:Happy Year:

[original watercolor by John]

::from our family to yours::

::designed by my very own, John::

CHRISTMAS at home.

::IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER::

Christmas Poem

I know, I know. Christmas is over, officially. Although I'm never one to take down all the decorations the day after Christmas. I like it to linger. (although this year, I'm losing that feeling quickly!) So I won't feel bad for sharing this wonderful poem that was the theme for our church Christmas program this year. It is so special because my mother-in-law wrote it years ago. And more recently my brother-in-law put it beautifully to music. 

HIS SHADOWING CROSS

by: JoAnne Neiner

Do you know what I ponder as Christmas draws nigh,

I ponder my Saviour born willing to die,

I look past the shadow of our Christmas tree,

A cross and it's shadow looms quite vividly.

While gazing and wondering my heart finds so much

To remind and be transformed by Jesus Christ's touch.

Do you see the tree, evergreen, ever fair?

I see the Christ, changeless still, ever there.

Do you see the cranberries, popcorn, on strings?

I see provision that serving Him brings.

Do you see the lights sparkling bright, sparkling clear?

I see the Light of the World hovering near.

Do you see the ornaments, some purest white?

I see my heart He made clean in God's sight.

While the world glories in baubles and cheer,

My full heart marvels why God sent Christ here;

To save us; to keep us; to change us within;

To be His ambassadors; lost souls to win.

This Christmas, not dazzled by mere glitt'ring dross,

I look to the Babe and His Shadowing Cross.

Copyright 2002

TOday

To keep myself from falling into the terrible habit of blogging on a monthly basis, I am doing this post. It will be very random and probably not make much sense. I have a load of laundry to fold, some dishes to finish up and a list of errands to run while the boys are napping (since John's at home). And here, I blog. And so it is. Because, well, I'm in the Christmas spirit, our tree is (finally) up, and I just finished a mouthful of the most delectable chocolate chips that slowly melted in my mouth (ghiradelli 60%=yummo), and I keep decorating the house with Christmas stuff I find. I have decided/noticed that my holiday decorations vary greatly upon each year depending on the boxes we actually get to that year. BUT, this is all about to change, my friends. Last night, John and I did lots and lots of...nesting, throwing away, dusting, reorganizing in our basement. OK, I know we've done it before, but this was THAT side of the basement. The side where you're afraid to pick that old weight set up because you're not sure what's been lurking underneath it all these years. So it's been gone through, and in it's glory is becoming my own little nook. A scratchbuilding nook for John and a CREATING nook for me. MY. VERY. OWN. SPOT.

I am so so so excited. (and SO thankful for such the organized man I have). I'm pulling that sewing machine out and I am finally going to start (well, attempt at least) to put all those ideas floating around in this head of mine on...paper, or wood or metal or material. Don't get TOO excited now. I have a propensity to create the world in my head and in reality...well, I get distracted. But my goal is to get all those "distractions" (i.e. areas of disorganization) out of my way so I can FREELY CREATE. I have to come up with a NAME. IN CASE (no promises) I hit upon something and decide to join etsy. ANY SUGGESTIONS????? I have one rattling in my brain, but if I end up picking YOUR suggestion, I'll send a little something out to you in the mail.

OK. I really better go so I can get back. We have a wonderfully full week ahead of us:

+AMBER & BRIAN are coming in tonight

(today is her birthday!!)

+THINKING SOME YEAR WE'LL HAVE TO GO SEE THE NUTCRACKER,

(but listening to it isn't half bad!)

+LOTS OF GIFT WRAPPING & SECRETS

+LOTS OF THIS HERE TO ENJOY

(from the window, that is)

+TRYING TO KEEP THE TRUE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT IN PERSPECTIVE (NOT THIS:)

+LOOKING FORWARD TO DOING LOTS OF RELAXING

(once everything is done)

+GATHERING IDEAS FOR NEXT YEAR

WELL, MERRY CHRISTMAS, my bloggy friends! We will be CERTAINLY having a white christmas this year! But no matter WHERE you are, may the light of the TRUE season shine forth in your hearts.

TIME TO CATCH UP...

INSTRUCTIONS TO READ THE 'CATCH-UP/FALL' POST I PROMISED:


1. BE IMPRESSED THAT I FOLLOWED THROUGH SO QUICKLY.

2. GET SOMETHING GOOD & HOT TO DRINK

(preferably something caffeinated...you may need a boost to get through this one).

3. AND MAYBE A GOOD, CRUNCHY/CHOCOLATY SNACK

4. GET INTO A VERY COMFORTABLE SPOT; WARM, FUZZY BLANKET SUGGESTED

(but not necessary if you are south of the border).

5. WAIT UNTIL CHILDREN, HUSBAND and/or PETS (as applicable) ARE IN BED OR BEING PREOCCUPIED BY SOME FORM OF LONG-LASTING ENTERTAINMENT.

6. ENJOY CATCHING UP WITH OUR LIFE FROM THE PAST, er, 2 MONTHS.

7. LEAVE A COMMENT

(for extra credit!!!)

8. I APOLOGIZE IF THIS POST IN ANY WAY JEOPARDIZES YOUR COMPUTER SYSTEM

(so, maybe you should consider a MAC!?!?!?)

p.s. LEAH, this one's for you, my friend...in all your *waiting-glory*

{FALL WEATHER}

{FALL EXPLORATION}

{FALL AROUND THE HOUSE}

{SCHOOL*TIME}

{JACK TURNS 2}

{TRIP TO NH}

{JOHN's BIRTHDAY}

{WORK ON THE BASEMENT}

{AN EVENING WITH FRIENDS}

{THANKSGIVING at the NEINER'S, sr.}

{OUR GUESTS}

TRIED TO WARN YOU: it was a long one.

NOW YOU KNOW HOW I FELT AFTER SHOPPING ON BLACK FRIDAY::visual overload!!!

EVEN so, HOPE you ENJOYED it!

NOW ONTO THE CHRISTMAS SEASON...

"dashing through the snow..."