Tag: Holidays

Posted on in 2013

beginning

I could call this post the end, but that perspective seems glass-half-full, doesn’t it?

Wanted to write this missive to my chicken-wingers today. We can cackle about the happenings around the coop in 2013.

Can’t blame you if you complain of vertigo while reading this blog. For the life of me, I can’t discover my bloggy niche. You’ve read about my bad clothes (and my obsessive-compulsive photography of all my ‘outfits’), you kept me on-key as I sang in Candide and waxed rhapsodic about Bernstein, you witnessed bears taking a bath in a stock tank at the ranch, you appropriately ohhhed and ahhhed over the new grand baby girl, and you’ve lent a non-judgmental ear as I’ve blogged about alcoholism and drug addiction.

My favorite post of the year? Really? Thanks for asking! I suppose my favorite post….because I love to laugh, would have to be…….

CRAP SHOOT!

Christmas 2013 was a blessed affair for my family, although we can have a zany, non-traditional approach to the holiday.

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Thought this was the most festive and colorful sweater for big Sprout #1…..until I realized the activity of the deer. Fun times.
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Does it surprise you that Sprout #1 would give this Christmas sweater as a gift to his BIL? It shouldn’t.
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Fun with photo props Sprout #2 gave me. Me and the girls.
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Sprout #2 with the hubby
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The Texan and moi. Looking good!

After Christmas, we kept this rug-rat for a couple of days.

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A tough job, but SOMEBODY’S gotta do it.

Does the end of the year have you looking like this?

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Sleeping on your feet.

This final day of the year has me preparing to attend a funeral. Even though this year has been good to our family, I don’t have to look far to see those dealing with illness, death, financial difficulties, depression…..you name it. The holidays can magnify our trials. I’m grateful for our blessings, but I mourn with those who mourn.

On this last day of 2013, I leave you with this:  the Creator of the Universe passionately adores you. He thinks you are grand, and He pats himself on the back every time He thinks of you. You can’t do a thing to undo this fact. He wants you to know Him and He wants to walk with you through 2014.

I’m grabbing that outstretched hand.

I’m lifting my champagne and toasting you. ****throwing the glass in the fireplace****

Bubbly love to all.

Posted on in christmas

browns

Are you up to your eyebrows in Christmas busy-ness? Have you checked your list? You baking your guts out and then snicky-snacking your guts out?

With the assistance of bad cell phone photos, I’ll bring you up to speed on my Christmas preparations. Here goes:

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Over-achieved one evening and made Christmas cookies. This was the easy part. Looked like a multicolored tornado raged through my kitchen when I decorated them. Can you say ‘backache’?
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Sunday found me in the choir ready to sing John Rutter’s ‘Gloria’.
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We had a full house, though you can’t tell it from this photo. Started to take a selfie in front of the big Christmas tree. I resisted.
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Took a walk today. 60 degrees and perfectly calm. I was struck by the winter browns. Gray, beige and brown rule the winter-time around here. Saw a lovely herd of deer.
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Dead tree. Victim of too many years of drought. It does provide a nice home for a barn owl, though. Don’t look too hard-the owl is NOT in this pic! Sorry.
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More browns surround the lonely little country house.
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Was Jesus born in a barn like this?
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I doubt there was a mini-horse at the manger.
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Was there a big animal close by who sniffed the head of the newborn king? A donkey? A sheep?
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Did the animals sense the importance of the star?
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My side-kick. On our walks, she manages the security on the ground. She savors the scent of every deer, jackrabbit and snake. She resents it terribly when I tell her there was no dachshund present at Jesus’ birth.

I feel incredibly blessed this Christmas season. I know so many others though, who are hurting and suffering. This time of year can be a trial for people. I try to remember to give thanks for my blessings and pray for those who are struggling, realizing we all have our trials. God bless us.

Here’s a couple of fun pics I took with the good camera. They make me smile. You’ve already seen them if you follow me on Facebook.

reindeer Dressing dogs in Christmas costumes. It’s a sickness, I know. It’s just that the doxy loves it soooo much!

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My vote for December picture of the month.

Did I mention blessings? I’m grateful.

Is your heart ready for the hope and wonder of the Savior’s birth? He’s coming.

Here’s hoping the browns aren’t getting you down.

Green, shiny tinsel-y love to all.