Today is the day.

To those of you who have written to me this morning, thanks for your support. When we close out the year of 2008, we leave behind all that was and we greet the New Year of 2009 with all that could be. I am anxious and happy for all the opportunities that are awaiting this upcoming year. I have always heard that "Life is what you make it". If that is the case I am choosing to live my life joyously! Focusing on those things that are of the real value to me. If life is really what we make, I believe that this can be another incredible year. Let's enjoy the road ahead together, creating a life of joy, prosperity and good health, one day at a time. PS, I painted the above picture.

Listen In!

Well this is exciting for me. I have been invited to be on a radio talk show Monday morning. Mark Marine has invited me to be a guest on his show at 11:00 a.m. MST Monday morning. The program has featured a variety of guests, with Mark being the host. Mark hosts a program about financing, among other things. The radio station is AM630 K-TALK. I am flattered that Mark has invited me to talk about my blog as well as some of my upcoming events and the new E-book I am working on. I hope you will be able to join in on the conversation. I look forward to talking to you live. Leave me a comment and let me know what you think of the program.

Yes, we will be doing a Valentine's Day Party. I will get you the details as soon as I have them ready. Please make sure I have your email address so that I can let you know the dates. If your are interested in participating let me know that also. I can't wait the cupids are in the air and I have a lot of pink and red glitter I can't wait to use.

It's a magical place!

Click on the photos for a closer view of the fuzzy little ice crystals.



It's almost like a magical place, everything sparkling with tiny little crystals of ice.

Utah is an interesting place for weather, the saying here goes that "if you don't like the weather, wait five minutes". The weather here can change so quickly, we don't really have prolonged rain, snow, sun or wind. Imagine how surprised I was when we headed to town and everything that caught my eye looked like fuzzy crystallized pipe cleaners! I think what I was experiencing was frozen fog. We live by a big lake and it was quite foggy when we turned in the night before. My husband said that we were going to have freezing fog, I thought he was making it up. Many of you may have seen sights like this before, but I have never seen long thread-like crystal of ice, standing at an angle, most likely in the direction of the evening wind. It was beautiful. The sun was peeking from behind the beautiful Wasatch Mountains and the sky was a glorious blue. I cannot tell you how fast the scenery began to change with the rising of the sun. Before we could turn around and go back to the house for my camera, many of the dainty little ice shafts had disappeared in the warmth of the morning sun. Take time to enjoy the little moments in your life as they pass so quickly.

A lotta-to-do about nothing!

"A lotta-to-do about nothing". This is a phrase that my mom used to use often when as teenage girls we would go on and on about a subject. When I sat down tonight to post on my blog and I am looking at all of the clean up around the house and in the trunk of my car. I found myself thinking that this was a "lotta-to-do".
Christmas was so wonderful, my family is fun and supportive and some of the talk was about what mom should do or could do with her blog this coming year. I am so filled up in my heart with how wonderful my new friends that read my blog are. There are a lot of very talented bloggers in the world and I am grateful that many of you have found me.
As I clean up my blog, I am already planning my next event. I know this is a little early, since we have not celebrated New Year's Day, but I am anxious to get going on Valentine's Day. If you have been shopping this last week you are already seeing the Valentine's decorations on the shelves of some of your favorite retailers. I am sure they are wanting to capture as much of your buying power as possible. I am looking for other bloggers or readers who would like to contribute to my next event. We had so much fun doing our Halloween Blog Party, that I want to do a fun event for all of us while we last out the cold winter. I am wanting to share fun ideas for Valentine's Day so put me on your "lotta-to-do" list. Leave me a comment and I will be in touch with you. For now try to hang on to that wonderful spirit you have been enjoying and we will visit soon. Deb

Merry Christmas Everyone!

It's a busy time!

Well it is really getting busy around my house. We are having a party on Christmas Eve so I will be spending the next few days cleaning, cooking and sewing. I hope I get everything done before Santa gets here. Thank you all so much for your visits. We will be doing another event for Valentine's Day so I will post about that after Christmas. Whatever you do this season, do it safely and remember how the gifts of the heart,that you give to others is what really lasts after the ribbons and torn paper are thrown away. Keep love in the season it spreads throughout the world when you give it to someone. Merry Christmas, Debbie, Courtney and Leanne (the Cottage in the Country team)

A Gift From Insightful Nana

I am so blessed to have really creative friends. My dear friend Kathy Griffiths just posted free downloadable Christmas gift tags. Kathy and I worked together, along with a team of very talented artists. The last twenty years have been more fun because of spending my life with such wonderful women. Any way, Kathy has designed some great tags for us to use and she has made them available to those who would like to use them. Visit her blog to download the tags. Thanks Kathy!

Across the miles at Christmas

Though miles between may intervene and keep us far apart, thru all the year, it's somehow clear, we're "right next door" at heart. And time and space cannot erase the thoughts so warm and true that take their way on Christmas Day across the miles to you!
Merry Christmas.

Millions of Tiny Lights

One of the traditions we enjoy here in Utah is visiting the world famous Temple Square at Christmas time. We had a wonderful evening. The weather hadn't really cooled off to much and the music of course was wonderful. One of the favorite spots to visit at Temple Square is the reflective pools. They are so beautiful reflecting the tiny lights and the beautiful sculptures. If you are ever here during the holidays, you want to make sure to visit and take time to listen to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The whole experience is memorable and really adds to the spiritual side of season.

Fruitcake

Well I didn't get any offers on my fruitcake recipe post...
Melissa from Holiday Queen did send me a note exclaiming her regrets, seems no one at her house likes fruit cake, so she wanted to let me know that she could not help me out with a recipe. So I will move on. I can hardly believe that Christmas is in a few days. I think about it all year and all of the things that I would love to do, to decorate or to celebrate this magical time. We are experiencing cold weather and after dealing with blizzard conditions, that came upon us very quickly last year, I haven't felt overly adventurous. I have been spending a lot of days sewing and many nights making jewelry. Still so much to do. I hope you all enjoying your holidays. I am posting a few of the art pieces that I painted for greeting cards, I hope you will enjoy them. Deb

Christmas Traditions

Okay for those of you who follow my blog. I am looking for the ultimate fruitcake recipe. I married a fellow several years ago, who thinks fruitcake is something you take out to the field after Christmas to use for target practice to try out your new gun. We do not agree on this particular tradition. My mother always made a moist wonderful fruitcake filled with citrus fruits, raisins and assorted nuts. This year I am giving myself a holiday treat. Homemade fruitcake! So I am open to a good recipe if you have one. I am thinking about all of you. Thank you for stopping by. With the economy being what it is and still unemployed. I am using my skills as a designer to make many of my own gifts this year.I hope you are all enjoying the season, it is a marvelous time of year. Deb

The sights of Christmas

Christmas Decorations

Courtney Crabtree captured some of the ornaments on her sisters tree. Families everywhere are preparing to celebrate the Christmas season with beautiful decorations, wonderful food and delightful music. We are sharing some of family experience with you. Deb

Which Theme This Year?

As you can probably see from my blog I have a wide range of tastes when it comes to Christmas. I don't have enough time or enough trees to decorate in all of my favorite themes. I am sure I will settle on something soon. I found this fun little grouping of snowmen recently on Ebay. Another inspiration photo. My girls are getting anxious to get the tree trimmed. I hope you are enjoying the spirit of Christmas. Thanks for stopping by. Deb

Christmas Decor Inspiration

I thought I would share with you one of my favorite Christmas images that have inspired me this year. Nicol Sayre has designed products for Midwest of Cannon Falls. Many of her items are available through retailers across the country. I have been a fan of hers for several years. To see more of her holiday line visit her website www.nicolsayre.com.