With last-minute shopping there will be last-minute gift wrapping, and here is some great ideas! I hope you'll have fun wrapping, giving, singing and joyfully including Christ in all that you do as you celebrate His birth. Step 1 Your supplies. Pick out a neutral gift wrap. Cut your twine long enough to be able to wrap around your gift 3-5 times. Step 2 Add your tags. Step 3 Add your embellishments, greenery, berries and jiggle bells. For my gift wrapping, I picked out a n

I wanted to invite all of you to a Holiday Seminar in Southern California. My good friend Sheri Torelli will be the guest speaker and you can look for me at the Tablescaping Presentation! “Welcome Home for the Holidays” Seminar Saturday, September 8 at 9 AM - 12:30 PM Immanuel Baptist Church Highland 28355 Base Line, Highland, CA 92346 This year's theme is "Welcome Home for the Holidays!" Sheri Torelli will share practical and simple organizational tips for the holidays, hel

"May we think of freedom, not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right." Peter Marshall May your celebrations be filled with opportunities to thank those who have fought for our freedoms and to do what is right. Exciting posts and news ahead as I launched my website a year ago on July 12!! Everyone who leaves a comment in the month of July will be entered into my Bits of Bliss Grand Prize Giveaway - but the first 12 to comment will get a

What better time to celebrate God's gift of love to us then Valentine's Day? It's not just for those who are married or have sweethearts; let's celebrate our selfless and supportive moms, spectacular daughters, sweet sisters and our sensational girlfriends! I John 4:19 tells us "We love because He first loved us." This verse helps us share His love because He has filled us to overflowing with His love. It means we should extend His love to strangers and acquaintances. It

Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to put that apron on and make something fun and special! Enjoy these recipes! Meringue Sweethearts from Heart & Keeper of the Home Contributor Jean Reno Ingredients: 3 large egg whites ¼ tsp. Cream of Tartar 1/8 tsp. salt 2/3 cup sugar 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract Directions: Preheat the oven to 200 degrees. Line two cookie sheets with waxed paper or parchment paper and spray with cooking spray. Beat together with mixer the egg whites, Cream

You will want to set a few hours aside to make these cute Valentine’s Day Postcards, (girlfriends, chocolate and a Hallmark Movie should be part of this fun time too!) I make them out of scrapbook pages. (Makes 8-10 cards) Supplies: 6-8 coordinating scrapbook pages - The tags, hearts, flowers, and borders I added on my postcards came in a separate package but matched the scrapbook pages I bought. I found mine at Beverly's in San Luis Obispo, CA but Hobby Lobby would carry

This is one of my favorite gifts to put together and give for Christmas. It's easy and quick, and it makes your home smell lovely. It makes a great hostess gift or gift for your co-workers and neighbors! Ingredients: 1 whole orange 1 whole lemon 1 TBL. whole cloves 2 4" cinnamon sticks 2 bay leaves Directions: Combine all ingredients in a decorative clear bag. Tie closed with holiday ribbon. Attach these directions on a gift tag to your gift: Christmas Scent Mix Cut unpeele

This is one of my favorite gifts to give for fall and Christmas. It’s so simple to put together and it’s the perfect gift for a neighbor, a co-worker, a friend who’s not feeling well… Just tie a cookie cutter to an adorable seasonal towel with some colorful ribbon. Add a note with a scripture and you’re done! Cuuuuute!!! Make up 5 or so, put them in a basket in your car and just see how many doors the Lord opens for you to give them away. #crafts #DIY #holidays

What’s cuter than a fall banner? I love them. Here is an easy one to make made out of flashcards! If you can’t find them to purchase they can easily be made my cutting out of stiffer paper. Supplies: Flashcards Twine (I used green, brown would look nice for fall too.) Hole punch Glue or glue gun Embellishments: Fall leaves and sunflowers Buttons Directions: Hole punch each flashcard in the each upper left corner and right corner. Lay out your flashcards and arrange in the

"May we think of freedom, not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.' --Peter Marshall GOD BLESS AMERICA! The best, easiest and most delicious party dessert!! Root Beer Floats Image: Better Homes and Gardens Ingredients: 2 large scoops vanilla ice cream 1 bottle very cold root beer Directions: Run a glass mug under cold water and immediately chill in the freezer until it forms a frost. Scoop 2 scoops of ice cream into the chilled mu

Whenever you see someone carrying wrapped gifts or see them stacked high in OR on top of a car remember why we give gifts. It's to show His love to others as He did when He sent His Son to be born in a manger - the greatest gift of all. Although the Christmas season certainly is not all about gifts they do play a part in our celebrations. As you finish your Christmas shopping consider some suggestions on one of my favorite blogs - Girlfriends In God. In their Dec. 20-21

"I wonder and I search my heart. When I sit and search long enough to listen to God’s still small voice, I grapple with the familiar and I groan for the fresh… and I wonder. Have I shopped, cleaned, and baked away the season without bending a knee to worship the Savior? Have I decorated my home, but failed to focus my heart?" from Girlfriends in God "Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10 Photo: Anne Terese Fara #inspiration #encouragement #holidays #Christmas #Jesus

Nothing robs us quicker of a peaceful home than when we skip our quiet time with the Lord. When we don't have His leading and guiding there will be no peace. Set time aside to get to know Him in a deeper way this month as we celebrate His birth! Photo: Inspiration by Blueberry #quiettime #Jesus #inspiration #encouragement #holidays #Christmas

Photo: Mimi Lee Printables #inspiration #encouragement #Thanksgiving #holidays #family