Time

Happy New Years!

Saying goodbye to 2013 will be  a sort of relief...  I never  really liked odd numbered years....  strange as that seems.  I look back at odd numbered years and  it always seems that something  bad  happened...  the blizzard of 77, the flood of 85, 9-11-01,   but there again  out of the ashes  something wonderful always  came forth,,,, We  adopted our precious daughter in 85  and   even though dad  went to be with the Lord this year, God sent  Lil Birdie to our family this year....  His mercies are new every morning, or year, one might say.  So   today Ive been contemplating time....

we think we have  all the time in the world....  so we  put things off until the time is right, or until we get around to it..we are deluded, lulled in that  way of thinking... for time  does fly.....  and once  gone   can never be recaptured... 

So here we are  a moment in time when  four generations of women in my family   come together....so   happy  we could  be together  at the same  moment  in the same place,,, only by the grace of God did  we all live to see this moment..  How  did momma get get to 92 ,,,  or  did I get to be 63!  Im  ecstatic to be  able to hold  my granddaughter,  I treasure every moment I am given with her and my daughter.....   it is easy to look back  over time and  regret  the times we  took  our loved ones for granted..What on earth  were we thinking,,, what ever was  more important at the time...put   the true value on time spent with family and f riends,  and  make the most of every  moment...  for time truly does fly....  we never know what tomorrow will bring! Im not saying    we can expect  bad things, for God is the giver of good gifts,    even   separation for a time  from the people we hold most dear,  but  what ever  may come will always be for our best outcome.... he holds our times in His hands and our lives  unfold   in his timing....  just dont take  the time we are given for granted!

Happy Homemaker Monday

Visit Sandra here for more HHM!

The weather.....

 a typical crisp  late December morning...37 degrees and sunny.

Right now I am....

running the  gamut of extreme emotions...reflecting on    the  last  few weeks..our dearest  children and new granddaughter got off this morning  to return home  from   our   wonderful visit for the holidays....remembering precious  scenes like this

 this, 

and spending some time with momma!

Thinking.... 
how blessed we were that  our daughter and little Birdie were able to come to us a week early to be here during the most cataclysmic days of my life...they arrived  the  eve of my father's passing,,,  praise the Lord  I at least know that his spirit  was attuned to their visit with him, for he had already lost    physical consciousness.

and  I am  so blessed to know that  his passing  was  peaceful and  I have  total assurance that he celebrated  his first Christmas with the angels  and the Lord.

Looking forward to...
returning to some semblance of normalcy...  in one way,  it was a blessing that  dad's death  coincided with the holiday, for  it meant that the kids would be here during  the most crucial time of my grief, and we were together to share in that.And we also, now see the arrival of our precious Birdie, as God's gift to us  knowing that we would need a special touch from heaven during this time.I realize Christmas will never be quite the same,  but  I am learning  that  as seasons of life come and go,  the passing of  old traditions  make way for new  and   now being caught up in the midst of  this ebb and flow,  I  am learning to just  be in the moment and  enjoy what the Lord has for  us....  He knows  best what we need,  when we need it.This has been so evident  throughout  this  month of ups and downs. So I have clung to my family and friends, their love and support  and now it is time to  move  up and outward, back into  real time of my life... get   those dozens of  written "thank yous"  finished and mailed and  set about  making new goals  for the new year.

On my reading pile....

so many books....  I  received    some wonderful ones  for Christmas...
at the moment I am reading 

An Irish Country Christmas, by Patrick Taylor

a lovely review

"This was one of those rare books that one hates to have end. You will wish to stay in this place and continue with the setting, the characters and the mood. "An Irish Country Christmas" is certain to shoot to the top of every best seller list with this engaging tale everyone will wish to call their own. Having not read the others in the series this reviewer is anxious to order them and continue the charmed escape to the Irish countryside. If not already thought of, this series cries to be a boxed set full of lovely illustrations. In troubled times, this writing is just what the soul needs!"

I will   share  on the others next time.

Daily Bible reading...  Ezekiel

We are actually  doing  a home   Bible Study on Spiritual Warfare  and   this   study  has   really opened my eyes to   the  importance of   God's provision  of the weapons of our spiritual battles  because in this world  we are  bombarded all the time! 

On my TV..... 

reruns of Downton Abbey in preparation  for  season  4  beginning  early January
Hallmark Christmas movies

Blog Hopping

alas, I just havent had time to

On my to do list....
Sit by the tree and   just  think about  stuff
I refuse to undo Christmas until  mid January
cleanse my system  and  plan  an exercise  regime'
(implementing it may be another story)

Looking around the house....

From the camera:

The  extreme blessing my  prayer Sista's are to me, and  getting to spend  some Birdie time!

On my prayer list..... 

Our family, parents, daughter ,  Little Birdie*, son-in law, 

Our church, and church family 

our nation, leaders, 

Israel and the Middle East 

Bible verse, Devotional  or  thoughtful  words:

Sometimes we forget we have an enemy. Today, as we prepare for what lies ahead, let these words of wisdom remind us life's battles aren't meant to be fought in our own strength:

"Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." ~Eph. 6:11

Been a Sad Month of December

I am so   sad to  say   I lost my dad  last week....after a  long   decline....  as  an only child I have been quite   busy with   his care and   taking care of mom as well....  His funeral  is tomorrow....   I hope  that  when things settle down,  I will soon be back on line.   For now I wish  you all Merry Chirstmas!

Happy Homemaker Monday

Visit Sandra here for more HHM!

The weather.....

A tad warmer here today..   it is 31 instead of  21  this morning.

Right now I am....

I am  awaiting  my first cup of coffee, so I  thought  Id   work on  the   blog a bit.

Thinking.... Im thinking  that   wow   December is going to fly by....  I  feel like  Im not one bit prepared....   the tree is up but not decorated...   the  house has been  de-autumned,  and is clean,  but nothing has been  brought up  from the basement even....  I  have very few  ideas about   anything... especially  gift-giving,  of course the cards  arent   ready,   and the good news  is  we will be  picking up the kids to  bring home from the airport in 16 days....   whoa,   bet get a move on!

Looking forward to...
this weekend,   when Lynn and I  sing in our church  Christmas  program, 'Still He Came".   This is our first churchwide event to sing together...  This is  quite a production, and   for me it  brings back the   old days when I   used to sing in the Chancel choir  in my twenties,   and   back then I never dreamed Lynn  would ever sing in  a  church choir,   but   he loves it and  I  am ecstatic to share this with him!

On my reading pile....

The Spirit of Python, by Jentezen Franklin
Spiritual Warfare, by EM Bounds

Daily Bible reading...  Ezekiel

We are actually  doing  a home   Bible Study on Spiritual Warfare  and   this   study  has   really opened my eyes to   the  importance of   God's provision  of the weapons of our spiritual battles  because in this world  we are  bombarded all the time! 

On my TV..... 

reruns of Downton Abbey in preparation  for  season  4  beginning  early January
Hallmark Christmas movies

Blog Hopping

Tablescapes by Diane
I   really  felt a kindred spirit   here....lovely  taste and ambiance and a  sheer  love  for   creating!

On my to do list....
DECORATE!
laundry
practice   our music
Online shopping-it is Cyber Monday after all!

Looking around the house....

This   was  Amanda's room   in the  day,   but when she left home, I  was so lonesome for her, I  moved in and  made it  my  office, craft room.  Well, believe me,  I  became of hoarder of   paperwork, books, magazine,   idea  files,  stuff, stuff, stuff!   Then I heard that  Birdie was on  the way! Then, all I could think of was    'I  have to create a space for her  in our home'....  so I  got to work,  out with all  my  gear....  what a huge   throw away pile   I created !

  So now I  have a rather   blank  canvas.  I have started with the  lovely  ice blue  sateen  duvet cover,,,   I  want to paint the walls   a  very  pale  blue and then  go from there....   I have always lovely  ice blue  rooms!  

 

For  example, this    room fit for   a princess!!!!  I think   it will be fun  to   see   how the Lord   helps me make it happen,,,,   because  I   always trust Him  for   every good thing in my life, and He never ever  fails me!

From the camera:

Last  week we prayer sisters   met to plan   our  upcoming Christians United to Pray  event   which is coming  up next  Monday night  at  our local  library...  We  started this initiative  over a year ago  to  bring  Christians together    from  all over our   city  to pray  for   our  our  families, our  communities,   city, nation, and the world.  Our  commission is to  unite  Christians  to  break the  bonds that  divide us and exalt the One who unites us.   We are excited  that  our upcoming even   is  a celebration of   the Advent of Christ,  and what his coming   really means  as  look  forward to his second coming!

On my prayer list..... 

Our family, parents, daughter ,  Little Birdie*, son-in law, 

Our church, and church family 

our nation, leaders, 

Israel and the Middle East 

Bible verse, Devotional  or  thoughtful  words: Listen here.

A great disservice has been done to the cause of Christ by those who have tended to suggest that Christianity is all brightness and laughter. Such a perspective is neither true to the biblical record, nor to the human experience. The joy of which the Bible speaks is not found in isolation from the rigors of life. James encourages us to "count it all joy" when we face trials of various kinds. The studies contained in this album make it very clear that Christians grieve, too. They, also, seek to provide a biblical framework for dealing with affliction, trial, and disappointment. Underpinning it all is the doctrine of God’s providence, which affords the believer the opportunity to rest in the awareness that our times are in His hands. This album may well prove to be a great help to friends and neighbors who are trying to make sense of some of life’s storms

Christmas Past with Seasonal Sunday

Click above to  return to  The Tablescaper, and Seasonal Sundays!

Christmas  is   probably  my favorite time of year.... besides \ the excitement of Advent, for sure,  but, also,  because  of   family, especially,  now when   family is more and more  spread  apart...therefore,   it is my delight to  pull out all the stops at Christmas!

 I started blogging in 2008 and this was  my first digital Christmas

looks  like we were all set for the  Christmas Eve  gathering.
Christmas   Morning  breakfast  was  a snowman affair in the sunroom  that  year!

The next year the   Christmas  breakfast   was   held  in the dining room! SO great to have my mom and dad with us...   regretfully, they  wont  be  with us  this year...  They 
are  both  bedfast now!

Praise the Lord,  our dearest Amanda   will be, though!

How sweet  when  she and Joshua were  still living  nearby and  we got to  hear them perform  in the  Christmas  orchestra  on Christmas Eve!

IN 2009 the  Snow theme  was  blue!

Dont you like to mix it up?  I do.. and in 2010   the Snow theme   was   enhanced with  a  snowy evening...   so we had  our Christmas Eve  in the sunroom!

The Dining room also invited  folks   for  a bit of a warming libation!

along with a  tasty   savory!

Another   Christmas  Morning...   I see  Amanda's favorite  cranberry  scones!

I believe I will recreate this   scene.. I like it!
and, of course, there is nothing like Christmas lights!

Looks like I liked it in 2011  as well!

I   had   a nice mantel  in 2011


Maybe I wont   get my hair cut for Christmas...   I kind of  like it this length!  heheheheheh
I really think this  is interesting to see the effect of light each year...
 

  So what about last year...





Last year was the last year we'd all  be together...  this year  we'll be  celebrating a  bit here and yonder as we take  Christmas to  2  separate nursing facilities...   but  I am determined to make this Christmas just as festive as I can...  because this year,  we  are celebrating with our new granddaughter, Birdie!!!!

Holiday Baking Party

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Just as  Im sure you feel the same,   one cant  truly  celebrate  Thanksgiving without  certain  holiday favorites...  for me, it is   the family  dressing  that  came down from  my grandma and mom!

I have updated the recipe  by adding  the  fresh apple and  dried cranberries   which I think  makes everything taste better..

Thanksgiving dressing

1 bag Pepperidge farm stuffing

I  pone of  day old  cornbread, crumbled

 ½ c. onion chopped

½ c. celery, chopped

1 tsp.  dried sage

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. pepper

4 T. cooking oil or bacon grease

2  cups  good stock...homemade with  the  giblets is best... I  strain them out and  dont use them in the dressing as my personal  preference,  but mom used them.

3 or 4 eggs as needed

  1 large apple chopped  and  ½ c dried cranberries( or more as   desired)

In a large pan sauté onions and  celery in oil  add stock and simmer for  30 minutes

  Put bread, sage, salt, pepper in large bowl, pour onion mixture  over  bread and mix well 

Beat eggs and add to mixture  mix well, I usually use my hands to mix this well.

Add  chopped apples and cranberries

Place all in a greased baking dish  and bake 45 minutes or until   browned in 350 oven,  covered.

Can be made in well greased  crockpot on low in about 3 hours..   one recipe  said this which would be good  if  you are lacking  oven  space... but I actually have never tried this.

Roasted Sweet Potato Medley
Ingredients
3 Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into small wedges
2 medium sweet red peppers, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 small butternut squash, peeled and cubed
1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cubed
1 medium red onion, cut into wedges
3 tablespoons Olive Oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary or 2 teaspoons dried rosemary, crushed
1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Directions
Preheat oven to 425°. In a large bowl, combine potatoes, red peppers, squash, sweet potato and onion. In a small bowl, whisk oil, vinegar and seasonings. Pour over vegetables and toss to coat.
Transfer to two greased 15x10x1-in. baking pans. Bake, uncovered, 30-40 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally.Yield: 7 servings.And  Now I must share my favorite  Christmas  baked  item..

Everyone I know  loves these!

 Cranberry  Walnut Scones

3 c  Virginia’s best  self rising flour

1 T baking powder

½ c sugar

¾ c butter…slice in  tablespoon  slices  to make  working it in  easier

1 c fresh  works best cranberries… I have added golden raisins to make a cup

½ c chopped  English walnuts.. I have used pecans

1 1/2 T orange zest

1 c buttermilk  I used  clabbered milk  

( 1 cup milk  with 1 table of  white vinegar)

To top  unbaked scones.

1 T cream or milk

1 T sugar mixed with ¼ teaspoon cinnamon..finish with a sprinkle of  powdered sugar

Stir together all dry ingredients at top  of list..   Rub the butter  slices into the mixture until  only coarse crumbs form…   Like  cornmeal….  Incorporate the butter evenly.. no large  chunks….Stir in cranberries, nuts, and  zest. Add buttermilk and mix with a fork until evenly moistened.  I  didn’t  mix  it too much  and  as soon as I saw it coming together  I  poured it out on a floured surface and  shaped it into a  ball.   Pat the ball into a  ¾ inch thick circle.    Don’t work the dough too much…   it should be  fairly easy to  work with   you will have a lot on your fingers 

   As it will be moist. So  incorporate just enough flour     so not so sticky

   But  keep it   pliable.

Cut  rounds with a biscuit cutter and place on a greased sheet. Brush tops with the cream or milk and  sprinkle the sugar mixture on top.    Bake at 400 for 14-16 minutes or until  golden…  if you desire  lightly sprinkle with  powder  sugar.

 Cream topping:

8 oz  cream cheese.  I used mascarpone and thought it was much  better.  But  it is  much more expensive

  1 T  zest

  2 T honey  but I didn’t have honey so I sued 1 T of orange Marmelade  This is a fine  spread for any  specialty bread!
Here is a very yummy  recipe for  

Cookie Dough Cheese Ball

8 ounce pkg  cream cheese, softened

½ cup of butter softened

¼ tsp vanilla

3 Tbs Brown sugar packed

½ cup powdered sugar

¾ to 1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

¾ cup pecans, finely chopped

Method:

Blend first 3 ingredients together until creamy. Add powdered sugar and brown sugar, blending well. Fold in chocolate chips. Cover and refrigerate 3-4 hours. Shape into a ball; wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm. Roll in pecans before serving.