chord in my heart, so I thought I'd share it with you today.

My mother-in-law is a prayer warrior. She keeps a prayer journal and prays through it each day. If she can't remember specifics, she calls to make sure she gets all the information right.

She's my inspiration for many things and this prayer journal kept popping up as something I really wanted to do.

Not only is it a tangible place to keep track of prayers but of prayers answered 

and those that are waiting on God's time.

This past Sunday, our pastor titled his message: P.U.S.H.

I had no idea where he was going with this but as usual, 

he had a wonderful point to make.

P - pray

U - until

        S - something

       H - happens.

Have you heard of this before? I hadn't but it really made me think.

I have a constant prayer that hasn't developed yet. I admit that sometimes I just think that it's not meant to be. However, I have to remember that sometimes our prayers can be delayed.

"Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray 

and not give up."

Luke 18:1

So guess what's top of my list today? 

Yep...I'm beginning my prayer journal 

and this "old" request is going to be written down

 and I'll continue to pray about it.

God hears our prayers because He is a loving God.

He's not ignoring us...but in our fast paced world, we all are used to immediate responses.

This message for today reminded me that God is in control; 

He knows best

and

His timing is perfect!

Have a blessed week!