HI!!!!
We are absolutely freezing here....they are calling for snow, freezing rain or something! It changes by the hour. Whatever it is, we don't want it.....lol. What a way to start off the NEW YEAR AGAIN!!! Thank the Lord, though, for New Beginnings.....I don't have a lot to say tonight but wanted to touch base with everyone and let you know that I am thinking of all of you and designing a chart that will be on here soon! Keep checking back.... My brain has been on over load with ideas for this year ...don't really know what will get done but at least it is working and thinking! hehe I hope each and every one of you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year with your families and friends....we did! We had about 16 or 17 people here Christmas Day...it was wonderful. The more, the merrier! I LOVE IT!!! And all that food...on my gosh!! It was heaven on earth....Anyway, I pray that all of you have a great rest of your week and I will be posting again real soon....be blessed!!!
Nancy

Merry Christmas everyone!

It is almost here and I can't believe it.....are you ready???? Only about 5 more days and counting and Santa will come to our houses, that is, if we have been good! I have sure tried to be this year, hope I have, anyway, I am praying! Hope you have too!!!! lol I am going to tell you what I would like for Christmas....is that ok? Then you can write back if you like and let me know what you would like too! I really can't think of anything I want for Christmas in the way of possessions. I know that if I had a wish, it would be to have my bills paid off so that I could be able to do more for others. I would like my children to all be happy and at peace with the Lord and themselves. Some are, some aren't right now. My prayer is that next year too, will be so much better for everyone than it was this past year.

Have you finished all your shopping? We finally have!! Thank goodness! The malls haven't been as crowded as the usually are around here. I have been surprised. Everything has been on sale too! That is a good thing for everyone. Our grandchildren are soooo excited. (We are too)! I just love this time of year, don't you? We have already had snow too...almost 5 inches! I hope it isn't going to be another year like last year! WOW....this time last year we had over a foot of snow. I had major cabin fever....

I have been cooking, have you? So far I have baked lots of different cookies and fudge. I wanted to give you a fudge recipe. It was my sister-in-laws. It makes 5 pounds of the most wonderful fudge and it is sooooo easy. You will LOVE this fudge!! PROMISE! So here goes....

CHOCOLATE FUDGE

5 CUPS SUGAR

2 STICKS BUTTER OR MARGARINE

1 CAN CARNATION CONDENSED MILK

Cook above until it comes to a rapid boil, stirring all the time, then cut down heat and boil 8 minutes more. Take off the heat.....add one (1) jar marshmallow cream, three (3) small packages nestles chocolate chips and one (1) lbs. cut up pecans (optional). Stir til mixed up and pour into butter greased 12 x 16 pan. Makes 5 pounds.

Merry Christmas to all and God Bless You,

Nancy

Hi!! I am so excited about this time of year! Even though all my children are grown and I still am feeling that empty nest syndrome --which I don't think I will ever get over --- I LOVE this time of year with all the excitement! Especially the MUSIC! I love it when they start playing Christmas music. Doesn't it just put you in the mood and take you right back to your childhood. I remember growing up when it seemed there was a Santa Clause on every corner in our downtown. Now we don't shop in downtown any longer...just shopping malls and it doesn't seem as exciting as walking the streets of the city with all the lights where the Santa's were ringing big bells and in the BIG stores children were lined up just waiting to sit on his lap. Of course, that isn't the real reason we are to celebrate Christmas because it is Jesus Birthday. Even though this "Free Chart" I have done for you does have a Santa Clause on it....please remember the true meaning of what this season is all about and what we are truly celebrating....the Birth of our Lord. Without Him we wouldn't be able to give those wonderful presents to our loved ones and friends or have any wonderful things. So as the season approaches, I hope you will take time to step back and not get caught up so much this year in what you can spend on each other but more in what you can give from you heart. Those things that are truly remembered. For memories are really one of the only things we can call our own.

Be Blessed as Always,

Nancy

Hi,

Is everybody getting ready for Thanksgiving! Well, I know everyone isn't because lots of you aren't from America but if you are...then you are thinking about what you are going to do for dinner in the next couple of weeks and who you will be eating with and where and what and all that good stuff! Trying to please everyone is a chore sometimes especially in this day with blending families. I know we have that in our household. Not that it is a problem but it is just trying to arrange the dinner(s) so that it doesn't interfere with everyone else's dinner(s) and especially since the children are grown and all have their own families and such. WOW...is that enough to make you tired without even cooking and cleaning...just thinking about it!!! lol We have 5 children...my husband had 2 when we got married and I had 3 so we are blending!!! Now we have 6 grandchildren.... WE LOVE them all and they are all wonderful! We have a house full here and I absolutely am in heaven when they are all here....I wouldn't have it any other way! I only wish they would stay longer when they are here. I get soooo excited before they get here I can hardly stand myself. Is that silly or what and they all live in town and I see them all the time! You would think they had come from far away. I just love it when they are all here. I think I still have empty nest syndrome to tell you the truth. I tell my husband that all the time. There is nothing like having children around....big or small to keep you alive! Anyway, I LOVE this time of year...it just seems to bring life back into people, don't you think? I hope you are taking this time of year to really think about all the wonderful things you DO have to be thankful for....we are SOOOO blessed! You know, regardless of how bad things are in our lives sometimes....if we look around, there is always someone that has it worse and we can be thankful that we are who we are and where we are and that the Lord has given us what we have. Because things could be worse for us. The most important thing in this life is family....love yours today.

I have a little sampler for Thanksgiving to give you called "Give Thanks"....hope you enjoy! Governor Bradford celebrated the first harvest in 1621 -the first Thanksgiving for the Pilgrims. Please add your own initials anywhere you please.

Be blessed as always and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

God Bless You Always,

Nancy

Hi!

Hope everyone is doing well!! I cannot believe it is already November...only 51 days til Christmas!!! WOW....have you started your shopping. Some of you are probably so organized that you are already through. I have bought ONE present. I guess that means I have begun....hehe I have a LONG way to go with 5 children and 6 grandchildren and their spouses and such! On me...it will get done because I LOVE this time of year. But not because of all the presents but because of who's birthday we are celebrating!! Our Lords. With all the hustle and bustle it is so easy to get busy cooking, cleaning, decorating and doing all the really fun things and not so fun things around this time of year but still forget from Thanksgiving til Christmas what we are really supposed to be grateful for. Not only our great Nation and all we have here...even though we are going through a hard time right now...somehow, with the Lord's help, our Nation will overcome. We need we get on our knees and thank the Lord for what we do have! Just look around...you will see. It isn't that far away from you. Blessings are everywhere....you just have to open your eyes and see them.

Here is a Free Chart for you....."Good Tidings Mini Christmas Sampler". I hope you enjoy it. I will have more later...Do come back soon.

Be blessed,

Nancy

Hi!

Hope you are enjoying this wonderful weather....boy we can tell fall is just around the corner! Doesn't time fly....it was just getting to be summer and now we need to start Christmas shopping. WOW!!! I love this time of year! Around here we have sooo many trees and they turn the most gorgeous colors...they are wonderful! We live close to the Blue Ridge Parkway and it is heavenly to ride on and look at each year! Every year too, there is soo much going on with apple butter making and so many craft festivals around! It is so much fun. Really puts you in the mood for fall too! The only thing I don't like is having to put on heavier clothes...yuk! I still like my sandals and capris....wish I could wear them all year long! Oh well, guess you can't have it all, can you! hehe

Here is another little chart for you...enjoy! Just something for fall! Hope you have a great rest of your September....

Blessings to you as always,

Nancy

Hi Everybody!

Well, summer is almost over...wow!! I just absolutely cannot believe it! School is back in most places and all the children are happy...aren't they??? At least some of them are for right now with their new backpacks, notebooks, pens and such! But that usually doesn't last very long....then comes the boring homework and the running them here and there and to bed early and on and on!! Ours are all grown now but doesn't seem all that long ago that I was in that routine and running around like a chicken with my head cut off!! I miss those days.....VERY MUCH!! Now I just run around like a chicken with my head cut off for other reasons....like---LIFE in general. Because there is, it seems, always something, as my Mother used to say, something in life to keep you busy! Now we have grandchildren and the children which are grown that are all living around us and....well life just keeps on happening and going and going and going.

I read something the other day on a Church billboard that really struck my heart and I have thought about it a lot ....it was: Life has a LOT of choices, Eternity has TWO! I know I have made soo many choices in life, some good, some bad. Haven't we all. But the one choice we all need to make is the one for Eternity with the Lord. This is the one that probably concerns every parent and grandparent also for their children , that they will make that decision. Psalms 127:3 says Children are an heritage of the Lord. Mark 10:14 says Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God. I know how much the Lord loves our children and grandchildren. You are blessed if you have a child, grandchild, niece, nephew, cousin, brother, sister. Love them...cherish them.....have fun with them....enjoy them....tell them about Jesus. Treat them as Jesus would treat them.... you will be blessed also.

I have designed this little Sampler called: School Days....make it up as a sampler or pinkeep. I hope you enjoy it. Have a wonderful day!

Blessings always, Nancy