"Dress For Success" and May Your New Year Be Blessed

 
Good morning and lets have our last cup of coffee of 2012 together. It is cold here, but our coffee and conversation will be heart warming and you can't ask for more than that.
I know 2012 was a hard year for some and a wonderful year for others. That is the thing about a New Year, we don't know what it holds. It is full of surprises, some good, some bad, but most of the time life is good. When you can say its the same old, same old, that could be a blessing. It says nothing bad is happening and life is just going on. Anyway, 2012 brought both good and bad here. The good outweighed the bad, with the fact Amanda is doing wonderfully. We took so many family trips, we had a wedding, and several dear friends came Through My Back Door.
As we begin 2013 I would like to share a tiny bit from my Pastor's sermon yesterday. It left an impression on me. He preached on "Dress for Success". Not our material clothes, but our spiritual clothes, The clothes of kindness, meekness, love, forgiveness, and patience. The scripture was Col 3:12-17, if you want to read it. If each and every one of us, would dress for success, the world and 2013 would be a better place for all. I am so going to try to do this. The examples he gave hit home to me. One more thing, he said we can't pick our families, but neither can we pick our church families. We can pick our church, but not all of the people, God does that.
Well this is not an exciting post, but lets hope 2013 is a good year. Lets all dress for success.

F

 From all of us here, may you "dress for success" and have a Blessed New Year.
betty
PS: Okay bloggers, we have to band together in prayer again. One of my long time, dear friends granddaughter is 27 and was diagnosed this past Friday with breast cancer. I ask her if we could pray for her on my blog and she was so happy, to receive prayers. Her name is Tamara and we know the road ahead. She is single and has been on the mission field in the states for a while, but had come back home. She is going to need our prayers, as well as her family. We all know how it devastates every one of us.
Also, Kathy Trout, who started the Primitive Pantry forum, husband is in a coma and hospice is with them. Please say a prayer for them.
PSS:On a happy note, my friend Sandi, Daybreak Place, is coming over this week for a visit. That is if she can get off her mountain. I am so looking forward to her coming Through My Back Door

Where Does the Time Go?

Good morning and hurry in where it is warm. The fireplace is on and so is the coffee. You know where the mugs are, so help yourself.  If you would like a piece of stack cake help yourself. You have been coming Through My Back Door long enough, I now consider you family, so make yourself at home.
Where does the time go? Seems like only yesterday I was planning my decorations and activities, and now they are over. I have to admit, I am one who has always put them away the day after. Probably because they are put up so early. This week the house is going to the realtor and it needs to look less cluttered. I did cut back on decorations this year and loved it. It was so easy to put away too. I not only enjoyed the decorations, I enjoyed the whole season. It was so peaceful, Christ filled, and spent with the dearest of friends and family.
Christmas started for us on Friday, at Debs. It was her immediate family, as Curt and Lindsey spent this Christmas in Mo with her family.

Mollie in her Cinderella dress-up clothes.

Deb will get me for this one, but the kids went in together and had all the old VHS movies put on DVD for her. The tag said, "Memories from Home." She was so happy she cried. Later that day, then on Saturday we watched them. Oh they were bittersweet. So many no longer with us and we all laughed and cried. Michael's Mother saying grace, my Mother laughing, Curtis, it was just tear jerking but happy at the same time. Where does the time go?

Doug, Dodd,and Renda. Doug always comes early and helps cook. He likes to add a surprise and this year it was frog legs, he had ordered. They were good, but some of the younger ones were shocked! We were down 8 at my house this year. Quite unusual. 4 were sick and 4 were out of town. They were missed, but we had a good time, as we always do. My kids are all so funny and we do a lot of laughing. Oh yes, there are a few tears shed, as we remember those we don't have anymore. Where does the time go?

I was thrilled to finally get this progressive Christmas gift from Dodd and Renda. Two years ago they found this pump for me. Dodd  volunteered, was coerced into building something to put it on. He did it this Christmas. I was so happy to get it. I have a dipper he gave me about the same time as the pump. Yesterday I told him I was going to hang the dipper on it. He said,"I had one to give you but I can't find it." I explained he did give it to me 2 years ago.Where does the time go?
Amanda & Clay, Beth & Ryan,and Curt & Lindsey went in together and got me a Kindle Fire for Christmas. I was THRILLED! I had planned on getting one after Christmas. My kids were so good to me I just had an awesome Christmas, gift wise,(which is not the most important thing at all) but just spending so much time together. Christmas eve we spent at my sister in laws with her family. We were missing some there this year too. I still can't believe that Christmas is over for 2012. Where does the time go?
I redid my mantle yesterday. The goose was one of Michaels first carvings. It and the shorebirds have been on top of the corner cupboard for years. I think they are probably wondering where on earth they are!

I have such a hard time with my mantle. I always thought I would be good at decorating one, but uh uh! I am not.lol I have packed a lot away for a while. Hopefully the house will sell and I can find one and get out of limbo.
I am looking forward to a visit from a friend next week. She is coming to stay a few days. Maybe she will have some suggestions.
There will be lots of coffee drinking, laughing and decorating issues solved, that is for sure.

I wanted to share my beautiful door box. Sharon and Johnny Stinson, (The Speckled Hen) made it for me. Sharon put the most gorgeous finish on it. It doesn't show in this picture. Deb said it looked 300 years old. I LOVE it. They made this one to go between the door and the storm door. They sell these at the Hen.
I worked very hard yesterday, so went to bed a bit before 10. I was awake at 6 this morning. Finally got up around 6:30 and have  drunk a pot of coffee. I am so glad you came Through My Back Door where life is good.
betty
PS: I am so going to miss this beautiful header my blog fairy created for me. I don't know what I ever did to deserve her,(nothing, I am sure) but I am so thankful for her and her creativity. I tell her, she makes me look good.lol
PSS: I will be back to share the most wonderful gift. Amanda had Andrew and Mollie make me a calendar. The children did all the art work. It is pictures using their foot and hand prints. It is priceless, and Andrew, very seriously told me it took him a long time to do this and he worked very hard on it. I absolutely will treasure it for the rest of my life. I will share it next time.
PSSS: I know a lot of you have lots of snow. We had rain. The only snow I have seen is on my header!

Merry Christmas To All

It is so nice for you to take time to visit Through My Back Door today. There is coffee on, (and that is a new story), there is cake, fudge, and some cookies if you would like some. The fireplace is on,along with all the Christmas lights and carols are playing, so it is really a peaceful place to be this afternoon.

I absolutely love this time of year. It is so nice to hear people calling Merry Christmas, seeing smiles on faces, and just the general atmosphere makes me happy.
Dasko and I have been very lazy this afternoon, but I wanted to wish each and everyone of you Merry Christmas and A Blessed 2013. I know some of you like me, will have some empty chairs on Christmas Day. It doesn't get easier and I certainly am not making light of it, but I plan to be thankful, that at one time they were at that table, and in a way they still are. I am resolving not to be sad, because they are no longer with me, but will celebrate  the memories of the days they were. I hope each of you will do the same.
Thank you for coming Through My Back Door, where life is good.
betty
PS: The coffee pot. 2012 has been a hard year for coffee pots at my house. A little over a week ago the Bunn started leaking. It was not a year old.(Remember I found out a few months ago a part was missing). Well I called Bunn and they sent me a new one. I am fine with the Keurig when it is just me, but Tuesday there will be about 25 people here, and that Keurig, would be working over time!lol Anyway the new one came yesterday, so all is well that ends well.

 

Merriment, Day 25

Ah, our Merriment Days are over with todays post. What fun we have had and it was an experience I would welcome again. Robyn,Primlish and Misi*~1890~* had such a good idea. Other than seeing lots of wonderful decor and getting ideas, I have gotten to "know" some bloggers I didn't "know" before.I have found some new blogs and renewed with some I hadn't followed in a while. Stephanie in her Merriment Day 24, yesterday, said it perfectly.Front Porch Primitives. 
I feel as I have shared in some of your happiest memories and feel privileged to do so. So thank you Robyn and Misi for bringing us together. So with this said it is only natural that my today's Merriment is to do with a blogger, I have never met in person, but  who has been so kind to me. It is this portrait, we call Mother, from Bama Planter. (He also has sent me gourd eggs, and dried okra).

  When I offered to pay his answer was, "You all have been through a lot this year and I wanted to give you this." Only in blogland would you find that kind of Merriment.
I certainly thank you for coming Through My Back Door where life is good for 25 days of Merriment. I only hope you have enjoyed yourself as much as I have.
betty
PS: I am sharing a secret. I was having trouble with blogger about the time this Merriment started and was going to have to drop out. It kept telling me I had no more picture room and wanted me to buy space. Well my wonderful blog fairy, encouraged me not to buy space, and not to drop out. I would write my post, send her the picture, and she would post it for me, then I would publish it the next day. This went on for at least 10 days, then all at once I could do pictures again. BTW I met my blog fairy on a forum and through blogland. So blogland is a wonderful community. Thank you blog fairy, AKA Tinkerbell.lol

Merriment Day 24

Next to the last day of Merriment. You all know I love spending time with friends. That makes me Merry! Tuesday I had lunch at Debs with some wonderful friends. We shared a lot of laughs let me tell you.

Yesterday I spent the day with these friends. We went to my friend Carols for lunch, then we went to Debs to see her decorations and back to my house.

It always makes me Merry to go to Carols.  That is, left to right, Sharon,(Speckled Hen), Deb, and Carol. Yes, Deb and I share a lot of the same friends. We like that! I thought I would share a few pictures from her wonderful home.

This is standing on the bridge out to the garage room, looking down. Isn't it beautiful. I will leave you with a picture of some of her Night Before Christmas book collection.

This room is floor to ceiling children's books. Carol is a retired elementary school teacher. If this house doesn't make you Merry, I don't know what will.lol
betty

Merriment, Day 23

One of the things that make me Merry is sitting in the living room in the morning, drinking my coffee with all the Christmas lights on. It is so serene, so peaceful, and I am so contented. I love just "being".

It won't be long until it will be put away for another year. So I am just going to enjoy.
betty

Merriment Day 22

Merriment days are coming to an end. They have been such fun and I have enjoyed reading all the posts.  I have loved every minute of it. Today's Merriment is this wonderful little mouse writing his letter to Santa.
My friend Libby,Rusty Shed Prims made this for me last year. I forgot to put him away so I just had fun with him and left him out. You saw him as a leprechaun.

An Easter Bunny, wanna be

And even as a wanted Mouse in the UK.

Well, I went into my bedroom yesterday and here he was

Writing his letter to Santa, telling him how good he had been!
Thanks for coming Through My Back Door where life is good.
betty
PS: This is one of my favorite Christmas decorations.

Merriment, Day 21

We have shared 21 Days of Merriment and the time has flown. We have 4 more days after today. My Merriment today is

A Simple vignette on a shelf in my kitchen. Life is not always simple, more often complex, so this makes me Merry.
betty

Merriment Day 20

Christmas is not just fun and gifts. We know that. We also know the best gift is when we give of ourselves. Whether it is time to make something, time to visit, time to send a note. To me those are the best gifts. In my card group we draw names every year. A few years back, my friend Linda Attanasio drew mine. Imagine my joy when I opened this.

A primitive nativity she had made herself.

A close up! This friend is the opposite of prim and that she did this for me! Certainly makes me Merry.
Thanks for coming Through My Back Door  where life is good.
betty
PS:Let's please continue our prayers for the victims. That includes the shooter's family. 

Mark McCoig

In the wake of tragedy, we are filled with confusion and indignation. We want someone to blame; we want someone to pay. We inevitably ask the question that will likely never be answered: WHY?

Why would someone do such a horrible thing? Why did someone not see this coming? Why didn’t someone stop it? Why would God allow this to happen?

I do not presume to speak for God – and God certainly does not need my defense – but I can imagine a conversation . . .

“God! Are you there? And if you are, how could You let this happen? Don’t you even care about those children, about their parents and families? God? Are you listening?”

“Yes, I am here . . . and I was there. I was there, embracing the frightened children, huddled together in every corner. I was there hearing the prayers of children and teachers, crying out to Me in sheer terror. I was there, guiding the adults who were desperately seeking to protect the children from harm. I was there, receiving innocent lives, taken far too early, not by Me, but by the senseless act of a tormented soul. I was there.

“I was there with the parents as they learned of the tragedy in those panic-stricken moments until they held their loved ones safely in their arms. I was there, My own heart breaking with those of parents who learned their precious children had been taken.

“I was there, reaching out even to the lost, confused, angry, and tormented souls who perpetrated this heinous act – trying to guide, trying to reach him even till the end, for he, too, is My child whom I love.

I was there . . . and I am here.

I am here to offer healing families whose lives have been shattered, to survivors whose lives have been forever changed, and to a society that continues to produce individuals so disenfranchised, so embittered, so detached, so deranged that such an action is even possible.

“I AM here . . . and I AM listening . . . and I AM reaching. Will you turn to Me?”

 I wanted to share the e-mail, with his permission of course, that church members received this morning from Mark.

Mark McCoig is the pastor of my church, Sharon Baptist, Knoxville Tennessee. He has 3 school age sons, a wife who teaches elementary and his mother in law is a teaching assistant. His mother retired from the schools central office. My church is full of teachers retired and still teaching. Several serve the schools in other capacities. 
As Mark said, everyone will not agree with this, but I wanted to share.
Love and prayers 
Betty

Merriment, Day 19, Not Much Merriment

Today, I am asking for prayers for the families and friends of all the victims in the Sandy Hook Elementary school shooting yesterday.Even though most of us don't know anyone involved personally, it has affected each of us. We are all hurting, our hearts breaking and  it is hard to be Merry under these tragic circumstances.  I know we are all praying and asking God for strength and comfort, to everyone involved, from the victims families, friends, and to the professional personnel, who are doing the work. My Merry today is, God will hear the prayers. He will answer them.He will comfort them/us.
betty
PS:Found out after reading Misi's blog last evening, that was her school. I know her heart is broken. Personally  I have a son, a daughter in law,  a niece, as well as many of my friends who are teachers. I worked as a teaching assistant nearly 30 years. Schools are supposed to be safe, like churches.

This came off FaceBook, It is by Stamped&Strong

Merriment, Day 18

These two make me Merrier than about anything!

Andrew and Mollie. She wants everything pink! Most of you know they are two of my three Greats. The other one lives out of town. We will see him Christmas.
It sure is Merry through my back door where life is good.
betty

Merriment, Day 17

Wow! We have been "Merrying" for 17 days! Welcome Through My Back Door for Merriment Day 17. Yesterday was 12-12-12 and I had some awesome luck. I found Kona decaf coffee! I was so thrilled I bought it all and then felt guilty. (Not for long)lol Anyway this is one of my favorite Christmas Merries.

Old Fashion apple stack cake. My grandma (Nannie) we called her always made these. Then when she could no longer my Aunt Annie made them. The time came when she couldn't either and we just had to have someone step up to the plate.(or oven) and it was me! It was hard to believe but I did it. This one isn't too pretty and they have to set for 4-5 days at least to be really good. Friday, I will be making them for this year. It just isn't Christmas without them. Stack cake and coffee! Yum!
I am so glad you came Through My Back Door where life is good!
betty

Merriment, Day 16

Merriment this week is luncheons and Christmas parties. I love being with my friends. Last night I was with these girls.

Today I am with these girls.

Tomorrow with these.

I don't know if I can stand any more "Merry"!!!!!
Thanks for coming through my back door where life is good
betty
PS Be sure and visit all the others in the Merriment chain. If you go to Misi I think she has everyone on her sidebar.
*~1890~
Robyn too at Primlish   

Merriment, Day 15

Ah, Merriment. Again, a cozy fire, a cup of mulled cider in a pewter mug, and a bit of candle light. Add, Silent Night, a wonderful Christmas book by Will Moses, and you have not only have the ingredients for Merriment, but for peace.

Thanks for coming Through My Back Door where life is good.

betty

PS Will Moses writes the most wonderful children books and his illustrations are gorgeous. I love his Night Before Christmas too.

Merriment, Day 14

Merriment. Something to think about. All of the things that make us Merry. Bloggers are all aware it isn't things that make us Merry, we know the important things in life, its just we love sharing with our prim sisters the things that do. I have loved seeing everyone's posts.I have found some new(to me ) blogs during this and so I thank you Robyn and Misi for making my blog life even more Merry.

Today it is my great, great, great grandmothers German Silver spoons that I am sharing. I think about her when I look at these every day. I never met her, my great, great, nor my great on this grandmothers side. My great aunt left these to me. I am grateful. Tucked with a pinkeep from a friend, just adds to the Merriment.

Thank you for sharing

Merriment Day 13

What fun it has been reading everyone's Merriment post. Robyn and Misi have kept us busy, haven't they? Not only coming up with Merriment, but reading everyone elses. Grab a cup of coffee and here is #13

Enjoying the Childrens Hospital Annual Fantasy of Trees with these people.four generations of us, laughing and having fun. We took Amanda and Beth to this when they were babies.

It is always Merry Through My Back Door.

betty

Merriment, Day 12

It is hard to believe we are in day 12 of Christmas Merriment. Nothing says Merriment to me like Christmas cookies. My wonderful  neighbor, Jackie, brought me over a plate of homemade cookies. Nothing better than good cookies, hot mulled cider in a pewter mug, and a warm fire.

Hope you enjoyed cookies and cider Through My Back Door where life is good.

betty

Merriment, Day 11

The first thing you see when you come Through My Back Door is a beautiful fresh wreath. Inside you will find my pretty poinsettia in my Mothers old yellow ware bowl. Merriment times 2. Or 3. The wreath and poinsettia were brought to me by Dodd and Renda.  Nothing says Christmas like fresh greenery.

Did you spy a few more Santa's? Thanks for coming Through My Back Door where life is good.

betty

Merriment Day 10

 This is day 10 of Christmas Merriment. More Santa's carved and painted by Michael and Deb. The one on the left has a list of all my grandchildren's names. Michael collects Keene Kutter tools, signs, etc. He put the Keene Kutter emblem  on the ax the santa is carrying.

 I love seeing these, knowing each one was carved and painted just for me.

Thanks for bringing Merriment Through My Back Door where life is good.

betty

Merriment, Day 9

It has been so nice having you all for coffee every day this week, on the Merriment Chain. Thank you Robyn and Misi, I have never participated in anything like this and have enjoyed reading everyone's post.

Gotta' have my coffee to make me Merry! K cup or Bunn, just gotta' have my coffee.
So glad you came Through My Back Door where life is good.
betty

Merriment, Day 8

Good morning and it is day 8 of the Merriment Days, sponsored by Robyn and Misi. I have enjoyed this so much and hope you all have too. It is amazing how similar we are, isn't it.

Today's Merriment is brought to you courtesy of my daughter and s-i-l. He is a wood carver by hobby, so he carves and she paints. These are in the center of my mantle. I keep them in a cupboard all year long but is is so much fun to get them out and set them around during Christmas.

There is no better gift than something you have taken your time to make for someone. Time is something that you can never get back, once you have given it away.

I am so thankful you take time to come Through My Back Door where life is good.

betty

Merriment, Day 7

Good morning and welcome Through My Back Door and a bit of simplicity. Have a cup of DD coffee, relax in the light of the tree and enjoy. I try to be be a "simple" decorator, but end up with "more", most everytime. Christmas however finds my table simple.
I enjoy it and I hope you do.

Hoping your day is relaxed, fun, and filled with simplicity.
That is what it is going to be Through My Back Door, where life is good.
betty

Merriment, Day 6

Good Morning and come in, have a cup of coffee and lets visit all the Day 6 Merriment Blogs. Misi and Robyn have come up with such a fun idea. It has been so interesting to see others,"Merriment." Thanks girls.

Today's merriment is driving up my driveway and seeing my Back Door Decorated for Christmas. I am home.
I am glad you came Through My Back Door where life is good.
betty

Merriment, Day 5

Come on in and have a cup of coffee, sit by the fire, look at the tree lights and reflect with me. Christmas is supposed to be Merry. It is supposed to be a time of love. It is not to be a time of stress, unnecessary  planning and doing. Why can't we just enjoy a simple Christmas? Why do we have to make it so  complicated? I don't have the answer to that. I do hope each of you will take time to read Luke 2:1-14. That is what we do and have always done. This is my Daddy's bible. It is so worn the cover is falling off. It is stuffed with papers he put in it. He has been dead almost 37 years and he is never missed more than at Christmas time. He loved Christmas, more than my Mother did, it was his holiday. So what is a more fitting tribute to him,  than his bible open to the original  Christmas Story and his glasses laying on top?

May each of you leave Through My Back Door feeling less stressed than when you came.

betty