There are a few things that I need to remember again this year. Today, the trees guide me.

If I find myself entangled in a bunch of worldly drama this year, Jesus reminds me that, In this world, we will have trouble, but HE has overcome the world. John 16:33

There are times that I am just going to have to let go and let God. In Proverbs 3:5-6, I read. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

I need to remember that there are things that might look pretty or sound good that are not of God and have set out to destroy and kill. Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. Matthew 7:15 They come in all shapes and sizes.

I will find my strength in the Lord. Ephesians 6:10, Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 

Fresh Find: What a really sweet wire tree sculpture/wall art piece.

I enjoy looking at period pictures. It is aways interesting to look at hairstyles, clothes, shoes, glasses, etc. I came across these three this evening that are pictures of Clinton's mother's family in the early years.

Peggy Glasgow Wall is on the right side...

In this picture, she is left front...

And, here she is left side...

Fresh Find: Cute New Year's Eve party onesie.

I dabble a little bit in genealogy. It frustrates me though because there are soooooooooooooo many people in the house! There is an app called, We're Related, that like a bird, flies through your tree and connects you to notables. Here is who I am possibly related to thus far:

Marilyn Monroe, 5th Cousin, 2x removed

Miley Cyrus, 9th Cousin

Britney Spears, 9th Cousin 

Bill Clinton, 7th Cousin, 1x removed

Barack Obama, 7th Cousin, 2x removed

Johnny Depp, 9th Cousin

Paul McCartney, 8th Cousin, 2x removed

Kurt Cobain, 8th Cousin, 2x removed

Walt Disney, 7th Cousin, 4x removed

Carrie Fisher, 7th Cousin, 1x removed

Brad Pitt, 6th Cousin

Stephen King, 7th Cousin, 2x removed

Benjamin Franklin, 4th Cousin, 9x removed

Winston Churchill, 8th Cousin, 1x removed

John Kerry, 8th Cousin, 1x removed

Ralph Waldo Emerson, 6th Cousin, 5x removed

Blake Shelton, 7th Cousin

Henry David Thoreau, 6th Cousin, 5x removed

Elvis Presley, 7th Cousin, 1x removed

Mark Twain, 7th Cousin 4x removed

Theodore Roosevelt, 4th Cousin, 5x removed

Blake Lively, 8th Cousin

Johnny Cash, 6th Cousin, 1x removed

Kevin Bacon, 7th Cousin, 1x removed

Jimi Hendrix, 8th Cousin

Bill Gates, 8th Cousin 1x removed

Thomas Edison, 7th Cousin 2 x removed

George Washington, 2nd Cousin, 9x removed

Seriously, I am pretty much removed! LOL

I have never even thought about or understood the removed thing so, here is what I discovered:

What has been really fun is that it connected me to possibly be related to someone who is a friend, a Facebook friend, too, Ida Tanaka, 9th Cousin. We would never have had any idea!

This is the headstone of one of my relatives that I find beautiful!

Fresh Find: This, because of the pinks and greens, reminds me of my mother. Love!

God has delivered me many beautiful friends. I will be the first to say that I am not a good BFF. In my Aspergers wiring, I just don't get it, nor can I find time to dwell on the why I can't. I just move forward each day allowing God to direct my journey.

In my school years, I had one friend, her name is Debby. She kind of had to be my friend because we lived across the street from each other! No, seriously, we grew up and played many hours together. We stay in touch still, but we are not what the world would consider BFFs. I'm very thankful that God placed her in my life, though. She is that one constant that keeps me connected to childhood friendships. She is a beautiful soul. Friend weaving.

Friends come into our lives for a season, a purpose that God deems necessary. A few stay forever and most that season. You may not know how you have touched my life because I am unable to be your BFF, but God knows, and he uses you as we journey this place together.

I wish I had the time and the space to share with each of you what you mean to my life. Today, as I was looking through Facebook, I saw a post from a woman that I have known since childhood, as well. Well, let's say I knew of her. I only have gotten to really know her in the last few years in an intimate Godly connective way. I want to share her post because I believe it says it all about being a good friend.

Recognize your God gifts. Pick your friends with discernment. Pray for your friends. See clearly God's friend weaving as you travel each day. Thank you, Retha, thank you to each of you that weave in and out of my life with the purpose to raise me up in encouragement and love. You know who you are!!!

Fresh Find: Manners matter.

With these nice days, I have been more than ready to get my hands dirty and plant beautiful flowers. I have not because there are none to purchase, but I have enjoyed the yard and the sunshine. I was sick from Monday through Christmas Day. I stayed in for the majority of that time. I hope the few I saw do not get sick. I have loved staying home. As a matter of fact, I would stay home every day all day and be fine. I know that I can't do this, never see people face-to-face, but I could easily do it. Not that I don't love people, I just get overstimulated by many very quickly. Plus, Aspergers is wiring that is missing the social plug-in. I do love our friends, my friends, you, but it is Jesus that gets me through each moment of the day!

This butterfly was my mothers. It reminds me to shine in a beautiful way.

I liked this scale, so I bought it. It sits next to my mother's recipe box.

Lisa Arnold did this redheaded angel piece. We have had it for many years. Redheads have not always been looked on favorably throughout history. This one reminds me that God can use a redhead, too!

Maybe there was a little-redheaded girl watching over her flocks by night. She saw the star, too. It called out to her to come, be ready. She sought him out, that special One. He reached out his hand and said, "I'm going to use you. Are you willing? Are you ready?"

Fresh Find: Fun instrument birdhouse for the music lover or just for anyone fun hearted!

We watched the movie Greater on Christmas day. One thing that my mind caught was the phrase; people make God random. Yes, it is what we do best. We take his order, and we ignore it, break it down and even try to destroy it. The thing is, HE is GOD. So as much as we try, HE wins! We must openly accept his grace gift of Salvation to know, to understand, to embrace.

In Ephesians 6:12-18, in the Word it is written, For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;

Now, we as people are very random, flitting here and there, crashing into this trial or that tribulation, and still, his order remains the same. The path from A to Z is straight.

Fresh Find: Love cashmere fingerless gloves! 

Fresh Find: Nice Frye hobo bag.

A stitch in time saves nine. Remember this old saying or idiom? Have you ever thought about what it means? People use “a stitch in time saves nine" to express that it's better to spend a little time and effort to deal with a problem right now than to wait until later, when it may get worse and take longer to deal with. Many believe procrastination — putting off doing something until later — creates more work in the long run.

My mother drilled this in me growing up. It is a part of my very being. Oh, I do procrastinate about things from time to time, but I have also learned that if we fix the tear at first, it may take just one stitch compared to the nine stitches it will take if we continue to let it rip.

My mother was a great seamstress. She was one who stitched well. She stitched with purpose, and she stitched it up immediately.

One of the precious memories I have from her stitching is the embroidery. She did on my chambray shirt back in the 70s. I have her embroidery box, too. Last night, I stitched up a little heart in thanks for her teaching me these skills. I sure did not like the learning under a perfectionist, but I am very blessed that I do know how to stitch and not procrastinate often!

In her bag is this old Furr's Supermarket bag. We shopped there since it was across from sear's, where my father worked.

Fresh Find: Wow, embroidered jeans. Should have kept my things!

This year as we gather around with family and friends, many experience the empty chair. The chair or chairs of those who helped mold our lives, but are no longer with us here. Maybe they were here a short time or maybe they experienced a long full life, either way; they wove through our hearts. They never really leave us, though. They are woven through our lives in special ways. So, enjoy those empty chairs of sweet memories, seated firmly with love among us this Christmas.

and the beat goes on...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Fresh Find: Fun patterns and fabrics to sew! Many projects and fun designs.

Babushka aka Ushka is my grandmother name. In 1994, I traveled to the Ukraine on a mission trip and decided then, after seeing the wonderful role the grandmother's played in family life that I wanted to be called Babushka. 

We shortened it to Ushka because we figured that they would say, Babu. We thought Ushka would be better than Babu, but honestly, they could call me anything, and I would answer them and love them. God is so very good to me.

I remember when Peggy, Clinton's mom told me the story about when she told our son to tell her if her hair ever looked blue. You know how sometimes when women color their gray hair it will have a blue cast to it? She did not want that so; she told him if ever, tell her. Years later, he did. I think she went right back and got it redone.

She was a good mother and grandmother. I was sad that she never met her great-granddaughter, Bo Baroness. Then, I think, she knows, she sees. I hope so. It has been one year since she took her last breath here. She was loved. She would have been loved with blue hair, too. 

A sweet friend stitched me this adorable Babushka doll. I cherish it!

Fresh Find: A Santa's Taco Truck! How cute!!!