Walking in the Winter Wonderland

We're privileged to spent the Christmas with my family in Finland this year.

It was cold outside, - 20 C frost, but with proper clothing we didn't freeze (too much!).

As we were walking outside, I enjoyed hearing the snow beneath my feet ... 

A rabbit had crossed the yard during the night.

The frost had drawn beautiful lines to the window of the sauna-building.

The snowflakes were shining as small diamonds 

when the sun reflected upon them.

We got frost on our hair and eye lashes!

The sun was setting down around 3 pm,

and the sown turned to rosa - pink,

as we were skiing.

Mom made a lantern of ice to the stairs outside the house. 

The frosty windows of the porch.

Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

Merry Christmas

"I thank the Lord

For sending His son

To one and all

So His will, will be done

The greatest love

Ever to be seen,

Is the love of Jesus

And the hope he brings."

S.M. Lowndes

... Wishing you a Merry Christmas

&

Peaceful & Joyful 

Holidays,

Nina

Small Gingerbread Gifts & Repurposing Magazines to Xmast Decorations {Wordless Wednesday}

Christmas tree at the school - decorated by 3rd graders

Someone had placed this teddy in the tree - so sweet!

I'm linking to 

If I were the rain ...

The rain is back and the snow is gone.

I found some lovely poems on rain written by children, 

to lighten up this dim afternoon.

If I were the rain

If I were the rain

I would make puddles everywhere.

I would drop from the sky,

Splatter on a windowpane.

If I were the rain,

I'd shimmer 

As brightly as a star.

By:Meghan

If I were the rain

I would look shiny and silvery

Drop to the ground.

Like a rainbow,

Playing on an umbrella

Tapping on the windowpane.

I make beautiful music.

By:Jason

If I were the rain

I would let silver raindrops

Fall down.

Then I'd come back

To give the flowers water.

By:Jonathan

... What kind of rain would you like to be?

Reversible bags & rice bags DIY

When our children were small, I often sewed clothes and nice little things to them. Now Christmas is serving as a great occasion to find my sewing machine and get a bit creative!

I have been sewing to the small relatives - as the toddlers do not read my blog, I dare to show a few pictures here before Christmas :)

This bag of rice is 12 years old - it keeps appearing from the most odd places - I found it from the hood of our younger son a month ago!  When our oldest son learned to walk, I sewed him little rice bags with handles - that was the most used gift that Christmas! The rice bags went wherever he went - it was an easy thing to carry - it didn't tip his balance at all :)

So as this old rice back was found, I got inspired to sew a few ordinary rice bags with handles, to the little relatives that are about to learn to walk.

These rice bags contain a white cotton cloth bag which is approximately half filled with rice. After I put the white cotton rice back in to the coloured back, I set a ribbon to serve as a handle, and sewed the bag together from the top.

To the school girl I sewed a reversible bag - she can turn the bag either to pink- flowery bag or to the dog-patterned bag. I used a pocket from my old jeans to serve as a little pocket.

The other sweet niece is going to receive a pink - green reversible bag. I sewed a fish ribbon to brighten up the side of the bag. I'm going to put some the colored pencils and paper inside her bag.

The 3 -y. old little man gets a reversible bag as well. This back has a wide shoulder straps, so that he can carry all the little cars!

I'm almost ready with the knitted presents as well. Using double yarn and large needles, you can easily knit a scarf or two to Christmas.

This fluffy scarf is almost ready. It is knitted with 8 mm circular needles, using two different colored mohair yarn.

The fabrics for the reversible bags and rice bags was something I all ready had - I needed to purchase only the spotted ribbons. Sewing is fun, I should maybe arrange a monthly sewing afternoon and invite a couple of friends over ... I could actually sew a large tote to my library book ...

Linking to 

I've been very lucky ...

 

 ... and have won 2 giveaways: From FOOD52 The lovely cookbook Small Plates and Sweet Treats by Aran Goyoaga from Cannelle et Vanille, and a wonderful linen pillow case made by my friend Johanna, the author of Ajatuksia Kaukana - blog!

I found the FOOD52-website as I was searching for a muffins recipe. On the FOOD52-blog I saw a giveaway, where 5 lucky ones cound win Aran's new cookbook. I have been following Aran's beautiful food blog about a year now,  so I knew that her Small Plates and Sweet Treats was published lately. Small Plates and Sweet Treats includes a bunch of lovely gluten-free recipes with really beautiful photographs.

It was easy to participate - I was asked to write a favorite gluten-free recipe, that would feed a crowd ... mine answer is below:

Time went by, and I had almost forgotten all about the giveaway, as I received this e-mail ...
I was so surprised, and happy, as I read it!

Some weeks later I received the Small Plates and Sweet Treats ... the most beautiful cookbook I've ever seen! I look forward of trying the recipes - the first will be one of Aran'd delicious tarte tatins!

My friend Johanna has an eye for interior design. She is  very good to sew and repurpose old furniture to something new and beautiful. She has sewn this lovely linen pillow case to a giveaway in her blog. Can you imagine, I was lucky to win this beautiful pillow case! I am really for this  happy beautiful pillow! Thank you Johanna!

With happy & lucky regards

Nina

ps. Being this lucky I'd say that

it is my turn to hold a giveaway

after the Christmas :-)