DOING THE NEXT THING..........MAKING PLANS TO GROW

We had a wonderful Christmas ! It was full of good things....A simple dinner of Ham; whipped potatoes; cornbread souffle; green bean casserole and desserts of white chocolate mousse with white chocolate shavings and assorted cookies.....

Christmas Eve day there was a knock at my door and it was my sweet friend Pat ;covered in snow falling; who stopped by with some goodies for myself and my daughters. I loved the beautiful sweater and skirt that she gave and some fun books to enjoy...She was my surprise Santa. She is so kind to so many.

We had my daughter and her hubby and two grandgirls; my other daughter and my husband and I....My son and daughter in law live farther away now and have set up their own family traditions.... We opened presents early in the morning and I loved seeing my granddaughter open her special gifts....I was spoiled by my husband with some special gifts and by all my grown children...
.
You couldnt have set a more beautiful Christmas picture as the snow began falling so softly out my front room window.........I got to talk with my son and daughter in law far away and enjoyed laughing and hearing of their lives....
I was so thankful for that special day........and thought and prayed for others who were hurting on that special day........


This is the first year in a long time that our family hasnt gone to see "grandma's and family for Christmas....A change indeed but a new need to "grow" in a different direction........

I love schedule ....I love plans........but God is the one in whoms path I am traveling over 40 years and He has never failed me........He has plans for me to grow in His ways........

I havent always thought that way........I tried to make sure "my Plans" towed me along with others ........but thats wasnt always easy struggling through life with worry; sometimes strain;
and fears..........He has the answers and the way for ME to grow...

Others will not always understand...........and thats ok. Not everyone will be happy with decisions you have to make but if I am trusting the one who made me that is what matters most.

That doenst mean I am to be unkind; step on others; do my own thing....Quit the contrary......
I am to REST in His ways and plans.............

Struggling with the growth out of your little pot............. may bring weariness............it may bring hard work........it may take patience..........it may take perseverance..........it may take
extra time in His Word learning how others in the Bible went through things you went through and what they did...........it may take faith...........it may take time to be Quiet and rest in your pot....it may be you dont have enough strength but in TIME.........you will grow.........

And..........beautiful flowers will burst forth ..........and God will take that little seedling that
came through the dark soil...........into SUNLIGHT...........and use that to beautify others rooms...

And so the end of this year........as a new year comes forth..........I want to thank HIM for the struggles; the good and the bad..........the encouragement ..........to now burst forth and HOPE for the next year to do the next thing and .......in His paths and to bring JOY and HOPE ........to His
paths around me..............

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS AND ALL THROUGH THE HOUSE...I AM BLESSED

This is the last few days before Christmas....I was out for a few hours with my daughter when
I heard overhead " last minute shoppers come find this bargain or that"....or as I stood in a long return line a lady chatted with me that someone had been unkind to her in a parking space outside and said threatening and bad words towards her" ....we just laughed at the holiday spirit!
I too....began to get caught up in this "race" towards the holiday rush and began to feel abit guilty....like I had not prepared for this Big Day!........I STOPPED ........and LISTENED to
a quiet inside voice (God uses His Holy Spirit).......whisper..........Your done!

What ? I still had things to buy; the snow was coming; I needed to stop at the grocery......
But.............I was DONE! I had all I wanted for Christmas.........I had made a small list in November of items that I hoped to do for December.........Simple things like baking cookies with
my granddaughter; giving cookies or candies to others; laughing and eating good food with
those I love; shopping with family ; sending out some Christmas cards; Christmas music; Special gifts; doing for shut ins; doing for others; enjoying the snow; spending some sweet times with my husband;
spending time with God..........

It was DONE!.............I had everything I could want! I am so blessed. And every year it seems
to be the same.........The twinkle lights; the love of a family; the rocking of a little baby; a warm
cup of Starbucks Christmas in its red cup or a .99 cent coffee from the gas station........
Simple things..........
As I walked out to my car from the grocery.........the wind was howling and the snow was
coming down in sheets.........I pulled my scarf around my face and looked down at my feet to
not face the wind.........and IN FRONT OF ME was the legs of a young man taking my groceries to the car.......They stepped and pulled ; stepped and pulled ..........for you see this young man
had been hit by a car many years ago and had to learn to walk again........I admired this young
man and his kindness to me so many times when he would smile and care for my groceries.
He blessed my heart and God used him to do so..........THEN............

I heard "HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING" .........SINGING LOUDLY through this icy wind...........It was the bell ringer.........I dugg through my pocketbook (normally I only have the card to pay for my purchase but this time grabbed some money and took it back up to the
grocery for the bucket......FOR ME and my goodness ............OH NO..........I thanked him for his singing and walked back hearing God use this "VOICE" to touch my soul............
Christmas can mean so many things to everyone..........Sometimes its a hard time thinking about
others who are now gone; sometimes the burden of relationships are strained; sometimes the
physical body is weak ; and sometimes real LIFE is just hard..........BUT..........if you look really hard you can "HEAR " it..............or you can " SEE" it in the shadows of life..........

This past weekend I got to spend the weekend with my sister in law in her beautiful Lodge built home.......What a beautiful place they have .........and they use this beautiful place to love and care for others..........I was taken back at the hospitality of every little thing.
The decorations were like a fine hotel yet we could sit at the kitchen table and drink hot coffee and laugh. Their were gifts they bought at door prizes just to give to others ( family all came in one day) all throughout the day......... * my hubby won a fun Cookie Snowman Jar filled with cookies.... We had a contest to wear the strangest Christmas sweatshirts . ( that was so fun for all to be included)...I was shocked when my husband and I both won.....He won a $25 food gift card and I won a beautiful Esste Lauder Gold cosmetic set...( it was soo filled with beautiful things).. We all draw names in the Fall and have one gift to exchange ...( I received a big tote filled with all sorts of goodies from my neice...I was so excited to use all these items..)Food was made; desserts galore each with a kindness and touch to
say ENJOY!...........

Details were taken to provide things like clean fresh bedding and soaps; " Linen spray" in our rooms; fresh coffee made when you came down for breakfast ; alongside bacon; sausage gravy and biscuits; fresh orange juice; and scrambled eggs...........

Music filled the house and encouraging words spread throughout each family....this wasnt the time to say or do something unkind but a time to encourage those you havent seen in a while.

It was a time filled with PEACE and JOY ..........and represented Gods unselfish love..........

Sometimes we get all caught up in the "rush" of what we think we should be doing or what someone else should be doing for us...........when SIMPLY ........this time of year is a time of
celebration and JOY..........and the JOY.............we bring..........and look for..........

Merry Christmas ........

WHAT GIFT CAN I GIVE?

WHAT GIFT MAY I GIVE????

Yesterday the weather changed ( as it has for so many) and it became bitter cold.........My sweet hubby was out there all day in his little truck that blows medium heat out on the heater. He couldnt hardly keep warm yet worked through icy cold winds; long hours and snow to provide for me..............

I thought about this early early this morning when I rose to a "cold but soon to be warm home"........a nice coffee pot that would provide a warm refreshment.... What a wonderful gift He has given to me each day!!!.........In this day and age when so many are out of work or tedering on the edge what great blessings to have the essentials........ With all the beautiful gifts we could purchase now ...WHAT CAN WE GIVE? to show we care...

Here are some ideas I came up with?

Husbands

. Notes of admiration and thankfulness for the little things . Taking your comforter on your bed or his coat he wears out early in the morning and tossing it in the dryer for a few moments and then giving them it to warm them.

. Having his favorite drink or snacks sitting next to his place where he relaxes when he comes home. .

Instead of complaining about "something" Use the fruits of the Spirit in your speech"-
longsuffering; thankfulness; kindness; forgiveness...... . Keep your home up and dinner ready when he comes home. * Some may say but I am tired too or work too....."Remember this is a GIFT you are giving with nothing in return" . Keep yourself up. Your spirit;your health; your clothes; your hair.....**You have to love who God made also and that someone is YOU".....

. Lift his spirit.........."Its not all about YOU" ; God gave you that wonderful man. Oh yes he may have grown (out); become more stooped shouldered; forget to pick up His clothes but......... God knew no one else could LOVE him as much as you could.

Children .

Be joyful . Its the holiday. Take time out of your busy scheduale to hold that little one on your lap or to teach one more time how to "pick up their things" or make their bed ect.......... .

Decorate the house and make it fun. If you dont have alot of money for the holiday be creative and never "tell them that we have NO MONEY this year for things.....They will never know and will remember the JOY in their home...........

. Let them help. If you dont have alot of time buy a roll of sugar cookie dough and cut it out sprinkle some sprinkles or ice them. Then enjoy "a cookie" with milk for fun!! . Teach them to give. Even if its small. Purchase something for the nursing home ministry at church or the toy drive and allow them to see it is better to give then receive. . Have a candy cane; put a wreath on the front of your car; make snow angels in the snow; sing Christmas carols and laugh laugh laugh...........

OTHERS

. Bake some cookies for someone. Look for those that dont get alot of attention.

. Make a phone call to someone and listen.

. Make up a bag; basket; or box of goodies .

. Visit a nursing home. You can go for one hour if that is all you have. ** I remember when my mom was in the rehab of a nursing home and it was mothers day. Now all our family had given her things and loved on her but it was this one man that she said came from a church the day before with a "single" balloon and gave it to each of the residents she talked about. That made me think how "one person" can make a big difference. Help out with a ministry at your church such as the Servicemans ministry that they host for Christmas........baking pies; purchasing
a ham; or providing your time....

. As your out shopping ect........take time to smile at a clerk; encourage a waitress; ****One Christmas I went shopping in Chicago. I took a "Christmas notepad" and every clerk that waited on me I wrote a note of thanks on how nice they had been and to have a Merry Christmas!! I had one lady stop me later in the store and "thank me" for thinking of her . I had made her day! Even though she worked in this very expensive department store her own life was full of hurt and woes! I am glad a "simple thank you" made a difference!


What can you give?

CHRISTMAS ALL THROUGH THE HOUSE.......JOY JOY JOY

I just love the joy of Christmas and how it seems there is more "joy" spread everywhere you
go..........white twinkle lights; songs being sung; cookies being baked; candy canes..........and
snow ........snow snow.........Here is a favorite cup and saucer I found for $1 at the thrift store
this past summer......Its just right for some hot chocolate on a cold winter night.........
The eyes of a grandchild...............we have baked cookies; had tea parties; read a favorite book together; rocked with a warm blanket........she has no idea of how much joy she brings to my heart...Jesus does....He feels the same when I want to be with Him....and look to Him and include Him in my Christmas.......His love is like a warm blanket that comforts me when I need it....
Another one .......oh so small...laughing; smiling; cooing ; singing in her own right.........listening
so intently...........May I walk my walk for you someday my sweet one..............
Another cup and saucer ( I like them) found for a few dollars...This one is from Starbucks long
ago....I love the little red trees...........
Baking cookies; making fudge; flour; sugar butter; truffles next...........


My favorite cookie recipe I use for about every cookie...........I love this recipe from Susan Branch cookbook................Make a memory and bake something even if its break apart peanut butter cookies with a chocolate kiss stuck in the middle...........
My little holiday book my sister Barbara years ago................filled with recipes and fun by Susan Branch............
Mom's fold over cookies filled with apricot or almond..............
My holiday cookie box where I store my many cookies..............
More cookies..................to have and give to others
Holiday biscotti...................
My precious one and grandma...............
My husband took me to the Holiday Symphony Orchestra.........so much fun to be together


I made a few handmade cards for Christmas..........and bought the rest..........it was enjoyable
few more...............
more cards.................

A few appetizers for a take along..........one day.............I found this little Christmas tree plate for $1...It seems to work. I also found a Present Plate for $1 . Sometimes you can pick these up for a few dollars at the thrift store while they would be quit high at a dept store...
That way if it is broken or left behind somewhere it wont be such a loss....

EASY CHOCOLATE "TRUFFLES" TO MAKE AND GIVE

EASY CHOCOLATE "TRUFFLES" TO MAKE AND GIVE

I love "chocolate" at Christmastime! These easy little
truffles were very decadent in chocolate and make a
nice little gift to give out......
They are so easy to throw together .....just make sure
you have your "toppings" ready to roll your candies in....
It made about 50 and I put them in little wrappers I found
at the dollar store. I then put them in a basket to take to
my ladies Christmas gathering and passed them out. You
could put them in cute little red boxes or cellophane tied with
a ribbon......The recipe follows....


EASY CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 3 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
• 3 cups semisweet chocolate chips, melted
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla *** May divide dough in portions and flavor
• with almond; vanilla ; or orange NOTE *orange and chocolate are good together
  

Directions

1. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until well blended. Stir in melted chocolate and vanilla until no streaks remain. *** I did not even refrigerate these. If I did I would maybe get cold for about 20-30 minutes

1. . They worked out really good to roll into little 1" balls; then roll into nuts; melted white or more chocolate bark; cocoa powder.**** I also used a few drops of "orange oil" to a batch of
2. dough and rolled in cocoa; I crushed a candy bar I had on hand and rolled some in that as
3. well. ........Score candybar is good.
   
4. I then "set them" by putting them in the fridge.

DID YOU FORGET TO PUT YOUR "HAPPY" IN HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND BAKING CRANBERRY-ORANGE NUT BISCOTTI

I AM SO GLAD OUR "SWEETEST ANGEL" DECIDED TO
KEEP "HAPPY" IN HER HOLIDAYS......
I GOT AROUND TO BAKING SOME "BISCOTTI" YESTERDAY
I CHANGED THE RECIPE I PUT ON MY BLOG AROUND
ABIT...BY ADDING ORANGE ZEST; SOME WALNUTS;
AND CRANBERRIES......
I PUT TOGETHER THE WET INGREDIENTS FIRST
AND ADDED ONE EGG AT A TIME...........
UMMMM....THE SMELL OF BUTTER; ORANGE ZEST;
A LITTLE SQUEEZE OF ORANGE JUICE; AND SOME
DROPS OF ORANGE OIL EXTRACT I HAD LEFT
MADE THE KITCHEN SMELL LIKE CHRISTMAS....
I THEM COMBINED THE DRY INGREDIENTS AND
THE TWO TOGETHER AND SOME DRIED CRANBERRIES
THAT ARE SO SWEET..
I CHOPPED ABOUT A CUP OF WALNUTS.....AND ADDED
THEM TO THE DOUGH.................
IT MADE A NICE LITTLE 13" LOAF ...THEN BAKED
COOLED AND CUT INTO SLICES...................
THESE CAN BE DIPPED IN WHITE CHOCOLATE BARK...
BUT I DIDNT HAVE ANY SO THEY WERE JUST FINE
TO ENJOY WITH MY MORNING COFFEE................
I WILL TRY AND GET SOME "WHITE CHOCOLATE "
TODAY AND DIP THESE DELICIOUS ITALIAN GOODIE
AND PUT THEM IN A BASKET TO BE GIVEN.....


Last evening my hubby and I went out to do some Christmas shopping...
The stores were very busy indeed. I couldnt help but notice some young mothers who seemed frazzled as their little one stood crying and antsy in the isles..... I could see hard working daddys with stooped shoulders going up and down the toy isles trying to maybe purchase a "little gift"they could barely afford..........." I mentioned this to my husband later as we were returning to our car and said a quick prayer for them.....

I couldnt help think of those I had been praying for all week ....a sweet little baby who is waiting for a tissue transplant that could save his life but has been denied financially for the last time; .a man who waits for a heart; a lady who has cancer; ; ; a family broken apart...........

How do they put the "Happy" in their Happy Holidays???

. Realize that Jesus is in everything we do as we celebrate Him for this season..........His grace and mercy surround us not matter where we are...........

. Realize that just the thanksgiving of your breath each morning is a great blessing and that you can walk; have a place to lie your head at night; a warm room in which to sleep life itself is a great thing!

. Look for the miracles in life.....write them down! The man who had "heart surgery" was lost 3-4 times Thursday night but lives today and breathing....What a miracle and blessing!

. Dont look down .........Look up!!

. Read your Bible.. "MATTHEW".. Plug in your lights; bake something that smells nice; put on Christmas music; Do something for others.......Put "Happy" in this holiday no matter what the circumstances bring to you............

. Let go of things you cannot change; guilt; bitterness; hurt; pain; jealousy and be FREE

. If you do not have a personal relationship with "this Christmas Child" born please read my sidebar of His love message to all. HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A "VERY HAPPY HOLIDAY TODAY"..............

I LOVE MONDAYS...HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING...

HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING.......GLORY TO THE NEWBORN KING.........I Love Mondays.....

Early this morning when I was sipping my warm morning cup
of coffee and looking at the "twinkle of the Christmas tree
lights" I thought of what it must of been like for my mother
in 1956........Christmas time when things were good but
times still a struggle....What fun I remember getting a
babydoll to love and hold and the warmth of a home with
a tree and its lights and presents to enjoy.......
As many of the songs sung at Christmastime we
remember the days gone by of old fashion values
families; traditions flutter through out minds....
But........the same God of yesterday is the same
God of today and we can still sing " Hark the
herald angels sing......Glory to the newborn King"
Thanking Him for this new life given to celebrate...


A friend and I were visiting a young man in the hospital this week. This young man has a degenerative nerve disease ( like MS) and gets around in a wheelchair. He started with this disease many years ago and it has only gotten worse....

As much as his speech is slow to speak his mind is sharp as a sword. He made us laugh with his quips and quick answers. This young man cannot say he has played basketball, run with friends to eat out; nor many of the other things a young person of his age would get to enjoy because the disease and medicine he must take keeps him mostly bound to his home........

But.....as we talked about Christmas his eyes stopped and remembered deeply.....We asked if there was something about Christmas that he remembered. He told us with tears in eyes that he remembered Christmas years ago with a tree; presents; and a Christmas dinner.

Now these many years later.........time had passed. His sweet mother had passed away with
cancer and his dad spent so much of the time working hard to support the other children that a tree and those kind of things werent thought of much. While other young men grew; graduated; went on to college; and married his life became more dependent on his caregiver; his wheelchair and doctors.

But........my eyes began to fill with "admiration" that here I was getting to sit and encourage a young man who was encouraging my heart with depth of gratitude. He wasnt cross ; bitter; rebellious; or unkind. He still loved His God. He took his seat that was given to him. He learned to be content where he was and yet fight to live.

God has sent many a person to encourage this young man....but I know that God is using this young man to encourage many a person..........

Maybe this Christmas you are not where you want to be; maybe its not a "holiday song"; maybe the pain is more than you can bear.........but LISTEN.................and HEAR
"HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING............GLORY TO THE NEWBORN KING!"