Life With Jules, and other stuff

Each year, we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. We do this with food, family, friends, gifts, decorations, and more. Some will attend a Christmas Eve service. Others will attend various parties. Whatever the case may be, one thing remains the same: Ok, this picture doesn't do it justice by any means. This year is the first year I have had a real, living tree in my home since I was a teen. The last time, my dad got us one when I was a freshman in high school. I woke up physically ill every morning after. My mom even forewarned him that would happen. But I digress...no issues this time. Maybe this will be a new tradition for me. Here's my other tree (relocated to my office this year): Yes, Sparty Tree is up! And it was the guest of honor at our office luncheon today.

This year will be a year of deepening my relationship with Jesus! This morning, we had a wonderful worship service at church with a guest sitting in on the drums. He is 9 years old - and man can he play drums! Unfortunately, the video file size is too big to include on this post. Anyway, this evening, my other half and I sat around the dining room table indulging in a little sparkly. I kept my limit to 2 glasses. While I was hesitant to try it because it's a red, Cold Duck is actually not that bad. Mind you, I don't really drink alcoholic beverages often and when I do it's typically just a glass or 2 of wine. Here's a couple snaps of of the flutes filled. I looked in several stores for flutes with New Year's designs already on them to no avail so I made my own. I used Puffy 3D Glitter Paint. It served it's purpose! Enough about the alcoholic beverage. On to more important things: Jesus! So after I finished my 2nd glass, we continued our discussion on Jesus but d...

I miss what Christmas used to be. A time spent with family, gathered around the table eating a meal lovingly prepared by several members. This time of year just hasn't been the same for me since, well, the 1990s. I mean, yea when I was a kid it was about the presents. But let's face it, mom had to come up with some pretty interesting hiding places to keep me from snooping and finding them. I always found them. I always knew what we were getting before they were even wrapped and under the tree...until she started leaving them at her friends' homes, lol. But at some point it became about time with my family. Whether there was snow on the ground or not, I didn't care. I just wanted Christmas morning to arrive so we could pile in the car and head to grandma's! Grandma went to heaven in 1993. Christmas has never been the same. The family started doing their own things. Aunts and uncles became grandparents and turned their attention to their grandchildren (rightly so). An...

…of the brave little donkey? “Once there lived a little donkey whose owner beat him daily. A gentle man named Joseph felt sorry for the donkey and paid a high price for him. Joseph and his pregnant wife, Mary, were kind to the donkey, who felt happy again. Joseph told the donkey he needed his help for a very important journey to a town called Bethlehem. The donkey proudly carried Mary and waited while Joseph tried to find lodging. Upset that there was no room, the little donkey brayed so loudly that the innkeeper sent them to a stable where the woman gave birth to her baby, Jesus, whom the donkey kept warm with his soft breath. A brave little donkey carried Mary and her babe. That night was born our Savior, in a manger now he lay. God bless the little donkey and the journey that he made.” *Taken from http://www.stjames-liberty.org/stjames2/2015-advent-calendar/legend-of-the-christmas-donkey/ ********************************** Here is the true story of the Birth of Jesus (...

Well, I spent part of the afternoon/evening (prevening for those "Big Bang Theory" fans) at my sister's. Got to play with the grand-nieces. So much fun! While Jesus IS the reason, it's truly about the kids on Christmas day. Here are some pics of my day: The nephew, his wife and the grand-niece: Melissa, David Jr and Sophia My sister The niece and grand nieces: Maislin, Kathy and Leighlan Cousins My step-mom has improved on her selections for me!  (I really dislike the fact that I cannot use Windows Live Writer on this computer. My pics are so disorganized :( ) I missed my mom, niece and brother in Michigan, but kinda thankful I wasn't able to go there this time as they were without power last weekend due to ice storms. Yeah, I don't miss that weather one bit! But it would have been nice to spend the holiday with my mom. Maybe in 2014... I also missed my dad. I really wanted to go to my sister's earli...

From Jules (me), Sandy (the diva) and Abu (the thief)  

My best friend and her son, Noah, made me a sweet Christmas gift this year.   The reindeer is Noah's thumbprint! Merry Christmas to all!!!

I am slowly getting back into the groove of stitching. I have been looking through some of the magazines I have collected through the years and found some smalls that would be great for ornaments, Christmas ornaments that is! I am going to try to stitch some of those throughout the year. I do want to redirect y’all to my writing blog: A Day in the Life of Me . ~~~Until Next Time~~~

I have been in a great mood lately and I think it’s reflected in my stitching. Anyway, here is my WIP update for the month: The Gardeners Ornaments VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL   As you can see, I haven’t spent much time on anything this month....

  I finished another ornament and it will find it’s way to it’s new home in little more than a week. I am personally delivering this one, lol! The backdrop is actually a print of a painting by one of my fave local artists: Rob Kaz ! Check out his website for lots of cool paintings!! In other WIP news: I will post my WIPocalypse update over the weekend.

OK, so this year I only made 5 ornaments and those were for a few friends. Here they are (in no particular order): The 4 above are from a booklet that came with an issue of Cross Stitch Crazy in 2009. I think this one is my favorite design. It’s “Peace” by Jeannette Douglas Designs from the 2012 Christmas Ornament Issue of JCS.