Welcome, 2015

Well, we're only a few hours away from ushering in the new year... despite some sadness and challenges in the old one, it's been a good year and I have many blessings to count, in fact, too many to count!  I'm looking forward to a year filled with love, joy, abundance and forgiveness.  My biggest challenge is to put negative thinking aside- including worry, fear, anger, and regret- and focus my attention on the good in every moment.  My biggest wish is for family and friends (especially our 7 children and 10 grandchildren!) to know peace, love, and joy.

One of the joys of the new year will be to continue exploring my creative side- I decided to create a separate blog for my craft challenges, etc.  It is called Heart and Soul by Hand, and you can see it at www.heartandsoulbyhand.blogspot.com   I'm also hoping to open an Etsy shop of the same name... I need to build up a little inventory first- cards, jewelry, whatever handmade thing that suits my fancy- and I need to figure a way to mail cards safely and at the same time not pay more for postage than the cost of the card... hmmm.

I'll be doing a little traveling as well- Greg and I are going on a short trip to visit friends in Florida next week, we'll be going to the Bahamas as usual in the spring, I have plans for an Orlando trip with Katy and Ezra when school is out, and we plan to spend some time in New York this summer, where we will have two weddings to attend.  Then, in the fall, the BIG trip- to see daughter Becca and family in France.  I miss them so- thank goodness for Skype!

Thanks for stopping by.  Wishing every reader peace and joy in 2015!

Michelle

Happy Holidays 2014!

Merry Christmas to all- we are enjoying another beautiful Florida Christmas!  I am missing my mother this year, but have decked the halls and am doing my best to make merry as I know she would wish for us all. I have my happy memories of the last two Christmases spent here with her.

We had a lovely open house with some friends and family this week, and are looking forward to a quiet Christmas with one of our daughters and a grandson.

 Some of the holiday desserts at the open house!

 No corner left undecorated...

 Even the plants are celebrating!

Dolly thinks she belongs under the tree with the presents :-)

Cherish your loved ones, count your blessings, and have a fantastic Christmas.  I hope everyone reading this has a joyful and abundant 2015!

Hello, again!  I'm not very good at this blogging thing yet, as you can see from how long it has been again! However, I will be retiring from full-time work soon, and hope to have more time for writing, picture taking, and crafting.  I will still work for the same organization, but on an as-needed basis, a change about which I am VERY excited!  Lots has happened since I last posted. Sadly, both my mother-in-law and my mother have passed away in the last year.  This, and the realization that time is flying by with our families, was the catalyst that moved up my retirement plans by a few years. We will have to change our lifestyle a bit, but I think the tradeoff will be worth the sacrifice.  I will, however, have to save my pennies for a trip to France next year; my younger daughter and her family have moved from China to France, where her husband was raised, and I am coming to grips with the certainty that she will never be in driving distance.

I recently have made a number of cards- birthday, sympathy, baby, and Christmas! Some of the Christmas cards are recycled from cards I received from others. I love making something new of things most people throw away.  I especially like using embossing folder to add interest to images. I will post some pictures-- after I take them!

Hope to visit again soon.  Wishing all health and happiness!  Michelle