Tuesday 31 December 2013

A Time for Reflection

This time of year is always one for reflection, for a looking back before looking forward. To check over the past year to see what was good and not so good, and then to step over into the new, to start afresh with a new page, a new year.

My word for 2013 was Embrace and I listed several intentions for the year -

to complete the course Write Now - I never got round to that
to complete Gratitude Album - well I did some more and added some of this years as well
weight loss and exercise plan - lost some then put it on again!!!
reading - I have been attending the Book Club regularly and enjoying it
knitting - have completed some items and bought some more wool - oops!

I did Embrace some aspects of my new life here in Edinburgh - we moved into our new house,  I started work, started attending the Book Club, attending and helped with the running of several events and groups in Church, went to some museums and art galleries. So not a bad start.

Of course life took a bit of an unexpected turn health wise, but is getting back on course now.

If you choose a word for 2013 how did you get on with it?

Come back later this week to find out my word for 2014.

Christmas Fun

A few photos from Christmas Day, which was a good day with the family.





The last week has gone in quickly. We have played games together as a family, went a walk and done lots of relaxing.

Wednesday 25 December 2013

Merry Christmas


For unto us a child is born.

Wishing you all a Happy and Blessed Christmas!

Thursday 19 December 2013

Little Details


For the next couple of weeks as it is Christmas time I thought I would try and share some little details about our Christmas. This is the Poinsetta plant which my husband bought for me this year. Every year since we have been married he has bought me one.

You can find more photos for Little Details over at Carolyns Blog.

Monday 16 December 2013

Home and Joy


I have been doing a couple more pages for my Gratitude Album following Bernice's prompts.

The first one is Home, for me home is always where the family is and not a place. For this page I used gesso through a stencil, then applied some paint and then outlined round the shapes.


For Joy I embossed through a stencil, then used Distress Inks to put colour onto the page and then embossed the word Joy.


I really like these techniques and am glad to have found some good ways of using my stencils.


Sunday 15 December 2013

Pause in Advent 3



As this is our first Christmas in our new house there has been more thought put into decorations again. We have had to decide where to put things and some things that had a place and looked good  in our old house don't quite look right in the new one. We have also bought some new ones - this is a photo of one of our new decorations for this year. I got to thinking that although things may change from year to year and Christmas becomes different as the children grow up the reason for the celebration remains the same from year to year. We are celebrating the birth of our Lord and Saviour. Jesus remains the same and Christmas will continue to happen every year despite where we are, or how we are feeling. We should be thankful for that.

Let us remember the words of one of my favourite carols

Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, love divine;
Love was born at Christmas,
Star and angels gave the sign.

Worship we the Godhead,
Love incarnate, love divine;
Worship we our Jesus:
But wherewith for sacred sign?

Love shall be our token,
Love shall be yours and love be mine,
Love to God and to all men,
Love for plea and gift and sign.

You can check out some more Pause for Advent posts over at Floss's blog

Thursday 12 December 2013

Little Details


My photo for this week's Little Details was taken on a recent holiday. This is actually a glass topped table made with shaped bits of wood. It was very unusual.

You can see other photos for Little details over at Carolyn's blog.

Wednesday 11 December 2013

A Pause in Advent



I am joining in again with A Pause in Advent over on Floss's blog, and coming a bit late to the party! But better late than never. This post will really be one and two combined and hopefully I will pick up again on Sunday with number 3.

I have been doing a Growth in Prayer and Reflective Living Course which is based on Ignatian Spirituality and am really enjoying it. It is making me reflect more and try out different ways of praying and of simply being with God. I wanted to share this song with you today as it really spoke to me when I heard it.

Come as you are, that's how I want you.
Come as your are, feel quite at home.
Close to my heart, loved and forgiven;
Come as you are, why stand alone?

No need to fear, love sets no limits.
No need to fear, love never ends.
Don't run away shamed and disheartened
Rest in my love, trust me again.

I came to call sinners, not just the virtuous.
I came to bring peace, not to condemn.
Each time you fail to live by my promise,
why do you think I'd love you the less?

Come as you are, that's how I love you.
Come as your are, trust me again.
Nothing can change the love that I bear you.
All will be well, just come as you are.


As we prepare this Advent season for the coming of Jesus let us also remember that He wants us to come to Him simply and plainly as we are, with no pretence. Let Christmas be a coming together of both us and Him.


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