by Sharon | Jan 8, 2018
I thought since the weather is what it is, this is excellent reading weather for young and old.
Wishtree by Katherine Applegate is about a neighborhood Wish Tree.
Neighborhood residents would write out their wishes on paper, rags, even socks and gently tie them to Red’s branches.
The Wishtree is for ages 8 to 12 years or grades 3 to 6. I found it fun with many subtle lessons. It is a heartfelt tale that younger children may enjoy hearing.
I believe it is a must read on a cold gloomy day.
You can purchase it in many formats: Kindle, Hardcover or as an Audiobook.
The following books may be of interest as well:
I could go on and on and on, but this is a good place to stop. It is best for you to explore the books your children would enjoy. Just click any of the pictures and you can shop to your hearts content.
Thank you for stopping by!
Sharon
by Sharon | Jan 1, 2018
It is always amazing to me how quickly 365 days can go by . . . It is now 2018!!
You may be anticipating Valentine’s Day. Or maybe St. Patrick’s Day. How about Easter? Maybe, you’re thinking about Halloween . . . I know it isn’t for a long long time . . .
The thing is, it is never too early to get started on a Father’s Day project . . . or one that would be excellent for Halloween . . . perhaps both, if the “father” is a fan of the old TV series The Munsters.
Yet, this is a free printable template of the Munster’s family car . . . 
She is quite lovely and may take some time to complete. So, it is best to begin now . . .
It’s not the putting together that seems to be the issue, but the cutting out of all the pieces that takes the time . . . but you have plenty!!
And, you may want to make more than one of these beauties.
I do love 3D models of various items from TV Series to Movies to templates for card fronts . . .
You may not believe this, but I was looking up a template for a castle . . . I just wanted the basic design . . . nothing fancy. It was for a card front . . . and then this Munster Koach caught my eye.
Just click the image to the right and you’ll be taken to place where you can download the PDF of the parts and the instructions. It would also be nice to give a donation for this classic card as a thank you for the grand wokmanship.
I have to get to work on my castle . . .
Thanks for stopping by!
Sharon
by Sharon | Dec 30, 2017
There is usually excitement and celebration when ringing in the New Year and kicking the old one to the curb.
Each year does have its moments to celebrate . . . but for some reason we’re always looking forward to something new with hope and promise of better things.
I’m not so sure what would be better for me . . . I’m not into New Year Resolutions . . . I prefer to be as positive as possible and attract as much goodness as feasible flowing to me. I don’t know the form it will take . . . And I must realize that something not so good can become a definite blessing. So, don’t judge too quickly or too harshly when something discouraging or disappointing falls in your life.
A few years ago I was chatting with one of my neighbors who said, “this can be a learning opportunity.”
I don’t remember the context of our discussion, but that phrase stood out for me and I tucked it away to ponder at some other time.
This simple statement seemed to be a sort of prophesy for me. Just about everyday something would bring that phrase to mind. A learning opportunity — how can this be?
I suppose every day we can learn something new . . . But I don’t think this was the purpose. It seemed more personal. I thought instead of grumbling about something, I could view it as an opportunity to learn something.
So, when my air conditioner went out on the hottest day possible and a Friday night to boot . . . How can this be a learning opportunity?
For one thing I knew who to call . . . I opened up the windows and sliders to air out the house . . . It seemed that quite a few people in town had the same issue of no air conditioning which meant I may have quite a wait before a repair could be made.
I tried different techniques to make my little dog and me as comfortable as possible.
I stopped thinking about how miserable we were and focused on our many blessings . . . we were on the repair list . . . we had fans . . . ice . . . cold water . . .
I stopped grumbling and began to feel a bit more comfortable, just by thinking more positively about what I did have and what I could do.
Then the call came telling me a repairman would be arriving in the next 20 minutes.
That was great and wonderful!! Twenty minutes plus the repair time . . . Hoooraaaayyyyyyy!!!
So, the lesson was to lighten up and be grateful . . . No good came to grumbling . . .
The reason I was bumped up was because some unfortunately person had to wait a couple of days for a part to come in . . . It did not feel good that my good fortune was due to someone else’s misfortune. This wasn’t anything I would wish for anyone else. I would hope no one would have air conditioning problems on hot hot hot summer days.
Well, from previous “learning opportunities” I’ll continue with those lessons and apply them to 2018 and all the new years to come.
Happy New Year!!
Sharon
by Sharon | Dec 26, 2017
Christmas is over, but today is a day of returns and bargains!
My grandmother used to get in on the white sales — bedding usually, but there may have been table cloths, too. I think it was primarily sheets and pillow cases.
Today it is electronics, clothing and Christmas items.
After Halloween everyone is grabbing the half price candy. After Thanksgiving there’s Black Friday when the Christmas frenzy begins.
So really, it isn’t over until . . . the stores bring in the Valentine stuff.
It’s all for making room for the next celebration.
This is an excellent time to get Christmas wrapping paper, bows and ribbons to be prepared for next year. There may be Christmas cards, ornaments and decor items.
Fall and winter clothing may be on sale, too.
If we would shop after the great events, we could cash in on savings . . . Yes, things will be picked over . . . but you may find some real gems.
At times it can be ruthless . . . but it happens throughout the year.
It’s not for the frail, but the strong who brave the crowds and get those discounted items.
As a child I used to hate going to the tables with all the sale items. My grandmother and great-aunt and mother would paw through the items along with dozens of other women looking for their “must have” bargains.
I thought it quite ridiculous. If the stores could discount it so much, then why didn’t they sell it for that price and there wouldn’t be all this merchandise left over. But I never did seem to get the bargain hunting bug everyone else seemed to have. It’s just not my thing.
I’m not into the crowds . . . the traffic . . . the running around.
For me, the day after Christmas is a quiet relaxing day. I’m savoring the joy of the Christmas season. Looking forward to a New Year and finishing up tasks. I take down the tree and all the Christmas decor. I know many wait until after the new year, but I like to get back to normal as soon as possible.
For some they are experience winter storms . . . Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Enjoy the remainder of 2017 and may 2018 be a joyous and prosperous year for you and yours.
Until next time,
Sharon
by Sharon | Dec 23, 2017
Oh yes, it has finally arrived!!!
Many are traveling, many are anxiously awaiting family and friends . . . Oh yes, there will be the last minute shoppers . . . and those getting their groceries . . . and there may be a bit more tidying about the house . . . 
I’ll be doing laundry . . . Want my dining table tablecloth to be fresh and may need to iron it, too . . . along with my place settings and napkins. And, of course there are the gift box place settings . . .
It has been quite busy.
Today I want to post on my other four websites . . . plus I want to do some papercrafts just for fun . . . and organizing my craft room just a bit.
Having an inviting place to sit and reflect is what I enjoy.
A nice cup of hot chocolate in your favorite chair in front of the fireplace is ideal.
There are plenty of memories made in this room . . . and there are many more to come.
For me it isn’t about getting everything perfect . . . which is pretty much impossible, by the way . . . it is about being comfortable and enjoying Christmas. I do like the old family traditions . . . and the new ones created through the years.
I’m into comfort . . . not stress . . . not anxiety . . . For me it is more of what is, is . . . if others wanted or expected something more . . . well, that is not my problem . . .
I’ve watched many Christmas movies over the years . . . and there is always chaos . . .
It is best to just relax and enjoy.
Have a Merry Christmas with your family and friends . . . and if you happen to be alone this Christmas . . . enjoy it . . . cater to what you enjoy . . . be happy and blessed . . . This is a time of celebration which can be shared or enjoyed alone . . . Just do what makes you happy and joyous.
Too often we get caught up in the Hallmark picture perfect world . . . that is a beautiful Christmas card . . . but we are in the real world . . . and we can fill our thoughts and hearts with our own “perfect” Christmas experiences . . . there are several precious moments you can recall and enjoy . . .
Enjoy your Christmas Eve Eve.
Sharon
