Holidays | A Daisy Garden

Posts Tagged ‘Holidays’

Edible Gifts (are the best!)

Posted in Baking, Cooking, Gifts, Photography, tagged Baking, Bread, Christmas, Cooking, Food, Food Gifts, Gifts, Handmade Gifts, Holidays, photography on December 22, 2017| 3 Comments »

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Thank you all so much for the way you responded to my last post. It’s funny (not in a humorous way, but a thought-provoking way) how through this “blog world” I have made some unexpected friendships that have been a real blessing to me.

I really didn’t expect a lot of response after not posting anything for six months! But you guys have just made me feel as if I got a hug from each of you! You didn’t have to do that, so it means all the more.

I’m so looking forward to reading through your blogs and catching up on all you’ve been doing, and what’s been going on in your lives.

………………………………………………….

Now, about edible gifts…

We have several Christmas get-together with Pastors & their wives (with whom we work) in different regions so it gives me a chance to bake some special little things that are really only around at Christmas time. (Not sure why! They are good enough to eat all year round! 😊)

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s year I made three different things to go in the gift bags. Mini Oreos, dipped in white chocolate and rolled in crushed peppermint candies.. Mini Swirl Cinnamon Bread loaves… and Fudge Brownies.

The mini Oreos are so easy. You just dip them in melted white chocolate then roll them in crushed peppermint candies. Place on a wax papered-covered baking sheet, and place in refrigerator (This will keep them crunchy). I was surprised how long they stayed fresh! They are a delicious treat!

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n came these mini Cinnamon Swirl loaves. Just use your favorite recipe, and you can add raisins, dates, or dried apricots – whatever you prefer.

The key is to bake them in paper loaves so you can just wrap them up in cellophane after they've baked and cool.

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last but certainly not least, are the fudge-y brownies, made with dark chocolate chips, if you like that extra chocolatey goodness. These are my favorite!!

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s always fun to bake something a little extra special for people that you know could use an encouraging word, letting them them know that they are appreciated, their work is not in vain, and that they're loved.

What are you baking today? Are you baking something sweet for someone special?

Have a wonderful Christmas season!

Hugs,

Daisy

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Update

Posted in Crafts, Gifts, Photography, Quilting, Sewing, tagged Christmas, Fabric, Giveaway, Holidays, photography, Quilting, Sewing on December 15, 2017| 23 Comments »

Hi friends,

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I’m not sure if there’s still anybody out there who will even stop to read this, but in case there is…

Earlier this year, my husband gave me a brand new MacBook. It was to replace my almost 9-year old laptop, which I had worn out. I was thrilled with it and looked forward to all the fun I was going to have using it not only for work and ministry, but for a creative outlet as well.

On the third day of using this beautiful new laptop, I sat down to have my devotions (as I usually do in the morning), with my cup of Herbal tea, and as I reached for something on the table, I tipped over the mug of hot tea and it spilled all over the keyboard. It literally looked like fireworks were going off on my laptop. I tried everything but nothing worked. Took it to the Apple Store but they told me that my $300 Apple Care plan would not cover any of it because it was considered water damage, and that is the one thing they don’t cover. If I had dropped it on my driveway and run over it with my car (by accident, of course!), they would gladly replace it. But not water damage. The best picture I can find of how I felt at the moment: 😩

And that is the reason I have not been in the blogging world since June. I’ve used the app many times before, but again, back in June, the WordPress app was glitching and several of my older posts were removed. I knew it was a mistake because it was about quilting, nothing of international concern. LOL I finally got it fixed this morning as I played around with the new settings on the updated app.

If there’s anyone who is still reading, …I humbly thank you!! My plan/hope is to start catching up on all the blog posts I would’ve posted since June. I still don’t have a laptop, but I’m getting used to using my husband’s iPad. It’s not the same, but it’ll do for now.

Just to say thank you for reading through all this, I’d like to do a little giveaway. I had a hard time choosing a charm pack from my stash because I like them all so much, but I finally chose one that I thought would appeal to most quilters and those of you who sew.

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The charm pack is Hop, Skip and a Jump! By American Jane, Sandy Klop, for Moda. It contains 42 squares of 5” fabrics, some patterns are duplicated. I took just a few pics of several patterns but there’s many more in there. It’s so cute!!

To enter the giveaway: Leave a comment below about what your plans are for Christmas or New Years. The giveaway is open until December 31st and I will be mailing the fabric to the winner first week of January. For more entries, visit my Instagram by clicking on the icon on the right side of the screen or go to @adaisygarden on Instagram.

Happy Friday, and have a blessed weekend everyone!

Daisy

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A New Year

Posted in Photography, Reflection, tagged Holidays, photography, Prayer on January 3, 2017| 12 Comments »

I know it’s not the 1st of January, not even the 2nd…

It’s the 3rd.

But now that the new year 2017 has officially begun,

I just want to say…

I truly pray that this is a very blessed year for you and yours!

Love,

Daisy

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Thanks Giving

Posted in Photography, Reflection, Sunday, tagged Family, Holidays, photography, Scripture, Thankful on November 26, 2016| 6 Comments »

This whole Fall has been a season of Giving Thanks.

I have so much to be grateful for.

Twice this year I had to deal with some health issues.
They could’ve been very serious…
But I thank God for restoring me to good health
and I feel better than I have in years.

I’m also thankful that my family, my kids, grandkids, and extended family
are doing well.
I can’t put into words how wonderful it is when everyone is healthy.
After several years of different ones going to the hospital and experiencing
such serious problems… I cannot thank God enough for the blessing
of good health in our family.
It is a gift not to be taken for granted.

Every thing else is just an added bonus.

I thank Him many times every day.

I have much to be thankful for.

Have a blessed Sunday!

Daisy
.
“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
His love endures forever.”
1 Chronicles 16:34

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Happy Independence!

Posted in Photography, Reflection, tagged Holidays, inspirational, photography, Reflection on July 4, 2014| 25 Comments »

I’ve heard it said many times… “You don’t appreciate something until you don’t have it anymore.”

like…

…you don’t appreciate good health until you no longer have it.

…you don’t truly appreciate a loved one until they’re gone.

Today is a special day. Independence Day. The fourth of July.

…and that old saying comes to mind.

For those who have been born here and have never lived
under an oppressive government,
it’s easy to take our American freedom for granted.

The freedom to say, do, go, think, plan, study, buy, eat, whatever you want
is something we don’t even think about. It is the way of life here.

It seems hard to believe that there are countries where you cannot speak freely,
you cannot visit anyone you like,
you can’t travel wherever/whenever you like,
you can’t study what interests you,
you can’t plan to have a birthday party or dinner party,
you can’t just buy something you really like,
you can’t own your own business,
You can’t kill one of your own chickens/hogs/cattle,
You can’t own your own land,
All mail is read before you receive it.
“Courts of law” are just a group of local government sympathizers
You live in a constant state of not knowing what can happen
to you or your loved ones from one day
to the next.
It is the way of life there.

No freedom. Only oppression. Persecution.

Now, when someone who has lived for years in a regime like that,
arrives in the USA…
words cannot describe what they feel.

It’s as if someone who was born in a prison, with no hope of ever getting out,
was given their freedom.

They can now dream, hope, plan, work, live
in a very different world.

For those who have not had this experience
it is almost impossible to know what it feels like.
Don’t even try to tell them that America is messed up.
Don’t talk about how bad things are here and how wonderful
everywhere else is.
They know it isn’t perfect here, but…
they remember what life was like where they came from.
They are like the grateful children who have been adopted,
and they know their adoptive parents
are good people who have taken care of them and raised them
to think for themselves, work hard, dream, fly.
These are the kids that know their parents aren’t perfect,
but they appreciate them and all they have given them.

They are proud to be Americans now.
They love this country.
Some of them have been part of the US military for most of their lives.
They are proud to serve and fight to preserve those freedoms
they once lived without.

They know what we celebrate on the 4th of July every year since 1776.

This is a special day to them.

And every year they remember.

Happy Independence Day, everybody!

Daisy

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Happy Father’s Day!

Posted in Reflection, tagged Family, Holidays, inspirational, Joy, Reflection on June 16, 2013| 13 Comments »

Today, in honor of Father’s Day, I’d like to mention my father.

He has been an inspiration and a joy to me my whole life.

When I was just a toddler, he left his country to bring his family (my Mom, my brother, and me) to a country in which he did not know one single person and could not speak the language. He gave up the career he was studying back in his country and signed up for some English language classes and a program in the nearest technical/career school. He graduated from both and though he did not become wealthy, he was successful in his field and was able to provide for his family. He is a hard worker and is also one of the kindest and most generous men I know.

Growing up, not a day went by that I did not know for certain that my Dad loved me. The older I get, the more I realize what a tremendous gift that was. I thank God for my father, and my desire is to show him everyday that I love him, too. I call him every single day, we chat for a bit, and always end every conversation by saying, “I love you”.

I feel very blessed and thank God everyday that my Dad is still healthy. I almost lost him many years ago and he was miraculously healed. I often tell people not to take their loved ones for granted. Cherish them. Call them. Tell them over & over how much you love them.

Happy Father’s Day everyone!

Daisy

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Happy Christmas!!

Posted in Photography, tagged Holidays, photography, Scripture on December 24, 2012| 8 Comments »

May you all have a blessed Christmas!!

“ BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD
AND SHALL BEAR A SON,
AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,”
which translated means,
“ GOD WITH US.”
Matthew 1:23

Love to you and your family,

Daisy

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Thankful. Very thankful.

Posted in Photography, tagged Family, Holidays, inspirational, photography on November 20, 2012| 14 Comments »

This week, in honor of Thanksgiving, each day I’d like to “feature” different things I’m thankful for. I’d like to start with my family, of course…

I am so grateful for my parents. The older I get, the more I appreciate them and their wisdom! Here they are with my brother, many years ago. My Mom passed away 25 years ago but I’m still learning from the things she tried to teach me. And my Dad… well, he’s pretty terrific. He is one of the kindest people I’ve ever known. He’s been a fantastic Dad and though we don’t live close, I call him everyday and catch up on how he’s doing and what he’s up to. I tell him everyday how much I love him!

I’m thankful for my wonderful husband. I think he gets more handsome the longer we’re married. He’s sweet, kind, thoughtful, loving… all the things a woman dreams of in a husband. I am so very blessed to have him! Through all our 28 yrs of marriage, in exciting & wonderful times as well as in times of grief and loss, he has always been my closest friend and confidant. I love being his wife!

My daughter… I call her my sunshine. She is a joy and a delight and I am so thankful for her. I am very proud of her. She is beautiful not only on the outside, but especially on the inside. She is very smart, she forgives easily, she loves deeply, and laughs often! She is thoughtful & kind. She is a gifted teacher in High School, and seeks to make a difference in those young people’s lives. More than just mother/daughter, we are best friends. We have so much fun together!

Three years ago she graduated from college and 2 wks later was married…

We welcomed our new son into the family. They recently moved about 8 hrs away… we miss them so much! Good thing we have skype, texting, cell phones, facebook…

My son… he is my treasure. He is a gifted musician and speaker. He plays several different instruments, sings beautifully, and writes music. He is sensitive, kind, thoughtful. I am so proud of him. He has a terrific sense of humor and is always making us laugh! He cares a great deal about people and goes out of his way to make them feel special. From the moment I first saw & held him, I have been thanking God for him!

This year he graduated from college and a week later was married…