My Christmas Tour

I really didn't think I would try this, but here it is! Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home!I never dreamed that I would participate in this considering I haven't even finished decorating for Christmas. I enjoy BooMama's Blog so much, I couldn't help myself. I am sharing just a few of my decorations and I am sad to say that I have none of the outside. I barely managed to get a few bows and greenery up before my small dinner party tonight. I am starting off with my centerpiece that I have on an "Old" cabinet that I love. Next is a pic of my table with live greenery. I took this one as an afterthought. If you look closely, you can see the remnants of the party.

This is the fireplace with the logs on. We had them on for the benefit of our gathering. (I also had the a/c on, as it was almost 70 today!)

This is my nativity on the mantel. I'm sorry about the glare.

This again, is the mantel and my nativity from a different angle.

This is a pic of one of my curios that has a small nativity that you cannot see.

This turned out blurry, but it is my dining curio. If you look close, you can see my teapots.

Last, but not least, is another pic of my tree.

I know it hasn't been much, but it is my small contribution to the tour. Be Sure to Check out BooMama for some great Christmas homes!

Merry Christmas

I wanted to share a Christmas Card with all my friends. It's beautiful, just click on link.

http://ecard.ashland.edu/2004admission/index.html

Ministry

Sometimes you see a person and can't seem to forget them. I have had the image of such come across my mind several times since Tuesday night. Our church has a Rest-Home Ministry that meets once a month at the facility a couple miles from the church. As with any program, we have the "faithful few" that always participate and then we have the ones that want to, but can't always find the time to fit it in. Ahem....I being one of the latter and ashamed of it. The decision had been made to try to give all the residents Christmas gifts that consisted of personal care items. Unbeknowst to many, these particular residents must furnish their own. Shampoo, soap, lotion, kleenex, powder, toothpaste, are the ones we decided to supply.

With it being the Christmas season and wanting to share the love of Christ, I decided to put aside all the other "little" things that I usually let hinder me from going. With the gifts packed and loaded, we were on our way. Beautiful Christmas decorations greeted us upon entering the doors. We made our way into the Day or Rec room to set up the musical equipment to begin our service. Two or three residents had already gathered and patiently waited.

The service opened with prayer. We had our Christmas songs typed out and ready to sing. A few more residents begin to drift in upon hearing the singing. Oh how they love to hear singing! After a couple of songs, we took a break from singing for the pastor to bring the word. We resumed singing and the many tables began to fill up quickly. Several of them sang along, clapping their hands as best as they could. Others just sat there with no emotion. I feel sadness for these and can't help but wonder what they have endured through the years. I wonder how many visits they get from family. From anyone.

One lady in the group stood out. She must have been at least seventy years of age and proud of it. Her white hair was clean and styled. Her makeup had been applied with much care and age appropriate, I might add. She was beautiful. Where others sat in gowns, robes, or whatever else they were comfortable in, she was dressed in a thoughtfully chosen outfit. In my opinion, she was not allowing circumstances to control her actions. She was not conforming to the image of "rest-home resident." I came not expecting to recieve anything, but left with so much more than I could have imagined. This beautiful lady blessed me, and I am humbled

Recipe

This is actually a candy recipe that is VERY easy!

12 ounces of butterscotch morsels (you can use milk chocolate or white chocolate as well)
1 cup of cocktail peanuts
1 cup of La Choy noodles

Melt morsels in microwave safe container. Add nuts and noodles. Stir until well coated. Make pieces whatever size you want. Usually about the same size as chocolate fudge. Place on wax paper to cool.

See, I told you it is easy. Now for MY cookies. This one is easy too!

I use the large roll of Pillsbury sugar cookies. I roll them out and use cookies cutters for my Christmas shapes, sprinkle with sugar BEFORE I bake, and voila! I like the easy, but after seeing some of the other recipes, I may have to break down and bake some of these. They sound too yummy not to!

This And That

OK, being the techno savvy person that I am, *smiling* I finally figured it out. I *had* to switch over to the Beta version of blogger. It seems that I was using the original and since it was working for me, I saw no need to switch. I think my mistake was when I decided to click on the link adveritsing the Beta version. After taking the tour I was given the option of clicking on the NO THANKS link. Well, obviously they didn't mean it. I found myself unable to comment on any post after the tour. Sara, I am so glad you can comment now. I have missed you too! I will be back (hopefully) with a recipe. I think I am going to tinker around and see what "new" options I have with Beta. If any of you have discovered some great little options, please let me know.

What's Up?

I don't know what is going on, but I have tried to comment on blogs tonight and can't. Maybe it is just blogger. Anyway, Beth, I pray the children will be better soon. Lisa, praying for Molly, and please keep us updated. Anita, cookie recipe idea sounds great. Denise, I hope you are feeling better. Allison, your little pic is so cute! I don't really have time to blog, but you know how it is. Addictive. I have so many other things that I need to do. Oh, Beth is right about us needing to support our fellow blogger Shannon(Rocks In My Dryer). She was behind at the last count. We can vote once a day. I'm off to get something done!

My Tree

Just thought I would share a pic of my tree. I am trying to get a few other things decorated. I am planning to have a few friends over this weekend for a small Christmas gathering. It's amazing all the dust and other things I see that need to be cleaned now. Things I had not noticed before. Guess I have been too busy being "Mom"

I couldn't resist!

I was reading some scripture tonight and noticed something that made me smile. The word tells us that there is nothing new under the sun. I do believe that, but the Lord gives us proof all the time. Just so you know, this is for fun, but pay attention to the punctuation in this verse:
Matthew 6:32 KJV
32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

Did you see the :)? Iknow, I know, but I had to do it. *smile*

Wise Men

My pastor made such an impact with this statement, "The wisemen were not wise because of experience, they were wise because they were searching for Jesus!" I had not thought about it in that way before. He was also speaking of us, a people getting "so caught up" in Christmas without "worshipping" Jesus. It's true. It's not something intended, but I have been guilty of *preparing* for Christmas. Lord forgive me. He also stated that when the wisemen found Him, they fell down and worshipped Him. A part of that woship was also giving as the one when He gave ALL his gold, one, frankencinse, and one myrh. The point being, giving All that we have.

This was probably only for me this day and I receive it. I am grateful for a heavenly father that will gently let us know that we are losing focus and to *look upon Him* He is the one I want to please. Yes, He's the One.