pine cones....useful and decorative

I find myself looking for the best little project on this rainy day when I spot some pine cones just off the back patio. Pine cone fire starters! I found this little project years ago when an advertising magazine listed it for a pretty penny-or two. it’s actually very simple to make and easy to use. I take a large stainless steel bowl and place over my pan of water to make a double boiler. Place wax in the bowl and let melt, I then take twine and tie around the pine cone, this serves as two purposes. one to use as a handle when coating the pine one and the second to use as a fuse to start the fire. Dip the cone in the melted wax, rolling the pine cone to get in all the grooves. I always double dip the cone. place the cone on a baking dish lined with parchment paper for easy clean up. To speed up the cooling process you can place the baking sheet in the freezer. when cooled place the pine cones in a decorative basket by the fireplace. Pretty and useful, now that I like!

Time everlasting...

Once again we spent a nice time with family, friends and perhaps family to be for Thanksgiving. As we sat around and talked it was nice to see the older generations reminiscing and the younger generations speaking of dreams and the future. I realized I was right in the middle of both, not old but not young. Now how in the world did that happen? I watched my own two little ones talk about college and realized it was just yesterday I was dropping them off at kindergarten, just yesterday my son was going to his first dance, just yesterday my daughter was playing soccer. So how is that they are today young adults talking about college instructors, discussing the best and worse classes and even more so, talking about graduating! Where has the time gone? Does everyone experience this same feeling of wanting to drag our children back around the play dough table and want to hold onto them a little longer? So now who has the answer to the long asked question where does time go? But most importantly how do we slow it down? Will I embrace every day as I should have years ago or just get to wrapped up in the details? Please Lord help to see everyday as you want me to, through eyes that capture every beautiful and awesome thing that is waiting!