Wishing you all a very happy Christmas. Here is a little twist on the Christmas story that I thought was nice, and I want to share it with you. It was sent to me by one of the jewelry making supply companies I use (jewelrysupply.com). I don't know the author, so I can't give credit to anyone (sorry).

                                                                           A Christmas Story
It seemed like it had snowed forever. The stores and taverns were open, but there were no customers. The town square, usually filled with people going about their business, was empty and strangely silent. The cold, grey winter seemed like it would never end. Any flicker of hope was lost, buried under a thick blanket of snow. There was no joy. No happiness. No one dared to dream. No one cared.

In an old wooden shed at the end of town, a single, tiny candle burned, glowing softly against the long and bitterly cold night. Slowly, as the hours passed by, the candle's flame grew stronger and brighter. By midnight it had grown bright enough to escape the old wooden shed, and soon began to light up even the darkest corners of the town. Curious citizens, stirred from their winter slumber by the strange light, began to emerge from their homes and move towards the old wooden shed. They were soon followed by people from other towns and other villages. All were drawn by the beautiful light from this ever increasing flame. No one could reason why the light existed, but that didn't seem to matter. And as more and more people arrived, the candle's flame grew even stronger, until it was the brightest light visible in the night sky.

Over time, the light from this tiny candle's flame spread beyond towns and villages, beyond cities and countries, and beyond boundaries and borders. For those who were lost, the light became a beacon to guide them safely home. For those who had no hope, the light gave them reason to believe. For those who had no joy, the light gave them love. And for those who struggled, the light brought them peace.

                                              In just one night, this simple, tiny candle forever changed the world. 

Maeve does not like rain. So much so that she will hold her business until the drops stop falling from the sky. She will ask to go out and stand by the door wagging her tail, but once the door is open and she takes a few steps out, she will stop, turn around and head to "her couch," giving us a look like, "Are you crazy? Water is falling from the sky..."

So, on our first snowy day--really snowy, and really cold, we wondered...will she go out? Or will she hold it? Until spring???

Well, no worries! She loves the snow, and the cold. She pretty much treats it like a warm spring day...

Maggie...well...she likes some snow, but the bitter cold brings her running back inside pretty fast.

The only problem with Maeve liking the snow is finding her when she's out in it.

Many thanks to those of you who came to my Holiday Open House last Saturday. It was great to see you all, and I appreciate you taking time out of your busy weekends to come by. I hope you enjoyed the event. Maeve and Maggie had a great time receiving nonstop attention, and they were worn out, in the best possible way, at the end of the day. Congratulations to Nancy K. and Rhoda A. for winning the drawings. I hope you all will spread the word and plan to come back next year. Thanks again!