What's Normal?

I don't want my blog to have a ''woe is me'' theme. I'm not looking for sympathy or anything like that. I'm hoping by getting back into blogging that I can get to a new normal, whatever that looks like. I haven't crafted in sooo long. I'd like to get back to that and share them here. That's not to say there won't be sad, uncomfortable posts. I've closed all my shops, unfortunately that's not something I can commit to.  No idea how often I'll post, I know I've lost a lot of my followers.  I don't blame them, it looked like I'd fallen off the edge of the earth, which it feels like I have.  I have read that when you lose a child your whole brain, organs - basically your whole physiology changes.  I sure can vouch for the brain part. Of course sleepless nights don't help either. Eyes popped open at 1 am, been up since.  

I'm sure this post is a jumbled up mess and probably doesn't make much sense. Nothing makes much sense these days. I feel guilty for not having any decorations up for my kids and grands. But they're basically in the same mindset. Feeling guilty if we have a smile on our face. How can we celebrate these damn holidays when we're not all here?  And missing her so much?

We all had a good crying session last night. I went looking in my gift wrapping tote to wrap my son's fiancée's gift. I happened across a gift bag from last year with M's name on the tag. The dam broke and tears rushed out. Everyone came to see what happened...then we all just broke open. All our brave faces were gone. 

My wish this Christmas is that no one else has to lose their child.

Wishing everyone a Happy Healthy Holiday Season 🎄

                                                                                      

                                                                                      

The 1945 Sears Christmas Book ~WW

 

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Holiday Time 10-Count Cool White LED Dripping Mini Icicle Christmas Lights, with Transparent Wire, 14.2 feet - Review

This holiday season, deck your home with the Holiday Time 10-Count LED Dripping Mini Icicle Christmas Lights. These beautiful mini icicle lights have a festive color and will illuminate any room of the house with good tidings and cheer. With a lighted length of 9-feet, the 10 mini lights measure 4.62 inches tall and are attached to transparent wire. They are suitable for outdoor or indoor use. You can connect up to 3 sets of this exact same light to coordinate beautifully with the rest of your festive holiday décor, to transform your living space into an enchanting winter wonderland. These lights are available in 3 festive colors: Cool White, Multicolor, and Blue. Celebrate the season with these Holiday Time 10-Count LED Dripping Mini Icicle Christmas Lights.
Holiday Time 10-Count LED Dripping Mini Icicle Christmas Lights, with Transparent Wire, 14.2 feet:
10 LED dripping mini icicle lights
Lighted length: 9 feet
Total length: 14.2 feet
Each icicle measures 4.62 inches
Designed with durable, break-, fade-, and chip-resistant bulbs
Connect up to 3 sets of this exact same light
LED lighting remains cool to the touch even when lit
Crafted with clear wire to complete the snowflake icicle look
Ideal for indoor and outdoor use
Available in 3 festive colors: Cool White, Blue, and Multicolor

These Lights Make Me Smile

Holiday Time's White LED Dripping Mini Icicle Christmas Lights are fantastic. I love the way they "drip" alternately. A breeze to install and have my favorite screw cap at the end to connect more if desired. Not sure why they are considered mini, they are a great size - much bigger than anticipated. Nice sturdy strong wire between the lights makes it easy to prop them where you want them.

I may have received one or more of the products mentioned above for free or a discounted price. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Holiday Time 9ft Pre-lit Bristle Glittered Garland - Review

''This is such a beautifully made lush garland, the glittered ends are just right – not too much nor too little. I adore the sturdy bendable covered wire the bristles are attached to. It makes the garland stay where you place it. Lights too! Battery pack which takes 3 AA batteries, gives you the option of on, off, or timer.''

I may have received one or more of the products mentioned above for free or a discounted price. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Holiday Time 8 Lighting Modes Pre-Lit LED Christmas Pyramid Tree, 7ft, Warm White ~ Review

''Please follow the instruction manual which offered together with the product.
Stake it into the ground, plug it into a standard outlet, and go;
Self inflates in seconds.
LED Christmas Pyramid tree stands 7’ tall;
Comes with 300ct Warm White LED Lights , with 8 Lighting Modes: Combination, In Waves, Sequential, Slo-Glo, Chasing/Flash, Slow Fade, Twinkle/Flash, Steady On;
Designed with a stake base for easy use in the yard and garden;
For outdoor use only.''

Holiday Time Pre-Lit LED Christmas Pyramid Tree which measures 7 ft tall with 300 Warm White LED light bulbs that have 8 different settings. It has a stake base with 3 stakes to spread the string of lights out. The lights work great. I was very disappointed in this Christmas Pyramid Tree. It arrived with no instructions to put it together, the light strings were a tangled mess along with cording. I wasn't sure where to slide in the pole attachments . It is described “Self inflates in seconds”, there is nothing that inflates. Once figured out I staked it as best I could. I would imagine it would look pretty on a lawn, The stake pieces are a sturdy metal and slide into each other easily. Stores compactly.

I may have received one or more of the products mentioned above for free or a discounted price. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Campers and Trucks Holiday Garland ~ Review

This 15' white Tinsel Garland by Holiday Time is the cutest I've seen in a long time. 

It's decorated with Christmas Tree topped red campers and trucks. 

I was surprised by how lush the garland is, not sparse at all. Strong, not flimsy.

This garland is very versatile, perfect for your Christmas Tree, banister, doorway - anywhere you need some Holiday cheer.

 I may have received one or more of the products mentioned above for free or a discounted price. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Music for the Beginning Pianist (Includes Coloring Pages!)

Enlarge, Print, Sing, Color, Relax 😊

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My Christmas Poinsettia is Still Alive! ~ WW

Still alive! 😏

Christmas Ornaments Coloring Pages

Print, color, relax 😊

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Mom's Stuffing Recipe

I think we all grow up with certain smells that triggers fond memories from our childhood.
This stuffing is one that does it for me. We could me anywhere in the house and when our eyes would start to water we knew Mom was making her fabulous Stuffing!
Those onions!

We always had it for the Holidays - Thanksgiving and Christmas. We always had a Ham and a large Turkey. Why both. My Dad's family raised Turkeys when he was young - he'd only eat Ham, guess he'd had enough Turkey growing up.

My Sister has the Thanksgiving Holiday now, or should I say prior to the Pandemic.
She always has the same menu as Mom did. Whenever I was out of state I also made the same. The tradition carries on. My children look forward to that same menu each year now.  Hoping they carry it on long after I'm gone.

I'll make it again for Christmas and can't wait for those aromas to carry me back to my childhood.

Mom's Stuffing

Brown in pan:

1 Onion, ground up

2 lbs. bulk pork sausage

1 cup celery, cut up

Once brown stir in:

1 package seasoned bread crumbs

1 egg, beaten

milk to moisten

Place into buttered casserole dish. Cover with foil. Bake at 325* for 1 hour. 

Serves 8.

Grind onion

Brown sausage, onion, and celery.

Add egg and milk

Butter casserole

Add stuffing

Cover with foil and bake

Done!

Yum!!

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Christmas Charm Coloring Pages

Print, color, relax 😊

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Easy Sea Star Christmas Tree Ornament

Yes, I am still stuck in "beach" mode.
We're having such a mild Winter - no rain in sight, no Snow forecast for the hills.
Definitely going to be a rationed water Summer :(

Sunny every day, cold in the mornings, a nice balmy 60 - 65 in the afternoons...
is it no wonder I can't get in the Christmas mood -
not to mention it's 2020...UGGGH!

So I'm doing my best to "get in the mood"
Here we go -

Tons of Tulip, Rock and other shells from Miami Beach.
Hauled these and others found from all my beach
excursions around with me each time I've moved.

Thought I'd make an ornament..
a Star

Gathered 5

Made sure they kinda looked like a Star

Glued

Added a silver cord for hanging

Covered in Mod Podge

Dredged through silver glitter.....
Here's an OOPS
Meant to use fine glitter, but grabbed the coarse.
Oh well, we'll see how it turns out...

Tapped to remove loose glitter, let dry.
Spray with sealant, let dry.

Added silver faux pearl to center

Finished!
The large glitter turned out OK.
I was worried it would overpower the small ornament.

And on the tree it goes!
I made a few more to try to get with the
 Spirit.

I used white glitter on these so their different
colors would show through.

Sea Star Christmas Tree Ornaments

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