sculpted snow

Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.

Isaiah 1:18

my favorite Christmas gift? Jesus! who makes my sins as white as snow!

small joys

these little stocking ornaments represent a large victory for me. i set out this year to learn new knitting skills, and making socks was at the top of the list. painstakingly, i deciphered the abbreviations; flipping back and forth between the glossary and the pattern. i had my Knitter's Companion by my side as i figured out new stitches. i even turned to youtube as i learned to use double pointed needles and how to turn the heel! one step, or should i say, one stitch at a time and i saw my goal accomplished. lately, i carry my knitting bag with me where ever i go, stealing a few minutes here and there to make these miniature stockings. i can make one without even using a pattern, and it wasn't so long ago that i thought socks were complicated and near impossible. life is like that sometimes. a problem seems insurmountable, and yet all i really need to do is take it one step at a time rather than allow myself to become overwhelmed by the entire task.

stocking ornament made with a single-ply handspun wool

i embellished each one with an antique button from grandma's button box.

merry christmas, everyone!

may you find joy in the small things!

a shepherd's Christmas

you know your husband loves you when he will give up his saturday to drive an hour and a half to pick up your Christmas gift... a ram! this is our new shetland. isn't he a beauty? his fleece is very nice, actually a pearly taupe color if you were to look beneath the lighter tips. he is very tame and hopefully, will give our ewes a springtime of new lambs.

since i have become a shepherd, i have fresh outlook on the Christmas story. so after church on Christmas eve, i had an inspired idea. we'll all go out to the barn and read the story of Jesus' birth by lantern light with the sheep. i imagine the sweet smell of hay, the warm glow of the lantern light, and the gentle presence of our woolly little sheep. i had it partially right. the kids and hubby go along with my plan even though it is pouring rain, cold, and windy. we can't find the camping lanterns so we use our largest flashlights. the wind is blowing out of the south right into the 3 sided shelter of the shed.

yes, the shed smells of the sweet hay... and other things. the animal shelter is not quite as cozy and romantic as i imagined it would be on a Christmas eve. the animals look at us as if to say, "what in the world are you doing here now?" the wind blows damp and cold and the kids say, "hurry! read the story!" they are anxious to get back into the house, next to the fire with a mug of hot cocoa. so by flashlight i read the familiar story in luke,

"...and she gave birth to her first born, a son.

She wrapped him cloths and placed him in a manger,

because there was no room for them in the inn. ..."

i was feeling a little bit disappointed. it was not exactly the lovely Christmas memory maker i had hoped for... but then i realized, that must have been what mary and joseph felt as well, thinking, "was this the way Messiah should enter the world?" and all of Israel looking for a regal king of military might to come and rescue them from rome instead of the gentle savior who grew up to die in our place; to rescue us from the ultimate enemy: sin.

we have made the manger of luke chapter 2 a little too comfortable. the truth is, animal sheds are drafty and smelly, filled with more than sweet smelling hay. it reminds me a little bit of my own heart... where you'll find more than just sweet smelling love, and yet Jesus humbles himself to dwell there as well.

Jesus humbled himself and set aside his deity to become human with all that goes with it.

"Who, being in very nature God,

did not consider equality with God something to grasped,

but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant,

being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man,

he humbled himself

and became obedient to death - even death on a cross."

Philippians 2:6-8

the miracle of Christmas ~ God become man ~ for my sake.

oh, my soul. kinda makes my ridiculous pride so... so... well... ridiculous.

forgive me, Lord Jesus. make me humble like you.

perhaps our Christmas eve outing was, in fact, very appropriate after all.

A very Merry Christmas to all of you!

everyday gift: the Christmas manger

hand spun christmas

a basket of handspun skeins by members of the guild

B and i belong to the local weaving and spinning guild. i joined several years ago when we began raising sheep. these women have been such a wealth of knowledge, teaching me to spin and reintroducing me to weaving. B is a jr. member and is eager to learn to spin as well. i am so tickled that i have a daughter who shares so many interests with me.

(these pictures were taken on the day we helped decorate a room in the historic home where the guild meets. this mansion is kept open to the community for meetings and events. and at Christmas time the halls are decked for an open house. it is a lovely setting for our meetings.)

B learned to make these adorable little yarn doll at a swedish festival

and she has gone into production!

this one is made with my hand spun wool.

a miniature skein of hand spun shetland wool to decorate the tree

everyday gift: hand spun ornaments

snickerdoodles

snickerdoodles

1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon

cream butter in with an electric mixer and add the sugar, baking soda, and cream of tartar. beat in egg and vanilla until combined. mix in flour. cover dough and chill about 1 hour.

combine cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl. shape dough into 1-inch balls, roll in sugar-cinnamon mixture to coat. place 2" apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.

bake at 375* for 10 minutes. transfer to a wire rack to cool.

everyday gift: baking Christmas cookies with B

wrapping up christmas

ahhh, another christmas come and gone. it was really nice this year. i did manage to cut down on some of the shopping and stress! we spent the day at home with just us. we had my favorite kind of day...waking to the sound of muffled whispers upstairs at 5:30 am! go back to sleep! *smile* finally, we let them open their stockings while i started the coffee, lit the tree, and put on christmas music. we gathered round the tree and read the Christmas story from matthew and luke, passing the Bible around so all could read a part and ending with a prayer of thanksgiving for God's incredible love gift to us, in the form of a baby boy who grew up to become the savior of all who would believe.

and then we exchanged our love gifts to each other: some special surprises included B's homemade chocolate chip cookies for her dad, snowman ornaments for everyone in the family made by C, and a saddle rack for the new barn's tack room, built by mark with his helpers, C and S. aren't these the best kind of gifts? after a few gifts were opened and the kids were occupied with a few new toys, i slipped into the kitchen to pop the breakfast casserole and cinnamon rolls in the oven, and slice the fresh pineapple. i so enjoy our traditional christmas morning brunch. such good food and warm feelings around the table. and then back to leisurely opening a few more gifts. i love our quiet tradition of gifts where we are able to open them slowly, recognizing the giver with a thank you and a hug, and taking the time to enjoy the gift before moving on to another, rather than a frenzy of paper and bows flying!

oh, my. these cinnamon rolls were delicious!

thanks to the pioneer woman!

later in the day we picked up karla and dennis from the airport and they joined us for our Christmas dinner. more food and more gifts! it was a lovely day, we enjoyed just being together with those we love.

praying that your Christmas was just as meaningful, remembering the reason we celebrate!

For to 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

everyday gift: the first Christmas gift ever, Jesus: the reason we celebrate

a blogger christmas card

if this picture had audio...

but honey, we're going to be late for church...

.

i don't care, we have GOT to take advantage of this snow. it might not last... (who knew we'd have 10 more inches this month!)

.

umm, kids, i think you better do what your mother says.

.

S, where is your coat??? B, where are your tights??? C, can't you take down that hood???

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mom, i have snow in my shoes.

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LOOK MERRY, WILLYA?

.

shouldn't the sheep and llama be in this picture?

a blogger christmas card...because taking the picture is only one step in the process of actually mailing a photocard to friends and family.

wishing you and your family a very merry christmas, filled with joy and laughter. :o)

joseph

joseph. he takes a lesser part in this christmas drama. mary's role is front and center, and her faith has brought her much admiration. even though joseph is somewhat in the shadows, his character is also worthy of note.

imagine, if you can, that the woman you are pledged to marry has just revealed that she is expecting a baby...and it is not yours. devastating. all of your plans for the future seem to come crashing down around you. you trusted her and you loved her, and now she has seemingly betrayed you. keep in mind that at this time in history, this would have been an offense punishable by stoning.

hurt. angry. confused. in spite of what his emotions must have been, he just can not bring himself to make a claim against her. scripture tells us that he "did not want to expose her to public disgrace" but rather "had in mind to divorce her quietly." worldly wisdom calls for revenge to satisfy our wounded hearts, but we learn that joseph is kind and noble, caring more for mary's safety than his own pride.


and who could blame him for wanting out? by all appearances, mary had not been faithful. it is only after an angel came to him in a dream that he made his decision:

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" - which means, "God with us."

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife."

Matthew 1:20-24

joseph, like his bride mary, is obedient to the Lord. he married mary without regard to public opinion or ridicule that they were sure to face. he believed God and was willing to take up a task which was intimidating to say the least: to be the foster father to the Son of the Living God. wow.

scripture says that joseph was a righteous man in matthew 1:19. how can i live a righteous life? well, if i follow joseph's example, i need to believe God and obey Him, no matter how difficult the task may seem. and live a life which puts the needs of others ahead of my own, showing kindness and love. joseph was a noble man of the highest character.

Lord, give me the kindness of joseph, give me a righteous love which is expressed in putting others first.

everyday gift: joseph's example of kindness and love.

mary

as Christmas day quickly approaches, i have been pondering the story, the story i have heard countless times before, for as long as i can remember. it is so well known that i could easily brush over all the characters and the elements. but in these days before christmas, i am going to look closely at the main characters in this eternal play, orchestrated by God, played out on the stage of bethlehem so many years ago. beginning with mary...



what was it like to be mary? a young girl with her life ahead of her; all going as planned; she was betrothed to a good man; a man she could love, live with, work beside, raise a family with, she would be safe and secure...all going as planned, that is until The Visit. and nothing would ever be the same. in an instant, with that angel's visit to mary, all of her plans were set aside. in an instant, she was ready to obey and submit to God's plans. she humbly put herself completely in God's hands, despite the incredible, miraculous, and yes, even terrifying things the angel announced to her. this is what she said...

"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered.

"May it be to me as you have said."

"And Mary said:

My soul glorifies the Lord

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed,

for the Mighty One has done great things for me-

holy is his name.

His mercy extends to those who fear him,

from generation to generation.

He has performed mighty deeds with his arm,;

he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

He has brought down rulers from their thrones

but has lifted up the humble.

He has filled the hungry with good things

but has sent the rich away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel,

remembering to be merciful

to Abraham and his descendants forever,

even as he said to our fathers."

Luke 1:38, 46-56

when God calls, i want a faith like mary's. i want to be ready in an instant to say yes to God no matter what he asks of me. but so often, instead of setting aside my own plans, i cling to them, and rationalize how my way is the most practical, reasonable, and comfortable! am i missing his plan, and consequently his blessings, right now because i delay to say "yes"?

.

Lord, make me ready in an instant to respond in faith and say "yes" to whatever your plan is for my life.

.

everyday gift: mary's example of humble faith

a simple Christmas

december, as usual, brings its whirlwind of activities, and this year it also brought a whirlwind of snow! with only days before Christmas i am reflecting on the many blessings that come with the season and i am making a gallant effort to set aside the stress that often accompanies all the busyness and expectations. as a family we have decided to forgo the huge pile of gifts for only a few and just enjoy these simple pleasures...

a beautiful concert with fernando ortega,

christmas cards bringing family photos and news of friends,

a snow day...

a sun lit ice show in the garden,

laughter and stories of a white elephant gift exchange,

licking icicles...

a tree cut from the back hill

a new ornament for our "charlie brown" christmas tree

a cardinal in the snow,

the voices of children singing carols in their school program,

cookies hot from the oven...

candles and nativities

the smell of evergreens,

mark and C working on a mysterious project in the barn...

poinsettias...

a jesse tree advent that reminds us of God's sovereignty and His perfect plan to bring us salvation through the gift of Jesus!

may this season find you and your family also filled with the simple joys of Christmas!

everyday gift: Christmas joy!

a love story

as Christmas draws near, i am reminded of another reason that day is special, my grandparents' (on my mother's side) wedding anniversary. they were such wonderful people and i treasure their memories.



these dishes belonged to my grandparents who were married on Christmas day of 1924 in corinth, mississippi. when my gran'dad passed away they had been married 61 years! they were a wonderful example to our family in their love for the Lord and for each other. how thankful i am that their story was recorded in a book that he self-published for his family. his book begins, "What follows is a true story of my 77 years on this earth. I relate it all, mostly good but also not so good. There is nothing that I am ashamed of. I wrote this story just because per chance my precious family may care to know just what makes me tick."

Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands. Deuteronomy 7:9

"On July 8, 1923 a boy and girl met by chance or what I was later to know was planned by God. My cousin Helen Wiegel had married Mattie Vance's brother, Clayton Archer. They lived in an apartment in Chicago. Mance had been given a round trip ticket from Corinth, Mississippi, as a college graduation gift to visit them. I had been living in Chicago for about 4 years. I had spent the first week of my vacation at a friends home in Wisconsin. On the morning of July 8 i returned to Chicago and on phoning Helen and Clayton they invited me to have dinner with them and mentioned that Clayton's sister was there. So, at 1:30pm I met their sister who was to be my wife for at least 52 years! Now, I had gone out with several girls but marriage was never in my mind, but one look at Mance and my heart went ping! We went to dances and shows for a week when Mance was due to go back to Corinth but for some reason she decided to stay another week! I was happy! We took a boat trip on Lake Michigan to a summer resort with Helen and my Dad. Helen often told about how she never saw us. We were on cloud 9!

"Mance returned to Corinth where she was to teach school. So from then till a year following we carried on a correspondence courtship with daily letters, except when I went to see Mance in Feb. 1924 for a weekend and for 2 weeks in July 1924 and of course when I went down to get married on Christmas Day 1924! So here were a girl and boy who were very different in many ways. Mance had been raised by loving parents, who I had learned to very much. She had 3 brothers and one sister Bess who was just great, she had 2 sons Dana and Jerry. Mance had gone to college and although her family was poor in a material sense, they were rich in a spiritual sense. The south and the rest was a new world to me! As for me, I had been in an orphan's home, had but a grade school of formal education, very little church or Sunday school and was left on my own after age 14! So, we were directly opposite!

"I have written the background. Now for some events between July 8, 1923 and Christmas 1924. I told about going to Corinth in Feb. 1924. I had bought a diamond ring on time and headed on cloud 9 to my love. I shall always recall stepping off that train. The natives had built fires at homes using pine logs. The fragrant odor of pine wood was great. While on that train I wondered if Mance's folks would go for a damned yankee and a Republican conservative. But all my worries were dispelled when I sat down with Mother and Dad and asked them for Mance's hand in marriage! Wow! Truly, I was in tears of joy when they gave us their blessing!

"Then I went down in July 1924 for my vacation for 2 wonderful weeks...Mance and I had a glorious time those two weeks. We agreed to put off our wedding till Christmastime. The wedding was in Mance's home. It was simple and unpretentious but beautiful. Jim, Henry and Jessie were there and 5 of Mance's college friends came. One sang beautifully while another played the piano. The Baptist Pastor married us. I had brought along a bouquet of sweetheart roses. Mance was simply beautiful. The wedding concluded, we boarded the IC train and had our own private drawing room. When we arrived in Chicago the temperature was a cold 17 below zero! But we didn't care. Ah me! "

These are the words of my gran'dad from the autobiography he wrote for his family entitled, The Life and Times of Herman Weinberger written in 1976.

everyday gift: God's faithfulness to all generations

christmas book basket

during the month of december we love to get out our christmas books. B wishes i would leave them out year round, but i love unpacking them and putting them in our basket. it makes them all the more special when we have not seen them since last christmas season. and we do have a lot of them! some are from my childhood, some have been gifts, others picked up at a library sale, but all of them are thoroughly enjoyed. here are a few of our favorites:

Christmas Day in the Morning by pearl s. buck. this is a sweet story of a son who gives his father a gift. it isn't a costly gift, but a gift which shows true love in an act of service.

If You're Missing Baby Jesus by jean gietzen. another story which demonstrates how love is an action. very touching.

Robin Finds Christmas by molly brett. i had to search this title out on ebay! i love molly brett's fun stories and illustrations of little animals which remind me so much of beatrix potter. when the robin finds her fir tree house missing from the wood she searches for it and finds in a church decorated for christmas. she not only finds her tree, but she finds the meaning of christmas.

The Mole Family Christmas by russell hoban. this one is not especially profound, but it is nostalgic to me because it is one from my childhood.

Silent Night, Holy Night by myrna strasser. my friend myrna wrote this true family story of how the strasser family helped make "Silent Night" one the of the most famous carols. myrna was a very special lady and a wonderful story teller. she passed away earlier this year and is greatly missed.

Christmas Tapestry by patricia polacco. a beautiful story and a tear jerker told as only patricia polacco can!

Apple Tree Christmas by trinka hakes noble. a discarded library book, bought for a dime, but has become a real favorite here.

The Christmas Tree Ship by judith flesvig merwald, ruth flesvig gibson, and robert flesvig. another true story. this one about the ship that brought christmas trees from northern michigan to chicago in the early 1900's.

oh, i better stop! i know there are so many wonderful ones i have not mentioned, but i have tried to list a few that may not be so well known. i'm off now to curl up in a blanket with my kiddos and read another book!

everyday gift: snuggling up with a book

peppermint sugar cookies

peppermint sugar cookies

1 1/3 cups shortening
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 or 2 tsp peppermint flavoring
2 eggs
2 Tbl plus 2 tsp milk
4 cups flour
3 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
white chocolate chips, melted
peppermint candies or candy canes, crushed

cream together in a large mixing bowl: shortening, sugar, vanilla, peppermint, eggs, and milk. add dry ingredients and blend well. divide dough in half, shape each half into a log about 2 1/2" in diameter, wrap in wax paper and chill for 2 hours. slice and place on a greased baking sheet. bake at 375* for 9-10 minutes.

frost each cookie with white chocolate and sprinkle with crushed peppermint candy. cool on rack.

***

this recipe was adapted to my favorite sugar cookie recipe by the ideas posted on the five in a row message board. thanks, girls!

everyday gift: Christmas cookies hot from the oven