Fireside Chat. Happy New Year! {and a Bags by Bevy! Giveaway - now CLOSED!}

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Happy New Year!  Year 2013.

It's hard to believe, but we've come to this year ~ rested and ready.

(Let's pretend were cozied up by the proverbial fireside... the one that I don't have. But hey, I have my coffee - and you?
Lets chat... shall we?)

I just wanted to tell you...

I wasn't so sure how taking a break for the month of December would go, for me... but I think I can give you a fair estimate.

It went pretty well.

As much as I missed hearing from all of you... I really did enjoy the peace and quiet that the blogging break gave me.

As busy as I was...

I was really at peace.  For the first time in a long time, I wasn't feeling stressed.

You saw the list - which completely engulfed all of December.  And would you believe it if I told you that I was kind of sad to see it go?  To be over already with the Christmas Season?  Well.  It's true.

I mean...I asked myself, Do I really have to take down decorations already?  I thought to myself that I might not, at least for a little while.  One thing I do do is to decorate as wintery as possible. And winter can last as long as it needs to around here.

I don't mind... too much.

 

For many reasons I feel as though I want to sit and tell you all that happened over the month of December.  I'm sure bits and pieces will come out here and there.  

Like, about the Christmas Concert I was part of.

New recipes created.  Both original and non.

Health Issues.

Family matters...

***

The other day (Saturday) I so enjoyed the snow falling - all while I was upstairs "sewing up a storm".  This is one of the photos takes out of the upstairs window.

 I  have been so blessed to get a couple of orders taken care of that had been placed awhile back.
Like this one...

:: Winter Road Home ::

(medium tote) 

Sold to Robin W.

All of that to say, is that I've had such a fun season of sewing and selling and it wasn't stressful at all.  Which reminds me.  I have a special giveaway at the end of this post for all you loyal readers who have been so kind to let me take a break.  It's kind of a special treat - besides, wasn't it just Christmas?  I wanted to do something extra special in my return...

But before we do that, I wanted to share something with you that I read in an old, old book, just yesterday.  Something that I think and hope will give you cause to ponder and hold onto (treasure, if you will)... especially for the NEW upcoming year.
It may seem a bit "outdated" as far as the word usage goes... but it is/was meant to grip young people in their heart of hearts, in regards to building ones character.  I know it (still) tugged at mine...

Habits of Thought

"As a man thinketh in his heart, so he is."  A man is not better than the thoughts he habitually thinks.  "Thoughts are things."  It is hard to realize this, and as a consequence thoughts are often lightly considered.  Evil thoughts are sometimes allowed to lodge in the mind unreproved  till the whole man is polluted.  Thoughts can be controlled.  They can be made subject to one's will and to the will of God.  Evil thoughts, neither light and chaffy ones, need be entertained.

Every thought makes, as it were, a tiny furrow in the brain.  Each time a certain thought is repeated, that furrow is deepened, until it becomes easier for thought to follow that path than any other.  If one continually dwells upon his troubles, he will see trouble in much that he looks at; but if one thinks of his blessings, he will be able to see blessings in that at which he looks.  If one gives way to evil, bitter thoughts, it will become almost impossible for him to think any other kind.  He will become as bitter as his thoughts.  If one allows himself to think unclean and impure thoughts, he will soon come to see and hear only those things that tend to make him more impure in his thoughts.

If one entertains a good thought, it will make him able to think a stronger and better thought, and again that better thought will make him able to think and act with more strength and courage than he could possibly have done before.  But if one gives way to an evil thought, a worse thought will be at its end, and a still worse one at the end of that one, till finally the evil thought will completely overcome him.

Thoughts show on the face like lines on a map.  Sad thoughts make the face melancholy; bitter, envious thoughts make the face sour and peevish; low, unclean thoughts make the face ashamed and unable to look pure people in the face; pure, happy thoughts make the face bright and attractive.

To have good thought-habits, one must continually fill the mind with good things.  This can be done by pure conversation, good reading, useful work and study.  Every one is tempted to evil thoughts by those things that must be met in the world.  Evil literature, impure companions, gossip, slander – all these are about us and must be avoided; the thoughts they arouse must be thrown off.  If evil thoughts persist in coming into your consciousness, turn to something worthwhile to think about.  If they come at night, by willpower think of other things.  If you cannot overcome that way, get up and walk about.  Fight hard, and you will win the battle.  Ask God to help you keep pure.  Form good thought-habits while you are children and young people, and evil thoughts will not bother you when you are old. ~ Mabel Hale.

(excerpt taken from the book, Ideals and Moral Lessons)

I'm not so sure as to why I was so inclined to share that with you today... other than the fact that it encouraged me - a lot.  I like the thought of by looking at our blessings that will in turn allow us to see more (and more) blessings.

Such a good and timely reminder...



***
Are you excited to have me back?  Are you ready for this here giveaway?

 :: Evergreen for Me::  is the name of this bag.  Don't ask me how the name came about.  Some times there truly is a story...but for this one?  Not so sure.

I made up this bag... the other evening.  This is a bag that I really fell in love with and might have a hard time giving up... but I will.  It's on the small to medium size, but the handles fit nicely over the shoulder.  Which that is a bit unusual for a "small bag", coming from me.

There is one pocket on the inside.  The lining is a great vintage print... love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The bottom of the bag is a beautiful faux leather.  And of course it features the usual hand embroidered french knots around the girth of the bag.  The "B" logo on the side of the bag is also hand embroidered.
The three buttons on the front side of the bag is my trademark signature.

I like how these vintage buttons really make the bag "pop".

***
Everyone gets ONE chance.
I don't care if you want to talk about it - to spread the word.  Pin it! Facebook about it. or whatever...
To keep it truly fair...you only get one shot!

Wait.

Is that being a Scrooge?
Yes.
That is being a Scrooge.

Toss that last idea into the fireside flames...
Okay.  Here is the deal.
Leave me a comment for each thing you do and that will earn you a chance to win this great bag, by Bevy.
And who knows.   There honestly might be some other goodies tucked in there with it. In your comment...

Tell me something about this past year that you're grateful to leave behind.  And something for sure you're looking forward to in this new and coming year.

Just so you know, and pass this on as well.  I will close this giveaway out on Friday at 10:00 pm, EST.
Be sure to leave your name if you are entering anonymously.

I can't wait to hear from you.

~ Bevy

A Daybook in December

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FOR TODAY ~ it's late afternoon.  The day after Christmas.  The weather outside is frightful.  I wish we had a warm cackling fire inside.  And since we all have no place to go, this evening... I thought I'd share my day with you.

Outside my window... the evening hour is settling in pretty quickly.  I can't see much outside at this point.  But earlier today it was snowing, along with a mixed precipitation of sleet and rain.  And, oh how the wind continues to whistle and howl.

I am thinking... it's rather nice to be inside.  Seriously.  I'm also thinking how much I love "stormy days/nights"... weird, eh?

I am thankful...for warm, comfortable shelter "in the time of storm", and for a family to share it with. Truly, I am.

In the kitchen...tonight is a covered dish of baked potatoes and smoked sausage, along with green beans and a leftover Christmas combo of homemade rolls & cheesy garlic biscuits.

I am wearing... a long jean skirt and brown and blue paisley blouse - soon it will be comfy PJ's.  Yes!!!!

I am creating... ((ideas are always in motion... and of course, this involves sewing.))

I am going... just a little crazy with all the sickness going on around here in our home.  Between ear aches/infections (needing rounds of antibiotics) and of course fevers that go along with that, to the coughing and other aches and pains associated.  This is just with the children...  ((Not fun!))

I am wondering...what must have it been like to have been Mary, the mother of Jesus?  To have one - the One - perfectly sinless child, alongside of her other children.  Seriously - at the end of the day, where were her thoughts. her feelings, her emotions...as a mother?   Maybe I'll share more thoughts on this another time...

I am reading... (and rereading) Christmas Cards and letters that have come over the past couple of weeks.  It's always good to hear from friends and family.

I am hoping... for a good dump of snow.  One where we're all snowed in and no one is truly going anywhere and we can invite all of our next-door neighbors over for a Soup and Game night!  All they have to do is walk on over.

 ((By the way, the writing of this post has now extended on into the 27th...))

I am looking forward to... to what the New Year - 2013 - will bring!

I am learning... that I have a long way to go in the aspect of being sweet, gentle and gracious when it comes to being a mother, a wife, a daughter, a daughter-in-law, a sister, and a friend.

Around the house... it's quiet as of now.  The kids aren't feeling their best, still...one is asleep, and the other two are visiting with a little friend, Jessica, who is here for a couple of hours.  She is the little gal we watched all summer long.  She is also on Christmas Break and I suggested that she come by, one day, to play. :)

I am pondering...why things go the way they do, sometimes.  Why do we, at times, have to wrestle and question and argue with one another, ourselves, and with our Maker?

A favorite quote for today... (this one made me smile, this week!)
"The best way to double your money is to fold it over and stick it back in your pocket." ~ Abe Martin

One of my favorite things... is currently waking up to quiet inspirational music on our local Christian Radio Station, rather than the usual blaring and loud alarm clock.  You should try it some morning.  It makes a (HUGE) difference...

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Doctor Appointments
Cleaning up around the house, since 20+ people were here for Christmas Day, and Grandma Susie was here for almost two weeks!
Scott is planing on taking an exam, Saturday AM, for school.  Praying for a passing grade...

A peek into my day...

This photo was from Christmas Morning, but Jayne is still sporting these lovely little beauts today.  Love them!!

Joining up with Peggy and other Daybook-ers, HERE..  Take a look...

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See you all in the New Year, Lord Willing.  Twenty - thirteen, here we come.  ;)

I'm looking forward to getting back into blogging (I've missed you much!) and in bringing in the New Year with a grand ole giveaway - Bags by Bevy style! - here, at Treasured Up and Pondered.  

I hope to hear from you, then.

Let me know how your month was...?  Was it as enjoyed and as stress-free as mine was?

{Quote} Take Time

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“Take time.  Give God time to reveal Himself to you.  Give yourself time to be silent and quiet before Him, waiting to receive, through the Spirit, the assurance of His presence with you, his power working in you.  Take time to read His Word as in His presence, that from it you may know what He asks of you and what he promises you.  Let the Word create around you, create within you a holy atmosphere, a holy heavenly light, in which you soul will be refreshed and strengthened for the work of daily life.” ~ Andrew Murray

***

Just feeling the need to pop in here today.

For one, I miss you all so much and this quiet thing is hard, when I think of much to say.  But I'll be honest, it's been deeply refreshing, as well, (in some aspects...) to just live out the whispers... of hush.

This quote I shared with you here today is one that has helped me much in the past couple of days.  I just want it to be a true part of my heart... I pray it will for yours as well.

So.  I've been thinking of you.  Working one day at a time through my list.  {Silent Night!}  It is still that...

Blessings on you, each one, my friends... 

As we live out this NOEL season.  

A season of Peace and Good Will to all men.