My first attempt at creating with mixed media. Definitely out of my comfort zone but now I want to do more. These are postcards and I like how they turned out!
Envelopes!
My friend, Pam, over at Lost Art, has some cute pictures of envelopes she made. I was inspired a few years ago to make my own and have really enjoyed it. I use scrapbook paper (if using regular and not two-sided, then you’ll need to make a liner), and old calendars. I use envelope templates that I purchased from Paper Source. Although there are free ones available online, I like these plastic ones. They have faired well through many, many uses.
Here’s some that I’ve made. I hope you will try this easy craft. It’s a nice way to brighten someone’s day when they receive this in their mailbox!
handmade envelopes
Exciting News
Our first grandchild, a girl, was born almost a month ago. We are thankful to the Lord for her safe delivery. She is a tiny little thing, weighing in at 5.15 lbs. Michael and I call her “The Bean”. Ever since we saw the first ultrasound that has been her name. Michael is Grandpa and I am Grammie. I don’t know if those names will stick or if she will choose something of her own. I’m fine either way.
I’m thankful that she is close by! My daughter-in-law is very sweet and sends me pictures several times a day. I can’t get enough of that lovely face and I look forward to every visit I have with her. It has been fun to see my son in the role of “dad”. He is very gentle and loving with her as I knew he would be.
In other news, I’ve decided to bring this blog back to life as it first started out: a journal of my life here at home. When I first started, I was a stay-at-home homeschooling mom. Now I’m a stay-at-home wife…and now a Grammie! I’m no longer homeschooling but my days are full, although much quieter.
I hope you’ll join me as I try to be more consistent here. I do miss writing and I feel like Facebook has really taken away a lot of what I used to do here. So, Lord willing, I hope to visit here more often!
Messy Beautiful Friendship
I’m excited to announce that I am a member of the launch team for the new Christine Hoover book, Messy Beautiful Friendship. It’s available for pre-order and includes lots of perks that you can enjoy now! 
It will officially be available in April but if you pre-order now, you can read the first two chapters.
To find out more about Christine, please check out her website at Grace Covers Me.
Behind on Bible Reading?
I enjoyed this article about our devotional life. There is no getting behind or doing it wrong; spending time in His Word is always the right thing to do!
Kindness
For months now whenever I get on Facebook, I would feel agitated. I didn’t know why but because of it I’ve really cut back on social media. Yesterday, I finally figured it out. Kindness!
No one (well, not every one!) seems to be kind any more or give people the benefit of the doubt. Earlier in the week Meryl Streep made some comments at the Golden Globe Awards about Donald Trump. This unleashed such harsh words from friends on Facebook, either from themselves or postings that they shared.
So she said some things that people don’t like. Is that an excuse to call her names like “idiot” and “stupid”? I saw several posts saying that she didn’t have a real job because she was an actress. Really? How is acting not a real job? Isn’t going to work every day and getting paid what constitutes a job?
I can remember when people would disagree on a topic but still be civil and kind to each other; they would have respect for the other’s opinion but I fear that that time is long gone.
I was reading today in Proverbs 31:26, “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” I thought that while I can’t control if others are kind, I can clothe myself with kindness (Col. 3:12) and allow the Spirit to work in me to show kindness to others.
ESG: My favourite picture of the month December
Below are my favorite pictures for the month of December.
The first is my husband and me on a mini-vacation in Sandbridge, VA.
Second is a shot from the movie “La La Land”. Easily my favorite movie of 2016.
Next is the prediction of snow that is happening right now. We are up to 6″ and still have a few hours to go!
The last 3 pictures were taken while on that mini-vacation. The condo where we stay faces the west so we are able to get some really nice sunset pictures. I always look forward to seeing how the day will end. While sunsets with clouds are spectacular, the ones without clouds can be beautiful, too.
Enjoy!
