Happy Pink Saturday and Merry Pink Christmas to you! Linking today with Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday and Faith Grace and Crafts
Please come in

and sit a while

you must be tired from all of the Christmas hullabaloo!
Can I offer you a cup of something to warm your heart?

photo from nicolehill.blogspot.com

 I don't know about you, but I'm dreaming of...

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!!

Blessings,

I'm dreaming of a pink Christmas

For Pink Saturday, I'm dreaming of a pink Christmas....

That's what these carolers are singing

 That's what I wish for you....

Short and sweet but straight from my pink heart to yours!

I hope you have a very merry Pink Blessed Christmas!!

Be sure to visit Beverly and the other pink ladies!!

Blessings,

Pink and Black...It's a Girl Thing

It's almost Pink Saturday AND it's Black Friday!  What a great combination!
Hmmm.....what should I wear for the occasion?  
Option #1:  What do you think of this basic black dress?  Every girl has a basic black dress, doesn't she?  And, make sure you check out her boots!  You can tell a lot about a girl by her boots shoes.

 Option #2:  Or should I wear this cute little number.  Surely Twiggy would be pleased.  (My hips would be screaming though...."LET ME OUTTA HERE!"  (Check out the boots again...you can tell a lot about a girl...)

 Option #3:  Or, we have this little number.  I don't think she has shopping on her mind, but the dress sure is cute. I'm thinkin' those shoes are going to be a little uncomfortable by the end of the day though.  Ouch!

Next, we must choose a bag...a pink and black bag of course.  
Well, what do you think?  I agree, it's not big enough.  I like a BAG!

  Now, this one is kind of cute, but it's not making the statement I'm looking for.

 

Now, this bag is more like it.  It's cute, it's fun and it's big!

  Then again, if I carried this one, it would appear that I "meant business" when I walked into a store.  hmmm...

Well, when all is said and done, maybe I should just take a shopping cart on wheels.  I would make a very colorful bag lady!

 I had better bring along my pink and black Nikes to change into at the end of the day when my feet no longer move with the rest of my body!

The more I think about it, comfort is in!  I just found this great shirt on Zazzle.  Isn't this great?  See, I think Black Friday is becoming a holiday.

Whatever you are doing, I hope you are having a wonderful day!  Happy Pink Saturday to you!  Remember to stop by all of the other Pink Saturday members ,especially Beverly our Pink Saturday hostess.  Leave them a message and remember that if they don't get back to you right away, they are probably out doing the Black Friday thing too!

Blessings,

Happy Pink Cookies

Happy Pink Saturday to all of you Pinkies!  Don't you just love this day?  I do!  I have been collecting pink pictures for this event.  But, for today, I actually have something pink that I took pictures of at home and that is these yummy and amazing cookies.  I wish that I could say it is my recipe, but it's not!  These cookies are the BOMB!  Before I go too much farther, I want to give credit to where I found these.  Please go over and visit Trisha at Glass Slippers .  She is so amazingly talented at being creative, baking and a beautiful person.  (Aren't we blessed to know so many wonderful people via blog land)?
I have been looking for a good sugar cookie recipe for a long time and finally found one - this one!  You know, nothing much comes between me and a good cookie.  Have I shared before that I heard you wouldn't eat as many if you just froze them and took them out to thaw when you wanted one?  Well, apparently, the person who came up with that idea never ate a frozen cookie!  Frozen cookies are us!  They are good!  And, I enjoyed every single one of them - frozen!

 Here is the recipe from Trisha:

Sugar Butter Cookies
*2 cups flour sifted
*1 cup softened butter
*1 cup sugar
*1 tsp vanilla

1. Preheat oven to 350. 2. Cream butter, sugar and vanilla together. 3. Slowly add sifted flour to butter mixture. 4. Using a cookie scoop, drop balls of cookie dough into sugar and place on a cookie sheet. Before putting in the oven, smash the cookies just a bit with the bottom of a glass. 5. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Let cool for about 10 minutes and then remove from pan. Let cool completely before frosting.

 Here is one of the pictures of the cookies that Trisha made.  She had made these for a friend's birthday.  Trisha, my birthday is in February..... (I hope you know I'm kidding...sort of...no, really) =0)

Linking up today with Beverly over at Pink Saturday.
Remember to enter my blog giveaway - a GORGEOUS HOPE ribbon ring retail $117!

Blessings,

Blog Giveaway

I am so excited to be able to do this!  I am finally having a blog giveaway.  I chose for this special giveaway this amazing Hope ring.  Pink is my favorite color and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE sparkly things.  This ring is in honor of those who also love all things that are pink and sparkle. 
Its' clear and ruby pink crystal-studded “ribbon” is tied in a glamorous bow. It also has clear baguettes form the bow’s center knot. One look at this Hope ring and they’ll never forget you!
Here is what you can do to enter. It's up to you what you decide to do.  Please leave me a message so I know.
For one chance you can leave a comment on this post.
For a second chance, post this on your sidebar with a link back to this post.
For a third chance, become a follower (and I will follow you too).
And, for a fourth chance, stop by Cindy at Cindy's Whimsical Musings who made this beautiful blog button for me and leave her a comment too!
That's it.
Happy Pink Saturday to everyone especially our hostess, Beverly at How Sweet the Sound.

Blessings,

Meet a Prim Girl

Woman of Hope Interview Questions

Octobers Woman of Hope

Char Hosea     The Rusty Knob Prims and Dolls

 What gives you the most hope?

 My hope is built on Jesus protective love and faithfulness to me I’m blessed to have faith, hope and purpose in God.

Tell us about yourself.

I like long, tall wide narrow things, love the primitive look and feel of yesteryear, I love the gentle breeze on a warm day, and I enjoy watching children play in the snow and rain.  I like the deep rich colors of fall, I like who I am and I’m excited to see how God will shape me and who I become.  I’m a Christian wife, mom, grandma, and doll artist. I have lots of close faithful friends who love and encourage me. I am also unable to speak.  In July 2004 I became ill and by October I lost my ability to speak with many other health issues attached.  In 2007 I began making Primitive dolls as my sister-in-law said in passing “I’d like one of those as she points to a primitive doll.  That’s how the Rusty Knob Prims and Dolls began. I bought a few Primitive doll patterns and thus began this sweet journey as a doll maker.  Creating handmade dolls has helped me over come in so many ways.  The dolls help me keep my hands busy and my creative mind creating rather than on ME and my circumstances.  These silly dolls give me hope as each one is created and she develops her own personality. They give me a purpose as I plan to move forward each day.  I paint or stitch a heart on each doll.  I give each prim doll a name and I just can’t make two exactly the same each one has her own primitive personality.  Sometimes they talk to me like… you know I want wings or I’d rather have a rusty knob (red hair) and Annie legs for my dolls. (What I, Holly, want to share is that Char recently entered her dolls in the State Fair and was the winner in so many categories. AND, last year she sent some of her dolls to Somerset Publications and this September she will be in PRIM magazine along with some of her wonderful dollies). Go Char!

What do you consider your gifts?

I can look at something and then I create my own rendition with my own Primitive style incorporated.  I have to think and mull it over for a few days or weeks to get to where it comes to me then I go for it.  Sometimes it will come to me in the middle of the night so I get up write down what I’ve come up with then I can finally sleep on it.

I have enjoyed many of your creative gifts.  What is your favorite way to be creative?

 I enjoy each part of the creative journey a doll makes from the design decision to dressing her. The cutting is therapeutic the sewing is soothing as the machine raps along with the motion of movement, then comes the turning and stuffing, and hand stitched assembly.  My favorite part is when I have a whole bunch without faces and they fill a bucket or I have painted legs hanging on the cloths line in the kitchen that to me is Beau-t-i-ful.  Then comes painting and hand stitching faces, color choices oh, that lets the creative juices flow and she becomes a doll of beauty and personality.  And best of all is when someone picks out a doll it’s the giggle and laughter that it music to my soul.  That’s when you know the girl and the doll are kindred spirits. I kiss them good –bye as they leave to go to their new home.

What do you do to relax?

 My best down time is when I go with my husband while he metal detects or golfs. I relax as I watch him and read or do hand stitchery that’s relaxing for me. I love my family and of course my new grand baby I’m in love all over again when I see him, I sure love to hold him and play as he lifts my spirits to new heights. O the blessed joy of grandchildren.

What is your favorite saying or verse?

 My favorite verse is Isaiah 26:3-4 Thou will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusts in thee. Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.

My favorite quote comes from Oswald Chambers “our circumstances are the means of manifesting how wonderfully perfect and extraordinarily pure the son of God is”.

What color is hope for you?

I believe the color of HOPE  is RED for me.  We purchased our little home with the intention of redoing the inside plus adding on to the existing house then building a new home for us on the lot next door.  Well plans change seasons come and go and  in God’s plan for me I became ill and all those dreams went to the way side as my health became first priority.  I’ve had a long wait for my kitchen to get done. Yippee!  It’s almost complete now its red and tan with primitive stars I love it!  It’s warm and comforting to me I can appreciate it a whole lot more.  It has been a good lesson in hope and patience because something’s are worth waiting for.

What is hope to you?

Hope knows and believes God has created you to be a person of worth.

Hope it the joyful day you say I do.

Hope is a new born child and the future he holds.

Hope is a life lived for God and with purpose.

Hope is knowing life is short, a moment in time, soon I will meet Him face to face with a voice that sings and shouts as this life’s trials will be over.
As always on this fun day, please stop by to say hello to Beverly and the other Pink Saturday ladies!

Blessings,

Happy Pink all!  Oh, how I have missed seeing you.

I haven't been ignoring you. . .

I have been running around . . .

Last week I had a party to help introduce my new business. . .

Jewelry!  And, look, they even have PINK!  (Guess who bought this? You guessed it! Moi!)

I'm doing lots of traveling and haven't been home much

But, I do love mail and I would be tickled PINK if you would leave me a note that you stopped by!

Linking up with Beverly and all the other Pink Saturday ladies!
Blessings,

August Woman of Hope

As summer draws to a close I look forward to the next season.  I like the change of seasons because sometimes they bring a much needed change of pace and always they have things to teach us.  Today I share with you a woman who has experienced some seasons in her own life and uses her experiences to help and encourage others.  

A few years ago I had the pleasure of meeting Alane Pearce.  Talk about an inspirational woman with a heart for others!  She started a non-profit, has written two books (so far), is a wife and a mother and uses her story to help encourage others in similar situations.  Alane currently lives in Texas.  What a blessing she is!  I know you will enjoy reading what she has to say.  I especially like what she says about "hope".  (Thank you, Alane).

August Woman of Hope

What gives you the most hope? Laughter. It is honest and true and healing and it gives me hope that no matter how bad things get around us, we will still be okay if we can find something to laugh about.

Notes from the Margins

Tell us about yourself.  I am an Air Force wife and the mom of an 11 year-old who is a big gift to us through adoption; I love to cook, hate to clean and spend way too much time on the computer! I am a writer—for a long time just by passion, but now also by trade. I have written and published two books; Notes from theMargins: Healing Conversations with God and a companion Bible study called Comparing Notes. (Both are available on Amazon.com) I have recently started coaching new authors on writing, publishing and book promotion, which feels more like fun than a job. I also started a nonprofit that runs conferences for military spouses from which I learned many things including the fact that I am better one-on-one with people than I am in big groups. Unfortunately the economy has not been friendly to the start-up nonprofit so we will be closing that in the fall.

What do you consider your gifts? I am definitely an encourager; my friends always tell me they feel so good after they’ve been with me (which both humbles and thrills me). Hospitality is another gift; I love to have people over and treat them like they are so special. Unfortunately this makes some people feel uncomfortable or like they couldn’t reciprocate in the same way so I’m learning how to pull back a little to help people feel more comfortable. I think that is an important aspect of hospitality. I also have the gift of exhortation (which means to have wisdom and ability to give advice to point someone toward healthy choices).

You are an author and have conducted conferences for women whose spouses are in the military.  What inspired you to do this (these)? In a way, the book I wrote, Notes from the Margins: Healing Conversations with God, and the military spouse conferences were both born out of the same desire to share my story to help others. It probably also stems from my spiritual gifts; especially the gift of exhortation which gives me the desire to challenge others toward a healthy relationship with Jesus and to make God-honoring, healthy choices.

I wrote the book because after losing 7 pregnancies (two of which were tubal pregnancies that ruptured and nearly killed me), and after losing our first-born son to a severe heart defect when he was just 15 days old, I couldn’t get help from anyone. I asked my doctors who told me to, “just get over my past,” and my family didn’t really know how to help me, so I went to God with my hard questions and noted them in the margins of my Bible. I wanted other people who have experienced loss to understand that even though it seems like God has abandoned you, he is still there working in ways you may never realize.

I started the military spouse conferences because there was a time (actually when I was writing Notes from the Margins), that my husband was deployed or gone so often that I only saw him for 120 days in the course of two years. I realized during that time how important it was to be with other military spouses who could understand what I was going through. My weekly coffee meetings with other military spouses were so healing and helpful for me that I wanted other women to experience it and understand the importance of camaraderie. 

What do you do to relax?   Relax? I’m not sure of the last time I relaxed! Between balancing writing, author coaching and conferences with household and family, it sometimes seems like I’m always doing something and late for something else! Camping with my family is relaxing. So is reading when I’m not too tired to do it!

 What is your favorite saying or verse?  Philippians 4:8-9 “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

What color is hope for you?  Green because it represents new life—new growth on trees and plants in the spring, cool green grass in the summer. It’s funny because my dad’s favorite color is green and everything we had growing up seemed to be green; our house, our car, his boat and his company logo. I swore I would never love green. And now I do! How’s that for a cosmic joke?!

What is hope to you?  I read an article one time that explained the difference between hope and a wish that said something along the lines of: A wish is just a dream or a request; hope is a strong desire with the confidence that it will come to be. I think that it would be hard to have hope without having faith because it is faith that can give us the confidence that good will come.

Anything else you would like to add?  

You can find out about my books and writing/publishing at AlanePearce.com 

I am linking with Pink Saturday.

Blessings,

Happy Pinkish Saturday

I have some pictures from my daughters wedding and I just had to share.  It was such a special and glorious day!  I say "pinkish" because her colors were black and white with red accents.  Red is just a darker shade of pink, right?  (There are a few pictures with true pink in them).

Thank you for allowing me to indulge and relive this special day. 
Before I forget, one thing that I have meant to post about is a giveaway that Kathleen had back in June. The giveaway was a $100 gift card to ann's bridal bargains.  Thank you, Kathleen.  It gave the finishing touch to our wedding. We ordered these beautiful programs and a matted autograph frame for friends and family to sign when coming to the reception.

My beautiful daughter

 I had my camera on the wrong setting the day of the wedding and most of my pictures did not come out, but this one did and I just love it!  I went with her to get her hair and make-up done.

Here is the pink.  This picture was taken at the dance studio where my daughter teaches.  Her dance instructor and several of her bridesmaids are dancers here.

 

 Bride and groom standing next to their cake.  Cupcakes are the new thing for weddings.  Isn't this one beautiful?  Our wedding planner scattered acrylic diamonds in between some of the cupcakes and pinned the ribbon up with diamond push pins. (I gotta find those!)

 My daughter with her very handsome brothers. (Do I sound like a proud mama, or what?)

Exchanging of the vows with our pastor. (Let me just say here that I didn't have a picture of our church wedding coordinator because she was behind the scenes making sure all was well - and it was).

 After the show, show.

 They met at Sonic Drive-in, so it only seemed fitting to get some pictures there.

 The bride's gorgeous bouquet. (This was done by the groom's aunt.  She did all the flowers and they were absolutely stunning).

 More of the flowers - WOW - knock your socks off!

The bride and groom's cake.

 

 Pretty darn cute if you ask me! (Our ring bearer was a girl and they found a tuxedo for her - so cute! )

 Havin' fun!

  Don't you just love this?  She was our flower girl.

 The Hand Blessing

We had the bride and groom's brothers read this and we received so many compliments on this.  If you are looking for something special for a wedding ceremony, then consider this.

The Hand Blessing

Hand Blessings are sweet and romantic, and are a favorite option with many of our couples.

Officiant: [Bride], please hold [Groom's] hands palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you. These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and vibrant with love, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as he promises to love you and cherish you through the years for a lifetime of happiness. These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future. These are the hands that will love you passionately, and, with the slightest touch, comfort you like no other. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes- tears of sorrow, and tears of joy. These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief engulfs your heart. These are the hands that will give you strength and support when you can't do it alone. These are the hands that, when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch. Officiant: [Groom], please hold [Bride's] hands palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you. These are the hands of your best friend, smooth, young and carefree, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as she promises to love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness. These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future. These are the hands that will love you passionately, and, with the slightest touch, comfort you like no other. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes-  tears of sorrow, and tears of joy. These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief engulfs your heart.  These are the hands that will give you strength and support when you can't do it alone. These are the hands that, when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.  Blessing: (optional) May these hands be blessed this day. May they always hold each other.  May they have the strength to hang on during the storms of stress and the dark of disillusionment. May they remain tender and gentle as they nurture each other in their wondrous love. May they build a relationship founded in love, and rich in caring. May these hands be healer, protector, shelter, and guide for each other. (credit: http://www.weddingministerct.com)

The sand ceremony

 

 Is it possible to have so much beauty in one picture? (Apparently so because they are all radiant!)

 I love this picture of my son and his wife. (They are expecting their first baby early next year!  Woohoo!)

 Hugging her nieces!

 With her sister and sisters-in-law

 With her uncle and oldest brother

 Meet her wonderful new mother and father. in law and brother in law.

 And grandparents -in-law. (She loves them too!)

 Here we are together.  This isn't the moment, but at the end of the ceremony, the wedding couple surprised us with having our pastor ask the first person that kissed them when they were born be the last person to kiss them when they were still single.  So, Julie and I went up and kissed our children on the cheek.  Talk about a tear jerker! (it's a little tough on the make-up)

 Having more fun!  Where there is Sarah there is "fun"!

 

The reception was absolutely stunning!  The tables and chairs were black satin and the chairs had red bows on them and we had red napkins.  There were damask table runners down the middle of each table.  Some tables had crystal lamps on them and the others had the gorgeous floral arrangements (each one different).  Our daughter and son-in-law made a donation to a charity in lieu of favors and our wedding planner made those announcements as well and tucked them into the napkins.  Our wedding planner gave us all the surprise effect.  She asked about the bride and grooms wishes and designed the reception.  We couldn't see it until just before everyone else did. (Okay, moms and grandmoms got to see it the day before). It was absolutely stunning!  If you want an amazing wedding planner who is a godsend, professional and will make your dreams come true then check out
http://www.ultimate-sophistication.com/.
The two lovely ladies who made my daughter's (and mine) dreams come true!

Thank you, Chelsea and Jody!

One last credit to give and that is to our equally amazing photographers, Misty and Brian of 

http://www.bcr3ative.com/.  You got to see just a little of their work today.  Check more of their work out - it is outstanding! Talk about creative and capturing the moment - these two do just that!

And last but not least is our hostess, Beverly, who makes Pink Saturday possible.  Please stop by her place and visit all of the other pink girls!