VINTAGE PRINTED PATTERNS

 

Words of Wisdom

Send out love and harmony, put your mind and body in a peaceful place, and then allow the Universe to work in the perfect way that it knows how.

Everything in the Universe flows. You can't get a hold of water by clutching it. Let your hand relax, though, and then you can experience it.

Surrender to what is.

Let go of what was.

Have faith in what will be.

Your entire life consists of the present moment.

Joy doesn't come when you try to hold it all together,

Joy comes when you let God hold you.

From dark clouds we get precious water....

From dark mines we get precious jewels....

And from our darkest trials come our best blessings from God.

 

HOMEMAKERS CREED

 

The Boy and His Christmas Box

 

Christmas is for love. It is for joy, for giving and sharing, for laughter, for reuniting with family and friends, for tinsel and brightly decorated packages. But mostly, Christmas is for love. I had not believed this until a small elf-like student with wide-eyed innocent eyes and soft rosy cheeks gave me a wondrous gift one Christmas.

Mark was an 11 year old orphan who lived with his aunt, a bitter middle aged woman greatly annoyed with the burden of caring for her dead sister’s son. She never failed to remind young Mark, if it hadn’t been for her generosity, he would be a vagrant, homeless waif. Still, with all the scolding and chilliness at home, he was a sweet and gentle child.

I had not noticed Mark particularly until he began staying after class each day (at the risk of arousing his aunt’s anger, I later found) to help me straighten up the room. We did this quietly and comfortably, not speaking much, but enjoying the solitude of that hour of the day. When we did talk, Mark spoke mostly of his mother. Though he was quite small when she died, he remembered a kind, gentle, loving woman, who always spent much time with him.

As Christmas drew near however, Mark failed to stay after school each day. I looked forward to his coming, and when the days passed and he continued to scamper hurriedly from the room after class, I stopped him one afternoon and asked why he no longer helped me in the room. I told him how I had missed him, and his large gray eyes lit up eagerly as he replied, “Did you really miss me?”

 

I explained how he had been my best helper. “I was making you a surprise,” he whispered confidentially. “It’s for Christmas.” With that, he became embarrassed and dashed from the room. He didn’t stay after school any more after that.

Finally came the last school day before Christmas. Mark crept slowly into the room late that afternoon with his hands concealing something behind his back. “I have your present,” he said timidly when I looked up. “I hope you like it.” He held out his hands, and there lying in his small palms was a tiny wooden box.

“Its beautiful, Mark. Is there something in it?” I asked opening the top to look inside. ”

“Oh you can’t see what’s in it,” He replied, “and you can’t touch it, or taste it or feel it, but mother always said it makes you feel good all the time, warm on cold nights, and safe when you’re all alone.”

I gazed into the empty box. “What is it Mark,” I asked gently, “that will make me feel so good?” “It’s love,” he whispered softly, “and mother always said it’s best when you give it away.” And he turned and quietly left the room.

So now I keep a small box crudely made of scraps of wood on the piano in my living room and only smile as inquiring friends raise quizzical eyebrows when I explain to them that there is love in it.

Yes, Christmas is for gaiety, mirth and song, for good and wondrous gifts. But mostly, Christmas is for love.

~ Unknown ~

 https://deeprootsathome.com/christmas-short-stories

GRANDMA'S APRON

 

Reindeer's Story at Christmas

According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, while both male and female reindeer grow antlers in the summer each year, male reindeer drop their antlers at the beginning of winter, usually late November to mid-December.

Female reindeer retain their antlers till after they give birth in the spring. Therefore, according to EVERY historical rendition depicting Santa's reindeer, EVERY single one of them, from Rudolph to Blitzen, had to be a girl.

We should have known... ONLY women would be able to drag a fat man in a red velvet suit all around the world in one night and not get lost.

CHRISTMAS IS A TIME FOR SHARING

Christmas is a Time - for Sharing by Barbara Laughlin

 

Old stories passed down through the years

"what grandpa did one Christmas eve"

Had you laughing through your tears

 

Christmas is a time - for caring

About your family, neighbours and friends

Lending a hand to others in need

before the season ends

 

Christmas is a time - for giving

Presents that came from your heart

Watching the children, hearing their laughter

As the packages are torn apart

 

Christmas is a time - for peace

When soldiers lay aside their guns

And raise a glass to peace and good will

To every father and every son

 

Christmas is a time - for remembering

Family not with us on Christmas morn

And why people everywhere celebrate

The night our saviour was born