Text of... Thou Gracious God... By Oliver Wendall Holmes

Thou gracious God, whose mercy lends the light of home, the smile of friends,our gathered flock thine arms enfold as in the peaceful days of old.Wilt thou not hear us while we raise in sweet accord of solemn praise the voices that have mingled long in joyous flow of mirth and song? For all the blessings life has brought, for all its sorrowing hours have taught, for all we mourn, for all we keep, the hands we clasp, the loved that sleep. The noontide sunshine of the past, these brief, bright moments fading fast, the stars that gild our darkening years, the twilight ray from holier spheres.We thank thee, Father; let thy grace our loving circle still embrace, thy mercy shed its heavenly store, thy peace be with us evermore.

Craig is singing this beautiful music today with the Church Choir.

Don't miss hearing this amazing piece performed by the world famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir on this CD. Kudos to Aunt Ruth!!!

Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone!!!! Love & Best Wishes Tiffany...

Thank you Mom!!!

Mom got me this today with her bogo coupon. I love it! I am going to try not to use the whole bottle by tomorrow. Thank you Mom! I feel so Christmasy now. :)

Poinsettia...

This is one of my favorites because I love the combination of the berry red and fushia colors. It took me a long time to figure out a poinsettia that made me happy. I have about 10 of these left and I think about 6 Nutcracker Love Boxes and no worries yet about the snowflakes, there are quite a few.

My new painting challenge... Next week I will be painting some handcart boxes, so if anyone wants one of those they can be personalized at no extra charge if the order is placed before I start painting. I can't put a picture yet, because I've never made one, but it is going to be a blue night time background with white snow and a few little beige weeds poking up through the snow.

Best Wishes... Tiffany

Taco Soup...

If you are feeling like a little south-of-the-border, then this is the stuff you need. If your Taco Soup, Salsa, Pico or chicken just doesn't have the right flavor and a little heat, a few drops of this stuff will set you right up. It has a much better flavor than Tabasco. This is for you Aunt Sherry and I'll post the easy salsa recipe when I can find it.

A pink tutu!!! Hello???

Alicia just e-mailed me a note. She wants to be the Sugar Plum Fairy. Me too. And, I am making my traditional visit to the Nutcracker on Sat. where I will sit in my seat and pretend. I wanted to post a beautiful picture of The Sugar Plum Fairy so that you could all say AAAAaaaahhhh..... But, hello?!?!? Maximum frustration! The Sugar Plum Fairies some people drum up are wearing yellow, mustard yellow! and blue and white and all kinds of other crazy nonsense. The Sugar Plum Fairy should always wear pink. Anyway, if you have a Sugar Plum Fairy, she should definitely wear this pink Tutu, which is $23 on Ollie Bollen.

The Love Box link is on the blitz because I am gadget challenged. Sorry.

Best Wishes... Tiffany

Kokeshi...

I love woodturnings, Craig needs a lathe for Christmas and then he could make me stuff to paint. His wildest dream come true??? How did I not know about these dolls until yesterday when they are so cute?!? Anyway, sadly I have no personal ties to Japan, but I am going to find a way to make some Kokeshi anyway.

Best Wishes... Tiffany

Snowflakes are a miracle of art and design that drop on your head like kisses from heaven...

The Snowflake Man

"Under the microscope, I found that snowflakes were miracles of beauty; and it seemed a shame that this beauty should not be seen and appreciated by others. Every crystal was a masterpiece of design and no one design was ever repeated., When a snowflake melted, that design was forever lost. Just that much beauty was gone, without leaving any record behind."
Wilson "Snowflake" Bentley 1925

I looked at a lot of snowflake pictures while I was planning this years Christmas Love Box. My favorites were taken by Wilson Bentley who was passionate about the beauty of snowflakes. His pioneering work in photomicrography has left a treasure.

Go to this site and give yourself a treat. Look at each photo enlarged. They are breathtaking! These pictures and the story of Snowflake Bentley would make a wonderful show-n-tell for anyone who needs one.

Next time you happen to be out in a storm remember that this is the grace and the beauty crowning your head, and you will feel like a princess.

Best Wishes... Tiffany

BedHead...

For my anniversary, my sweetheart gave me a set of BedHead pjs. They are soooo lovely if a bit pricey. They now have a few different sets in Liberty of London fabrics.

Granny Chic Cute of the Week...

Jesse Steele aprons are so darling! Use Google, they are available everywhere in tons of cute colors.

The Snowflake Box...

This is the 2006 Christmas Box. It is available to order for anyone who needs a special Christmas gift for someone. It comes wrapped and tied with a tiny snowflake on top. I also have about 10 Nutcrackers available for sale and about the same number of Poinsettia boxes. If you haven't seen those you can see them by searching.... Hand Painted Love Boxes on Ebay. Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Gilda The Angel...

I love the work of artist Jody Battaglia who created darling little Gilda The Angel... Jody Battaglia and other really great folk artists display and sell their work on earthangelstoys.com.

Pretty Diamonds...

I realize that people have different tastes, but to me, this is the world's prettiest diamond ring. At Tiffany's ofcourse.

For Tennesee...

Available on Little Wonderland...

Cutest Little Fairy...

This darling little fairy is from Little Wonderland...

Cute necklace...

Cute necklace available on Oompa toys for 9.99.

Zen Shorts...

Someone on my list is going to get this book. Who wouldn't love a Zen Panda Bear? And, almost everyone in my family needs this bear. :) Best Wishes... Tiffany

Cute little doll...

I wish that I knew someone who liked dolls... I love this Waldorf Petite Star Fairy from Kathe Kruse available at
Oompa Toys.

How to be like Audrey...

I love this fun book. How To Be Lovely... What a great title! A great gift idea $12.21 on Amazon.

Granny Chic Stickers and Stamps...

I also love these Holiday Stamps and Stickers at Room Service Home... And a million other great gift ideas there.

Bike Bells...

I love these bike bells from Room Service home... They make a great gift at $18.00.