Happy New Year!

Fork Method Bow Tying

Do you ever get frustrated tying a cute little bow to put on a card, or whatever? I do! So much so, that I avoid using them, or if I do they certainly don't look as 'cute' as others I've seen. I came across this today from the Operation Write Home tutorials and all I can say is, "WOW!" This seems like a terrific way to make them: Fork Method. I can't wait to give this a try! Happy bow making!

12-27-13 Poem

Here is a poem I wrote today:

Heaven Awaits

Eternal life is given to those who choose to receive.

The way, the truth and the life in Jesus Christ, faithfully believe.

He himself said that the gate is small and the way is narrow, not wide.

The road that leads to life, it is with Him on the other side.

It’s the debt I can never repay, no matter how long or hard I try.

But it’s freely given in Emmanuel, God with us, who came to die; for us to Him to reunify.

You see there is no salvation in any other name,

He hung on that cross to die, and death He overcame.

He told the thief hanging next to Him that he would join Him in Paradise.

For the thief and my sins He’d paid the ultimate price.

Sometimes we desire to depart from the world’s turmoil and life’s strife,

Oh, to be absent from this body is to lay claim through Jesus to eternal life.

For we know when these earthly tents have worn down,

In our Father’s house are many mansions, perfect and never rundown.

Our true citizenship is not this world but in heaven with our Lord.

New glorified bodies received, living in His very presence, our lasting reward.

Eternity, Jesus said He has prepared a place for us there.

In His presence, such beauty to behold, it is beyond compare.

Nothing unclean or unholy is present. No more tears, death, morning, hunger or thirst.

Bowing on bended knee, praising, worshipping and serving Him we’ll be immersed.

The city is pure gold, foundational stones adorned with every kind of precious stone.

A holy city built with incredible priceless jewels shining and flawlessly hone.

A river of the water of life, clear as crystal coming from the throne,

No need for lamps, sun, moon, or stars due to God’s brilliance shone.

“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing,” the angels sing.

“To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever,” praises every created thing.

Scriptures referenced: John 3:16, John 3:36, John 14:2 & 6, John 17:3, Matthew 7:14, Acts 4:12, Luke 23:43,  Philippians 1:23, 2 Corinthians 5:1-8, Philippians 3:20-21, Revelation 7:16-17, Revelation 21 and 22, Revelation 5:12-13

©2013 Laurie McCullough Cheesebrew

Happy Birthday!

Merry Christmas!

 Click here:
Merry Christmas!

A Little Baby Born

A Little Baby Born

It isn’t about partying, drinking, eating, time off or holiday pay,

The decorating, the shopping, the baking or picking out that perfect tree.

It isn’t about the stockings hung on the chimney with care,

In the hope of St. Nicholas being there.

It’s not about a red-nose reindeer landing on a rooftop and flying through the air,

Frosty the Snowman, Mr. Scrooge, George Bailey or Santa Claus.

It isn’t about the music, the lights, or the carefully wrapped presents under the tree.

It is about a sin-filled world in need of a rescuer.

A precious little baby born in the City of David, called Bethlehem.

Born over 2,000 years ago on a still, holy night,

Of a virgin birth foretold hundreds of years before.

In a dark, smelly, dirty stable; not a lavish palace.

Wrapped in strips of cloth; not in a fresh, soft new blankie.

Lovingly placed in a dingy trough used by the animals,

Surrounded by noisy, smelly sheep, donkeys and cattle lowing.   

Lowly shepherds guarding their flock at night,

An angel appearing before them, surrounded by God’s holy light.

“Do not be afraid I bring great news. In the City of David a Savior is born.”

Heavenly hosts praising God saying, “Glory to God in the highest

And on earth, peace, goodwill toward men.”

This baby was called:  Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. He is the Messiah, Jesus Christ;

King of kings and Lord of lords. Immanuel, which means God with us.

Come to bridge the canyon between sinful man and the Holy Father God.

He, himself, said, “I am the way, the truth and the Life.

No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

He was either telling the truth, or he is the biggest liar or totally insane.

It’s either the craziest story ever told or the most astonishing, greatest story ever told.

You decide.

©2010 Laurie McCullough Cheesebrew

We Wish You A Merry Christmas

Here's a poem I wrote 12/1/2010 using 61 Christmas song titles:

We Wish You A Merry Christmas!

It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas,
It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.
The Night Before Christmas, the Bells Will Be Ringing.
Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
On a Sleigh Ride I will go.
In A White Christmas, a Winter Wonderland
I want to Deck the Halls and build Frosty the Snowman.
Here Comes Santa Claus, Must Be Santa; Jolly Old Saint Nicholas
With Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer.
They’re Up On the House Top. Hey! I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus!
Dear Santa, All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth
So I can whistle Jingle Bells on Christmas Day.
Yes, I’ll Be Home For Christmas, Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire
O Tannenbaum, Oh Christmas Tree.
It will not be a Blue Christmas as I recall:
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear, A Child This Day Is Born
Away In A Manger, O Little Town of Bethlehem
Oh Holy Night , Silent Night, 
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks.
Oh Come Oh Come Emmanuel!
Mary Did You Know What Child Is This?
This Baby, This Gift, This Little Child?
One Small Child, Breath of Heaven; Sweet, Little Jesus Boy.
Child of Peace, Emmanuel, God With Us.
The Little Drummer Boy asking, “Do You Hear What I Hear?”
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing a Hallelujah Chorus.
In Excelsis Gloria! Joy to the World! Gloria!
Angels We Have Heard On High. Angels from the Realms of Glory.
We Three Kings place Silver And Gold among The Holly And The Ivy.
Go Tell It On the Mountain, The First Noel.
We Need A Little Christmas, it’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas!!

©2010 Laurie McCullough Cheesebrew

Seattle - The Wheel

I recently returned from Seattle, WA after visiting family and friends. It was wonderful to be back home! I haven't yet had the opportunity to ride The Wheel at the waterfront but hope to when we move back. Our son took these pictures...

Web site for Seattle Great Wheel.

Dragonflies

This is a gift we received from my brother. The dragonflies will be mounted on the outside of the house when spring arrives. Aren't they wonderful? To see more of his metal arts go to his blog Marty's Metals.

Paper 3-D Star

Here is another cute, easy paper Christmas item to make. If you want to make a larger star just enlarge the template that is provided in the instructions.

12-13 Happy Birthday

Happy birthday to my firstborn! I don't know who's getting older, him or me!

Happy Birthday . . .

Perspective

Today is a gift - it's called the present!

This is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it. 

Psalm 118:24

Paper Ball Ornaments

Today I tried a new Christmas craft - ball ornaments made with decorative cardstock paper. Here is the link for the tutorial by Maker Mama. My first attempt (left) wasn't exactly successful, but I think it's still useable. I also accidentally glued a paper clip inside but was able to pull up the end and use as the stem to ribbon through - ha! My second attempt (right) looks like it is supposed to. A circle paper punch would have saved time but since I don't have one I made a template and cut the 20 circles (per ornament) the old fashioned way - scissors!

19 days until Christmas!

Favorite Sugar Cookie

Allrecipes.com is my go-to recipe site. (Me and tons of other people!) If you've never checked it out, I highly recommend it! It's so easy to find a recipe for whatever you may fancy. You can even sort them by how they've been rated and popularity. Each recipe has user reviews which can aid in having an even better outcome. Each recipe can be adjusted to serving size. Anyway, I used to have a favorite rolled sugar cookie recipe and then I tried this one. SO easy to roll out, cut into shapes and tasty too! With a 4.5 star rating (out of 5) and 5,798 reviews it is worth a try, right?!
The Best Rolled Sugar Cookies

And, of course, you have to have Sugar Cookie Icing

Now go give them a try!

Here's some made a couple years ago with/by our then 5 yr old granddaughter.

Kid Friendly Christmas Cookies

What kid doesn't like to make Christmas cookies? Here are some cute ideas I found images of on the internet. I haven't tried them yet (need some kids) but I'm pretty sure kids would love to make, and eat, these!

Tomorrow I'll share my favorite sugar cookie recipe that is easy to roll out, cut, bake and decorate. Another FUN baking idea to do with kids - little or big!

Happy New Year

Twelve New Year's cards for my favorite daughter....  Check!

Christmas Decor

So what do you do when you've left ALL your Christmas decorations behind on a temporary move away from home and you're on a tight budget? Make some! It's been YEARS since I made paper snowflakes or a paper chain garland! I have a ton of decorative papers so guess what I did over the weekend? Relived a little bit of my childhood...

24 days until Christmas!