of Christmas last year and a few side notes.

*

simple montage of Christmas images 

from our home in the woods on a less than snowy

day but filled with love and longing. 

hoping .. praying

your day included

unexpected moments

of joy.

of peace.

of quiet.
with enough frivolity
to giggle even just a bit.
or more.

hoping that if it was a day just the

two of you or one of you

or a few of you

or

even a houseful,

that you made it extra special.

just because.

*

a table set for 2 this year.

little gem lettuces with paper thin radish slices

and green goddess dressing

grilled rib eyes

with a saute of mushrooms,

onion, bacon on top..

and garlic mashed potatoes

gingerbread trifle

for Christmas 2020 we've decided to have more humans

than two around our table. we missed it. and while this

year a table for two was our reality, next year .. more.

New Year's Eve included a chili cookoff at church..

there are some mighty fine chili chefs in these parts!

we brought chili and cornbread and honey butter.

it was yUm. everyone's chili was yUm.

tUms were consumed on the way home.

..yummy tUm tUm..

.wink.

and now we're back to day to day living

with a long list of projects still to do,

time for rest, treatment for my back issue,

and now the hubs shoulder issue ..

gettin' old ain't for sissies lemmetellya.

and there are walks to be had, letters to write,

a vintage trailer restoration to complete!!!

due to bone chilling temps, we'll be setting up

a bit of a shop here in the house. it'll be better

that way - so paint, and glaze, and stain

can properly adhere and dry before installation.

we are looking SO forward to hitting the road

some time in 2020. crossing my fingers

and projects off the to-do-list!

tomorrow we make the monthly trek

to the "big city" for "big box" items

along with some "small box" items

at specialty grocers and such.

we bring ice chests (multiple) and plenty of bags

with which to stock up.

it's an all day event,

then once home comes lugging

everything inside to portion, wrap, freeze,

organize etc. you get the idea?

thinking the day will end in early to bed.

I've discovered socks.

and I wear them.

every day.

and night.

this is a revelation to those

who truly know me - and know

that there were plenty of times even

in winter where we used to live

i'd be wearing sandals nearly 4 seasons.

not always - but plenty.

but now my toes are little poppycicles

and require sockies

so those thingies I wear.

willingly!

*

(1)

"tell the negative committee that meets

in your head to sit down and shut up."

.. Kathy Kendall ..

(2)

"someday God will wipe away your tears.

the hands that stretched the heavens will touch your 

cheeks. the hands that curled in agony as the

Roman spike cut through will someday cup your face

and brush away your tears. forever."

.. Max Lucado ..

somebody reading today needs to read those

quotes. again and again. i'm included.

with love,

sherry

p.s.

the dear deer say hello.

Christmas blessings.

O come let us adore Him ..

Christ the Lord

our Christmas this year will be quiet ..

"I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields,

that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them

up snug, you know, with a white quilt;

and perhaps it says, 

"Go to sleep darlings, till the summer comes again."

~ Lewis Carroll

the snow of a week or so ago is all but melted

save for patches here and there. this afternoon

I watched a light dusting fall ..

a sifting of powdered sugar 

from the heavens.

we're anticipating more

but as mentioned in another post,

we no longer trust the weatherman

as the weather changes even within

hours … sometimes minutes.

Christmas Eve morning i'll venture

to the town market perusing the butcher case

to choose the entre' selection for Christmas Dinner.

a simple yet delicious meal is planned ...

side dishes remain the same no matter

the primary entre'. 

that makes it simple - hm?

we're planning on:

main entre' to be determined,

garlic whipped potatoes,

little gem wedge salad

with paper thin radishes

and green goddess dressing,

& gingerbread trifle for dessert.

later in front of a roaring fire

comes eggnog - rich and ice cold.

decadent! 

a bit later Christmas Eve day 

we'll take a walk up and down

the hills .. enjoy soup and homemade bread

for a late lunch .. then ready ourselves to drive

the thirty-minutes to church for 

service & fellowship,

then back home 

thirty-minutes,

stopping in "town" to view

the main street tree alight

in man-made glory.

{ homemade bread .. today }

i hope for you all a day of blessings overflowing

with those you love and who love you,

a tabled feast to bless, 

and praise abounding.

there are those i know closely though

who haven't that sweet promise ...

so no matter what is the (serious) matter or anticipation

of Christmas Day .. the continued heartbreak,

 hopeful expectations, serious illness, spiritual struggles ...

know that HE knows and longs to meet you

where you are - desiring to be your 

shelter and rest.

run to the embrace 

of a faithful Lord.

&

be still.

HE is there.

HE is enough.

"For unto us a child is born,

unto us a son is given:

and the government shall be upon His shoulder:

and His name shall be called:

Wonderful ..

Counselor ..

The Mighty God ..

The Everlasting Father ..

The Prince of Peace .."

~ Isaiah 9:6

Christmas blessings,

… sherry ...

come winter.

"when the wind of winter blows

over the uplands and moonlit spaces

come ye out to the waste of snows

to the glimmering fields and

the silent places."

{l.m.Montgomery}

winter arrived strong then mellowed

to the point of rain then sunshine,

still with crisp temps.

we were away thanksgiving week

and while preparing I decided

to put up some Christmas

to greet us on our return.

… just a bit of tree and vintage sparkle ...

… here and there ...

… whispers ...

enter the rains

with the promise

of 

black ice

come nightfall.

then the anticipation of snow only to have fairly

clear skies and again the threat of rain.

we no longer trust the weatherman.

but the bit of seasonal charm along with 

music and candles uplift the heart.

and bean with bacon soup.

homemade.

it was gloriously delish.

and on days where we're chilled to the bone

so it seems, we're warmed by the fire.

this picture was a fun mistake. 

didn't realize until later my camera

was shooting. I kinda like it.

fits me lately - here and there

completing projects or at least

project portions.

guest room #2 is nearly done.

here's a peek:

.may joy be yours.