It's The Little Things

It's the 'little things' that make a difference. On this Christmas Eve, I am reminded of the little things that are blessings in my life and many that I take for granted...

~when my husband makes my coffee the night before

~having my sister visit each year before Christmas

~the way my daughter lovingly fluffs and decorates our nest

~when my sons take out the trash without being told

~having my cats curl in my lap while I am reading a book

~forgiveness and grace

~a friend calling to meet for coffee

~having parents that love the Lord and their family

~getting a spontaneous hug from a teenage son

~running into old friends you haven't seen in forever and picking up right where you left off

when my husband calls to see if there is anything I need

~forgiveness and grace

having real friends who drop by unannounced

~seeing the sun rise and knowing God is still in control

~watching the Lord unveil His plans for our children's future

a goldfinch feasting at my feeder after 3 years of asking the Lord to send them

when my children ask, "Mom, what can I do to help you?"

~forgiveness and grace

~Christmas cards arriving from longtime friends

~that our teenagers actually enjoy hanging out with family

when my husband calls to go on a date

when someone says 'thank you'

~knowing I am walking in God's plan even when the evil one throws bumps in the road

forgiveness and grace

~a holy night when the Saviour of the world came in flesh to redeem my sins

~and yours.

~and the faith to believe it.

Merry CHRISTmas.

Christmas Baking

Christmas Baking: Cranberry-Orange Pecan Bread

A favorite part of our family's Christmas is making homemade goodies. My son and I whipped up some yummy cranberry bread and wanted to share the recipe.

Our yard has six 100 + year-old pecan trees. We have gathered

them for over 3 weeks and they are still falling!

Turner is grinding them in the coffee grinder.

He is mixing the ingredients...he has such a servant's

heart and a wonderful helper.

He is putting the yummy batter into star-shaped bread molds.

...very meticulously...

Into the oven they go!

Even my oldest son got into the baking fun.

They came out beautifully.

We are headed out now to deliver them to

neighbors, family and friends....

It's the little things...

Cranberry-Orange Pecan Bread (from my friend and neighbor, Rachael)

1 1/2 cups white sugar or brown

1/2 cup melted butter

1 3/4 cup orange juice

2 large eggs, beaten

1 tsp. salt

5 c. flour ( I use wheat or unbleached)

1 Tbs. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

2 cups chopped pecans (or other nut)

1 bag cranberries whole or crushed ( I use whole :) )

Mix butter, sugar and eggs

Add salt and powders

Add flour, then cranberries and nuts

Butter tins

Bake at 350 degrees for about 1 hour.

Masterpiece Art in Homeschool

Our son just finished a great study... "From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler" from Veritas Press. This delightful story's setting was the Metropolitan Museum of Art, thus we took a 'detour' and studied some famous artists and their work. I discovered this wonderful website today...Color Me Masterpiece.

On this great site you can print out and color famous works of art. They even have discussion-starting questions with each page you can use to make it a well-rounded art lesson. I believe all ages would enjoy this!

http://www.colormeonline.com/masterpiece/index.html

Charlotte Mason said that some studies serve for ornament(Vol. 3, p. 214.)
They aren't really necessary, however they add beauty and interest.

Our family loves the freedom we have to educate our children!

“ O you afflicted one,
Tossed with tempest, and not comforted,
Behold, I will lay your stones with colorful gems,
And lay your foundations with sapphires.
12 I will make your pinnacles of rubies,
Your gates of crystal,
And all your walls of precious stones.
13 All your children shall be taught by the LORD,
And great shall be the peace of your children."

Isaiah 54: 11-13

Kimba's Holiday Open House

Grab a hot cup of java, cocoa or tea and fly over to Kimba's Holiday Open House. You will find alot of CHRISTmas beauty in homes just like yours.
Thanks, Kimba for the invite.

Unwrapping Christmas

It is beginning to look wonderfully festive

around our home! Our family has had so

much fun decorating! I inherited from my

dad and grandmother a desire to use natural,

simple but elegant, 'finds' from the outdoors,

the woods, from creation.

The beautiful grapevine trees, Santa Clauses, and little houses that adorn our home are all hand-crafted by my sweet dad.

Our daugther certainly has a creative knack

for decorating and strategically
placing things in just the right spot!

I love the red with silver and

the beautiful and natural

greenery ties it all together.

The chandelier has been ornamented

with various finds around the house.

The mixes of white, gold and silver add such a nice variety....whimsical and fun.

Our sons spruced up the forgotten window boxes with beautiful,

natural greenery from our yard.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Luke 2:10-12
Merry Christmas!

O Come Let Us Adore Him

O Come All Ye Faithful

Joyful and triumphant,

O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.

Come and behold Him,Born the King of Angels;

O come, let us adore Him,O come, let us adore Him,O come, let us adore Him,

Christ the Lord.

Rembrandt The Shepherds Worship the Child


I love the words to this old Christmas carol. He truly is Christ the Lord born the King of angels in a dusty old stable in a town called Bethlehem. O Come you who are faithful and adore Him. Worship Him. Reverence Him. Honor Him. Regard Him with loving admiration and devotion. Adore Him. He is so worthy.

Times of Refreshing

Are you refreshed?

You can be. It is a promise from the Lord.

Maybe you, like alot of us are just tired and frazzled from the hustle and bustle this season brings. Or from life. I do know of One, when in His presence, refreshing comes. He is calling you to a time of refreshing. The American Standard declares "seasons of refreshing" will come from the presence of the Lord. Acts 3:19.

Thirst-quenching. Energizing.Exhilarating.Intoxicating. Invigorating. Renewing.

A dear friend of our family, Pastor Gerald Broome, taught this relevant and due season Word to the youth not long ago. And it stuck with me. Thus, the "address" to this blog.

Pastor G, we affectionally call him, is a man after God's own heart. The Lord birthed Quest Ministries http://www.questministriesnc.com/ through him over 35 years ago. The fruit of this ministry is encouraging and lives are being changed literally all over the world all because he said yes to God.

Pastor G used the example of an ice-cold bottled 7-up retrieved from a cooler..the melting ice lingered slowly down the side of the bottle...those thirsty from the earlier games eyed it intensely as their dry cotton mouths stung. The refreshing, cold soft drink would quench that desire. A point well made. He also told of his younger days working in the fields anticipating the arrival of his mom during the heat of the day with a refreshing, ice cold drink served in a quart jar. He used these analogies to illustrate just being in the presence of the Lord.... refreshing WILL come!

What in this world refreshes you? I immediately think of an inviting, cascading waterfall in the mountains or cold water during an intense workout. A walk in the early morning or a quick power nap in the afternoon. There are so many others...I would love to hear yours.

You can be refreshed right this minute...this season of your life. A refreshing that endures... strengthens you, gives you and peace and joy. He is inviting you into His presence. In that place, there is fullness of joy. You will leave refreshed.

Thank you, Pastor G, for your leadership, determination, authenticity, excellent role model to today's generation who are hungry and desperately seeking Something real ....and for allowing the Lord to work in and through you. You're the real deal.

Gift Exchange

Welcome to the blog! This endeavor was put to the wayside for many months for the simple reason of choosing a name. The Lord gave me Ashes to Beauty from Isaiah 61:3:

" To appoint to them that mourn in Zion, to give to them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that HE might be glorified." (emphasis mine)

As our family comes upon this Holy season of our Saviour's birth, we have chosen to not allow the noise of the world muffle the Reason for the season. The world has that covered. Everywhere my daughter and I went yesterday echoed "Happy Holidays." We already knew it would happen for each year more and more of CHRIST is removed from CHRISTmas. Tis, the reason for the season...a baby born in a manger to bring hope, redemption, peace and forgiveness to the world. To save that which was lost by dying on a cross for my sins. And yours.

With Christmas, comes lights, trees, decorations and presents....some you will love, some you won't. What will you do with those you cannot use or do not need? Many of us will get in the long return lines with some possible disgruntled clerks and exhange what you do not want or need, leave empty handed or with another worldly 'treasure.'

You see, I have to make an exchange daily. Moment by moment. My filthy rags and ashes for His beauty. In Isaiah 61:3, notice what the Lord Jesus gives us for our exchange. It isn't just another replacement for our return. It is something real and eternal and one that will last. The Lord gives us the oil of joy for our mourning, a garment of praise for our heaviness and yes, even beauty for ashes. For me and for you.

What are you holding on to this Christmas season that needs to be exhanged? It may be something no one else knows about. But you...and Him. Allow the only One who can exhange it for you, exhange it for you right now. It will be a good exchange and an everlasting exchange. A right exchange. Rest assured, He WILL give you beauty for your ashes. No long lines to stand in or confrontations with the clerk. And it will be an extravagant gift that keeps on giving.Unwrap it today. I promise, you won't regret it. Merry CHRISTmas!