Christmas · Gifts

Three Things I LOVE That Would Make a Terrific, Inexpensive Gift

It’s post-Thanksgiving! Have you started that huge (overwhelming) task of buying for everyone on your Christmas list? I know some people who just have a knack for buying the perfect gift…I’m not one of those people. I struggle with this so much! If you’re like me, I thought you might appreciate a few suggestions for the women in your life that need an inexpensive little something that is super-special in my book!

  1. Bath & Body Works Bubble BathI’m always on the lookout for a good bubble bath that smells wonderful and makes the best bubbles! I found Bath & Body Works Bubble bath this year during one of their super sales. I love this stuff so much that I probably won’t ever change! There are other fragrances, but I love Rose & Vanilla! If you wanted to bump up this gift, you could include a super-soft, large bath towel.

2. Bath & Body Works Hand and Foot Cream – With all the extra handwashing and sanitizing we’re doing, hands are taking a beating. Also, those rough heels need some TLC, too, right? I apply this cream at bedtime and in the morning it feels like I’ve had a spa treatment! My skin is so much softer after application! It’s super thick so it can really penetrate through that dry skin. If you wanted to bump up this gift, you could include some cozy slippers or plush socks.

3. Hobby Lobby Pillow Slipcovers – If you want to keep your home decor to a minimum, buying slipcovers from Hobby Lobby is the way to go! They have a zipper that allows you to throw your pillow in there. That means you can put the slipcover into the wash, if needed. Aaaaand, you can snag these at 50% off if your watch their sales. I got two of these fuzzy covers for a total of $15! What? You can’t even buy one pillow for that price! I love that it adds a winter touch to my couch, but I’m not stuck with having to store a whole pillow in the warmer months!

Don’t you think these would make great gifts for a woman on your list?

Which of these three items is your favorite?

Happy shopping!

Christmas · Family life

2019 Christmas Reflections

ChristmasEve2 (1)

Our beloved Christmas holiday is past, but the memories are precious and embedded deep in my heart and mind.  I’ll highlight some of them for you so it can be my reflection for future days.

As I stated here, we enjoyed Christmas Brunch with part of our family on the 23rd.  It was delicious, fun, and memorable!

ChristmasEve3

Our menu consisted of ~ Bacon Cheddar Grits Quiche, Biscuits (made by Alli), Fried Apples, Orange Julius and Coffee. Seconds were had by all!  Yum!!

ChristmasEve1

These two cuties had so much fun opening presents this year!

ChristmasEve2

On Christmas Eve, my husband had a noon service at our church.  What a sweet time to gather and rejoice in the HOPE we have because Christ came.  This hope isn’t a wishful kind of feeling, but a confident assurance!  Afterwards we captured a couple of pictures in the foyer.

First my husband, Dale and me.

img_4984

Then my dear friend, Kellie…

img_4985

Everyone needs a friend like her!  I’ll post about that on another day.  I just know that she is a gift in herself!

We headed to Kentucky right after church to have Christmas Eve dinner and also celebrate my dad’s 87th birthday!  What  a precious time it was in my sister and brother-in-law’s home.

Ray's.jpg

My mom is doing well and looking terrific after her major surgery – another reason to celebrate!

We took a drive after dinner to see this house in Lexington all decked out for Christmas.  These kind home owners are so generous with their decorations and home!  They allow people to walk right up to the front door, greet Santa on the sidewalk, and stroll through all their decorations!  It was such a fun way to end the evening!

img_5020

The greatest reflection is Christ, our Savior Who came to be born so you and I could have eternal life!  That is a reality for every day of 2020!  No matter what comes, He is our Hope!

I pray your Christmas was a reflection of God’s love.

denise a

 

Christmas · trials

Suffering at Christmas

snowy trees

Merry Christmas to each of you! 

I pray this day finds you rejoicing and full of joy today!  However, I know that often Christmas can be so difficult.  I have been so burdened for so many folks who are suffering in one way or another this Christmas. it’s on every side. Pain, sickness, loss…so much hurting and suffering.  It may seem an awful time of year to be dealing with hard things, but as I shared on this past Saturday’s broadcast, suffering can help us realize why Christ came.  You can listen to the broadcast by clicking this link~

Suffering at Christmas

I hope this will encourage your heart today, whether it’s you that is suffering or someone you love.

Because He came,

denise a

 

Christmas · Christmas decor · Crafts · Gifts · Hostess Goals

Homemade Rae Dunn-Like Ornament

 

Rae Dunn.png

My church is hosting a Ladies’ Brunch and Ornament Exchange on Saturday morning.  I’m always up for a fun event at church where we can fellowship over good food, open God’s Word together, and share the special Christmas season!  Because we could have visitors who might not come prepared for the ornament exchange, I decided to bring some extras with me.  I wanted them to be special and pretty, but not too pricey.

I had seen some Rae Dunn ornaments that were lovely, but they were way more than I wanted to pay since I needed about six.  Then when I was Hobby Lobby this week, I got inspired to try to mimic the look of the Rae Dunn ornaments.  Let me show you my finished product then I’ll tell you how easy it was to create. Continue reading “Homemade Rae Dunn-Like Ornament”