“And above all,
watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you,
because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places.
Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.”
― Roald Dahl





Monday, December 18, 2017

Merry Monday, it's beginning to look a lot like it's supposed to look.




Welcome back,
It was cold last night..44 degrees! Finally!!
Now it feels like the holidays are here:)
It rained the other night too!!! It was awesome!
Next week is Christmas...
Are you ready for it?
We are pretty much done..
We have some last minute groceries to get before Christmas eve, but that's it.

Do you make something extra special for your family?
I make the usual, either ham or turkey dinner, but I always make
a cream cheese dip, It's so good!
Here's the recipe in case you'd like to try it:  

1 8oz package of cream cheese
1 8oz can of crushed pineapple (very well drained)
2 teaspoons of dried, minced onion
1 medium diced red bell pepper
1/2 teaspoon of salt
soften the cheese and blend in the ingredients.
 chill for at least an hour
you can shape it into a ball, then roll it in chopped cashews or pecans.

 I made another batch of the cake mix cookies on Saturday.
These were a funfetti flavor, which is just vanilla with sprinkles..


We also made this..
it's like rice krispy treats but instead of the cereal we use popcorn.
It's always fun to add food coloring..I thought it was going to be red but this is pretty too:)


I've been busy making gifts..
I always create something for my girls.
Most of the time, they put in their requests, haha!
I take breaks from painting and felting
 and make a few little ornaments for the little tree by my bed.
I tried to make this look like a snow globe.


These are my favorite!!







Aren't they adorable? they are all made of salt dough!
I colored the edges with a little pastels to give them a "baked cookie" look.
I'm obsessed! lol
Here's a great place to find the recipe
 These are our stockings..we officially have more pets than people here!


our tree..


Can you see my Kane angel ornament?
If you don't already know, he was my big, fat, gorgeous, kindhearted pit bull.
I lost him to cancer five years ago..there isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss him.
I made this out of felt about a month after he left us. 
It's in my room year round, but during Christmas, it goes on the tree.


Remember the kitty?
She has a name now..
Tabitha.
She has bonded with our monster cat,
Peeves.
We never would have guessed!
He's such a mean kitty to the others.
This is them, relaxing after ripping up some toys.


meanwhile...
Spanky tries on a tennis ball hat.😂


A while ago, a friend of mine wrote me a short story.
It's called the 'Christmas Faun'
It's about a little girl (me) that meets the Christmas Faun deep in the forest.
He gives her a gift..it's the last wish he has left, one that he has kept for thousands of years..
One he has saved just for her..
it's in the shape of a very bright star.
The story is beautiful and wonderfully written.
It was given to me for my birthday and I was very surprised and moved by his thoughtfulness. 
I wanted to share it with you, but it is long and  most of these posts are already long, so
instead I made a little digital picture to show you.


Before I go I'd like to talk about a couple of really cool blogs.
I've followed these for a long time.
The first one is called Altered Book Lover
I've been following it for six years.
Not only will you will find instructions on creating your very own altered book,
you will be shown different art projects and techniques. 
There's plenty of tutorials to choose from.
I love this blog because Elizabeth shares both her artful success stories and her failures.
She's sweet and talented!
The other blog is called
(following for three years)
You'll find the house skeletons
Burt & Ivy
on various adventures during the Halloween season..
They always come to play on Haunted Humpday.
Other times, the gardens, the cathedrals and the visits to the fair are chronicled
and brought to you with plenty of pictures and history.
Hope you get a chance to visit these amazing sites.
they're both a lot of fun!

This week we are going to watch 'Meet me in St. Louis'
'Little Women' and 'Untamed Heart'
It wouldn't feel like Christmas if we didn't.

Do you have any holiday movies that you just HAVE to watch?

Well, I'm done for today, I will be back later this week and for sure
next weekfor my last Merry Monday post of the year..
Until then, have a magical week, stay safe and keep warm!!






11 comments:

  1. I love the salt dough ornaments. It's been such a long time since I made any, and you have such a variety. What a lovely tree and sweet memories :)

    I'm watching 3 Godfathers today. It's a John Ford John Wayne western that takes place during the Christmas season.

    Have yourself a merry little Christmas :)

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  2. Spanky get a good laugh, that hat made the shot. I had one almost identical for years.

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  3. Hi Beautiful Soul!
    I would gain so much weight, if I lived with you! LOL! All your treats always look so good!
    Your salt dough decorations are priceless! I love them!
    You really have that many pets?? Really! Bless your heart!
    I love your Christmas tree and your decoration of Kane!
    I am so happy Tabitha has bonded and got a new home! She is lucky!
    Spanky! LOL!
    The short story sounds so beautiful! How special!
    Thanks for the shout out of the other blogs!
    I still want to watch "White Christmas" and "It's A Wonderful Life"
    Big Hugs!!
    (I'm worried about your gift!)

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  4. Of course I would have to be late to the party. I had NO idea you had been following me that long. What a surprise and lovely gesture.

    Your pit bull is so adorable. You sew so well. And I bet you came up with that pattern, too.

    I'm getting ready to make some of those cake cookies, too. That's one of the best and easiest recipes I've ever seen. And your salt dough cookies had me fooled, too. How clever.

    Welcome to the world of Marfi, dear Tabitha. Looks like you have already been accepted by the big, bad bully, so all is well in the world.

    You officially have more animals than I. I was surprised to see all the stockings, but I love that you have one for each of your animals, too. AFter all, they are also family.

    And finally, I'm laughing at the tennis ball hat. It fits perfectly.

    Thanks again for your kindness. Seems we have found or refound each other at a good time in our blogging experiences. Merry, merry Christmas. See you next Monday, too.

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  5. I love the sweet little Kane angel ornament. So sweet! I still haven't tried the cookies yet because we're still waiting on daughter #1 to come home from school. :D
    Great post, and I will link over to your friends' blogs. I haven't "met" many new bloggers lately, so it should be fun.

    xo,
    RJ

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  6. Every time I read one of your posts, I end up hungry. I want cookies, sweet things, all kinds of yummies. I guess, you bake the spirit of the season into your words.

    Thanks a bunch for the blog recommendations, too.

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  7. Wow, I wish I was as ready for Christmas as you are!
    You are so talented, your lovely tribute to Kane is the perfect tree topper and the Christmas Faun art is just beautiful, I'd love to read the story sometime. That row of Christmas stockings is beyond adorable.
    Thank you so much for the kind words! I can't begin to express how much of an inspiration your blog has been to me. You always have so many great recipes and craft projects I can't wait to try and I love hearing about your girls and all those cute pets. Thanks for dreaming up and hosting Merry Monday - sorry I called it Magic Monday for so long, what was I thinking?
    Best wishes for a very Merry Christmas to you and your girls and fur babies, too! Cheers, Sarah

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  8. Hello, I'm going to try the salt dough decorations. I'll start them for Valentine's Day!! Thanks.

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  9. How did I miss this post! I thought your salt dough ornaments were real cookies! They are adorable, and my favorite is the little ghostie. He'd fit right in with the dancing skellies film Himself won't let me show on the window. Your Kane ornament is so sweet. About a week or so after Ink passed, his favorite chair looked so empty, I crocheted a little black kitty. I've had other pets, and loved them all, but none have touched my soul the way Ink did. Maybe it was only because I had him for so long. Your tree and decorations are just beautiful. i haven't seen any Christmas movies, but am anxiously waiting for The Doctor Who Christmas Special on Christmas night. Have a wonderful holiday with your family.

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  10. Stopping by to wish you a Merry Christmas & Wonderful New Year! Hugs,Tee

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  11. Like always amazing!!!!!
    Merry christmas and happy holiday.
    https://clickbystyle.blogspot.in/

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