just a bit of sparkle.

 

.. such a time in which we live .. 

"For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace..."

Isaiah 9.6

while the world swirls 

seemingly out of control,

he is still  

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

we can have absolute trust in he who formed

the world and all in it. 

he is our only firm reliability of truth.

he sits on the throne.....

the Alpha & Omega.

*

the hubs draped strings of lights on our front deck railing, and in the middle is our wreath we've had for probably two decades. it's such a pretty sight. the last two nights we've made our way to the road in darkness to view it from that angle. last night was chilly enough for our winter coats .. then we walked up the road to see lights on a few neighboring homes. didn't go too far even with a lit moon, because of wildlife - always need to be careful of those guys 'round these parts. 

speaking of wildlife, this morning as i was plating our breakfast i witnessed eight deer just beyond our fencing. what beauties they are - truly it never gets old. when my mom visited those couple weeks the babies (as we refer to them) ventured by often. they've been keeping themselves largely in wooded sections of the golf course.. but chose to bless us this morning. always a treat.

*

beef stew is in the crock pot. i put the seared beef, saute'd garlic and onion, and rich beef broth which also consists of red wine, tomato paste, worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, s&p, and dried parsley. separately i cooked up potatoes, carrots, and celery... will add those to the meat/stock mixture about an hour before we eat. doing it that way prevents the veggies turning to mush. as soon as i hit 'publish' for this blog post i'll put together bread dough, let rise, then a light knead and bake. 

i have a feeling dinner will be delish.

*

since early this morning we've had a fire in the fireplace, 

all thanks to my hubs keeping it going. 

such a nice atmosphere for the chillier of days. 

last night we ate dinner sitting on the couch,

with feet up and plates on our laps. with a fire

and twinkle lights casting a warm glow,

we watched "It's a Wonderful Life."

is there a better way to ring in the Christmas season?

*

before putting out some Christmas cheer decor, i sifted through what i kept before we made the move, and made more reductions in our decorations, keeping that which truly speaks to our hearts. and even now, having put bits and pieces out, i'll be reducing yet further. for us, less is more. i know it isn't that way for most other folks and that's hunky dory and i love the full sense of celebration in that way. in other people's homes. for ours though? we find peace in less. i'll take pictures soon and share. 

i opted to keep our daughter's handmade Christmas ornaments and crocheted tree strings in their little box. i just can't handle it this year. every year's different when it comes to grief. 

i keep our Christmas decor in vintage suitcases .. and now i have one extra suitcase empty to use for another purpose .. perhaps my sewing notions. the suitcases are nicely stacked in a closet though i do use them in other rooms if the spirit hits...or using them as decoration for events not in our home.

*

along with seasonal magazines saved over the years, 

my little stack of books is on the side table in the living room. 

the books include:

The Sad Shepherd by Henry Van Dyke

The Spirit of Christmas by Henry Van Dyke

The Dawning of Indestructible Joy by John Piper

The Gift of the Magi by O.Henry

Journey into Christmas by Bess Streeter Aldrich

{personal favorite author}

Watch for the Light by Plough Publishers

{readings for Advent & Christmas}

The Quiet Little Woman by Louisa May Alcott

O Come Let Us Adore Him by the Daily Grace Co.

{a Study for Advent}

these books i picked up over the years .. 

mostly in antique shops or thrift stores.

the Advent study was purchased a couple years ago

from the Daily Grace Co. ... and the Piper book

from amazon. i keep these books squirreled away in

my personal bookcase though might consider

squirreling them away with the Christmas decor.

seems only right and convenient to have them in one place.

*

Lo, in the silent night

A child to God is born

And all is brought again

That ere was lost or lorn.

Could but thy soul, O man,

Become a silent night!

God would be born in thee

And set all things aright.

{15th century}

*

until next time...for i have bread to bake.

blessings,

sherry