Friday, December 30, 2011

Rainbows and Resolutions

It seems that in which ever place I am spending the seasons...at home in the warmth of summer or at our home away from home in Fl during the chilly winter months, I have a special spot I seem to pick out as a cozy place to meditate, reflect, doze, pray ...in general... a veg-out place.  Here, it is the corner of my comfy couch in the Fl room porch where I have a fountain that bubbles away, sounding like a small stream running gently over smooth rocks on its way to the river.  At home in VT it is one of two places, the big papa san chair on the porch in nice warm weather or in a big "eat ya up" chair near the double windows where I can watch the birds at the feeder.  And in the afternoon,  the floating rainbows of color cast about the room by the little crystal hummingbird hung in the window there.




As I was reading my daily devotional book this morning, the lady who wrote today's bit of encouragement,  spoke of watching how a lovely crystal only reflects the bright lights of the sun which cause it to refract these rays into all those tiny dancing rainbows.
When things look bleak and I feel down and sad, I need to let God's light in by hanging His promises in the window of my soul, so when His light shins through it will remind me that He truly is watching over me, loving me and always there to give me  hope and courage...every day.  Thanks, Alma, for your 'crystal example' today !
As it is nearly the end of 2011, should I make some New Year's Resolutions...or not?  Some of the definitions of the verb to resolve are ... to decide...to determine..and to intend.  I like the order here!  To decide is of course the first step!  To determine, now that is a pretty forceful order to one's self ! BUT to intend, now that has loop holes...it means to TRY, which is good, but allows me a bit of room for failure there (: !

I don't usually resolve too much as I feel it is more of a promise to myself which I don't like to think I might break!  So I usually just promise myself to 'intend' or to TRY !

So what shall I try to do or be better with this new year?  Maybe to be more kind or to listen better...(oh, oh, does that indicate talking less ??)  Now comes the magic work   INTEND!  Oh well, I'll form a short list of things I intend to improve upon!

Whether or not you Resolve or Intend to do anything.....I wish you all a Very Happy and Healthy New Year and remember to look for Rainbows!!


Sunday, December 25, 2011

A Red Scarf and a Snowy Night

Several years ago, before we spent our whole winter in FL, I used to like to take a little walk after supper on a snowy night.  Now that I am here in the sunny south for most of the coldest part of winter, I sometimes reminisce about those times, and snow, the crispy air and bundling up to go outside.  These thoughts brought to mind an unforgettable little happening back home in the hills.




I pull on my boots...the warm ones with the fuzzy insides...  don my warm red scarf and cap and set off for a walk in the snow.  It is fresh snow, with more still falling.  The soft fluffy kind, my favorite variety...not that wet, sticky stuff that breaks tree branches and snaps power wires.  It is getting deep and I seem to be the only one in all this whole white, silent world.  The old road is like a brand new thoroughfare, all smooth and even.  I left the lamppost lit and it throws long shadows along my way until I reach the bend in the road,  It's darker here until I pass my neighbor's house and her lighted windows spread some light on my path. Then the corner and on to the Village Green, lit by a nearby street lamp and at the head of the Park, the Church, with a light in each window that sparkles in the night.

It's here in the Park on a cold park bench that I dust off a place to sit.  No cars are out tonight, all is so still. Did you ever listen, to hear a snowflake fall?  The birds are all quiet, tucked away for the night in their cozy spots in the evergreens.  All is calm, all is white, except for a red scarf and cap on this snowy white night.
Soon I begin to feel a chill and think about home and the old wood stove's warmth.  As I turn to go...there come along the road...deer...three or four of them, just sauntering along, headed my way!  I hold my breath.  I'm perfectly still.  They cross the road at the end of the Park and do a playful little prance before heading on up through the pasture and into the woods.

I'm SO glad I ventured out and sat a spell.  I'm sure they didn't see me...or did they...that spot of color, the red scarf, on a night so snowy and white.

Friday, December 23, 2011

Quiet Moments At Christmas Time




In quiet moments at Christmas time
I pause to just take in
Simple pleasures of the senses,
Sight and sound, tastes and scents,
They're everywhere!

A lighted tree,
With balls of cobalt blue,
And silver bells;
Pure white wings
On wispy little Angel things.
Tinsel all a-twinkle
Like icicles hanging from the eaves.

And tucked away
Among evergreen boughs, here and there,
Blooms of white Poinsettia serene and fair.

I love to lie among the sofa cushions
And 'watch' the Christmas tree.
Oh Yes, there is something here to see;
Tiny white lights aglow,
 Twinkle like starlight after it snows;
 The way the tinsel dances 
in the firelight's flickering glow.

I hear the sound of the old clock
On the mantle...tic-tock tic-tock,
Counting out the passing time.
Or the sound of logs in the fireplace
As they sputter and snap, crackle and sing
Of the gift of warmth they bring.

Then, there's that divine aroma
Of fresh baked Christmas bread,
The spiciness of gingerbread men
And steaming herbal tea in my favorite cup.

These moments are precious,
Gifts in themselves,
Mostly found in
Quiet moments at Christmas time.
                       
                                                                  

I hope you have found some quiet moments in your busy days this Christmas Season.  

There is a Christmas eve service here with wonderful music and a candle lighting time.  On Christmas day, we will have dinner here with all our Snowbird friends.  I am cooking a turkey and a veggie dish, honeyed carrots.  There will be lots to choose from and so many great cooks around here!  It is supposed to be  in the 80's so may go for a swim.  Better not eat too much...don't want to sink to the bottom!
I want to wish you all a most Blessed, Happy Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year. 

Monday, December 19, 2011

Christmas Party for 'Our Kids'



Finally the day arrives.  The day of the party we all plan for 'our kids', the ones we adopt each year through the local daycare.  The shopping is done, the wrapping is finished, we've sent an invitation to Santa to come and be our guest too.  The presents are under the tree and the ladies have baked cookies and decorated the hall.  A couple of big quilts have been spread near the tree for the little ones and the 'Elves' are ready to help Santa.  Folks gather to watch the happy event.  And here come the kids!

I'm dashing around with my camera hoping to capture all aspects of the day.  The pictures tell the story so I'll let them 'talk' !  Except to say that it was nice to hear Santa tell those little ones the Real Christmas story !

                                  Santa with a Musical Manger tells the Real story of Christmas

                                                                     Some or our Elves

     
    The Tree and presents

                    Pure joy                                                             

       Opening gifts 
                                                                     
A Happy Girl
                                                                     
Kids sing songs for us                                                                                           

Hope you enjoyed seeing our party.  We all come away knowing how true the old saying is " It's more blessed to give than to receive".  Merry Christmas Everyone!
                                                               

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Another "Christmas Past" Recollection




The decorations were all in place... the tree was trimmed and it was again time for a family favorite... The Candle Dipping Time.  This was something we did for some of the years our children were teens.  We'd invite friends and a neighbor or two and put on the Christmas carols.  The dinning room table would be all ready, with goodies for after the dipping.

The poem I wrote about the occasion probably says it all.  I am so glad the time is remembered by those who enjoyed the event with us.  It was sort of a magical time...another of those times when you could just 'feel the Love'.

I always love to hear of the wonderful little traditions my friends adopt in their own lives.  These are the makings of wonderful memories, family memories to take out of your treasure chest, dust off and savor over and over again.   Be sure you younger people make some of these memories with your families.



Candle Dipping

It's late December now.
We're busy with preparations,
Our homes to decorate
As Christmas we anticipate.

We've gathered boughs of evergreen'
Made garlands and wreaths, you know,
And hung the mistletoe.
And now it is time for candle dipping
And wassail sipping.

So we gather... friends and neighbors 
And family dear.

The wax is melting in the big black pot
On back of the old wood stove.
As sweetly, carols play, a room away.

Our wicks are all tethered,
We are ready to go !

So, round the chopping block we move
Till it's our turn to dip our wicks
Into the molten wax;
In and out, up and down, then skip along.

Round and round we go
As each completes the task.
Soon the candles take shape, begin to grow.
Smooth and round and even
They taper ever so gracefully.

What a sight to see !
All hanging there in rows of three
'Tween the tall, old chair backs
We're using as drying racks.

We won't forget these jolly times!
Our gathering together
By the fireside;
In from the frosty weather
At candle dipping time.
                                                               Dottie Ann Richardson
                                                                                                                        

Friday, December 16, 2011

Beauty to Share

                              Tiffany Chapel, on left, and above it a lovely stained glass window



Yesterday I was invited to take a day trip to Winter Park with my friend Wanda.  We left early in the morning as Winter Park is quite a jaunt from  here and we gathered up our friends Sue, Betty Lou and Sharron at their places along the way.

Our destination was the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art on Park Ave. there.  Charles Morse was born in VT.  It was his granddaughter, Jeannette Genius McKean, who founded the museum in 1942 and named it after her industrious grandfather, Charles.

The Morse houses the world's most comprehensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany 1848-1933.  Jewelry, painting, art glass, leaded glass windows and lamps and  the interior of his chapel that was at the 1893 World's Exposition in Chicago.  Also, art from Tiffany's estate on Long Island is on display. He wanted everyone to be surrounded with beauty and to enjoy fine art.
We thoroughly enjoyed looking at all the beautiful stained glass windows and the chapel was absolutely awesome!
Park Avenue and this area has brick streets and many wonderful boutiques and shops as well as many sidewalk cafes. With all the Christmas decorations and music it was truly lovely.  Strolling along on a warm, 75 degree afternoon made me wonder if this was what Paris would be like.  Especially as we chose to have lunch...a late lunch, at the Paris Cafe.  There were fountains and pools with bright colored fish, Koi, I believe, some were over a foot long, swimming around.  We were seated beneath a good sized tree and enjoyed a really good lunch.

It was a most delightful little adventure and I arrived home pleasantly weary.
 Here are some pictures from the Morse Museum's web site.  No cameras were allowed inside.



Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Our Local Christmas Parade

I thought I'd just say that we have a wonderful Christmas parade here in this little village.  They call it the City of Webster but it is far from what I think of as a 'City' !   Except for maybe on Monday when the really big flea market is going on.  Then it is a busy place!

All the local organizations, churches, schools, mobile home parks etc. participate in our parade.  There is a band or two, horses ( completely lit up with twinkling lights that are battery powered) and riders all aglow too.  MANY golf carts decked out in anything that looks like Christmas and winking and blinking to the rhythm of either carols of seasonal songs on board.  Our Park had a float, a good big one, with music and lights drawn by our new tractor all lit up too.  The 'elves' on board were passing out stuffed animals to the children that lined the parade route.  And of course, candy.  It is always nice to watch the parade and be warm while doing so !  All this happens at 6 PM so it is dark already and all the lights really show up.
I'll include a few pictures as I'm sure some of the participants will check out the blog today and be looking for a picture.  Can't take pictures when you are on the float now can you?  I'll include the daylight version as I don't do so well at nighttime versions of anything !

Pass on the Love, Joy and Peace of Christmas !



Getting ready to leave the Park



These guys love a parade !


Sunday, December 11, 2011

A Story of a Christmas Past

                                                                       LOVE


At Christmas time it seems as if one can feel the Love in the air!  Folks seem a little bit kinder, the greetings a bit more jovial and the music of Christmas is everywhere!

Today at church, the children's choir, made up of 6-9 year olds, played hand bells accompanied by softly playing background music of familiar carols.  They were soooo good!!  

As a mature person now (sounds better than 'older person' or 'senior citizen' etc.) I have many good recollections of Christmas seasons past.

One always comes to mind.  Our children had learned that there were families with kids their ages who just couldn't afford some of the things of Christmas and this bothered them. We discussed how we might help to make their Christmas brighter...  We heard of a group collecting toys to wrap and give to these kids.  All agreed that this was a great idea, as they had plenty of toys and really wanted these kids to be happy on Christmas morning. Each one picked out a toy that they felt they should give  Our middle child, Matthew chose to give his "Casper the friendly Ghost" who talked when you pulled his cord.  We all knew it was his special friend and asked him repeatedly if this was really his choice.  He said he was real sure so it was what he gave.  I noticed a few weeks later how he seemed to be missing Casper and he finally admitted to missing him a whole lot. He finally got over the loss of his friend and we didn't think much of it except to remember that he felt so good about the giving.  Several years later when he had just gone through a really rough time and was back at home for awhile... it was Christmas time.  Angel, aka 'Sissy', found a new small version, of all things, the old toy, Casper the Ghost!  It was complete with the voice when the cord was pulled.  She bought it, remembering how Matt had given up his 'friend' to make a poor child happy.  It really cheered him up and put a smile on his face!  We all could feel the Love!

Today I went on line and found offered there, on e bay, a vintage Casper the Friendly Ghost !  He looked pretty good considering his age!  Casper would be 47 years old !!


                                                          Casper The Friendly Ghost !

May we always remember that Christmas is really all about LOVE and God's Love as He gave to us, His greatest Gift !  His own Son!

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Cake Auction and Christmas Music


                           
                                                                                                                         


The Annual Sunshine Cake Auction was a roaring success this year !   The auctioneer was in great form and his elves were all gathered to help.  So many people made cakes and goodies of the Christmasy kind.  Two long tables groaned under the weight of the results of all the baking efforts. A sight to behold, especially for dessert lovers.

This cake auction is our big fund raiser to gather the funds for the little ones in our community who are not likely to have much of a Christmas at all.  Our special shopping elves, with the proceeds from this auction, select clothing and toys to fit the needs of the little ones, there are 37 of them this year. A box with the makings for a complete Christmas dinner is given to each family. We invite them to a party here just for them with a Christmas tree, the gifts, and goodies to munch on.

The auction is much looked forward to and is very well attended by folks who have saved up to support the project with their generous, very generous bids.  One especially magnificent cake appeared again this year.  It brought in $110,  another, a Diet dessert (actually a pretty paper plate all wrapped in clear wrap and a bow..MINUS the dessert) truly a no calorie dessert here, sold for $100.  The only Pinnapple Upside-down caked this year, sold to the highest bid of $75.  Other lovely cakes, desserts and platters of Christmas goodies were sold for prices ranging from $10 to $50. Fancy little packages of Chocolate Bark were really popular.  In all the food brought in $758.  Plus the donation jar was found to have $150 in it.  All of this plus earlier donations all added up to the grand sum of $1500.

We all experience the wonderful truth of how it is "More blessed to give than to receive". Although we all agree that we DO receive so much joy and love in the giving and especially in seeing the amazement and joy on those little faces. When our special shopping elves finish their work we will have a Gift Wrapping Party !

Tonight we were treated to an hour or so of great Christmas music from The Fruit Pickers Band, a group of musicians from the First Baptist Church in Bushnell.  They came to our Park and sang for us and with us.  They had some new words for the old song "The Twelve Days of Christmas".  I liked this version and thought to share it with you.  The song starts off ...   "On the 1st. day of Christmas, Jesus gave to me..."
I'll list here the 12 gifts.
1st day... Salvation Full and Free
2nd day...Everlasting Life
3rd. day..Peace in my heart
4th day...Love for all men
             5th day...Joy  in  my  soul
                        6th day... Power from on high
                        7th day... A body glorified
                        8th day... A robe and a crown
                        9th day... Mansions above
                       10th day..Streets of pure gold
                       11th day..A thousand tongues to sing
                       12th day..Eternity to Praise

It's been a full day and a nice one. Dennis has found a good Christmas movie for us to watch.  I'll see if I can stay awake for the whole thing! 
                       


Saturday, December 3, 2011

The God Cafe

Main Street in Leesburg FL, the old 'downtown' area is a favorite pace for browsing quaint little shops of all kinds.  A couple of my favorite ones are the Thrift Shop and the Consignment Boutique.  At this Christmas season, the Christmas House is a wonderful shop filled with hand crafted ornaments, decorations and all sorts of gifts and things for Christmas.  The local artisans and craft folk in the community fill the shelves and walls with their talent for creating pretty things.

The Thrift Shop is part of the FIrst Baptist Church's outreach and has only really nice things at very reasonable prices.  The Boutique features name brand items for ladies on consignment from people who must get a new complete wardrobe every season!  Some terrific buys on quality clothing can be found here.

The other day on Ladies Day Out from here in Sunshine, we strolled the length of Main Street, shopping and enjoying the music that is piped into speakers at intervals all along the street in the grassy, tree lined area along the sidewalks. Benches are available for a rest if you need one.  We were headed for the God Cafe, a very delightfully different little eatery with the most excellent offerings for lunch.  There were seven of us that day and we were taken to a fairly small room with a long table set for eight.  Peaceful paintings adorned the walls and a really stunning folding screen that someone had lovingly painted stood against the short wall of the room.

The menu featured great lunch choices, a couple specials, and a list of seven exotic sounding cheesecakes! On this menu there were NO prices listed.  The front of the menu reads:

GOD CAFE
Come rest in the Lord
This is a Holy Spirit filled Cafe.
We accept donations for the food.
We also accept and appreciate donations
over and above the cost of food
for help with the ministries we support.
Gary Hagen
Friend of God

"One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple."   Psalm 27:4

I ordered the quiche of the day, a veggie quiche with the homemade soup.  I could choose the soup or a garden salad. It had been a cool morning and soup, being a favorite of mine at lunchtime, seemed like an excellent choice.  It was !  Both the quiche and the soup were superb.

After our tasty lunches we ordered the 'Holy Cheesecake!' of our liking.  White Chocolate Turtle was my choice..way, way too good !!  I ate the WHOLE thing! (Dr. Barb, hope you aren't reading this!) The others chose French Apple with Cinnamon, Peaches and Cream and Blueberry Parfait.  Are you drooling yet ?? Gary does all the cooking here and he is GOOD!!

The wait staff are efficient, loving and friendly.  A sign invites patrons to leave a prayer request if one would like the staff to pray for your need. On the back of the menu:

God Bless You!
"And the Lord make you to increase and
grow in love one toward another and
toward all men, even as we do toward you".
I Thessalonians  3:12

Feeling happy, full and blessed, we decide this was the perfect way to usher in this blessed Christmas Season.  
Remember to keep Christ in Christmas !!  

Look Back, Look Up and Look Ahead


Another lovely sunset this evening !

Today would be our youngest son, Matthew's birthday.  We are missing him so much and looking back with remembering and loving memories on all the good times and family times we had as our children grew up.  I thank GOD always for giving us children to love and care for, the wonder of grandchildren, and the blessing of sweet little great grand babies!
I am also blessed with wonderful family and many friends who remember us on this day with phone calls and emails.  We feel their love across the miles.  Years ago, we always started to put up our Christmas lights on Matt's birthday.  He so looked forward  to that!


 We put up a few decorations for the Christmas season today.  I tried to get a picture of the really BIG star that Dennis always erects high above our home each December.  I will include it but will continue to 'fiddle' with the settings on my camera until I get a better night time one.  As folks come into Sunshine Village, if they happen to glance to their left, they will see this star, seemingly floating in the dark eastern sky.                                        


                                                           
                                                           The Star against the night sky.

         
          The Star in daylight

Here in Florida there are so many lights everywhere!  Dennis works around the park...he's 'Mr. Fix-It' wherever he goes! This year he built a good sized manger which lights up for us all in the Park to enjoy.


So many Christmas events to choose from in our area too.  Sunday there is a concert in Bushnell, 8 miles away that I plan to go to and later , a play in Leesburg which I probably won't go to this year.
We have a full agenda here at Sunshine too.  Sunday is our Cake Auction.  A really rousing fun time where the guys make cakes to be auctioned off...the proceeds to go toward our "Christmas for Kids' project.  I'll get a picture to share of the pretty cakes.  The bidding is fast and furious as we try to get the most money to buy gifts and put on a nice party for 'our kids'.  And there is the Webster Christmas Parade, an annual event in which we have a float and our residents decorate up their golf carts and enter the parade.  They use converters to power up the lights on their buggies.
The times of posting aren't always accurate on here I've noticed.

 Stay warm and well.