Happy New Year and Thank You

As I look back on 2012, I can't help but feel mixed emotions.

While this past year proved challenging for our little family as we were brought face to face with the darkness and helplessness of death (you can read about it here), through it all, 2012 has been the most eye opening, the most gratifying and the year of most personal growth.

This year I learned about forgiveness, I learned about faithfulness, I learned about grace and most importantly, I learned about God's hand over our lives at all times.  During the tempest of the ocean or the calmness of the sea, HE is always there, watching us learn and holding us close.  And when we feel we cannot cope, HE gives us renewed strength.  HE fills the hearts of those around us with love and compassion for us and we cannot help but to feel peace.  

As this year comes to an end and we prepare to finish the chapter that was 2012, we will keep the memories of this past year close to our hearts as it will serve as a reminder of those things learned.  And whenever new challenges arise, we can refer back to this chapter in our lives and see that we've made it through and know we can do it again.

It is with great joy and anticipation that I will open this new chapter called 2013.  It has been said so many times, the pages are blank and it is up to us to write a beautiful story. 

Thank you my dear friends for all of your support throughout the year.  Your daily visits and encouraging comments are never ever taken for granted.  I will end with my usual 'much love',  but it's during time like these, when nostalgia settles deep into my heart that I realize that those aren't just written words.  They are from the heart, as you have become such an important part of my life and everything I do for this little blog I do with 'much love'. 

Happy New Year.

MUCH LOVE,

Cranberry/Pomegranate New Year's Eve Cocktail or Mocktail

Every year, we gather at our home to welcome the new year and celebrate Bella's birthday.  There was a time when she thought the world gathered to wish her a happy birthday, but nowadays, she understands the meaning of new year's eve and enjoys the count down to midnight.  

I wanted to share a new year's eve cocktail or 

mocktail that will help you welcome the new year.

The two winter fruits - the cranberry and 

pomegranate - are the stars of this drink.

Ingredients for cocktail:

1/4 cup vodka or vanilla vodka

1/4 cup champagne or sparkling wine

pomegranate seeded

1/4 cup of pomegranate juice

1/4 of cranberry juice 

ice

- combine vodka, cranberry, pomegranate juice and pomegranate seeds and allow to chill

- when ready to serve, place mixture in glass and top with 1/4 champagne or sparkling wine

- if mixture needs chilling, add ice and stir

- garnish with cranberry skewer 

Ingredients for mocktail:

1/4 cup of Soda water or Sprite

pomegranate seeded

1/4 cup of pomegranate juice

1/2 cup of cranberry juice 

- combine soda water, cranberry and pomegranate juice along with pomegranate seeds and allow to chill

- serve and garnish with cranberry skewer

CHEERS! 

much love,

I would also like to say thank you to my sweet friend Jen from Rambling Renovators for including me in her GREAT READS line up this year.  Thanks Jen...you are an inspiration to many. 

Linky Party 15 Features

Can you believe it's the last weekend of 2012?!?

As usual, you have wowed us with your creativity.  This time around, we decided to showcase the top 10 most viewed links.  Here they are.....

A Look Back at 2012 by First Home...Love Life

Top five of 2012 by At home by the Bay

Top Organization Projects by Clean and Scentsible

 Weight Loss Journey by Eccentric Delirium 

 Favourite Projects of 2012 by The Velvet Door

 Favourite Projects of 2012 by Zu Haus at Home

 My Top Posts of 2012 by Glamorous Affordable Life

 Laundry Room Reveal by Ashbee Design 

Top 10 of 2012 by Down to Earth Style

Best of 2012 by It's Overflowing 

 Beach Bedroom Reveal by Harbour Breeze Home

 Favorite of 2012 by My Salvaged Treasures

 Pear Tart by Keeping up with the times

Thank you once again for sharing your creativity and inspiring us.  We look forward to 2013 and hope the new year will bring HOPE, PROSPERITY and HAPPINESS.

much love,

Linky Party 15...Showcasing your best of 2012

Hello everyone!  I hope you all had a great Christmas!  It's hard to believe that after all of the hard work and planning that goes into this special day, we now have to put everything away until next year.

I don't know about you, but in our house, we haven't done much.  We have been enjoying the precious time that is left of this year.  Crafting has not been on my schedule and I don't expect it to be until the new year.  It's good to recharge!

Having said that, if you don't have any new projects to link up, we thought this week would be a great opportunity for you to showcase YOUR FAVOURITE post of 2012.  Fun, right? 

While there hasn't been much crafting around here, I did make the kiddies some confetti launchers for our New Year's eve celebration this year.  Yes, perhaps I will regret it later, but they will really enjoy it. 

Jamie is also enjoying time with her family and took the week off to enjoy those precious moments.  Such wise words Jaime. I completely agree! 

Taryn on the other hand is one busy gal and showed us last week how to make these adorable last minute gift boxes.  She also made some muddy buddies, which I've never tried but are now on my 'must try' list.  And finally, Taryn gives us a little trip down memory lane and shows us her best of 2012.

And now it's your turn.  If you do not have any new crafts, don't worry.  Simply link up your best of 2012 as we'll be featuring some of them this weekend! 

Thank you once again for joining us week after week.  You have made it so enjoyable for us and the new friendships we have built are priceless. 

New Year's Eve confetti launcher...

 Hello everyone!  I hope you had a wonderful 
Christmas and made new memories along the way.

I wasn't planning on writing a post today as - to be honest - crafting is the last thing on my list right now.  We are enjoying this down time walking around in our jammies all day while playing with our new Christmas toys. 

But as I was trying to tidy up from the Christmas aftermath, I wondered what I could possibly do with all this leftover wrapping paper, used tags and ribbon.  And it hit me - why not make some confetti for our New Year's eve celebration.  It doesn't take too long and who doesn't love confetti?

I made this one in the summer for hubby's birthday.

Fun, right?  Do you have any clever 

uses for leftover Christmas paper? 

Hope you guys have a wonderful week.  I will be keeping in touch via FB throughout the week.  Stop by to say hello if you get a chance...:) 

much love,

Merry Christmas sweet friends...

Linky Party 14 Features

Well my sweet friends, this is the last feature before Christmas.  Can you believe it?  We thought we would share some of the quick and last minute Christmas projects that were shared on the linky party.

So let's get started....

Recycled Merry Christmas Banner by Number Fifty-Three

Vintage Chic Tree by Eli Crea Shabby

Champagne Snow Scene by Hubby Made Me

Duct Tape Poinsettia by A Pumpkin and a Princess

Barnwood Chalkboards by JS Chronicles

Red and White Tablescape by Echoes of Laughter

Vintage Tree Sign by Making Home Base

Gingerbread Wreath by Sweet Nothings

Scandinavian Christmas Party and Printables by Homespun with Love

Christmas House Tour by Eclectically Vintage

Shabby Christmas Centerpiece by Confessions of a Plate Addict

Christmas List Ornament by Clean & Scentsible

Chocolate Kiss Pie Cookies A Mrs. & A Mama

Book Page Banner by City Farmhouse

DIY Pretty Santa Hat by Smart School House

Christmas Tour by Shabby Sweet Cottage

Thank you guys for helping to inspire with so many wonderful Christmas projects.  There is so much talent out there and I am so honoured that you take the time to share with us here.

Thank you and hope you have a great weekend!

much love,