Tennessee White Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Christmas Quotes

Christmas Quotes:

"And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow,
stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more."
— Dr. Seuss (How the Grinch Stole Christmas!)

"You weren't an accident. You weren't mass produced. You aren't an assembly-line product. You were deliberately planned, specifically gifted, and lovingly positioned on the earth by the Master Craftsman."
— Max Lucado (The Christmas Candle)

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. "
— Norman Vincent Peale

"Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart. "
— Washington Irving

"What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace."
"
— Agnes M. Pahro


"Love is what is in the room with you at Christmas when you stop opening presents and listen.. "
— Bobby age 7


One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. Don't clean it up too quickly. ~Andy Rooney

There has been only one Christmas - the rest are anniversaries. ~W.J. Cameron


Like snowflakes, my Christmas memories gather and dance - each beautiful, unique and too soon gone. ~Deborah Whipp

Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect. ~Oren Arnold

"I truly believe that if we keep telling the Christmas story, singing the Christmas songs, and living the Christmas spirit, we can bring joy and happiness and peace to this world."
— Norman Vincent Peale

Photography, Paper, Picturesque

I just could not resist spotlighting the latest creative creation by Kelli Trontell{photography} and ButterflyspArks. These beautiful young entrepreneurs are creative geniuses on their own, but when you place these two girls together, magic happens. It’s incredible, fun, simple, beautiful…it’s art! Combine ButterflyspArks' extraordinary talent for creating visually stunning graphic design pieces and Kelli Trontell{photography} unique ability to capture precious details through her camera lens and just prepare yourself to be inspired. Distinctive characters from both the ladies' creative minds creates an entanglement perfect for developing personalized memories, better known as photographs. Their latest collaboration took place shortly before both of the ladies moved away from Nashville, TN and involved drawing inspiration from a couple key ingredients their love of children and their passion to create and inspire. These ladies dreamed up a photo shoot backdrop where kids can be kids. Their goal was to inspire mom’s who run out of creative ways to photograph their children. The girls came up with fun paper cutouts: paper cheeks, mustaches, music notes, and so much more, which transformed the simple but bold backdrops into a world of imagination and for the kiddos resulting in fun and cleverly designed photographs. Every photo is overflowing with adventure and giggling children! Kelli Trontell{photography} and ButterflyspArks“Playing with Paper” is simply a brilliant use of imagination developing a fun and easy way to photograph your favorite little ones. Hope you feel as inspired as I did!



Speical Note: this article also appear at Cookevilletimes.com

What's Your Favorite Christmas Songs???

My new favorite Christmas music comes to me via Michael Buble Christmas (EP). I fell in love with his verison of “Let it Snow”, which I recently heard come across the radio waves, so I went home and bought the whole collection from iTunes. Bonus for me, the EP also included my other favorite Christmas song “I’ll be home for Christmas”. I personally enjoy Michael Buble's old school, jazzy style in which he somehow adds a modern little twist to making it his own . This Christmas music collection makes me want a white Christmas, which is a little ironic considering I am not a fan of snow or the cold weather for that matter. Whats your favorite Christmas music collections or even just your favorite song?

Little Sock Elf{by Mandee Franee Designs}

Just take a look at this sweet little elf face. Don’t you just love him? I love him all the way from his big black button eyes down to the adorable little bells on his toes. I love all Mandee Franee Designs this is her second appearance on Inside My Head. To see the first one just click Monster Fun. The girl behind these creations has such an adorable imagination. I also love her Christmas lens pet collection. My personal favorite is the Gingerbread man, too cute! You can check her and all her creations out on her blog just click HERE. I don't know about you, but I can't wait to see what lovable creations she comes up with for Valentines Day!!!

A Crafty Sisterhood

Rebekah and Deborah Robson are two small town girls, originally from Overton County, Tennessee who just happen to be sisters, who just happen to fall in love with and marry two brothers, who just happen to be stay at home mommies, who just happen to be two incredibly creative people.

Both of these young women are drawn to the crafting world. Rebekah has been painting, drawing, and sewing for years now, while kid sister Deborah is just getting her feet wet and exploring the crafty side of herself. After the discovery that both of them were interested in creating, the girls set out in search of an outlet for their creative energy. Thus, “20 Little Toes” was born, an Etsy shop devoted mostly to children’s projects.


“20 Little Toes” was originally created by sister Deborah and the name is a homage to her adorable twin boys. Soon after, sister Rebekah came on board as a mainstay contributor to the shop. The girls thought about changing the name, since Rebekah is also a mother to a sweet baby boy, but both decided “30 Little Toes” sounded a bit creepy, therefore deciding ultimately that “20 Little Toes” was around to stay.

The shop is dedicated to outfitting your children with both fun and practicality in mind. Both girls bring their own sense of style and ideas to the table. Rebekah's style is quirky, bright, with a twist of bohemian, while Deborah brings a more modern, streamlined, linear style with a dash of soft and feminine. The girls have found that in the crafting world their individual styles compliment each other very well. Their ability to work so well together is what makes the shop work and shows off a collective combination of their creative abilities and unique styles.


The shop has already made one appearance in the Etsy treasury section. The girls were thrilled that other crafters had connected with their work and chose their shop to be featured in such a select group.

These days the girls are busy preparing for the Holiday season. On average the girls spend 2-4 hours a day crafting and as far as plotting new ideas, the girls' brains are always in motion, daydreaming about new projects.

While Rebekah and Deborah love the crafting world, their main focus is their children. They are self described, part-time crafters and full time Mommies. While crafting is fun and challenging, their main priority is shaping the character of their sons. Crafting is something they do for themselves, something they enjoy, something that allows them to use a different part of their brains, and “20 Little Toes” is a lovely side effect of the crafting hobby of Deborah and Rebekah Robson.

To check out more of their products visit “20 Little Toes” on Etsy




Special Note: This article also appears in the Cookevilletimes.com

Gifted

I am just giddy about this inspiring new Holiday magazine & gift guide recently launched by Creature Comfort (blog). Gifted is a stunning on-line publication bringing together an assortment of talented minds offering you gorgeous ideas and products. The magazine features include shopping, gift ideas, decor, treats, do-it-yourself projects and so very much more. After I stumbled across this magazine one afternoon via a Facebook status, I simply could not stop admiring the beautiful images that are so precisely laid out. Once I could bring myself to stop swooning over the whimsical appearance, I began to explore the written portion and blogger links the publication had to offer. The magazine itself is such a joyful experience, but the adventure lying on each of it’s pages appears to be endless. Inside you will discover a whirlwind of inspiration on each and every one of the 200 plus pages. Without elaboration, there is simply something for everyone. Each and every one of the contributor’s deserves a pat on the back for a job well done, along with the dreamer behind the idea for such a stunning piece of on-line publication. One more bit of good news that I must mention is that access to Gifted magazine is totally FREE. Not only is it free, it gives amazing gift ideas and provides links to each one, giving the magazine both beauty and brains.

Perspective of A Student

Students, it’s pretty much your career from the time you start your first day of Kindergarten until at least your senior year of high school. Maybe even an extended career if you choose the path of higher education. In today’s final interview in the education series we are talking to tenth grader Ian Flowers. To stop and listen to the opinions of those actually taking part in the education system is an important way to improve the system and better meet the needs of individual students. After all, education does ultimately effect the lives and the futures of the worlds young people.

Interview With A Student

Question: What are your feelings about school in general (think about the whole process you have been through, not just your current grade)?
Answer: content/comfortable


Question: Do you think we are expecting too much out of the student body these days? In other words, are we forcing them to grow up too fast and robbing them of some of their childhood?
Answer: No


Question: Are you for or against School uniforms and Why?
Answer: against, limits individuality and most of them look stupid


Question: Should teachers be expected to have an identical dress code to the ones students are required to follow?
Answer: Yes


Question: How involved do you think parents should be in the educational process?
Answer: Little to none


Question: What matters most to you about your education?
Answer: Having the ability to go on to college, and getting a degree in your desired trait.


Question: Where do you think the most focus should be when it comes to spending funds for education?
Answer: helping in the development of children's education


Question: What are your thoughts on healthier school lunches?
Answer: sounds good to me.


Question: Do you participate in after school functions? If yes how important are they to you?
Answer: No


Question: Do you think youth have changed over the years? If yes for better or worse?
Answer: yes, but neither toward better, or worse, just, different.


Question: Do you think the bad economy has an effect on a child's learning abilities?
Answer: Yes


Question: What do you find most annoying about the education system?
Answer: having to wake up so early.



Question: How has technology changed your education?
Answer: It has made it to where you can learn about virtually anything all from one spot.


Question: What do you expect out yourself when it comes to your education?
Answer: making good grades and actually learning from what you're taught


Question: What are your favorite subjects in school?
Answer: math/science


Question: Do you think foreign language should be taught starting at a much younger age?
Answer: yes, because it makes it easier to learn if you're taught at a younger age


Question: Do you have a big agenda planned out for your future, and does it involve higher education?
Answer: yes, and yes.

Special Note: This article also appears in the Cookevilletimes.com