Happy New Year

Don't you just love this adorable New Year's idea for your party tablescape. I got this from today's Better Homes and Gardens newsletter.

Word Filled Wednesday

Amy Deanne of the 160 Acre Woods hosts this theme each week.

To contemplate my resolutions for the coming year this everything I consider is filtered through this scripture.

Whatever I do, may it be to the glory of God!

Tablescape Thursday/TMTT

Oh, my goodness, will you ever want to visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for more tablescapes. I love Susan's apple centerpiece! My scape is just for fun. I can't give up on Christmas decor yet, but now I opt for the snowman /winter schematic in whites and blues. Since this is soup season I planned this fun scape for our delicious cabbage soup I cooked yesterday! How wonderful to lighten up and return to ordinary, wholesome food!


There is no snow in sight in our local forecast, so I am doing my regular snow dance I learned in my teaching days when I needed a midwinter respite!

Dinner for two tonight over steaming bowls of delicious cabbage soup will be quite festive, indeed.

I actually love my snowflake glasses I got over the weekend at Krogers on the post Christmas sale- 10/$8.00. I'll enjoy these for a couple of months as I scan the horizon for the beloved snowflake!
I havent posted on Tempt My Tummy Tuesday for a few weeks , but will with this delicious, easy recipe!
Cabbage Soup
1/2 head cabbage chopped
1 onion, chopped
2 1/2 cups water
1 large can petite diced tomatoes
2 potatoes diced, not peeled
1 can red kidney beans, not drained
1 tsp. salt,
1/2 coarse ground pepper
2 beef bouillon cubes
1/2 tsp ground thyme
1/2 tsp. basil
1 bay leaf
1 T. sugar
1 cup leftover diced ham, all fat moved
Combine and cook over medium heat for 50-60 minutes.
Enjoy!
Visit Lisa's blog for more recipes today!

Smile

I have to borrow a quote I read on Susan's blog, A Happy Heart at Home this morning. She found this quote in Woman's Day magazine and shared about how it helped her keep this joyful, but fleeting, Christmas in proper perspective after her daughter returned home far away. It is so appropriate for me, also, because not only an amazing Christmas has come and gone, but also, as Amanda and Josh prepare to move 1000 miles away in a couple of months I'm fearing the doldrums of loss and emptiness!

Dr. Seuss said, "Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."

Life does go on and I have to smile and remember how blessed our lives ARE. Just because one chapter is ending doesnt mean the book has come to an end. Each new chapter offers exciting challenges and joys. My job is to LIVE each day so my book is worthwhile, memorable, and makes a difference in the world.

Anyway, be sure to stop in at Susan's Daybook today. It will bless your heart!

The Simple Woman Daybook

Actually, Peggy is not sharing Daybooks this week, but I thought I'd continue the tradition just to finish off the year!

FOR TODAY Monday, December 29, 2008

Outside my window...

A balmy Monday is dawning with mild temps and partly cloudy sky.

Just the kind of day to recoup and regroup frm a hectic holiday!

I am thinking...

I need to begin a new year's regin of exercise and organziation. We'll see how that materializes!

I am thankful for...

all the wonders and provisions God provides for me. God is sooooo good. I am truly blessed!

From the kitchen...

most of theholiday food has been eaten and it is great to start anew. I'm thinking of working up the cabbage in the fridge: Lynn loves cabbage soup.

I am wearing...

My cinnamon colored cords and camel pullover.

I am creating...

a new face to this blog. I am still looking for music that speaks to my heart.

I am going...

to see how frugal I can be in January. I think if I try to make it more of a dedicated project, I can do better. again, we'll see!

I am reading...

Mrs. Beeton's Book of Household Management

I am hoping...

for a change in the weather. I prefer cold to this balmy, humid, drear. I think a good cold snap and snow would kill off the cold and flu germs going around.

I am hearing...

Celtic Worship: Father I Adore You!

Around the house...

it's time to start thinking of scaling back the decorations. We do keep the trees up until Epiphany, but there are still opned gifts lying around downstairs. Time to start that organization project.

One of my favorite things...

is reading books on great Britain. I really love Mrs. Beeton's Book of Household Management- she was a Victorian who wrote the finer tips of managing the home, the HEEHEE household staff, and included hundreds of really fascinating Victorian recipes. Who knows I may have to kill a turtle and prepare one for supper in this economy.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Today: allergy shot, and I am organizing our family photos. I purchased some boxes and i lan to go through hundreds of them and collect duplicates to sahre with Amanda. Then attempt to put them in some kind of order. Over the past few years they have just been accumulating in shoe boxes. Daunting task! I also need to do several loads of laundry.

Tuesday: Put the guest room back together, hope to meet a friend to walk and go out for breakfast.

Wednesday: Lynn is off half a day so we may go out and about in the afternoon quiet new year's at home.

Thursday: the prayer team of church are meeting at a friend's home in the morning for a teaching on praying in God's authority- exciting stuff!!

Friday and Saturday: I am sure Lynn will have some items on a to do list around here which I probably would be dreading if I but knew what they were now. I suppose tis best not to know!

Here is picture thought I would share with you...

Isn't this just the grandest photo. I am so proud of Amanda and Joshua- both accomplished violinists this photo was taken at Virginia Tech near the Chapel. Joshua had performed at a wedding and Amanda had been chosen by the bride to do the scripture reading. Actually Amanda and Josh were married at the VT Chapel as well.

Walk Down Memory Lane

I ran across this photo over Christmas and just wanted to share it here. It's me and my sweet cousin, Gary! We were very special playmates and friends as children, and continue our special friendship into adulthood which I treasure. On Christmas Eve we were asked to share about a memorable Christmas from our youth, and this one immediately came to mind. I was 6 here and we were at Grannie's house. That year as you can see, I got 3 dolls. My Madame Alexander doll is sitting not 3 feet away from me now as I type. Several folks present Christmas Eve view my blog regularly, so I hope they see this photo today! HEEHEE! I love Christmas memories!!

I wish it was clearer, but it is a picture of a picture. Our scanner is still not working!

Show and Tell Friday

Kelli usually does Show and Tell today, but probably not this week. But I would still like to show and tell what I got for Christmas from the family!


I love this. I had it on my amazon wish list. I love all things British and Scottish. This book,Mrs. Beeton's Book on Household Management was detailed in Tea Time magazine this fall and I fell in love with it then. When I saw the BBC had done a movie about Mrs. Beeton I was thrilled to add that to the wish list!!

Sweet Amanda knew exactly what I'd love!

I watched the dvd last night! GLORIOUS!!!!!!
Lynn always gets me my favorite scents!

Check out this calendar of our dear , beautiful children!

I love this surprise. P Buckley Moss medallions!

I also got a beautiful sweater from my mom as well as cd's of Abba, David Foster, and Josh Groban! YAYA!!
My dear friend, Dottie gave me Spurgeon's Morning By Morning and the dvd, Shattered which completes my Gerard Butler film library. COOL!!!!
I am the most truly blessed woman alive this morning! I'm not bragging, just stating the facts! HEEHEE!!

Christmas 2008 Has Come and Gone

It was such a wonderful week! Tuesday was visiting day! we so enjoyed stopping in at Dottie and Kitty's where Amanda got to meet Heather, seen here with Dottie, and Heather's, sister, Holly! Amanda is very excited about being able to get a puppy soon! Heather and Holly were delightful hosts! HEEHEE!

Then after some Christmas shopping and lunch out at our favorite Barbecue spot, we visited Veronika and Vyto, our very dear German friends whom we've known for over 40 years! Her home is so beautiful at Christmas with her traditional decor!

Vroonie, always packs us up with her amazing homebaked German cookies and candy! This year we came away with 3 tins of goodies!
Last night my mom and dad hosted a lovely Christmas Eve party. We had delicious ham biscuits, devilled eggs, cranberry salad, sausage balls, cheese ball, and a fabulous array of baked sweets including a fabulous apple cake , friend Sarah baked which was topped with praline ice cream. Jan, and Kevin brought a fruit tray of pineapple and blackberries, as well as a delicious side veggie dish of savory green beans, red and yellow peppers, and mushroom mixed in a delicate cream sauce. Delish!!!!Amanda and Joshua seranaded on their violins- playing beautiful renditions of traditional and obscure carols. I was teary eyed most of the time during this time. I didnt have my camera, and Amanda will be sending me pix to post later of this!

Then we went to First Presbyterian for a candlelight service, in which Amanda and Josh played in the orchestra!

This morning, Christmas morning, Lynn and I were up bright and early to fix the first phase of our morning repast- cranberry walnut, orange scones, fruit salad, and cranberry orange nut bread, and egg nog. We also had gingerbread macadamia nut biscotti dipped in winter spice tea! YUM!!!! While all was baking, I laid down on the sofa and watched the tree and just relaxed a bit waiting for the kids to arise.

I could tell Santa had been there!
I was anxious to hear sweet feet descend the stairs so we could begin our Christmas Day celebration! Following this seating, we opened our Santa's!

Then around one we ate round two of the brunch! Wonderful quiche and ham biscuits, fruit,
juice rounded out the fare! We needed sustenance for opening the Christmas gifts!
And one of the best things was Lynn built us a fire! It was so cosy! A wonderful time!!!!!

It was a sweater, book kind of Christmas. I got a favorite. Mrs. Beeton's book of Victorian Household Management, as well as the BBC performance of the biography of Mrs. Beeton! I love that. Amanda got me a touring dvd of Scotland! ...and a travelogue journal of Scotland.
Amanda loves to collect hardbacks for their library so I got her beautiful editions of Jane Eyre, Persuasion, and the Christians's Secret to a Happy Life by Hannah Whitall Smith. Amanda and Joshua both loved their doggy care books and Alton Brown cooking gadget book!

I didnt get signed up to do a Tablescape this week, but setting the holiday table is such a part of creating the tone for the meal that it is always fun to share anyway. On Sunday we celebrated Channukah with a Festival of Light dinner, however we celebrated with the added joy of knowing that Jesus, Messiah, is the Light of the world. The tone was set by the lighted candlabra I purchased last year during our Beth Moore study of the Tabernacle. I think the symbolism of the Old Testamest feast is so very pertinent to our Christian understanding today!!
Earlier, on Saturday night, we had a simple spaghetti dinner to welcome the kids home for Christmas.

Yesterday we had a huge breakfast in the sunroom.

Lynn made his special buckwheat pancakes, delicious with freshly homemade cranberry sauce, and I made poached eggs and sausage.

My 85 year old mother will not be outdone!. She had me over for lunch last week and had set this sweet table!

Christmas such a festive, wonderfully fun time of year!

The Simple Woman Daybook and Live Nativity

Peggy, The Simple Woman hosts this theme each week, so check her site for more daybooks!

FOR TODAY ~ December 22, 2008

Outside my window...everything is frosty. For the first full day of winter it has come in with a bang! The fierce wind is creating below zero windchill.

I am thinking... I love this time. The kids are here for Christmas and actually Amanda just got up on her way to the bathroom and is waving her sweet hand at me! Precious!
I am thankful for...family times together. We had a lovely Festival of Lights dinner, celebrating Jesus is the Light of the world with my parents and the kids last night! It was beautiful and and then we had much fun sitting in the candle and tree light afterwards just sharing! Then we went to see a live nativity and looked at the lights!

From the kitchen...I can still smell the the wonderful aroma of Grandma's Apple Sauce cake we baked yesterday. I need to make the caramel icing this morning. Lynn is actually downstairs this morning making breakfast! His famous pancakes and sausage!YUM!

I am wearing...my pj's and terry robe! Snuggly!

I am creating...a happy home and wonderful memories!

We am going...to the outdoor market today. ..fun place to carouse during Christmas week, and we're having lunch at the new barbecue place there. Then we are going to see the movie, Australia! Very excited!

I am reading...probably no time for reading this week!

I am hoping...I would love snow for Christmas! However, it would take a miracle! Temps are supposed to rebound!

I am hearing...kitchen sounds coming from Lynn's busy hands downstairs, and cars zooming past on a connecting street- folks on their way shopping, I suppose! It is nearly 9am.

Around the house...just keeping things picked up making a spot on the dining room table for Joshua to spread out his thesis typing he will work on tomorrow while we girls go visiting! Lynn will be getting the fireplace ready and a fire laid today!

One of my favorite things...sitting around a roaring fire enjoying carols and the Christmas tree lights!

A few plans for the rest of the week:Market, lunch out and movie today, Visiting, enjoying the Christmas spirit with friends and family and viewing ancient slide shows from my parents and our archives on Tuesday, Wednesday- mopping mom's bathroom floor and giving the rest of her house the once over early and then going there for Christmas Eve. Joshua's parents and special friends will be joining us all for dinner and carolling. Then the kids will perform on their violins at a beautiful church downtown at 9, Christmas Day, I do a Christmas brunch and then we enjoy presents and just resting around the fire listening to music! And then the kids will be leaving and going to Joshua's family! Regular life resumes on Friday!

Here are some pictures I would love to share. My dearest friend, Dottie, took these last night at the live Nativity!