Christmas Time

It is Christmas day!! What does it mean to you? Is is about lots of parties, spending money on gifts, making lists of things you want, hustle and bustle? I think sometimes it can end up that way without us meaning for it to.

Think about what human being would be the most awe inspiring person for you to visit? It could be a queen of a country, or a famous author or a famous preacher. Think about how you would feel to get the chance to meet them and spend time with them. Let's think of the Queen of England. There is much pomp and ceremony around all that she does in the public view. There is always lots of splendor around her. Think of her castle home, of the jewels and all the grand things around her. That is NOTHING in comparison to heaven and all its treasures.

Jesus, the Creator of the universe... the one who spoke planets into being, who created the intricate human body, all the plants and animals... the King of Kings... He loved us... the sin sick, undeserving human race... so much that He gave up all that splendor. He gave up all that He had to come to earth as a human being. What a lowly thing to come as. Not just a human either, but a baby. He needed to be fed and His diapers changed. He was helpless. What humble beginnings. Why did He do this? Because He loved us and knew that this was the only way to allow us to spend eternity with Him as a joint heir.

This little video is the story of why He came told by a child.

Count Your Blessings Monday!!

Here is an opportunity for all of us to give thanks unto the Lord for a blessing in our lives. If you would like to take part great. If not that is OK too. If you would like to share your blessing, just leave it in the comments. If you want to use the picture above and list a blessing on your own site, then leave a URL to your site in the comments. There is no pressure here. I just know that I am incredibly blessed and I would like to share that and give thanks to Him who all blessing come from. This is a way that we can encourage one another. I know that I am often encouraged when someone shares a blessing with me. I think that many times we forget that it is a blessing to be able to breath, to get out of bed, to hold a baby... Share your blessings with us. We can share so many other things.... special gifts, recipes, let's take the time to share how God has blessed us!!

Today, I am thankful for a God, who was willing to send His only Son to die for me and my sins, as unworthy as I am. I am thankful for Jesus, who loved me enough that He would leave all the splendor and majesty of heaven and come down and become a human being. He not only became a human being, but He came as a helpless infant that needed taken care of. He truly humbled Himself and knew that He was born to die. Then He rose from the dead and lives eternally!!! Because of all of this love, I have a way to spend eternity with Him as His joint heir.

What are YOU thankful for?

I am sorry I have not blogged much this week. Hopefully, I will kick it in gear here. :)

Count Your Blessings Monday!!

Here is an opportunity for all of us to give thanks unto the Lord for a blessing in our lives. If you would like to take part great. If not that is OK too. If you would like to share your blessing, just leave it in the comments. If you want to use the picture above and list a blessing on your own site, then leave a URL to your site in the comments. There is no pressure here. I just know that I am incredibly blessed and I would like to share that and give thanks to Him who all blessing come from. This is a way that we can encourage one another. I know that I am often encouraged when someone shares a blessing with me. I think that many times we forget that it is a blessing to be able to breath, to get out of bed, to hold a baby... Share your blessings with us. We can share so many other things.... special gifts, recipes, let's take the time to share how God has blessed us!!

Today, I am thankful for praying people. There has been a lot of prayer requests for my family over the last few months. I have had faithful people pray and follow up on the requests. I am so grateful to have brothers and sisters who stand with me in prayer.

Christmas Memories

I know what Christmas is all about. God sent His Son as a gift to us to redeem us. He was literally born to die, to be that perfect sacrifice once and for all. Through Him was made a way that we could spend eternity with Him. Christmas is the day we celebrate His birth. I know that He was not born on December 25th. I also know that we are not commanded anywhere to remember His birthday. I respect those of you who do not choose to celebrate Christmas and I hope you respect our choice to celebrate.

When I put up my decorations each year, I am surrounded by so many memories. This is our tree this year. I think it is the shortest one we have ever had. Do you see the white heart with the red hand print near the top? Joshua made that for me a long time ago. My tree is full of ornaments that children have made for me, or people have given to me. My star on top may not be fancy, but I loved him the moment I saw him in the painting book and decided to make one. His name is Binkle. The author of the painting book told the story about him. When she made the first one, her little daughter carried it everywhere. She would say, "Binkle binkle little star. How I wandered where you were." Many of our ornaments are hand made by me or a friend.

My mother made this not too many years before she died. She gave each of us one that Christmas. I miss my Mom so much and this is another reminder to me of her gifts and her love.

I have LOTS of snowmen. I love snowmen. The Wonderful Neighbor girl made me this one year. It is made out of a sock. I think it has rice in it or some grain.

I made 2 Christmas bears for my Mom. She liked that kind of thing. I made this one and one that leans against a couch or table on its hind legs. My Dad gave them back to me.

This little tree has been a part of my Christmases as far back as I can remember. It still lights up when you plug it in. I have had to replace the colored celophane on the stars a couple of times, but it still works.

This my Dad's wife gave me last year. She knew I loved snowmen.

I have a friend who gives me these wonderful live wreaths every year. I hang them on the inside because I love to smell them. I have a fake one I hang out front.

My husband bought me this and a tree skirt to match it.

I have had these a long time as well.

I was thrilled to find this at a garage sale this summer. I have a Precious Moments nativity set. I may end up selling it since I got this one. I really wanted one like this, but did not want to spend the money.

A man at church made this one a long time ago. I love how it silhouettes the real meaning of Christmas.

I bought this little nativity set when Joshua was a little guy. I wanted a set that he could handle and set up. These are all plastic and I put them out for my little visitors.

Michael and I don't normally buy each other gifts. We do fill a stocking for each other though. He always does a great job of choosing things for me. He does lots of practical stuff like barettes, lip balm, etc.

I made this a long time ago. I did not think I would ever get done with it, but I did.

If you celebrate the season, what are some of your memories that you sit around your home?

Winter is Here Early This Year!!

We haven't gotten one big snow, but we keep getting lots of little snows that add to what we already have on the ground. The temperatures are really cold as well. It was 18° this morning with a wind chill of 8°. Today the high is supposed to be 27°, but so far it is only up to 21°.

It is snowing a bit harder today. It is so pretty to see it come down. Our house is really cold though. I think I will go and knit by the fire for a bit. BRRRRRRRRR!!!!

Puppy Portraits

We love our dogs. We know they are not people, but they are still a part of our family. They are good company and so fun to play with. I got my camera out a few days ago to play with it. It has been giving me a bit of trouble and I wanted to see what I could do with it.

Star is patient as ever. She just stands there and lets us take her picture or whatever.

Skye, on the other hand is so funny. I just started snapping pictures of her to make the flash go off. Then it became a game of chase the puppy with the camera. She is really fun to play with.

Do you have a dog or dogs? Are they inside or outside dogs? Do they do your outside chores with you?

Count Your Blessings Monday!!

Here is an opportunity for all of us to give thanks unto the Lord for a blessing in our lives. If you would like to take part great. If not that is OK too. If you would like to share your blessing, just leave it in the comments. If you want to use the picture above and list a blessing on your own site, then leave a URL to your site in the comments. There is no pressure here. I just know that I am incredibly blessed and I would like to share that and give thanks to Him who all blessing come from. This is a way that we can encourage one another. I know that I am often encouraged when someone shares a blessing with me. I think that many times we forget that it is a blessing to be able to breath, to get out of bed, to hold a baby... Share your blessings with us. We can share so many other things.... special gifts, recipes, let's take the time to share how God has blessed us!!

Today, I am thankful for the seasons. I am grateful that we were able to enjoy the Spring. In Florida we had flowers year round, but no great big awakening where blooms were everywhere like a northern Spring. It makes you want to walk around and sing. You see that fresh green that is only seen in the springtime. Every tree is full of blossoms and most of them smell wonderful. There are flowers that we only see in Spring.

Then comes Summer. The warms days with bees buzzing and birds teaching their little ones how to fly. You see the crops growing and watch your garden burst with its fruits. You get to enjoy fresh sweet corn and juicy watermelon. And oh, we don't want to forget that first taste of a garden fresh tomato!! Tomato & onion sandwiches are a staple in the Summer

God gets out His paint brush in the Autumn and uses a whole new palette of colors. He takes those green trees and starts to add little dabbles of color here or there. He uses the sunshine He sends to bring spots of color to the woods. Wherever the sun shines through, color appears. Even the lighting is different in the Autumn.

Winter has a beauty of its own. It is a much more stark type of beauty. The trees reach up with their bare arms. The snow comes and puts a white edge on each branch and twig. You can bundle up by the fire and read or knit. Life slows down a bit and you get to rest more. Winter is here. We have had little bits of snow, but not much. It started snowing last night and we woke up to close to 2" of snow. It covers up everything and looks so beautiful. I am grateful that we were able to stock up on firewood to keep the house warm. I can sit out by the fire with the glow of the Christmas tree lights and sip my coffee. It is a blessing to sit by the fire and read my Bible and spend time in prayer.

Each season has something special of its own. I think my favorite season is Autumn, but I love them all. I missed having 4 distinct seasons when I lived in Florida. That is why I count it as a blessing to have them now. You don't realize what you have until it is gone.

What is your favorite season and why?

Chilly Morning - Warm Fire

It is around 25° here this morning. Getting out of bed is not for the wimpy. Our house is very cold in the morning. One of the first items of the day is to stoke up the fire. We open up the air on it and fill it with wood.

Then you start to feel the chill being pushed away as the fire takes off and begins its job of heating the house. I love to hear the snap and crackle of the fire. Being by the fire becomes a favorite place in the house. I like to sit in my rocker by the fire and knit away on my Christmas gifts, or read my Bible, or fold clothes. I have really enjoyed the last couple of days as I sit by the fire with my shawl around my shoulders. Someone commented to me that since my shawl was made from Sunshine's wool, I can always have sunshine on my shoulders. :)

This morning, the Christmas tree lights are twinkling. I can smell that Christmas tree smell. I have my cup of coffee. Life is good.

I have been burdened the last few weeks and even more so the last few days. There are so many people hurting or going through awful things. I am burdened to pray for them. I am not sure how people handle life's hurts without the Lord.

Sitting by the fire is a good place to pray. Just like I feel those fingers of warmth reach out from the fire to warm up the house and those in it, I can imagine my prayers working to have the love and warmth of the Lord spread out to those who I am praying for.

Life is too busy, especially this month. Make sure you are taking the time each day to spend with the Lord. Make a list so that you remember to pray for those around you and what they are going through. Don't let the time of year rob you of the blessing of prayer and time spent with the Lord.

The Story of My Dream Shawl

Quite a few years ago, a lamb was born. She was a twin. She was all white with one small black spot on her ear. Her brother was all black with white teardrop markings under his eyes. She was named Sunshine and he was named Storm. There were other lambs born on the farm that year. There was another set of twins born, who were both black. One was Mercy and one was Grace.

Their sweet young Shepherdess told me that she wanted me to have Sunshine and Grace. Michael was not so sure about adding sheep to our farm. We prayed and I waited. One day, he said that we could get the lambs after we had their pasture ready. We had to cut a new door into our barn that led out into that pasture. This would give them shelter. Then Sunshine and Grace came to live on Amazing Graze Farm.

Sunshine was the most friendly of the two little lambs and made up with me fairly quickly. She was so cute and I loved my sheep.

Sunshine became my herd matriarch and gave me many babies over the years. The first year she lambed, she gave me two white ewe lambs. I went around singing... "Two white ewes, two white ewes, Sunshine had her babies and they're two white ewes." This was sung to the tune of Three Blind Mice. I was thrilled.

The year this one was taken she gave me triplet ram lambs. One was white, one was black and one was spotted black and white. I named them Chocolate, Vanilla and Cookies and Cream.

She had beautiful wool. It was soft and there was always lots of it. Then one day when I was looking on the young Shepherdess's website, I saw this picture. A GINGHAM shawl along with the sheep whose wool it came from. I started dreaming that day of one day making a blue gingham shawl from Sunshine's wool. For those of you who do not know me well... I LOVE gingham, especially BLUE GINGHAM. I have been told that blue gingham is my favorite color. :)

I knew it would take a lot of carding and spinning to make it happen. I did not give up my dream though.

Then I was going to make a baby blanket... a very special one. That is another story for another day. I was afraid that I would not have time to card, spin and ply the yarn and then crochet it to have the baby blanket done in time. So, I sent off one of Sunshine's fleeces to the mill to be made into yarn. I went to work and got the blanket done.

There was still quite a bit of yarn left over. I started thinking of my dream shawl again. I started asking questions about how much a loom costs, etc. The young Shepherdess offered the use of her tri-loom.

I started figuring out how much yarn I would need. I needed more yarn and it would have to match the yarn I already had. So, I had more yarn made.

I decided that before I would make the dream shawl, I would make a small practice shawl. I had lots of acrylic yarn and set to work. I learned a lot in making that shawl. Most of what I learned was what I should NOT do. It still turned out pretty well.

Then I had Michael pray over the whole project for me. I was ready to start. I had dye part of the wool blue. The young Shepherdess, again offered her help. I took the beautiful white yarn to her house.

We put it in a boiling water dye. We had to keep checking for color.

I took it home and hung it up to dry.

I checked and re-checked my pattern and where I should start. Then I set to work.
Summer came with all of its busy-ness. We got a new puppy and that was a lot of work. Shawl weather was coming and I wanted my shawl. So, I went back to work and pretty soon all of the weaving part was done.

I started adding the fringe.

Finally, it was done all except the fulling process.

I asked if my sweet, beautiful daughter-in-love would come over and be a model for me to take pictures of my shawl on someone. She agreed.


I am thrilled with my shawl. It is very lightweight, but very warm. I was wearing it yesterday and plan on wearing it often.

I want to take the time in this public forum to thank the young Shepherdess. She is a very special friend of mine. She is very caring and giving. She has her own farm to care for as well as running a store and doing a CSA in the summer. She has 4 small children to love and take care of. She does a very graceful job of handling all that is on her plate. If I had a daughter, I would want her to be just like Marion. Thank you Marion. I love you!!!

By the way, she makes GREAT bagels to sell. :)
The Good Shepherd's Fold