2015 Year In Review

Well, it looks like another year goes down in history.  Soon the shouting of Happy New Year will usher in the New Year 2016.  WOW!  Where oh where does the time go?  I can't believe how fast the days, months and years pass. . .So with all that said, I thought I would look back on 2015 and savor the time I spent here at Karie's Chic Creations.  Showing you the things that I like to do. . Oh, you don't see it all, but you get a pretty good look into my life.

As I have reflected upon the past year, I realize I have been very blessed.  Of course there have been some bumps in my journey.  That is just how life it.  But, when I really think about it, I have had very few bumps in 2015.  My journey has been delightful.  I lost some very important people in my life but somehow I was able to move on, and thank the good Lord for having spent a life time with them.  

My time is spent with family, friends, and enjoying my home.  My church, my worship of my Savior Jesus Christ are very important to me.  

 Connecting with old friends and family members is something I really enjoy.  And thanks to technology I have been able to re-connect and just plain connect with so many people.

Re-connected with cherished friends from my youth.

These are the friends from my youth, and we still get together whenever we can.

I put together a HUGE Family reunion. . .Oh my what a wonderful time we had.  Over 100 cousins gathered to celebrate our wonderful heritage.  It was amazing.

Just a couple of months later, I gathered together with my other side of the family and again celebrated my heritage with the people I love the most.

I spent time in The Motherland and visited cousins, and old family houses.

I could not ask for anything more than to be with family and friends.  Isn't that what life is about?

Families and Friendships. . .they are eternal.

I also filled my days with my many hobbies and creating, and decorating.  Making my home a place of beauty.  It may be small but it my home, and I love it.  Of course the little Terrorists, Teddy and Cash helped. And most of all my children and grandchildren helped.  Oh, those Grands of mine.  How I love them.

We had a garden party.  It was officially called Help Grandma Clean Her Yard!  They loved it, but most of all I loved it.  We spent so much time, giggling, and laughing, and lots of food and good times together.  The Jackson Grands are my precious Stars.  Oh, how I love them.

All the decorating continued "smooched" in with a lot of sewing, crocheting, and having fun.  

 Stitching and crocheting, sewing and oh my a lot more!

Decorating for holidays, and whatever else I can think of.

 

I love all my "Little Things".  

 

And a little "junking" is also added to the list.  

 

So from my house to yours, I wish you all a 

HAPPY 2016!

And I hope to see you at my blog. . .I send hugs to friends who I have never met face to face, but you have become my friends none the less. And to my long time, stay with me friends and family I love you all.   I am thrilled when I see that you have visited, and left a message. Though there may be miles between us, I feel the connection.   So take good care, and God willing I will be here for more blogging for a long, long time.  

A Merry Christmas From My Home

It is Christmas Eve, and in anticipation everyone is waiting for Santa to arrive.  Including me!  This season is beautiful.  And even with all the stress and work it causes me, I love this time of year.  It truly is a Merry Christmas.  The Angels proclaimed so many thousands of years ago, A Savior is Born!

We decorate our homes, and wrap gifts.  We greet each other with a cheerful Merry Christmas.  And so it is we gather together to celebrate a sacred day. . . and sing our hymns of praise. . 

From one generation to another, the traditions are carried.  A tree, with ornaments, each reminding me of Christmas Pasts. Pictures to remind me of sweet memories.  The color red, and green are my preferred decorations for Christmas.  Carried from one generation to the next.  

The light and the shadows are unique to this time of year.  The shortest day, the long winters night.  I like the way the sun casts it beams upon the wall.  It gives me comfort, and warms my heart.  It makes me feel at home. I remember the Christmas Past with my Grandma, and how the room looked all decked out for Christmas, and the shadow of the day, and it made me feel at home.  Remembering!

The "Aunt Carol" Hutch is ready for the Christmas Season.  She is outstanding.  She is a sweet reminder to me of my dear precious Aunt Carol.  At night the glow from the little lamp warms the room, with memories of  my Aunt, who taught me so much.  She helped me grow and to learn the art of homemaking.  

The greenery, the Santa's, and the little deer peeking over the pines makes me happy to look at.  They too are reminders that God loves the earth and everything therein. . .the animals know Him, and He knows them.  If we could understand we would hear them proclaiming. . . . A Savior Is Born!

I wonder some times when I am exhausted from the hustle and bustle of the season, why, oh why do I do all of this. . .and then the day arrives, and I realize why. . .It is done with Celebration in my heart and soul. . A Savior Is Born! And I want everyone to know. . I BELIEVE! And I decorate with my Red and Green, my Santa's, my Snowmen, my little things that brings back memories. . . because of Him who was born so long ago. . .He lives, He lives. . .and I Celebrate to give glory to Him!

Merry Christmas to all. . Merry Christmas to all. . .

May the Peace of the Savior, Jesus Christ fill your homes, your families, and all those you love and care for.  For His Peace surpasses all understanding. . .He is the Light. . .He is the Way. . .He is the Living Waters.

A Savior has been born. . and His name is Jesus Christ.  

God Bless you all.

Christmas Tour of My Cousin's Home's

Hello everyone!  So happy you have stopped by.  I am happy to feature my two cousins homes.  Joan and Kim are a mother and daughter decorating duo.

 They are both so talented.  I can't express enough how much I love them both.  Joan has another daughter Alison, but I don't have pictures of Alison's home.  I am sure it is every bit as cute and decorated as these two.  Ok, let's see these Christmas Homes.

Joan has a beautiful home and at Christmas time it is even prettier.  When Joan and I were young we spent a lot of time together.  Her and her husband, Kay lived close to Lloyd and I.  We were just a couple of young married  couples, just starting our own homes.  Joan taught me a lot about decorating.  Of course we come from a family of homemakers.  Women who love their homes and love to make them pretty.  

Joan has always had the prettiest Christmas tree.  She just has that natural touch to decorating.  Actually everything she does she has the natural touch.  Joan's mother, my Aunt Madeline, was one of the sweetest people you would ever meet.  Everyone in the family loved her.  Aunt Madeline had that natural touch with what ever she did.  She was a surgical nurse, and one of the best.  So Joan and her daughters come by there beauty and natural talents through a wonderful family. 

Now, here is Kim's home.

Just as beautiful as ever.  I love her style.

Kim's Mom Joan, and I were expecting our first babies together.  I was expecting Mathew in November and Joan was expecting Kim in December.  Mathew and Kim are only 2 weeks apart.  Joan and I had so much fun having these two babies.  We spent a lot of time together, with our babies.  Mathew and Kim developed a strong cousin bond also.  They now live miles apart and seldom see each other, but their closeness is always in their hearts.

Kim's Christmas Tree

As you can see Kim is very talented and creative.  She lives in another state, and I have not been to her house.  But, I have seen many pictures, and I know how Kim is.  Talent and Creative.  Kim, has an adorable personality, cute bubbly and full of live.  Of course she comes from the same family garden.  Amazing how family traits are so strong. . .though miles may separate us, we are still very connected, and a like.  

I don't spend as much time with my cousin Joan as we have grown older.  I live a short distance from her.  But, when we do get together we have so much fun.  We practically grew up together, and I cherish the memories of our childhood, and young adulthood.  Whenever we gather as cousins we can see the similarities and the creativity we all share.  I am so thankful for cousins, and that close relationship.  

I hope you enjoyed our tour of my two cousins Christmas Homes, Joan and Kim.  I love ya.

Linking with:
A Stroll Thru Life
Cozy Little House

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

Depression And The Holidays

The Holidays can be a time of great happiness or a time of great sorrow and depression.  For those of us who suffer from depression all the time, the winter and particularly the Christmastime can be a struggle.  Sadness and loneliness can overwhelm a person and rob them of the enjoyment and happiness that Christmas is suppose to give.

I have suffered with anxiety and depression for a long, long time.  I am not an expert, but here are a few things I have found that helps me especially during this time of year.

Have realistic expectations.  Don't set yourself up for sadness.  Don't expect a lot and your won't be disappointed!  It is sad but true.  Some people just can't give emotional support, love, or happiness.  Don't expect them to.  Therefore you won't be disappointed.  

Don't "stuff" or "bury", you emotions Let go of the past.  If old traditions cause you pain and sadness, LET IT GO! Start new traditions. Grief is very personal.  Don't beat yourself up for feeling the way you do.  Cry! But then move on.

Even though you aren't in the mood, and you would rather just stay home and feel sorry for yourself.  FORCE yourself to be with other people.  You will surprise yourself at how much better you will feel if you will just get out and be with others.  Try to be with positive people.  People who understand you, and accept you but who you can laugh and have a good time with.   

Take care of yourself. Relax! Watch an uplifting movie! Eat balanced meals! Get plenty of sleep! Most of all give yourself a GIFT!  Ya, it is ok.  Give yourself something you can afford and something you would really like. Plan something you can look forward to for after the holidays.  It can be simple, and not cost much.  Just some thing that will make you happy.   It is all good!

The biggest thing I found is, when I have GRATITUDE in my heart, I feel much better mentally, and spiritually.  My depression seems to be much easier to deal with, and I am not as sad and upset.  It really is true that being THANKFUL can change the ordinary into extraordinary.  Talking about my BLESSINGS helps me to see things clearly and realize I am BLESSED beyond my own understanding.  

I hope these simple thoughts will help you if you suffer with depression at this time of year, or any other time of the year.  I have said many times Depression is a curse. . . but . . .I can be HAPPY, I can find JOY, and I can find my PEACE.

We say MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY HOLIDAYS for a reason. It is the most glorious time of the year.  It is to be embraced, and enjoyed.  It is a time. . . .TO BE HAPPY.

All images are from Google Images.

Celebrating Christmas

I love this time of year for many reasons.  All the glitz, all the glitter.  All the giving.  All the receiving.  All the lights, the decorated trees. Decorated homes, with lights and ornaments, and smells of Christmas goodies.   I love the traditions, and the family togetherness.

The cities and neighborhoods are aglow with lights.

Celebrating Christmas.

Homes a aglow with lights, warmth, and togetherness.

Beautifully decorated trees

Celebrating Christmas with beautifully decorated trees.

A tradition of Christmas.

Presents will be wrapped for loved ones.  Family and Friends

will receive and will give.  

Christmas is a time of giving.

There are many things I love about Christmas but most of all I love the Spirit it brings.  And that Spirit is the Spirit of our Savior Jesus Christ.  All the Celebrations is for Him.  It is because of Him that we receive all that we have,  even the gifts, the lights, the holiday togetherness.  

Please take time to view the video I have on my side bar. 

or click the link.

A Savior is Born.  

December

Wow! It is December.  Open the gates the fun begins.  It is a busy time of year.  Most of all it is a special time for the wonderment of all that God gives to us.

I am busy getting my house all decorated and ready for the holidays.  It is exciting for me.  I love this time of year, and I pray I can make it special for myself and for my loved ones.   As for me, I think I am in Christmas Movie overload.  I started watching them after Thanksgiving.  I love the movies, and I love the music, and I just simply love the time.  I hope you are all well, and staying warm and enjoying the the special excitement in the air.