Here's to a wonderul 2010 and many more in 2011.

Good Morning Friends...I hope that whatever your plans are for ringing in the New Year it is a happy and memorable one.  We received 4 inchs of snow over night and now the sun is shining.  Our family is staying home and watching movies and playing games.  I have hot apple cider ready for whoever wants some and I made peanut butter balls for snacks....I am hoping on this post you will leave me one of your resolutions for 2011.  I will offer you one of mine..."to love the best and ignore the rest."  
Have a Very Happy New Year....
Blessings~

Leslie

Its Husker Football Fever and a soon to be Giveaway!!!

Hello Peeps....Can you believe that it is the 30th of December?  Where did this month go?  As they say time flies when you are having fun....I have a full menu planned for tonight as the Nebraska Huskers play the Washington Huskies in the Holiday Bowl...I have beer cheese soup in the crockpot, bacon wrapped water chestnuts, beer bread, and some peanut butter balls for dessert.  Next week  I will announce my New Year's Giveaway and if I can get to 200 followers I will have 2 giveaways....lets see what shall I give?  It will be a fun one so please stay tuned.....so I hope you can help to spread the word.  Until then...stay warm and lets ring in the New Year with lots of happy memories of 2010 and many more of 2011.  
Blessings~
Leslie

Its beginning to look like Wynter...

Snow Family

Mr. Happy Snowman

Good Morning Friends...I hope today is finding you warm and happy.
We are looking at our last day of decent temps until we get an arctic blast and then some sleet and snow for the New Year.  We have been very fortunate to having a mild winter so far, as last year we had snow till March.  I am posting some pictures of our home with all my favorite snowmen...we redecorated after taking the Christmas decor down...its always nice for a change.... I have been reflecting back on what blessings we had in 2010 and looking forward to the opportunities in 2011.  
Blessings~
Leslie

Frosty screen

Mrs. Frosty

Christmas Time was a Joyous time...

Merry Christmas to all my blogging friends~Can you believe the day has come and gone and it was such a good time...I love being with my kiddos and hubby on Christmas morning and then off to grandmas for dinner...we had an adult gift exchange this year and it was a blast....women bought for a woman and the same for the guys....then we all drew a number and got to grab a gift on our turn and then of course you can steal.....wow that gets a little tense (in a fun way).  
So today we are just relaxing and putting things away...its a great time to organize.  I intend to put out my snowmen this week...that will take a while as I have a huge collection and will post pictures as I decorate. 
Have a great day!
Blessings~
Leslie

What Christmas means to Me...

Good Morning....This will be my Christmas post as I feel that the next few days will be spent with family.  I want to express how blessed I feel with having started my blog a little over a year ago, and all the wonderful ladies I have met and feel as though I know you.  I want to leave you with what Christmas means to me and if you feel that you want to leave me a comment on the very same topic feel free to do so.
Christmas means a variety of things to me but the two that sticks out the most to me is FAMILY  & CHRIST....without either of these I would be nothing....I love the fact that I have the best family and we all get along and enjoy each others company....Christ is the center of all that we do, without him where would we be...I do love all the decorating, gifts, candles burning, baking etc.  I do hate to see this season end, but if we could think of it as a new beginning and to reflect on all the blessings we had in 2010 and all that we have to look forward to in 2011, it makes me smile.  I hope each of you have a Very Merry Christmas and keep peace and joy in your hearts.
Many Holiday Blessings~
Leslie

Happy Dec. 20th...I have a WINNER!

Good Morning ladies...I hope that you all had a fabulous weekend.
I have a winner of my holiday giveaway it is Donna from  sweetprairiedwellings.blogspot.com.
Congrats to you!   I sent you an email and I hope you get me your mailing info. so I can
get your goodies out to you soon!
We had Christmas at my parents yesterday, what a fun day we had!  Its so nice to see
my sisters and we laugh and enjoy each others company!
I hope that this is a wonderful week for you and your families, I know my kids are counting down the days!
Blessings~
Leslie

My daughter is 14 today, so Happy Happy Birthday!!!

Good Morning Peeps, Hope you are in the Christmas spirit and can you believe it is 1 week till the Birth of our Lord?  I love this time of year and especially because my middle daughter, Taylor, turns 14 today...she is turning into quite the young lady!  She is asleep right now but she will be thrilled when she wakes up and sees SNOW on the ground!  It is so pretty too.  I also want to remind you that my giveaway ends on Monday so if you haven't signed up please do!  
I need to go finish my list of things I need to get from the store as my Christmas baking will start right after dinner....I love this because it reminds me of when my mom and I baked up a storm for the holidays and took cookie trays to neighbors.
Have a great day...
Blessings~
Leslie

My final Holiday Giveaway!

Hello Blogging friends,
I hope today finds you counting down the days to the Christmas holiday.  I am offering my final giveaway for the season.  It is centered around "snowmen" since that is what melts my heart.  In the giveaway is a snowman that is on an antique potato masher with greenery, a candle & votive holder, a wooden tealight box that says "believe", and a snowman tablet.
All that I ask is that you be a follower of my blog, post this giveaway on your blog if you have one, and tell me your favorite Christmas cookie or candy.  The giveaway will end on December 20th so I hope to mail it out to my winner and they can start enjoying their gift for the winter season.  
I need to go and be with my family, we are going to a performance that is such a wonderful Holiday show its called The Singing Christmas Tree.
Have a wonderful day.
Blessings~
Leslie

A Blessed Week!

Happy Thursday Peeps...I hope this post finds you all healthy and counting down the days will Christmas, 16 to be exact.  I have 90% of my shopping done and 50% wrapped, so I would say I am doing well.  I had a great craft show last Saturday, it was my last one for the year.  My sister, Gail, and I did it together.  It was a great day spent with her.  I am going to have one last giveaway before the holidays, not sure what I want to have for it, but it will be so worth you signing up.  So give me the weekend and come back next week to check it out.  I am leaving you with a picture of me and my sis...she is a dear friend too!
Blessings~
Leslie

 

Last craft show of the season

Good morning my holiday friends....I have very little time to post this morning...but I do want to tell you of a very special event that I will be at tomorrow...its our annual Holiday Bazaar that is held in Blue Hill, Ne.  Its a very nice show with lots of homemade talent....I get to be neighbors with  my friends, Steph and Chris from pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com...we always have a good time...so with that I need to finish up some of that last minute "tweaking" of some craft items and then off to pack my van so I can go set up tonight!  This show always gets a person in the Christmas spirit!  I will post pictures of my booth sometime this weekend.
Blessings~
Leslie

Happy Thanksgiving and I have a winner!

Good Morning and Happy Thanksgiving!
I want to wish each one of you a very happy Turkey day!  I have so much to be thankful for!
I also have a winner of my pre holiday giveaway: it is Jayne of PrimWyoGirl...Congrats!
I will get your goodies out to you soon!
I hope what ever you do and where ever you go...enjoy being with your loved ones!
Blessings~
Leslie

Last day to sign up for Pre-Holiday Giveaway!

Good Morning Friends~
I am sending you a reminder that today is the LAST day to sign up for my giveaway that ends tomorrow, Thanksgiving Day.  All you have to do is go to my last post and follow the rules.  I hope that you all have a very Blessed Thanksgiving with your families...its a wonderful time.  I am decorating my house today for Christmas...the kids gets out early at school today so they will come home and decorate our tree...I wish you all the luck in the giveaway and with that....Have a great day!
Blessings~
Leslie

~Evergreen Workshop~

Happy Saturday Peeps....Can you believe that we are less than a week from Thanksgiving and then the fun begins with Christmas decorating...I attended a greenery workshop with some friends today and so I am posting some of the arrangements that I made...I also brought home extra greenery to put throughout our home...there also was a big bucket of winterberry that was from a gals pasture....what a great accent to all the greens....I have Beef Barley Soup in the crockpot and ready for a night of Husker football and crafting...does it get any better than that?!
Remember to sign up for my pre-holiday giveaway from my last post...it ends Thursday...which is just around the corner.

Blessings~
Leslie

A Pre Holiday Giveaway!

Pre-Holiday Giveaway

Hello Peeps....
Hope you are all doing good today.  The weather has been gorgeous here but we did have a snow/rain shower this morning and it made me want to put up our tree...but I am sticking to my guns and waiting till next week...its so exciting to decorate our home for the holidays....even as our kids get older they never seem to lose that sense of anticipation for all the trimmings...
I am having a pre holiday giveaway that will end one week from today Nov. 24th...I hope that you will sign up and get your name into the drawing!  Here are the rules:
1. Be a follower of my blog.
2. Live in the USA.
3. List the picture on your blog's sidebar
4. Tell me one thing that is your tradition on decorating your home with your family for Christmas.
Good Luck and please leave me your email so I can contact you if YOU are ever so lucky to win.

I also am posting a picture of the ornament that I received in the mail from Tammy, not sure what your blog is....this ornament swap was through Wendy at Ravenwood Whimzies Primitive & Country Crafts....
Blessings~
Leslie

Ornament that I got in a swap!

Mannheim Steamroller here I come!

Good Morning Peeps~
Today is a fine day for this gal...A friend and I are going to go Christmas shopping in Kearney Ne. today and then at 4 pm we are attending the Mannheim Steamroller concert.  Now I don't know about you but this is exactly what I need to get me into the Christmas Spirit.  I love their music!  18 years ago my husband (boyfriend at the time) went to see them in Omaha on New Year's Eve...they was fabulous then and continue to bring the warm holiday feeling into our home.  I intend to do a pre holiday giveaway starting next week...I am not sure all what I will provide, but it will be good.
Hope you all have a great weekend...

Blessings~
Leslie

Its a good day!

Good Morning Peeps~
I hope that you are all doing well..staying healthy and happy!  This is a thankful month
and I have alot to be thankful for, especially today...I have an interview for a job that I have
been waiting for...its a secretary for a County Attorney...it has awesome hours and lots of
good benefits...so please say an extra prayer for me today at 2:30...other than that, I had a GREAT
craft show on Saturday, sold a ton of Christmas goodies.  This month is rolling by quickly!  I also am thankful for the fact that a good friend and I are going to see Manhiemm Steamroller in concert
this Friday, that will definetly put us in the Christmas spirit!
I hope that what ever you are doing today... ENJOY! 
Blessings~
Leslie

Being Thankful

Happy November Peeps~

Hello blogland, hope everyone had a spooky and SWEET Halloween...it was a relaxing day and then our 9 year old son and a friend of his went trick or treating as Mario and Luigi...it was too cute!    I will post a picture following this post.
I want to emphasize the importance of being Thankful...esp. with being November and the month of Thanksgiving...I know I have a ton of blessings in my life and am thankful for them all...so with that I want to be see how many read my blog and for you to list 3 of your blessings or anything that you are thankful for...I know that we all can get busy in our lives and need to take a step back and cherish these blessings more and more...
I hope that you will do this...and along with that, my BIG family Holiday craft show we have at my sister's home is this Saturday...so looking forward to seeing everyone and hoping that all our customers and many more come out...Its called Cranberry Christmas Holiday Boutique...
Have a great day...looking forward to hearing from you...
Blessings~
Leslie

Tanner and Colby

 

 

                                                  

Happy Monday and craft show pictures

Me at my booth

Christmas decor for your home

Christmas goodies

Hello Peeps and Happy Monday...I sure hope its a gorgeous fall day where you are...its so nice here!
I had a great craft show that I did on Saturday...so nice to visit with people and see what they are looking for when it comes to Christmas shopping and gifts.  I will share a few of my pictures from that day!
Blessings~
Leslie

A Sneek Peek to my world of crafting

Good Morning Peeps~
I have a collage of pictures that I want to share with you.
This is just a sample of my creations that are in the making for
my upcoming shows.  I love this time of year, but am amazed at how
quickly the Christmas season hits us and as crafters we have to be
ahead of the calender.
I hope you do enjoy what you see.
Have a fabulous day!
Blessings~
Leslie

Christmas floral

snowman pot

holiday wreath

snowman floral

Frosty chair

snowman screen

Busy Week for crafts!

OCTOBER 23-Exeter Avenue Holiday Sampler is Saturday, October 23, 2010. Doors open at 10:00 am to 2:00 p.m. Two locations this year...Exeter Legion Hall and across the street at Exeter Senior Center. Lunch served at both locations.
This is an event that I will be at this coming Saturday!  I have been so busy making holiday crafts for this day...I hope that people will be out and about and ready to start thinking about their Christmas shopping...its hard to believe that the season is upon us...I hope you all had a great weekend.  I will post pictures later of some of the items going to Exeter and of course picture of my booth...
Blessings~
Leslie 

I am a Blessed and also a WINNER!

Good Morning Peeps~
I was pleasantly surprised this morning when I opened my emails and saw that I won these darling candy canes from The Rusty Thimble Giveaway....they will be perfect around our home for the holidays.  Its hard to imagine that we are half way into October, but as a crafter it seems that the time is spent working on Christmas decor that I have to stop and thing what season are we really in :-)  I also have felt very blessed, not that I usually don't but do you ever feel like WOW that was a blessed moment?!  I have a very good chance at a secretary job for an attorney and I am so praying that this opportunity works out...it would be such great hours for our family and I would feel like I am contributing so much more than I already do.  In the mean time I am making crafts right and left..I have a show on the 23rd and then our BIG family boutique on Nov. 6th...so as I look at the calender time is going quickly...with that I need to get back into my craft room...while the ideas are HOT...
Hope you have a wonderful day and that you too feel blessed about something special today.
Blessings~
Leslie

Happy Monday...along with some pictures of my craft weekend

Hope you all had a great weekend.  To think its October now...how September blew out of here.  I love this time of year, so many things to be thankful for and it also means that my craft room is buzzing with ideas for upcoming shows...speaking of that I want to share with you some pictures from a Harvest event that I had a booth at...it was so nice...It was in a gorgeous white old barn..it sure set the feeling of fall and Harvest time.   I did really well along with meeting alot of nice people and a chance to see what people are looking for for future sales and holiday gift ideas.
I hope you enjoy these pictures and have a blessed day.
Leslie

Me at my fall booth

Rustic autumn star

Primitives and gifts in a jar

Scarecrow chair

old window frame with rustic wreath

More goodies for sale

old screen panel that works great for display

Last of September!

Good Morning Peeps...This is the prettiest day yet...I love the cool crisp morning...I have so much energy when its this nice...Can you believe that this is the last day of September..wow to think that October is knocking at our door...I have a craft show to do this Sunday at a place called Prairie Loft..they are having their Harvest Celebration, so vendors can come and display their wares..I will post some pictures next week...I also want to wish my dad a very HAPPY 84th Birthday...he is a great man and lives life so good...
I had better close with a saying that I use every day in my life..."Every day may not be good, but there's something good in every day."
Have a good day!
Blessings~
Leslie

I have a winner!

Happy Fall everyone! Today does feel like fall here, its raining and about 65 degrees.  I have a winner of my autumn giveaway its Judy of prim2pink.blogspot.com..I am so happy that this is going to you...CONGRATS!  If you can send me your mailing info. I will get this on its way...I best get back into my craft room...there are so many things to be made....
Have a great day!
Blessings~
Leslie

2 DAYS LEFT TILL MY GIVEAWAY COULD BE YOURS!

Good Morning Blogging Friends~
I hope that more of you sign up for my autumn giveaway that ends this Thursday...First day of Fall.
It was an awesome weekend..like I told in my last post, 2 of my close friends and I went to a craft show in Hillsboro KS, and had a blast...I got so many neat things to fix up and refurbish...along with a couple of fun things for our home...it was hot that day but it never stopped our shopping.  I have 2 events coming up in October, so I have plenty to keep me busy.  With that I think my glue gun is calling my name...have a great day!
Blessings~
Leslie

Happy Friday....

Happy Friday Peeps...I hope you are have a great day...any special weekend plans?  I have the most awesome day planned tomorrow..2 of my very dear friends and I are traveling to Hillsboro KS for the craft shows of all craft shows...Its in an awesome town of 2900 people....its on the square of their downtown and there are over 400 vendors...now let me tell you..you will find more prims, jewelry, seasonal, rosehips, candles, clothing etc....then at any other crafts show that I have been to before...its all outside and the atmosphere is to die for....yummy food, music and lots of girl time...so if you are in the area and have nothing to do..this is the place to be...I can't wait to see what I find this year...I get so many ideas and then when I come home, my mind is spinning.   I do hope that whatever you do this weekend, that you enjoy every minute of it.... Don't forget to sign up for the autumn giveaway that ends next Thursday....
Blessings~
Leslie

Autumn Giveaway that ends September 23rd...

Happy Day Peeps...I am sorry that I promised to have my giveaway posted a few days ago, but time has gotten away...so better late than never.  I am offering a fall giveaway with a few things that I hope will find a home in your home....an old bottle with autumn prims, a small shelf sitting pumpkin, sunflower votive, and a gooseberry patch address book...  The giveaway will end in 1 week September 23rd....which happens to be the first day of fall....all that I ask from you is to be a follower of mine....its that simple....I wish you all the luck and I hope that today is a great day for you...I need to run now...I have a few more projects to do then off to my daughters volleyball game...GO BOBCATS!
Blessings~
Leslie

Giveaway starts tomorrow..so stay tuned!

Hello Peeps~
Hope you are having a good Monday.  The weekends sure go fast....I am offering another Autumn Giveaway...but it starts tomorrow...so I hope you will come back and sign up for it...the kids have had a month of school and its hard to believe that its the middle of September....This Saturday 3 friends and I are going to Hillsboro KS for a wonderful craft event...its on the street of this neat town and there are close to 400 vendors....I have gone several times and each time I go back its like the first.  I get so many ideas and find some awesome gifts for those special people in my life.  Well I am getting tired and need to relax before I retire for the day....I hope you will pop over to my blog tomorrow and see what my giveaway is...Until then good nite and sweet dreams.
Blessings~

Leslie

Happy Labor Day!

Good Morning Peeps~It is a gorgeous morning here in Nebraska...I hope where ever you are it is just this nice too!  Our family is getting ready to head to the Nebraska State Fair...we are so looking forward to seeing all the sights!  Its also the first college football game of the season!  GO BIG RED!  I LOVE THE HUSKERS!  I am going to be having a September giveaway...I will post what it is next week...I think some of you no ALL of you will want to sign up on this one....so with that I need to get going!  Have a wonderful long weekend and remember to not LABOR on Labor Day!
Blessings~
Leslie

Happy September!

Greetings Peeps~
A fresh new month is upon us and with that I have Autumn Fever.  First, we had a terrible storm this morning...heavy rain, high winds, and ALOT of hail...so needless to say my yard looks bad...leaves and stick everywhere along with our soybean fields are not looking too good....stripped the foliage...so we will have to have our insurance agent come out and see what we can salvage...such a shame as my husband just remarked how good those beans looked, and at least not all of our crops did get damaged.   So with that I decided that I could sit all day and ponder with the idea of what are we going to do or get busy and decorate our home for the new season..so I did and it made me feel great...I cleaned and cleaned and decorated all over.  I would love to show you some of the areas throughout our home...hope you enjoy.  Hope you are having a great week!

Blessings~
Leslie

Gorgeous Day in Nebraska!

Hello Peeps~Today is the most gorgeous day in this wonderful state we live in...we got a 2 inch rain and have 75 degree temps...doesn't get any better than that!  I have AUTUMN fever like no other...our summer has been soooo HOT and humid that it takes the energy right out from you.  I have been busy in my craft room...lots of fall crafts being made....I have 2 fall craft shows that I am doing in the next 2 months so its exciting to see all my new creations coming alive.  With the kids in school now, my"free" time is well spent.  I am also looking forward to decorating for FALL around our house, as the cleaning needs to get done anyhow and what better way to do it then to take everything down and put out the rich fall colors!
I hope that you are having a good day wherever you are and that the change of seasons is upon your heart like it is mine!
Have a great rest of your week!
Blessings~

Leslie

Have a good weekend!

Hello Blogging Peeps!  Hope you have had a good week!  I know that I have had a good one and am anxious to have my kids home after their first full week of school.  I don't know if you are aware of a wonderful woman, Joyce Meyer, well she is into Ministry and has opened my heart and eyes to a new way of life!  I have read many of her books and listened to numerous cds, and this lady has not had the easiest life, but through her teachings and life experiences she has grown and now can help teach us.  I appreciate her daily shows and TRY to use her teachings in my life.  The messages are easy but yet we fail to often.  I hope that if you have some spare time to search her out and see what she can do for you...its amazing how she has inspired me!  
What are your big plans this weekend?  We have a wedding tomorrow and then on Sunday I canning salsa...so looking forward to that!  I hope what ever you do spend it with family and try to do something positive!  It sure helps when you have a good attitude!
Blessings~
Leslie 

I have a Winner!

Good Afternoon and Happy Monday Peeps!
I have a winner of my August Giveaway, its Donna at
sweetprairiedwellings.blogspot.com.....I am anxious for her to receive it and to enjoy all that she gets.

My kiddos are off to their exciting new school year, its hard to believe that its their first day back..where did summer go.  I can't wait for all the stories that come home....so with that I will leave you with a picture of them...I already miss them!
Blessings~
Leslie