No Matter What Life Status...

Isn't it wonderful that God sent a savior for us... no matter what life status we hold. We can be as wealthy as a king, we can be as poor as poor can be... no matter what... God loves us all! He sees us all as equals... souls that need to be saved. It is so simple...

Homemade Fresh Cranberry Sauce...

Here's a great recipe for making homemade fresh cranberry sauce. Wash (one pound bag of fresh cranberries & set aside to drain.) In a large pan, boil sugar and water together for about 5 minutes then add the washed cranberries and boil for another 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool. Run the mixture through the blender. Store in the refrigerator. What a treat!

Ingredients:

1 c sugar (more or less for desired sweetness)

2 c water

1 lb whole cranberries

We are deep in the midst of the Christmas spirit. Giving, sharing, parties and celebrations to celebrate the birth of Christ and what he means to the world. Truly, a time of love and giving!

"...and it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed God Bless Us, Every One!

-Charles Dickens, 1812-1870, A Christmas Carol

A pink or rose colored candle symbolizes the Joy of the coming Christ and is lit on the third Sunday of Advent. We light this candle to thank God for His Son our Savior who brings us great joy. (We will have the first three of the Advent candles lit today.)

There is truly joy in knowing Christ as Lord and Savior.

It's About Giving...

My daughter was telling me about her pastors sermon Sunday. It was about giving because you care, not just to out do someone else or trying to out spend someone else. This is so true. Christmas is about giving, but it's about giving for a reason. That reason is love.

So Many Christmas Memories...

This is the time of year that we think of so many Christmas memories. For some reason the past comes forward. Past friends and relatives, parties, gatherings and fun. We really don't remember gifts ... we think of people and what they mean to us. The enjoyable times we've shared. We think of Christ and the wonder of the Christmas story. This is a wonderful time of year!

Think on this...

There are no times like the old times,
they shall never be forgot.
There is no place like the old place,
keep green the dear old spot.
There are no friends like our old friends,
May heaven prolong their lives.

-Oliver Windell Holmes

May we make pleasant memories this Christmas for the future of those we love...

Adorable Hedgehog...

One little surprise. There is an adorable hedgehog picture and I don't usually think they are cute. But, Knowing how ugly they are when they're grown, I thought you'd enjoy seeing them little. Check them out here.

Second Day of Advent 2009 ...

The second Sunday of Advent we light the second purple candle which represents love. (We will have both the first & second Advent candles lit today.) We light this candle to thank God for His love in sending Jesus Christ our Savior.

John 3:16 kjv, " For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Shop And Take A Stand For Christmas...

Consider this, Focus on The Family has a website, Stand For Christmas, that lists some of the most popular stores that we shop at and how they are treating Christmas. Since I try to support those that uphold my beliefs, I am so thankful for this list. My Christmas gifts are pretty much bought, so I will take the list into consideration all year long. I say, that if I buy just for just a holiday, I'm not buying. I buy for a reason and Christmas is a good reason to share with others God's love and your love.

I want to see businesses grow, but I want to support those businesses that have good values and are considerate of their customers.

Enjoy the day... Merry Christmas!

Jesus Is The Reason For The Season

The First Week of The Christmas Season...

Wow, can you believe that we are coming to the end of the first week of the Christmas season. We've already had Advent Sunday, and lots of our decorations are up, we have many gifts bought, we're listening to Christmas music, burning our scented candles and we are making delicious candies, cookies, cakes and other seasonal foods. Many of us will be or have had to our first Christmas parties for the year. This is truly the most wonderful time of the year.

Daily, I'm trying to take time to remember The Reason For The Season as I enjoy everything that I do and go to.

First Day Of Advent...

Today is the first day of Advent. Christian's around the world are celebrating the remembrance, the promise and birth of the Christ child...

"Advent, Advent the little light burns,
First one, then two, then three, then four,
Then the Christ child at the door."

-unknown

We are lighting of the first candle, of hope, in remembrance of the anticipation of Christ birth...

Thanksgiving Holiday...

I love the Thanksgiving holiday and I'm just not willing to give it up. This is a great time of year to really zero in on your blessings. I like to look back over the year and see what God has done.
Of course, there are sad things, but there are so many wonderful good things to be thankful for.

Look at the good today and tomorrow, maybe it will help you in the days and years to come. I like the verses written here...

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve;

I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.

I asked for help that I might do greater things;

I was given infirmity that I might do better things.

I asked for riches that I might be happy;

I was given poverty that I might be wise.

I asked for power that I might have the praise of men;

I was given weakness that I might feel the need for God.

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life;

I was given life that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing that I asked for,

but everything I hoped for.

Almost despite myself,my unspoken prayers were answered;

I among women am most richly blessed.
~ author unknown ~

Using Altavist to Search the Web...

I like using altavista to search the net. That was the search engine that I started with. It was used in my first computer class many, many years ago. I still like it. Actually, I use the big 3 plus Altavista. But, Altavista picks up some sites that the other search engines don't. Give it a try today, you might like it too.

Freshly Brewed Coffee...

There is nothing like a freshly brewed cup of coffee. I love coffee and have for a very long time. I started drinking coffee when I started working at 18 yr. of age. I love the smell of a freshly opened can. For drink and flavor enjoyment, there is just nothing compared to a good cup of coffee.

I also like freshly ground coffee beans. I keep my beans frozen and then grind them when I'm ready. I grind coffee when I want a special treat.

Why not join me for a freshly brewed cup of coffee now?

Firefox Web Browsing...

Have you had issues with your Internet Explorer? Lately, it seems like I am having regular issues. I don't know why, but when I'm having troubles, I use Firefox.

It is always a good idea to have two browsers on your computer. When one is not working, you can use the other. Also, if you need to download a driver or patch for Internet Explorer or something else, you can go to the needed website and download.

I hope this was helpful advice for better surfing!

Your cell phones are being made public...

The phone number for the National Do Not Call List for cell phones is 1-888-382-122 or email

It will be very important to sign up if you do not have free incoming calls. I did both ways because I had 4 phones to block. The web site lets you do 3 so it worked out o.k. both ways. I like the email because you get a receipt.

Just something that I wanted to remind you of.

Giving Tribute To Our Veterans...

Remembering, the hero's of America, our Veterans. Thank you for keeping us safe and serving to help give us freedom. We appreciate your sacrifice and honor you this Veteran's Day.

Today, we need to remember our country while we are praying for our servicemen and women. Freedom comes with a price.

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." -II Chronicles 7:13-14

Thank you so much veterans, we really appreciate your sacrifice!

Veteran's Tribute...
All Gave Some, Some Gave All -by Billy Ray Cyrus

Working On It...

Well, I've been looking at my site and trying to decide what I need. I've been so busy this past summer with gardening and other things that my blogging has let down.

I can see that I need to add pictures. I was doing pretty good with pictures up until this past year. I had a computer crash last December and lost a lot of my photo files. Reminder, back it up on an external hard drive, mosey, dvd or memory stick. Do something. I failed to save for about 3-6 mo. and lost a lot. Sorry to say, that has happened to me more than once and I've lost some of my poetry and the things that I write. I have some things on my external hard drive, but I have not worked on my files for almost a year now. Early New Years Resolution, work on it!

So you can see that at least it is on my mind and that is... the first step to working on it!

Smokey Mountain Vacation...

Yes, my dear husband treated me to a Smokey Mountain Vacation. We left last Sunday after church and drove down to the Condo that we had waiting for us. The leaves were just georgious. We weren't let down by the color.

We visited Cades Cove on Monday, traffic was really heavy and came to an almost standstill, so Tuesday we drove over to Cherokee, NC. It rained most of the day, but it wasn't too bad. The trees on top of the Smokies had lost a lot of their leaves and the color was gone & it was smokey. Most of the color was at the lower end of the mountains and round Gatlinburg and the surrounding areas. Of course, after the rain more leaves dropped and there was less color that when we arrived. But, on the whole it was beautiful!

We got to see 3 bear in town by our Condo. That was exciting. We watched them awhile and then went in. My husband said the police ran them out of town. I'm sure they enjoyed the excitement!

So, I did get to go to my favorite vacation spot. I am so happy!