Reminiscent of New Years Eve 2016

We settled into my parent's home just in time for the holiday cheer this December. I realized that I've only lived away from my parents home for just under a year and a half which is a rather humorous fact. Christmas was always an exciting time of year in my parents home. We had the biggest, best tree, with perfect decorations and presents that were so plentiful that the tree skirt was nowhere to be seen. The best was plugging in the lights at night and basking in the glow of their twinkle. And then..... we stopped doing presents and Christmas trees. No more glorious smell of pine filling up the house. No more presents on Christmas morning. December just wasn't the same.
Not to mention I had strong negative emotions tied to Christmas. One of the last years we celebrated Christmas traditionally I was in a courtship with a guy who I'd been quite infatuated with for a number of years. We'd been courting for a total of three weeks starting in the beginning of December and then on Christmas Eve he wouldn't talk to me and pretty much ignored me the whole night. By Christmas morning he acted like nothing had happened and was jolly and merry with the whole family but he didn't really interact with me much. Finally by Christmas evening I asked him what was going on. He told me he wasn't going to break it to me on Christmas but since I asked he was breaking up with me. Of course that ruined Christmas for me and since I was young, "in love" and it was my first relationship ever it was heartbreaking. It amuses me now to think about but Taylor Swift came out with her version of "Last Christmas" and so that really came my melancholy heartstrings a song that resonated well with my sad spirit. Oh, the teen years! 
As it happened that was probably one of the last years that my family really celebrated Christmas in the traditional manner. We stopped doing presents as it had grown to be a financial burden and we discontinued doing a Christmas tree as well. We still got together with family and had a special meal together but it wasn't the same. At least that's how I felt.

Fast forward to 2016. I met Jeff in February at an organic farming conference. We barely spoke but we kept bumping into each and so at the end of the three day event we swapped info and later found each other on Facebook. We messaged a little on Facebook and then didn't talk again till November. Jeff messaged me asking if he could stop by for a visit and stay at our farm on his way to his family's home in Canada. Of course I said yes and we began messaging frequently after that. The more we messaged the more we discovered we had in common and things grew serious. We were sharing life stories and discussing future desires. By the time he visited it was not so much a question of did we want to be in a relationship but when. 

Two years ago today Jeff cornered my dad as he came out of the restroom during a Christmas Eve party with my mom's family. He asked my dad if he could court me and as he and my mom had already discussed the issue and knew my feelings on the matter he gave Jeff his permission. I think that's the best holiday season I've ever experienced. The excitement and thrill of getting to know Jeff through messenger during Thanksgiving, having him visit just before Christmas and then beginning a courtship with him on New Years Day. That's enough to make any woman's heart full of joy! The funny part was that my dad assumed Jeff informed me of my dad's consent for us to be in a relationship and Jeff assumed my dad had filled me in and I was clueless. When we woke up the next morning, New Years Day 2017, my parents sat us down and were talking about the seriousness of being in a relationship and marriage... etc. I thought maybe they were taking matters into their own hands since Jeff and I had been talking so seriously the past two months. Then over breakfast they said something about announcing it in church and by that point I was freaking out. I thought they were going to scare Jeff off for sure and that they were being rather forward! So I was opposing all of their suggestions and felt quite uncomfortable. My dad did announce it in church that we were courting and that was actually the first time I was informed of our courtship. Quite a surprise, though a very pleasant one. Oh, life is amusing isn't it?!
 
The rest is history. Needless to say the joy and bliss of the Christmas and New Year season has returned and is much more beautiful than I could have ever imagine. Redeemed and made wonderful by Jeff coming into my life. The hurts of past Christmas's pale and are forgot in the radiant memories of 2016 and 2017.
At last, 2018 has come to a close leaving blessings in it's wake. A new child, our first anniversary, and 20 acres of land that we can call our own till the end of our days. It has been a good year.

Where have I been?

How is it already December? Worse yet, how have I missed blogging for most of the year?! I guess blogging is on the back burner when you're married and have a baby to care for. Not to mention all the craziness that's occurred this year. Living in Brodhead, WI in a camper while my husband worked on a job from May to August. Then house hunting, putting in three offers to purchase and having them all fall through.... only to find the most perfect 20 acre parcel of land to buy! Which we did.... with the help of our friendly, neighborhood banker. All resulting in moving out of our apartment and into my parents house. Perhaps that's why I'm drawn to blogging. Just being in the home where I grew up brings back old habits, routines and memories. Blogging has been a big part of my life. Why stop now?

But yeah, that's the big news of the day. Moving back in with the family. It's strange, and cool all at the same time. We have one room all to ourselves.... 13'x13'. It used to be the boys room, so you can imagine all the dust, dirt and boogers we had to scrub off the walls. Once cleaned and repaired we painted it a light, lovely color of pale, warm yellow with a milk white for the ceiling and trim. We managed to squeeze a futon bed, a bookshelf with a TV on top, two dressers, a recliner chair and Wright's pack-n-play that he sleeps in. Not bad for one little bedroom. Thankfully there's a closet to store our odds and ends in!

Anyway, now it's the Christmas season and I've been enjoying listening to the Christmas tunes and decorating the house with my sister Janelle! We have a good time together now. :)

But it Feels Like Spring!

I woke up this morning from a dream in which it was one of those dark, rainy, muddy and warm Spring days. The sort of day that brings green grass and lots of chirping birds. Yet it's the middle of December and Spring is a long way off. Weather is a funny thing though because the forecast for this weekend predicts below zero temps and right outside my porch door I see water generously dropping from off the roof. If anyone could really explain the vicissitudes of the earth and it's weathery forces they'd be worth a trillion bucks. But really all we can do is study it and try to predict it. 

Christmas is just a few days away! How fast it's come upon us and still if feels like years since last Christmas. One year can bring about so much change. Just last Christmas I was finally getting to officially meet the handsome fellow who I'd been conversing with online for two months. It's curious how quickly our two lives rolled into one and more curious still how perfectly right it felt then and still feels now. I can't imagine who or what I would have become if Jeff hadn't walked into my life and I'm so glad I didn't have to find out. He's my purpose and my friend and my leader. It's exciting to spend this next Christmas together with him as my husband.

We'll get to spend Christmas with my family and then we'll also get to visit with Jeff's family later in the week. As he can't go to Canada right now while we're waiting on immigration proceedings to go through, his family is coming to us.

The holidays make people a bit stupid. Though many in the extended family are sick or fighting off colds we still play to make Christmas cookies in all of their sugary glory as well as enjoy a Christmas feast. The cheer this time of year makes us do things we wouldn't otherwise do. Perhaps it's the jingly Christmas tunes that throw us back to our memories of Christmases past. Oh well.... what does it hurt to be a little silly once or twice a year? ...and how could you say no to Christmas cookies?! It's impossible.

Feliz Navidad

Christmas day, and it's rainy and windy outside. Very odd for a WI Christmas. I do remember a number of years ago when we had a thunder & lightning storm in December. I guess Mother Nature just likes to keep us on our toes.

In spite of the dreary weather, we had a warm and cozy day inside. The twinkly Christmas lights glowing throughout the house and seasonal tunes streaming through the speakers.

There's a really pretty song I just discovered this season. It's so soothing, and almost haunting... but I can't find it on YouTube to share it with you. However if you can find it elsewhere I'd suggest you give it a listen. It's called, "In Winter's Cold", by Brittin Lane.

I hope your holiday was cheery and festive, full of all the seasonal blessings.

Merry Christmas, from my family to yours! 

 ...and here's a cute picture of my parents. Aww!

......AND... *drumroll*

Channing proposed to Rachel! She said, yes!

God has truly blessed our family this Christmas. We have so much to be thankful for and can't wait to see what the future brings. ...most especially a wedding this next year!

A Christmas Song

We listened to a number of Spotify playlists during our Christmas celebration yesterday. We all really like this song by Bahamas.



It was a very nice, relaxing Christmas day for my family.

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house...

....not a creature was stirring, all except for a Chocolate Mouse!

Here are a few tips on how you can spend this Christmas holiday, from none other than a mouse:

1. Make sure you have all your presents wrapped and ready to go...



2. Eat a candy cane. 



3. Get out the mop and broom and clean up the house. Your mom will be impressed.



4. If you're getting tired out or anxious, be sure to stop and smell the poinsettias.



5. Hit up as many parties as possible...





6.  Dress up and do a little Christmas caroling... if this mouse can sing, so can you.



7. Be sure to spread a little peace and joy...



8. Hang out with a friend you haven't seen in a while.



9. Greet strangers with as smile and some small talk... it could make their day!



10. Be thankful for your blessings... like a warm house.



11. It's okay to dream of a white Christmas, even if you live where it's warm.



12. ...and if you do have snow be sure to enjoy it!!

13. Play lots of Christmas music.

14. Above all spend time with your family...

15. Oh... and make sure to dance, and sing praises to our Savior with a heavenly host.

Here's to you and those you hold dear....
Have a very merry Christmas full of laughter and cheer.

 

Little Mr. Christian

So this Christmas I received the best surprise, the best present, of all! I had sent my brother Daniel a "Merry Christmas" text message.... to which he replied, "Isaiah 9:6a".

 Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

I looked it up and was reminded of the awesomeness of God and thought how cool and fitting the verse he'd sent was..... totally missing the message!!!! 
A little while later Daniel sent me a picture.

There is a new baby!!! 

My sister-in-law gave birth to Christian Daniel on the 22nd of December!!! 7lbs 12oz. and 20.5 inches long!

He's so handsome and adorable!! What a surprise, indeed!!!

 This is my big brother Daniel with his newest son, Christian!

I'm so glad to be this little guy's Aunt, and I can't wait to meet him!

Reindeer Milk

DID YOU KNOW..... you can milk reindeer?
As it is the Christmas season and Rudolph and his friends are all over the radio, I thought you might be interested in hearing some interesting reindeer facts!
Reindeer have an average of 20% butterfat content compared to a dairy cow which would range between 3-6% butterfat. Protein content in reindeer milk would be at 10.8% compared to a cow's 3.5%.
Translation: that's some pretty thick, creamy milk! Perfect for making eggnog, maybe?
However, it may be a bit of a chore to get a decent amount of reindeer milk: 

...and one would have to question the deliciousness of such milk:

I'd imagine that there's a reason we don't see 3,000 reindeer dairy farms scattered across the country. Plus... anything that can grow horns like that would be pretty terrifying to extract milk from! Cow horns are bad enough! Anyways, just some fun facts for your holiday season! Now you can appreciate cow milk more! ;)

Best Add Ever...

Here's a Christmas add. It's a bit early to be posting things about Christmas, if I do say so myself, but it's very moving. Most likely the best add I've ever seen. It was more like a little movie..... a short, touching movie. And so it's worth watching! Hope it brightens your day as much as it did mine.

'Tis The Season - Part 2

I suppose there is always a risk in posting another human being's written work in it's entirety. It is true, though, that any human words are nothing if they are not in one accord with the Word of God.
Emerson's beliefs may have played into his thoughts on gift giving, but if they did his ultimate point was that the best gift is the gift of yourself. Looking to the Holy Word for direction I find this to be true.

Matthew 22:36-40, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

1 Peter 2:24, Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 

1 Corinthians 12:31, But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
(and the next verse is the beginning of chapter 13... the Love chapter.)

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 & 13, Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
...
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. 

.....and there are so many more verses!!! Try Roman's 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9, 2 Corinthians 9:15, Isaiah 9:6... the list goes on... and on and on!!!!!!
 
I think Emerson's point was, in essence, Matthew 22:36-40. His purpose is not so much to get us to judge the gift or the giver, but as a good essay should do, it is to get us to examine our own selves, and to inspire us to love our neighbor as we would love ourselves.


Another one of my favorite authors is Robert Fulghum. ...and this short story from his book, All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten, always pops into my mind when I think of doing things for others:

Elias Schwartz repairs shoes. He's short and round and bald and single and middle-aged and Jewish. "An old-fashioned cobbler," says he, nothing more, nothing less. I happen to be convinced that he is really the 145th reincarnation of the Haiho Lama. 
See, the Haiho Lama died in 1937, and the monks of Sa-skya monastery have been searching for forty years for his reincarnation without success. The New York Times carried the story last summer. The article noted that the Lama would be recognized by the fact that he went around saying and doing wise things in small, mysterious ways, and that he would be doing the will of God without understanding why.
Through some unimaginable error in the cosmic switching yards, the Haiho Lama has been reincarnated as Elias Schwartz. I have no doubts about it. 
My first clue came when I took my old Bass loafers in for total renewal. The works. Elias Schwartz examined them with intense care. With regret in his voice he pronounced them not worthy of repair. I accepted the unwelcome judgment. Then he took my shoes, disappeared into the back of the shop, and I waited and wondered. He returned with my shoes in a stapled brown bag. For carrying, I thought. 
When I opened the bag at home that evening, I found two gifts and a note. In each shoe, a chocolate chip cookie wrapped in waxed paper. And these words in the note: "Anything not worth doing is worth not doing well. Think about it. Elias Schwartz. "
The Haiho Lama strikes again.
And the monks will have to go on looking. Because I'll never tell - we need all the Lamas here we can get.

Yes, yes, he used the words 'monks' and 'reincarnation' in association with God, but Mr. Fulghum happened to be a parish minister for 22 years and most likely doesn't believe in those things. His point? The best gifts are the gifts that we are not obliged to give, the ones that are a part of our own selves ...that would seem as a loss to the selfish man. A gift that makes the receiver's life better.  
 
Matthew 7:21, Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Acts 20:35, I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

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.

'Tis The Season

The other day, in one of my spare moments, I picked up my little collection of Emerson's essays. I decided to read the first one in the book... which coincidentally happened to be about gifts. I thought this was an appropriate topic to study up on since everyone is focused on gifts this time of year. It is a brief but excellent read. Not exactly conclusive, but it lights upon aspects of gift giving and receiving that often go untouched. I thought I'd share it with you.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Essay V - Gifts

Gifts of one who loved me, —
'T was high time they came;
When he ceased to love me,
Time they stopped for shame.

It is said that the world is in a state of bankruptcy, that the world owes the world more than the world can pay, and ought to go into chancery, and be sold. I do not think this general insolvency, which involves in some sort all the population, to be the reason of the difficulty experienced at Christmas and New Year, and other times, in bestowing gifts; since it is always so pleasant to be generous, though very vexatious to pay debts. But the impediment lies in the choosing. If, at any time, it comes into my head, that a present is due from me to somebody, I am puzzled what to give, until the opportunity is gone. Flowers and fruits are always fit presents; flowers, because they are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty outvalues all the utilities of the world. These gay natures contrast with the somewhat stern countenance of ordinary nature: they are like music heard out of a work-house. Nature does not cocker us: we are children, not pets: she is not fond: everything is dealt to us without fear or favor, after severe universal laws. Yet these delicate flowers look like the frolic and interference of love and beauty. Men use to tell us that we love flattery, even though we are not deceived by it, because it shows that we are of importance enough to be courted. Something like that pleasure, the flowers give us: what am I to whom these sweet hints are addressed? Fruits are acceptable gifts, because they are the flower of commodities, and admit of fantastic values being attached to them. If a man should send to me to come a hundred miles to visit him, and should set before me a basket of fine summerfruit, I should think there was some proportion between the labor and the reward.

For common gifts, necessity makes pertinences and beauty every day, and one is glad when an imperative leaves him no option, since if the man at the door have no shoes, you have not to consider whether you could procure him a paint-box. And as it is always pleasing to see a man eat bread, or drink water, in the house or out of doors, so it is always a great satisfaction to supply these first wants. Necessity does everything well. In our condition of universal dependence, it seems heroic to let the petitioner be the judge of his necessity, and to give all that is asked, though at great inconvenience. If it be a fantastic desire, it is better to leave to others the office of punishing him. I can think of many parts I should prefer playing to that of the Furies. Next to things of necessity, the rule for a gift, which one of my friends prescribed, is, that we might convey to some person that which properly belonged to his character, and was easily associated with him in thought. But our tokens of compliment and love are for the most part barbarous. Rings and other jewels are not gifts, but apologies for gifts. The only gift is a portion of thyself. Thou must bleed for me. Therefore the poet brings his poem; the shepherd, his lamb; the farmer, corn; the miner, a gem; the sailor, coral and shells; the painter, his picture; the girl, a handkerchief of her own sewing. This is right and pleasing, for it restores society in so far to its primary basis, when a man's biography is conveyed in his gift, and every man's wealth is an index of his merit. But it is a cold, lifeless business when you go to the shops to buy me something, which does not represent your life and talent, but a goldsmith's. This is fit for kings, and rich men who represent kings, and a false state of property, to make presents of gold and silver stuffs, as a kind of symbolical sin-offering, or payment of black-mail.

The law of benefits is a difficult channel, which requires careful sailing, or rude boats. It is not the office of a man to receive gifts. How dare you give them? We wish to be self-sustained. We do not quite forgive a giver. The hand that feeds us is in some danger of being bitten. We can receive anything from love, for that is a way of receiving it from ourselves; but not from any one who assumes to bestow. We sometimes hate the meat which we eat, because there seems something of degrading dependence in living by it.

"Brother, if Jove to thee a present make,
Take heed that from his hands thou nothing take."

We ask the whole. Nothing less will content us. We arraign society, if it do not give us besides earth, and fire, and water, opportunity, love, reverence, and objects of veneration.

He is a good man, who can receive a gift well. We are either glad or sorry at a gift, and both emotions are unbecoming. Some violence, I think, is done, some degradation borne, when I rejoice or grieve at a gift. I am sorry when my independence is invaded, or when a gift comes from such as do not know my spirit, and so the act is not supported; and if the gift pleases me overmuch, then I should be ashamed that the donor should read my heart, and see that I love his commodity, and not him. The gift, to be true, must be the flowing of the giver unto me, correspondent to my flowing unto him. When the waters are at level, then my goods pass to him, and his to me. All his are mine, all mine his. I say to him, How can you give me this pot of oil, or this flagon of wine, when all your oil and wine is mine, which belief of mine this gift seems to deny? Hence the fitness of beautiful, not useful things for gifts. This giving is flat usurpation, and therefore when the beneficiary is ungrateful, as all beneficiaries hate all Timons, not at all considering the value of the gift, but looking back to the greater store it was taken from, I rather sympathize with the beneficiary, than with the anger of my lord Timon. For, the expectation of gratitude is mean, and is continually punished by the total insensibility of the obliged person. It is a great happiness to get off without injury and heart-burning, from one who has had the ill luck to be served by you. It is a very onerous business, this of being served, and the debtor naturally wishes to give you a slap. A golden text for these gentlemen is that which I so admire in the Buddhist, who never thanks, and who says, "Do not flatter your benefactors."

The reason of these discords I conceive to be, that there is no commensurability between a man and any gift. You cannot give anything to a magnanimous person. After you have served him, he at once puts you in debt by his magnanimity. The service a man renders his friend is trivial and selfish, compared with the service he knows his friend stood in readiness to yield him, alike before he had begun to serve his friend, and now also. Compared with that good-will I bear my friend, the benefit it is in my power to render him seems small. Besides, our action on each other, good as well as evil, is so incidental and at random, that we can seldom hear the acknowledgments of any person who would thank us for a benefit, without some shame and humiliation. We can rarely strike a direct stroke, but must be content with an oblique one; we seldom have the satisfaction of yielding a direct benefit, which is directly received. But rectitude scatters favors on every side without knowing it, and receives with wonder the thanks of all people.

I fear to breathe any treason against the majesty of love, which is the genius and god of gifts, and to whom we must not affect to prescribe. Let him give kingdoms or flower-leaves indifferently. There are persons, from whom we always expect fairy tokens; let us not cease to expect them. This is prerogative, and not to be limited by our municipal rules. For the rest, I like to see that we cannot be bought and sold. The best of hospitality and of generosity is also not in the will, but in fate. I find that I am not much to you; you do not need me; you do not feel me; then am I thrust out of doors, though you proffer me house and lands. No services are of any value, but only likeness. When I have attempted to join myself to others by services, it proved an intellectual trick, — no more. They eat your service like apples, and leave you out. But love them, and they feel you, and delight in you all the time.

Sincerely, Snow

Come what May?!
It's gotta be November or something.
I'm pretty sure there are a lot of weathermen loosing their jobs for putting snow in the forecast. I guess I took down the lights and snowflakes too soon. Time to get the shovels back out, the mittens, the hats, the long underwear.... all that jazz. My poor bedroom is caught in limbo; boxes of summer clothes are decorating my floorspace waiting for their turn in the closet as the winter clothes persist in their places.

However, looking at the bright side:
The best part about winter is getting to work on indoor projects. I can sew without feeling like I'm missing out on something out of doors. Or work on tasks like much needed cleanup, dusting and other random house chores. ...and since there's nothing better than working to a little bit of music I might just set the mood with some Vince Gauraldi Christmas tunes.

You know, it is always the season to be jolly around here. That's why people love the Mid-West. There's so much snow that it's Christmas all year round!!

 The green grass, red barn siding and snow work together 

to create the perfect Holiday Season display!

 Snow covers the farmscape once again.

Welcome back Frostbite,

Take a seat Cold.

Who has arrived? Early or Late?
North Wind blow...

Bewildered Buds

The local meteorologist wrote, "The old Eau Claire record for a snow event in May was 3.0" from May 1-2, 1935, so that's why we were skeptical this much could fall. Well, go big or go home…and hopefully you can stay home and safe today. Bundle up because it will also be very chilly today, with highs only in the middle 30s. That’s 30 degrees below the average high for the day of 66."

I'm pretty sure that we're going to have a foot of snow... if not more. Time to set a new record! ....who would have guessed that it was 85 degrees two days ago and everyone was out getting sunburns?!

Life really is like a box of chocolates.
You just never know what you're gonna get...

Getting Serious.

If Purgatory were real, I think it would be something like driving on your way home, going through a construction zone on a freeway... late at night when you're really, really, really tired.

Should I ever become a hardcore online gamer (like X-box, PS3 or something) my screen name would definitely be "The Marynater." ...I can already taste victory. ;)

I'd like to get a stray cat... and call him Sabbatical.

....it snowed again today. I'm starting to think that it's because we never took the Christmas lights down from the windows. I guess I have my work cut out for me tomorrow.

Snowmen Prophets of Doom

 



If you would have visited my town this past week you may have thought it was the middle of January. Yesterday huge snowflakes fell from some heavenly storehouse, littering every scape. It seems as though winter may never leave since it has been here so long and continues it's cold vigil.
As I brought in a group of cows yesterday morning, I heard a strange sound. A flock of geese flying over head! Though the steady wind bent them in a westward direction, it was clear they were headed North. I now know how Noah must have felt, standing on the ark as the dove flew back to him with an olive branch in it's beak. Even now the weather man predicts two more snow-showers this week. Yet, as the birds fly Northward, there is hope for Spring.

A fellow from my church lamented the prolonged winter in a rather amusing fashion. I think his Psalm pretty much sums up the mood around here:

"A Psalm of Jordan in the Valley of Chippewa, when snows fell in April.

Lord, why dost thou mock me! Will I not glorify thy name when thou sendest the snow in his season, yea the plentiful powder, that I may snowboard thereon? Wherefore must I eat the bread of sorrow, and drink the wine of mine iniquity? For thou hast caused the snow to cover the spring lily, yea, thou wilt not suffer the tulip to rise by reason of the untimely flakes. Behold! My head have I shaved in preparation of summer, to cool mine head when the summer sun sends forth his heat from on high. But now, Alas! for in the midst of this whiteness my head is shaved in shame. Oh Lord, my God, thou sendest the snow upon the snowboarder and the skier, the just and the unjust, in season and out of season, still my soul shall praise thy name forever! Only my heart might be found a little more merry, if thou wouldest pay a little more attention to thy calendar. Amen."

What I really love about Wisconsinites is that a little bit of sunshine can rejuvenate their spirits! It may only be 35 degrees out and they roll down their car window as they go for a drive, leave their coat in the closet or feel alive again as they tap their feet to Kenny Chesney's song No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem. Silly little things like that. Quite an optimistic group of people! Then again, you'd have to be optimistic to live in a region where you may seriously have Christmas in July. 
...it's a real possibility this year, folks. 

Getting Rid of Good Will?

If you are a Christian celebrating Christmas, this holiday may be another stressful reminder that you might not be God's elect. ....that is, if you don't read the King James Version.

Today a lovely Christmas card came in the mail from a relative and on the back they had quoted Luke 2:14.
"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Hmmm..... peace to men on whom his favor rests? I could not actually figure out what version this verse was but most versions pretty much said the same thing , such as:
the NASB,"Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."
the ISV, "Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth to people who enjoy his favor!"
the WNT, "Glory be to God in the highest Heavens, And on earth peace among men who please Him!"
...and so-on.

The King James Version reads,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And that was how it was, folks. Baby Jesus was born.... there was peace on earth. There was good will toward men. This was the moment when the Messiah had come! Good will indeed, that God would manifest Himself in the flesh to save the sons of men from their sin!!!

...even Linus knew better than to use any other version than the perfect word of God preserved in the King James Version:

Luke 2:7-14
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Have a very merry Christmas holiday, folks, and rest in the peace of God's gift of grace and freewill!!! 

Green Tomato... PIE????

There's something that is rather exciting about venturing into the unknown baking world and turning something average, or what sounds like it should be disgusting, and have it turn into the most delicious treat! So it was with the green tomato pie that I baked the other night.

I followed Chef, Paula Deen's recipe that I'd found online last year (I've been wanting to make it for a long time!).

It turned out to incredibly! It's not like traditional apple or pumpkin pie, but it has it's own unique character. My mom said it tasted like mincemeat. I didn't think so.... I thought it tasted like Christmas! The orange and raisin flavors... mmmm. It was fantastic, and makes me sad to think that green tomato season is over already.

Merry Christmas

Whatever be the reason for Christmas, today is a day that the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it. I wish with all my heart that you are surround by people who truly care and love you and I hope your day is filled will all goodness, and cheer. Merry Christmas to you and yours! 

 

"Welcome, Christmas, bring your cheer. Cheer to all Whos far and near. Christmas Day is in our grasp, so long as we have hands to clasp. Christmas Day will always be just as long as we have we. Welcome Christmas while we stand, heart to heart, and hand in hand." - The Grinch Who Stole Christmas

365

This is officially my 365th blog post. It's weird to think that if I had blogged everyday from the day I started blogging, I would have already reached this number years ago. Nevertheless I feel like I've blogged a million times! Most of the people I started blogging with have long since disappeared from the Blogspot realm. It has been quite a journey. 

Today, is my Christmas Eve, simply because we are celebrating Christmas tomorrow. We decided that we weren't going to skip church for Christmas. Honestly, for me it will truly and simply be a day to enjoy with my family. This is very good but it doesn't feel quite like Christmas. Not without the lights glowing from the tree that create a gingerbread house effect. We haven't had snow for the past two weeks we haven't had snow and that certainly doesn't help either. Thankfully, today, we received an inch!!! I hope it stays for a few days so that we won't have to dream of a white Christmas. =) 

In years past we've had a tree and presents and ....well the whole big deal (minus Santa Cause, mistletoe, reindeer, etc.). But this year, our tree sits out in the cold, waiting to be placed on a stand. I somehow feel that it will find it's way off the porch and into the it's regular resting place (the burn pile) without ever entering our house. We have decided to take a step back from our regular 'traditions' to evaluate just exactly what Christmas is. There is a lot of conflict out there as to the real meaning of Christmas. Not only is the whole Christmas tradition taken from pagan traditions (that I know of), but Jesus Christ wasn't even born in December! He was born sometime around September. Therefore this year we are going to determine, for what purpose do we celebrate the way we have been celebrating and whether or not we should make some changes. I'm looking forward to what we will discover.

Anyways, that's enough sap for one post. ;)

P.S. In celebration of my 365th blog post, click 'here' to read my first ever blog post. ....it's not that exciting. ;)

here

Snow Covered Tree

I couldn't go to sleep last night, so, by naught but the glow of icicle lights, I took out a drawing pad and some charcoal pencils and sketched a snow covered pine tree.

It's nothing incredible.... just a simple sketch. The scanner was too small to scan the whole picture, and therefore the edges are trimmed off but that is the gist of it anyways. ;)

I'm Dreaming of A White Christmas

After a wonderful, perfect snowfall two weeks ago we have a warm spell and it is raining outside!!! Raining! 40 degrees and the snow is almost gone. Unbelievable! This muddy and wet weather is simply dampening the Christmas spirit (pun intended). Haha....

Anyway, this is what it looked like a week ago....

 

 Hope you're enjoying the last month of the year!