Ready to Ring!

Oh my!  I really need to introduce you to someone
who is very near and dear to my heart!!

MEET JUNIPER!!

Is Juniper just melting your heart already???
He sure has mine!!

This is a delightful creation of my friend and amazing artist
Michelle Palmer!  I purchased this little guy last year because
it was love at first sight!! 

He brings me such joy all year
through...I just can't put him in with all the other Christmas
stuff. 

He's my buddy and always makes me smile no matter
what!! 

Just look at that adorable little grin!

He is here to announce that we are ready to ring in the
fantastic new year full of hope and promise~~~2011!!!

Being that he is a snowman he does it with Silver Bells!!  HA!

Juniper, my new little Christmas birdy, and I, all wish
you a new year filled with the JOY OF THE LORD!!

May He be your strength and your delight as you commit
your year to Him and seek to walk in His ways!!

BIG, CHILLY, {Brrrr} sunny Florida  hugs and love!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Warmth of the Season

You all amaze me so!  Thank you so much for
your love, encouragement, prayers, and support! 
Your sweet comments always touch my heart!

We all love a fire's glow, and how it warms
us through and through...

And we love candlelight that gives a room warmth,
and makes everything it casts it's glow on look so lovely...

But oh the warmth of the love of family at Christmas time!

Here is Sam and her family!  We took this photo
out in the woods of north Florida where we stopped
on our way home to tend to the hunting area.

I can't tell you how wonderful it is to have them back here!
We have had lots of time together already, and I am so
looking forward to Christmas with all of our girls on Saturday!

I'll be posting a photo our four girls as soon as I can get it
from Birdy.  It was taken on her I- phone.  Can't wait to show
you all!

Here Emily just had to get up into the Cozy Condo
and do some sweeping!  Too cute!

And coming out...























May will be here before you know it, and little
Miss Em' will become a big sister! 

We are all so excited!  Everyone thinks it's a boy!
That would be a first in the Stewart family
and Grandpa will be beside himself if God blesses us
with a little grandy boy!! Of course, he will be
delighted with a sweet, cuddly girl, too!!




God is continually teaching me about the significance of family.

The family is one of only two ordained by God institutions...
the other being the church.

So, from that alone we can know that family is of the utmost
importance to Him!

As our family gathers to celebrate the glory of the birth
of our Lord,

we gather as a bunch of imperfect people, that sometimes
take each other for granted, hurt one another's feelings,
make mistakes we're sorry for, are at different places
in our walks with God, but as a FAMILY...

a family ordained by God, for His purposes, that love
each other through it all, and that hopefully, hopefully...
will make God smile sometimes,
and fulfill at least some of the purposes He has put us here for!

The love and warmth of family...
sometimes
the hardest hurts,
most often
the deepest love,
the greatest blessings.

May you feel the wonderful joy and
warmth of family this Christmas...
and know the everlasting JOY
of being part of the
FAMILY OF GOD.

Merry Christmas to you all!

I praise You, Lord, for my friends, and thank You
for loving us so much that you sent your Son, Jesus,
at just the right time, to save us each from our sin!


Sending love and snuggly hugs!!

HOLLA TO MY SISTAS!!!

WOW...SO HOW ARE ALL MY SISTAS OUT THERE DOING???

I have been missing each of you so very much!!

Sending you all...

((((((((((BIG SQUISHY HUGS))))))))))

AND SMILES!!!!  ;o)

 

{photos from Country Living}

Thank you for sharing in the joy of having my girl Sam

and her family back home!  It was a beautiful, safe trip
and they are beginning to get nestled in to enjoy this

MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!!!

I get a bit melancholy at this time of the year ever since my
parents passed away, but at the same time, I get so filled
up with JOY for the blessing of knowing the wonderful,
mighty Christ whose birth we celebrate at every year's end.

What an amazing gift God gave to us!  Pondering what this

season is really all about always gives me renewed joy,
renewed sense of purpose, and a vision that will carry me

into the new year ready to impact the world for HIM.

I read a quote the other day that said this:

Be careful what you do today...

Because you will be spending a
day of your life doing it!

Such wisdom!  I can't remember where I read it, but
I love it, and I want to make my days count for something
that will last!!!  You know...

to infinity eternity and beyond!!!
{couldn't resist!}

I am more determined than I ever have been to further

deepen my walk with my Lord, and to let His love flow
freely through me to all I come in contact with.

"Stuff" is continually diminishing in importance to me, and
I am finding  unbelieveable contentment in abiding in His
presence, and focusing on things that really matter to Him.

I still have so very much to learn about this amazing
God and His plan for my life.  So as I enjoy the fun
and festivities of this 2010 Christmas season,

deep inside

I am feeling a calling...
a compelling....

to be intentional and fill the days of
2011 with thanksgiving, praise, prayer,
and worship to my Lord,
and to walk joyfully, and confidently, by faith
wherever He may lead.  Amen and amen.


Sending love across the miles to you!!!
Know that you are always close in thought
even if I can't get around to visit with you!

Please click on that darling little
picture at the top of my sidebar! 
There is still time to help CLIFF!!

Friday is The Day!!

Friday is the day our Sam and her family will be back in Florida!!

Just in time to celebrate the joy of Christmas with us!!!

YIPPEE!!

My mother's heart is soooo full!
Can't wait to give them all big, huge hugs!!

Emily I'm sure has grown like a weed in the last 6 months!
She sounds so much more grown up on the phone!

What a wonderful Christmas present!

{photo from Country Living}

All you grammies out there know what I'm talking about!

Grandchildren add this dimension to your life that brings
unspeakable joy!  And the fact that Sam is also bringing our second
grandy home in the "cooker"  just delights my soul even more!

Next May we will be blessed by his/her arrival!  Great birthday present
for me, huh? Happy Birthday to me!! {smile}

Just had to share my joy with you this morning!
Please pray for safe travel for everyone!!

Have a wonderful day, and know how very much
I appreciate each of you!!

Happy Cyber Monday!!

Hi Sweet Friends!!

I hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving and a lovely weekend!!
We sure did! 

I had my hunk of a hubby home with me from Tuesday through
tonight, and we've had such a good time!!
I am really kind of sad that he has to go back to work tomorrow!

My brother Doug and his sweet wife popped by for a visit...what
a joy! 

We finished Ran's time off with a trip to Renningers in Mt. Dora.
It's a HUGE flea market and antique venue that neither one of
us can get enough of!  He found some camo burlap for the Cozy
Condo hunting shack!!  Guess I'll be making some camo curtains!!
{smile...really!!!}

I got a few sweet deals that will show up in my
Junk to Joy Shop tomorrow!

I have added bunches of vintage to the shop
and a few more Christmas items with more to come!!

AND THEN THERE IS CYBER MONDAY!!

Cyber Monday is the equivalent to Black Friday except it is
in cyber space!

All of your favorite retailers and, of course, my shop will be
offering some great deals!

Junk to Joy Shop is offering 15%
off of everything in stock!!

My sale begins tonight at midnight and goes through midnight Wednesday
November 31st!!!  Hope you'll pop in and browse around!! 

JUST USE COUPON CODE CYBERMONDAY2010 at checkout!!

I add new items daily so check back often!!

I hope you have a wonderful week!


Sending big hugs to you!  I will try to visit everyone over
the next few days!!

BLACK FRIDAY 2010

Just thought I'd spread some
holiday cheer with a fun
Black Friday sale at
JUNK TO JOY SHOP! 


15% off all items thru midnight Friday!!
Coupon Code BLACK FRIDAY2010

Come join the fun!!


Hope your Thanksgiving was FAB!! 
Ours was!!  Thank You Lord!!

OH YEAH!!!

Join Junk to Joy Shop on Facebook
for shop sales and updates!!

Cup of JOY~~Heart of Thanks

    {photos from Country Living}


Thanksgiving comes around once a year,
and it is an absolutely delightful time to gather round
our tables with family and friends, and reflect
and share our many blessings. But our thankfulness for all we are able
to enjoy in this life, and even for our trials, should be given to God
each and every day!!

One thing I have truly come to understand in recent years in
a big way is that...

a thankful heart = a joyful heart

When we allow God to show us how truly blessed we are, even amidst
life's trials, He cultivates a deep sense of JOY in our spirits!  The kind of
JOY that no circumstance can rob from us. 


Who wouldn't want that kind of JOY??


So, do you ever find yourself feeling a loss of joy? 

Find something...anything...to thank God for!
Maybe that you have clean running water, maybe that you
can put your hand on your chest and feel your heart beat,
or breathe in your next breath! 

I heard it said once:

The more you thank God for what you have,
the more you will have to thank God for!!

This doesn't mean money, but it certainly could include
it if God wanted to do that.  What it refers to primarily is love,
joy, peace, hope, all the wonderful gifts of God to His children!

I hope you'll join me in making a list of at least 25 things to
give God thanks for!  We have way too many blessings to number!

Lets make a habit, together, of lavishing our thanksgiving on God
everyday of the year and just see how He multiplies JOY back to us!!


I give thanks for each of you;
how you touch my life,
and the lives of those you know and love!!

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!!!

Love to you all!

WE HAVE 3 WINNERS!

WOOHOO!!!

ALL THE NAMES IN THE...

VINTAGE FRENCH TART PAN...

OOO-LA-LA!!

THAT IS FOR SALE IN MY ETSY
{I'm such a salesman, huh???  LOL!}

AND THE NAMES DRAWN BY MY
WONDERFUL ASSISTANT ARE:

YAY FOR:

Janette of Janette's Sage
Valerie of Traveling Through
And Christine of JOY of 8!!!
(soon to be 9!)

Each of these ladies are real blessings to me!
You can find them in my sidebar!!  Hope you'll go
visit them and get to know them if you don't already!!

I will need an email and mailing address for each of you who won!!!
Email it to junktojoyshop@yahoo.com!!! Thank you!!


This was sooo much fun!  I'll be having one more before Christmas!!

Keep a watch on my shop, won't you?

I'm adding things daily!!

Whew! It Really Has Sprouted Wings!!!

I am running like this...

Against this...

And look what happened!!
















WOW!!  Do you ever have this happen to you??

AND...my creative juices...well let's just say they are... hmmm...

Not gushing like I need them to!

Must. Take. Time. To. Breathe.{ Hee-hee-hoo-hoo}{smile}

I don't have pictures of the third giveaway, but it will
be a wonderful handmade creation of mine!!

SO...five comments equals five chances to win!!

ANNOUNCING 3 WINNERS TOMORROW!!

Back to the race!! 

Have a fantastic day!

Big Fat Greek...SALAD!

There is a local restaurant that sells the most wonderful Greek salads.

They have, however, gotten to be very pricey!!  So I set about
making my own!!

I LOVE Greek salad and looked online for a recipe for the vinaigrette.
I knew what to put in it the salad, just needed a good dressing.

Well I found it and Sunday evening this was our dinner:

It was sooo wonderful!

We all like different things in ours,
so I put the lettuce, feta and salami in
each bowl and had the other ingredients
in separate bowls so we could make it
our way.

The basics of the Greek Salad we love are:

Shredded Boston lettuce
Good quality salami (I used DiLusso Genoa from WalMart. Better
flavor than Boar's Head and no MSG!)
(1/4" thick slices cut in 1" lengths)
Crumbled feta cheese
Kalamata olives (these were presliced)
Thinly sliced cucumber
Thinly sliced red (purple) onion

The vinaigrette recipe I used

1/2 c red wine vinegar
1 large clove minced garlic
2 T minced fresh parsley
1T dried oregano leaves
1/4 t salt (or to taste)
1/4 t cracked pepper
2/3 c Extra Virgin Olive Oil

I added:

2 T lemon juice
2 T sugar

Shake together all ingredients except olive
oil to blend.  Then add oil, shake til blended
and use to taste.

Use the dressing sparingly.  A little goes far!

I made garlic wedges from fresh "Everything" bread
and garnished my salad with freshly ground pepper.

YUM YUM!!

Let me know if you try it!!

More giveaway later this evening!
Love you lots!!

Cup of Joy~~Viral Infection! Giveaway Part Deux

HAPPY MONDAY YA"LL!

Is it a great day to be alive or what??

How's your cup this morning?

 Remember I told you about that fantastic book I found?

"Unleashing the Power of JOY"!!!???

by Dale Crawshaw

This book is so encouraging!  He gives Biblical examples
of people who found joy amidst all different types of
circumstances!! 

DEFINITELY MY KIND OF BOOK!

He says we are contagious!  Yep, we have a virus!

A glorious spiritual virus inside that everyone around
us needs to catch!!!  All of us who have been saved
by the grace of God are infected!!!

There are so many people
walking around that need
you to share a little, delicious
taste of your JOY with them!!

In order to be viral with joy, we have to walk in the victory
and freedom that Christ has given to His children!

We must look for the miraculous and the blessings
in each day instead of focusing on things that may make us feel defeated,
or depressed.

This just in....WE ALL HAVE PROBLEMS TO DEAL WITH
AND TRIALS TO FACE!! 

HOW we face them is our choice!!

When we face our problems and day to day challenges
with our focus squarely on Christ
and all He has done for us, we cannot help but be
filled with JOY and make people wonder how we
could possibly be doing so well!!!

Then we will feel that wonder and sense of awe and JOY
that will make us so contagious that everyone around us will be infected!!

WE MUST CHOOSE TO WALK IN JOY!!!

AND THEN GO OUT INTO OUR WORLD AND
SPREAD OUR SPIRITUAL VIRUS TO EVERYONE WE COME 
IN CONTACT WITH!!

NOW DON'T JUST SIT THERE!!

GO INFECT SOMEONE!!
Oh!!!  Read this before you log off!!



PART DEUX OF MY
BLOGAVERSARY GIVEAWAY!!

A $25 gift card to my Junk to JOY Shop!!!

I will have my Christmas Frosting Collection almost all
listed by Sunday!! And then a little of spring
and summer and always some fun vintage finds!!

You can use it whenever you would like all the way up to
May 1, 2011!!  Great deal, huh?

AND THE SHIPPING IS FREE!!

I just love you all so much!  It is just a blast
doing something fun like this for you!

You know you make my day...

ALL THE TIME!!!  {big smile!!}

 I have one more giveaway to post, and then I will 

announce the winners on Thursday morning!!

Love ya!!  

Thrifty DIY Gift Idea Anyone Can Make! Really!!

I promised you a wonderful gift idea that anyone can
make on the cheap, or more expensively!!!

Well here ya go!!

Some months ago I had the privilege of attending a wonderful

party where I had the pleasure of meeting my lovely

blog friend, Jeanne, at Backyard Neighbor.  She made

 pretty pedestal plates for everyone present and this is mine:

I absolutely love it!  It travels from my bar to my workspace,
and I put everything from birds to muffins, to pears to
you name it on it, and it makes me smile!!   {Love you Jeanne!)
I found the dome at Goodwill and
was delighted to see that it fit perfectly!

WELL, these are so neat, and can be made with very
little expense!!

You only need three items to make one!  Pretty and inexpensive
plates and candlesticks can be found at Goodwill, Habitat
for Humanity, almost any thrift store.  Or you can buy new ones
at Home Goods, Target, WalMart etc...

You can spend as much or little as you want! Literally!
Some are found for as little as $.20-$1.00 a piece!!!

Supplies:

Plate
Candlestick {I prefer the ones that have a little wider, more
 stable base}
Glue { I used E6000 {strong odor that does go away,
but Gorilla Glue or any heavy duty
glue will work, just check the label to be sure!}

It doesn't get ANY EASIER than this sweeties!

Wash and completely dry candlestick and plate.

Turn the plate upside down, run a good amount of glue
around the rim of the end of the candlestick that
the candle goes in, find the center of
the plate, and glue the candlestick to it!

Press firmly, but not too hard! 
You don't want to break the plate!

A 5 year old could do this for a gift for Grandma!!
{with a little help of course}

I applied a bit of weight to keep it in place while it
dried.  Allow it to dry for at least 24 hours, and

WELLA!!!

Wonderful centerpiece!

I threw this together quickly,
and it still looks  pretty good, huh?
Imagine what it could look like if I
actually took some time with it!

You can also use them for serving food, candles, tablescaping
with favorite things, vignettes...the possibilites are endless!!

The little domes are from cheese platters and also can be found
for a song at thrift stores!

Here is my plate trio without any decor

They don't look straight because of the angle, but they are!!
I used 3 of the same plates, and then 3 different size and style
candlesticks!

Another shot along with a fourth pedestal made with a vintage
silver plate candlestick, and vintage English stoneware:

ARE YOU EXCITED, AND ON YOUR
WAY TO BUY PLATES AND CANDLESTICKS?

If not, you can purchase this lovely trio from my Etsy shop!!

I will be making more, in different colors and combos, too!
Too much fun!!

I really hope you make one of these...you will want to make
many more, I guarantee!!

Have a praise-filled Sunday, gals!!
Love ya!

Posting part two of my giveaway tomorrow!!   Your comments
enter you for all of the prizes!!!  Up to five comments total allowed! YEAH!!!!

A Special Announcement and a Surprise!

Only thirteen days left!  How is your

THANKFUL-O-METER???

 

 



I am still just shocked that the holiday season is upon us!

But, it is a wonderful time of the year, and one I will
always look forward to!  Just have to slow down,
soak it all in, and enjoy every moment!

I have to tell you, my heart is so overflowing with thankfulness!

Remember when I said our oldest daughter and her family
moved...about 6 months ago...and that I was praying for God's
will and not for my own {of course He did know what I wanted}
{smile}

WELL, not only are they moving back to Florida...

in 3 weeks....

SHE ALSO HAS A BISCUIT IN THE OVEN!!

YES, A SECOND GRANDY ON THE WAY!!!

IS GOD AMAZING OR WHAT????

I'm telling you, my heart is just soooo full with thanks for so
many things! 

He has answered so many prayers, and yet some still haven't come
into fruition yet...with the emphasis on YET!!  But that is fine and
dandy...it helps me exercise my faith muscle!!  And I don't ever
want to have weak faith!  Thank you Lord, for all of life's challenges,
that are merely opportunities for growing to be more like You!!

OK, MORE SURPRISES!!  ISN'T THIS FUN???

I have decided to have a few different giveaways!!!  More opportunities 
to win!!  WOOHOO!!  Gotta LOVE that!!

The first one is for one of these babies!!!!

 











How does a little extra cash in your purse sound?
Like cha ching??!!

I am extending the giveaway period to next Wednesday!

All you have to do is comment to be entered!

THE ONLY RULE is that you are only allowed 5 entries!

I'll be posting giveaway #2 this weekend and then there will

be a THIRD giveaway Monday evening!!


AND TOMORROW FOR ALL OF YOU who think
you are not creative, and can't make anything...

I have the most perfect DIY gift idea that ANYONE can do and best of all...

IT IS SO INEXPENSIVE AND LOVELY!!

Have a wonderful evening and keep
commenting for more chances to win!!

I Haven't Forgotten!!

Happy Thursday Sweet Friends!!

I have not forgotten about my giveaway!!

I will have at least part of it up by the end of the
day today or tomorrow!

Please come back and enter some more! 
The only rule is that each comment counts as
an entry, and you are allowed up to five!!

I really want some dried hydrangeas this color!!
(Sidenote**Christmas...only 7 weeks!  How can it 
be?  This year is the fastest by far!)


In my hunt for vintage treasures for my shop,
I came across two books that are so wonderful
I just have to share them with you!!

One is titled "Hilltop Verses and Prayers"
and the other is "Unleashing the Power of JOY"!

Don't they both sound yummy??

I will be sharing excerpts from the JOY one on
Monday Morning Cup of JOY,
and will share the other from time to time in
regular blog posts.

Here is the first verse of a poem called "SHEER JOY".
written by Ralph Spaulding Cushman

Oh the sheer joy of it!
  Living with Thee,
God of the universe,
  Lord of a tree,
Maker of mountains,
  Lover of me!




How precious!  More to come!
Have a joyful day!!