Welcome to A Favorite Thing #16. I’m so glad you’re here.
Before we begin, I feel I must express my heartbreak over what has happened this week – in Clackamas, OR and today, in Newtown, CT. The horror of these tragedies is too much to comprehend. Such loss, such heartbreak for so many. I know that area of Connecticut fairly well. Both my husband and I spent a great deal of time in CT this past year due to our work. I cannot imagine the shock, the grief that so many families are feeling. I’ve spent a good portion of the day watching the coverage of the Newtown tragedy on our local networks. Say a prayer for everyone affected by these unspeakable events. Two of my former students are close friends with a family that lost a child yesterday. Another friend lost a close friend from childhood in the Clackamas tragedy. Hold your loved ones close.
Now, let’s look at some of last week’s highlights.
This amazing tree made out of beer bottles and acrylic shelves blew me away. My goodness! It’s beautiful. Thank you to This Green Life, for sharing this wonder with us.
This made me laugh out loud:
Fairhope Supply Company shared her one-of-a-kind manger scene with us. Notice anything different? Elvis is in attendance. Love, love, love it.
And finally, Maureen from It’s All Connected showed us how she can change up her lampshade for the holidays:
Adorable.
My favorite thing this week is the Doily/Industrial Swag Lamp I made last year from an old lampshade frame, some doilies and a swag lamp kit. Why is it my favorite? Because at this time of year, I turn it on in the late afternoon and it fills the room with the loveliest glow. It’s beautiful and it’s one of my favorite DIY projects.
Next week, we will share our very favorite Christmas things. I know some of you have already been sharing them in this party and I love that. Keep them coming! And then, we’ll take the December 28/29 off and we’ll resume again on January 4/5.
Okay. Now it’s your turn!
You can link up anytime from this evening through Sunday. Make sure you enter the URL of your post. If you’re unsure how to do that, just click on your post title after you’ve published it and copy the information in your browser address window. Come back here, paste the URL into your link entry and there you go! If you have any problems, drop me an email and I’ll help you out. Please link back to this blog on your post. That way, those that read your post and are interested in reading more can do so.
One of my concerns about link parties is that the very reason for them has somewhat gone by the wayside. They’ve become so big and there are so many of them that many bloggers don’t take the time to visit any of the other participants. Link parties are a way to meet new bloggers and share with each other and the only way to do that is to visit each other. So, please, take some time to visit everyone over the next few days. No rush. Stop by, introduce yourself, and leave a comment. It’s the neighborly thing to do. It’s also nice if you leave a comment here, as well.
Have fun!
Blessings , Cllaudia…I am heartsick over the day’s (the week’s) events and pray for the famlies that have been hurt so deeply. I live in Oregon and have heard much about the Clackamas shooting. So senseless…so tragic!
Your home is so warm and welcoming. I love your lacey swag. How very pretty it looks over your table. It features such soft light. You have selected some of the most charming blogs to feature this week. Each one is unique and represents the season so perfectly.
I wish you a Merry Christmas…my thoughtful friend.
Blessings,
Carolynn
I have been heartbroken all day about the tragic shootings in Connecticut. I taught 1st grade for three years in Bahrain. I know only too well how very sweet and innocent those precious little children are. My heart goes out to their parents and families and the families of the staff members who were killed. Such a sad day for us all. Regarding last week’s features that beer bottle tree blows me away too. What a creative idea!!
Lots of Love,
Susan and Bentley
Thanks so much for hosting today, Claudia. I have felt heartsick the whole day. I can’t even imagine what those families are going through.
Hugs,
Laura
A very, very sad day. Tragedies such as this are so hard to understand – losing one little child is heartbreaking, but this many, plus adults, all innocents, is incomprehensible. I cannot bear to think of the pain these people who’ve lost their loved ones are going through tonight.
Yes, always love your lacy lampshade Claudia – and it does brighten up an otherwise very dark day in more ways than one. I’ll be joining in a little later this evening – have to get Bob at the airport.
Not sure I’ll be able to post the next couple of Saturdays while away but will give it my best shot.
Love and hugs for Christmas to you, Don and Scout.
Mary
I am broken hearted over this mornings events, so tragic, senseless and unbearably sad.
I love that your shade is lacey, so charming. It looks like it gives off a lovely warm light.
Gosh, I thought I had visited everyone last weekend and thought I must be losing my mind when I saw the entries you shared above but then I realize that last weekend I didn’t do anything but sit with our doggie. I’ll hope to catch up on all I’ve missed next week.
Happy weekend!
So much grief and sorrow. The tragedy is felt world wide. Prayers.
Joy
Claudia, thank you for your sentiments over the tragedies.
And for showing us the warmth and rusticity of your charming dining room.
And for featuring my bottle tree – what a nice surprise.
And for hosting a fun link party.
Gail @ thisgreenlife.ca
Greetings Claudia,
The tragedy of this day is incomprehensible, shocking and senseless. My heart goes out to all of those who lost their loved ones today. We are speechless, really, so very sad and speechless. Prayers and thoughts.
Glad to be back after a two and a half week break of travelling and some changes.
Looking forward to catching up with blogger friends and their wonderful works.
Have a nice weekend.
xo
Poppy
Claudia, today’s events are almost too much to comprehend. I can’t even begin to imagine what those poor families are going through. An entire community has been changed forever and my thoughts and prayers are with them.
Your lampshade is one of my favorites, Claudia. It’s so unique and beautiful.
Donna
I thought the blog post about Elvis in the nativity set was a hoot! Glad it made it to the ‘features.’ Thanks so much for hosting, Claudia.
My heart is breaking for all those families! I held my sweet Grandson closer tonight and prayed for those that were lost. I decided to still join in a Favorite Thing….sharing Judy’s pillow! I love it! Hugs to you Claudia.
Linda
Great idea, using doilies for a lamp shade. It does cast a nice glow! Nothing makes since of this tragedy. I just can not image how someone can do that, especially to children. My heart is breaking. Prayers to all!
Hi Claudia; A tragedy and such sorrow. Praying for the community and all the sorrowing families.
Denise
Yesterdays events…unfathomable. We can only imagine / heartsick
The events yesterday are devastating for the precious families, everyone in that town, and really, our nation.
I still love that light you made, too. There are some great features here today but my heart is too sad to enjoy them. Blessings- xo Diana
Thanks for featuring the manger scene with a surprise visitor! It was just the laugh I needed this morning. My brain must be a little slow this morning, because it looked like any other until I read your comment. Hehehe.
Hi Claudia,
Thank you so much for hosting this fun party. Your light fixture is not only very pretty, it is also very clever. Thanks for sharing. It does create a warm and inviting glow.
This is my first time visiting. I came over from Blondie’s Journal. I am also a new follower by Linky.
Blessings, Ginger
We immediately checked in with our nephew and family who live in that area. We are so fortunate that they are ok. Can’t imagine being one of the grieving parents. Horrible.
Thank you for hosting…it is much appreciated. I love your lamp and the Elvis in the manger made me smile :)
3 crazy shootings in 3 days now. What is happening to people? I can’t even imagine the pain of those parents….
Not turning the tv on anymore this weekend! Thanks for hosting such a lovely party. It’s nice to be able to look as something pleasant for a while.
That tree rocks and I love your shade!
That manger scene is a hoot. Mood lighting is so nice, especially during this time of the year. I love your doily lamp shade. Enjoy your weekend!
Hi Claudia. I linked up, my first, and put my name where I now think a title should be, sorry.
Anyway, mine is my latest painted piece, a favorite because of an inscription signed and dated 1935 in one of the drawers. If you link up, some of my dollhouse miniature pieces are in an album there as well. Glad to finally participate.
Hugs,
Cheryl
Thanks so much for linking up, Cheryl. I love your painted piece – gorgeous! And of course I love your dollhouse miniatures. Any idea when you’ll be ready to start up your blog?
Hi Claudia, Thank you for expressing what I cannot bear to write about, the senseless tragedy.
Rob
That swag lamp was so inspired, Claudia. Easy to imagine how cozy it must make your kitchen late in the day. As much as I dislike the shorter days, I do love how my house glows with light on a winter night. Light and warmth seem very healing just now… the light of compassion, the warmth of friendship.