Christmas Delights

What delights children? For some, it is animals, whether real or the furry stuffed version. And this sweet little puppy came to live next door this year...

And so did this.... little "creature"... who was met with squeals of delight by her new owner! (Anyone else think this "puppy" is a little weird...?)

And so did this.... "puppy" (WHO thought to make a dog PINK?!!) Also met with squeals of delight & "just what I wanted!" The main thing with this one was a little red heart on the tag signifying that it was from "Justice"! (If you don't know what Justice is, you must not know any little girls very well... Think back to "Limited"...)

And then there was the very practical & well-known toy, the timeless regulation basketball... in PINK!

Boy toys for another blog, another day...

At Last!

Yes, today I (make that, "we") finally sent out the Christmas cards... Well, at least most of them....

I send to those I receive them from because I figure they enjoy getting them & I want to keep on receiving cards from them (not very noble, is it?)

It was a joint effort this year since I couldn't write. Our dear daughter addressed them (from all my little scraps of return address labels off the cards we received...), & she put all the addresses in my address book (no, I am NOT an organized person!) She finished her job in plenty of time to get them out before Christmas.

But then I had issues trying to get the picture off my computer to the photo shop for printing (yes, I've done it before & I know how to do it...)

Hubby signed all of them, applied stamps & return labels, & licked all the envelopes (after trimming all the pictures with my paper trimmer because the cards I bought were slightly smaller than the pictures...)

When he finished this AM before heading to the post office (lines aren't bad now...), he said, "Boy, there's a lot more to sending out cards than I realized!" To which I replied, "And I usually write a letter to go in there, too."

Then I added, "THANK YOU, HONEY!"

I have a few cards that arrived in the last couple of days, so hopefully I'll get theirs out before Valentine's Day...

Another Time, Another Place

The dress says, "Today"... but these three play "Little House on the Prairie" nearly every day. Early this fall they had the opportunity to visit Plymouth, Mass. & were enamored with the village & those in character dress (who also spoke in the language of that time period.) So imagine their delight when we took a little surprise side trip a few days before Christmas...

and they were transported back in time once again to another era in beautiful Colonial Williamsburg.
A little leftover snow on the roof added charm to this already charming house.
Period dress included long capes for both men & women for warmth...
How they would have loved to ride in this carriage! But since this was such an impromptu trip, we couldn't make reservations to do so.
The thrill of visiting this particular historical site for the girls was that it is where the American Girl movie, "Felicity" was filmed. Since it is one of their favorites, they felt as if they were "right there".
Although these oxen were yoked, the brown one obviously was NOT color blind... he followed my every move with his eyes & when I moved to this side to get a good photo he swung his head around toward me & mooed loudly. The farmer gently used his stick to get his attention. Guess what color my coat was? RED!

Grown Up Glee

What can be such fun......?

take so much concentration.....?
be appealing to all....? (Including "Big" brother-in-law)......
It's something that belongs to "little" brother.......
that he shared with grown up Mama (his "older" sister......)
It's a grown up "toy" that tests the manual dexterity, rhythm, focus, & a myriad of other abilities while bringing out the "star" qualities & glee that is a response to plain old fun...

Also known as "Rock Band".....
And no, it wasn't a Christmas gift.....

God With Us

From the Babe in a smelly stall; to the Man who healed, accepted, & loved the unlovely; to the Savior who endured the pain of the Cross & suffered death; to the King who defeated the grave & reigns in Heaven and WILL one day return to earth, Jesus IS God With Us - Emmanuel!

MISS NORTH CAROLINA SERVES TIME!

Yes, she serves MUCH time... toward encouraging others, & one group that she serves,

is those who serve us by protecting our country! She has attended several events put on by the USO-NC, & recently she came to the airport on a day we knew there would be a lot of military personnel coming through.
Having just finished boot camp, this proud Marine was pleased to meet her...
and these guys & gals gathered around for a group picture.
This fella showed he is a real man by being willing to hold her make-up bag (she was getting ready to move on)... good husband material one day.
These Navy recruits came in at the right time! I am thankful to each & every one of them & all who serve for giving their time & talents to protect us!

It was a pleasure to meet the current Miss NC; she is warm, gracious, caring, out-going, courteous, & just delightful.

Anticipation

"My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior..." Luke 1:46

Anticipation of the birth of Christ filled Mary's soul... anticipation of the return of Christ fills mine!

Ah, A New Look

One of the joys of being a grandma is the special times to treat these special gals in my life...

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Isn't this just the cutest haircut?!!!!

It started at this salon in West Jefferson, NC....
There was a bit of trepidation for this little 8 1/2 year old... But Shane quickly put her at ease...
And she had her first "salon shampoo"... Look at the expression on her sweet face that says it all... "Ah, this is wonderful!"
Then began the cut....
And the outcome was a beautiful haircut & a happy little girl....
Again, the face says it all... "Tickled to pieces...."

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Earlier in the year:.........

What gives any "woman," no matter her age, a real boost? A new STYLE! And after turning 10, this young lady was ready for a new style. So after seeking permission from her mom, we headed into to see Shane...

There was a bit of trepidation at first on R.'s part....
But oh, what a difference & how cute! What I wouldn't give for this kind of hair! Shiny, straight with plenty of body & just enough "curl" to turn under where it's supposed to. Of course, I have curly hair & could never wear this style. But isn't that the way we are, always wishing we had the "other kind of hair" whatever the other kind is...
It is a reminder to not be wishing for things God has decided not to give me & be contented with what He has given me (I mean, some ladies PAY for the kind of curl/body that I have!) And this goes so far beyond hair... How often do we look at someone else's life, seeing only the good things, & wish we too had those abilities, material goods, talents, looks, husband, children, freedom, job.... you fill in the blank, etc?

Contentment is an ongoing lifelong learning curve.

"... for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, & I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any & every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." Phillipians 4:11-13

Remember Our Troops!

The first year our son was deployed to Iraq over the holidays, I put together this little tree to honor him & all those who were serving our country. I still put it up each year whether he is deployed or gets to come home.Each ornament is a reminder of those who are away from family...
Or in harm's way....
Or training to deploy...

And their families who are "holding down the fort",missing the one they love...

(I thought the back of this one was as cute as the front, so I didn't want you to miss it..)
The variety of patriotic ornaments is amazing... especially if you have the opportunity to shop on a base...
By now, if you've been looking closely, you probably know that we have a sailor... (who was in Iraq as a medical corpsman with the Marines).

But the military guys & gals of every branch (& their faithful families) are in our thoughts & prayers this season when we celebrate the birth of Christ & thank God for the freedoms we experience in our country because of the selfless service of all of them.

Welcome!

Since first impressions count, I wanted to make our front door welcoming. So this summer I painted it yellow. I loved it right away, but I wondered how it would look at Christmas time (you know, thinking ahead...) I think it still looks mighty welcoming.
Trying to keep things simple this year, my dear daughter "dumped" some of my glass (cheap) balls into a bowl I keep on my dining table. Gave it a festive look with no expense!

One of my 2 new purchases this year (on sale, of course) was this holder for the cards we receive. I love to get the cards, pictures, news letters, & updates from old & new friends!

Most of them have verses or sayings that remind me to reflect on God's ultimate love for us: sending Jesus to take our sins upon Himself.

Glory to God in the highest!

Hospitality With Love

Wouldn't you feel "loved" on by someone who has prepared a wonderful dish like this? It is a Crustless Quiche, with ham, grits, & tomatoes. And it was served at the annual Pastors' Wives Christmas brunch that is hosted each year by our senior pastor's wife in her home. In a church of nearly 3000 people, many people see our senior pastor (& he hates that term...) as someone who faithfully teaches God's Word every week (which is true), but as someone who they have "on a pedastal" (which he would NOT like to be thought of). Those who don't know him well have no idea how approachable, easy-going, thoughtful, & caring he really is. And what a servant he is...

"The greatest among you will be your servant." Matthew 11:23

I am thankful for this godly man who has so faithfully & lovingly served us for many years~ and for his dear wife who has such a servant heart, too.

"But the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child & give birth to a son, & you are to give Him the name Jesus. He will be great & will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, & He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; His kingdom will never end.' "

Luke 1:30-33