Don't ya love a good curb find?

A week or so ago, my mom and I were on our way to do some shopping and I spotted a darling kitchen table sitting by a curb in front of one of those storage rental places. I thought that surely something must be really wrong with it for someone to throw it out. But I had to go look.

So I turned the car around and we went back to see. Sure enough, it was a nice wooden vintage table and felt pretty solid. Nothing was broken and it appeared that someone had tried to "antique" it but gave up.

It fit perfectly in the back end of my Saturn Vue; we loaded it in and off we went. I had no idea what I was going to do with it.

To my hubby's dismay, it took up room in our garage...until...I "happened" to see a post on Facebook by one of my friends. A friend of hers had friends who were in need. For whatever reason, they were trying to rebuild their lives and needed just about everything in the way of furniture and household items.

I had my friend check it out, and sure enough, they could use a kitchen table. So...

I got started sanding,

and priming...

and hubby did the painting...

I would have preferred to paint it a nice barn red color...but since we had no idea what color the recipients would like, we chose a neutral almond color.

In a couple days, we loaded the finished table back into my car and I delivered it to the friend of my friend, who then was able to pass it off to her friends in need. I threw in a box of stainless steel tableware that I don't use very often when I found out the family could use it for everyday. I gave these items with a prayer that the family will be blessed by receiving them. I love being able to do things anonymously like this. And I met a new friend in the process.

I had to chuckle that "I'm my father's daughter" because my dad just loved to find things on curbs and repurpose them. Here's just one of the things he sent my way and I will always treasure. It used to be an old dresser that ended up in someone's trash, but he rescued it, painted it, and surprised me with it. He gave it to me back in 2001, seven years before he died. It's in my sitting room now, and stores a variety of things for me.

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17

Choosing Your Family Motto

I saw this You Tube video on Face Book and I just thought it was a neat idea--a family motto.

I actually just gave my daughter-in-law, Joanna, a plaque with these words on it for her birthday this month. I had seen in her Face Book profile that she "loved" this saying...

What are some of the sayings you have around your home? Just looking around here, I see "God Bless this Home and All Who Enter" and "Prayer Changes Things". Those are mottos with actual "words".

I never really thought about it, but what we surround ourselves with in our homes really DOES make a statement about us, doesn't it? And it doesn't have to be a motto with words. For example:

Our living room walls have a copy of the US Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence, as well as a large print of an 1819 painting by John Trumbull, "The Signing of the Declaration of Independence", a collection of Avon cobalt blue goblets with Martha and George on them from our country's Bicentennial year (1976) as well as several blue & white plates commemorating the same. In my foyer is a large print of George Washington.

Throughout our house, but especially in our dining room and kitchen, we have pineapples. The pineapple has been a symbol of hospitality since early colonial days, when only the wealthy could afford to have them, and they were served to guests as a special treat.

It wouldn't take long for any house guest to figure out that we are Christians. Our end tables and bookshelves are stacked with Bibles and other Christian literature, both classic and contemporary.

My kitchen would never be mistaken for a museum and anyone who visits can tell I like to cook. I call it my "working" kitchen.

We have one spare room with a double bed, and another with a set of twin beds and a crib. Since by definition we are actually "empty nesters," maintaining our (now) spare rooms says "guests are always welcome!"

Last but not least, our backyard has a swing set and a sandbox. A corner in our family room is dedicated to children's toys. Our car has two child seats in the back. Yes, we are involved grandparents.

What do the things in your home say about you?

Memory-making in progress...

Please go over to my other blog to see what's been going on with us lately. And if I don't get back to blogging for a few days, I want to wish everyone the merriest Christmas ever! I'm grateful for the new friendships I have made through this amazing technology! Looking forward to getting to know you all better in 2010 and catching up with your blogs as well. God bless us, everyone!

just can't help myself...

Had the two grands here four days this week, with my camera always at the ready. Please indulge me just a few more pictures!

Elylah and I are reading and listening to a CD. This book is "Grandpa's Magical Accordian" by my dear blogger friend, Jessica Errico and the music is by her husband, Tony Errico. Check it out here: http://3partharmony.org/ This would make a wonderful Christmas present for the little people in your life!

I am so filled with joy to see the world through the eyes of a child. Ethan is very close to walking on his own...and he loves to inch his way over to the tree! I can't believe he is my 4th grandchild! How'd THAT happen so fast??

Here he goes, sneaking up the steps...

But what goes up, must come down...he's "sliding"...

This photo came out a little dark, but it was so precious. It was only 15 degrees here in NE Ohio, and though they were excited to see a light snowfall, there was no way we could play outside!

Elylah begged me to promise she could do a few more cookies after a little nap. She is using her equipment and apron that Aunt Ellie gave her last year...I love having a helper in the kitchen after raising two boys and no daughters!

I helped her quickly whip up some frosting, and to save time, she just frosted and decorated some store bought, already baked sugar cookies. Worked for her, worked for me! She has her children's recipe book and I heard her muttering "Step One", "Step Two" etc. as she worked. She is just turning four on Christmas Eve, so she's not really reading yet. It was so cute!

I think part of the joy of grandparenting must come from the experience of seeing how fast our own children grew up and left the nest. (sniff, sniff)... I treasure each and every moment I have with the little ones, knowing how quickly it all will be a memory (sniff again). My SC family can't come up till New Year's weekend, with Andy have responsibilities at the church. So we will just be extending our Christmas season out another week or 10 days! I can't wait till they all get here and share some more pictures.

The Many Names of Jesus

A dozen years ago, I made up a list of 50 names of Jesus (there are others but I only took 50) and typed them, along with their Scripture reference, on nice 8 1/2 x 11 sheets of parchment paper and framed them for Christmas gifts. Each name was typed in a different font. I'm not able to do that here, but you can get the idea. I will list the names I used. Feel free to copy them and use your creativity to do something with them if you like with your word processing program. I titled mine "And Thou Shalt Call His Name" and at the bottom in small print I put "Fifty name of Jesus taken from the King James Version of The Holy Bible" and "Merry Christmas 1997 from Bob & Jacque Stager"

(If you see any errors here, please let me know.

I don't have it saved on my new computer so I just quickly retyped this.)

Jesus Matt. 1:21

Immanuel Matt. 1:23

Wonderful Counselor Isa. 9:6

Mighty God Isa. 9:6

Everlasting Father Isa. 9:6

Prince of Peace Isa. 9:6

Son of the Highest Luke 1:32

Light of the World John 8:12

Son of God John 1:34

Messiah John 1:41

Savior II Peter 2:20

The Root and Offspring of David Rev. 22:16

Lion of the tribe of Judah Rev. 5:5

Prince of Life Acts 3:15

Lord of All Acts 10:36

I AM John 8:58

The Bright and Morning Star Rev. 22:16

Advocate I John 2:1

Word of Life I John 1:1

Lamb of God John 1:29

Chief Cornerstone Eph. 2:20

Holy One of God Mark 1:24

Dayspring from on High Luke 1:78

The Door John 10:9

Son of Man Matt. 19:28

Shepherd and Bishop of Souls I Peter 2:25

Prophet of the Highest Luke 1:76

Faithful Witness Rev 1:8

Governor Matt 2:6

The Resurrection and the Life John 11:25

Horn of Salvation Luke 1:69

King of Kings and Lord of Lords Rev. 19:16

Head of the Church Col. 1:18

Man of Sorrows Isa. 53:3

Lord Jesus Christ Acts 15:11

High Priest Heb. 8:1

The Chief Shepherd I Peter 5:4

Prince of the Kings of the Earth Rev. 1:5

The firstborn of every creature Col. 1:15

Good Shepherd John 10:11

The Living One Rev. 1:18

Sun of Righteousness Mal. 4:2

Author and Finisher of our Faith Heb. 12:2

The Way, The Truth, and The Life John 14:6

Righteous Judge II Tim. 4:8

The First Begotten of the Dead Rev. 1:8

Bread of Life John 6:35

The True Vine John 15:1

The Almighty Rev. 1:8

The Alpha and Omega Rev. 22:13

"Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

(Phil. 2:10-11)

Getting ready for Christmas and having so much fun!

Here are just a couple of recent photos of what's been going on at my house. Enjoy!

Elylah helped decorate the tree last week...

finding a pretty angel in the box...

Thirty three years worth of ornaments!

Ethan takes it all in!

And decides he doesn't want to be left out!

Found these plaster ornaments at JoAnn Fabrics for only 33 cents each...

First we painted them, then added the glitter and a clear finishing spray

Yesterday we decorated pre-baked gingerbread cookies, which I bought at the end of the season last year for about 80% off the original price...

I was amazed at how easy it was to do, and a lot of fun...

As soon as I got the mess cleaned up, Elylah decided we should do the tree, too!

Today we will wrap some of Elylah's ornaments for gifts, and also make some candy-filled "crackers" with empty toilet paper rolls! (http://mistressofmydomain.blogspot.com/2009/12/couple-random-ideas-for-holidays.html)

And now I need to go put some Christmas music on!

What's going on at your house??

Highlights of a busy month in pictures...

Before I move on to Christmas things, I want to document a little of my life between the buns in the past month by posting some photos of the highlights. With this post I will officially say "good-bye" to a wonderful autumn season. I have been blessed by reading many wonderful blogs and seeing beautiful pictures that many have posted. I am so thankful for this technology that offers the ability to join lives across the nation and even around the world. I'm also very grateful to those more techy than I who share their gifts so generously. A heart felt THANK YOU to all who have chosen to link your lives with mine in the blogosphere. You have blessed me more than you can know! This past month has been an extremely busy one, as you can see by these highlights!

Here are some cute trick-or-treaters that came to our house...

Even the OSU coach stopped by...

And we met some new neighbors...

My grandaughter Elylah loved being Sleeping Beauty...

And my grandson Ethan was a skeleton...

While I was busy passing out candy to all these sweet children, a familiar car pulled into my driveway! My other two grandchildren arrived from South Carolina to spend a long weekend with us! I was so excited to see my daughter-in-law, Ellie, grandson Deacon (Thing One) and grandson Owen (Thing Two)!!! Wasn't she brave to drive 10 hours with the two boys? My son Andy couldn't get away this time.

So, here's the bunch that keep me young, or at least young at heart!

From left: Deacon, Elylah, (both 3) daughter-in-law Joanna, son Sam holding Ethan, (just turning one) daughter-in-law Ellie holding Owen (who will be two in Jan.)

While the boys were here, there were plenty of nice days left to play outside in the backyard. This picture of Deacon is one of my favorites:

And you can always count on Owen to smile for the camera:

Ethan won't fit in the baby swing next spring!

How about some "fall ball" with Deacon?

Elylah would really rather play in the leaves!

Three little monkeys...

Two budding artists...

Lunch with Amma Stager

And a visit to GG's condo...

(Deacon and Owen with my mom and my hubby)

How awesome they have two great grandmas here in Ohio!

Pretty soon, I will be taking all my techy questions to Deacon...

or to Elylah...

Shortly after the kids returned to SC, I had a friend over to make cut out cookies...

She has cerebral palsey so it was a bit of a challenge...but we managed and had a great time.

But the real challenge came when my son and daughter-in-law went away on vacation for 5 days and 4 nights, and we kept the two kids. We played musical beds, and they ate ice cream for breakfast one day. (I know, I can't believe it either!)

We baked cookies for Pre-School...

Made Christmas ornaments with GG...

Generally played and made lots of messes...

And at the end of the five days I definitely needed some rest!

But...it was time to celebrate Ethan's first birthday...

We had the party at my house, and Joanna and her mom furnished all the (yummy homemade Asian) food. Here I am with the other Grandma as Ethan enjoys his cake.

A few days later, it was Elylah's Pre-School's Thanksgiving luncheon and program.

And then, last but not least, Thanksgiving Day was celebrated in the party room of my mom's condo this year. It was different, but it worked out well. There ended up being 26 family members present. Before dinner, my nephew Robby gave a devotion.

Then he had each of us come up one at a time to place a piece of fruit in the cornucopia and tell one thing we were thankful for.

We had an elegant dinner on one side of the big room...

and there was plenty of space for all kinds of activities on the other side.

It was really a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!

This morning we woke up to this beautiful scene from our front door:

Our first snowfall of the season...

Which makes it easier to say good-bye to a lovely fall and begin to focus on what is ahead. I can't wait to get decorated for Christmas!