Violet's new home

I assumed that an African violet would cheer up my dark, westward-facing bedroom. But even though the leaves are looking good, it has never bloomed in its many years of living on my dresser. There were many strikes against this poor little plant: the pot was decorative, but without drainage, the light is very low, and the temperature is usually chilly. So I transplanted her to a good, serviceable vessel, and have moved her to a warmer, sunnier corner of the house where I hope to see some lovely little flowers soon. We'll have no more shrinking violets here!

My little mouse

I know, I take many trips down memory lane. But, I didn't have a blog until a few months ago, and I just love sharing some of the "earlier" videos and pictures. I don't think the grands mind very much.

Here are a couple of little mice dancing together, about a year ago. Sorry about the camera angle at the end.

The Every Day Cook Book

Another one of my inherited treasures from Gram, The Every Day Cook Book. I'm not sure when it was published since the first handful of pages are missing, but an inscription on the inside front cover reads, "Bella Richards September 24th 1892". This poor old volume is falling apart, stained, and appears to have been used at some point in the early part of the 20th century as a workbook for "Sue's" penmanship and drawings. The entries are a bit humorous. And, unfortunately for modern cooks, the recipes are pretty vague. It dispenses with such frivolous information as specific measurements and oven temperatures. Here's a recipe for an adventurous someone:

Soft Gingerbread

Six cupfuls of flour, three of molasses, one of cream, one of lard or butter, two eggs, one teaspoonful of saleratus, and two of ginger. This is excellent. (I'm glad they added that last note!)

So many blessings

Busy babies finding treasures.

Merry Christmas!

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift. ~ II Corinthians 9:15

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. ~ James 1:17

Winter wonderland

How peaceful everything seems under a thick blanket of snow. Here are some of the sights I took in on my rounds to thaw water and feed hungry pets. I thank the Lord for the beauty of winter!

Divinity

The snowy peaks outside inspired me to try my hand at these little treats. My Gram always made the best divinity; I'll have to practice some more on mine. They aren't too shabby, but I have a candy thermometer on my shopping list for next time. Maybe then I'll achieve a candy that's truly "divine".

Snow bison

This is a great, warm bison hat that we got at the Hat Shop in Leavenworth ~ fun to wear!

Daddy and Raegan took a quick trip to the yard tonight to make some powdery snow angels. We had just finished watching Beauty and the Beast and before heading out, Raegan asked me, "Do I look like the beast?" The resemblance is uncanny.

We're battening down the hatches tonight after a forecast of very strong wind. The snow is like sugar and has been coming down steadily. Too bad we don't ski!

Nativity

I've never found a nativity set that I like better than this one. One of my favorite things about it is the beautiful painted screen behind.

Welcome, feathered friends!

Christmas geese

A dear friend of mine was throwing these sweet little ornaments out (the remaining two of a larger set), and I, being an avid garbage reclaimer, volunteered to take them off her hands. They seem quite content on my tree. Thank you, Ms. W!

Quiet village

These quaint little abodes are from Martha and not at all vintage, although they really remind me of the enchanting paper ones from Germany that my great Grandmother had in her displays. I believe the Lady Farmer is now their keeper...

Snow day

Making tracks.

This tastes better than ice cream!

And we'd like to introduce our good ol' boy, Leroy (that's right, Leroy Browning, for those familiar with the song) the lop-eared Doberman. 105 pounds of slobber and muddy feet. Very handy here in da 'hood.

He thinks the snow is great, as long as he's got his girls to play with outside.

Beautiful bird

Our newest addition to the Christmas tree bird collection. I love to shop the after-Christmas sales for the next season's beauties.

All decked out

I bought this beautiful, fragile wheat tree topper at Ikea. I love the shimmery gold color, it's simple style, and the fact that it's so intricate and made from grass! It just looks like the precious nativity star, doesn't it?

And our lovely little tree dressed in gold, brown, and green (of course). I always gravitate toward these colors even though I do love the traditional reds and greens, too. And the ornaments that I choose always seem to end up being birds and dragonflies and every other winged thing.

Tree hunt

Yes, we "hunt" for our Christmas tree. First, we gather the proper gear: our weapon of choice ~ the handsaw, and bungee cords to secure our trophy to the roof of the car. Then, we don our gay apparel (in this case, warm and water-repellent, as we were treated to torrents of rain and hail today.) Two small scouts serve us well in scoping out the elusive "monster fir". Finally, we'll "dress" the tree ~ this is done at home, since field dressing is highly unproductive!

Feathered friend

Here's a flashback: it's the late 70's and I'm caught sneaking to the chicken coop to chat with this sweet little hen. I've always had a heart for creatures great and small.

Helping Daddy

and taking inventory of the oranges.

What I found in my kitchen sink

I sometimes carry my littlest baby on my back while I do chores around the house. This is great for her because she gets to be glued to Mama for a while, and because she's at the perfect level to reach out and grab things that are otherwise off-limits to her. Pea loves to play with these mini pumpkins that I had displayed for fall, and toted one around for a few minutes until deciding that he needed a bath with the dishes.

Award challenge

I was tagged by Wendy for this award: Find the book closest to you, open to page 56, and find the 5th sentence. Then type it and pass it along to 5 more people.

I happen to be surrounded by books right here...how to choose? I was going to pick my Bible (And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that, behold, his brother came out: and she said, How hast thou broken forth? This breach be upon thee: therefore his name was called Pharez. ~Genesis 38:29) But, I couldn't help adding this one from Lies Women Believe by Nancy Leigh DeMoss: "The single restriction God put on her diet was one too many for Eve." How much I am like our first mother!

I will pass this on to: Mommy, Mel, Jamie, Zoe, and Carl.

Encouragement

Do not look forward to the changes and chances of this life in fear; rather look to them with full hope that, as they arise, God, whose you are, will deliver you out of them. He has kept you hitherto~do you but hold fast to His dear hand, and He will lead you safely through all things; and, when you cannot stand, He will bear you in His arms. Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow; the same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow, and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering, or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace then, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.

Francis de Sales (1567~1622)

Dedication

We dedicated Morgan Presley at a little home ceremony with family and close friends on November 2nd. The Grandpas and Daddy each had a sweet blessing for her.

The flowers.

The gown. Sewn from Grandma's wedding dress.