Merry CHRISTmas!!!!

Praying you and your loved ones have the very best CHRISTmas this year! Christ's birth is a gift of hope! May your hope grow every day and let His light sign forth!

And for those who had been hopeful for a white Christmas....hopefully this will make your day!

Merry, merry, merry Christmas!

The One and Only...gift of good taste!

There is just one Jesus whose birthday we're preparing to celebrate! He's the One and Only...and with this thought in mind, why not give a gift that is also one of a kind. There are some wonderful businesses here in the Sandhills that have unique, one of a kind gifts that also show good taste!

Price's Gallery and Framing has original art work as well as prints with with a Western theme.

The unique wooden animal art is made with woods that haven't been stained and are in their natural state. What intricate workmanship!

The title of this print is "Wishes do Come True." Merry Christmas!

There are lots of choices to be found at Prices Gallery and Framing including wildlife fine art!

Across the street, stop at Janine's Emporium for a cup of coffee (talk about good taste) and browse the original artworks that are created by local artists.

Dave Dorsey has fall colors reflected in what maybe the Niobrara River?

Hedda Matheson used watercolors for this painting that depicts a buck and doe wandering the Sandhills.

Titled Home Sweet Home, this acrylic painting was done by Dave Dorsey.

Nancy Blumenstock used watercolors and ink to create this forest of birch trees.

Almost directly across the street is Plains Trading Company who has several items that showcase good taste as well as one of a kinds! 

 Each one of Pat Schemmer's raku pots is really one of a kind.

 But there's also some rustic good taste that can be imagined with all of these Red Wing bowls. How about a gigantic batch of chocolate chip cookies or even more rustic, oatmeal raisin!

 While wrapping presents, why not enjoy the good taste of one of these designer teas, above, or coffees below? Ahhhhhh....

Not interested in making your own coffee? The gift of good taste can be given all year long with a gift certificate from Auntie D's. Call ahead, and they'll have it waiting for you at their drive up window.

Yummmmmmm....what delicacies and desserts could these pots and pans deliver to your deserving loved ones. It's all in good taste for one of a kind dinners!

 Utensils are handy stocking stuffers and would really be tender to the pots and pans above!

 Served on these Christmas platters and serving dishes, your Christmas table will be a vision of good taste!

Your table will be spectacular with this dishware found at Flower Land! In ivory, sage and red; it's perfect for the Christmas festivities.

 More serving pieces match and will be a symbol of good taste!

 Whether they're for your table or for gifts, these placemats and napkins are nice.

The most important thing about preparing for Christmas is not to get squirrley! It's a celebration of LOVE! His love for us!!! His One of a kind, unsurpassed, deep, down, love! Face it, He's NUTS about you!!!
Merry, merry, Christmas!

Give your loved one the gift of comfort and joy!!!

Remember Jesus is the ultimate comforter and He can bring you so much peace this time of year...all you have to do is ask. Ask and ye shall receive! As everyone is frantically shopping, getting last minute gifts, wrapping them and planning the dinner - has anyone thought of giving their loved one comfort for Christmas?
Well, my friend, there are several places here in the Sandhills that have some comfort which would fit nicely under the tree....well... in some instances, beside the tree!
Let's look at Nelsen Furniture - where more than just the price is right! They have a large selection of La-Z-Boy and Flexsteel recliners! Did you know there is a chair that is just your size too? Kind of like Goldilocks!

 And in bold Nebraska colors as well!!!

 SURPRISE!!! My favorite! Soft as a snow leopard. Purrrrrrr~~~~

 Maybe you don't have friends and family over for Christmas dinner because you need a new dining table and chairs??? Nelsen Furniture  had a large selection for you to choose from that will give everyone at the table comfortable elbow room.

What about after Christmas dinner? Too stuffed to do anything but roll around and moan? This is when a gift from Four Seasons Warehouse Furniture will come to the rescue! They have sectionals that will have to fit around the christmas tree and will hold all your loved ones after your fine Christmas meal.

With night time looming - it's time to get a much needed rest. Why not go for the newest in bedding?
Gel. That's right. No springs. No foam. No air. But gel, like the insoles. Cool, refreshing. Lay down and get comfortable. That's what this is all about. Comfort at Four Seasons!

And what little one wouldn't drift off into dreamland with a comfortable new bed with a tufted headboard - sure there will be a vision or two of sugarplums dancing in her head!

These are gifts you can give your loved ones from right here - in the Sandhills. Does it get any better than a comfortable, peaceful home?

It's about giving....

Christmas is about giving - to our loved ones as well as those less fortunate. Valentine and the surrounding communities really know how to give; always I'm amazed at their generous nature from spaghetti and hamburger feeds to the time and energy spent on the Relay for Life, and the way the Veterans Club work together for the betterment of the area with youth activities like Legion ball, the Easter Egg Hunt and Fill an Empty Stocking!

Here's a message for this Christmas...

Parents or guardians receiving social services may sign-up their children to benefit from these projects at Union Bank & Trust Company located at the corner of Hall Street and Highway 20 in Valentine. The deadline to sign up is Monday December 19, 2011. 

A Christmas tree placard will be placed in the Veterans Club window. Numbered hearts will represent each family of children and will be placed on the tree as they are signed up. Leo Brinda Post 90 and the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 90 are hoping that local folks will choose a number and “adopt” those children for the project. Please look at the tree and call 402 376-2443 to adopt. The deadline to adopt a family of children is Tuesday December 20.
After adopting, donate gifts of your choice, wrap them, mark them with the family number, age, and gender; and then drop them off on the porch at 427 North Main Street. The deadline to turn in gifts for the adopted children is Wednesday December 21.

A delivery date for both projects has been set by Post 90 for Saturday December 24, beginning at 8:00 a.m.
Members of the American Legion Family are grateful for the community’s help with these projects that fill the heart.

Yesterday was about books...so today is about toys! You can surely help Santa's gift giving by stopping by these stores and discovering the amazing toys that can be found right here in the Sandhills! 

Let's look at Bomgaars for everything Western, John Deere and hunting lodge! 

Of course there are many little girls who'd greatly appreciate John Deere, but there are even more who would LOVE babies, Lalaloopsy and those squishy, loveable, can't sleep without them, stuffed animals all of  which can be found at Alco!

Between Alco and Bomgaars, there's plenty of games for the entire family! What a nice way begin the  family game night tradition!

Surprise! Toys can also be found at Towne Square! Puzzles, dolls and toys made of wood. And there's toys for boys and girls!

There's one more store to think about toys...the electronic version and that's at Huskerland - Radio Shack! Toys for kids of all ages to be more precise!

Big toys...little toys...soft toys...learning toys...and fun for everyone on your gift giving list toys.. right here in the heart of the Sandhills!

The gift of adventure...

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deeds. Proverbs 19:17

That's what giving is all about! And that's why we celebrate Christmas - because of His fantastic gift to us! And that's why reading is so very important...to read about HIS gift and to share that Gift.

Since 1994, the American Legion family has collected new and good used books to be given to area children at Christmas through the Share the Gift of Reading program. All donated books will be sorted and placed with gifts to be distributed through the Fill an Empty Stocking project. (More information on this tomorrow.)

Books are needed for children of all ages from 1 through 18. Please donate books that you know your own children or grandchildren would enjoy. These books should be new or in very good condition.

Drop boxes for books will be located in the Valentine Library lobby, Plains Trading Company Book Sellers, Valentine Elementary School, and on the porch at 427 N. Main Street. For more information call 402-376-2443. Deadline for all book donations is December 20.

We're so blessed to have two fantastic book stores in the Sandhills!

Plains Trading Book Sellers have books on a wide variety of topics: best sellers, kids books, art, cooking and books about the outdoors. There are also books from local authors who share their version of ranching Sandhill style! There are beautiful photo books that showcase the very best the Sandhills has to offer.

 Best sellers!

 Fun for ALL ages!

 Plains Trading Book Sellers even has books with blank or lined pages for people to sketch or write  down their own thoughts for book! What a beautiful fore edge!

The Ark Christian Books and Gift Store has books for all ages including Bibles that tell of Christ's birth.  There are Bibles for teens, cowboys, and military personnel. There are Bibles for brides, dads, moms, and for the busy woman, there is the Bible clutch! How about that?! There is a place for your cards - debit and credit - drivers license and check book with the Bible right inside- held together with a secure zipper.  Pretty clever!

 Share the gift of hope with Todd Burpo's story Heaven is for Real! 

Of course, the Reason for the Season...read His story and find out how it does become your story...

Cherry Blossom Paperie is a place to make your own books by way of memories and photos in scrapbooks. How about putting your Christmas memories together for future generations to enjoy...you can begin over the Christmas break and families could work on it  t-o-g-e-t-h-e-r!

 Cherry Blossom Paperie also has  a little gift for someone special because friends are the best presents!

Radio Shack has a Nook Color and Kindle for people who prefer to download their reading material. Actually these devices can hold more than one book - they can hold a mini-library! Ta-da! They can also download newspapers and magazines by subscription. Notice the sale prices on these up in the corner of the flyer!

The Ad Council says reading is fundamental...but it's also just plain fun...adventurous...educational...informative...enlightening...and in some cases...life changing!