Our Christmas tree has been up for about 2 weeks or so ... I so enjoy the serenity that I get from having the tree lights on and no noise in the house... maybe some soft music playing!

I thought it would be cool to share some of my favorite Christmas "ornaments" with you all. My style is certainly eclectic - I do not have a "themed" tree - Hey! Maybe I do! The theme is "all those things I love!" I like that and I'm stickin' to it!

This birdhouse was made for me many years ago by my "baby" brother - he died from melanoma 13 years ago this past fall! This birdhouse has always had a special place on my tree - front row and center! He loved the birds as much as I do - maybe more! - he actually raised peacocks, doves of all kinds; and other "strange" birds. I miss him - but Praise God! I'll see him again some day! WoooHooo!

[didn't mean to go all sentimental on yah.]

This "ball " is also something he made... I have other "pieces" around the house that were from him ... he loved to work with wood as well - somday I'll show you some of that stuff!I really like the old fashioned Father Christmas ... I had 2 of these; however, our Buster (Border Collie) got hold of one this year and he is no more! {The Santa, not the dog! LOL!}

This one hangs high on the tree so he can't get at it.

My life-long career was in the Nursing field ... first in acute care, then long-term care, and for the last 25 years of my career in Nursing Education! I feel very blessed to have had the opportunities I had over my career to help people and to teach and ... so much more! This was a gift - isnt she cute?

Here is another one! I graduated in 1970 from a 3-year diploma program - in those days we wore white uniforms and caps with our black bands - my, we were proud of our caps! Had to have the cape too! I can remember walking with my uniform and cape, feeling such a sense of pride in my chosen profession. I sometimes think that is missing today. And I know it has nothing to do with the uniform etc, etc but something has been lost over the years. She looks just like I did 40 years ago!

I also adore angels... I have no biological sisters but the gal that made this angel for me - so many years ago has been my "sister" for almost 40 years... [Love yah, Myra! ]

Isn't she beautiful?

This large glass ornament is so simple and yet so elegant...
I met my now hubby 14 years ago this month ... he gave me a candle and a couple cardinals for Christmas... here is one of the cardinals - maybe that is why they are so special to me! It wasn't until maybe 3-4 years ago that I ever saw a real live cardinal and I love them! I feel that God is blessing me everytime I see one!
I could show you so much more - if you are still reading and looking - thank you for that! Here is our tree...

I have a nativity scene that I display each December. It is ceramic & I painted all the pieces to it... here are the wisemen!

If you would like to see a picture of the whole scene click on the link below - it is the header of "This Is The Day Rejoice" http://thisisthedayrejoice.com/

Thanks for visiting with me today!

Wishing you a blessed Christmas filled with joy and peace and love!

Ruthie

Life On The Farm...

Here is a pictoral view of life on the farm - for me!
This is a beautiful morning view from our sunroom! We see gorgeous sunrises [ of course one has to be up in time for that! :0 ] and the most magnificent sunsets!

This is an old tree that was growing here when we arrived a little over 11 years ago. It only blooms for a week or so - in early August - it is just gorgeous!

Close up view of the "flowers"...

We no longer have train service to this end of the province; the old track was taken up and the trail passess thru our property - here is a little girl and her dog walking on the 'track'!

Believe it or not, the best squash in the county is grown right here!
Here's 'the man' checking his crop!

Animals - of all shapes and sizes!

Free-range chicken!
This guy is just tooooo cute ... but he's also nasty to have around. How can anything so cute be so destructive, I wonder? I can just imagine he's saying "who are you?"
Roses blooming on October 31 - have never seen this before! and they are still in bloom today!(November 11)

Here's the farmer and his 'side-kick' taking a much needed break!

An escaped pig!

Pickles!!! Ummmmm!

This one missed the slaughter - Somebody brought some 'chickens' for hubby to slaughter and this one got away! I wonder if he's aware of how fortunate he is at this moment!

And - last but not least - here is one of those magnificent sunsets! What a privilege to see such evidence of God's glory!
I hope you enjoyed this tour of our simple life - although there are many days when it certainly does not feel simple b/c of "stuff". May you be richly bessed today!

Resting in HIM,

Ruthie

Beads, Beads, and More Beads!

Good morning!

This morning I want to share some photos of my first (well, not really first - probably second) attempt at making jewellery. I am an amateur in the best sense of the word ... and am doing this for my own pleasure - and to bless others with gifts! So look out!

I'm having a blast with this!

Here are some of my current creations!

Hope you enjoy!

My new watch!

And finally - A Salvation bracelet: using crystals of 6 colors: black = sin; red = His blood; white = purity; blue = Holy Spirit indwelling; green = new growth; yellow = heaven!

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings!

Have a wonderful day! Isn't it beautiful out! Cool and crisp and fresh!

Thank You Lord, for this day!

Ruthie

Itsy-Bitsy Spider ....

I am not a lover of spiders - what they do fascinates me but I find them kind of creepy .... they don't freak me out or anything like that - I just don't like having them around! :)

The other day I went out to take some pictures of my flowers - this clematis in particular ---

and there was Mr. Spider weaving his web ... he didn't like me disturbing him and tried to scurry away but I managed to get a few pics. Try to appreciate his individual "beauty" and his awesome skill!

Blessings on yah! *Ruthie*

He's Home! :)

Well!
I picked up my new puppy today... he is just adorable... all 1 pound and 5 ounces of him! LOL!

The lady who had his mom and looked after her and the pups since birth, is having a hard day today! The other male had already gone when I arrived to pick up JT. As I thanked her so much for providing me with this opportunity she began to cry! So - guess what? There were 2 of us crying then!

I've had JT outside for a little run on the deck, and at another time around the yard. He's had "supper" and has slept a lot! Of course, he had some cuddle time! :0

Buster - Kev's 7 month old Border Collie - who is soooooo handsome - met JT at supper time... he wasn't quite sure what this little thing was!

Here is JT sleeping in his crate...
Here is Buster wondering what this contraption is and what is that in there?In this one they are looking at each other...
I then picked JT up and held him so Buster could introduce himself to the little one!

Hope you enjoyed!

I promise not to bore you with lots of pics of the dog (s)...

Hope you've had a great day!

*** HUGS ***

Ruthie

After The Rain!

Hi all!

Today is another day "after the rain". We've had a lot of these days this summer... the gardens are suffering from being too wet! I went out this morning and took some pics - here are a few of them!

A Rainy Rose:

When I was young we were told that when there were lots of these"dew webs" on the ground it was a sign of the sun coming out bright and strong... I only found this one today so .... guess it'll stay damp and cloudy. :(

Here are a couple more! Hope you enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by! ***** Ruthie *****

A Beach Day

The other day I spent some time walking on the beach with a friend and her grandson - we had a great time. There was a gentle breeze; it was slightly overcast; the water was cool but bearable - and it was just such a good time! These are a few of the pics I took...

Have a wonderful day!

May it be filled with moments that take your breath away!

Hugs!

Ruthie

Photo Challenge #40 - Up Above

The Current Photo Challenge at SCS is to "look up" and take pics "up above" - as I looked thru my photos I found I had a few...This first one is of myself and my daughter lying in a hammock (taken 3 years ago!) and the second one is the view we had from that hammock! It was a beautiful summer day spent with aunts and cousins!

This next one is a view of the sky on a Saturday not too long ago... isn't the color gorgeous?

Here is one of the Farmer's Market sign ... I used a zoom so the perspective may not be as it would be if I had just taken it showing the height of it!
These next two are taken from our deck - one during the day, the next one at night....
both with the same branches in the forefront...

Here is the peak of an old building in the downtown area.

Hope you enjoyed these... we're heading out soon ... see you another time! Blessings! ............ RUTHIE