Thursday, December 11, 2014

repeat the sound in joy...


branches from the garden for the gate


pinecones, branches and lanterns for planters this year

the sweetest handmade Nativity scene in town....made by big bean

memory Christmas cards made and played



9 cups of flour for a double batch of cut out cookies

Christmas potpourri for teachers made and delivered

1/2 cup fresh cranberries
1 orange sliced
1 Tbs of cloves
4 cinnamon sticks

Simmer with 3 cups of water to add some outstanding holiday aroma to your home 

My favorite line in "Joy to the World" is repeat the sounding in joy.  Very suiting for this time of year.  Through the busy rush of holiday preparations I have been repeating the sound in joy!

Merry Merry Friends!



*And as a side note I have not been able to follow any new blogs through GFC.  They capped me at 300 so when I can remedy this through blogger I will be following along with the new blogs that have joined me in the journey!


50 comments:

  1. Everything looks so wonderful. I know you all will have a Very Merry Christmas. I will try that potpourri.

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  2. I love everything, but the nativity scene is my absolute favorite - priceless!

    Google is doing a bunch of crazy things. I see you don't have it, but all of a sudden word verification is required on my blog even though I have it checked not to use it. I noticed it on other blogs all of a sudden and checked to see if it was on mine too. As one person pointed out, blogger is free so we really can't complain.

    Happy Christmas

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  3. Beautiful post and the Nativity Baby Jesus is priceless!

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  4. Love the eyelashes on the angel. I wouldn't be surprised if your neighbours called your house the Christmas House.

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  5. I love that line, too. Your decorations look lovely and you are way ahead of me with baking, etc. this year. Blessings to you and your sweet family, Nicole. xo Diana

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  6. Your home just exuberates peace, love and JOY! Love, love, love that precious Nativity scene.

    Have a wonderful weekend, Nicole.

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  7. Cherish that wonderful Nativity scene of your big bean, it's lovely.
    Your potpourri looks so festive, I definitely will try it.
    Wish you happy and glorious holiday preparations!

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  8. I follow all my blogs through bloglovin now - far more than 300 which is rather scary!! All of your Christmas preparations are so beautiful! The garden arrangements and wreath are so lovely and I love the teachers pot pourri too, I love to do that over Christmas to make things smell nice! xx

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  9. I love all of your holiday preparations. The Nativity is beautiful! She did such a good job. I hope her preschool year has been good so far. I just love having little ones at this time of year. I wish I could slow down time! The potpourri is wonderful, what a great idea. Thank you for sharing the recipe. I hope you all have a great weekend.

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  10. Hi Nicole,

    Love all your sweet holiday preparations - the nativity scene is lovely and how clever making their memory cards.
    You look very organized with making your cookies and the teachers are going to be happy with the potpourri - great idea.
    Happy weekend dear friend
    hugs
    Carolyn

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  11. Lovely to see all your christmasy goings on.my lovely friend xxxx

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  12. Oh Nicole, what a delightfu post! The Nativity scene is just precious and brought a smile to my face :) And the potpourri looks very pretty! I may have to make some for my family members - thanks for sharing!

    Have a most lovely evening. Hugs to you!

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  13. Your house certainly seems to be buzzing with much holiday fun and merriment Nicole! From the looks of that sweet Nativity scene, your big bean has definitely inherited your creative talent :) That Christmas potpourri looks like it would smell divine. What a lovely gift! Hope you're having a wonderful week and staying warm sweet lady!

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  14. Everything is soooo nice Nicole, the cards are just adorable :)
    I do always enjoy your post

    Lluisa xoxo

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  15. The potpourri is a wonderful gift! I adore your child's Nativity and all the festive artwork. Your wreath and lanterns are lovely too. Wishing you and yours many blessings during this Christmas season. Mildred

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  16. Inspiring! Simple touch but great handy craft! I like it! Thanks for sharing!

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  17. I bet that Christmas Pot Pourri smells divine.
    Have a wonderful weekend.

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  18. Nicole, There's so much joy radiating from your home to ours!....thank you for sharing them with us:) Stay blessed as always:)

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  19. dear nicole,
    all of your christmas preparations are so beautiful!!!!!! love the garden arrangements and wreaths. The potpourri for the teacher must be smell wonderful, a lovely gift!
    happy weekend dear friend,
    hugs and love regina

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  20. Your outdoor Christmas décor is so pretty! I love using what I have when decorating. Your big bean's nativity is precious. You'll want to display that for MANY years!! Hope you share some pics of your cookies. I haven't made my yet but will this weekend. The potpourri looks like it would smell delicious. Thanks for the recipe. Merry Christmas to you and your family, friend!!

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  21. Wonderful holiday preparations The pot-pourri sounds good. .

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  22. I love your Christmas preparations - all delightful and definitely putting me in the Christmas spirit.

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  23. aww, love all the photos, especially the nativity scene and memory cards the kids made. so fun! Have a great weekend!

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  24. The sound in joy....Nic, I love how you live your life. Finding the joy in the simplest of life's pleasures. The sound in joy....that is you. Yes, that is you! xoxo Jen

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  25. Beautiful decorations! I love the jar idea too.

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  26. Hi Nicole! Looks like you're well into your Christmas decorating and celebrating. Love the cedar wreath and the Christmas memory game. Those little pictures would make great Christmas cards or tags at some point when the game playing is done :) The potpourri is beautiful and functional--and so thoughtful, like you!
    Blessings,
    Diana

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  27. Such a lovely post full of wonderful things! I love your wreaths and your planter decorations. Thanks for your potpourri recipe , and the little nativity is so sweet!! Enjoy your weekend with your lovely family!

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  28. Hi Nicole, gosh christmas is looking good around your parts. I really love your conifier wreath so much, I must make one for my gate. Have a really wonderful christmas to you and your family x

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  29. The teachers will love the gift. The cards are sweet. I do miss being around little children because I'm a retired teacher and our grandchildren are older. The wonder of Christmas can be appreciated through the activities of young children.

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  30. Your Nativity scene is so sweet, the baby Jesus especially! What lovely festive goings on at your house! Enjoy your weekend, Nicole xxx

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  31. I have fallen in love with that nativity scene - how sweet. Best Wishes to you Jo x

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  32. I am going to make your simmering potpourri today, I have all those ingredients. I just love the sweet nativity. I kind of want to make my own - it's ok for a 35 yr old to make a nativity with toilet paper rolls, right?

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  33. That might be the cutest Nativity ever.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  34. Are you going to the Garden Bloggers Fling? Please please please go! Love these Christmas decorations. Anything made by our kids are always the best. :o)

    http://gardenbloggersfling.blogspot.com/

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  35. Love the nativity scene!

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  36. Bellissimo quel presepe!! Il Natale rimane uno dei periodi più belli dell'anno ;)

    Un saluto :)

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  37. I love your pot pourri!! Will be giving that a go to make the house smell really festive :-) xx

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  38. What joyful preparations indeed! I love the nativity scene, especially the attention to detail with Mary's eyelashes! Your wreath and planters look so festival and perfect for this wintery holiday time! Have a superb wek Nicole! xxx

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  39. i love the gifts for teachers. so so sweet!

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  40. Cutest nativity scene yet! I am making that to simmer at MY house! Enjoy this Christmas season with those beans! I bet you guys are having a blast!
    LIz

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  41. That nativity scene is the cutest! Well done to your big bean, Nicole. It's looking so lovely and festive at your place. Wishing you a happy and safe Holiday season!

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  42. Sounds like it's time you convert to Bloglovin. :)
    The nativity is adorable. And my time with the flour scoop has come. This week, sugar cookie dough shall be made.

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  43. Oh, sweet things happening there, Nicole! Love your nature gatherings and the teacher's potpourri! I think I could almost take a big bite of that cookie dough - yum, yum! But the most precious things of all are the nativity and those darling hand-made cards! Yes, I would be singing with joy, too. Hug those little beans for me and a hug for you, too, busy Mama! xo Karen

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  44. you're so ready for the holiday! so lovely at your place. and i'm thinking about the cookies that you made now.
    happy holiday, Nicole!

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  45. Hello! I found your blog via one of your comments at 'Above the River' and have loved looking through your posts. You have so many lovely activities planned for Christmas. I might pinch the Christmas Pot Pourri idea if I may, and I love the idea of doing the washing up beneath the stars. Have a very Merry Christmas. x

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  46. I think it is cute that the big bean's baby Jesus is a peanut. And I think many of us would like lashes as long as the ones of her angel! Altogether it sounds like your are having a wonderful and memorable Christmas Nicole.

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  47. Love all the kids crafting - warm fuzzies! Happy Christmas Adventing to you all xx

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