Happy Blessed New Year to YOU Dear One

Love wholeheartedly,

Be surprised,

Give Thanks and Praise ~

THEN

You will discover

The Fullness of Your Life.

-David Steindl-Rast

Reflection for the Coming Year ~ 2008

I am feeling so hopeful about the year ahead. It's not that everything is right in life ~ in fact it may be quite the opposite. For some reason though ~ a peaceful calm over rides every negative thought that crosses my mind. Peace that passes all human understanding.
I am enjoying the confidence that has come with some of the wrinkles on my face. I have realized I need to answer to no one but myself and my Lord. I look to no one for the final say so in my life ~ and am more willing than ever to follow the path God has placed inside of me.

I vow to eagerly answer His call and desire with ALL my heart for Him to use my hands as His. I also know for sure I can't solve the worlds problems in one fell swoop but can reach into my own pool of blunders and life's events to encourage someone else. I will greet any abundance in my life with Joy and Thanksgiving and pass it on with great Eagerness.
And ya know what else ~ I'm gonna have FUN!!! Silly ~ wet your pants kinda belly laughs FUN! No matter what comes along. Sadness ~ Fear ~ Hopelessness , they will all try to rear there ugly heads. I will squash them all with FUN and JOY. How about you?

p.s. if i need a reminder of this mid-year ~ would you?

A Very Special Christmas Tea Party

Just look at the Tea Party I received from Pat http://gatherings100.blogspot.com/ complete with goodies to eat , a flowering tea pot, a precious snow woman and beautiful ornaments! There is a funny story behind this whole thing!

The day it arrived ~ I had been waiting all day for Frank to go to the store and get me rum for my rum cakes. As I unwrapped my goodies ~ Frank was drooling over what looked to be a big muffin. He told me he would go get my rum if I let him have the muffin. I agreed to give him half and off he went. When I opened the muffin to cut it in half ~ it was the very same rum cake that I was waiting to make! She even bakes them in the same tins I use ~ Pat I didn't tell you that!

Oh don't forget to check out the FLOWERING TEA POT! It starts off as a little flower bud. As you pour the boiling water on the bud it begins to open to this gorgeous flower with the sweetest aroma! It is the MOST amazing treat. Isn't the flower just BREATHTAKING! Pat thank you SO much for making me feel so blessed and loved!

Christmas 2007

Just thought I'd share some Christmas moment's at the Takacs House .........
Making my yummy rum cake is a tradition each year since I was a new bride. I must admit at getting a little "happy" whenever I give in and eat some batter.
When everyone is in bed on Christmas Eve ~ I play Santa. The house is quiet except for the Christmas music in the background. I take pictures and remember each Christmas Eve before.Our dear Friend Jay has brought over a platter of cookies every Christmas Eve ~ made by his beautiful wife Lisa ~ for 19 years. He always comes close to midnight after his family festivities and just stays long enough for a quick Hello! One year ~ we were in Disney for Christmas and when we walked in our room Christmas night ~ a box of Lisa's cookies were sitting on the table via next day parcel post. We all cryed!
I love the big pile of paper in the middle of the floor when the opening is done! One year my husband tried to clean up as the kids opened there gifts and it just wasn't the same! This was my son's beagle Daisy's first Christmas and she was afraid to walk on it!
That is my sister-in-law Betty and Brenda at Christmas Dinner.My daughter Jaci looking into the camera.It was a Very Merry Christmas :)

Safe Haven Womans Shelter ~ Great Oaks From Little Acorns Grow

I remember one day when I was little ~ my Mom reached down and placed this charm in my hand. She explained that "from little acorns ~ great oak trees grow." I have applied this thought to many areas in my life and it is what came to mind when this project was born.

My friend Pat Winter http://gatherings100.blogspot.com/ had a "tiny acorn of an idea" to send "Comfort Dolls" http://www.comfortdolls.blogspot.com/ to battered woman's shelters. Myself and so very many others jumped aboard and it is quickly growing to "great oak tree status" reaching worldwide in a fairly short period of time. I noticed one of the shelters she sent to was just one town over in Waterbury, Ct. I work in the Mayors office in Naugatuck and he encouraged me to put out a call in our Naugautck Town Hall and take a collection for our local shelter ~ Safe Haven in Waterbury. The folks I work with generously donated cases of TP, paper towels , diapers, food and personal items, and new clothing. I embroidered "YOU ARE LOVED" on enough blankets so that if they are at maximum capacity ~ each woman will receive a blanket with warm, cozy socks attached.

I thank you all from the very depths of my heart for letting the Lord use your beautiful hands as a vessel to reach these woman He loves so dearly. These shelters are often the last hope for many woman, mothers and their children who are suffering from abuse. There is nothing more hopeful or more powerful ~ than woman lifting up woman. Be FILLED with all the Love that you have shared with others. Pat may your Oak Tree grow Mightier with each passing day. Always remember ~ beautiful ones ~ that YOU ARE LOVED.

Fun Idea!

Use your vintage holiday apron's as a tree skirt. I have been doing this for a few year's and enjoy seeing them used this way :)
"On Christmas Day, when fires were lit,
And all our breakfast done,
We spread our toys out on the floor
And played there in the sun." Mrs. Sharp's Traditions

Christmas in New York City

Come with Frank and I as we enjoy a wonderful day in the city! We were low on funds but didn't let that or the blustery cold winter day keep us from hopping on that train city bound! We dressed for comfort and warmth. He had on his flannel jammies under his jeans and I wore my fave wool sweater ~ somewhat tattered but comfy and my special Leopard coat that was given to my Mom in 1961! We started with lunch and a beer at Connolly's Pub off of 5th Ave. Then we strolled with the crowds down 5th Ave and enjoyed all the breathtaking windows. When we headed into Central Park ~ street dancers were amazing the crowd! Notice the ice skaters and the wonderful city sky scape in the background.The park is filled with sculptures and wondrous things for the eyes to behold! When we left the park and headed towards Times Square ~ we stopped at The Brooklyn Diner.http://www.brooklyndiner.com/contact.htm It was AWESOME!!! A real authentic looking diner but they serve you with thick linen napkins and the friendliest service! We sat at the vintage counter and had coffee and shared a piece of mouthwatering cheesecake.We walked by Tinsel Trading http://www.tinseltrading.com/and it had JUST closed. I stood at the door and gazed longingly at the woman behind the counter ~ hoping she would have mercy on me and let me in for just a second. We did find a bead shop that was open ~ the sign and chair posted could NOT be more appropriate!!!! Then we went to Macy's and gazed at the windows at Lord and Taylor's. That is me at Bryant Park ~ at the end of my very large Whiskey Sour ~ or should I say whiskey with a floater of sour as it turned out! Bryant Park is a magical place during the holiday. They offer free ice skating and have a huge outdoor market and the CLEANEST bathroom I have ever been it! A BIG plus in New York!!! Frank and I sat at the outdoor cafe and had fondue and a drink as we watched the skaters.As we headed to Rockefeller Center to see the beautiful Christmas Tree (which happens to be from Shelton , Ct.) a bicycle buggy came by and offered us a ride for free. We had a 10 block walk and it was freezing so we were thrilled. We ended up emptying our pockets and gave him all we had. He was just the sweetest kid ~ a struggling actor and singer. He sang to us as he peddled us to 5th Ave. The stars you see are on the entire front of Sack's 5th Ave. They light up every few minutes and twinkle while they play Christmas songs. We ended up walking for 8 hours ~ except for our 3 stops. The entire city is filled with the sounds of Christmas. Every corner you turn ~ you hear live music playing on the streets. We hopped back on the train at at 10:00 Pm ~ not a penny in the pocket but a million $ worth of memories in our heart! (the last photo is a close up of the tree on Rockeller Center )

Birthday Party for Jesus!

Join the birthday party for Jesus! Visit Creative Call Studios Blog http://creativecallstudios.blogspot.com/.


Praise His Blessed and Holy Name!

Red and White Ticking on Etsy

I have just added a Market Bag and Hanger Cover made with lovely red & white ticking on my Etsy site.Feel free to stop by!