Etsy Shop announcement ~ and lots of cookies!!

I had something else in mind for posting today... but I felt that this was more important, for now.

I have an Etsy Shop announcement... and I am happy to let you know about it, too.  Aside from the two bags left in the the shop - I have SOLD out of all of my bags, over this weekend. YEAH!!!  For one, the Pediatrician called me, after our Dr's visit last week (Remember?) and placed a sale, and two, Scott's aunt cleaned house - buying three.  Two of which are getting sent to Australia.   I am still reeling...

* * And, the two that are left, are a Buy One, Get One - 50% off.   The $10.00 shipping charge still applies.  This notice is only found, here!!!  I will make the adjustments necessary to make sure that you get this deal!!

So, I have decided that I absolutely need to take the time to work primarily on my own Christmas List now - and I have a lot of sewing to do for that as well.  Two messengers bags, another bag, 2 sets of shoes, and a few other crafty misc. stuff for the little ones and friends... 

I will be working on filling the shop back up come the New Year!!!  Special thanks to everyone for making my first several months so successful.  All glory goes to God, for giving me this gift of creativity and that with this gift I can just make something out of that to bless others.

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Also, today is looking to be like a VERY BIG COOKIE BAKING DAY!, here at my house.  My mom and  a couple of my sister's are coming over today to make several kinds:

• Cut Outs
• Peanut Blossoms
• White Chocolate Macadamia Nut
• Pecan Tasties
• Russian Teacakes or Snowballs
• Blackberry Sage Thumbprints ( These I will be sharing the recipe for.  Remind me!!)
• Outrageous Chocolate Chip
• Chocolate Buttersweets  (This will be shared for sure, too)

These are just to name a few...  So, you can be thinking of us as the smells of sugar, spice and chocolate fill the air.  I think I have enough aprons to share with everyone....  and thankfully my brother Justin (who happens to be laid off of work right now) is planning to come along to help with the kiddo's.

 He, my friends, is the best brother in the world - when it comes to this type of stuff.  This was ALL on his own initiation.  Gotta love it!!

"(the) WAY in a manger, no crib for a bed..."

For awhile now, I have been taking the time to read a verse or two - sometimes a whole passage- with the little ones at breakfast.  I gave it a name yesterday, as our "Breakfast B*I*B*L*E club"... we sing songs and do hand motions with them, etc. 

Well, beings it is the Christmas season - how perfect-  to introduce the song; "Away in a manger".  They're little and do not fully understand, although Caleb is quick to mention "Jesus" whenever he takes notice of our Willow Tree Natvity.  So, I brought out this book to show them a picture of what we were talking and singing about and then I just started quoting Luke 2. 

And I share this, not to toot my own horn in any way, but I have been challenging myself to quote, from memory, Luke 2 :1-20, out of the KJV, just to keep it alive.  Over the years of my growing up... we would have memorized this passage for School, or Christmas programs, etc. and it has just stuck with me.  Praise the Lord! It's such a privilege to share this with them and a challenge for myself, not just to repeat the words, but to allow them to penetrate my heart and to gain a deeper meaning. 

Remember? I am working on preparing HIM room in my heart... Here is what happened this week. 

~Luke 2:1-20~

"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

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 Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.  And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in 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 Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 

And this shall be a sign unto you;

 Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.  And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them."

After reciting the Christmas story, the phrase kept repeating itself, over and over in my heart; "and this shall be a sign unto you, you shall find the baby...".  I, like Mary, was left to ponder that for awhile.  Why did the angel actually make mention of this being - a sign? and what were they to take notice of, exactly?

I wondered if the shepherds would've actually taken thought to the fact that the Christ child was really lying in a manger ... a very humble beginning ... for such a KING as he?... that perhaps, instead, they would've just barged their way into the stable not SLOWing, long enough, to see really see the WAY? 

The "sign" for me was significant, in realizing that I too needed to see the humility, he demonstrated.  Otherwise I wonder if I would truly know the WAY-today?  The challange for me now, is to remember to bring this point into the conversation every time (or as often as possible) when we talk about Jesus coming to this earth as a baby.  The humility with which he came speaks greatly of how much he personally desires a relationship with us, with me.  What could get more lowly or humbling then that? 

: : SLOW... enough to pay attention to the SIGN - in order to go- the right WAY!

Have a great weekend, everyone!!

This is all I have to say today...

...I think I NEED a few "round the clock"

baby-sitters!!!!

Dream on, eh? But hey, the "to-do" list is two steps forward and one step backwards.
So, at least, there is some progress, right? 

You were wondering??

If you were wondering where I’ve been, for several (unintentional) days… I have been enjoying the peace and quiet of no phone, due to our land line being down from our Saturday’s snow storm. So, therefore our internet connection was null and void, as well. I will say that I’ve missed checking in with all of you – a lot.

That being said, I have a lot of catching up to do.  Thanks for all the nice comments left in the meantime...

Warning: This could be a very long post!!

So, a lot has taken place since over the weekend.  I did something that I haven’t done in a very long time. And that was going out on a chartered fishing boat (fishing for Tog and Striper), in the Delaware Bay, off of NJ, with my husband, Scott and other friends and family. I did hint to this in my last (Friday’s) post… but I didn’t elaborate too much… because I’ll be honest, as of Friday I would’ve said; “I would much rather be home - sewing”. ;)


But, now, looking back… I can say, I was glad I followed through and went with my man. It meant the world to him, to have me along. I know that, for sure. I never got so many kisses, winks & smiles and little lovey, dovey gestures – all in one day, as I did on Saturday. ;) This has a lot of deeper meaning for me then for you all, due to the fact that I didn’t go with him hunting, last week on Buck Monday. At the last minute, I bailed (for selfish reasons), and it cost us a very “LONG, heart to heart” conversation. I am still learning how to live and love sacrificially to show my deepest affections towards my man.

I used the word “cost” when in fact at the time it felt like a cost, but in reflecting back on it – we’ve since discussed how “the layers” though they seem to just keep getting deeper (as we go along in our marriage), the reality is, is that{they} (like an onion) are only getting peeled back, layer upon layer. It’s a good thing!! It just makes “me” – not Scott- cry a lot in the process.

I might get a chance to redeem myself with the hunting gig this coming Saturday… depends on how the hunting plans continue to unfold, simply because Scott is hoping to get out again on the last day.

Back to the fishing trip….my cousin reeled in a beautiful striper, approximately 40” long and about 20lbs. My brother in law, John, also got a smaller one and we reeled in a few dogfish, as well –which are a type of small shark, albeit to say, it was not a very good fishing day. If you want to blame the weather, some would argue that fish like COLD, WINDY. RAINY, snowy days…they bite better. Which, in that case it was perfect weather! I don’t know…. All I know is that the one fish on the end of my line –and boy, it was a BIG ONE – took a bite out of my bait, and got away!!!!!!


Oh, and until we got home Saturday evening after picking up our little ones from a sleepover at grandma’s house (a.k.a. my mom)… we had about 3” of snow on the ground. Our first big snow storm of the year!! Now, we’re all “sick”.  Not sea-sick, just colds, swollen tonsils, sore throats and bad, runny noses.  Caleb has had a break out of hives over the course of the past few days, too.

Needless to say, I stayed home from church with the little ones on Sunday.  Actually Scott and I flipped a coin to see you would stay home because we both wanted to go to church, but we both had reasons we should've stayed home.  We just wanted to "be there". 

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I told you last week that I had a total of four sales (just last week alone) with Bags by Bevy, right? Well, from the fourth sale – I got a request for two more LARGE bags to be made, for Christmas orders (add that to my already long sewing list). Those two are finished now, and waiting to get picked up (Pictures will be coming later).

I also made another sale over the weekend. My Aunt and Uncle stopped by for Sunday evening and dinner... we got talking about my business. And my Uncle Vernon fell in love with “Postcard of Olde”…. And thus my Aunt Becky now has “a gift” for Christmas.  She knows all about it, because she was having a real hard time "choosing just one".  That made me feel good!

~"Postcard of Olde"~

See, this is the perks of knowing me personally, you can shop (hands on) at my home, and not have to pay for shipping. ;) I just posted this bag early last week. I need to figure out how to “reflect” my sales on Etsy… All I know, this is getting really fun. I am also literally in the process of making a pair of Homespun Baby! shoes, for a little girl at our church. Her mamma picked a burgundy red plaid … they have been so fun to put together for her.

I think this is funny: We were at the Doctor’s yesterday for a scheduled visit, for the kids. (Good timing, since we’re all sick, anyway) And Scott just so happened to be holding my bag (purse) for me while I was doing whatever with Aubrey and still in the other room. Not even thinking about it. And the doctor says to him… “I don’t think the bag you're holding is YOU! However, I really like it.  Where did you get it?” and Scott proceeds to tell her that I make them… he gave her a business card and all the nurses are crowding around – as I now join the conversation and we’re all talking “bags and buttons".  I think I may have a lot of buttons coming my way. Several of the nurses were saying how they have buttons from grandma’s and whatever…just lying around. I told the ladies; “I’ll buy them from you!”

Anybody else…hey, the call is going out!

Do you have old, antique buttons and spools of thread? That you don’t know what to do with?

I will buy them from you.

Recently a relative of mine, just brought over several bags of upholstery fabric that she has gotten her hands on, along with some buttons. I asked her how much, I could pay her for them…she said, “Nothing! I just want you to make me a bag – after Christmas”.

So! You can do that too.  Okay, so now I've got to get back to the sewing machine...
Oh, and yesterday after going to the Dr's., I made a run (by myself) to Lancaster for our once a month grocery shop.  My brother watched the little ones for me.  Let's just say... what a few crazy, busy  LONG days (just in case, you were wondering)!!

It's beginning to look a lot like ~ Christmas!

Forgetting about Friday's Finds for awhile - I thought I would reflect on what it's beginning to look like around here at our home, at least for the month of December. 

So far, it's been really hard for me to get into the Spirit of Christmas, this year.  I'm not sure why...exactly.  I LOVE Christmas!  It's my most favorite season of the the year, however I do have a lot on my mind, I suppose.  The "to do" list is rather lengthy, already, in regards to sewing projects and gift making. 

Maybe it's because I don't work at the local Christian Bookstore  anymore (I worked at one for about 7-8yrs) - that in year's past, that always "helped" to motivate the thoughts and actions of the heart towards Christmas.  But, I've been trying...

The beautiful Christmas music playing.  But... my CD player needs to get fixed.  It's repairable, we just need to fish out some dislocated cd's that somehow the kids managed to... `nuff said.  Otherwise, the stacks of Christmas cd's sit silent, and so, we settle for the radio.  Which is fine, too.  I like our two local Christian radio stations.

The decorations are out and up.  However; the constant keeping an eyeball on the "rearranging" that goes on with ornaments and other Christmas decor is beginning to get old, and oh yea!, I'll have to restring the Charlie Brown tree because half of the bulbs decided to blow on me yesterday.  This is all in the first week of going up.

Thoughts of food preperation has begun.  Yes! it has, but barely.  I have not been feeling well, almost all this week.  And there is loads of activities happening this coming weekend... that uh, have absolutely nothing to do with Christmas (It's called a chartered fishing trip in Open Water).  Yet, I'm thinking .... about delicious food ideas, and cookie baking parties, and well...because...

Christmas is at our house again this year!!  I have always had my immediate family over to my house, though not every year, and (this started after living on my own, and the Christmas after my dad passed away- close to 14 years ago), because I was the one who always had a REAL Christmas tree (if you grew up Mennonite, you would understand what I am talking about).  Except that, this year there is no real tree (due to lack of safe space for a tree) But hey, that's okay.  There is plenty of room for everyone to gather round.

I always liked to start my decorating the day after Thanksgiving.  Well, since being married to my deer-hunting Husband (Which I love about him. Don't hear what I am not saying.), the weekend after Thanksgiving now always means "prepping for hunting".  Sometimes, I go along, then obviously the decorating has to wait.  But this year, since I wasn't going to go along...I asked two of my brother's to come over, last Sunday, to help get the decorations down out of the attic (THANK GOD! for dry, clean attics!!) and thus began the "adventure". I waited till after Scott left for the mountians, and the littles were in bed.  I think I saw ten of one!  But, I was essentially finished, and happy about it. 

So, although it's beginning to look alot like Christmas, around here...  I realize I want need to; Slow. Still. and Seek. HIM this season.  As we're busy preparing our hearts and homes, let's work on our hearts and homes "to prepare him room".  I know I need to... I have lots of work to do.

How are you preparing?


: : More thoughts and photo's of Christmas, to come...

HOWDY!

Well, It is a later in the day post, but I made the second anyway. How is EVERYONE???? We have been doing fine here. As you know I did not post last month that is for Bevy REALLY wanted to post our result of the Halloween Challenge. We took our own dare, and it turned out quite interesting. Bevy knows how to "back link" to previous post, but all I can say is you will have to go thru the archives for late October for the challenge and 11/2 for our results.


I am sure as you heard by now; I did not put a deer away this season (yet). I shot three and could not get any on the ground. The first was a doe that I thought I had totally missed. I found out later from a hunting companion that my second (of 2) shots did contact. He (Doug) had ran across the blood trail later in the morning looking for the Doe he and his father-in-law shot simultaneously (That was a loud bang) as they were on adjacent sides of a corner in the field and one ran between them. The rain though washed it away by the time me and my brother-in-law could go track. From the description of the blood, it appears it was a superficial wound anyway. The second was a buck that was on the very end of my rifle's range. I shoot a 30x30 with 170grain rounds. This give me about 40yds accuracy, and 70 yds top, this buck was every bit of 60yds away. When I hit him, he turned which lined him up behind a tree, and the next time I saw him, he was over a ridge that I face. When I got down later to see, there was a chunk of belly hair on the ground. John (my brother-in-law) is now calling me the barber, saying I just gave him a hair cut. The third was another doe that I took a crack at when she stepped out of a corn field on the farm. We never did find her as she took off, but we had piles of blood. Three of us for 2 ½ hrs (total 7 ½ man hours) tracked her and we never could find her. I had told Bevy, I pray the Lord places two doe and a buck in my cross hairs (that is what I have a license for this year)…..Prayer fully fulfilled…… I just forgot to ask for a shot that will take them down.



I am still doing my studying, and trying to get several items knocked out concerning education. A lot of this is me playing catch up, from stuff that I should have done years (8-10) ago. It does get very aggravating at times, but one exam at a time. I passed my last on back on Halloween. So while I am studying Bevy goes and sews.

By the way, in case you have not looked lately, there are two new bags at www.bagsbybevy.etsy.com  in case you have been there and wondering….”Gee, where is that bag I liked so much????” We have been selling a few out side of ETSY. So make sure if you have an interest in one, you don’t let it pass by; however, with that being said, there are always more to come especially since they are ALL one of a kind.



We have family news; my mother has decided to move to PA. Our children are her only biological grandchildren and she wants to be near them. We have found her a nice little first floor apt. in a farm house about 6 miles from us. It is as well in a VERY nice neighborhood at an EXCELLENT price. Neither mine nor Bevy’s dad are alive, so our kids only have grandma’s……so now they will both be close by.



Well I am going to let ya’ll go and sign off. I just wanted to drop in and say hi to all and let you know I am still here and working in the background. Until next month every one have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!