What a Great Weekend!

Keith and I had family visiting us at the Lake of the Ozarks and their visit is a family tradition. We have watched all the kids grow up through the years and it has been a blast.

Each year, the kids are constantly on the jet ski, in the water and asking Keith for boat rides. Aside from being little lake fish, the kids enjoy my breakfast pizza which I make for them every time without fail.

Over the years, we have made many traditions as well as memories that always make me chuckle. This year there were some mischievous activities going on throughout the weekend. There was the usual bugging of the kids and parents, but the biggest prank pulled was on the last day the family was here. We had all just woken up when we found that the girls' swimsuits were all frozen in a ball in the freezer. Knowing that the swimsuits couldn't have done that by themselves, we started lining up the culprits. Keith seemed the most capable of pulling such a prank. Whenever we asked him if he did it, he smiled and simply said "I didn't do it." So bravo, whoever made the first move. We will see how someone feels when the favor is returned.

Wrapping it all up, it was a great weekend with many memories made. There is that saying, "you can't pick family." Though this may be true, I sure am glad with the family we got stuck with. Family are the people that will be there through the thick and thin, making priceless moments along the way that will always leave a smile on your face. Here's to a good weekend, we can't wait for another family visit next year!

Here is a peak at the infamous swimsuit ball...

 

 

 

 

 

 





Linda is the author of this post. To learn more about the doughlady, click here!

6 Months Until Christmas!

Do you realize 6 months from today will be Christmas day! Here's some fun trivia to get you thinking about the holiday season. Get your pen and paper ready to see how much you know about Christmas. (answers below)


1. What did Frosty the Snowman have for a nose?
                    a. button
                    b. carrot
                    c. a piece of coal

2. How many gifts would you receive if you received all of the gist in the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas?"
                    a. 12
                    b.182
                    c. 364

3. In the traditional song, "Go tell it on the Mountain," what are you suppose to go tell on the mountain?
                    a. Santa Claus is coming to town
                    b. Our Jesus Christ is born!
                    c. Dinner is ready

4. True or False: Joseph was the one that told Mary she was going to have a baby.
                    False: It was an Angel that told Mary the news!

5. How many times does Santa Check his list?
                    a. once
                    b. twice
                    c. 10 times

6. It would have been a laugh to see Mommy doing what last night?
                    a. Kissing Santa Claus
                    b. Baking Cookies
                    c. Singing Christmas carols

7. On the eleventh day of Christmas, what did my true love send to me?
                    a. A dozen roses
                    b. A box of chocolates
                    c. Eleven Pipers Piping

8. Santa Claus is said to bring gifts to good children. What do naughty children get?
                    a. a rock
                    b. bag of dirt
                    c. a lump of coal

9. The "traditional" portrait of the American Santa Claus was created by artist Haddon Sundblom as part of an advertising campaign for what product?
                    a. Coca-Cola
                    b. Fisher Price toys
                    c. Raggedy Ann dolls

10. One of the most popular Christmas stories of all time is "A Christmas Carol," the story of businessman Ebenezer Scrooge who changes his miserly ways after being visited by ghostly beings on Christmas eve. Who is the author of the book?
                    a. Henry James
                    b. Charles Dickens
                    c. Mark Twain

11. According to the poem "Twas the Night Before Christmas," which of the following names is NOT attributed to one of Santa's reindeer?
                    a. Donder
                    b. Vixen
                    c. Rudolph

12. A plant used in decorating for Christmas is the "Noche Buena" flower. What is it commonly know as in North America?
                    a. Mistletoe
                    b. Holly
                    c. Poinsettia

13. The legend of Santa Claus, the jolly old elf who brings Christmas gifts to good little boys and girls, evolved from the European custom of celebrating the life of a saint known as a generous man and protector of children. Who was he?
                    a. Saint Klaus
                    b. Saint Nicholas
                    c. Saint Christopher

14. The portrayal of Santa Claus as a jolly old elf began with a famous poem originally know as "A Visit from Saint Nicholas." What other title is the poem know as?
                    a. Twas the Night Before Christmas
                    b. A Christmas Carol
                    c. When Santa Claus Comes


** I will be headed to the Atlanta Market in a couple of weeks. Check back the end of July for "What's new in 2013!"





Answers: 1. (A )Button, 2. (C) 364 presents 3. (B) Santa Claus is Coming to Town 4. False: It was an Angel that told Mary the news! 5. (B) Twice 6. (A) Kissing Santa Claus 7. (C) Eleven Pipers Piping 8. (C) A Lump of Cole 9. (A) Coca-Cola 10. (B) Charles Dickens 11. (C) Rudolph 12. (C) Poinsettia 13. (B) Saint Nicholas 14. (A) Twas the Night Before Christmas



Linda is the creator of this post. To learn more about the doughlady, click here!

Personalized Memorial Ornament

I want to introduce a new personalized memorial ornament I have created with care and compassion. "In Our Hearts Forever" memorial ornament is expertly personalized to celebrate the life of a deceased loved one. When hung on the Christmas tree each year it will bring comfort and memories of that family member or friend and will be a cherished keepsake. It's a way to keep their memory alive during the holidays and all year long.

Beautifully handcrafted of clay, decoratively painted and hand dipped to give it a glossy shine. I includes a sheer white ribbon for easy display.

It can be personalized with the deceased loved ones name, birth and death dates or maybe you want to make it more personal and add "Husband, Dad and Grandpa" or "Wife, Mom and Grandma." There are so many ways to personalize to honor that special person.

I have been giving a memorial ornament at the visitation attached to the plant or arrangement or attached to the memorial envelope. It makes a meaningful keepsake.

The older I get, the more I realize we need to stop and remember the people we hold most dear.

Linda is the creator of this post. Wanna know more about the doughlady? Click here:)

How To Make An Easter Family Ornament Tree

What a cute, fun and easy Easter ornament tree to make! It has made a great centerpiece for my Easter holiday table. I am excited to share this with you...so let's get started!!

I used a tall, round clear vase (recycled from some flowers I received) and filled half full with clear marbles from Hobby Lobby. I tied a green with white polka dot ribbon around the vase and made a big bow. I added a clear jeweled brad to the center of the bow to give it that classy touch. I purchased five green flower branches from Hobby Lobby (when they were 50% off) and snipped off the bottoms as needed. I arranged them in the vase so it was full and I had plenty of room to tie the ornaments on.

Next I made the photo ornaments. I chose to put my children and grandchildren on my tree.

Supplies needed:

2 1/2 x 3 inches rectangle wood pieces (I found mine at Hobby Lobby)
Pretty spring scrapbook paper
Embellishments such as stones, brads, buttons and ribbon
Small photos of your family
ModPodge
Adhesive
Scissors
A drill to drill holes through the top of the wood pieces

First, I painted the edges of the wood rectangles with white paint. Then I cut out the photos and the paper. I layered each wood piece and paper, positioning the photos until I was happy. I used the adhesive to glue together. I embellished each one to make them fun and whimsical. I drilled a small hole in the top and added a thin coat of matte ModPodge to the top for a finished look. After drying, I added a ribbon for hanging.

I hung each picture ornament on the tree and then added some small glitter Easter eggs (in the seasonal section at Hobby Lobby) to complete the tree. What a cute classy decoration this makes for Easter.

My grandchildren love to visit and see their picture hanging on our tree. It gives me a chance to talk to them about Easter and why we celebrate this holiday...not just for the Easter Bunny, colored eggs and candy but because Jesus died on the cross for us, arose to Heaven and if we believe we will meet Jesus in Heaven someday.

Do you have any favorite decorating ideas or holiday traditions for Easter? We would love to see or hear your ideas.

Happy Crafting and Happy Easter!!

Linda is the author of this post. Wanna know more about the doughlady? Click here:)

Do You Have a Favorite or Meaningful Ornament?

This past year as I was hanging my ornaments on my Christmas tree, I tried to pick out my most favorite or meaningful ornaments. Wow, that was hard!! I have several favorites but I have one ornament that stood out as my most meaningful.

In the mid 1980's I had a dear friend, Connie Awbrey, that received a diagnosis of cancer. She had three small daughters and a husband. A group of her friends got together and would take turns helping her out during chemotherapy treatments with cooking meals, watching the girls and offering support. It was very tough because we were the same age and I had two small daughters. I just couldn't imagine what she was going through.

For Christmas that year, Connie made each of us a cinnamon dough ornament.

The following year she lost her battle with cancer. That ornament became very precious to me. Each year I decorate my tree I always think of her. This past year her oldest daughter and her children joined our church. When I pulled out my ornaments, I felt I wanted to give that ornament to her daughter. I explained her mother had made it and given it to me as a gift. I asked if she would like to have it for her tree, she was touched! It has now become a meaningful ornament to her daughter...a little something of her mother. Even though I won't have that ornament to hang as I decorate my tree each year I will always remember Connie.

Just remember that some of the smallest and simplest ornaments given with love can become cherished memories.

Giving Gifts with Heart and Style

Good things come in all sorts of packages. Presenting them in creative and thoughtful ways can be fun and easy. Taking an imaginative approach in wrapping a gift will ensure your present is one they want to open first. Add an extra layer of personality to your gift with a personalized ornament. This will reflect and create a lasting memory for the recipient.

Wrap a gift in shimmering paper, using sheer or a print ribbon to tie it all together. There are so many wonderful items you can use to decorate a gift. How about using a boa or a vintage broach. You can incorporate buttons, flowers, or even sand dollars...basically anything you can imagine can be put on a package. Just the way you add the ribbon or tie the bow can make the entire look.

 

 

A quick tip...those empty toilet paper rolls - after you have opened your roll of wrapping paper, put the toilet paper roll on the wrapping paper to keep it from unrolling!

 

 

Remember just to think about the personality of the person you are giving to and for what occasion and your gift will for sure be the one that stands out! Check out our complete line of personalized ornaments to give your gift that extra WOW! www.ornamentsforkeeps.com



How To Personalize Ornaments Creatively

Personalized ornaments are a heartwarming way to show friends and family that extra time and thought went into your gift.

Personalize to make items stand out as being unique and creative. Think of the person that is getting the ornament, what are their interests and do they have any fun sayings or quotes.

This last weekend my husband and I took a vacation to the New Jersey shore of Wildwood Crest. We have some good friends that recently purchased a beach condo. I wanted to take them something special and what better than personalized ornaments!



I chose the beach ornament. They call their beach condo "The Happy Place," what a perfect saying to personalize on the ornament.

I picked the crab and sandcastle ornament and personalized "Wildwwod Crest, NJ 2012" to commemerate their year.

The tropical drink ornament is for their daughter that recently received her PHD and personalized it "It's 5 o'clock somewhere! Dr Koz."

They loved them!

During the week, whatever question we had, Kristin (Dr Koz), had an app for that on her iPhone. All week it was "I have an app for that." Since returning home, I have personalized an iPhone ornament with "I have an app for that!" and am going to mail it to her.

It can be so much fun and also help create special memories. As I continue to personalize creative and unique ornaments this season, I will keep you updated on these great personalization ideas. Have a great week!