Friday, December 31, 2010

Traditions Changed ~ Memories Made ~ Thank you given

Christmas 2010
was enjoyed
at our oldest son's.


The boys enjoyed
 hunting together
&

Mom & Dad
slipped off for a night
and celebrated a
 November anniversary.

(faithful friends please excuse my absence)
I would love to share all the photos
of our night spent in a nearby town,
 Natchitoches, LA.
I'm enjoying being back home
and putting things back in order here.

I will share these photos in larger form soon.
I would like to entice you to visit this beautiful town,
not far from where we were lived prior to moving.

I will share that I'm trying to reflect
~ on 2010 ~
&
anxiously waiting opportunities
~ for 2011~

It is amazing the journey that I have traveled
since July, through this blogging community.

Those who have become close friends,
laughed with & shared deep concerns
have truly been a blessing
and an encouragement to me.

~THANK YOU~
Karen

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

~pondering in the heart~

Checklist:
1) decorations in place
2) gift list made
3) menu planning
4) calendar dates filled in
5) shopping
6) attend Christmas musical
7) watch favorite Christmas movies
8) view Christmas lights around area
9) shopping
10) wrapping
11) groceries to be bought
12) baking
13) packing
14) last minute shopping & stocking stuffers
***

Your list may look similiar to my list
but if not
Preparations are being made for Christmas.


But, when all is checked off
and December 26th dawns
will I have satisfying & heart-warming memories
for 2010?



Excitement seems to diminsh with the years.
The children have grown, no grandchildren in our household,
and our traditions are having to be altered.

I do not do well with change.
~just a traditional~
red & green
girl


I have pondered alot lately,  like Mary.
Asking deep questions to
the Only One
who can answer these.

How do I capture the excitement once again?

When did it leave?

Why did Christmas become filled with Heartache
instead of
being filled with Hallelujah?



I share my answers with you, only hoping if you've experienced
some of the same, may these give light to yours.

Ponderings & More Questions
What warm & heart-filling moments of the true meaning of Christmas do I remember?
~~~
Since moving here to MS, we were invited to one of the
 small community churches
for a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service.

Our family went as a whole shared a bench with friends,
who had extended the invitation.

It was very cold, hardly any heat in the building
but the warmness was felt as we joined hands & hearts
and sang Silent Night, while holding the flickering candles.



The familiar words from Luke chapter 2
came to life
"For there is born to you this day
 in the city of David a Savior,
 who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11



memories are vivid for sounds of
laughter from friends and music shared
from house to house
while Christmas caroling.

"Hark, the Herald Angels Sang"
&
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
were sang from our hearts.

These two fond memories share a
 common thread
"the heart of Christmas".

~Preparing my Heart for a Christmas filled with changes~

I can remember as a child being so amazed with
 the sights, sounds & smells
of Christmas.


  Amazement could be accomplished through the simplest.

This is such a reminder of the way Our Saviour came to us,
no fancy birthing room, just a humble arrival.

Am I still being amazed by the simple?



I was the child who would be listening & looking
for the slightest hints or catch someone
 trying to hide a gift or wrap a gift.

Am I still looking?

Gratitude is born by a heart that is looking.
I need to remember the minor is meant
to be counted as major,
when numbering blessings.

What a perfect reminder of how to prepare our hearts.


Gifts are given to us each day.
As a child Christmas was so exciting
opening that special gift,
 for some it may have been small,
but, it still made our eyes glow.

Luke 6:38
"Give, and it will be given to you:
 good measure, pressed down, shaken together,
 and running over will be put into your bosom.
 For with the same measure that you use,
 it will be measured back to you."


Our hearts are blessed when we give.

My "perfect gift" has reminded me this week
of the ultimate gift that He gave.
He was born and laid in a manger,
grew and became a carpenter
and then gave us the most
wonderful gift
the greatest gift
of all
Salvation.

John 3:16

"For God so loved the world,
 that He gave His only Son, (Jesus Christ),
that whoever believes in Him,
will not perish, but will have eternal life.

I pray your heart and my heart is being prepared this Christmas,
to share in the true meaning of Christmas.

"Family & Friends"
these two
are what make
Christmas meaningful.


if you have room at your family table
or under your tree,
there are many who are in need
 to be remembered




Saturday, December 11, 2010

Standing Strong!


The photo was taken during the Thanksgiving Holidays.
My mother-in-law and I slipped off for a few hours to a
nearby town, Natchitoches, LA.

 I have created a link for those who would like more information.
 Cane River flows through this beautiful town which
is steeped with an abundance of history.

Joining the others at Katie's today for


you will enjoy clicking on the above link
and see all the creativity
 while sharing God's Word.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Christmas Tour

Backdoor Guests
are
The Best!



I placed the metal plaid flat back bucket on top
 the red berry wreath.
The bucket is a keepsake from before married life.
I will remove it after Christmas and 
 leave the wreath for the remaining part of winter.


You are greeted to dinner by my favorite (Snowmen).
Notice the repeat of plaid on the placemats.
 I gathered fresh greens from my neighbors yard
 and added fruit.
You cannot see, but I have the neatest metal holder
underneath the greenery.
I ordered this handy piece many years ago from

(I might add - I am in no way compensated for referring)


OOPS! 
You might notice more plaid (just a traditional type girl)
But, have you ever? 
 Just had to find a place for these,
since we do not have a mantel.
The cute little fellow sitting in the middle of the fruit
peering between the dining chairs into the kitchen
was a mark-down found at Hallmark from long ago.



AHHHH!  Simple Pleasure
Woodvine Dishes = my simple pleasure
Peppermint Tea = my sweetheart's simple pleasure


Gingerbread Ornaments find a place on the canisters.


And, I can't forget the top of the refrigerator.
This is the focal point when you enter the back door.
This wreath that Mr. Rooster rests in
 is another find
from Williamsburg Marketplace Catalog.


A closer peek at my easy access to the Christmas dishes.
history about the dishes
my husband's grandmother
had a large squatty round bowl
we called it the
"potato salad bowl"
I fell in love with it before I fell in love with my sweetheart. :)
She gave it to me and the hunt began.
I have had the fun (along with some other family)
of finding quite a collection of this pattern.
(if you want to know more about it feel free to e-mail me)
I had fun decking out the birdhouse pole.
A dear friend made the church house for me.
THE BIRDHOUSE IS SITTING WHERE
THE TREE
USUALLY SITS.

But, remember I told you we were treeless this year.
We will not be opening presents here this year
and our time spent at home for the holidays will be limited.

I changed the fall leaves to greenery & snowflakes.
This will also be kept in place for the winter.

I decorated this year with items that can be kept out longer.

This is one of my favorite Christmas cards, I framed.

You may have noticed these beautiful ornaments in my header.
These ornaments were purchased
from the World Craft party my church hosted.
They are hand blown & painted.
I placed them on a crystal dessert plate and
added a touch of greenery.
They are to the left of the manger scene on the entry table.

Just a reminder of what this season is all about.
I hope you have enjoyed
seeing a glimpse of how we decorate for Christmas. 

I am linking to the following great parties.


  



Sunday, December 5, 2010

It's beginning.....



to look alot like Christmas


everywhere you go;
take a look in the five & ten glistening once again,



with candy canes & silver lanes a glow.


It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
toys in every store


but the prettiest sight to see


is the holly that will be


at your own


front (back) door!

My sweetheart & I had the most wonderful day on Saturday,
"decking" the deck for Christmas.
We brought the Christmas music outside
and even took a few "tea" breaks.

The inside is a bit turned upside down,
but a few things have been placed.
I hope to share a
 Christmas Open House
with you soon.
(but I will let you in on a little secret)
we are "treeless" this year

The first time ever!!!

I will be putting one up - at our son's home.

I'm joining the others at
&





Saturday, December 4, 2010

Birth Announcement



For unto you is born this day in the city of David
A Saviour, Jesus Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:11

Joining the others at Katie's for


Thursday, December 2, 2010

Christmas Pictures

Remembering years gone by
these were taken
Christmas 2007







time flys
 when you have them all in the nest

I found these treasures while going through some old photos
could not help but do alittle remembering -

These photos are my Simple Pleasure.
Take time to visit the others
at