Monday, December 28, 2015

Good morning Friends ~ I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and that this last week of 2015 will be a time of thanksgiving and reflection.  May 2016 be a good year for all.

Thank you all for your Christmas wishes of good times with family.  It was wonderful! My BIL, Todd and his wife Sue, had the gathering in their lovely home.  I met new people, got reacquainted with others, people watched and even though my DH wasn't there, I felt so much love from others. I teared up a couple of times, one was when we were singing a hymn and the words were about heaven, the other times were at the love and generosity of others.

We had love, laughter and good food. There were 16 of us, the youngest was 12 and the oldest in early 80's.  This was the tree after some gifts had been opened but before the troops arrived bearing more gifts.


 This was the group minus myself.

This was my plate. All was delicious, field peas from GA, a slaw salad, ham, corn casserole, carrot souffle, mashed potatoes and green bean casserole. For appetizers there was chips & veggies with dips, boiled peanuts (peanuts from GA),  crackers and cheese. For dessert there were cookies, apple and pumpkin pies, a wonderful banana pudding. We were all quite filled up after this feast.


After dinner and before gifts were opened, we sat in the family room where hymnals were passed around, and sweet Sue played the keyboard (she's a pianist) and we sang favorite old hymns.  I did good until we got to one song that mentioned heaven and then a few tears fell.  
 
It was truly a  wonderful celebration, of love, life and thankfulness to Jesus for all that He has done in our lives.
 
To top off the day was walking out of the door and seeing that beautiful full moon. Wow!
 
~~~
 
On the Saturday before Christmas, my friends Nanci and John took me out to eat to a fantastic Mexican restaurant called Guacamole. The colorful atmosphere, the presentation, and the food were all great! It was another love and joy filled time.
 
This cross collection belongs to the owner of the restaurant.
 

Colorful atmosphere.


This was my dessert, fried ice cream. Delicious and so huge was shared by the three of us. See my colorful margarita glass, almost empty. The first one I had was in blues. :-) I asked the waiter both times if I couldn't have the glass to take home. I came home empty handed in the glass dept. but did bring home lunch for the next day as I just couldn't finish my wonderful chicken enchiladas. Had been served with yellow rice and black beans.  We had had corn chips with guacamole and salsa for appetizer.

  
Here's a pic of Nanci and I taken by John on my new cell phone. :-)
 
 
They also came bearing gifts, which I put under my little tree and opened Christmas morning. They also gave me a monetary gift, which I used yesterday to buy a simple, small sewing machine by Brother.  It had a lot of good reviews and sounded just right for what I want to use it for, so that I can save time with my creations instead of doing everything by hand.  Does this little machine not look like one that FlowerLady would use?




Last night I got a Pinterest notification for new boards for me to check out and one of them was for making Hexie quilt projects. Oh my gosh, the creative juices started flowing and I am excited to be trying my hand at this.

I am looking forward to 2016.  To see what Jesus has in store for me this year.  My thought for the new year is,
 
** The joy of the Lord is my strength. **

Love, hugs and prayers for all of you,

FlowerLady


34 comments:

Jane said...

I'm so happy that you had a nice Christmas, Rainey! That's a very cute sewing machine. It does indeed look like something a gal called flowerlady would use. Happy creating and new year!

Hugs
Jane

Sallysmom said...

So glad to hear that you spent time with family and friends. I know there is some sadness that creeps in but your DH would sure be proud of you going because he knew you are a little on the shy side. Praying 2016 will be a blessed year for you.

jerilanders said...

It seems to me that your's was what Christmas SHOULD be like.SInging,laughing, love, remembrance, family, friends and food. I am glad you have all of that. Here's wishing you a remarkable new year ahead!

Deborah Montgomery said...

Sounds like a wonderful Christmas, with lots of love and good food. It's such a credit to your courage and strength that you can still take joy in all the beauty around you, and enjoy planning to create even more beauty, with your new sewing machine. I'm sure your husband is proud of you.
I'm thankful for your friendship this past year, and look forward to visiting with you in 2016, and seeing all your lovely creations! Blessings, Deborah

Recycled Cottage & Garden said...

Looks like you have had a wonderful Christmas season and the sewing machine is perfect.
Last week I found a post on Pinterest about penny rugs and jumped in and have been working on one! There are so many good ideas on there and not nearly enough time to try them all.
Best wishes for the new year!

L. D. said...

I enjoyed your blog so much but then just clicked on, forgetting to comment. A family group like that were glad to have you there eating and sharing for the time. I am glad you could go. The Mexican cafe is something we don't do much more with my wife's heart condition and salt restrictions. I am so glad you got the sewing machine. I bet you are still smiling over that purchase. It looks like a perfect machine for you and all your great creations. Now you can work faster.

Nancy J said...

Happiness, togetherness and a little sadness all rolled into one, Lovely tree and gifts, but the wee Brother, that is so right for you,this will be so handy, I can see new projects being whizzed up in no time at all.

crafty cat corner said...

I can't tell you how pleased I am that you enjoyed your Christmas, you deserved it and now I can only wish a peaceful, healthy and calm 2016.
Hugs
Briony
x

lil red hen said...

It's wonderful to hear what a special Christmas Day you had!
I hope you have a blessed New Year and much pleasure using the new sewing machine.

Gary said...

Wow Lorraine, so much fantastic food. It's made me hungry reading this. Two margaritas?....Go girl! It all looms really lovely to have spent such times with family and friends. Have a good week.

Janice said...


Good for you! Sounds like a lovely day, enjoyed by all.

A Joyful Cottage said...

Rainey, it did my heart good to read this post. Just knowing you were with loving family and friends. I understand the tears. It's been 8 1/2 years and a remarriage since Jim's homegoing and I still find myself crying sometimes when we sing a hymn or praise song that speaks of going home to Heaven. And I can't get through Be Thou My Vision which was sung at Jim's Memorial Service (his favorite hymn) without tears. I'm so glad you're surrounded by kind, compassionate people. The new sewing machine is wonderful and I know you will put it to very good use. I have a little Brother machine, much like yours, and I love it. Happy New Year, my friend. xo ~ Nancy

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

Looks like some fun Christmas gatherings for you. The table setting was beautiful. That sewing machine is perfect for you. Didn't know you could get them now with flowers!! Enjoy your gifts and Happy New Year.

Melanie said...

It sounds like you had a wonderful and blessed Christmas - so glad to hear that. And your dinner at the mexican restaurant sounded yummy...one of my favorite cuisines! I'm glad you bought yourself a sewing machine. I bet you'll have a lot of fun with it.

Ruth Hiebert said...

I am so happy for you.To be included in family gatherings is so special.Yes,that sewing machine definitely looks like it has a home with you.

Kit said...

It sounds like you had a lovely holiday. I love your new sewing machine, so cute! Have a Happy New Year! Hugs, Kit

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Hi Rainey
I am SO happy that you had such a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends. You better watch out, hexies are addictive. A great project to hand stitch no matter where you are and if you select a large project it can just go on forever!!

Here are wishes for a grand New Year (holiday) and a wonderful New Year.
xx, Carol

Debra Howard said...

Oh what a beautiful time. It's always so much better when we have our loved ones gathered with us to celebrate

Deb J. in Utah said...

Wow - sounds like you had a really nice Christmas filled with family and friends! Hope that 2016 brings you only the very best! Love from AZ!

Annie said...

Glad you had a good day surrounded by love. Wasn't that moom magnificent! I'm heading north today to visit my 2 sisters. It's very hot where they are so I have packed my bathers. 2016 is going to be a great year. Thinking of you.

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

I'm so glad that you were surrounded by love and happiness on Christmas, my Dear! It sounds like the perfect day - singing, laughing, good food, a few tears, and lots of hugs. Your new sewing machine is wonderful and the perfect gift for such a creative gal. Wishing you many lovely blessings in the New Year. Big hug xo Karen

Debbie - Mountain Mama said...

I'm so glad you had a nice Christmas, Lorraine - I know how hard it was going to be for you this year and kudos to you for your strength and perseverance. May 2016 bring joy and peace into your life.

xoxo

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi There, I love keeping up with you and your full life... I am so glad that you are getting invitations to visit others (family and friends) during the holidays. Holidays can be SO hard for one who is alone... Sounds like you had a marvelous Christmas --even without your Sweetheart.. God Bless You.

We are fine... Just staying busy. I'll have about 16 in my SMALL home over the 1st... Should be fun --but maybe a little hectic... ha ha

Happy New Year, Sweet lady.
Hugs,
Betsy

Susan said...

What a wonderful and blessed Christmas you had. I can see that you are much loved by family and friends. That's a great looking sewing machine - especially the flowers - that you purchased. I know you will get much use out of it. Wishing you much joy and happiness in 2016.

Darcie said...

So glad to read and see how beautifully wonderful your Christmas was! What special memories you made with family and friends! And to answer your question...yes! That sewing machine has your name written all over it! Can't wait to see what 2016 holds for you my friend!!! Much love!

Janneke said...

I can only smile when I read your post, you had such a wonderful Christmas with family and friends.
Wish you ALL THE BEST IN 2016!

Rebecca said...

You've communicated the joy of the Lord to me via this post! Singing is always my favorite part of our extended family's gatherings. There are ALWAYS tears. I think they are a GOOD thing. (Tears, I mean.)

The menus you describe sound so delicious. The photos show warm and loving gatherings. If your husband can/does see you, his heart must be overflowing; his eyes smiling....

Jillayne said...

I love your new sewing machine - it is absolutely the perfect thing for Flowerlady to create wonderful things on... fabrics in the colours of the petals in your flower garden will sail through it with the greatest of ease and you will make lovely treasures - that is my wish for you...
Your Christmas sounds magical... beautiful gifts of friendship wrapped around you and gave great joy.
I hope the new Year brings many more wonderful times such as those you have shared here.
many hugs,

Jillayne

KathyB. said...

Your Christmas sounds perfect ! Fellowship and food and family all gathered to celebrate Christmas . Everything looks so nice and festive.

Yes, I think your sewing machine looks exactly like it was made for you ! Happy and blessed new year 2016 Rainey.

gld said...

This was a lovely uplifting post! Hope the New Year is wonderful for you!

Rose ~ from Oz said...

A wonderful uplifting post Lorraine, and I'm so happy that Christmas was filled with love for you. I know too well how tears would have threatened but with such love embracing you the day went well. May the new year hold good things and much peace for you dear Lorraine.

Morning's Minion said...

Imagine having a sewing machine that is PRETTY! It should be worthy of your creativity.

Jean Tuthill said...

Happy New Year. I hope that 2016 brings you peace and joy! Your new sewing machine is so pretty and is sure to bring you great pleasure!

It's Just Dottie said...

Sorry about the cork.T hope it opened today... My Christmas was simple
and lovely but like always someone was missing. I am so grateful to be able to garden..it is one of my greatest pleasures and I am sure it is one of yours too. Happy New Year to you sweet friend...