"Kindness is like snow- it beautifies everything it covers"

Croft M. Pentz

Winter 2017 Sweet & Kind Contest
(a $90 value)

Drawing CLOSED

This giveaway includes gifts to help you be a little kinder to yourself and add some sweetness to your life!

How to Enter: Send me an e-mail sharing a kindness you've experienced. I'll include some entries in future updates.

Box continas: Birdhouse 14 oz. Mug from Lang , Chicken Soup for the Soul Reboot Your Life, Earth Therapeutics microwaveable Neck Pillow, A Day at the Beach instrumental CD, Tea Forté Herbal Retreat tea assortment, and Fran's Gray Salted Caramel Chocolates!

*** U.S. entries only please

"Winter came down to our home one night
Quietly pirouetting in on silvery-toed slippers of snow,
And we, we were children once again."
~ Bill Morgan Jr.

Blessed at Birth

Dear Lord, may I ever refrain
From speaking ill of others;
May I have kindly thoughts, as well,
For all my earthly brothers!
May I, dear Heavenly Father,
Radiate pure love for all ...
May I see good in everyone;
May I pray for those in woe ...
If I can do these things, O Lord,
While I am here on this earth,
I'll feel my life's not been in vain -
That I was blessed at my birth!

by Gertrude Tooley Buckingham, (1940's)

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."

Aesop ~ 'The Lion and the mouse'

Readers Share Maternal Wisdom

Susan - A piece of advice I have loved is from an Aunt who lives by the Golden Rule. She always has an open heart and treats others with respect and love no matter what their position or spot in life is. She reminds us all to be nice to everyone because you never know when you might be entertaining Angels.

Jane - My mom did the right thing and didn't say much about it.

Mary Louise - The "wisdom" I received from my mother - "Just try your best, be who you are, and don't worry."

Jackie - I have learned so much from my mom how to love, and how to never give up. My aunt taught me how to cope with chronic illness, and my grandmother taught me to stand for what I believe in.

Rebecca - My grandmother, mother, and aunt have each told me to be strong and get a good education.

Lydia - My mother said when there's a fire (quarrel or a problem), some people bring wood and some people bring water. She encouraged us to be peacemakers and bring water to put out fires, not cause them to blaze more. I'm grateful for my godly mother. She gave birth to nine children, and I'm the youngest, born to her in her forties.

Lucy - Words of wisdom my mama gave me were to always trust in God and put Him first, to have compassion and love for others, and to believe in myself.

Gingerbread Snowballs

Toast the pecans (bake on cookie sheet at 350* for 6-8minutes), and set aside.

Cream together the first three ingredients. Slowly mix in the flour, salt, and spices. Stir in the chopped pecans.

Chill dough in the frig for about an hour. Roll dough into 1 inch balls, and place about 2 inches apart on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake at 400° for 8-10 minutes. Let cool.

Gently shake cookies in powdered sugar in a zip lock bag.

Snowflake Fun

When's the last time you cut out paper snowflakes? Please don't tell me elementary school.

All you need is a pair of sharp scissors, and squares or circles of white paper. Fold your paper in half, then in half again, and maybe fold a third or fourth time. Then cutout hearts, circles, diamonds, or other shapes along the folds.

If you're out of practice and need some ideas check out these websites for free printable patterns. www.marcels-kid-crafts.com/snowflake-pattern.html and www.firstpalette.com/tool_box/printables/snowflake.html.

There's no age limit when the world says you must stop making snowflakes. I may be over fifty (though please don't tell everyone), but I've cut out many over the years and did so the other night.

What do you do with them when you're done you might ask?

Hang them on your windows, or write a little note to your kids or grandkids and send a few of your creations along. In a stress-bent world it's good to remind people to take a break, play, and just have fun!

Did You Know?
Random Acts of Kindness week is celebrated
Feb. 12-18.

Recently while making a purchase at my local craft store, though the young clerk acknowledged me she kept her head down and wore a glum look on her face. I noticed how beautiful she was. Fair skin, dark hair, and bright red lips.

She handed me the bag with my purchase, and I started away from the check stand, then stepped back and leaned toward her. "You know, I can't leave without telling you how beautiful you are. You really know how to wear makeup." I said. "Really, you look like a porcelain doll. You're so beautiful."

The young woman's whole face brightened as if sunshine flooded into the store.

I noticed as I left, she sported a wide smile and chatted it up with the next customer in line.

It doesn't take much to spread some cheer. Here's a few ideas:

If you run out of ideas, Google Random Acts of Kindness and you'll find a myriad of websites filled with ways to be kind.