Journey to Bethlehem

My friend Diane, who has a private blog (that I wish could be public because she shares the neatest things) recently shared this Journey to Bethlehem at Ramblin Gardener. I so enjoyed the journey that I thought you might, too.

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And this will be a sign to you; You will find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.

Luke 2:12

I am so glad that He was willing to come to us—to be one of us, to teach us, to die for us, and now to live for us.

Christmas Blessings to you...

It's Snowing!

It's snowing! I've been waiting. I was up early to get those blue haze/purple haze kind of pictures.

It may be that you'll think that I am the worst sort of prideful gal to show all these photos. True. Just for today. I bought this home nearly eighteen years ago when I was a struggling schoolteacher with two teenagers and a failed marriage. My former home had to be sold; things were bleak. That I was able to purchase this wee haven at all was something of a miracle. It served us well, though it had, and continues to have, some issues. So through all these years, I have lived in a home that looked shabby and forlorn. I did the best I could, though as John says you can't make a purse out of a sow's ear. Nevertheless, I certainly tried. (Thank you, Darling Man, for all that you've poured in to this place.)

One of my favorite things is to catch a glimpse of home when driving from the upper road. It lasts about two seconds, just long enough to know that she's sitting there. Yesterday, I walked up to see if I could capture it through the trees and across three neighbors' back lawns. I doubt you'll find it so lovely as I do. =)

From the Upper Road

Nestled at the Bottom of the Hill

Nestled in Snow This Morning

The New Storm Door, New Outside Light, Wreath on the Door At Last

Going In~Ivory Flakes Kind of Snow

That Lovely Light or A Chair Filled with Christmas Movies

Thank you for indulging me!

Another gift in the mail! Another gift from Miss Sandy@Quill Cottage! This little bird makes my heart sing. He arrived so beautifully presented.

And on the tree! He is such a handsome fellow...

You can find the directions for making him yourself right *here.* I'm going to begin early for next year having flopped this year. (I told Miss Sandy that there's no way this little bird is getting packed away for next Christmas. He's staying out all year. I have found him the perfect nest where he can observe all the goings on at our little haven.)

Now if you've the time, do tell me what's going on in your corner today!

Merry On!

Edited to Add:

♥ Caught! ♥

Because it is confusing, the first comment on this post was written by John. Laura said that at first she thought I was talking to myself. Believe me, Laura, it'd not be the first time someone caught me talking to myself!

Bacon

So I had just nicely settled into my nest on the sofa where I was finishing up some crocheted items. I had been reading TipNut on Making Bacon in the Oven and so had two trays of bacon at 350° and a timer ticking away the 23 minutes or so. I recall now that I was feeling pretty good about my levels of multi-tasking—smug and self-righteous was I. Settling into the cushions, I said, "John, if you smell anything burning, tell me."

It was not five minutes later when he began to talk about burning bacon. Truly, I heard him, but I was busy counting stitches and, besides, I thought he was teasing me. Another five minutes and he mentioned it again with a most perplexed look. I had to laugh because his look was, well, so perplexed.

Another five minutes when he said, "Are flames going to have to shoot out of the oven for you to do something?!"

The nicely done tray on the right was put in the oven just ahead of the badly burned tray on the left. That's correct. Both trays baked in the very same oven on the very same shelf. Apparently 'tis the season for sensors to give up the ghost. First the camera and now the oven. Sigh. There go all my dreams of perfectly baked cookies and cakes and breads for Christmas. Wah. I feel like Mr. Parker wailing for his turkey in The Christmas Story. If only I had listened!

Any mishaps at your place lately?

Finished!

Late in the afternoon, John finished the last row on the house. (The garage will wait for spring.) A mighty cheer rose up when it was accomplished now let me tell you.

Both men, John working on the house and our neighbor working on the fallen limb, labored all day long and in the end, both succeeded.

Now all that's needed is a storm door (waiting in the garage), weather stripping for said door (waiting on the bed), a wreath upon the door (waiting at Wal*Mart), and a snow storm right on cue and we'll have ourselves a cozy little home like this...

Thank you for your good thoughts and prayers for my niece. This procedure went the best of the three prior. That's right, I got the number wrong so this was her fourth time not her third. She's giving the tranquilizer she accepted all the glory; I'm giving God all the glory. ☺

Another happy day to you!


photo source

Early Christmas Gifts

Busy enough yet? "Uncle" will soon be my song. I see that you might have reached that point twice yourself.

Today, I am taking my niece for some day surgery, which will mean that I will have some down time for reading my book. I'm not happy that my niece requires this surgery for the third time, but I am looking forward to that couple of hours...in a lobby...with a lot of sick people. No! No, I am not. Where's the echinacea? I'm taking some stat.

John and I have been blessed with early Christmas gifts. This sweet package arrived from Gwen (Gwendolyn's Guests) and her husband late last week. Another book in the missionary genre, which John is already reading. John does love adventure books where God is the hero.

What's Going on Down River by Rob Greenslade along with a package of rooibos tea. Red Caramel Night sounds tasty. (I'm just noticing the verbiage on the package "taste and see." Now that sounds familiar.) I told Gwen that I was getting a tea ball as soon as possible. I used to have one... The doily was also a part of the gift. Gwen used it to add another layer of wrapping. Everything looked so darling and then I had to rip into it before getting the photo. (You can see how I used the doily in Sunday's post.) Gwen tells me that rooibos tea is known for its inflammatory pain relief properties...arthritis and such. I'll get back to you on that. Have you ever tried rooibos tea?

And yesterday, I received a sweet card with this beautiful tag from Miss Sandy at Quill Cottage. It's so detailed and beautiful and I'm beginning to see the difference between myself and the real talents. I am not getting the layers and levels. I'm doing whatever the project and saying, "There! Good enough" actually brushing my hands together and shaking off the glitter. I must push myself a bit harder.

The next is a little set of blue birds made by my New York niece (formerly my Boston niece). I love them! (They're a set of salt and pepper shakers.) One day, I'll show you the bowl that she made for me as well.

Lastly, Karen at Places of My Heart has posted a beautiful song called The Cross in Christmas with quotes from A*nn V*oskamp included. If you find yourself with unexpected time on your hands or need to refocus before scurrying on, please sit down, relax, and listen. You'll be blessed. Amen!

A blessed day to you...

Mostly Mosaics

Niece, Sister, Grand, Daughter-in-law

Lighthouses of the US Bingo or Tiddly Winks

Daughter

And a lovely weekend was had by all. It began with a Saturday morning breakfast, some gift opening, some games, some crafts, and ended with cookies being delivered by a grand and his mom last evening. Perfect!

A happy week to you...

Make Christmas Special

Do you want more and more of God's kindness and peace? Then learn to know Him better and better. For as you know Him better, He will give you...everything you need for living a truly good life... II Peter 1:2–3 TLB


Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 
II Peter 1:2–3 NIV