Gratitude

To My Soul Brother, With Love

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read550 views

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” ― James 1:17 (ESV)

I was graced with three Brothers, all of which are special in their own ways. Being the surviving female in the family has strengthened our bond in ways I could never dream of. The first boy, my senior, is one whom I have always looked up to for advice and compassion. My follower is more or less like me. My youngest brother, who just turned thirty (hip hip!), is one with whom I had a special relationship growing up.

Oh boy, was he hardheaded and sweet!
I remember a few fights with my elder brother as a child. With Oliver, we took it to a different level. How could such a sweet little boy be so stubborn? He was strong-willed, had a mind of his own and would not give in for all the gold in the World. In the midst of it all, he had so much love and respect for me and I, loved him so.

My Dear Baby Brother.
Oliver, My Handsome Little Soul Brother (not so little anymore).

He is My Soul Brother who understands my unspoken words.
He is the one who gave both our Mother and me a chance to spend a few more minutes with our Sister before she left this World of mortals; though in my heart I know he was too young to witness the moment.
He is a fighter. I am so proud of his achievements and accomplishments. He could have easily chosen a different path or sought an easier way out; rather, he chose to stand tough and stay the course.

Happy Birthday Baby Brother! May our Heavenly Father grant you many, many more blessed years to share with me. Make this first year of your 30’s count and count me in for even greater support. I Love You tremendously.

Thought On Our Anniversary

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read935 views

Today, we celebrate our 13th Wedding Anniversary.

I knew my husband as a Friend and I now know him as a Man who astonishes me time and time again. I’ve watched him turn himself into the kind of man he wanted to be solely by his own strong will. He is generous to a fault, dependable, loyal. He makes me laugh harder than anybody I’ve ever known and he takes care of me and our Children. After fourteen years together, he still thinks he got lucky with me.

Going through my treasure box last night, I stumbled upon a little hand made gift my husband made for me thirteen years ago on our first Wedding Anniversary. It’s a Little Wire Chair he made using a Champagne Cork Holder, after which he placed a note in between the hearts.

Little Wire Chair Made With Champagne Cork Holder
(My Love’s handmade gift for me on our 1st Year Anniversary, in 2001).
Click here for the instructables.

These are the beautiful Bouquet of Flowers and card I woke up to this morning.

Wedding  Anniversary Flowers and Card.
Wedding Anniversary Flowers and Card.

13 years ago, I decided that if I had to pick a husband, I’d pick him.

Our Gingerbread House

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read1.1K views

“The way you spend Christmas is far more important than how much.” – Henry David Thoreau

Together with the kids, we’ve decided to do something fun while waiting for midnight and the opening of the gifts. We decorated the Gingerbread House (Pepparkaka Hus) we bought at Ikea a couple of weeks ago. I am sure it would have been so much fun making one from scratch.

Plain Gingerbread House.
Plain Gingerbread House.

We used caramel syrup to glue the pieces together and everyone pitched in with the decorations.

Gingerbread House Decorated.
Gingerbread House Decorated.
Gingerbread House Decorated.
Gingerbread House Decorated.

Merry Christmas!

“He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.” – Roy L. Smith

Happy Holidays!

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read552 views

This year I decided to keep the Christmas Tree decorating simple which meant no ribbons, bows, flowers, beaded garland and no train set up around the tree. I selected just a few of the ornaments and we randomly hung them, placing the vintage Angel Tree Topper at the top of our White Christmas Tree.

Christmas Tree, 2013.
Christmas Tree, 2013.

I used two different wrapping papers for the gifts as well as tags, to ensure that we each open what belongs to us.  I have learned the hard way that my daughter dislike people opening gifts for her (unless she ask for help). I have my Christmas wrapping all set up and now looking forward to watching the joy of my kids faces when they discover what are in those carefully wrapped boxes.

In addition to the large elegant Wreath on the front door, there’s a weather-resistant Winter Garden Flag outside our front door to give our visitors an initial warm welcome.

Winter Garden Flag.
Winter Garden Flag.

May your hearts be filled with the Spirit of Christmas.

Happy Holidays!

Vintage Christmas Decorations

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read1.6K views

In June we received a nicely wrapped gift bag from our oldest neighbor across the street, who stopped by to help us cut down the Pine Tree in our backyard. We had so much going on at the time that I grabbed the bag and set it somewhere in the garage. A couple of weeks later I opened it to see its contents and found a gorgeous set of Vintage Snoring Santa and a matching Vintage Santa Door Hanger, both battery operated (uses three “AA”). Also in the gift bag was a Water Globe Box with interchangeable top.

The first is the Santa Claus Wall/Door Hanger and plays ‘Jingle Bells’ when the sensor detects a presence and wishes a Merry Christmas to the Guest at the end of the song. It has a loop on the back for hanging and requires two “AA” batteries to operate.

Vintage Santa Door Hanger.
Vintage Musical Santa Face Door Hanger.

The second is Santa sound asleep in his bed. He snores and his belly moved up and down for approximately 20 seconds.

1993 Gemmy Snoring Santa.
1993 Gemmy Snoring Santa.

The third is the Kirkland Signature Water Globe Box. I love its interchangeable top which allows me to pick one of the two options. You can choose to either display Santa in the Globe or the Bird by the Chimney Flue.

Kirkland Signature Water Globe Box.
Kirkland Signature Water Globe Box.

Mrs. Santa Claus is made of felt with styrofoam head, plastic boots, felt clothing and cloth apron.

Vintage Mrs Santa Claus.
Vintage Mrs Santa Claus.

A couple of weeks ago I found the gorgeous Vintage Jewelbrite Star Angel Unbreakable Christmas Tree Topper at the Estate Liquidators. It will look lovely at the top of our White Christmas Tree.

Vintage Angel Tree Topper.
Vintage Angel Tree Topper.

Happy Christmas Decorating everyone!