A Joyful Christmas Blessing

As long as we know in our hearts what Christmas ought to be, Christmas is.--Eric Sevareid 

Lord Jesus,

Please forgive me for being so grumpy as I trudge through the never-ending tasks set before me this holiday season...

My to-do list seems to keep growing with shopping, church services, and family gatherings---

and I'm running short of time!

Restore the joy of Christmas to my heart . . .

and help me to relax each day and make time for

YOU--

my one true Source of Joy.

We use this time of year for reflection. Happy memories or painful, they help us grow. They create tradition and re-affirming of neglected friendships and families. We remember loved ones no longer here. Most of all we look for that wonderment in a child's eyes. It is certainly true; if we could only keep this feeling in our hearts all the days of the year.

Christmas came early this year. It snuck up on me. Between Thanksgiving, craft shows, work, and a trip to Portland for a concert with my sister, it descended upon us. Thank goodness for Dan and the kids to make sure all the decorations were hauled up from the basement and the last traces of farmers market and sales were banished from the dining room table. 
My grandson, Jacob cut down his first tree and it stands tall and straight in our living room.
Animated and colorful displays cover walls, doors, and tables. 
The scents of bayberry,apple,cinnamon and pine fill the air.
Plants in bloom move into the house from the greenhouse. 
But it got done. And we all survived. So what if all the lights didn't get put up outside. We went for the minimalist look on the tree. We didn't gain any extra weight scarfing up tons of breads, candies and cookies.
We had a wonderful dinner that everyone contributed to and enjoyed watching favorite holiday shows and singing karaoke.
And tho I didn't get the cards mailed out, it gives me a great opportunity to write an after the holidays letter!
And now it is my birthday. I took the day off work so I could stay home and feel sorry for myself. Well, I had planned to do that, but instead made lists of winter projects I need to get done. Some painting, flooring and rearranging. LOTS of organizing and de-cluttering. And its got to get done before all the greenhouse work that starts back up in a month or so.
My wonderful brothers called to wish me happy birthday and to catch up. Jobs, homes and families keep us so busy that we rarely talk anymore, and that's sad. I'm gonna resolve to keep in touch more. I miss them and the closeness we shared when we were young and unfettered.
But time to get back to reality. Soon the decorations will be memories and I am already planning ahead for spring craft and garden shows.
So love one another and hold tight to our faith that we can make a difference. Let's pray for world peace, an end to poverty and hunger, economic strife.
And take time for the children. They are our future. And they pick out our nursing homes!
Love to all...






Jesus, the Light of the World, as we celebrate your birth . . . . may we begin to see the world in the light of the understanding you give us.  As you chose the lowly, the outcasts, and the poor to receive the greatest news the world had ever known, so may we worship you in meekness of heart.  May we also remember our brothers and sisters less fortunate than ourselves in this season of giving.  Amen.

Unfit Gardener: Craft Show this weekend

Unfit Gardener: Craft Show this weekend

Craft Show this weekend

I am at a craft show Saturday and Sunday. It is being held by the Charter Academy Prep School in
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
The weather was a little rough Saturday as we awoke to our first snowfall of the winter. And the drive home in the blizzard left little to be desired. But Sunday dawned sunny with blue skies and all the snow melted, making a promise of a great day. Hope sales will reflect that as Saturday was a no-sale day. Not a lot of customers and very disappointing.
So I had plenty of time to walk around and view the different vendors and get their stories.
I apologize right now for the picture quality. I'm a snap and go gal and am always forgetting to change settings like Dan has showed me a million times! The artists and their products are much better-looking than my pictures portray.

Here are some pictures of the items I had for sale.

Dan made some beautiful Wardian houses from picture frames. They are so fun and can be used for a special tea cup or figurine, a seasonal vignette, or of course plants.

My cake plates. I love finding unique plates and then hunting for just the right candlestick or vase to fit underneath.

Besides my jams and preserves, I made up several different flavors of fudge, and some fruit breads. And homemade almond roca; yum!

Betsy brought along her quilts and scarf creations along with her had dipped incense sticks and incense burner bottles. She also provided her cocoa and tea mixes-in-a-jar and scented candles in cute containers.
 The other booths here are fantastic and so creative! I will introduce you to some of them and if you need more info on them or their products, you can contact me or I will add their info if I have.

Sharman makes these wreaths and ornaments. This is her first show and she will also be at the December show at the fairgrounds here in Coeur d’ Alene. I look forward to seeing her there!

Jeannine makes these cute elf hats. She has lots of other styles guaranteed to keep you warm. I need one of those hats! Her daughter makes the beaded and hemp jewelry. She only makes for family and friends (so far) but can be persuaded to go outside her circle if you e-mail her at jlneenbean.com  On a side note; does anyone remember Huggy Bear from Starsky and Hutch? She makes those hats that he made popular. Fun!

Ivy Rivers are the creations of Linda. She makes the most amazing snow men and these moss creations are great! I can see them on my front porch to give me a burst of color and nature when snow covers everything. Her e-mail is walkadoo@adelphia.net

Linda’s daughter, Debbie makes items for my Farmers Market. Her business is BW  Barkery and she makes all kinds of organic treats for pets along with bedding and toys. I love her eye for color. Contact Debbie at bwbarkery.com  They are from Hayden, Idaho

Sam has a studio, ‘Sam-Art’ where you can watch her create her line of jewelry. She is from Puyallup, Washington. She has exquisite items made from rocks, fossils, dinosaur bones, and crafts them with wire and precious metals. Contact her at samartiam@msn.com or visit her work at samartsamrocks.etsy.com or www.facebook.com/SamArtArtist

Garden Party Fibers is well known in this neck of the woods. Juaquetta belongs to my Farmers market and does many fine arts shows all year long. She collects her materials from different animal sources along with feathers and natural materials. She hand dyes her wools using natural plant dyes; in fact you can tell from the colors staining her fingers what colors she has done that day! At her shows she can be found  sitting at her spinning wheel, making up some skeins that you can buy or have made into her sweaters, wraps, hats, gloves, and cup wraps. Find her online at gardenpartyfibers.com or drop her a note at yarn@gardenpartyfibers.com

Bonnie Crain Pottery and William Crain Photography are a husband and wife team that also participate at the Market. Bonnie creates miniature bottles, jars, cups and many household goods. She has also recently started carving on her hand-thrown creations and coming up with some really unique pieces.
William is the photographer and author in the family. He has a great eye for detail and does great close-up work, something that I need to work on as you can see from my pictures! He has written a popular children’s book that his son Brian illustrated.

Salina at Moonflower Creations does altered art books, and felted products along with gorgeous crocheted fingerless gloves and arm warmers. Add her to your ‘Favorites’ at www.moonflowercreations.etsy.com  or via e-mail at moonflower creations@rocketmail.com

Red Rooster Crafts by Jan is a long-time member of the Market. She creates the greatest sayings on reclaimed wood and her use of font and background color is to die for. She has seasonal sayings along with poetry and humorous statements. She also sews country and prim style pillows with embroidered words. Drop her a line at redroostercrafts@yahoo.com

Crafty Cravings is the imagination of Pamela. She has a shop in Post Falls, Idaho and sells her glass flowers there. She also houses other talented crafters there and you can see her art at craftycravings.net or talk to her at crafty cravings@ymail.com

Deborah has a booth here of used merchandise. Lots of antique furniture, toys, jewelry, and glassware. I am working on Dan as we speak to see if I can bring home this 1927 vanity table. She takes consignments and is in Coeur d’Alene on Ironwood Drive. Call her if you’re looking for that special piece at (208) 704-8962

Wow! I just had some sales!! Whoo hoo! Getting closer to that vanity!

First Craft Show Coming Up

Well,it's that time of year again. Market has closed for the season. Craft shows are gearing up. Went to the big Central Valley show last weekend with Betsy. Alot of people from market had booths. I will be looking into it for next year. Lots of wonderful items for sale and some different ideas. As usual there were lots of different jewelry from beadwork, silverware, precious gems, and hemp. Also lots of hats, scarves, and gloves.Crocheted, knit, and sewn kitchenware, baby items,quilts, melted bottles, lighted glassware, ceramics,photography and woodworking. There were some food items, and candles and soaps. Overall a good mix of products.

Shelving made from vintage doors

wind chimes made from everything. Lots to look at.

/div> Melted bottles made into cheese plates, soap holders, etc. So now I am getting ready for my show this weekend. My usual jams plus a variety of crafts Betsy and I have done over the summer. Decoupaged coasters, subway art cards, cupcake and cake stands, upcycled clothing, tea, cocoa and food mixes, signs, magnets. quilts, and anything else I haul out of the craft room.