ETSY SALE! 

In honor of Christmastide (the traditional 12 days of Christmas, from Christmas Eve through January 5) celebrating the birth of Jesus, I have a 10% off coupon for my Etsy shop.  Simply enter CHRISTMASTIDE in the coupon code area when checking out. 

Visit my shop at www.lovinghugs.etsy.com

Merry Christmas!

 

For the grace of God has been revealed,

bringing salvation to all people.

Titus 2:11

 

Christmas is only 9 days away!!  Here's a little peak at what's in the booth at Mineral Point (Crazy Frank's Indoor Flea Market, booth #113).

 

Vintage Jello Mold and Spool Christmas Tree

 

Vintage Cookie Cutter Ornament

First (accumulating) snow of the season!  It's so pretty and makes everything look fresh again.  It also brings us indoors, beside a cozy fire . . . perfect time to read a good book, watch a movie, play a game (you know, all those inside things we start thinking of this time of year). 

 

 

My booth (#113) at Crazy Frank's Indoor Flea Market in Mineral Point (WI) is filled with wonderful ideas for Christmas decorating and gift-giving! 

Restocked 12/1.

 

 

Vintage cake carrier, vintage pink windup (working) clock, vintage linens wall hanging, vintage-inspired iphone/cellphone cases, ipad case and eyeglass cases.

 



 

Vintage decorated spool, vintage-inspired glass jar candle burner/holder, vintage funnel and jar lid Christmas tree ornaments.  Many wonderful items to choose from at over 100 booths in Mineral Point (WI)!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

 

 

The turkeys came to our yard for Thanksgiving today (20 of them in this group).  They love the remnants of our little straw bale garden (brussel sprouts).  No, we're not eating any of these turkeys, we just love watching them.  It's exciting to see how many come by each day. 

 

Today's a great day to remember what we're thankful for . . . God (and His Word), Jesus (and His sacrifice on the cross for ME), the Holy Spirit (to guide my days), family (blood relatives and our close church family), friends, warm home, wood stove, cuddly dog, chickens, roomy van, coming snow, running water, venison in the freezer, tea and coffee, Christmas music, freedoms we have as Americans, vintage shopping, new washing machine, . . .  I could go on and on, I have so much to be thankful for.  What are you thankful for today?

 

Crazy Franks indoor flea market in Mineral Point is stocked full and ready for Christmas shoppers!!  Over 100 vendors have their booths full of wonderful vintage and antique and some art/crafts.  It's a great place to shop, you'll be sure to find that "extra special something" you're looking for! 

 

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.  ~Colossians 3:17

New arrivals at the Crazy Frank's Indoor Flea Market in Mineral Point, WI!  Look for BOOTH #113, in the room to the left.  I'll be stocking more items for Christmas before Thanksgiving!  Shop now for the best selection for Christmas presents.  Stop in, it's worth it!  The indoor flea market is filled with vendors selling everything vintage and antique!

Looking for a Craft Fair to attend this weekend?  Visit the Richland Center Middle School Annual (Opening Day of Deer Hunting) Craft Fair on Saturday!  See you there!

Don't forget to check out my Etsy shop (link to the right), my shop is now reopened with vintage finds!

Let your light shine!

Matthew 5:14-16
You are the light of the world.  A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven. 

In this world of darkness, let your light shine!  Can the people you meet today, see Christ in you?  Are you a witness for Him in what you do and say?  A pleasant smile, kind word, or helpful act can all help to show Christ to the world and can sometimes lead to an opportunity to share the message of salvation with someone special that God has put in your path.

Praise God for the opportunity to shine His light!

WI Indoor Flea Market!

Looking for the elusive vintage find or that perfect "something" to go with your new home decor?

If you're living in WI, or planning to visit, make a stop at Crazy Frank's Indoor Flea Market in Mineral Point!  There, you'll find my booth (pic above) full of my wonderful collections and finds from estate sales, auctions, etc.  Newly added this week . . . vintage milk crate and Hills Bros Coffee tin!  Stop in, it's full of vendors!  www.crazyfranks.com

Stillness and a Bathroom Update

Be Still.  Simple words with a powerful meaning.

Have you seen this bible verse lately?  Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10).  It's a commonly used verse that often presents a little different meaning.

What does "be still" mean?  Some say to "sit quietly" and listen.  I think "let go" or "hands off" are meanings that make the most sense to me.  Take your hands off trying to control your own life and let the Lord God take over.  We know that He is in charge, when we stop fighting Him by trying to do our own thing our own way, He will lead us and guide us in His ways.  We were designed to glorify Him, let Him help you do that!  Can you take your "hands off"?

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On a creative note ... here's a neat new addition to our bathroom I just finished today.  I bought a 1950s (?) Chrome cabinet, made a hanging picture frame jar for holding cotton squares and qtips, and attached both to a homemade rustic wood backdrop.  Turned out great!

Enjoy the beautiful fall weather!!

This World is NOT My Home

 

This World is not my home,
I'm just a passing thru.
My treasures are laid up,
somewhere beyond the blue.
("This World Is Not My Home" hymn, 1937)

 

As the world around us changes, I have nothing to worry about.  As a believer in Jesus, redeemed by His shed blood on the cross (He died to pay for MY sins), I know this sinful earth is not my home, I have a guaranteed spot in Heaven with Jesus!

 

Keep your eyes on Jesus, He is the only one who can save us! I don't have to worry, He is always with me, caring about everything I do.  I am never alone!

 

Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day . . . for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
~2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Patience

 
James 1:2-4

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have it's perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

 

 

We know we can rest in God's perfect will and timing.  He knows exactly what we need to learn exactly what He needs us to know.  Trials come, things don't work out the way we plan, we lose patience over something that's taking too long, we can't imagine why the Lord would be allowing something to happen . . .  It's in our nature to question why things happen the way they do.  We can  know that God knows exactly what's going on in our lives, He even cares about the hairs on our head! 

Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin?  And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will.  But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.  Matthew 10:29-31

We need not worry, the Lord knows what we're going through and He is with us all the way.  He cares about everything that happens to us and knows exactly what's best for us!

 

Without Him . . .

 

Without Him I could do nothing,

Without Him I'd surely fail;

Without Him I would be drifting

Like a ship without a sail.

Without Him I would be dying,

Without Him I'd be enslaved;

Without Him life would be hopeless--

But with Jesus, thank God, I'm saved.

 

Jesus, O Jesus!  Do you know Him today?

Do not turn Him away!  O Jesus, O Jesus,

Without Him, how lost I would be.

~By Mylon R. LeFevre (Copyright 1963, LeFevre Sing Publ. Co.)

 

What can I do without Jesus?  Nothing.  Several times in the last year, He has brought me to my knees in the realization my life is His, not mine.  I can truly do nothing without Him. 

 

My "self" has continually gotten in the way of that over the years, I always try to maintain control of my situation . . . I can't let down my guard and lose control of anything in my life, so I can't truly give the Lord my EVERYTHING.  The past year was taken up with many medical problems, each to the point where I had to let go and let Jesus take over a little more of my life.

 

Recently, my husband has been dealing with a potentially serious illness, and the stress of waiting for diagnosis has finally brought me to a point where I can honestly give my life over to the Lord . . . it's too much for me to handle and my life really belongs to Him.  The Lord truly knows what's best for us, He is truly in charge.  I can rest in whatever situation He has for me; I know it has been allowed by Him, He will help me through it and will help me to learn in it.  Thank you, Jesus!

 

Not that I speak in regard to need,

 for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content;

I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. 

Everywhere and in all things I have learned

both to be full and to be hungry,

both to abound, and to suffer need. 

 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

~Philippians 4:11-13

 

*Photo by Olivia Richardson, Copyright 2016