:: the wonder of this season. . .

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas!

May you find the peace & wonder that this season invites us to find.

♥  Bren 

… it's coming so quickly!

Just got a peek at my last post & I realized that I'd better get a new post up. . . 

. . . Thanksgiving was almost 2 weeks ago!

If you've been following me on Instagram (which I must admit - I post on a lot more frequently!),

then you've been seeing my progress on this table-runner.  It's the project that the wool club that I've had the privilege to lead this past year has been working on since September. It's called 'Seven Snowmen' & it's a pattern by Bonnie Sullivan (All Through the Night). It's all wool, & I've had so much fun stitching on it. (You can find it by clicking here.) I've put my final stitches in it - since Thanksgiving weekend. . . (I had to make myself stop!. . . I can still think of so many things that would be so fun to add!) I could see making this as a really cute tree skirt as well. . .

I know that it's been getting very busy for most folks - but I wanted to also pop in & let you know that we've gone through the last bin (I think!) of quilt show items that I had stored & have added them to the website. Some on the 'Gift & Treasures' pages, 'Notions & Tools' pages, & some on the 'Tag Sale' pages. I've priced them to move & a lot of the inventory has been getting snatched up - so don't delay! 

Also, I have added some kits & some finished quilts (all ready to give. . . (or keep!)) & they are either one of a kind - or are limited in quantity.

Also. . . a biggest news (& your reward if you read through this entire post. . . (thank you!)). . . is that we will be offering free domestic shipping for all orders over $50.00 through midnight (MST) Friday, December 13.  So for any (U.S.) order over $50.00 (before shipping) - we will refund the shipping charges! (For international customers - while I wish I could offer the same. . . for orders over $50.00 - we will refund the equivalent to what the domestic shipping charges would be. . . hoping it will help a little too!)

But remember - you must order by midnight (MST - Mountain Standard Time) on Friday, December 13.

. . . Hoping this will help a little to help make your holidays a little brighter!

Have a great rest-of-the-week & for the majority of the US residents. . . stay warm!  ❄

♥ Bren

…my Thanksgiving wish. . .

Although I may not look as cute. . . this will be pretty much my role this weekend!

Usually Thanksgivings have been pretty quite around here, with it being just Dad, Bailey, & me. . . but this year we will have the pleasure of my niece & her family (husband & 3 littles - 4 years & younger!) are traveling from San Diego & blessing us with joining us as we count our blessings!

Dad is so excited they are coming. . . & I'm sure that Bailey will love having a lot more activity going on (. . . backyard buddies!) My niece has a couple of craft activities planned for them to do - so you know that I'm over the moon about that!. . . (in fact - I know that I have a bunch of boxes of crayons & color books I need to go find!) They will only get to be here for 2½ days. . . so we will make the most of it while we can. (After all - there's all of next week to recuperate!) :o)

So, while I'm thinking about all the blessings God has blessed me with,

please know that I count you as one of those blessings. The fact that you check in to my little blog from time to time means so much. . . I'm so very honored & thankful for you!

As the 'holiday' season gets started - whether you are celebrating the American Thanksgiving Day or not - I pray that you will be filled with the wonder of all the blessings, big & small, that grace our lives.

Happy Thanksgiving!

♥ Bren

… finishing & starting. . .

Thought I'd give you a look at my progress on the snow-people table runner. . . as it's getting close to the finished stage. I'm almost done with stitching the border down & then it will just be adding a few final touches & I will have this ready for decorating the house! I usually wait to start with decorating for Christmas until after Thanksgiving, but since Thanksgiving is so late this year, I've decided that I'm going to start decorating this weekend. Also, since being on Instagram (& following others). . . I've realized that most of the folks in other parts of the world have started decorating for the holidays! So, since I haven't added much to my autumn decorations for quite a while (need to work on that!),  I'm thinking that the white pumpkins that I have out can be incorporated nicely with some Christmas touches. . .

So with all the stitching that's been going on. . . I've discovered a new favorite. . . Dove Dark Chocolate Mint Swirl pieces.  Oh. My. Yummy-ness. I'm hoping that these are not seasonal as I'd love to keep them around all year 'round. (…& don't they look right at home in my aqua Ball jar?!?)

The other think that I've been busy with, has been cleaning out my office. I have 'straightened-up' in there over the years (I can be a 'pile-r'. . .), I have never done a big clean-out in there since I moved my office into the back bedroom almost six years ago. So, it was due overdue. 

My thought was that it had to be thorough. . . & it was …every drawer, every file, every cubby kind-of-thorough. It took me 3 days, & to be completely honest - I still want to spend another morning to finish up a few more things. I took a photo of it when I was midway. . . but I'll save it for when I take the 'finished' photo.

With going through all the items in the office - I found a couple of boxes of items that I had pulled for my website, but they got buried . . . so now that I've done the photography & listings. . . I wanted to let you know that I've also just added pages (several of them!) of items (fabrics, kits, notions, tag-sale items) to the website! Also, we've added another colorway to the 'Remember 'Whooo' Loves You' special order quilt options. We're having so much fun with making these & if you've been thinking about having one made - to be able to give for Christmas. . . it's looking like the cut-off date for that will be mid-week next week. (Unless we get more that we expect & then it will be sooner.)

. . . & then there's my little guy. . . doing the thing he does best - wondering when I'm going to go to bed - um, supervising.

Hope you have a great week.

♥ Bren

… such a sweet day

Wishing you the happiest Valentine's Day. . .

. . . & this little cutie-patootie wanted to be sure 

I let you know that he sends lots of 'licks' (kisses) to you!

♥ Bren

… it's the little things. . .

. . . from the availability of peppermint bark

(. . . & I love the little 'Dove' pieces of peppermint bark,

just the right amount!)

. . . to all the wonderful variety of poinsettia colors!

This one is in my bedroom.

It's the most wonderful coral-y pink tinged with red edges.

I love it, & I hope it lasts long into the new year. . .

. . . And then there is this very special ornament.

It has become my favorite.

A neighbor made it for Dad & I, five years ago.

She took the photo (my favorite) we had of Mom 

that was used in her memorial service program,

. . . & she placed it inside a glass ornament that she painted 

with delicate snowflakes.

Secretly. . . I never put it away. . . it hangs in a tree that I have in the house

. . . all year long.

. . . but for now, it is carefully placed beneath our little Christmas tree,

. . . reminding me of what a gift the time I had with her was.

It's the little things. . .

. . . that make the biggest difference to me.

I want to thank you all for visiting today,

& I pray that you have a very special celebration

of the wonderful gift that God has given us.

Merry Christmas everyone!

♥ Bren

… homey little touches of Christmas

This year, I wanted to make the house feel really home-y with the

decorations that I pulled out of the boxes this year.

(I took these photos in the evening - with no lights on, 

except the twinkle lights. . . so you could get the 'feel' of what we see.)

So, I picked the 'natural' themed trimmings for our little tree.

. . . little bird nests, fruits, & acorns. (. . . of course!)

There are lots of white lights - that are left on all day too. . .

. . . just because twinkly white lights make me happy!

Then there is a special little milk glass vase that I have 

that holds it's bouquet of peppermint lollipops.

 It has become a 'must-have' part of the Christmas decor 

in the past few years, as we love these seasonal lollies!

(In fact. . . I've been known to hoard some bags of them 

before they disappear from the shelves at the market. . . 

just to be sure we can still have some after the start of new year!

Now, it's time for me to go & make a mocha & sit with my little guy

& enjoy the white lights & my memories of this blessed season.

♥ Bren

… that's my King!

I remember being in high school. . . in San Diego, California. . .

. . . our family went to a large church by San Diego State College (now University)

. . . & although we were very active at church, this one particular Sunday, Dad was very

excited about the guest speaker.

. . . He told us, he remembered when he first had moved to San Diego (1950's . . . just out of the Navy) leaving evening church early at the church they attend to go to a neighboring church in downtown San Diego to hear this man speak. . .

The pastor was the Dr. S.M. Lockridge, & I'd never seen my Dad so enthusiastic about a speaker (. . . outside of Rev. Billy Graham).

So, of course we went. . .

. . . & this man's incredible ability to put it out there. . . touched my heart. 


Still does.

. . . & as we celebrate the incredible happenings that this weekend calls us to remember,

 I want to share with you this incredible video . . .

. . . it's only a part of a very 'famous' sermon that Dr. Lockridge gave many times over, (called 'Seven Way king' - or better known as 'That's My King')

What an incredible weekend this is. . .

. . . what an incredible Savior.

. . . & yes, . . . that's my King!

(if you would like to see/hear the full video, you can find it here.)

• • • • •

For the Glory of Our Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ, 

He is the King of Kings & the Lord of Lords 

Do You Know Him?

The Bible says my King is the King of the Jews. He's the King of Israel. He's the King of righteousness. He's the King of the ages. He's the King of Heaven. He's the King of glory. He's the King of kings, and He's the Lord of lords. That's my King. I wonder...Do you know Him?

My King is a sovereign King. No means of measure can define his limitless love. He's enduringly strong. He's entirely sincere. He's eternally steadfast. He's immortally graceful. He's imperially powerful. He's impartially merciful. Do you know Him?

He's the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizon of this world. He's God's Son. He's the sinner's Savior. He's the peak of civilization. He's unparalleled. He's unprecedented. He is the loftiest idea in literature. He's the highest personality in philosophy. He's the fundamental doctrine of true theology. He's the only one qualified to be an all-sufficient Savior. I wonder if you know Him today.

He supplies strength for the weak. He's available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He strengthens and sustains. He guards and He guides. He heals the sick. He cleanses the lepers. He forgives sinners. He discharges debtors. He delivers the captives. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent, and He beautifies the meager. I wonder if you know Him.

He's the key to knowledge. He's the wellspring of wisdom. He's the doorway of deliverance. He's the pathway of peace. He's the roadway of righteousness. He's the highway of holiness. He's the gateway of glory. Do you know Him?

Well, His light is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous, and His yoke is easy and His burden is light. I wish I could describe Him to you. Yes, He's indescribable. He's incomprehensible. He's invincible. He's irresistible. You can't get Him out of your mind. You can't get Him off of your head. You can't outlive Him, and you can't live without Him.

Well, the Pharisees couldn't stand Him but they found out they couldn't stop Him. Pilate couldn't find any fault in Him. Herod couldn't kill Him. Death couldn't handle Him, and the grave couldn't hold Him. I wonder if you know Him?

Rev S.M. Lockridge

Wishing you the blessings that this wonderful day celebrates!

He IS Risen!

♥ Bren

… did you know. . .

This is one of my favorite songs . . . 

. . . for Christmas. . . or for all year. . 

. . . it's sincerity captures the truth & beauty of this wondrous HIStory we celebrate. . .

The version I am sharing is sung by the author of the words of this song,

Mark Lowry.

If you don't know about Mark, he is mostly known as a comedian. . . 

. . . but he was also a part of the Gaither Band

. . . & oh!. . .this man can sing!

(You can see Mark singing this song here, & can get a taste of his comedy here & his stand-up here. . . & my favorite (it's from the 80's - don't laugh at the hair styles!) here.)

♥ Bren

… breath of heaven

Several years ago, when I was teaching. . .

I was asked to teach a Bible class. . .

(Biblical/Theological Studies was my minor in college.)

. . . & it was always touching when the high school students that I taught

realized that Mary was only in her mid-teens 

when she was chosen to be the mother of Jesus.

This Christmas, my heart has been so touched. . .

. . . again & again. . .

over the incredible faith & trust of  Mary & especially of Joseph.

. . . & of how God chose such a situation to come to us. 

. . . & how blessed we are because of their faith & obedience.

. . . may the peacefulness & wonder of this day be yours.

♥ Bren

… a Christmas question

A little boy. . .

. . . in line to see Santa. . .

. . . looked up to his Aunt (who had taken him to see the jolly man in the red suit), 

& asked this question. . .

. . . & this song was born.

It falls right along with Isaiah 11:6. . . "and a little child shall lead them". . .

Wishing for you a blessed Christmas. . .

Filled with the blessings this incredible season has for all of us.

Merry Christmas!

(. . . & Happy Birthday Jesus!)

♥ Bren


(to find this video - chick here)

… little touches

I hope that you had a great Thanksgiving weekend.

I did. . . but for me that means staying as far away as possible from stores & the craziness of shopping frenzies & the crowds. . . (I am not a 'crowd' person at all.)

For me, Dad & Bailey. . . we had a wonderfully quiet weekend, filled with a little bit of getting the house ready for the holidays. Dad worked a bit on the outside, & I worked on the inside.

I hauled a few of the Christmas boxes down from the attic & decided that I would use what I found in those boxes only, & not bring everything out. I thought, at first, that it might not work, but as it turned out. . . it was fun! The decorations this year have a little more homespun look. . . & I'm liking it a lot. 

After a couple of years with Dad not really wanting a tree put up, I did put a little 3 foot tree up this year. I started hinting to him about 3 weeks ago that I was thinking of doing a little tree this year. . . so he could get used to it. . . & I'm thinking he is actually really liking it. My big hint was when, one of the boxes had a little 18" tree in it. . . & I mentioned to Dad that it would look really nice in his room . . . on his dresser. I left it out on a dining room chair (plugged in & lit-up), & before I knew it. . . he had taken it into his room. . . where it is bringing a wonderful soft light to his room. (sigh!)

I'm off to the quilt shop today. . . but before I go, I want to say, "thank you!" to all of you who have taken part in the 'Counting My Blessings' sale that is going on at the website. . . & to remind you that this sale will be ending in a couple of days. . !. . . so be sure to check it out before it's gone! (. . . I've also added a few more quilts to the 'sample quilts for sale' page. . . perfect for gifts for a special person!)

Hope you day is full of blessings!

♥  Bren

… a day the share the love. . .

I just love this day. . . don't you?

. . . not the hype about selling lots of flowers, chocolates, & gems. . .

. . . but the thoughts & expressions of love behind it all. 

Our hearts are such precious things. . .

 . . . & the hearts of those we treasure. . . even more precious.

So, for this day that we remember & celebrate St. Valentine. . . 

. . . & the way he stood for love. . .

. . . & the way he made sure that those he loved - knew it. . .

 . . .  I wish for you a wonderful day. . .

. . . celebrating your heart . . .

. . . & celebrating the love that we all have to share. . .

xoxo!

♥ Bren

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three;

 but the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:13

… silent night

Wishing you a wonderful celebration of this most precious . . . holy night.

Merry Christmas!

♥ Bren . . . (& Bailey too!)

… twinkle lights

Last evening, as I was making myself a mocha in the kitchen, I paused as I turned out the kitchen light. . .

Oh. . . how I love the lights of Christmas.

These are the boughs with little twinkle lights, berries, & pine cones that that I put out to trim the upper kitchen counter & the armoire on the way into my studio. They give off the most wonderful light. . . I just love the glow they bring to the rooms they grace.

I put up three lit boughs throughout the house & a few other small decorations, & then decided that was enough. . . I'm feeling the need to keep it all simpler this year. I welcome the season with all my heart (& was already listening to Christmas music a few weeks ago!) - but simpler is feeling better for me this year.

I also decided that these would be the quilts hung around the house & placed on the couch (for naps & reading!). . .

Winter Memories . . . over the couch in the living room. . .

Bittersweet. . . on the wall in the dining room. . .

Stitching Winter Memories. . . in the kitchen. . .

. . . & on various couches & chairs. . .

Coventry. . .

. . . & Bliss (because it always reminds me of snowflakes!)

. . . So, in these often busy holiday weeks. . . I hope you have make some time to snuggle under a warm quilt & simply enjoy the lights of this very special season!

♥ Bren

. . . a thanksgiving wish

I just love this holiday. . .


I love that America, stops on this day to give thanks for our many blessings. . . both as a nation, & as individuals.


. . . & I just wanted to be sure to let you know how blessed I feel that you stop by from time to time. I love that you come to visit! I also want to express my very special thanks to those of you who have taken the time to let me know how much you like to come & visit. A few of you stopped by at my booth at Quilt Market, just to say "Hi!" - & to let me know how much you love the blog. I'll be honest. . . inside my head, my first thought was, "really?". . . (lol!), but then so many of you have let me know how much you also love hearing about my little Bailey. . . & what he & Dad are up to. . . & that warms my heart. (By-the-way, as I write this, they both are in the kitchen. . . getting the turkey started!. . . & yes, Bailey is being the ever helpful assistant!)

. . . So, I just wanted to wish everyone in the U.S. a very happy Thanksgiving, & to all - everywhere - please know how thankful I am for you all. . . I count you all as blessings!


Counting by blessings with you,
♥ Bren