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A year or so ago, I received a handcrafted gift from a friend. It was most unexpected, but a gift I will always cherish. She spent hours creating a heart from an old used book. I’ve seen many pieces of her handiwork, and she teaches herself by watching videos or YouTube. I’m amazed at her creativity.

She even signed her name and thanked me for being her friend. I keep the book on top of a file cabinet near my computer desk where I write. And when I need an uplift, I look at my heart and say, “Thank you, Sarah.”

Sometimes the best medicine is knowing someone cares.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

 

For several years I kept a basket filled with prizes and treats on a table by my front door. When my grandchildren, nieces, nephew, or neighbor children would visit, I let them select a prize to take home.

Often when the grandchildren stopped by, they would bring my mail inside or set the garbage can out by the road. My grandson continues to help me lift fifty pound bags of sunflower and bird seed along with water softener salt bags. It’s nice to show him how much I appreciate the added help.

My basket wasn’t large enough to hold the bigger items. I now fill a big box from a set of three nesting boxes.

If you want to thank a child for something they’ve done to help you, this is a terrific idea! And maybe they’ll carry on the tradition when they’re grown with families of their own.

Hebrews 13:16

But do not forget to do good and share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

UPDATE!

If you read my post The Valentine Tree, I recently decorated it for St. Patrick’s Day. Another fun time! And I’m already planning The Easter Tree.

My sister-in-law recently returned home from rehab and is receiving in-home therapy. Since therapy can last for several weeks or months, our family visits her on a regular basis.

I noticed her tabletop Christmas tree hadn’t been packed away and came up with a great idea to keep it decorated for the holidays and changing seasons.

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, so I thought I would cover the tree with handmade valentines and Dum-Dums. When her great-grandchildren come to visit, they can select a treat. What a wonderful memory for them to cherish.

                   

Any handmade decorations will work. I used bits and pieces of craft items I already had available.

If you have someone recovering at home, and you’d like to cheer them up, this is a great project. A small centerpiece tree would work too.

She has no idea what I have in store for future trees. And I hope to share my favorites ones with you.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

1 John 4:19 (NKJ)

We love Him because He first loved us.

 

With this latest snowstorm and winter looking like we’ve still got a long way to go, I wanted to share an interesting post, “The 5 W’s for Thriving in Winter,” from my friend Amy Harke-Moore at the blog A Rural Girl Writes.

Here is an excerpt:

“I’ve faced my own battles, too, in the past. Feeling down or even full-blown depression a couple of times in the month of January have resulted in some hard winters in the my lifetime, and though life is better these days, I’m still learning how to manage winter and all the pitfalls this time of year can bring.

But I am learning. Here is what has been helping me survive–and dare I say thrive?–this season.”

READ MORE

Enjoy!