Happy New Year

We are back from Diamond Lake where we spent Christmas.

On our way we saw this covered bridge.

A fallen hay barn

This is farm for sure caught my eye! What a show stopper! It is so perfect.

A Snowy path

Diamond Lake, frozen and covered with snow


More Beautiful Snow


A very large ice cicle

Majestic !


Snow on Christmas Eve



This picture is so peaceful and still


Snow melting off the lodge roof



Diamond Lake Motel


HERE IS WISHING YOU A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Hang Up The Baby's Stocking

Be sure you don't forget! The dear little dimpled darling, She never saw Christmas yet! But I've told her all about it, And she opened her big blue eyes; And I'm sure she understood it- She looked so funny and wise.

Dear, what a tiny stocking! It doesn't take much to hold Such little pink toe's as baby's Away from the frost and the cold But then, for the baby's Christmas, It will never do at all. Why! Santa wouldn't be looking For anything half so small.
I know what I will do for the baby. I've thought of the very best plan. I'll borrow a stocking of Grandma's, The longest that ever I can And you'll hang it by mine, dear mother, Right here in the corner so! And leave a letter to Santa, And fasten it in the toe.

Write-this is the baby's stocking, That hangs in the corner here. You never have seen her, Santa, For she only came this year But she's just the blessed'st baby. And now before you go, Just cram her stocking with goodies










And it came to pass in those day there went out a decree from Ceasar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem: (because he was of the house and lineage of David)

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manager; because there was no room for them at the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.



My Gift

What can I give Him Poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would give Him a lamb, If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part- But what can I give Him, Give my heart. -Christina Rossetti













From Little Women

"Merry Christmas, little daughters! I'm glad you began at once, and hope you will keep on. But I want to say one word before we sit down. Not far away from here lies a poor woman with a little new-born baby. Six children are huddled into one bed to keep from freezing, for they have no fire. There is nothing to eat over there; and the oldest boy comes to tell me they are suffering hunger and cold. My girls, will you give them your breakfast as a Christmas present?"Louisa May Alcott

CHRISTMAS DREAMS

When December comes I dream
of Christmas long ago
When sleighs with bells ran swiftly
Over the packed down snow.
People came from near and far,
The bitter cold defied,
To visit and share with us
The joys of Christmastide.

Many are the times I slip
Into the long ago
Where a little girl once more
Hears sleigh bells in the snow.
A child whose heart beats quickly,
Who flings the front door wide
To dear friends who came to share
The joys of Christmastide.



HOME FOR CHRISTMAS



I am going home for Christmas,
Back to the folks I know,
Back to the chimney corner
That sits in valley low
Where Christmas stars are shining
Upon the village scene
And pure white, downy snowflakes
Mat the country green.

I am going home for Christmas,
Back to that cottage small
Where love shines, through the windows
And a welcome's strewn for all.
Christmas glows in every land,
But hears just somehow pine
For home and all the loved ones
Come joyous Christmastime


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If you have any last minute Christmas shopping to do you might want to check out my web site at
www.mytreasurebarn.com/

or if you are into whimsical things check out these sites

Folk Art Dolls by Mica Garbarino

www.erikascupboard.com

These are 2 really neat sites with really cute authentic items just for Christmas...go ahead...check them out!

CHRISTMAS IS

Oh, Christmas is so many things;
One cannot count them all:
A bell that boasts of what it rings,
A fragile, glist'ning ball,
A touch of tinsel on a pine,
A taper tipped with light,
A family met to chat and dine,
A fire thats warm and bright.

Yes, Christmas is to everyone
The peak of human glow
The time for friendly folks and fun,
For wreaths and mistletoe,
For giving and receiving gifts
All wrapped in red and green
From him who drives through the cloudy drifts
The sleigh no child has seen.

And Christmas is the tale retold--
The blessed baby's birth
The story that is never old,
The hope of men on earth.
Yes, Christmas is all these and more--
The day that's truly His,
The day when we should underscore
Our thanks that Christmas is

by Maragaret Rorke

COLLAGE

While out of town this weekend I saw this article in the local newspaper. It is regarding a collage by Mary Lois Thompson ???

I don't know her but found it interesting that collages would be mentioned in a newspaper. Cool Huh?

CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO READ THE ARTICLE AND GET A BETTER VIEW OF THE COLLAGE.

Personally I have seen better
through my blog.

Our Wedding Anniversary

My husband Alan and I celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary this weekend.
December 14th.
Doesn't seem like we have been married that long.
Love You honey, I am looking forward to many more.

OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS

Let's have an old-fashioned Christmas,
What a day of delight it will be.
We will hang up the wreath made of cedar,
And we will bring home the fresh spruce tree.

Candlelight shines by each window,
Sprigs of holly grace the mantel and door,
The sweet smell of gingerbread cookies
Joins puddings and pies by the score.

The sleds deftly skim frozen hilltops,
Velvet snowflakes in radiance beam,
And ice skaters glide like quicksilver
In winter moonlight's golden gleam.

Make it an old-fashioned Christmas,
May each waiting heart feel the glow
That grows with the ringing of slight bells
Drifting over the soft-silvered snow.


Elisabeth Weaver Winstead

MOTHER LODE

WOMEN OF THE WEST

The spring of 1847 Robert and Jane Caufield joined a wagon train. They had two heavy wagons loaded with goods because they hoped to open a store when they reached Oregon.

During the crossing they encountered unfriendly Indians, flooding rivers and lack of feed for the oxen. By the time they started the last leg, over the Cascades on the Barlow Trail, the oxen were in terrible shape. Several died in their yokes and the Caufield's could go no further.

Jane, another women, and several children were left alone in the mountains while Robert hurried on foot to the Willamette Valley. He was gone a week; during that time it snowed and every night the wolves howled close. Robert returned with several ox teams and they were able to reach Oregon City on the first of November, six months after leaving St. Joe.

The Caufiled's opened a store on main street in Oregon City and were adjusting to their new life when word came that gold had been found at Sutter's Mill in California. Robert took passage on the first ship sailing for San Francisco. Jane was left in charge of the store.

Jame was a very capable business woman. She bought wheat from the farmers, had it ground and sent to California where she realized great profits. A ship arrived with a stock of hats and bonnets from London. The captain was very anxious to dispose of his cargo so he could begin ferrying passengers to the mines. Jane bought the entire stock at her own price and supplied the Oregon Country with head gear.

Robert was not lucky in his quest for gold. Instead, he was taken sick. When he was able to return he found his wife had been tremendously successful. She had been the one who struck the mother lode.

ARLINGTON AT CHRISTMAS

Rest easy, sleep well my brothers.
Know the line has held, your job is done.
Rest easy, sleep well.
Others have taken up where you fell, the line has held.
Peace, peace, and farewell...

5,000 -- are donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine. The owner, Merrill Worcester, not only provides the wreaths, but covers the trucking expense as well. He's done this since 1992. A wonderful guy. Also, most years, groups of Maine school kids combine an educational trip to DC with this event to help out. Making this even more remarkable is the fact that Harrington is in one the poorest parts of the state.

ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR, THIS IS NOT A DRILL!

In less than three hours, Japanese planes crippled the U.S. Pacific fleet.

On December 7, 1941 at 7:58 A.M., the alarm went out: "Air raid, Pearl Harbor. This is not drill!" Later that morning, the magazine of the USS Shaw exploded after being struck by a Japanese bomb.





Today is Pearl Harbor Day.
Let us never forget the soldiers that lost their lives on this day fighting to keep our wonderful country free. After mentioning Pearl Harbor to a couple of people today I was amazed that they knew nothing about it. This is scary. I bet the surviving vets of t his war are wondering if they are the only reminder left. Do your children know about Pearl Harbor and WWII? How many children don't know about it?

My Father was a Marine at Pearl Harbor when it was attacked. His best friend Richard was killed right next to him. Richard was a gunny and my Father was a spotter. My Father named my brother after his friend.

After 5 major battles during WWII my Father died of a heart attack in 1955 at the age of 34. He contacted malaria overseas and it weakened his heart. I was 7 years old.

I miss you Daddy.

FEEDING THE SEAGULLS

Right before the storm hit here in Oregon it was raining really hard and I was just about to leave the grocery store when in front of my car was this little man feeding the seagulls hot dog buns. He was so cute and it was so neat to see this. He did not care that it was raining and he didn't stop until all the hot dog buns were gone. I wanted to share this picture with all of you.

WHO IS JESUS?

These are the pics of the crucifixion of Christ that a man sculptured out of metal near Amarillo, TX.

The cross is a giant made of metal also. The man did this out of the kindness of his heart.

Someone donated the land to him.


Who is Jesus?

HE IS JESUS

WHO IS HE?

IN CHEMISTRY, HE TURNED WATER TO WINE.

IN BIOLOGY, HE WAS BORN WITHOUT THE
NORMAL CONCEPTION;

IN PHYSICS, HE DISPROVED THE LAW OF
GRAVITY WHEN HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN;

IN ECONOMICS, HE DISPROVED THE LAW
OF DIMINISHING RETURN BY FEEDING 5000 MEN WITH
TWO FISHES & 5 LOAVES OF BREAD;

IN MEDICINE, HE CURED THE SICK AND THE
BLIND WITHOUT ADMINISTERING A SINGLE DOSE OF DRUGS,

IN HISTORY, HE IS THE
BEGINNING AND THE END;

IN GOVERNMENT, HE SAID THAT HE SHALL
BE CALLED WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, PRINCE OF PEACE;


IN RELIGION, HE SAID NO ONE COMES TO
THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH HIM;


SO. WHO IS HE?
HE IS JESUS!

The Greatest Man in History
Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him Master.
Had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher.
Had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer.
He had no army, yet kings feared Him..
He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world.
He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.
He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.
I feel honored to serve such a Leader who loves us!













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MOMENTS

Another collage I did today.
Mat Stack backing with a layer of gesso and I blended acrylic paint with a spone roller.
The roller makes blending so easy! I am learning so much!
I call this Moments because it has a clock face on it AND an Indian head nickel and a bird with a hat on. Those are some pretty special moments!
I am havign too much fun!

"FALL"

Here is my piece for Everyday Art today
It is a collage made with an old file folder as the backing
I put a layer of Gesso on it and used acrylic paint to create what I call "Fall"
I am having so much fun creating. So what do you think?

PRETTY FLOWERS

I think that my computer is haunted. With all the problems I have had with the server over the past week and a half today I go on to look at my blog and notice that all the photos on the OUR TRIP TO CA post are gone! Someone is telling me to leave it alone so I guess you will miss out on the first part of our trip unless they decide to appear again. I have had it ! I will not replace the photos.

On a happier note.....


This is my piece for the Everyday Art Group
They are dried pansies that my grandson Chase picked for me when we were in CA.

Aren't they just so very pretty?

Spent Sunday with my son D'Angelo and his family, Lori and Donovan

Lori and I spent the day doing collage

San Franciso hillside

Golden Gate Bridge Exit
We are in the WRONG lane!

It was good getting lost here.

I got to see how San Franciscans live