The Best Christmas Gift of All

Christmastime is full of hustle and bustle, and excitement and joy. It's putting up the Christmas lights, decorating the tree, and hanging the stockings by the chimney with care. It's picking out that perfect gift for a loved one, wrapping it just right, and then witnessing the joy on recipient's face as they unveil their new treasure. It's selecting the best turkey or ham among the bunch, making your mother's homemade stuffing and Christmas punch, and then gathering with family and friends to celebrate the season and the birth of Jesus Christ. If we are lucky enough, these are a few things that can be anticipated, but should not be taken for granted. 

But with Christmastime comes something else, and that's Christmas miracles. For me, being involved with rescuing dogs a miracle is a notification on Christmas Eve saying that 5 dogs who desperately needed homes got their Christmas wish, and will be going to their forever homes, or at least out of the shelter and into a loving and protective foster home.

Other Christmas miracles is my son who is serving in the US Army and stationed out in Washington being able to come home for the holidays, and being able to share my Grandson's first Christmas with him. But the biggest surprise is being at a family party on Christmas Eve enjoying the company immensely like it couldn't get any better then that, but then it does. As I stand in the Kitchen of my mother and father's home catching up with a relative out of the corner of my eye I see a young man who looks very familiar, but I'm confused for a second because it's been three years since I've last seen him, and he should be stationed over at Camp Casey in South Korea. With all the giddiness of a school girl, I stop conversation in mid sentence and run over to the young man and give him a huge hug.

This young man is not my son, although I do have four of my own whom I'm very proud of. This is my fifth son, at least I would like to think so anyway. His name is Pete, and I am so proud of him too.

Pete came into my life when he was a young teenager. He was my daughter's boyfriend. Pete did not have an easy life, but there was always something so special about him. He was kind, and generous,  and full of love and acceptance. He harbored no ill will toward others that I could see, and always had a positive outlook. For a bit he was lost, but then he found purpose in the US Army, and has blossomed into a fine young man.

This year, my Christmas miracle was getting to talk with him, and embrace him for the first time in three years, and for that, along with my families health and happiness, I am forever grateful.

Merry Christmas to all! May you all be blessed with Christmas miracles!

Bryan's homecoming . Can you tell the dog is just as thrilled as we all were.

Pete. Home from South Korea

My grandson Owen.

Sensational Soap Stocking Stuffers ~ My Etsy Treasury for the week

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d04f04c80456d91323c1cbc/sensational-soap-stocking-stuffers

Fire, element of Passion - Cinnamon all natural handmade soap from Sacredsuds

All Natural Peppermint Goat's Milk Soap from Botanicals From Above

Bergamot Grapefruit Soap from BambuEarth

CHRISTMAS MEMORIES Handmade Soap Bar from HeartJCreations

Patchouli Lemongrass from Inner earth soaps

HOLLY BERRY Spicy Holiday Soap from Goodness Earth Essentials

Lavender Soaps from Lavender Dreams Cottage

Doggy Soap from Milk House Soap Co.

The link is above, but  to do justice to the wonderful soaps from 16 talented soap makers on Etsy I'm going to include pictures too. Too bad I can't attach the smell of each soap. :)

BOGO 50% off a second Handcrafted Soap!!!!!!!!

 

Our soaps make great stocking stuffers!!

Sensational Snowman Treasury on Etsy

I put together a fabulous collection of snowman treasures from some of the creative artists on the Old Farmhouse Gathering team.http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4cfcf1e5f6ae8eefd617152d/sensational-snowmen
Here are a few samples:

Who doesn't love grundy gifts?

Check out this grungy treasury on Etsy for great gift ideas.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4cf43bb369f96d91347a7d97/scrummy-prim-gifts-for-christmas?index=0&utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Treasury&utm_campaign=Share

Cyber Monday

It's CYBER MONDAY!!! All Items are 15% off for cyber Monday. Just use coupon code "PBT15". Happy Shopping!

The Pip Berry Tree Studio and Staff

Just thought I'd give you all a glimpse at the Pip Berry Tree studio and introduce to my wonderful, extremely compliant staff, whom without, I couldn't do what do. :)

The Studio

LeviJane ~ The Supervisor

Woody ~ Office Manager

Roxy Bell ~ The Receptionist...yes she has been known to sleep on the job. :)

Cinchie ~ Head of the Complaint Dept.  She's one tough little nut.

CHriSTmAS GiFtS AnD HoLiDay DeCOr ~ An OFg CoLLeCTiOn

            Ho! HO! Ho! 38 DaYS To GO. 

Need some ideas for gifts and cheerful holiday decor? Well here ya go.

First up is this hand painted Holiday Snowman Door Crown from the Primgal herself.

 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Primgal?ref=seller_info

Next up are these wonderful Family Word Blocks by Punkinseed Productions

http://www.etsy.com/shop/PunkinSeedProduction?ref=seller_info

Then we have this lovely gift for Grandparents presented by The Huckleberrylady

http://www.etsy.com/shop/huckleberrylady?ref=seller_info

From the Primitiveseason we have this primitive grubby jar candle lanter, which would be a perfect gift for a teacher or bus driver:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/primitiveseason?ref=seller_info

And everyone likes to receive Christmas cards and Sweetliberyprims have the perfect cards!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SweetLibertyPrims?ref=seller_info

What's the perfect way to say "Welcome" this holiday season? How about with this snowman lawn slate by the PipBerryTree (yes...I know. It's a shameful plug for my own product. LoL :)

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Pipberrytree?ref=seller_info

More ideas to come so make sure you come back!

Warm Wishes

Dawn from The Pip Berry Tree

Myspace Clocks, Christmas Clocks at WishAFriend.com

CHriSTmAS ORnAmEnTs THe OFG TEAM WaY ~ WHCOFG

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4ce1422938588eef0df70986/christmas-ornaments-the-ofg-team-way


Check out my new treasury on Etsy!

Thank a Veteran

To be a veteran one must know and determine one's price for freedom. Thank you to all the veterans who keep us a free country. We will never forget. Special thanks to Keith, Bryan, Dayton, Ronnie, And Derek.

JUST IN! Five new hand painted slider slates!

As some of you may have seen already I now sell two different styles of wrought iron  lawn slate holders.  Since then I have been working diligently to paint different slider slates for the holders. These are my newest. Slates sold separately.

20 % Off SaLe On ALL LeViJaNe DoLLs!

         Get em' while they last. There's only Eight left!!


Fall special! From October 30, 2010  until November 5, 2010 take an addition 20% off of all LeviJane dolls. Prices are marked already with the discount. Here is what I have in stock:

Aimee Lou

Daisy Mae

Little Country Girl Leela

Whitney Witch

Emily Rebecca

Vinnie Vampire

Sammy Scarecrow

Garden Gracie