Christmas and crafting!

Hello to all and a Happy Day to you! 

Things get a little squeezed at this time of year but I wanted to note just a couple of websites you might want to peruse. 

First is the Tim Holtz "12 Tags of Christmas".  Even if you're not a "crafter" per se, this guy has more ideas in one sitting than I've had in a lifetime!  He works for Ranger and comes up with beautiful tags each year at this time.  Check out his website for more ideas!  (and, of course, he has several lines of products that are amazing as well!)

The next site I want to mention is Pinterest.com.  Oh my goodness gracious - if you're interested in, well, ANYTHING, you can find it there.  Start a Pinterest board and when you find something you like online, pin it on your board!  Others can re-pin it, comment on it, etc.  I've started one but don't have a lot on it yet - but it's only been a few days! 

Over the past few years I have enjoyed receiving (and sending) Jacquie Lawson cards.  Gee - could it be because she uses Chudleigh the dog as one of her characters??!  They're sweet, animated cards that can be used any time of the year.  This year my friend Lisa sent me an Advent calendar that comes in the form of a snow globe.  Each day I open up the snow globe "village" and see what comes to life.  They have one for the USA and one for London as well (for your friends in the UK!). 

And last, for today anyway, I HAD to post this picture of my friend Jennifer holding a prairie dog (we visited an animal sanctuary over the weekend).  These little guys are TOO CUTE (but DO NOT get/give them as pets - they will DIG right through the floor of your house!!!)  The owner of the sanctuary was kind enough to let my friends hold one...can you tell that it was nervous...NOT!!  I thought it went into rigor for a second...

Off to run the pup - have a wonderful evening and see you again soon!

Fondly, VG

^"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

The holidays are coming...!

Good Morning all - I just checked the Tim Holtz blog and yes, the 12 tags of Christmas are just around the corner!  If you don't know about the tags, Tim creates each one the night before he posts the pics/instructions, so each day's tag is a wonderful surprise!  See his blog to be inspired...

Had an awesome Thanksgiving with family and friends - so much for which to be thankful!!  Hope all of you had the same.  God is GOOD!!

Can't leave without posting at least a picture or two, so here are some recent ones from the Naples Botanical Gardens.  It is a beautiful venue - well worth the visit!


an alien pod...light from within (almost!)



A view across the pond to the mozaic



water lily



closeup of the lily


Have a blessed weekend!

Warmly, VG

1Thes. 5:16-18
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Out with the new, back to the old!

Hello all - It seems that the pictures look warped in the newest version of the blog template so I've gone back to the old one, temporarily at least.  Will have to sit down and design one of these days - for now, it's late and I'm off to veggie-land (i.e. the couch!)  :-)

Have a beautiful tomorrow - remember, He loves you!!

Yours, VG

"The heavens praise your wonders, O Lord, your faithfulness too..."
Psalm 89:5

A little update to my blog...

Hello all - I've stepped ahead and changed the format of my blog.  Since I've done it and don't have the ability to add my bison picture to the header, I'm going to insert the picture here - it just makes me smile!



heading out of Yellowstone...


Let me know what you think of the new format - since I'm a picture-taker I figured you could browse the pics if you don't feel like reading the content!

Happy day, everyone - it's a beauty here in SW Florida!

VG

"Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;
love and fathfulness go before you."
Psalm 89:14

Welcome to October!  Here in Florida the leaves don't turn colors, but it does start to cool off - thank goodness!  It's still hot but the mornings and evenings are tolerable.

The other evening we were out with friends and my friend asked me what's new.  I said, "Nothing - we are the boring couple!"  To which she replied, "That's great!  It means you're alive!"  I'd never thought of it that way, but it's true - so what if I'm not off on some exciting trip or doing something TV-worthy.  I'm still here, living life to the fullest (albeit not in a spine-tingling way!) and enjoying what God gave me.  Touche, my friend!

Have a beautiful day and thank the Lord above for your boring life!!  :-)

Hugs and smiles, VG

"My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."
Psalm 121:2