Creative Card Displays

December is right around the corner, which means your mailboxes will soon be smiling with more than mail-order catalogs and 40%-off coupons to Michael’s. Christmas cards will soon be here! How do you display your festive greetings?

Last year, I clipped mine to beautiful strands of lights, which dangled from a ledge shelf in my living room. If you look closely, you can see the display over Cor’s shoulder.


This year, I’m trying a few new ideas. The first one was inspired by a window display at a local eatery. All you need are some pompoms, a little glittery fiber (approximately 4' per strand) and a needle.

Step 1: Cut your fiber and tie a knot near the end where you want your first pompom to stop.

Step 2: Thread your pompom on the thread using a needle.

Step 3: Repeat until you’ve filled your thread and then tie a loop at the top to hang the strand. I created three strands so I'll have room to dangle plenty of cards.

I created a similar project with white thread and a bunch of sparkly beads.

To attach the cards, I simply used bitty clothespins.

How do you display your cards? I’m always looking for new ideas to try out from year to year.

Seasons Greetings!

Turkey Day Tradition

It’s not too late to incorporate an ornamental tradition into your Thanksgiving feast. Notice the small gift packages sitting next to the plates in the picture above? Those each contain Christmas tree ornaments. No, I’m not giving away the surprise. This is something my fam has come to expect, as I do it every Thanksgiving. I buy each person at the table an ornament that reflects their personality and interests and we open the ornaments before we eat.

Mom also gets into the act. See the special something hiding beneath the napkin? Yep, it’s a lottery ticket. Excellent!

Why do this? Well, I think it’s a fun way to kick off the holiday season. Plus, exchanging a gift is an excellent way to express gratitude.

Your Traditions?

What is your Thanksgiving tradition? Watching the parade? The Westminster Dog Show, maybe? How about a tradition with the menu? I’d love to read a bit about you and your family activities.

Thank You!

Speaking of expressing gratitude, I’d like to thank you for visiting my little corner of e-real estate this year. I love reading your comments and deeply appreciate your friendship and support.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Cancer Continues

It’s with a heavy heart that I write this post. Almost one year to the day after Mom went in to have her breast cancer removed (the day before Thanksgiving, 2008), we learn that our cancer fighting isn’t over. My sweet sister-in-law, Sabina (Cory’s brother’s wife), received a call on Friday and learned that her leukemia has returned.

This is a shot of some of my Suggs sistas (in other words, my sis-in-laws). Sabina is the beautiful girl to my left.

Sabina first fought this battle 12 years ago, when she was in her early 20s. Since then, she’s been actively involved in supporting cancer-fighting causes, including running many races. Also, her mom is a breast cancer survivor, so she has many reasons to fight the good fight.

This shot is a shot of Sabina when she was in the hospital for her bone marrow transplant 12 year ago. Isn't she a cute baldie?

Ironically, Sabina had just signed up to run a leukemia race days before she received the news. Now she’s updated that status of her race page to read, “Running for MY life.” And run she will. As long her beautiful body will carry her, she plans on making the run. This is where I hope you’ll join in our support.

This is Bina running the St. George marathon this past August. You go, girl!

Sabina is collecting funds for her run. Any amount will help. I know it’s the holidays, but it would mean the world to us if you could donate a few dollars to her cause. If you have me on your Christmas list, I would be honored if your gift to me would be to donate to her cause. Please visit her web page to read more about her story and find information on donating to her race. You can also read a little about her past experience on her blog.


More than the money, I write to ask for your prayers. This is a scary, sad time and support is needed right now. Any you can send our way always is and will continue to be deeply appreciated.

Sabina is a bright star in our family, always smiling and making us laugh. Even at her lowest points with the cancer battle 12 years ago, you’d see her smiling and putting others at ease (as the photo above illustrates). The difference now is that she’s also a mommy, which makes this all the more difficult.


I know I seem to say this a lot lately (what can I say, it’s been an unusually rough year), but I’m going to say it again. Please value every moment you have with your loved ones. Don’t be shy with the “I love yous,” stingy with the hugs or light on the kisses.

“Thanks” isn’t enough, but it’s a start. I thank you for the support you’ve shown my family and me this past year and for the support I know you’ll continue to show. It’s incredible, because so many of you who read and comment are people I’ve never met, but you reach out as if we’re the closest of friends. I’m blessed and humbled by your compassion. From my heart, thank you!