HAPPY PINK SATURDAY

Time for another Pink Saturday!!
This week we have a "theme" for Pink Saturday for the first time~ Beverly has asked us to share a favorite childhood holiday memory.....
so, here is mine.....

The holidays were always special for us........

my Mom made sure of that.......

even though we may not have had a lot......

and even when she was sick........

it was Christmas time,

and it was going to be special........

no matter what.......

I was the youngest of 6 kids........

4 boys, 2 girls.......

My Mom and Dad were two of the hardest working people

you could ever meet........

And there wasn't anything

they wouldn't do for us kids.

I remember one year when I was young,

we were told that my Dad had to work on Christmas Day.......

But, not to worry,

Because Mommy & Daddy had made special arrangements

with Santa Claus.....

they had called and told him that Daddy had to work on Christmas Day......

So, could he please come to our house early on Christmas Eve,

so that we could enjoy opening our gifts with our Dad?

Why of course he could!

He was Santa, and he could do anything!

So, early on Christmas Eve night, right after our dinner,

my second-to-the-oldest brother, ushered all of us younger ones into Mom & Dad's bedroom,

and stood guard against the door from inside........

Because we all knew that you just didn't try to "peek" at Santa.....

My oldest brother got to stay out with my Mom and Dad

just in case Santa needed any help........

The level of excitement was nearly unbearable in that room.....

waiting.........waiting.........

wait! what was that?!?!

Ohmygosh........ we heard Sleigh Bells!!!

Uh.........and what was that?!?!?

Ohmygosh..........it sounded like tiny hoofs........ on the rooftop!!!

And then.......... the Bells got louder!!

And, then they came closer, and was it? Yes~ it was! The bells were at the front door!

And........ we heard him! HO HO HO!!

OHMYGOSH........ he was here!!! He was really here!!!

We heard his boots stomping off the mud on the front porch.........

We heard the bells from his belt........

We heard his jolly laugh........ and HO HO HO again and again........

Then the whispering......... and then the rustling of paper......

Ohmygosh, Santa Claus was here......... he was in our living room........

Just on the other side of the door!

And we could hear him!!!!

We listened intently for what seemed like forever........

Until we once again heard his familiar HO HO HO coming from outside........

Once again the bells.........

and then a noise on the roof

and........."Merry Christmas, HO HO HO!"

and just like that......... quiet......... and stillness........

we held our breath........ we could not believe it........

was it real? did this really happen.....

or were we dreaming a lovely Christmas Eve dream?

Suddenly........ a knock on the bedroom door.....

and we heard our Dad say

"ok, come on out........ Santa has been here!"

What followed was a lot of scrambling and bustling......

and picture four small children trying to get through a bedroom door all at the same time!

And, then.............there it was.......... the Christmas tree......all lit up.......

with what seemed like a mountain of pretty packages under and around it!

We had a wonderful time, and though it was a bit different than our usual Christmas.....

It was such a special Christmas....... one I will always remember........

when two loving parents......... made a dream come true for their little ones.

May your Christmas be filled with

LOVE

LAUGHTER......

AND THE MIRACLES OF THE SEASON!

A Bit About....

ROSE QUARTZ

Rose quartz is the stone of unconditional love and infinite peace.

It is the most important crystal for the heart and heart chakra,

teaching the true essence of love.

It purifies and opens the heart at all levels,

and brings deep inner healing and self-love.

Rose quartz gently draws off negative energy and replaces it with loving vibes.

Holding Rose Quartz inhances positive affirmations.

This beautiful stone promotes receptivity to beauty of all kinds.

To be worn especially over the heart.

Place on the heart, thymus or in relationship corner of your room.

I have also found Rose Quartz to be helpful with headaches

lie down and place it on your forehead.........

whether it is the stone........

or simply the act of being quiet and still.......

honestly it can help!

With the stresses the upcoming Holidays can bring......

and the out of town relatives & stay-over guests......

it may not be a bad idea to have a bit of rose quartz handy!

HAPPY PINK SATURDAY!

Created especially for

"Mosaic Monday"........

My new Thanksgiving Mosaic:

For more "Mosaic Monday" posts,

please visit Mary at:

Little Red House

Spiritual Sunday

"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers;

for thereby some have entertained angels unaware"

with the fast-approaching

holiday season I think it is a

good time to remember others......

and especially those less fortunate......

I know it has not been an easy year for many.......

so, let's all look around and see what we can do to help......

It only takes one person.......

perhaps just one small "gesture"........

it could make a HUGE difference

in someone's life.......

If you know or see someone who needs a lift......

or a hand this Season.......

or if you even "suspect" someone may be having a tough time......

please be the one to reach out........

and if YOU are the one who needs help..........

I pray your "Angel"

is just around the next corner........

May you have a blessed week........

filled with Love and Miracles......

Please visit the

Spiritual Sundays blog

for more inspiration:

Happy, Happy!!

HAPPY PINK SATURDAY!!!

It's in the air........

can you feel it?

Yes, I know the stores seem to be rushing it........

but........

come on.........

admit it........

you are getting just a bit excited.......

Come on now............

Ah...........

I know what will cheer you!!

Betcha can't help smiling!

Visit here:

Stephanie's sweet Christmas blog!

HAVE AN ABSOLUTELY

DELIGHTFUL WEEKEND!!

HAPPY PINK SATURDAY!

Today.......... for your Pink Saturday pleasure..........
may I introduce you to...........
some DELIGHTFUL PINK TREASURES
on ETSY!!!!

From
Shes Sew Pretty


This simply marvelous pink ballerina slippers pincushion:

and an Oh Cherry Oh pincushion:

From

Isabellas Closet:

her wonderful Vintage Santa Pattern:

and her Victorian Ice Skates pattern:

From

Stoopidgerl

a Sugar-Resin Bunny Necklace:

From

Chollydot

these beautiful knitted hanger covers:

From

The Kitsch End

this too sweet Tickled Pink Button Bracelet:

From

Delish Beads

these Pink Baby Deer Cabochons:

From

Warm Winds Designs

Any little girl would love......

Silky, the Pink Pony:

And From

Live Luscious

a Glittery Glammoury Gingerbread Girl Onesie:

AND a

Up On A Rooftop Reindeer Children's Long-sleeved tshirt:

Such wonderfully creative & gorgeous pink treasures.........

Aren't we thankful for Etsy..........

Be sure and stop in at Bev's

for all the Pink Saturday Fun!!

And have a wonderful day!!

Pink Saturday Recipe!!

Happy Pink Saturday!!!

For you today..........

a wonderful Fall recipe for:

World's Best Pumpkin Bread

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:
4 eggs
2-1/3 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
1 - 15 ounce can solid pack pumpkin
----
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1-3/4 teaspoons baking soda
2-3/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon*
3/4 teaspoons ground nutmeg*
3/4 teaspoon ground cloves*
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice*
----
1 cup chopped raw nuts (walnuts, pecans, etc), lightly toasted
1/3 cup golden raisins**
----
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Preparation:Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease two loaf pans or 24 muffin cups.

Combine the eggs, sugar, oil, and pumpkin in a large bowl, and stir until smooth.
In a medium bowl, mix the second set of ingredients with a wire whisk. Add the nuts and raisins**. Add to the egg mixture and mix thoroughly. Fill the loaf pans or muffin cups with the batter.
Mix the last 2 ingredients in a small bowl. Sprinkle over bread loaves or muffin batter.

Bake the bread at 375 degrees F for 1 hour and 10 minutes, or the muffins for 35 to 40 minutes. When the bread is done, a toothpick inserted in the center will come out clean.

Yields 2 loaves or 24 muffins.***

Notes:* You may substitute 4 1/2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice for the starred ingredients. Be sure to note that you still need cinnamon for the topping.

** If you don't care for raisins, add 1/3 cup more nuts instead.

***I've only made the loaves of bread so I don't know if this makes 24 small or large muffins.

If you prefer large muffins: fill the cups just to the top with batter. If you have any empty muffins cups, fill half full with water.

Hoping you will try it, and LOVE it!!

HPS!!!