First Day Of Winter

ALREADY WINTER!!!
FOR BEING THE FIRST DAY OF WINTER…we were so active.  This was not a day of REST for us as we were so busy cleaning rooms, doing paperwork, laundry and driving into Manhattan to complete 6 hours of SHOPPING.  With the college population mostly gone with CHRISTMAS BREAK the traffic was tolerable and the stores were not busy.  A very nice change than previous years when the stores were so crowded one could not shop with ease.

I'll go over my menu later today and make sure all is ready to go for the week.  Take a breather and relax.  CUP OF COFFEE TIME.  

NATIVITY SCENE is out and on display.  Baby Jesus moved from the PARLOUR to the Dining room.  I placed this scene on my Grandmother's oak sideboard that was relocated and placed back downstairs into the Dining room.  Hubby had to fix the bottom interior due to the bottom falling apart.  Secure now with old dishes in the bottom area and NATIVITY sitting on it.  Hubby worked so hard to reclaim our Dining room this past week.  

Our Dining room has held the Kitchen overflow and has been a warehouse as the Kitchen has been worked on.  We got to the place where the extra dishes and mass odds 'n ends were boxed, given away or placed elsewhere in the house.  I now have a DINING ROOM for CHRISTMAS.  It has been a year and a half since we had a real Dining room.  Take a deep breathe and sigh.  MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME!
  
Wreath on porch.
Porch urns decorated.
CHRISTMAS music, books and movies located.
CHRISTMAS gifts purchased, wrapped and ready to go.
CHRISTMAS WEEK meals and snacks figured.  Grocery SHOPPING is done.  Food bought.
Christmas SWEETS on the buffet.  The grocers helped me this year as I had no spare energy or time to bake.  Perhaps next year.

I failed to get my 2014 CHRISTMAS LETTER completed and printed out.  I will do this after CHRISTMAS this year.  A few CHRISTMAS cards will be mailed MONDAY.  I just couldn't get it all done with all the extra moving going on.  It has seemed like we moved all over again this month.  Makes my head spin.  

MONDAY will be a day to put ourselves into fast gear.  FAMILY arrives Tuesday evening.  Getting excited.  
We are running behind on the CHRISTMAS decorating…our CHRISTMAS tree isn't out yet!!!  But it will be.  So much of our time, energy and muscle has been put into rearranging the rooms and relocating stuff.  Hopefully our tree will be up and decorated just before the Grandchildren arrive.  Their beds are ready.

The tree will stay up until February?  Just sure of it.  I will get to enjoy the tree before my Husband's CHRISTMAS EVE BIRTHDAY, CHRISTMAS, EPIPHANY and leisurely take her down as the cold wind blows.  

MONDAY, I will be rolling up my sleeves to clean the Master Bedroom where company will stay.  Go over the details to make sure we are ready for the week.  Bathrooms will get cleaned on Tuesday.  If my back doesn't hold up, I'll have to crawl around on my hands and knees to clean the POTTY ROOMS.  THE SHOW MUST GO ON.  grins.  It can be done.

Plans are being made already for next year's CHRISTMAS decorating.  Will be on the look out for discounted CHRISTMAS lights to deck out our HOME.  Christmas 2015 with lights on the house.  It's been awhile since we lit our home up.

My first day of WINTER was wonderful.  It spit moisture which added a misty charm.  THANKFUL for this very productive day.  

If we stay indoors and work really hard, the house will be clean.  My prayer is that we have a BLESSED HOLIDAY.  May the company feel comfortable, relaxed and welcomed.  LOVED.  

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all!

Baby Jesus, I love you and who you grew up to be.  
What a beautiful baby you were and a mighty Saviour you are.

Peace,
d    

Snow Flake

WINTER arrived before the calendar said so.
Claimed the COLD.

Wind blew. 

Snow fell. 

Grey skies wept. 

Spring will be coveted.

We had a snow day off from school 
and Lil Miss built a snowman
with Grandpa's help.

My Christmas shopping is completed!
PRAISE GOD.  PRAISE GOD.
I wasn't for sure if I'd make it in time or not.
She's done.

Friday night, 
Daughter, Lil Miss and I rode a carriage 
pulled by two gorgeous black horses. 
Delightful.
It was ice cold out, but we managed to enjoy the ride. 

We drank our fancy coffee.  
Pretzel bits with cheese inside the warm MALL.
I drove home in the dark with a worn out back and tired body, 
but I made it safely HOME.

This week-end will be a whirl wind couple of days as I have got to put the finishing touches on the house before family comes for a CHRISTMAS visit.  Rolling up my sleeves.  Get 'er done.

The menu is completed 
and the final grocery store purchases will take place.

Later I'll share pics
of our simple Christmas tree.
SIMPLE is the password.
SIMPLE.
Where'd I put my smile.

So glad you stopped by.
I wish you all the best,
d

CHRISTMAS Program

……and then the kids sang.
ANGELIC VOICES were heard.

Bells ringing and children singing.
Merry Christmas and goodwill toward men.
The King is born.
Happy Birthday JESUS.

May you all have a blessed HOLIDAY
and week-end,
d

TRIMMING THE TREE

~HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS~

Are Christmas trees a symbol of 
EVERLASTING LIFE?

Pointing upward toward the HEAVENS 
where our spiritually minded thoughts should be?

LIT to remind us that CHRIST is the light of the world.

Our HOPE is in HIM.

Wonderful memories I have with each 
CHRISTMAS TREE through out the years.

I LOVE THE TWINKLE LIGHTS,
LARGE COLORFUL BULBS,
MIXED AND MATCHED.

ORNAMENTS GALORE,
HOMEMADE, STORE BOUGHT, HAND ME DOWNS.
PLAIN TREES, CROWDED ONES, GLORIOUSLY TRIMMED.

ALL SEEM BEAUTIFUL.

SINCE BEAUTY IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER,
I BEHOLDED!

~TANNENBAUM, Weihnachtsbaum or Christbaum~

A little history with the help of my friend, Wikipedia.

The custom of the Christmas tree developed in early modern GERMANY with predecessors that can be traced to the 16th and possibly 15th century, in which devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes.  It acquired popularity beyond Germany during the second half of the 19th century, at first among the upper classes.

What do the ornaments represent?  

Adornments are usually colourful and attract attention.

A Christmas tree is a decorated tree associated with the celebration of CHRISTMAS...a time to remember and celebrate our LORD's earthly birth and entrance as a lil babe in a manger who'd grow up to have a ministry that would allow people to see Him in the flesh.
Follow JESUS.  Take him for yourself as your personal savior for He is good and worthy to be PRAISED.  

Embracing Him embraces love, eternal life and a rightful position with Almighty God.

The tree was traditionally decorated with edibles such as apples, nuts, or other foods. In the 18th century, it began to be illuminated by candles which were ultimately replaced by Christmas lights after the advent of electrification.  Today, there are a wide variety of traditional ornaments, such as candy canes, garland and tinsel.  An angel or star might be placed at the top of the tree to represent the angel Gabriel or the Star of Bethlehem from the nativity. 

Christmas Time 

is one of my favorite times of the year.

CHRISTMAS TREES 
are wonderful,

d

O CHRISTMAS TREE, O CHRISTMAS

~HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS~

Merry Christmas!

Thank you for stopping by my place.

Wishing you all the best.

Did you decorate a Christmas Tree or two?

TIS THAT TIME OF YEAR,

d

~O CHRISTMAS TREE~

The tune is an old folk tune attested in the 16th century. 

It is also known as the tune of Es lebe hoch der Zimmermannsgeselle and of Lauriger Horatius.

Lyrics

Anschütz (1824)	One English version	Another version
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, Wie treu sind deine Blätter! Du grünst nicht nur zur Sommerzeit, Nein, auch im Winter, wenn es schneit. O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, Wie treu sind deine Blätter! O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, Du kannst mir sehr gefallen! Wie oft hat nicht zur Weihnachtszeit Ein Baum von dir mich hoch erfreut! O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, Du kannst mir sehr gefallen! O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, Dein Kleid will mich was lehren: Die Hoffnung und Beständigkeit Gibt Mut und Kraft zu jeder Zeit! O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, Dein Kleid will mich was lehren!	O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, Your branches green delight us! They are green when summer days are bright, They are green when winter snow is white. O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, Your branches green delight us! O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, You give us so much pleasure! How oft at Christmas tide the sight, O green fir tree, gives us delight! O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, You give us so much pleasure! O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree Forever true your colour. Your boughs so green in summertime Stay bravely green in wintertime. O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree Forever true your colour. O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree You fill my heart with music. Reminding me on Christmas Day To think of you and then be gay. O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree You fill my heart with music.	O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree! How are thy leaves so verdant! Not only in the summertime, But even in winter is thy prime. O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, How are thy leaves so verdant! O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, Much pleasure dost thou bring me! For ev’ry year the Christmas tree, Brings to us all both joy and glee. O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, Much pleasure dost thou bring me! O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, How lovely are thy branches! Not only green when summer's here But in the coldest time of year. O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, How lovely are thy branches! O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, How sturdy God hath made thee! Thou bidds't us all place faithfully Our trust in God, unchangingly! O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, How sturdy God hath made thee! O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, Thy candles shine out brightly! Each bough doth hold its tiny light, That makes each toy to sparkle bright. O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, Thy candles shine out brightly!

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree!

Thy leaves are so unchanging

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,

Thy leaves are so unchanging

Not only green when summer's here,

But also when it's cold and drear.

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,

Thy leaves are so unchanging!

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,

Such pleasure do you bring me!

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,

Such pleasure do you bring me!

For every year this Christmas tree,

Brings to us such joy and glee.

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,

Such pleasure do you bring me!

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,

You'll ever be unchanging!

A symbol of goodwill and love

You'll ever be unchanging

Each shining light

Each silver bell

No one alive spreads cheer so well

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,

You'll ever be unchanging.

I'm Dreamin' Of A Blue CHRISTMAS

One of my community drives 

took me to Manhattan, Kansas.

We SAW THE LIGHT!!!

Came across such a pretty house that stopped me 

in my tracks.

The BLUE glow was stellar.

Had to stop and admire.

How beautiful,

d

HOLIDAY TIME

Seems to always be so much to do, 

but seldom rejoice that this is the day that the LORD hath made.  
Let us REJOICE and be GLAD in it!!!

~REJOICE~

Slowing down and thinking about the things of GOD

and the LORD's birthday.

THIS SEASON 

is the most wonderful time of the year.

We may not know the exact day

HE was born, but we know the SEASON.

The SEASON to be jolly.

Let it snow as we eat cookies 

and sip on HOT CHOCOLATE,

d

An Evening Drive

~HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS~

A relaxing evening was enjoyed when driving about 

to see the first lights of the Season flicker on.

Every week I hope to drive the communities 

and see how beautiful the lights are.

Taking TIME to slow down and think on the things of CHRISTMAS.

Thanks for stopping by my place.

May you have a wonderful WEEK-END!

So let your light shine

in the darkness that's out there,

d

Jibber Jabber

SPENT the day tinkering about this HOMESTEAD. CHRISTMAS is fast approaching in which I have to get much accomplished before the week of Christmas brings LOVED ONES to our HOME.

TODAY, I cleared out one of my curio cabinets and replaced the glass with my dolls.  Not all fit.  Not sure what I will do about this.  It has been like we are relocating all over again.  ONE thing leads to another.  The crystal cannot all fit into one curio cabinet, so I had to make some executive judgment calls quickly.  The corner cabinet in the Family room can be emptied after the Kitchen is completed.  Until that happens I will have to move some of my crystal upstairs for a hold pattern mode.  Snowball effect. 

Thumbed through some paperwork, old greeting cards went into a old suitcase, bundled letters stayed bundled.  Viewed some unmarked videos to decide what to do with them.  More paperwork gone through.  One load of laundry done.  Three LARGE Christmas gifts wrapped.  BUDGET reviewed. Prayer time.  Tossed a dying plant and swept the floor where it sat.  Gathering photos to put in a centralized place.  Took a drive and watched Lil Miss until her Mom made it HOME from work. Fixed her a snack. Worked on a CHRISTMAS LETTER.  Hubby came HOME and evening brought discussion with a cheeseburger.  Listened to a blogradio program about leaving churches that teach false teachings.  

I was a little under the weather today which had me sighing.  Sigh. Not sure if I had a migraine due to female hormones, have a sinus infection or what.  Drank more water, took a couple over the counter migraine pills.  Got through.

Info-commercial is on the late night TV.  I have a crush on this country western music.  These classics are from the 50s and 60s. It's funny how many of the songs I remember and yet I own none of this music.  hum.  Will need to find a radio station that plays these classics.  

Last night we took a drive looking at the Manhattan Christmas lights and it was....magical.      

Time's a ticking.
Gotta run!
d        

I Need Thee O I Need Thee - Acapella Arrangement

A Shopping We DID Go

Patting myself on the back, 

I am nearly finished with 

the CHRISTMAS SHOPPING.

I know myself when it comes to not being ready

and I am a happier camper when I am finished so I can rest knowing I am finished.

THIS WEEK....this week.

Please, this week.

WE went shopping last night
and made a great SANTA.

So much on my mind.
MUST remind myself to relax and enjoy 
this TIME of year.

My HAIR needs a trim.

My CROWN OF GLORY needs shaped.

Perhaps the Beautician could squeeze me in.

PERHAPS.

Wishing you a great DECEMBER,

d

JESUS IS IN MY PARLOUR

WELCOME TO MY HOME.

Many years ago I watched a movie with a OLD woman in it that would tell the investigating officers that she was having coffee in the kitchen with JESUS when such and such took place.  They looked at her as if she had lost her mind.  COFFEE IN THE KITCHEN WITH JESUS?  Each time they interviewed her, she'd tell them that she was having coffee in the kitchen with Jesus.  

Toward the end of the movie you find out that she was sipping coffee at the kitchen table during her prayer time as she prayed to JESUS.  I don't remember the name of the movie, but this part of it has stuck with me.

I mustard up the energy and got my NATIVITY SCENE out of the curio cabinet where it has sat on display for over two years and placed it on what I called my Grandma desk where small pictures of the grandchildren sat.  The miniature framed pictures have been moved to the ANTIQUE BOOK CASE with glass inclosed shelves. 

The pictures will hopefully not need dusted as often behind glass. Last week we moved the book case from upstairs to the family room.  IT WAS A HARD WORK-OUT FOR 2 OLD PEOPLE TO RELOCATE THIS PIECE DOWN A FLIGHT OF STAIRS, but I LOVE this piece back in the family room.  

CHRISTMAS DECORATING is slowly happening with the Nativity Scene out on display where BABY JESUS is in the PARLOUR,  
d