Showing posts with label christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label christmas. Show all posts
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Merry Christmas - Country style!
Monday, December 27, 2010
shoeboxes!!
Last year our Operation Christmas Child boxes went to Madagascar and Zambia, this year they went to Belize and Equador! Very cool!
Friday, December 24, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
11:30 pm Dec 22
Think I can crank out TWO pairs of jammies before I go to bed tonight? It's crunch time!
Sunday, December 19, 2010
WAY better than a Hallmark movie...
... and there are some AWESOME Hallmark movies!
I'll admit it I'm a sucker for Hallmark Christmas movies. Last year I think I figured out that the reason Hallmark movies are so wonderful is because they are soooooo unrealistic. I mean really, think about it, there is no stress from everybody needing to be pleased by having everybody around on 'the day.' One side of the story always has a horrible tragedy, their side of the stress has been removed by a death or abandonment or something. Nobody has stress from having to find the perfect gift; as it is always there, and all the shoppers are in a festive mood, polite respectful, helpful, and joyful. (I was out yesterday and that was SOOO not the case!) The small rural town is always saved, the jobless find a job and the hungry are fed and it all goes on and on. Don't get me wrong, if that happened in reality it would be wonderful and the world would be a better place because of it. But it's not real. Reality is stress from the commercialization of it, the stress of having to be everywhere, rude shoppers, an oven that dies while trying to make chex party mix, (yes this happened to us this year) not being able to do something for a loved one because it is just out of reach financially and you are dedicated to making your financial plan work ; which in the long run will ultimately be worth it. Reality is the lack of joy and hope because they are looking for it in the wrong place. It's not found in a store or under a tree. It can be hard to keep the Reason for the season in focus sometimes and in my opinion there is nothing better to celebrate. But as I've said before, it's really about perspective. You can get caught up in the worldliness of it or you can follow the Example of giving.
My sister and I went out yesterday and had a grand time, yes, we were Christmas shopping, but unlike fellow shoppers, we were laughing, giggling and generally speaking, thoroughly enjoying the day. We both love the feeling of Christmas and she enjoys Christmas the way more people should, the way you do as a child. We both love giving at any time of the year, but especially at Christmas, you see, neither of us look for joy or happiness under the tree. Last night we were shopping/laughing and having a great time but needed a drink, laughing is hard work, apparently. So we headed to Starbucks, I got an iced tea and she a mocha something, so we stood there drinking and thinking and talking a young serviceman walked into the lobby and up to the counter. He was carrying a itty bitty car seat all decked out in pink and had a pink diaper bag slung across his chest like it was his M-16. Proud and capable. I stood there for a minute looking at this young man and thought, 'He is exactly who I want defending our great nation.' The strong, quiet, confidence that this young man had said to me he was confident in himself and his abilities to not only guard our nation but would lay down his life for his child...
...as well as mine.
He guarded his daughter proudly and confidently and I was humbled. He pondered his order, placed it and was setting his daughter down to reach for his wallet as I was placing the cash on the counter to pay for his order. He looked at me, shocked that a stranger would do that, a look I returned in admiration. He said to me "Thank you." "No," I said, "Thank you." I smiled and walked away. Now I'm not telling you this to toot my own horn, but to make a point. If I'd been so caught up in the worldliness of the season I would have missed the opportunity to follow the Example of giving, to rail against society's selfishness, to create a Hallmark reality.
Yesterday was exactly what I needed to experience to snap me out of the worldly funk I'd been in; having allowed myself to be sucked in by it; to prepare me for tonight.
I was out making a delivery with my children this afternoon and saw lots of paper bags lining the road leading up to the church. It's the quintessential 'Hallmark' church, very stately with a huge white steeple, swinging french doors in the front, stained glass windows, archways, the works. It's really a beautiful church, not the place I worship, but still beautiful. At first I just thought is was trash, but as I looked up the road I realized it was luminaries lighting the road to the church, they were just being set out to be lit later. I drove past the church and headed down the other side of the hill. Luminaries on that side too. I thought it was a great idea and would look very beautiful after being lit. On the way back from delivery, my children noticed the church was having a candlelight service tonight and asked if we could go. I thought about it for a second and said yes, probably we could. So we made it home and went on about our day, about 6pm we started to get ready, I decided to walk to the church because we live well within walking distance. At 6:30 we; bundled in hats, scarves, boots, jackets, mittens, flashlight, lantern and headlamp; headed out to the service. The moon was nearly full and it was a near cloudless winter sky so the moonlight was reflecting brilliantly on the recent snow which was squeaking beneath our feet as we strolled along. The kids and I walked along our quiet country lane, past the little brook that hasn't quiet frozen solid yet so it bubbled happily in the moonlight, past our neighbors homes where soft light poured through the windows and woodsmoke billowed out the chimneys. We walked along the path through the woods that lead to the church and could see the lights from the stained glass windows and steeple through trees guiding us along. We talked about what a wonderful time we were having and how old fashioned it was.
We walked through the parking lot and saw the luminaries lining the road, saw some of our friends and neighbors heading into the church and stepped across the road to take it all in. (And take pictures of course, but I'll try to post them tomorrow, I cannot upload pics onto this computer.) It was beautiful. We walked back across the road, inside the church foyer, was greeted by a neighbor and headed upstairs to the sanctuary. There were evergreen boughs everywhere, candles flickering in the windows and the pipe organ was pumping out Christmas carols. We found a seat in the old wooden pews, and looked around and waved to friends and neighbors and smiled to those we don't know yet. The service started and was really beautiful.
There is something to be said for worshiping in an extraordinarily beautiful place. So many of the churches that are being built today lack the ornate details and beauty like the old churches are famous for and that make it a fitting place to worship at and I find this trend sad.
I have always loved Christmas candlelight services and went as soon as I was old enough to drive and breaking a family tradition. I've never regretted it. Tonight was no exception. I sat there listening to a version of 'The Holly and the Ivy' being sung by an angel I'm certain. She also played the violin while her dad played the guitar. I have a video too, I cannot wait to share it if it came out well. It was dimly lit, so I'm not sure. After the service ended, we were offered refreshments in the lower part of the church, Andrew was all about this for sure. And Faith wanted to see the violinist. They had a nice spread of crackers and cheese, cookies, and sweets and offered coffee and mulled cider, which was a nice treat before stepping out into the chilly winter evening after chatting with fellow service goers.
We stayed a bit despite the fact we had barn chores to do and it was past bedtime, we stayed because we could and because the fellowship was wonderful and because it was nice to have had my focus redirected to what matters.
Faith and Andrew and I all walked home in the cold, winter, moonlight air and not even Hallmark could have made a more splendid evening, because this was real.
I'll admit it I'm a sucker for Hallmark Christmas movies. Last year I think I figured out that the reason Hallmark movies are so wonderful is because they are soooooo unrealistic. I mean really, think about it, there is no stress from everybody needing to be pleased by having everybody around on 'the day.' One side of the story always has a horrible tragedy, their side of the stress has been removed by a death or abandonment or something. Nobody has stress from having to find the perfect gift; as it is always there, and all the shoppers are in a festive mood, polite respectful, helpful, and joyful. (I was out yesterday and that was SOOO not the case!) The small rural town is always saved, the jobless find a job and the hungry are fed and it all goes on and on. Don't get me wrong, if that happened in reality it would be wonderful and the world would be a better place because of it. But it's not real. Reality is stress from the commercialization of it, the stress of having to be everywhere, rude shoppers, an oven that dies while trying to make chex party mix, (yes this happened to us this year) not being able to do something for a loved one because it is just out of reach financially and you are dedicated to making your financial plan work ; which in the long run will ultimately be worth it. Reality is the lack of joy and hope because they are looking for it in the wrong place. It's not found in a store or under a tree. It can be hard to keep the Reason for the season in focus sometimes and in my opinion there is nothing better to celebrate. But as I've said before, it's really about perspective. You can get caught up in the worldliness of it or you can follow the Example of giving.
My sister and I went out yesterday and had a grand time, yes, we were Christmas shopping, but unlike fellow shoppers, we were laughing, giggling and generally speaking, thoroughly enjoying the day. We both love the feeling of Christmas and she enjoys Christmas the way more people should, the way you do as a child. We both love giving at any time of the year, but especially at Christmas, you see, neither of us look for joy or happiness under the tree. Last night we were shopping/laughing and having a great time but needed a drink, laughing is hard work, apparently. So we headed to Starbucks, I got an iced tea and she a mocha something, so we stood there drinking and thinking and talking a young serviceman walked into the lobby and up to the counter. He was carrying a itty bitty car seat all decked out in pink and had a pink diaper bag slung across his chest like it was his M-16. Proud and capable. I stood there for a minute looking at this young man and thought, 'He is exactly who I want defending our great nation.' The strong, quiet, confidence that this young man had said to me he was confident in himself and his abilities to not only guard our nation but would lay down his life for his child...
...as well as mine.
He guarded his daughter proudly and confidently and I was humbled. He pondered his order, placed it and was setting his daughter down to reach for his wallet as I was placing the cash on the counter to pay for his order. He looked at me, shocked that a stranger would do that, a look I returned in admiration. He said to me "Thank you." "No," I said, "Thank you." I smiled and walked away. Now I'm not telling you this to toot my own horn, but to make a point. If I'd been so caught up in the worldliness of the season I would have missed the opportunity to follow the Example of giving, to rail against society's selfishness, to create a Hallmark reality.
Yesterday was exactly what I needed to experience to snap me out of the worldly funk I'd been in; having allowed myself to be sucked in by it; to prepare me for tonight.
I was out making a delivery with my children this afternoon and saw lots of paper bags lining the road leading up to the church. It's the quintessential 'Hallmark' church, very stately with a huge white steeple, swinging french doors in the front, stained glass windows, archways, the works. It's really a beautiful church, not the place I worship, but still beautiful. At first I just thought is was trash, but as I looked up the road I realized it was luminaries lighting the road to the church, they were just being set out to be lit later. I drove past the church and headed down the other side of the hill. Luminaries on that side too. I thought it was a great idea and would look very beautiful after being lit. On the way back from delivery, my children noticed the church was having a candlelight service tonight and asked if we could go. I thought about it for a second and said yes, probably we could. So we made it home and went on about our day, about 6pm we started to get ready, I decided to walk to the church because we live well within walking distance. At 6:30 we; bundled in hats, scarves, boots, jackets, mittens, flashlight, lantern and headlamp; headed out to the service. The moon was nearly full and it was a near cloudless winter sky so the moonlight was reflecting brilliantly on the recent snow which was squeaking beneath our feet as we strolled along. The kids and I walked along our quiet country lane, past the little brook that hasn't quiet frozen solid yet so it bubbled happily in the moonlight, past our neighbors homes where soft light poured through the windows and woodsmoke billowed out the chimneys. We walked along the path through the woods that lead to the church and could see the lights from the stained glass windows and steeple through trees guiding us along. We talked about what a wonderful time we were having and how old fashioned it was.
We walked through the parking lot and saw the luminaries lining the road, saw some of our friends and neighbors heading into the church and stepped across the road to take it all in. (And take pictures of course, but I'll try to post them tomorrow, I cannot upload pics onto this computer.) It was beautiful. We walked back across the road, inside the church foyer, was greeted by a neighbor and headed upstairs to the sanctuary. There were evergreen boughs everywhere, candles flickering in the windows and the pipe organ was pumping out Christmas carols. We found a seat in the old wooden pews, and looked around and waved to friends and neighbors and smiled to those we don't know yet. The service started and was really beautiful.
There is something to be said for worshiping in an extraordinarily beautiful place. So many of the churches that are being built today lack the ornate details and beauty like the old churches are famous for and that make it a fitting place to worship at and I find this trend sad.
I have always loved Christmas candlelight services and went as soon as I was old enough to drive and breaking a family tradition. I've never regretted it. Tonight was no exception. I sat there listening to a version of 'The Holly and the Ivy' being sung by an angel I'm certain. She also played the violin while her dad played the guitar. I have a video too, I cannot wait to share it if it came out well. It was dimly lit, so I'm not sure. After the service ended, we were offered refreshments in the lower part of the church, Andrew was all about this for sure. And Faith wanted to see the violinist. They had a nice spread of crackers and cheese, cookies, and sweets and offered coffee and mulled cider, which was a nice treat before stepping out into the chilly winter evening after chatting with fellow service goers.
We stayed a bit despite the fact we had barn chores to do and it was past bedtime, we stayed because we could and because the fellowship was wonderful and because it was nice to have had my focus redirected to what matters.
Faith and Andrew and I all walked home in the cold, winter, moonlight air and not even Hallmark could have made a more splendid evening, because this was real.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Started your Christmas shopping yet?
A box of our assorted soaps gift wrapped and shipped directly from the farm to the hard to buy for person on your Christmas list makes a great gift! We'll even add a note from you at no extra charge! Tell us where to send it and what you like to say and check it off your list!
Do you or someone on your Christmas list need to slow down, relax and enjoy a hot bath?? Try our bath basket! Brown Sugar Body Polish and Soothing Foot Soak, with or without Goats Milk Soap.
Need a hostess gift, a last minute gift, or "a little something" for the neighbors, teachers, etc. Let us know we can help!
Do you or someone on your Christmas list need to slow down, relax and enjoy a hot bath?? Try our bath basket! Brown Sugar Body Polish and Soothing Foot Soak, with or without Goats Milk Soap.
Need a hostess gift, a last minute gift, or "a little something" for the neighbors, teachers, etc. Let us know we can help!
Monday, October 4, 2010
quick poll
As the kids and I were making dinner tonight we were listening to and singing along to Christmas music. My husband commented that any kind of Christmas music is annoying in October. So I wondered when y'all start listening to it. Leave me a comment so I can tell him I'm not the only freak that listens to it this early. C'mon, I know I'm not the only one! Also, just wondering what your favorite song is...
Monday, March 29, 2010
FUV - Farm Utility Vehicle
One of the things my children received for Christmas was this heavy duty wagon, also know as farm utility vehicle. They put it together almost completely by themselves, they did need a little guidance from Mommy and Daddy helped with the wheels, they had a great time and worked together beautifully!
making sure Daddy had it just right
a sense of accomplishment for having done a great job building it.... 
......each other.......they have even worn the harness that I've used on the dogs with reins attached and each of them had been the horse or the goat.......and they convinced me to try to, as "It's FUN Mommy!" (awww shucks, I didn't get a picture of that.....)
....200 pounds of grain for the animals........
.........maple sap, and has even been used to muck out stalls! Of course not while carrying sap.
making sure Daddy had it just rightThis wagon has already carried lots of things:
a sense of accomplishment for having done a great job building it..........each other.......they have even worn the harness that I've used on the dogs with reins attached and each of them had been the horse or the goat.......and they convinced me to try to, as "It's FUN Mommy!" (awww shucks, I didn't get a picture of that.....)
....200 pounds of grain for the animals........
.........maple sap, and has even been used to muck out stalls! Of course not while carrying sap. Now that we've used this for many things I cannot imagine not having it. Before I'd of had to unload the truck in four trips to the grain room, (on a good day just two) now I can just pop it in that make one trip! In the future I'm sure Buckley will somehow manage to be harnessed to this wagon as it is our intention for him to do some draft work, I say our intention as I'm not sure he'll go along with it, he seems more content to be a lap goat.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Ding Dong Done!
I've finished all the handmade Christmas gifts and now off to wrap it all up! Can this be correct? 1 day left and I'm done?! I must be forgetting something...
If I don't post again until after Christmas, know that I wish you and your family the Merriest of Christmas's!
If I don't post again until after Christmas, know that I wish you and your family the Merriest of Christmas's!
Monday, December 7, 2009
Quilt done - Check
A friend of mine is adopting a little boy from Estonia soon and I thought I'd make a quilt for this wonderful occasion. I decided to make this log cabin style quilt as is symbolizes home, the four squares in the center represent the two countries and the heart is covering all four squares to represent love and joining of lives together. As far as I know this young boy does not speak English yet, (or maybe limited at best) so I thought she could start teaching him the colors when she's tucking him in at night using this quilt. That's why the quilt is made like this, it had a purpose, it's not a traditional quilt, well seriously, what did you expect from 'Twisite' but it is traditional in the fact it's made with love.Friday, November 27, 2009
Wreaths delivered - check
I've been working on my annual wreath delivery for the past few days as part of my Christmas celebration and got them all loaded into the back of my husbands car for delivery, I thought they looked very festive and wanted to share it with you. I did have a huge sheet of plastic down to keep the car from becoming a total farm vehicle; I'd have taken all the wreathes in the back of my truck but it was pouring and I'm sure my customers would not have appreciated them soaking wet. Another huge chunk off my "to do "list! Yeah!
Monday, November 16, 2009
the walking foot
What a neat invention the walking foot is! This weekend I spent sewing, knitting and crafting and what a good time it was; the basement/sewing/laundry room was lit up with mini Christmas trees that my son hauled out of storage and plugged in, we had a nice crackling fire, a scented candle and Christmas music blared at times... We were working on baby quilts for a local soldiers twin babies and usually I tack the quilts with embroidery floss, but this time I used the walking foot that my machine came with and what a huge blessing that was. Not only are the quilts done, they are actually quilted! I never would have attempted that with out a walking foot. Strange name wonderful results.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
53 days??!!
Did I read that right? 53 days until Christmas??!! Yikes! I'd better get cracking. (I put a countdown banner on the bottom of the blog to remind me...) Last year I took the handmade pledge but took it a bit further, I made most of what I gave as gifts and purchased the "ingredients" from local small businesses. I don't have a huge budget for Christmas but it was paid for with cash and I figured that that mal-wart would survive whether or not I spent money there or not. The difference was when I shopped at the smaller stores I was genuinely greeted and thanked for shopping there and they meant it! I worked really hard last year trying to come up with things people would use and enjoy and most of the recipients got hand knit socks, some were made from locally raised alpaca fiber and some were wool, all were a labor of love. This year I'm planning another handmade Christmas; I've written all the things I need to do before Christmas and if I don't sleep a wink between now and Christmas I'll be done by Valentines day! We'll see how it goes and I'll try to post some of the things I make here. One of which is goat's milk soap, seeing as it takes 4 weeks to cure I'm off to do that now. I think I'll start with either peppermint or balsam....
one pair of last years socks... warm and snugly alpaca!
one pair of last years socks... warm and snugly alpaca!
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