Light Of The World

ELLA AT DAD's FEET

Deliberately I will enjoy the beautiful CHRISTMAS lights on other people's houses more than ever since we are not decorating the outside of our HOME this year.  AND I'm alright with that.  Maybe next year.  

Our interior decorations this year AREN'T.  There's a little pre-lit tree in a box lying on the Living room floor waiting to be taken out and displayed.  Hum.  Will I do it?  Yes.  Later this week.  Sigh.

We bought 4 of these miniature trees last season and had plans to place them on our L shaped porch at the rock house.  Much has happened and the porch thing didn't happen.  The interior CHRISTMAS tree didn't happen and I have CHRISTMAS gifts to get yet.  This CHRISTMAS season may be one of the simplest I have ever had.

My Dad suffered a serious stroke the day after Thanksgiving and passed away December 5th.  We have been occupied with making trips between here and there.  Spending time grieving, making preparations for a funeral, funeral, more grieving, etc.  

It's fine that there is no tree, no lights, no decorations and no baking so far.  It will have to be alright.  The Christmas music and movies will have to suffice.  Perhaps I can focus on CHRIST all the more this year as my Dad has gone to heaven.  He has gone on before us and now knows first hand what death is like.  

Churches will have their special programs as schools have theirs.  Families will gather and friends will throw parties.  Candles will be lit and special foods prepared.  Gifts will be exchanged and memories shared.  CHEERS made.  Trees will sparkle and music will ring out.  Many will anticipate Santa's arrival with candy canes and gifts.  Many will pay no attention to Santa and will go directly to the birth story of Christ and the HOPE He brings.  Some will never hear the good news about Christ and what that means.  A baby was born in a manger.      

I want to share the GOOD NEWS about Jesus being the true reason for the season.  He came into the world to save it...not condemn it.  He is the good news.  He's the lamb of God.  The Messiah.  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son (Jesus), that whosoever believes in him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life: John 3:16.  Jesus gives LIFE and LIFE more abundantly.  Accept him and receive.   

Precious Jesus...you truly are precious.
You give meaning to life and death.

This month I will celebrate CHRISTMAS with so many others that LOVE you.
d 

LOVELY VALENTINE

Feeding Your Family For Less

How many times have you READ a header like that wondering 
WHAT THEY KNOW THAT YOU DON'T KNOW?

I am sorting through mounds of paper and came across this neat little booklet,  
THE HAPPY CHEAPSKATE....No-Sacrifice Ways to Spend Far Less Money.

Cheapskates 

don't live in denial; 

they live well for less, 

and they have 

fun doing it!

i'll do some sharing with 'cha......you may already know all this stuff.

Still, it'll help refresh my 'ole memory and that's a mental exercise.

NEW LIFE for Stale Bread

Often, bread doesn't stay bakery fresh as long as we'd like, but here are some creative uses for a loaf that's past its prime.

*Revive stale bread or rolls by spraying them lightly with water, putting them in aluminum foil, and warming them in a 375 degree F toaster oven for about 5 minutes for rolls or 10 to 15 minutes for bread.

*Stale bread makes divine French toast.  Soak slices in a mixture of eggs and milk with a dash of nutmeg, then toast with a bit of butter in a large nonstick skillet.

*Turn slices into croutons by cutting them into cubes and sauteing them lightly in olive oil or safflower oil.  Store in an airtight container for about 10 days or freeze them. 

HOW'S That For Using STALE BREAD and not pitching it because it's NOT FRESH.....you can always feed the birds with it.  

Or crumble it for bread crumbs. Store in a glass jar.

Heavenly DAZE,

d

John 6:35

And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that comes to me shall never hunger; and he that believes on me shall never thirst.

Иоанна 6:35
Иисус же сказал им: Я есмь хлеб жизни: приходящий ко Мне не будет голода, и верующий в меня не будет жаждать никогда.

John 3:16

For God so LOVED the world that He gave His only BEGOTTEN Son (Jesus), that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have ever lasting LIFE.

Иоанна 3:16

Ибо так возлюбил Бог мир, что отдал Сына Своего Единородного (Иисус), дабы всякий верующий в Него, не погиб, но когда-либо прочного ЖИЗНЬ.

You're A GOOD Egg

 The Prize Egg!

Hide the eggs......

Collect and count the eggs.......

Satisfaction that the Hunt was fun.  

Weather was PLEASANT!
Family gathered.

Daughter with Lil Miss

 Dad and Mom

 Brother

Honey, I promise I won't tell anybody that you fell asleep.

You didn't snore.  shhhhhh......

 

Me with some BLING!

My 57 year old wrist never looked better. 

~SMALL TOWN AMERICA~

Enjoy hunting Eggs.

Such fun.

We have a personal hunt

as well as a Community one.

This year, THE Easter Bunny makes an appearance with a Chicken 
at her side handing out GOLD colored Dollar Coins.

~The Loot~

The HUNT begins.

So many eggs.

Let's go!

 

~FRIENDS~

This HUNT ended on a Happy Note.

Didn't see my Missouri Grandson for Easter.
I hope his EASTER was sweet, because he is.

All across the United States

EASTER EGG HUNTS were taking place.

I didn't see first hand my Oklahoma Grandchildren, 

but by photos I could see the EGGS they collected.  

Isn't that something!

 

Their delicious EASTER DINNER.

Newness of life comes in the SPRING.

Easter Eggs and Easter Egg Hunts 
are a part of this.

I love this time of year!
I'm a good egg.

How's 'bout u? 

Love u,

d

The Teapot Lady

Almost 6 years ago I had a rummage sale to thin out some of my pretties.  I was new to this Flint Hills Community that I now call HOME.  The Autumn October day was gorgeous.  The kind of day that I wished I could freeze frame and visit often.  Walk into a 3D room and be right there soaking in the day.  More than a memory...an actual place.

One of the community Ladies stopped by and purchased all the Teapots I had available for someone to GET A STEAL.  She did and she knew it.  Very friendly.  I started calling her THE  TEAPOT LADY.  One Christmas Season, she opened her HOME for a Christmas Tour to raise funds for the Historic Society in the area.  I visited and we chatted about the Teapots she had displayed in her lovely and cozy home.  She remembered that she hit the Mother Lobe at my sale.  We giggled.  She had spruced up her HOME to be really comfortable and inviting.  I think her personality was well represented by how she decked out her territory.  Her HOME was her own and it showed.



 She'd later relocate to where her newly widowed son with children were living to help raise the Grandchildren.  Her Daughter-In-Law had died due to having Cancer.  I hate cancer.  The Teapot Lady and her Husband had owned the local Grocery Store.  She was also a Pastor's Wife as her Husband was a Preacher.

After school on Wednesday, I took Lil Miss to the Grocery Store with me to pick up a few items for snack and supper.  Before I left the store, I purchased a local newspaper.  As we sat in the car, Lil Miss munched on some cheese curls and got her hands bright orange.  I sat behind the driver's wheel and thumbed through the newspaper.  The weather was cool and sitting still in the car was just what the doctor ordered.  Window down.

Odd...as I sat there outside the Grocery Store that the Teapot Lady once owned, I was reading her Obituary in the newspaper.  The Teapot Lady had passed away following a short illness. 

Passed away.

  
The obituary said that she was a LOVING Mother and Grandmother; she was always full of life and a very giving person.

I sat there in the car and stared at the building in front of me.

I believe that The Teapot Lady knew the LORD and is in Heaven.  She is in her heavenly home now.  May her Family be comforted and have peace. 

   
If I were to pass away today, my Family would have to 
go through my messes and decide 
what to do with it all.  This thought 
gives me courage to downsize and continue to organize.

 

Dear Lord,
Thank you for LIFE and LIFE more abundantly.
Thank you for   e v e r l a s t i n g   life in Heaven.
Your Child,
dd


John 3:16
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Not sure what people will say about me after I am gone.  Will it matter?  I hope favorable things will be said.  What truly matters is that God tells me, well done good and faithful servant.

Life is short.  Where will we spend eternity?
With Christ as my Savior, I am Heaven bound.  May each one of my days be fruitful and lived well.

The week-end is upon us.  Have a good one.  

God bless you.  
We love you,

d

November Thankfuls

~NOVEMBER 4th~

~I AM THANKFUL FOR BIRTHDAYS~

Today is my Son's 34th Birthday!

I am thankful for this fine young man 

full of talent, compassion, life!
He chose to work a job.

He chose to marry.

He chose to father.

He chose the higher road.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

I so love you,

Mom

Dear God, Hear my prayer.  Please bless our children this day.

I believe your word.

You are the creator that loves us and desires us to have a personal relationship with you, to know you.  You want to bless us.  
You want us to live lives pleasing to you.  
Children are a blessing from you...not a burden.  A blessing!

Be real in our children's lives.

I ask that you bless my Son today and let him know that you love him 
and care for him like nobody else can.

Let him know that his Mom loves him and desired to give him life.  
That it was my great pleasure and honor to raise him.

In Jesus Name I pray,

Amen and amen

John 3:16

For GOD so loved the world that He gave HIS only begotten Son (Jesus) that whosoever BELIEVETH in him (acknowledges him as saviour and puts their trust in him) shall not perish, 

but have EVERLASTING LIFE.