Love, Hope and Peace

Christ loves us so much...he came to us as a babe.  He's our hope and salvation.  This is something for me not to think about only for today but something to ponder everyday for the rest of my life.

May the baby Jesus lying in the crib in the stable...dwell in your heart today and for always.

Merry Christmas!   Peace. 

Right on Schedule

We finally got the house all dressed up for Christmas.  Cards and Packages are in the mail.  Presents are wrapped.   Now...I've got to bake some cookies and set the table for Christmas Eve.  Feeling right on Schedule. 

Sunday Afternoon Stroll

We took the dogs for a walk and the scent of fall is in the air.  I can't wait for the dryer cooler weather.  Within a few weeks I anticipate a palette of splendor!

All Is Not Lost

I had just planted my mums in the planter and set them outside near the side door.  Yesterday....We had our oil tank filled and for some reason the oil man decided the hose that fills the oil tank should be positioned right on top of my mums.  I found it curious...why the hose couldn't be positioned on the ground somewhere next to the planter?   It was not to be.  I gathered the broken stems...put them in an old glass Adirondack milk bottle and set them on the window sill.  I guess all was not lost.

Today I'll be linking with  The Colorado Lady for Vintage Thingy Thursday.

10,000 angels with lanterns to light my way back home

Mom's angel she had displayed in her front yard.  Now it's in my yard.

 

While watching EWTN one evening...I heard a story about a woman.  Monetarily...she had nothing.  She lived in a home with dirt floors but she was rich in her faith.  Upon her death....she was unable to leave money or assets to her children but she left them the greatest gift of all.  Her faith.


   I was born into the Catholic faith.  I received a Catholic education and the Sacraments.  Most of my life I've attended mass on a regular basis.  I considered myself a practicing Catholic or so I thought.  I was going through the motions and pretty much it stopped there.  


Since...my mother passed away a year ago...I've started a journey.  I pray this spiritual journey will last for the rest of my life.  This question was asked of me last year.  If you don't know Jesus...then how can you love him?  I'm hopeful and excited that with perseverance through prayer, Sacred Scripture study, learning about the saints,  practicing the Sacraments...especially regularly receiving the Holy Eucharist ...I'll come to better know our Father by strengthening my relationship with him.     


Did you know the saints had struggles and faults of their own?  That's the wonderful thing about Sainthood.  God uses their lives as examples for us.  Even with their human shortcomings and trials ..... they became Saints and we're inspired by them.  My Catholic faith challenges us all to become saints.  


   My mom didn't force her beliefs on to anyone but she was there to discuss them if you wanted to.  I wish...I was at the same place in my faith journey when she was a live as I am now.  What opportunities I missed for some lovely conversation with her.  What I could have learned!
  
I'm blessed to have her bible though.  As I read through it ....I can see parts of Scripture that she highlighted and drew stars around.  I sometimes feel uncomfortable....that I'm trespassing into what were her inner most personal thoughts, struggles and joys in her journey with Christ but maybe that's His plan.  Maybe...with those bookmarked pages and highlighted words of Scripture...she's accompanying me in spirit on my journey. 
 I can choose to believe this or not.  I choose to believe.  A gift of faith.   ~amy



10,000 angels with lanterns to light my way back home.
Will you be glad if I come back home?
Long time I've been away.
Is it true?
Can I come back today?  
~Aaron Thompson

'10,000 Angels' from the album 10,000 Angels

Little Suitcases and Fabric Yo Yo's

I'll be linking with The Colorado Lady for Vintage Thingy Thursday.

 It's time to share with you some of my vintage finds from this summer.

How sweet are these suitcases?  What did the child who owned these use them for?  Did she use them to pack her clothes in on her way to grandmas's house?  Did she use them to store her toys?  Did she use them to store her doll clothes?  Now....I picture these treasures in a vintage decorated nursery stacked up on a shelf or displayed with a doll collection?

 I also found a bag full of fabric vintage yo yo's.  I thought...hmmm what to do with these?  I bought them and I knew exactly what I'd do with them.

Decorate lampshades?  Yep!

On a previous trip... I bought this vintage ceramic nursery lamp.  It came  without a shade.  I was puzzled on what to use for a shade.....until I brought those yo yo's home and a match was made in heaven! 

There once was an old woman.....

who lived in a shoe.  She had so many children...she didn't know what to do.

Today I'm joining Suzanne at The Colorado Lady for Vintage Thingy Thursday.

I picked up this 50's night light from an adorable antique shop called The Red Barn Antiques.  Unfortunately...hurricane Irene has forced this adorable shop in Upper Jay, NY to close for good.  Upper Jay is in the beautiful Adirondack mountains.... this pretty little hamlet was devastated from the storm.  It'll take some time for them to rebuild and recover.   
 I'll rewire the light so it's again in good working condition.