My Christmas Tree

It's not the actual tree that's become so special to me. The tree is fake. It came in a box, and it is factory-wrapped in white lights. It is compact and sets up in three easy steps. We bought it on sale after Christmas a few years ago.



What's dear to me is all the stuff I hang on it every year. The assortment has become a collection that tells a bit of a story about us, the owners of the fake tree. And the ornaments have become the center of a quiet tradition of remembering and practicing thanksgiving at Christmastime.

Sheldon deserves the credit for starting this quiet tradition. He sent me the ornament that started it all in a care package years ago before we were married. I thought it was a very sweet gesture, and I still smile about how he addressed the package to his "Sweatheart".



Sheldon and I celebrated our 13th Wedding Anniversary this year, and every Christmas his gift to me has been another ornament for the tree. Most of them have a white, heart-shaped style like this one:



But sometimes the ornament reflects a significant event that occurred in that year like this one:



Or this one:



Not all of the ornaments on my tree are from Sheldon. We are blessed with sweet family and friends and neighbors who share their lives and love with us, so the tree reflects the privilege and beauty of living in relationship with others.

Here is a garden elf from a neighbor and friend:



And the pig Jesse made in '04:



And the lump Saul made in '04:



My sister made these replicas of the shortbread cookies my mother bakes every year:



My mom crocheted a lovely collection of snowflakes and covers for my shiny red orbs:





And this little Santa Face is also homemade by mom. It reminds me of the Christmas Trees I enjoyed as a child.



My dad contributed several red hearts, handcrafted from wood and painted by his hand:



I have several ornaments from Pam now. The photo doesn't capture the layers of gorgeous color on this one she dipped--so adeptly!



And here's one from Stef:



One year at a Cookie Party I made these ribbon and wreath ornaments with friends:





This little angel reminds me of my church family. Everybody got one at a Christmas Brunch a few years ago:



This is my Noodle Angel from Kathleen. She's given me quite a few angels over the years. I'm surprised at how well this little thing has held up!



This is a chubby, happy angel I purchased myself; I like her attitude!




Here is the tiniest ornament on my tree, but it represents the biggest, most glorious truth! Jesus was born (like it says in Luke 2) and Jesus died on the cross (like it says in Luke 24) and now I am forgiven and free to walk in joy (like it says in Romans 8)! It's really, really cool to think about how much God loves you and me. He offers life to all who believe! And this is why I celebrate and this is why I hope and this is why I will continue this quiet tradition of remembering who God is and what He has done. I know I can do it anywhere, anytime...but in this season, I do it quite a lot at my Christmas Tree.





It's difficult to hang a nativity set on a tree, so we set them up around the tree:





Thanks for touring my tree with me! I wish you comfort and joy where you are in this day!

Lemons and Optimism, Friendship and Bilquist Day

Yesterday, I was a vendor at the Bilquist Bazaar, a well-organized and well-attended event for folks who love handmade items. It was a fun day to be a vendor...lots of traffic and steady sales until about one o'clock. I loved meeting new customers and I absolutely loved seeing some of my "old faithful" fans again! Thank you for coming out, old faithful fans!

And thank you, Stef and Pam, for bringing me refreshment in the mid-afternoon. You encouraged me with your enthusiasm, and then you helped me in such a very practical way. Thank you for packing up my gear and lugging it all out to the car! You are dears, and I am so very blessed by your friendship!

My top seller on Bilquist Day was the highly favored Lemon Soap; this bar is bursting with bright, lively citrus oils, and the scent is fresh and uplifting. Beware, Melancholy Dollies! When you choose Lemon Soap by Greenfield Soap Co., you are inviting a hefty dose of optimism to your soap dish!




I always look forward to finding out which Greenfield Soap Style will be the most esteemed on any given sale day. It varies, you know, and that is part of the intrigue! For this day, Lemon Soap became the happy favorite, and I understand its a-peel (har!).




Lemons are beautiful, but surprising. Lemons, like many blessings, make a lovely first impression before they reveal a zingy, sour side along with a vast potential for sweetness. If you chew on a lemon, your face will pucker and dance out of sync. I once had a car that was a lemon; I didn't chew on it, but it made me red in the face, and it nearly destroyed my happy dance for quite awhile! There has been much written about lemons. Foodies like to quote (and misquote?) Rilke who speaks of lemon disks sinking into the tea (or the dusky sea?). Lemons permeate or complement; they appear in perfumes, in candies, in drinks. Lemons look nice beside fish on a plate, and it can seem just right to squeeze a lemon over greens in a salad. Lemons, like many blessings, are beautiful and surprising, and I thank you, fans of Greenfield Soap Co., for celebrating lemons for a moment with me!

Wishing you many blessings and the JOY of a thankful heart in all of your sour and sweet affairs,

Susan

GREENFIELD SOAP CO.
susan@amicusdata.com
www.twitter.com/greenfieldsoap
http://greenfieldsoapco.blogspot.com
coming soon: www.greenfieldsoapco.com

"every morning lean thine arms awhile upon the window-sill of heaven and gaze upon the Lord; then with the vision in thy heart, turn strong to meet the day."

Here's An Easy Snack Mix Idea

Kathleen’s Munchie Mix

Place in clean, food safe large bag your preferred combination (about 4 “ice cream pails”—or about 16-17 cups) of all or some of the following: Shreddies Cereal, Crispix Cereal, Cheerios, pretzels, Ritz Bitz, peanuts, fish crackers, bugles, etc. Note: I like to include something with cheese like cheesy ritz bitz, and something with peanut butter (again, like peanut butter ritz bitz) and a little bit of sweet (like a few honey-coated peanuts).

Add ½-1 cup oil and shake to coat. (I find ½ c. is enough for my taste. I prefer extra virgin olive oil; the mild kind which says “good for sautéing and baking” on the label.)

Sprinkle in the following spices to your preference and shake: 4 T garlic salt, 3 packages Ranch Dressing Mix (I only use 2, I think.), 3 T dill weed.

I know, it’s a bit of a vague recipe; be creative and…

Enjoy!

Susan

GREENFIELD SOAP CO.
susan@amicusdata.com
www.twitter.com/greenfieldsoap
coming soon: www.greenfieldsoapco.com

"every morning lean thine arms awhile upon the window-sill of heaven and gaze upon the Lord; then with the vision in thy heart, turn strong to meet the day."

You are invited to come see Greenfield Soap Co. at the
Bilquist Bazaar
on Saturday, November 22, 2008.
Time: 10AM to 4PM
Address: Bilquist Elementary School; 15708 SE Webster Rd; Milwaukie, OR 97267

Look for table # 87!

Greenfield Soaps are $6 each; when you buy 5, you get an additional bar FREE!

I hope you come by and say hello!

Showers of blessings to you,

Susan

susan@amicusdata.com

You are invited to the 30th Annual New Hope Handmade Christmas Bazaar (140 spaces filled with the finest artisan crafts, gifts & foods):

Friday, November 14th @ 10a-6p
Saturday, November 15th @ 9a-5p

Location:
11731 SE Stevens Rd; Happy Valley, OR 97086
(Across I-205 freeway from Clackamas Town Center)

Shop at Greenfield Soap Co. and receive a special gift with your purchase! (Hint: it’s luxurious & sweet & it smells delicious.) Bring a friend and share the fun!

Greenfield’s hefty bars of beautiful soap are made carefully in small batches with plant-based ingredients; they are gentle and sudsy and especially good for sensitive skin! Greenfield Soaps are $6 each; when you buy 5 bars of Greenfield Soap, you get an additional bar FREE!

Consider a Greenfield Gift Set: 2 bars of Greenfield Soap wrapped and ready to give in an attractive box with a tag that says, “homemade with care especially for you to enJOY!”. Price: $14

Personalized Pre-orders welcome! See below for a complete list of soap scents/styles currently available; then email with your order, and I’ll have it ready for you to pick up at New Hope at your convenience. I’ll gladly customize gift sets and soap labels to your preference. Just let me know your color choices, desired wording, etc. and I’ll do my very best to accommodate your special requests.

Have a great day! I look forward to seeing you soon!

Blessings (showers of them!),

Susan

GREENFIELD SOAP CO.
susan@amicusdata.com
www.twitter.com/greenfieldsoap
http://greenfieldsoapco.blogspot.com
coming soon: www.greenfieldsoapco.com

"every morning lean thine arms awhile upon the window-sill of heaven and gaze upon the Lord; then with the vision in thy heart, turn strong to meet the day."


Anise (or Angler's Ace)
Anise with Poppyseed
Calico
Caramel Macchiato
Carrot Seed
Cedarwood Mint with Bentonite Clay Round
Cedarwood & Cinnamon
Chai Whip
Cinnamon Dolce
Citrus Spice
Coffee
Coffee Kitchen Mint
Do NOT Bug Me! Round
Eucalyptus Mint
Evergreen
Gardener's Choice Round
Geranium
Geranium with Pink Clay
Honey, I’m Unscented
Honey Oat
Honey Wheat
Juniper Lime
Lavender
Lavender Oat
Lavender Rosemary
Lemon
Lemon Poppyseed
Mint Medley
Parsley & Lime
Pink Peppermint
Saskatchewan Summer
Saskatchewan Summer with Cornmeal
Shaving Soap (Unscented) Round
Simply Soap Round
Spearmint Orange
Sweet Honey Oat
Sweet Honey Wheat
Sweet Orange
Sweet Orange Oat
Tea Tree
Tea Tree with Oats
Tea Tree & Lavender with Bentonite Clay Round
Tea Tree with Bentonite Clay Round
Tea Tree Lavender Oat
Vetiver
Warm Spice
Washboard Wonder Soap Round

Quiet Retreat

I've just returned from a Quiet Retreat. I feel really tired, but in a good way. I feel like I've had some rare time away to think and play and listen. I mean think, as in think about things that are bigger (like the promises of God) than what's on my task list. I mean play, as in sit on a swing, walk in the forest, giggle with the girls. I mean listen, as in listen to the brook, to the softly falling leaf, to the still, small voice of the Lord. It's work to think and play and listen like this, but it is so very restful for my soul. Why don't I do more of this? I definitely need to do more of this. I NEED to be faithful and purposeful about using the blessings of time and health to listen and pray and celebrate my Lord--for His glory and my own well-being. I was made for this!

"Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:

Because of the LORD'S great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him."

Lamentations 3:21-24